Improvements in or connected with Hinges for Self-closing Doors, Shutters, or the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Hinges for Self-closing Doors,
Shutters, or the like.
We MORGAN DONNE of 30 Belleville Road Wandsworth Common in the
County of Surrey Engineer and CHARLES JOSEPH MATHIAS of 3 Eddiscombe
Road, Fulham in the County of Middlesex Watchinaker do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with hinges for self-
closing doors, shutters, or the like and has for its object to obtain a simple
inexpensive, and compact form of hinge which will effect the closing of a door
without the necessity for the employment of springs pneumatic devices or the.
like.
In carrying the invention into effect according to one arrangement one part of
the hinge is formed like a cylindrical box interiorly provided with a central stud
or axis and the other part of the hinge takes the form of a cylindrical plunger and
fits the cylindrical box with sufficient nicety to exclude dust and the like, the box
being fixed with the door and the cylindrical plunger being fixed with the door
frame or the reverse arrangement might be observed if desired.
The cylindrical plunger is formed with a central pillar or cylindrical projection
provided with an axial hole or recess to receive the stud of the box.
Upon the bottom of the box are formed two inclined planes arranged in a curve
struck from the axis of the pillar, and these inclined planes rise gradually in
opposite directions to their highest point.
Upon the face of the cylindrical plunger are formed two corresponding inclined
planes so that in the normal position of the parts the several inclined planes forin
the figure of a diamond, opposite co-acting inclines being so formed as to lie
parallel to each other or approximately so.
Between these inclines that is to say within the diamond is placed a steel ball
of suitable diameter and the inclines of the cylindrical box rest thereon so that the
ball supports the entire weight of the door.
Upon the door being turned on its axes to open it the ball will ride up one of
the inclines until its further progress is arrested by a stop or stops at which time
the door will be at right angles with its frame and open.
Upon the door being released the ball will by reason of the weight of the door,
run down the iucline and the door will swing towards its normal or closed position
and perhaps beyond the same the ball running a short distance up the opposite
incline, whilst the door will ultimately return to its normal position and in order
to there retain it, a sharp depression is formed at the bottom of the two inclines
into which the ball will be received thus holding the door against any light wind
or other pressure and at the same time allowing the bottom of the door to come
close down to the floor and thus act as an efficient draught excluder, the sudden
rise from the depression to the inclines upon the opening of the door at once
freeing it from the floor.
The stops according to a preferred form of the device consist of short inclines
or projections formed at the extreme ends of the inclines and these stops also serve
the purpose of adjusting the position of the ball with relation to the inclined
planes should it by chance creep out of place or travel unequally from some
unforeseem cause.

page_text: The device hereinbefore described is more especially applicable to a swing door,
but the same form may be employed in connection with a door closing against a
shutting post as in the ordinary door of a house, or in applying the device to that
class of door a single incline only may be employed if desired preferably with a
depression at the foot thereof as hereinbefore described.
The hinge may be countersunk in the thickness of the door, or partly in the
door and partly in the door frame or it may be arranged to project beyond the
surface of the door, suitable lugs or leaves being formed upon each part to
facilitate its application to the door and door frame in the same manner as an
ordinary hinge and in all cases the device is furnished with lugs or other means by
which it may be fixed in position.
By arranging the cylindrical box as the lower part of the hinge and the plunger
as the upper part the box may if required be utilized to contain a large supply of
lubricating material.
In applying the invention to a rising butt hinge a guard plate is formed on or
fixed to one part of the hinge in order to retain the ball in position.
It will be evident that in lieu of employing a single ball as herein before
described two or more balls might in some cases be substituted therefor.
By the means herein before described a novel form of hinge is obtained which is
practically dust tight will render a door self-closing without the aid of springs and
which at the same time is less expensive to produce than an ordinary spring
hinge.
It will be evident that the invention is also applicable to shutters and the like.
Dated this 16th day of February 1895.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.
Improvements in or connected with Hinges for Self-closing Doors,
Shutters, or the like.
We, MORGAN DONNE of 30 Belleville Road Wandsworth Common in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, and CHARLES JOSEPH MATHIAS of 3 Eddiscombe
Road, Fulbam in the County of Middlesex Watchmaker, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with hinges for self-
closing doors, shutters, or the like, and has for its object to obtain a simple,
inexpensive and compact form of hinge which will effect the closing of a door
without the necessity for the employment of springs, pneumatic devices or the
like.
