Patent Publication Number: US-6981295-B2

Title: Door closer hold-open apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This is a division of application Ser. No. 10,376,189, filed on Feb. 27, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,904,643, granted Jun. 14, 2005, of Tom W. Duffy for DOOR CLOSER HOLD-OPEN APPARATUS. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a hold-open apparatus for controlling the position of a door, preferably a screen door or storm door. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a piston assembly and can maintain a door in a predetermined open position, such as about 45° to about 100° in relation to a closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus can automatically lock and/or unlock when the door reaches predetermined positions. The apparatus advantageously can be retrofitted to existing door assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Screen doors, storm doors and the like, are utilized on millions of homes to provide fresh air, weather protection, and security, etc. The door typically includes a means for closing the door such as a spring or piston assembly or the like. 
     A popular means for controlling the door position utilizes a piston assembly which typically includes a cylindrical tube attached at one end to a bracket connector on the door. The inner surface of the cylindrical tube generally includes a spring loaded piston attached to a reciprocating connecting rod which extends from the piston and out of the tube. The end of the connecting rod opposite to the end carried and connected within the cylindrical tube typically is attached to a bracket which is connected to the door frame. When the door is opened, the connecting rod is pulled from the cylindrical tube, causing the piston to travel within the inner surface of the cylinder and thereby compress a spring coiled between an inner wall of the cylinder and the piston. When the door is released, energy stored within the spring pushes against the surface of the piston, causing it to slide within the cylinder and the connecting rod is drawn back within the cylindrical tube thereby closing the door. The retracting momentum of the piston is typically cushioned by compression of fluid such as air or oil inside the cylinder tube to create a damping resistance opposite the force that propels the door to close for better control of the speed and force at which the door closes. 
     Many different devices have been invented in order to maintain the door in a certain position, i.e., partially or completely open. One such device is a hold-open washer which has an aperture through which the connecting rod extends. The hold-open rod must be manually set once the door is opened at a position along the connecting rod. After the door is released, the connecting rod begins to be drawn back within the cylinder and is stopped when the hold-open washer makes contact with the end of the cylinder, binding the hold-open washer against the piston rod. The door will remain held in place until the door is opened and the hold-open washer is manually repositioned transversely along the connecting piston rod and away from the cylindrical tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,825 relates to a door check and door stop combination. The door check is made up of a pneumatic cylinder and piston which control the rate at which the door closes to prevent the door from slamming. A stop is attached to the distal end of the piston rod and lies along the side of the cylinder. The stop is made of a sheet material and has an aperture through it which receives the cylinder. The stop has a handle which may be engaged by the user&#39;s hand to move the stop from position in engagement with the cylinder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,969 relates to door closer mechanism for attachment to, or incorporation into, a standard spring type door closer, or for use with a standard spring type door closer. A reversible pawl and ratchet assembly operating on a rod between the door and door casing allows the door to ratchet open where it is held by the pawl until a slight closing pull or push on the door reverses action of the pawl and allows the door to close. While the door is closing or is fully closed, reopening of the door resets the pawl for again holding the door open as desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,163 relates to a storm door lock apparatus set forth wherein a clamp is secured to an associated screen-door type closure member that further secures a slidable rod mounted with an abutment surface for actuation by a user with a pivoted lever at the other end of said rod for canting about a piston rod associated with a door closure. Additionally, a generally “L” shaped link is securable to the abutment member for allowing engagement and access by a user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,513 relates to a receptacle for propping the cylinder of a cylinder-and-plunger strut in extended position of the strut includes two side-by-side cylindrical chambers, one being of a size to embrace the jack plunger rod but not the jack cylinder and the other chamber being of a size to slide over the jack cylinder, which chambers are interconnected by a slot sufficiently narrower than the jack plunger rod to enable the receptacle to move into a position embracing the jack plunger rod by snap action, and the larger chamber being of a size to slide lengthwise over the cylinder and having in it a lengthwise slot sufficiently narrow so as not to be able to pass the cylinder through it but sufficiently wide to pass the plunger rod through it. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,780 relates to an apparatus for controlling the position of a door suitable for use in association with door closing piston assemblies having a spring-biased reciprocable door closing piston rod and a latch plate transversely slidable along the length of the piston rod. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,925 relates to a holding mechanism attached to a generic door closing cylinder. 
