Abstract:
Especially for use with a door panel hinged on a frame for relative swinging movement is a device for so swinging the panel relative to the frame, the swinging device being responsive to a switch. An arm journalled on an eccentric hub rotatable with the door frame is movable in one direction against a stop and in the other direction against a switch that controls the operation of the panel swinging device, in this way affording an easy and proper control of power door operation.

Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to structure for use in connection with a door panel that is mounted on a door frame by hinges in order to swing between a closed position and any of several, chosen open positions, the motion of the door panel being subject to some damping or other sort of control and sometimes being effectuated by power. If power is utilized, it is preferably initiated or controlled by the operator starting the motion of the door panel with respect to the door frame. 
     One form of structure for carrying out the purposes of the invention is described in the accompanying description and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, isometric view showing a door panel in closed position and mounted by hinges on a frame and having an appropriate controlling structure pursuant to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation, with portions in section, of an actuator. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram in horizontal cross-section showing the door panel in closed position. 
     FIG. 4 is a corresponding plan view of some of the control structure positioned accordingly. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view largely in horizontal cross-section showing the door panel partly open. 
     FIG. 6 is a view comparable to FIG. 4 and showing the control structure in a position corresponding to that of the door panel of FIG. 5. 
     FIG. 7 is a view of the door panel in a further open position. 
     FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 6 but showing the control mechanism advanced corresponding to the FIG. 7 door panel position. 
     FIG. 9 is a view comparable to FIG. 7 but with the door much more nearly open. 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the control structure in a position corresponding to that of the door of FIG. 9. 
     FIG. 11 is a view of the door panel somewhat past central open position. 
     FIG. 12 is a view of the control structure in a location corresponding to the door panel position of FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the door panel retracing its motion from fully open toward a closed position. 
     FIG. 14 is a view of the control structure corresponding to the door panel position of FIG. 13. 
     FIG. 15 is a view of the door panel approaching closed position. 
     FIG. 16 is a view like FIG. 14 but with the parts in position for the door panel location of FIG. 15. 
     FIG. 17 is a view of the door panel very nearly closed again. 
     FIG. 18 is a view of the control mechanism in a position corresponding to the door position of FIG. 17. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the usual arrangement, as especially shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a door frame 6 generally of a rectangular configuration and marking a passage through a wall 7 closed in one position of a door panel 8 and open in another position thereof. The door panel 8 is mounted on the frame by hinges 9 and 11 and has the customary control hardware 12 thereon. In addition, there is provided a special form of door controlling mechanism 13, which will appear more fully hereinafter. In the controlling arrangement, there is an internal structure, usually actuating against a closing spring (not shown) in a housing 14. The spring is compressed upon rotation of a shaft 16 in one direction by a lever arm 17 connected by a pivot pin 18 to a link arm 19 fastened pivotally to the door panel 8. As the door panel 8 is swung open on the hinges, the spring in the housing 14 is compressed and tends of its own accord to close the door panel. Such closure is often controlled by means of a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement including bleed holes that are variable, so that the closing speed in different zones can be variously regulated. 
     In the present instance, the mechanism 13 is not only inclusive of the customary hydraulic closer structure, but in addition there is a second pneumatic arrangement. This is joined to a power source 21 and is effective to supply compressed air under a selected pressure through a line 22 to the hydraulic cylinder. The source 21 is controlled electrically or pneumatically from the controller 13 through a line 23. When the door is to be opened, the power source 21 is made effective to add to the opening force for swinging the door panel 8 relative to the door frame 6. It can also be arranged for the hydraulic force to be effective in assisting in bringing the door through a regulated closing pattern, if desired. 
     The power source 21 is shown diagrammatically because it need not be pneumatic, but instead can be of a generally mechanical or electrical nature, working with an electrical control structure with the mechanism 13. The point in each instance is that there is available to move the panel with respect to the frame a suitable power actuator so that such movement does not have to be done by hand and is not subject to variant forces such as slamming or winds or the like, particularly when the door is in the fully open position. 
     Whatever the nature of the power source and of the corresponding controller 13, there is provided a structure responsive to door panel position to regulate the appropriate panel-influencing force. As an exemplary device, there is provided on the end of the shaft 16 an eccentrically located hub 24. On the hub 24 is a trigger arm 26 extending radially from the hub so that the tip 27 of the arm 26 is movable between a fixed stop 28 and the contact 29 of a switch 31 controlling the circuit 23. 
     Since the hub 24 may swing though an eccentric arc substantially different in length than the space within which the lever arm 26 may swing, there is provided a firm but frictional engagement between the hub 24 and the surrounding end of the arm 26. Thus, while when there is no particular restraint the arm and hub 24 rotate together, yet when the arm strikes an obstruction and cannot move farther, even so the hub 24 can continue by rotating within the end of the arm. 