In carrying the invention into effect, according to one arrangement one part of
the hinge is formed like a cylindrical box interiorly provided with a central stud
or axis, and the other part of the hinge takes the form of a cylindrical plunger
and fits the cylindrical box with sufficient nicety to exclude dust and the like, the
box being fixed with the door and the cylindrical plunger being fixed with the
door frame or the reverse arrangement might be observed if desired.
The cylindrical plunger is formed with a central pillar or cylindrical projection
provided with an axial hole or recess to receive the stud of the box.
Upon the bottom of the box are formed two inclined planes arranged in a curve
struck from the axis of the pillar, and these inclined planes rise gradually in
opposite directions to their highest point.
Upon the face of the cylindrical plunger are formed two corresponding inclined

page_text: planes so that in the normal position of the parts, the several inclined planes form
the figure of a diamond, opposite co-acting inclines being so formed as to lie
parallel to each other or approximately so.
Between these inclines that is to say, within the diamond is placed a steel ball
of suitable diameter and the inclines of the cylindrical box rest thereon so that the
ball supports the entire weight of the door.
-
Upon the door being turned on its axes to open it the ball will ride up one of
the inclines until its further progress is arrested by a stop or stops, at which time
the door will be at right angles with its frame, and open.
Upon the door being released the ball will by reason of the weight of the door,
run down the incline and the door will swing towards its normal or closed position
and perhaps beyond the same, the ball running a short distance up the opposite
incline whilst the door will ultimately return to its normal position, and in order
to there retain it, a sharp depression is formed at the bottom of the two inclines
into which the ball will be received, thus holding the door against any light wind
or other pressure, and at the same time allowing the bottom of the door to come
close down to the floor, and thus act as an efficient draught excluder, the sudden
rise from the depression to the inclines upon the opening of the door at once
freeing it from the floor.
The stops according to a preferred form of the device consist of short inclines
or projections formed at the extreme ends of the inclines and these stops also serve
the purpose of adjusting the position of the ball with relation to the inclined
planes, should it by chance creep out of place, or travel unequally from some
unforeseen cause.
The device hereinbefore described is more especially applicable to a swing door
but the same form may be employed in connection with a door closing against a
shutting post as in the ordinary door of a house, or in applying the device to that
class of door a single incline only may be employed if desired but with a
depression at the foot thereof as-hereinbefore described.
"
The hinge may be countersunk in the thickness of the door, or partly in the
door and partly in the door frame, or it may be arranged to project beyond the
surface of the door, suitable lugs or leaves being formed upon each part to
facilitate its application to the door and door frame in the same manner as an
ordinary hinge, and in all cases the device is furnished with lugs or other means
by which it may be fixed in position.
By arranging the cylindrical box as the lower part of the hinge and the plunger
as the upper part, the box may if required be utilized to contain a large supply of
lubricating material.
'
In applying the invention to a rising butt hinge a guard plate is formed on or
fixed to one part of the hinge in order to retain the ball in position.
It will be evident that the invention is also applicable to shutters and the
like.
±
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents in elevation parts of a door and door frame having the
present invention applied thereto, and showing the parts in their normal
position.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section thereof.
Figure 4 is a elevation partly in section taken at right angles to Figure 3.
J
Figure 5 is a similar view to Figure 4 but showing the parts in the position
they would assume with the door open.
Figure 6 is a similar view to Figure 4 but representing a modified device applicable
to a door shutting against a post.

page_text: :
.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section thereof taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a similar view to Figure 6, but showing the parts in the position they
would assume with the door open.
Figure 9 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of a door showing a
modified method of fixing the device therewith and
Figure 10 is a plan thereof.
'Figure is a somewhat similar view to Figure 9 but partly in section
representing the application of the present invention to an ordinary rising butt
hinge, and
Figure 12 is a plan thereof.
Figure 13 is a similar view to Figure 11 representing the application of the
present invention to an improved form of rising butt hinge.
Figure 14 is a plan thereof.
Figure 15 is a vertical section of part thereof, and
Figtire 16 is a similar view to Figure 15 but taken at right angles thereto.
