Braking apparatus for closure members
A braking apparatus has a main body for connection to one of a frame and a closure member mounted on the frame to undergo linear reciprocating movement between open and closed positions of the closure member. A tubular shaft is mounted in a main body for undergoing rotation. A resistance member is rotatably mounted on the tubular shaft and is disposed in an interior space of the main body containing a braking fluid. A spiral rod for connection to the other of the frame and the closure member is screw-threadably engaged with the tubular shaft so that the tubular shaft undergoes rotation when the spiral rod and the tubular shaft are relatively moved in an axial direction of the spiral rod. When the closure member undergoes linear reciprocating movement, the main body or spiral rod relatively moves in the axial direction of the spiral rod, the tubular shaft and the resistance member undergo rotational movement, and the resistance member receives a resistance of the braking fluid so that the tubular shaft rotates under a braking force of the braking fluid and reduces a movement speed of the closure member.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to braking apparatuses for closure members and, more specifically, to a braking apparatus for braking movement of a closure member for a portal, such as a door or window opening.
2. Background Information
Self-closing apparatuses for automatically closing a door by use of a spring, a weight, a slope rail, etc., in a sliding door or a folding door, for example, are known. When such self-closing apparatuses are used, a braking apparatus is employed for the purpose of braking the movement of the door just before its closing position in order to moderate the impact effect with a door frame. While such braking apparatuses are structured so as to apply resistance against the movement of the door, they are associated with many problems. For example, a self-closing apparatus employing pneumatic pressure tends to easily lose service durability, whereas a hydraulic pump-type apparatus is associated with a large mechanical loss and its braking distance cannot be made long.
JP-A-2001-303843, JP-A-2002-121959, and JP-A-2002-54348 describe self-closing apparatuses of such a type that an apparatus main body is disposed at a right angle relative to the movement direction of a door, and a rotation shaft disposed on the main body is rotated via a rack gear and a pinion gear, by which braking is applied to the rotation of the rotation shaft. In these conventional self-closing apparatuses, it is necessary to arrange the rack gear and the pinion gear in mesh with each other so as to convert straight reciprocating motion of the door to rotational motion of the rotation shaft, and even if the rack gear and the pinion gear are slightly shifted, a loud irritating noise is generated upon engagement. In addition, the volume of the entire self-closing apparatus becomes large, and it sometimes cannot be disposed in a small space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a a braking apparatus for braking movement of a closure member to moderate an impact effect when the closure member moves to a preselected position.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a braking apparatus for braking movement of a closure member and which is compact so that it can be installed in a small space.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a braking apparatus for braking movement of a closure member and which has high durability, a simple structure, and is economical to manufacture.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a braking apparatus for braking movement of a closure member without the necessity of using a rack gear or a pinion gear.
The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are carried out by a braking apparatus for a closure member. The braking apparatus has a main body for connection to one of a frame and a closure member mounted on the frame to undergo linear reciprocating movement between open and closed positions of the closure member. The main body has an interior space containing a braking fluid. A hollow shaft is mounted in the main body for undergoing rotation. A resistance member is disposed in the interior space of the main body containing the braking fluid and is mounted on an outer periphery of the hollow shaft for rotation therewith. A spiral rod is configured for connection to the other of the frame and the closure member. The spiral rod is disposed in and screw threadably engaged with the hollow shaft so that the hollow shaft undergoes rotation when the spiral rod and the hollow shaft are relatively moved in an axial direction of the spiral rod.
When the closure member undergoes linear reciprocating movement between open and closed positions, the corresponding main body or spiral rod relatively moves in the axial direction of the spiral rod and the hollow shaft undergoes rotational movement together with the resistance member. Since the resistance member is disposed in the interior space of the main body containing the braking fluid, the rotational movement of the resistance member, and thus the hollow shaft, is retarded by the braking fluid, thereby braking a movement speed of the closure member.
Thus when the closure member moves as described above, the corresponding main body or the spiral rod relatively moves in the axial direction of the spiral rod, and since the spiral rod and the hollow shaft are screw threadably engaged, the linear reciprocating movement of the closure member is converted to rotational motion to thereby rotate the hollow shaft. Since the resistance member receives the resistance of, and is retarded by, the braking fluid, the hollow shaft rotates under a braking force of the braking fluid and reduces the movement speed of the closure member.
