Improvements in Door Springs and Checks.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 21st Dec., 1889
Improvements in Door Springs and Checks.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK NEWMAN of the firm of William Newman and Sons of
Hospital Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates 1st to improvements in door springs, and 2ndly, in pneumatic
door checks as herein-after described.
In door springs as ordinarily made, an enclosed spring which is the motive power
for the closing of a door, acts by an impressive action. Thus, when a door
is open, the spring is compressed, and when released, the said door is closed, by a
pushing action.
By my invention, a door is closed by a pulling action, and with the door spring,
or the door closing appliance, situated on the door frame on the inside of
a door.
Enclosed within an upright barrel or hollow body part, which is disposed between
un-connected top and bottom bracket ends, is a volute or band spring, whose inner
and outer ends are connected to the inside of the barrel part, and to an adjustable
plate respectively. This plate which is rigidly connected to a central axis, lies
upon the top face of the lower bracket, under the barrel while the axis which is
threaded through the spring and body part, has its ends passing and working through
the middles of the brackets.
The adjustable plate to which the spring's inner end is connected, has a series of
all through holes, which are made when turned, to come opposite a like hole or holes
of the bracket plate, upon which it rests.
When an adjustinent of the spring is required, one of the holes in the plate, is made
to come opposite the hole in the bracket, and is there fixed by a pin passing through
them, thus making the axis and the adjustable plate carried with it, rigid with the
top and bottom ends, but leaving the barrel, which is connected to the outer end of
the spring, perfectly free for rotating.
Connected to the perpendicular barrel or hollow body part, is an outwardly directed
arm, which when a door is closed, lies outwardly from the door, and nearly parallel
to the door frame or stile to which the spring or closing appliance is affixedly con-
nected by an attachment plate and screws. Jointed to the end of this said arm, which
is the spring arm, is a curved ended link, with the inner and straight end jointedly
connected to a bracket, fixed upon the inside of a door, and at right angles to the
plane or stile thereof.
When a door is opened, the link which is carried with it, (hinged side) pulls
inwardly the spring arm, rotates the barrel part to which it is connected, and
closes up the coils of the spring, which constitutes the carrier or axis of the
barrel.
On a door being liberated, the tension of the wound-up spring, causes the arm
to move back to its normal position, which gives a pulling action to the link, and
through the link to the door, which is thereby closed.
Although I have described a flat or band spring, enclosed within the casing, yet a
pillar, coil or other spring may be employed with the same, or nearly the same
effect and further, the barrel and spring may be made out of the same piece or
length of metal.
As a modification, the closing spring is enclosed within a circular box or drum,
standing out from an attachment plate, and with the inner end of the said spring
connected to a bush, surrounding a fixed axis, carried by the attachment plate.
The bush has a series of holes made through it, which on one or other coming

page_text: coincident with a hole in the axis, an adjustment is effected by a pin passing
through them.
Thus, the enclosing box of the spring rotates upon the bush as a centre, and with
the arm directed outwardly in the plane of the attachment plate, while the link
(whose outer end is curved) lies also in the same plane, and within a short
distance of the jamb, frame or transom, to which the closing appliance is or may
be connected.
The check which is an ordinary pneumatic check, consists of a barrel with inlet
and outlet valves, connected with the rear end cap, and with the underside of the said
cap pivotedly connected and working within a pillar, standing outwardly from the
face of the carrying bracket.
Passing outwardly from the front end cap, is the piston rod, whose end is jointedly
connected to the link, near its curved and outer end; so that as a door opens, the
coils of the spring are closed, or put into a state of tension, and with the piston of the
check drawn to its inner end.
The closing of the door is performed by the power of the spring, whilst slamming,
or its sudden closing is effected by the check, in which the air cushioned by the piston
is allowed to escape only at a determinate rate.
The spring or springs can be applied independent of the check when desired.
Datad this Wittoonth dose of Watan 1000
GE FREDERICK NEWMAN.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Door Springs and Checks.
I GEORGE FREDERICK NEWMAN of the firm of William Newman and Sons of
Hospital Street, Birmingham in the County of Warwick, Manufacturer 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:
This invention relates 1st, to improvements in door springs, and 2ndly, in pneumatic
door checks, as herein-after described.