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a represents the door frame. a' represents the floor
of lower part of the door frame, and 6 represents the door.
e represents one part of the hinge which is formed like a cylindrical box or case
fixed with the door 6 by means of lugs and screws as represented more
particularly at Figure 1, and the cylindrical box c is interiorly provided with a
plug or disc c' of hardened steel forming the end thereof axially apertured to
receive the upper end of a central stud or axis c² which is fixed with the cylindrical
box c
1
.
:
The other part of the hinge consists of a cylindrical plunger d carried by a
"futation plate which is counter-sunk in the floor a¹ or the like and fixed
thereto by means of screws as will be readily understood; and the plunger d which
-euters the cylindrical box cfits the same with sufficient nicety to exclude dust and
tub like!
.:-
The cylindrical plunger d is formed with a central pillar or cylindrical
projection provided with an axial. hole or recess ³ to receive the stud c² of
ille cylindrical box c.
Upon the disc or plug o' at the bottom of the box care formed two inclined
planes arranged in a curve struck from the axis of the pillar d³, and 'these
inclined planes crise gradually in opposite directions to their highest point.
Upon the face of the cylindrical plunger d are formed two corresponding
iguliffed planes d' so that in the normal position of the parts the several inclined
planes form the figure of a diamond as represented more particularly at
Figure 4, the opposite faces of co-acting inclines c d being so formed as to lie
parallel to each other or approximately sb.
Between these inclines d'; that is to say within the diamond is placed: a steel
Balle of suitable diameter, and the inclines of the cylindrical box c rest thereon
so that the ball e supports the entire weight of the door b whilst the balle is
literally guided by means of the inner face of the cylindrical box c and the face
of the central pillar or boss d³.
The stud or axis ³ forms the axis upon which the lower part of the door 6 turns,
whilst the upper part of the door b has fixed therewith by a fitting f secured
thereto by screws a stud or spindle which enters a corresponding bearing gl
formed in a fitting a secured to the underside of the top of the door frame by
:means of screws and both the strid or axis and the stud or spindle and their
co-acting bearings are of sufficient length to render the door capable of slight
vertical movement for the purpose hereinafter described.
Upon the door 6 being turned upon its axes cf¹ to open it, the ball e will ride
up to the top of one set of parallel or co-acting inclines ed as shown at Figure 5
in which position of the parts the door b will stand at right angles with its frame a
and open, as represented by the dotted lines in Figure 2, in which position it is
arrested by a stop or stops ** ** hereinafter more fully referred to.
Upon the door being released the balle will by reason of the weight of the

page_text: Boor run down the inclines c d and the door will swing towards its normal or
closed position and perhaps beyond the same, the ball running a short distance up
the opposite inclines c d whilst altimately the door will resume its normal
position as represented at Figures 1 to 4.
The device hereinbefore described is adapted to allow the door b to swing freely
in either direction but in order to normally retain the door in its central or closed
position a sharp depression c** d** is formed at the bottom of the two inclines c* d'
into which the ball e will be received thus holding the door against any light
wind or other pressure and at the same time allowing the bottom of the door b
to come close down to the floor a' and thus act as an efficient draught excluder the
sudden rise from the depressions * * upon the opening of the door at once.
freeing the latter from the floor a².
The stops hereinbefore referred to according to a preferred form of the device
consist of short inclines or projections ** ** formed at the extreme ends of
the inclines c d and these stops also serve the purpose of adjusting the positiou
of the ball e with relation to the inclined planes c d should it by chance creep out
of place or travel unequally from some unforeseen cause.
In the foregoing example the cylindrical box c is shown fixed with the door b
whilst the plunger d is shown fixed with the door frame or floor a', but it is obvious
that this arrangement might be reversed as will now be shown.
In the example given at Figures 6, 7 and 8, the device is shown applied to a
door 6 of the ordinary type employed in a dwelling house and designed to close
against a shutting post.
In this example the position of the parts is reversed as compared with that
previously described, that is to say the cylindrical box c is by means of a counter-
sunk plate and screws fixed with the floor or frame a¹ whilst the cylindrical
plunger d is by means of lugs d' and screws fixed with the door 6 but it is obvious
that the same arrangement as that previously shown and described might be
employed in this connection.