In one embodiment, the resistance member is fixed to the hollow shaft, thereby effecting braking in both directions when the closure member is opened and closed. Alternatively, the resistance member is mounted on the outer periphery of the hollow shaft via a one-way clutch so that the resistance member can be adjusted to rotate or not to rotate together with the hollow shaft depending on the rotational direction of the hollow shaft. When the hollow shaft rotates in such direction that the resistance member will be connected to the hollow shaft by the one-way clutch, it is possible to effect braking against the movement of the closure member.
Moreover, since the main body having the hollow shaft is positioned along the axial direction of the spiral rod, the volume of the entire braking apparatus can be made small and only a small area is required for installation of the braking apparatus.
In one embodiment, the a screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod is formed with an irregular pitch, thereby making it is possible to change the number of rotations of the hollow shaft under a braking force during rotation and to adjust the braking force. Alternatively, the screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod is formed by twisting a flat bar, thereby facilitating manufacture thereof. Furthermore, when a wire, a shaft, etc. are used as a self-closing apparatus for the closure member, if the spiral rod is formed in a hollow shape and the wire is inserted through the hollow portion, the braking apparatus can be installed without obstructing the structure of the self-closing apparatus.
In yet another embodiment, the braking apparatus includes biasing means disposed between the main body and the spiral rod for biasing the main body and the spiral rod to return to original positions before starting the relative movement. By this construction, the closure member can be automatically returned to a preselected position (e.g., a closed position).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose various forms as examples of the use of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
The braking apparatus has a main body 7 and a spiral rod 8 which is inserted through the main body 7. One of the main body 7 and the spiral rod 8 is installed or mounted on the door 1, and the other of the main body 7 and the spiral rod 8 is installed or mounted on the door frame 4 so that the main body 7 and spiral rod 8 undergo relative movement in the axial direction of the spiral rod 8 when the door 1 is opened or closed. In the embodiment shown in
A tubular or hollow shaft 14 is mounted on the main body for undergoing rotation. The hollow shaft 14 has a flange 13 and shaft portions 14a, 14b extending from opposite sides of the flange 13 and terminating at respective first and second ends of the hollow shaft 14. The shaft portion 14b extends through the through-hole 10 of the main body and the through-hole 11 of the end cap 12. A stopper pin 15 is mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 14b near the second end of the hollow shaft 14 for preventing detachment of the hollow shaft 14 from the main body 7. A washer 17 is disposed between the stopper pin 15 and a step portion of the end cap 12. Sealing members 18 (e.g., O-rings) made of a suitable sealing material are disposed between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 14b and the main body 7 and the end cap 12 for providing a sealing function therebetween. The sealing members 18 are accommodated in respective grooves 7a and 12a formed in the main body 7 and the end cap 12.
A resistance member 20 is rotatably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 14b at a position within the space 19 of the main body 7 containing the braking fluid. The resistance member 20 is spaced by spacers 16 from the main body 7 and the end cap 12 in a longitudinal direction of the hollow shaft 14. In the embodiment shown in
In operation, when the door 1 undergoes linear reciprocating movement between open and closed positions, the spiral rod 8, which is non-rotatably fixed to the door 1 via the bracket 9, relatively moves in the axial direction thereof. As a result of the axial movement of the spiral rod 8, and since the spiral rod 8 and the hollow shaft 14 are screw-threadably engaged, the hollow shaft 14 undergoes rotational movement together with the resistance member 20. Stated otherwise, the linear reciprocating movement of the door 1 is converted to rotational motion to thereby rotate the hollow shaft 14 and the resistance member 20. Since the resistance member 20 is disposed in the interior space of the main body 7 and immersed in the braking fluid, the resistance member 20 receives the resistance of or is retarded by the braking fluid, and the hollow shaft 14 rotates under a braking force and reduces the movement speed of the door 1. Thus the braking fluid constitutes means for retarding the rotational movement of the resistance member 20 and the hollow shaft 14 to thereby reduce the movement speed of the door 1.
