Abstract:
A door hold open and controlled release mechanism is designed for usage in a doorway system having an inner door, an outer door and a door closer. It includes a catch mechanism and a catch release mechanism. The catch mechanism holds the outer door, typically a screen door or storm door, in an open position against the closing tendency of the door closer. Movement of the inner door to an open position then toward a closed position triggers the catch release mechanism which allows the outer door to close under the urging of the door closer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a door closer mechanism adapted for usage in conjunction with a first door mounted in juxtaposition with a second door such as a screen door mounted with an entry door of an edifice or house. More specifically, the present invention relates to a door hold open and controlled release mechanism for use with a two-door arrangement, the mechanism comprising a catch mechanism for holding the first door open and a catch release mechanism for closing the first door upon the closing of the second door. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Door closers sold for use with screen doors or storm doors are typically in the form of a cylinder with an axially extendable rod, which is biased toward retracting by an internal coil spring and damped pneumatically or hydraulically. In order to hold the door in an open position a manual latching feature is generally provided in the form of a tab through which the rod extends. The tab prevents retraction of the rod because the cylinder end contacts it off center creating a leveraged frictional force on the rod sufficient to counter the bias spring. 
     In order to hold the door open, the user must restrain the door from closing while reaching up and moving the tab along the rod to the base of the cylinder. In order to release the door, the user must hold it open a bit further to free the tab so it may be moved to the free end of the rod. 
     These operations are cumbersome and inconvenient and especially so when carrying packages. 
     There has been no simple, inexpensive and convenient way to hold open and close a screen or storm door before the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,039 (Delay Door Closer to Crawford). This device holds a first door once it has been opened to a certain position then allows it to close when the second door is opened past a set point. This invention however was limited to having the second door release the first door upon the opening of the second door. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a door hold open and controlled release mechanism adapted for usage in conjunction with a first door mounted in juxtaposition with a second door, the first door being biased toward a closed position. The mechanism comprises a first means for holding the first door in an open position against the first door&#39;s tendency to move toward the closed position; and a second means for disengaging the first means upon closing of the second door, thereby allowing the first door to move toward its closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the first means of the mechanism of the present invention comprises a catch mechanism; the catch mechanism comprising a catch member and a caught member. For purposes of the invention, the term “catch member” is defined as that portion of a dual part catch mechanism which is more closely associated with the second door and “caught member” is defined as that portion of a dual part catch mechanism more closely associated with the first door. In still another embodiment, the caught member comprises a rod, the rod being connected to the first door and engaging with the catch member to hold the first door in the open position. For the purposes of the invention the word “rod” includes appropriate meanings of the word “shaft”. In yet another embodiment, the second means comprises a catch release mechanism; the catch release mechanism comprising an activator coupled to a disengaging device. In still yet another embodiment, the activator comprises a follower, the follower being biased against the second door and positioned to be in contact with the second door during a portion of the second door&#39;s movement so that during this period of contact as the second door moves the follower moves correspondingly. 
     In a further embodiment, the disengaging device causes disengagement of the first means for holding the first door open as the follower moves corresponding to the second door&#39;s closing movement. In still a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a door hold open and controlled release system comprising: a door arrangement comprising a first door mounted in juxtaposition with a second door, the first door being movable between a first open position and a first closed position, the first door having a biasing device exerting a biasing force against the first door tending to move the first door from the first open position to the first closed position and to maintain the first door in the first closed position, the second door being movable between a second open position and a second closed position; a catch mechanism connected to the first door, the catch mechanism being designed to hold the first door in the first open position; and a catch release mechanism connected to the catch mechanism, the catch release mechanism causing disengagement of the catch mechanism upon the second door being moved from the second open position toward the second closed position thereby allowing the biasing device to move the first door from the first open position toward the first closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the catch mechanism comprises a rod and a catch member, the rod being connected to the first door, the rod engaging with the catch member to hold the first door in the open position. In yet another embodiment, the catch release mechanism comprises an activator and a disengaging device, the activator being coupled to the disengagement device in such a way that closing movement of the second door moves the activator causing the disengaging device to prevent the catch mechanism from holding the first door in the open position thereby allowing the biasing force to close the first door. 
     In still yet another embodiment, the system further comprises a door frame and a housing mounted to the door frame, the catch mechanism and the catch release mechanism being mounted on the housing. In a further embodiment, the location of said first open position is adjustable, by means of changing the mounted orientation of the housing. 