In door springs as ordinarily made, an enclosed spring, which is the motive power
for the closing of a door, acts by an impressive action. Thus, when a door is
open, the spring is compressed, and when released, the said door is closed by a
pushing action.
By my invention, a door is closed by a pulling action, and with the door
spring, or the door closing appliance, situated on the door frame on the inside of
a door.
Enclosed within an upright barrel or hollow body part, which is disposed between
unconnected top and bottom bracket ends, is a volute or band spring whose inner and
outer ends are connected to the inside of the said barrel part, and to an adjustable
plate respectively. This plate, which is rigidly connected to a central axis, lies upon
the top face of the lower bracket, under the barrel, while the axis which is threaded
through the spring, and body part, has its ends passing and working through the
middles of the brackets.
The adjustable plate to which the spring's inner end is connected, has a series of
all-through holes, which are made when turned, to come opposite a like hole or holes
of the bracket plate, upon which it rests.
When an adjustment of the spring is required, one of the holes in the plate, is made
to come opposite the hole in the bracket, and is there fixed, by a pin passing
through them, thus making the axis and the adjustable plate carried by it, rigid with
the top and bottom ends, but leaving the barrel, which is connected to the outer end
of the spring, perfectly free for rotating.

page_text: Connected to the perpendicular barrel or hollow body part, is an outwardly directed
arm, which when a door is closed, lies outwardly from the door, and nearly parallel to
the door frame or stile, to which the spring or closing appliance, is affixedly con-
nected, by an attachment plate and screws-Jointed to the end of the said arm, which
is the spring arm, is a curved ended link, with the inner and straight end, jointedly
connected.to a bracket, fixed upon the inside of a door, and at right angles to the
plane or stile thereof.
When a door is opened, the link which is carried with it (hinged side,) pulls
inwardly the spring arm, rotates the barrel part to which it is connected, and closes
up the coils of the spring, which constitutes the carrier or axis of the barrel.
On a door being liberated, the tension of the wound-up spring, causes the arm to
move back to its normal position, which gives a pulling action to the link, and through
the link to the door, which is thereby closed.
Although I have described a flat or band spring enclosed within the casing, yet
a pillar, coil, or other spring, may be employed, with the same or nearly the same
effect; and further, the barrel and spring, may be made out of the same piece or
length of metal.
As a modification, the closing spring is enclosed within a circular box or drum,
standing out from an attachment plate, and with the inner end of the said spring,
connected to a bush, surrounding a fixed axis, carried by the attachment plate.
The bush has a series of holes made through it, which on one or other coming
coincident with a hole in the axis, an adjustment is effected, by a pin passing
through them.
Thus, the enclosing box of the spring, rotates upon the bush as a contre, and
with the arm directed outwardly in the plane of the attachment plate, while the
link, (whose outer end is curved) lies also in the same plane, and within a short
distance of the jamb, frame, or transom, to which the closing appliance is, or may be
connected.
The check, which is an ordinary pneumatic one, consists of a barrel, with inlet and
outlet valves, connected with the rear end cap, and with the underside of the said
cap, pivotedly connected and working within a pillar, standing outwardly from the
face of the carrying bracket.
Passing outwardly from the front end cap, is the piston rod, whose end is jointedly
connected to the link, near, its curved and outer end; so that as a door opens, the
coils of the spring are closed, or put into a state of tension, and with the piston of the
check, drawn to its inner end.
The closing of the door, is performed by the power of the spring, whilst slamming,
or its sudden closing is neutralised by the check, in which the air cushioned by the
piston, is allowed to escape only at a determinate rate.
The spring or springs, can be applied independent of the check when desired.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, represents an edge view of a rod or
arm door spring, constructed and arranged according to one form of my invention―
This said door spring, closes a door, by a pulling action, which is much more
advantageous than an impressive action, as is common to ordinary door springs.
Figure 2 represents a front elevation of the said spring, upon a door, which is
shown closed, alike unto that in figure 1.
Figure 3 shows a full sized door (top) with the spring upon a smaller scale.
Figure 4 represents a horizontal sectional view of figure 1, and with the door
partly open.