     There are various disadvantages inherent in all of the prior art devices. To the Applicant&#39;s knowledge, none can be automatically locked open and released by simply moving the door without manual intervention. The prior art devices are often rather clumsy to manipulate when attempting to set or release a latch. Other disadvantages of the prior art devices are that they are rather complicated, hard to maintain, and expensive to produce. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses and describes a device including a hold-open apparatus which can be used in combination with a screen or storm door piston assembly. Piston assemblies are commonly utilized in the industry to maintain or bias a door in a closed position. The hold-open apparatus is operatively connected at one end to the piston assembly, preferably a bracket thereof which is connected to a door casing or jamb. When the door is opened to a predetermined angle with respect to the door frame, a second end of the apparatus can be engaged with a cylinder end of the piston assembly and hold or maintain the door in an open position. Preferably the hold-open apparatus automatically engages and disengages the cylinder, unlike the prior art devices. 
     The hold-open apparatus is of a durable and reliable construction and can be easily and efficiently manufactured. Importantly, the apparatus can be retrofitted to an existing storm or screen door with minimal effort. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will become apparent by reading the detailed description of the invention, taken together with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hold-open apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the structure shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A–3B  illustrate end views in section of various angular positions for the apparatus bracket aperture. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the hold-open apparatus in a locked position. 
         FIG. 5  is an embodiment of a hold-open apparatus having an adjustable length. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a partial side view of a further embodiment of a hold-open apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of a hold-open apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Making reference now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several figures, a new and improved door closer hold-open apparatus will be described. 
     Numerous households utilize a storm, screen or a like door to moderate or protect the interior of a house from heat, cold air, insects, etc. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , typically a door  10  is biased in a closed position utilizing a door closer assembly  20 . 
     The door closer  20  generally comprises a pneumatic spring or hydraulic type dampener cylinder  22  which is connected at a head end to the door  10  by a bracket  26  through a pin  27  or other securing means. One end of reciprocating piston rod  24  is operatively connected to the cylinder  22 . Attached to door casing, jamb or frame  12  at the side where the door  10  is hinged is a frame bracket  32 . The frame bracket includes a means for connecting to second end of rod  24  such as bracket aperture  29 . Normally an end portion of rod  24  will include an aperture which will allow pin  28  to connect rod  24  and bracket  32 . The frame bracket  32  preferably includes mounting apertures  31  which are elongated to accommodate existing apertures in a door casing to allow for easy connection to door frame  12 . 
     Upon opening the door  10 , piston rod  24  which is attached to door frame  12  by bracket  32 , is pulled out from within the cylinder  22 . When the door is then subsequently released, the cylinder pulls against rod  24 , causing the rod to be drawn back within the cylinder  22  and the door  10  is thus swung closed. The prior art door closers include a manual locking tab or washer  25  which extends around rod  24  and is moveable thereon. The tab  25  is manually set when the door  10  is opened at a position along the rod  24  that will enable the door  10  to remain open by the blocking action of the tab. The tab  25  must be again manually moved when the door  10  is to be closed. 
     In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the hold-open apparatus  30  of the present invention is operatively connected at one end to the frame bracket  32 , specifically through mounting aperture  33 . The hold-open apparatus  30  can be formed from a rod or bar having a first end portion  34 , a second end portion  35  and a central portion  36  interconnecting the ends  34 ,  35 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the hold-open apparatus frame bracket mounting aperture  33 , is separate from the piston rod bracket aperture  29  to isolate the closing cylinder force from hold-open apparatus in order to permit free radial movement of the hold-open rod. The hold-open apparatus mounting aperture  33  is generally located to the inside of the piston rod bracket aperture  29 , closer to the door frame  12 . The hold-open apparatus frame bracket mounting aperture  33  is preferably located on bracket  32  a predetermined distance away from the door frame  12  which is greater or equal to the width or thickness of the door so that the apparatus has sufficient clearance and will not bind against the door  10  when in an open position.  FIG. 2  illustrates one such preferred mounting position. 
     Modern doors are generally about 1.5 inches thick. Earlier models are generally thinner. Therefore, it is preferred that the mounting aperture  33  edge be about 1, desirably from about 1.5, or preferably from about 1.75 inches from casing  12 . Mounting aperture  33  diameter should be slightly larger than rod diameter, which preferably should be about 0.20 or about 0.25 inch or greater. 
     One important feature of the invention is that the hold-open apparatus frame bracket mounting aperture  33  is present on the bracket  32  having distinct angular characteristics with respect to a vertical axis or the position of the mounting bracket to produce different modes of operation. The hold-open apparatus  30  embodiments alternatively work in four distinct modes of operation, i.e., (1) lock manually and unlock manually, (2) lock manually and unlock automatically, (3) lock automatically and unlock manually, and (4) lock automatically and unlock automatically. 