In the embodiment shown in
The threaded structures of the hollow shaft 14 and the spiral rod 8 and the manner of engagement therebetween will be described below with reference to the embodiments of the braking apparatus shown in
The hollow shaft 14 and the spiral rod 8 are screw-threadably engaged so that the hollow shaft 14 will rotate when the hollow shaft and the spiral rod are relatively moved in the axial direction. More specifically, a threaded portion formed on an outer periphery of the spiral rod 8 is a male screw or threaded portion 8a having a large lead angle, and formed to have either a single screw thread or a multiple screw thread. A threaded portion formed on an inner surface of the hollow shaft 14 is a female screw or threaded portion 14c for threaded engagement with the threaded portion 8a of the spiral rod 8. The female threaded portion 14c may be formed over substantially the entire length of the hollow shaft 14, as shown in
In the embodiments described herein, the relative linear and and corresponding rotational movement between the spiral rod 8 and the hollow shaft 14 are accomplished by the spiral rod 8 being screw-threadably engaged with the hollow shaft 14. It is understood by those skilled in the art, however, that other forms of connecting means between the spiral rod 8 and the hollow shaft 14 are suitable so long as the spiral rod 8 and the hollow shaft 14 are relatively moved in an axial direction of the spiral rod 8 and the hollow shaft 14 and the resistance member 20 undergo rotational movement when the door 1 undergoes linear reciprocating movement between the open and closed positions.
Referring now to
The spiral rod 8 is preferably formed to have such a length that corresponds to the movement distance of the door 1 so that the spiral rod 8 will always be in threaded engagement with the hollow shaft 14 when the door 1 is opened and closed. Alternatively, the spiral rod 8 may be formed to have such a length that at a portion of the spiral rod 8 at which braking is to be effected to the movement of the door 1, the spiral rod 8 is inserted into the hollow shaft 14 to start the threaded engagement. In the embodiment shown in
A hollow shaft 29 extends through a through-hole 30 formed in the main body 22 and a through-hole 31 formed in the adjusting member 24 and is mounted for undergoing rotation relative to the main body 22 and the adjusting member 24. A one-way clutch 28 is mounted on an outer circumferential surface portion of the hollow shaft 29 so that the one-way clutch 28 is disposed in the space 25 containing the braking fluid. As described above, the braking apparatus in this embodiment does not use a resistance member separate and independent from the one-way clutch 28. Instead, an outer ring (not shown) of the one-way clutch 28 which mounted directly on the outer circumferential surface portion of the hollow shaft 29 is used as the resistance member. A stopper pin 32 is mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the hollow shaft 29 for preventing detachment of the hollow shaft 29 from the main body 22.
A spiral rod 33 has a hollow portion 34 and a male screw or threaded portion 33a formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof for threaded engagement with a female screw or threaded portion 29a of the hollow shaft 29. The hollow portion 34 of the spiral rod 33 is configured to receive therethrough a wire 35 which communicates to a winding drum (not shown) of a self-closing apparatus (not shown).
By the foregoing construction, when the adjusting member 24 is rotated by rotating the end portion 26, the inner cylinder 23 moves in the axial direction and an area of the inner cylinder 23 facing the resistance member (i.e., the outer ring of the one-way clutch 28) is changed. As a result, the resistance effect of the braking fluid to rotation of the resistance member can be changed or adjusted to thereby vary the braking force to the hollow shaft 29. Thus the adjusting member 24 constitutes adjusting means for adjusting the braking force of the braking fluid.
In the braking apparatus described above with reference to the embodiment of
Various types of clutches may be selected for the clutch 46. For example, in the embodiment shown in
Preferably, the clutch members 47 and 48 and the clutch holder 45 are made of a suitable plastic material, and the clutch member 47 is formed in one piece with the clutch holder 45. Alternatively, the clutch member 47 and the clutch holder 45 are fabricated as separate and independent members and then integrally connected to one another, such as by bonding. Furthermore, while in the embodiment of
By the foregoing construction of the braking apparatus, when the main body 42 moves towards the right in
From the state of the braking apparatus shown in
In the foregoing embodiment shown in
The foregoing embodiments of the braking apparatus according to the present invention have been described above with a particular application to a sliding door. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the braking apparatus of the present invention is also adapted for use with other types of closure members in the form of opening and closing mechanisms which undergo straight reciprocating motion, such as a folding door or a double-hung window. Additionally, the braking apparatus of the present invention is also adapted for braking doors of pieces of furniture, such as drawers or flaps, to prevent these from reaching or hitting their end positions with force and irritating noise.
Thus the foregoing described embodiments according to the present invention provide a braking apparatus for braking movement of a closure member to moderate an impact effect when the closure member moves to a preselected position (e.g., a closed position) either by manual movement or by a self-closing apparatus. The braking apparatus is compact so that it only requires a relatively small space for its installation, is highly durable, has a simple structure, and is economical to manufacture. Furthermore, the braking apparatus of the present invention can effectively brake movement of a closure member without the necessity of using a rack gear or a pinion gear.