     The functioning of the parts is substantially as set forth in the various progressive views. When the door is closed, as in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hub 24 and the arm 26 are in a relationship so that the tip 27 of the arm is in abutment with a fixed stop 28. The tip of the arm is likewise spaced from the contact 29. 
     As the door panel 8 starts to swing open from the position of FIG. 3 into the position of FIG. 5, the shaft 16 is rotated and carries the hub 24 with it. Likewise, being unrestrained, the arm 26 similarly swings and moves away from the fixed stop 28 and into abutment with the contact 29 and thus energizes or closes the otherwise open spring switch 31. Thus, the merest opening of the door panel by hand calls upon an auxiliary assisting opening force from the power source 21, since the circuit 23 is then closed. 
     As the door panel then swings farther toward an open position, as shown in FIG. 7, and the shaft 16 also rotates farther, the hub 24 is carried around with the shaft 16. The arm 26, being in abutment with the switch 31, cannot move any farther in a switch-closing direction, but merely slides laterally or shifts laterally slightly to the left in FIG. 8 while keeping the contact still closed. 
     As the door panel opening movement continues, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the shaft 16 rotates farther in a counterclockwise direction and carries the hub 24 farther around with it toward the left as seen in FIG. 10. This motion, although still urging the arm 26 toward the switch, also shifts the arm farther transversely so that the tip 27 of the arm is moved out of or away from contact with the switch 31. Then the switch 31 opens under the customary spring pressure and breaks the circuit to the power device 21. By this means, the door is open sufficiently for most normal purposes and there is no longer a demand for auxiliary opening force. The power source may continue to supply power to the controlling mechanism for any predetermined time, but the door remains stationary in the open position, as the motion limit of the door controller internal structure has been reached. 
     Even so, as shown in FIG. 11, the door panel 8 may swing to a farther open position, and when that occurs the shaft 16 continues to rotate counterclockwise in an additional amount. The hub 24 goes with it, yet cannot displace the arm 26 any farther toward the body of the switch 31, but rather simply shifts transversely or laterally and away from the contact 29, so that the circuit remains open and no additional demand signal is sent to the power device 21. 
     This is substantially the openmost position of the door panel and requires nothing to position it other than the standard restraint of the door closer mechanism itself. 
     When it is time to close the door, or the spring in the closer starts to close the door, as shown in FIG. 13, then the door panel 8 begins to move in a clockwise direction and correspondingly starts to rotate the shaft 16 in a clockwise direction. Concurrently with that, the hub 24 is likewise translated in a clockwise direction and due to friction with the arm 26 causes the arm to move away from the switch and again into contact with the stop 28, as indicated by the difference in position between FIGS. 12 and 14. The switch 31, having been opened, remains open because there is no further force upon it. 
     As the door panel 8 continues toward closed position, as shown in FIG. 15, the shaft 16 likewise continues in its clockwise rotation, carrying the hub 24 with it. Under these circumstances, the tip of the arm 26 simply slides over or against the stop 28 without any abutment with the contact. The tip 27 of the arm 26 is brought into juxtaposition with the switch contact 29 so that any subsequent opening motion of the door will cause the tip 27 to operate the switch 31, thus causing an opening assist from that point until the door reaches the fully open position. 
     Finally, when the door panel 8 is nearly in its closed position again, as shown in FIG. 17, the shaft 16 has very nearly returned to its initial rotary position and has brought the stub shaft 24 very nearly back to its initial position. Under these circumstances, the arm 26 is likewise shifted transversely since it cannot rotate any farther because of restraint by the stop 28. The arm simply shifts transversely or laterally toward the right in FIG. 18 and substantially into the position that it occupied as shown in FIG. 4 except for a slight transverse displacement. The transverse position of the tip 27 now is such that when the door panel 8 is again moved toward open position, the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 16 and of the hub 24 through friction with the arm 26 causes the arm to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. This brings the tip 27 downwardly in FIG. 18 and again into touch with the contact 29, so that the circuit 23 is again completed and there is again power actuation of the door panel toward open position. 
     Thus by very simple means, there is afforded a way of controlling a power actuator for a door panel effective in the position of the panel near or in its closed position but ineffective when the door panel is substantially open and does not require any additional force. The operation of the door panel by a person is greatly facilitated and permits him to start the opening of a door relatively easily and then to be substantially assisted for the remaining part of the desired door opening. There is also in effect a resetting of the device when the door panel closes, so that the next user has the same advantage.