In lieu of providing both the cylindrical box c and plunger d with double
inclines cd forming the figure of a diamond as hereinbefore described with
respect to Figures 1 to 5 inasmuch as the door b is only required to swing through
an arc of about 120°, a single incline c d is employed upon each part c d, but in
order to prevent the door b opening beyond a given distance stops consisting of
short inclines c*** *** are formed at the ends of the inclines c d so as to limit
the movement in that direction of the ball e the extreme movement of which
parts is indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 7 whilst depressions c** ** similar
to those hereinbefore referred to are employed to hold the door in its closed
position.
In order to enclose the working parts, the cylindrical box c is provided with an
axial extension c to receive the end of the stud cr axis c² which in the present
example is fixed with the plunger d and the box c when thus employed as the lower
part of the hinge forms a convenient receptacle for grease or the like assuming
that the device should need lubricating.
In the example given at Figures 9 and 10, the device is similar to that
represented at Figures 6, 7 and 8, but is shown set off from the door and door
frame after the manner of an ordinary hinge, and in this case the cylindrical box c
and plunger d are each furnished with a leaf or plate cd' similar to that of an
ordinary hinge, and which parts are secured to the door b and door frame a in the
ordinary manner, and inasmuch as the cylindrical box c is shown to be the under
part of the device as in Figures 6, 7 and 8 the extension c³ is countersunk in the
floor or frame a¹.
In the example given at Figures 11 and 12 the device is shown applied to an
ordinary rising butt hinge, the ball e in this case being interposed between the
two inclined bearing surfaces c¹ d of the hinge, whilst in order to confine the balls e
in position and prevent their escape the part o¹ has fixed therewith a cylindrical
band or guard-plate c.

page_text: In the example given at Figures 13 to 16 the invention is shown in the form of
an improved rising butt hinge in which the cylinder or box c is cast or formed as
an integral part of the hinge whilst the other parts of the hinge are substantially
the same as those herein before shown and described with respect to Figures 6
to 12 except that the cylinder forms the upper part of the hinge, the
.plunger d forms the lower part thereof, and the depression **d*** is omitted.
By the means hereinbefore described a novel and compact form of hinge is
obtained which is practically dust-tight which will render a door self-closing
without the aid of springs, which will hold the door closed against considerable
wind pressure and which at the same time is less expensive to produce than an
ordinary spring hinge.
It will be evident that the invention is equally applicable to shutters or the like
*mounted in a-similar way to doors.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A hinge comprising a part adapted to be fixed with the door, a part adapted
to be fixed with the door frame or floor or the like, an incline or inclines upon the
-opposite faces of one or both parts such inclines lying parallel to each other or
approximately so, a rolling- ball located between such inclines and a guard plate
or casing for preventing the escape of the ball, substantially as herein shown and
.described.
2. A hinge comprising a part formed as a cylindrical box, a part formed as a
plunger to closely fit the cylindrical box a stud or axis carried by one part a
central pillar or boss carried by the other part and formed with a recessed bearing
to receive the stud or axis, an incline or inclines upon the opposite faces of one or
both parts surrounding the central pillar or boss, a rolling ball located between the
inclines, stops in the form of short inclines for limiting the movements of the ball
and means integral with each part for fixing the hinge in position, substantially as
_herein shown and described.
3. A hinge comprising a part formed as a cylindrical box, a part formed as a
plunger to closely fit the cylindrical box, a stud or axis carried by one part, a
-central pillar or boss carried by the other part and formed with a recessed bearing
to receive the stud, double inclines formed upon the opposite faces of the box and
plunger and around the central pillar so that in the normal position of the parts,
the two sets of inclines form the figure of a diamond, a rolling ball located between
the inclines, stops in the form of short inclines for limiting the movements of the
ball and means integral with each part for fixing the hinge in position, substantially
as herein shown and described.
4. A hinge comprising a part formed as a cylindrical box a part formed as a
plunger to closely fit the cylindrical box, a stud or axis carried by one part a
corresponding recess in the other part, inclines upon the opposite faces of the
two parts a rolling ball located between the inclines, sudden dips or depressions
at the ends of the inclines to receive the ball in the closed position of the
door, and means integral with the two parts for fixing the hinge to the door and
-door frame or the like, substantially as herein shown and described.
Dated this 18th day of November 1895.
:
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.