     In one embodiment, the mounting aperture  33  is located so the central axis  38  is in a vertical position as shown in  FIG. 3A , i.e., straight up and down, or as in further embodiments, the aperture is located incorporating a “tilt” angle of generally about 10 to about 45 degrees, desirably from about 20 to about 40 degrees, and preferably about 30 degrees, with respect to the vertical plane in a predetermined direction as shown in  FIG. 3B  (about 30 degrees tilt). 
     To be able to lock and release the door automatically, a preferred embodiment, the above-noted “tilt” angle of vertical axis  38  places the upper portion or end of the aperture  33  at a predetermined position on the bracket with respect to the surrounding structure which is discussed hereinbelow. 
     The position of the top edge of the bracket aperture  33  is measured in relation to a horizontal plane which runs midway through the aperture  33 . A zero degree position is a line normal to the plane formed by the door casing  12  to the center of aperture  33  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A 270 degree position is a line normal to the plane formed by the door  10  in a closed position to the center of aperture  33  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, the vertical tilt angle places the upper or top edge of aperture  33  at a position generally from about 80 degrees to about 120 degrees, desirably from about 85 to about 110 degrees, and preferably about 88 degrees to about 95 degrees, and most preferred about 90 degrees, with respect to the described horizontal plane. 
     In this manner, gravity is used to lock and unlock the hold-open apparatus since the hold-open apparatus  30  is biased or tilted towards the cylinder  22  and rod  24  due to the position of the mounting aperture, and automatically locks in place when the door is opened to a predetermined angle. To automatically unlock the hold-open apparatus, the door is further opened, a predetermined angle, e.g., about 5 or about 10 degrees or more past the locked open position of the door. For example, if the door is locked open by apparatus at an angle of 80 degrees, the apparatus will unlock when the door is further opened to about 85 degrees. 
     To maintain the hold-open apparatus central portion  36  in a relative horizontal position (see  FIG. 1 ) as the door opens and closes, the angle between the first end  34  and the central portion  36  of the hold-open apparatus is-varied and is dependent on the tilt angle utilized if any. 
     The hold-open apparatus  30  comprises a durable material, preferably a non-corrosive material such as stainless steel, core metal with nickel- alloy plating, metal reinforced plastic, or plastic either thermoplastic or thermoset. The apparatus is preferably formed from a rod, tube, or other similar construction. Generally any metal can be used, so long as the choice is strong and durable, with stainless steel being preferred. The hold-open apparatus  30  includes first end portion  34  which fits in mounting aperture  33  and is allowed to move therein. The first end  34  has a collar  34   a  ( FIG. 1 ) or portion of greater diameter than aperture  33  to maintain the hold-open apparatus  30  at a certain height to provide clearance therefore. The central portion  36  and thus the length of the hold-open apparatus  30  extends generally about 4 to about 10 inches, desirably from about 6¾ to about 7¼, and preferably about 7 inches when measured from end to end. The length of central portion  36  is generally determined based on what angle the door is to be maintained in an open position as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Generally, the longer the hold-open apparatus central portion  36 , the greater angle the door will be positioned when latched open thereby. It is preferred that the hold-open apparatus  30  latches door  10  in an open position at an angle of about 45 degrees (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) to about 100 degrees, desirably from about 70 degrees to about 95 degrees, and preferably from about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees with respect to a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The hold-open apparatus  30  can also be designed so as to be variable in length as known in the art to accommodate the user&#39;s choice of operation and angle of the door open position, etc. Preferably the central portion of the hold-open apparatus length may be varied by utilizing two threaded ends  40 ,  41 , a threaded collar  42  and at least one locking element or nut  43 ,  44  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     To better understand the operation of the hold-open apparatus, it is important to note that the second or cylinder abutting end  35  of the hold-open apparatus  30  moves primarily in a horizontal plane and also in a radial arc with respect to the first end of the hold-open apparatus. In use, the first end  34  is located at the center of a circle and the second end  35  moves around a portion of the radial edge of the circle. It is also important to note that the second end  35  of the apparatus will engage in a hold-open position on the end of the closing cylinder that is closest to the door, i.e., between the cylinder and the door as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . There are numerous methods which can be utilized to hold a door in an open position using the hold-open apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, first end  34  of the hold-open apparatus  30  will be substantially perpendicular to the jam bracket with the mounting aperture  33  present in the bracket  32  located so the central axis  38  is in a substantially vertical position as shown in  FIG. 3A . With this embodiment, the hold-open apparatus must manually be engaged where the second end  35  is inserted against cylinder end as shown in  FIG. 4 , in hold-open position, but it will automatically disengage when the door is opened beyond a predetermined angle such as about 85 degrees. Automatic locking and unlocking action can be obtained by using a spring mechanism as explained hereinbelow if desired. In the manual locking embodiment, as the door is first opened, the cylinder exterior wall guides the second end of the hold-open apparatus so the second end swings with a similar angular motion as the door until the end of the cylinder  22  is extended past the second end of the hold-open apparatus. Then, the cylinder  22  no longer applies force to the hold-open apparatus. The hold-open apparatus  30  is then locked or tapped in place manually when the cylinder end is extended past the second end  35  of the hold-open apparatus  30 . When the door is then opened wider than the hold-open position, the piston rod  24  forces the hold-open apparatus towards the door and in doing so disengages the hold-open apparatus  30 . To close the door, no additional force need be applied to the hold-open apparatus as the second end of the hold-open apparatus will remain stationary as the door is opened beyond the locked position and will not move to a locked open position. As the door is released, the door will close with no interference from the hold-open apparatus  30 . 