     In still a further embodiment, the present invention also relates to a door hold open and controlled release mechanism adapted for usage in conjunction with a door, a door frame, and a door closer, the mechanism comprising: a housing adapted to be mounted to the door frame and adapted to be connected to the door closer; a catch member connected to the housing and adapted to engage the door closer in a manner whereby the catch member allows free movement of the door as the door is being opened but once the door has passed a set point, the catch member restrains the door with sufficient force to resist the closing tendency of the door closer; and a catch release mechanism connected to the housing which when deflected in one direction causes the catch mechanism to release the door to thereby allow the door to move toward a closed position. In another further embodiment, the door closer comprises a rod and a biasing spring, and the catch member is adapted to engage the door closer rod. 
     In yet another further embodiment, the catch member comprises a first ramp section, a hold section and a biasing element arranged in a manner whereby as the door is opened, the door closer rod contacts the first ramp section causing deflection of the catch member in a direction counter to the bias of the biasing element and upon continued movement of the door, the door closer rod passes the first ramp section and is held in the hold section by the biasing element. 
     In another embodiment, the catch member further comprises a second ramp section and the catch release mechanism further comprises a wedge, the second ramp section and the wedge being arranged such that when the catch release mechanism is moved the wedge engages the second ramp section thereby causing deflection of the catch member thus allowing release of the door closer rod from the hold section of the catch member. In yet another embodiment, the catch release mechanism further comprises a joint and a stop wherein the joint is biased toward a stopped position, so that as the catch release mechanism is moved in one direction the joint flexes and the catch release mechanism does not engage the catch second ramp but as it is moved in an opposing direction it is prevented from flexing by its stop and does cause the wedge to engage the catch second ramp allowing release of the door closer rod. In another embodiment the point at which the catch member restrains the door is adjustable by means of changing the mounted orientation of the housing. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a door hold open and controlled release mechanism, the mechanism being adapted for usage in conjunction with a first door mounted in juxtaposition with a second door, the method comprising: provision of a first means for holding the first door in an open position against a biasing force tending to move the first door toward a closed position; and provision of a second means for disengaging the first means upon closing of the second door, thereby allowing the first door to be moved by said biasing force toward a closed position. 
     In another further embodiment, the first means comprises a catch mechanism, the catch mechanism comprising a catch member and a caught member, and the method further comprises connecting the caught member to the first door, and allowing the catch member to engage with the caught member to hold the first door in the open position, the second means comprises a catch release mechanism, the catch release mechanism comprising an activator and a disengaging device, and the method further comprises coupling the activator to the disengagement device such that when the second door moves the activator, the disengaging device disengages the catch mechanism thereby allowing the biasing force to close the first door. In still another further embodiment, the caught member comprises a rod and the activator comprises a follower adapted to follow the movement of the second door. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the left top corner of a doorway looking in from the outside showing the mechanism of the present invention with inner and outer doors in a closed position (the inner and outer doors are omitted in this view for clarity); 
         FIG. 2  is an underside sectional view taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing the mechanism of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  except that the outer door is in an open position; 
         FIG. 4  is an underside view to  FIG. 3  showing the mechanism of the present invention with the outer door open; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to FIG.  2  and  FIG. 4  but with the outer door open and the inner door in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  but with the inner door opened further; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view similar to  FIG. 3  but shown at the point where the outer door is about to be released; and 
         FIG. 8  is an underside sectional view taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  7 . 
     
    
    
     Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. The figures are not necessary to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a portion of a conventional doorway is shown including a portion of the hinge-side door jamb  10 , an adjacent portion of the lintel  12 , a portion of an outer door  14 , which could be a screen door or a storm door, an outer door hinge  16 , a portion of an inner door  18 , which would typically be the main door, and an inner door hinge  20 . 
     A conventional door closer is shown consisting of a cylinder  22  and an axially moveable rod  24 . Internal to cylinder  22  is a piston (not shown), which is connected to rod  24 , a compression spring (not shown) which biases rod  24  toward its retracted position and a fluid (also not shown)—either air or oil—which provides damping. Cylinder  22  is pivotally attached to outer door  14  by means of pivot pin  26 , bracket  28  and screws  30 . Rod  24  is pivotally attached to lintel  12  by means of pivot  32 , housing plate  34 , screws  36  and screw  38 . 