The same letters of reference, indicate corresponding parts, in the several figures.
a is a volute spring, and an adjustable plate, made fast to, and upon a central
axis c, whose ends work, and turn respectively within, supporting brackets d³, of an
attachment plate d, secured to a door frame e.
The inner end of the volute or coiled spring, is connected to the central axis
threaded through it, whilst the outer and last coil a², forms the enclosing barrel to the
spring, and with the extreme end a³, attached to an extension or link connection a³,
whose onter end is jointedly connected to the inner end of a drawing-to arm f, jointedly

page_text: connected at its other end, to a bracket or attachment knuckle g, secured to a
door h.
The tension of the spring, is regulated by a pin i, passing through coincident
holes d³, 62, in bracket plates (2, and plate b, respectively.
The opening of a door, carries the arm, with it, and through its intervention,
the coils of the spring, are closed around the axis passing axially through it.
On the door being released, the stored up energy of the spring created by the
opening of the said deor, opens out its coils, and draws inwards the arm f, which closes
the door by a pulling, or a pulling-in action.
Figure 5 represents another form of my invention, in which the spring is enclosed
within a hollow drum, or circular box, secured by an attachment plate to the transom
or top framing of a door.
Figure 6 shows an inverted plan of the same, and with the enclosing box of the
spring, broken away; and further, the position of the door when partially open,
and the relative positions of the arm and links of spring in the said position, are
shown in dotted lines.
is the spring, with its inner end, connected to an adjustable bush a², surrounding
a fixed axis C, carried by
an attachment plate d, secured to a transom or top framing e,
of a door, which is marked h.
The inner end of the spring, is connected to the adjustable bush, whilst its outer
end, is connected to the enclosing box i, with arm & directed from it, so that box and
arm move together.
fis an arm, with its outer end jointedly connected to the outer end of the
box arm 2, and its inner end, connected and jointed to a bracket g, secured to
the door.
Adjustment of spring is made, by the pin passing through coincident holes, in
bush and axis.
The closing of a door is performed in manner as already described.
Figure 7 represents, a combined door spring and check, constructed according to
my invention.
a is a door spring, covered by an enclosing cap i, with arm of it, jointedly
connected to arm, which is itself jointedly connected to a bracket g, secured to a
door h.
c is a pin, a² a bush, and an adjustment pin, and d a carrying and attachment
plate, affixed to the transom or upper part of door frame e.
Carried by attachment plate and army, is a pneumatic barrel, and piston check k,
pivoted on its rear underside at 2, to the said plate d, and with the piston rod outer
end, of the said check, jointedly connected to a pivot f, directed outwardly from
the side of the arm f.
The opening of the door h, in the direction indicated by the arrow, takes the arm f
with it, and causes the said arm, to make an angular movement to the left, and also
causes the arm², of the cap i, to make a like angular movement, thereby pulling out
the piston rod, winding up, or contracting the coils of the spring, and turning the
check barrel upon its pivot centre.
The releasing of the door, allows the stored up energy of the spring, to close the
door by a pulling action, through the intervention of, or through the instrumentality
of the arms fand i.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. A door spring, or door closer, connecting, or jointedly connecting to the
outer end of a coiled, or helix-spring, of the kind as described and represented, or to
a link or arm, carried by, or connected to, the spring, a jointedly connected arm
whose outer end is connected to a door or a bracket carried by it, whereby a door is
closed by a pulling or pulling in action substantially as described and set forth in
figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

page_text: Secondly. The combination with a door spring of a jointedly connected arm f,
with bracket g, and link or arm at, combined and arranged, substantially as described
and set forth in figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Thirdly. A door spring or door closer, of which the parts are arranged combined
and operate substantially as described and set forth in figures 5 and 6.
Fourthly. A combined door spring and check, jointedly connecting the outer end
of the piston rod of a rear pivoted check, to the arm, substantially as described and
set forth in figure 7.
Fifthly. The general construction, arrangement and combination of the parts of
combined loor springs and checks, substantially as and for the purpose, as described
and set forth in figure 7.
101.
1000
GEORGE FREDERICK NEWMAN.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.