     In further embodiments of the invention, an additional force such as from a spring, magnet or gravitation force is applied to the hold-open apparatus in order to automatically lock the door in an open position. In one embodiment, the mounting aperture  33  present in the bracket  32  is angled as described hereinabove, and gravitational force will be applied to the hold-open apparatus to provide for automatic locking of door  10  in an open position as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a further embodiment, the hold-open apparatus  30  includes a male/female pin adapter  50  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Pin  50  is designed having a portion  54  or element thereof which can fit within the existing aperture  29  utilized to secure piston arm  24  to bracket  32  while allowing free operation of the hold-open apparatus  30 . Pin  50  has a male element or fitting  54  which is inserted into aperture  29  to secure piston arm  24  of the door closer  20  in typical fashion as shown. The hold-open apparatus  30  first end portion  34  is inserted into female connection  52  and is allowed to freely pivot therein in order to latch the door  10  in positions as described herein. 
     If the male/female pin  50  is allowed to rotate as the door is opened and closed, no automatic action will occur, but, it is much easier to manually use as compared to the washer  25  that is commonly included with the piston assembly. When the male/female pin  50  is held fixed with, for example, a spring clip in a further embodiment, it will produce automatic locking/unlocking as explained herein. In one embodiment, the female aperture  53  present in the male/female pin is formed with an angle the same as described above for bracket aperture  33 . The male/female pin  50  will provide automatic gravitationally induced locking and unlocking. 
     In yet another embodiment, a magnet  80  can be attached to cylinder  22  at a butt end thereof as shown in  FIG. 1 . As the door is opened and the end of the cylinder is extended past the second end  35  of the hold-open apparatus  30 , the magnet will cause the second end of the hold-open apparatus to move towards the piston rod and will engage in a locked hold-open position. When the door is opened further, the second end of the hold-open apparatus breaks away from the magnetic force and permits an automatic disengagement allowing the door to close freely. 
     In yet another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 7 , the hold-open apparatus  60  includes a fixed coil spring  72  which is carried at the first end  64  thereof and maintained by a cotter pin  74  or other fastener means. The apparatus also includes a stop means comprising a lever or protrusion element  68  attached to the central portion  66  or end portion  64  of apparatus  60  and a binding post or stop  70  present on the bracket  32  produce automatic operation. The coil spring maintains a torque on the hold-open apparatus so the second end is always biased to move towards the piston  20  and will cause the second end of the hold-open apparatus  60  to lock open automatically when the door is opened to the desired position. When the door is further opened to a predetermined angle as noted hereinabove, and then released, the protrusion element will temporarily bind against post  70  and will permit the door to close freely. 
     Many varieties of springs and resistance binding methods could be used. For example, the binding point could be present between the collar on the first end of the hold-open apparatus and the bracket and would work much like that of a bicycle kick stand. Another method could incorporate parallel leaf springs that would operate on a non-concentric area of the first end of the hold-open apparatus. This method would provide a positive snap action as the hold-open apparatus locks open and also disengages. 
     Accordingly, the hold-open apparatus of the present invention can advantageously be utilized as an add-on accessory for a door closer mechanism which is already in use with little or no retrofitting necessary and without the need for installation tools. Alternatively, the hold-open apparatus can be included on newly constructed door closer mechanisms fitted to screen and storm doors. The present invention provides a simple method for maintaining a door in a latched position, whether operated manually, or automatically. The apparatus can be utilized by persons who have disabilities and cannot easily manipulate hands, fingers, digits, and/or bend over easily. Further, since the door can be activated to a hold-open position by simply opening the door, accidents that are caused by the closing door catching on the back of the legs or feet are minimized. 
     The main advantage in all cases to the user and as compared to other similar devices is that the apparatus can be operated completely automatically by simply opening and closing the door without any additional manual operation. This feature is particularly advantageous when the user has both hands full when entering, or when assisting others since the door can be automatically locked open and disengaged by simply moving the door. 
     In accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth; the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.