From the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises an improved braking apparatus for closure members. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that obvious changes can be made to the embodiments described in the foregoing description without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all obvious modifications thereof which are within the scope and the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A braking apparatus for a closure member, the braking apparatus comprising:
- a main body for connection to one of a frame and a closure member mounted on the frame to undergo linear reciprocating movement between open and closed positions of the closure member, the main body having an interior space containing a braking fluid;
- a hollow shaft mounted in the main body for undergoing rotation;
- a resistance member disposed in the interior space of the main body containing the braking fluid and mounted on an outer periphery of the hollow shaft for rotation therewith; and
- a spiral rod for connection to the other of the frame and the closure member, the spiral rod being screw-threadably engaged with an inner surface of the hollow shaft so that the hollow shaft undergoes rotation when the spiral rod and the hollow shaft are relatively moved in an axial direction of the spiral rod;
- wherein when the closure member undergoes linear reciprocating movement between the open and closed positions, the main body or spiral rod relatively moves in the axial direction of the spiral rod, the hollow shaft undergoes rotational movement together with the resistance member, and the resistance member receives a resistance of the braking fluid so that the hollow shaft rotates under a braking force of the braking fluid and reduces a movement speed of the closure member.
2. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the resistance member is mounted on the outer periphery of the hollow shaft via a one-way clutch.
3. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the resistance member is integrally connected to the outer periphery of the hollow shaft.
4. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the spiral rod has a screw-threaded portion formed on an outer surface of the spiral rod and having a constant pitch.
5. A braking apparatus according to claim 4; wherein the screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod comprises a twisted flat bar.
6. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the spiral rod has a screw-threaded portion formed on an outer surface of the spiral rod and having an irregular pitch.
7. A braking apparatus according to claim 6; wherein the screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod comprises a twisted flat bar.
8. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the spiral rod has a screw-threaded portion comprising a twisted flat bar.
9. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the spiral rod has a hollow structure.
10. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the main body comprises adjusting means for adjusting the braking force of the braking fluid.
11. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; further comprising a biasing member disposed between the main body and the spiral rod for biasing the main body or the spiral rod towards a preselected position thereof.
12. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the spiral rod is mounted for undergoing rotational movement; and further comprising a holding member for integral connection to the closure member or the frame, and a clutch disposed between the spiral rod and the holding member for controlling rotation of the spiral rod between a rotating state and a non-rotating state.
13. A braking apparatus according to claim 12; wherein the clutch comprises a dog clutch having a first clutch member integrally connected to the holding member and a second clutch member integrally connected to the spiral rod for engagement with the first clutch member so that the spiral rod is placed in a non-rotating state.
14. A braking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the closure member comprises a door or a window and the frame comprises a door frame or a window frame, respectively.
15. A braking apparatus for a closure member, the braking apparatus comprising:
- a main body for connection to one of a frame and a closure member mounted on the frame to undergo linear reciprocating movement between open and closed positions of the closure member;
- a tubular shaft mounted in the main body for undergoing rotation;
- a resistance member mounted on an outer periphery of the tubular shaft for rotation therewith;
- a spiral rod for connection to the other of the frame and the closure member;
- connecting means for connecting the spiral rod to the tubular shaft so that when the closure member undergoes linear reciprocating movement between the open and closed positions, the spiral rod and the tubular shaft are relatively moved in an axial direction of the spiral rod and the tubular shaft and the resistance member undergo rotational movement; and
- retarding means for retarding the rotational movement of the resistance member so that the hollow shaft rotates under a braking force and reduces the movement speed of the closure member.
16. A braking apparatus according to claim 15; wherein the resistance member is mounted on the outer periphery of the hollow shaft via a one-way clutch.
17. A braking apparatus according to claim 15; wherein the resistance member is integrally connected to the outer periphery of the hollow shaft.
18. A braking apparatus according to claim 15; wherein the connecting means comprises a first screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod and a second screw-threaded portion of the tubular shaft threadably engaged with the first screw-threaded portion.
19. A braking apparatus according to claim 18; wherein the screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod has a constant pitch.
20. A braking apparatus according to claim 18; wherein the screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod has an irregular pitch.
21. A braking apparatus according to claim 18; wherein the screw-threaded portion of the spiral rod comprises a twisted flat bar.
22. A braking apparatus according to claim 15; wherein the resistance member is disposed in an interior space of the main body; and wherein the retarding means comprises a braking fluid disposed in the interior space of the main body.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 3, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 22, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Yoshikazu Nakanishi (Tokyo), Eiichi Aida (Chiba-ken)
Application Number: 11/267,779
International Classification: B65H 59/10 (20060101);