     A catch  40  is rigidly mounted at one end to plate  34  by rivets  42 . Catch  40 , if designed as shown, would be molded of a flexible yet durable material such as an acetyl or nylon plastic. The free end of catch  40  has a ramp  44  and a hold section  46 . The portion of catch  40  between the hold section  46  and the rivets  42  comprises a biasing element that has resilient flexible characteristics. As the outer door  14  opens rod  24  rotates about its pivot  32  in a counter clockwise direction in FIG.  2 . As outer door  14  approaches a fully open position rod  24  contacts ramp  44  and deflects the free end of catch  40  downward as seen in FIG.  1 . Since the catch  40  is made of a resiliently flexible material and the angle of the ramp  44  is shallow this does not materially impede the movement of the outer door  14 . Once the outer door  14  has opened approximately 90 degrees from its closed position the rod  24  has passed the ramp section  44  and reached the hold section  46 . At that point catch  40  will spring back to its original shape as shown in  FIG. 3  due to the biasing element portion thereof. Now if the outer door  14  is released it will not close on its own since the force required to rotate rod  24  back out of the hold section  46  is greater than that applied by the door closer cylinder  22 . However, if additional force is applied to outer door  14  in the direction of closing then the hold function of catch  40  can be overridden without damaging any part of the mechanism. 
     A release lever  48  is pivotally mounted to housing plate  34  by means of pivot  50 . Wheel  52  is attached to release lever  48  by means of axle  54 . A wedge member  56  is pivotally attached to release lever  48  at pivot point  58 . Extension spring  60  biases wedge member  56  and release lever  48 . In  FIG. 2 , the release lever  48  is prevented from rotating under the influence of spring  60  by contact of wheel  58  with the inner door  18 . Wedge member  56  is prevented from rotating at pivot point  58  by stop  62 . 
     As the inner door  18  is opened release lever  48  and wedge member  56  rotate as a unit under the influence of spring  60  until the free end of wedge member  56  contacts the vertical portion of ramp  64  which is integral with catch  40 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , upon further movement of inner door  18 , the release lever  48  follows but the end of the wedge member  56  is held back by ramp  64 . As the inner door  18  continues opening wedge member  56  rotates relative to release lever  48  at pivot point  58  thus effectively shortening the radial distance from pivot  50  to the tip of wedge member  56 . When that length becomes shorter than the distance from pivot  50  to the near surface of ramp  64  then the wedge member will no longer be constrained buy ramp  64  and it will rotate clockwise to its stop  62 .  FIG. 6  shows the position these component s will assume when inner door  18  has opened beyond about 20 degrees; spring  60  pulls wedge member  56  against its stop  62  which pulls release lever  48  against its stop  66 . 
     If inner door  18  is now closed wedge member  56  will contact the sloped section of ramp  64  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . This contact deflects the free end of catch  40  downward which releases door closer rod  24 , which allows the outer door  14  to close under the action of door closer cylinder  22 . When the inner door  18  is fully closed the components assume the positions shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Typical operation of the system described above is as follows: when entering the building from outside the user opens the outer door  14  to the point where it is held. The user then opens the inner door  18  and walks in. Upon closing the inner door  18  the outer door  14  is released and closes. When exiting the building in the normal situation the user opens the inner door  18  then opens the outer door  14  and walks through. If the inner door  18  is self locking the user may close the inner door  18  and release the outer door  14  once clear. If the inner door  18  needs to be locked from the outside the user may open the outer door  14  to its hold position, lock the inner door  18  and release the outer door  14  with a nudge. 
     The installation procedure for the invention is as follows: starting with the closer assembly in the configuration shown in FIG.  6  and with the inner door  18  and outer door  14  open the closer assembly is held up to the lintel  12  and slots  68  are marked. Holes are drilled for screws  36  and screws  36  are screwed in most of the way. Housing plate  34  is inserted between the heads of screws  36  and the lintel  12  so that the screws  36  are midway in the slots  68 . Screws  36  are tightened if the alignment with outer door  14  is satisfactory a hole for screw  38  is drilled in the lintel  12  within slot  70 . Screw  38  is screwed in and tightened. Bracket  28  is affixed to the outer door  14  in a conventional manner. Adjustment to the hold open position of the outer door  14  may be made by loosening screws  36  and screw  38  and repositioning the housing plate  34 . 
     Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the attendant claims attached hereto, this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.