Year: 1886

page_text: .
1, 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:-
My invention relates to that class of door springs and checks, commonly known as
air springs, in which compressed air is employed to cushion a piston, working within
a cylinder so as to prevent the too sudden closing or slamming of a door, to which the
said air spring is connected; and my said invention consists (1st.) in so regulating the
check, that a door can be made to close suddenly until just before it reaches the point
of closing, when its motion is arrested by the check, giving a slight momentary return,
and causing the door to close slowly, thereby preventing slamming at the point where
the door meets the jamb. (2ndly.) An inlet valve for admitting air to the cylinder on
the traverse of the piston on the opening of a door. (3rdly.) In a piston bracket arm,
by which compression is effected, and force accumulated on the opening of a door, the
bracket and barrel being arranged on the hinge side of the door, so that the former is
upon the back frame or stile, while the latter is upon the door, although the said
spring barrel and bracket arm may be attached to the top of the door and door frame
respectively and (4thly.) in so arranging the jointed bracket arm with respect to the
spring cylinder and piston, that the door at the latter part of its opening, is allowed to
move nearly by itself, without much pressure being exerted ; that is, the first opening
of the door effects the necessary compression of the spring within the cylinder,
leaving the latter part of the opening to move almost independent of the spring or
its connections.
The pneumatic door spring and door check consists essentially of a cylinder or
barrel enclosed at its two ends, by caps; and working within the bore or barrel of the
cylinder, a piston and piston rod works, which latter passes through a hole in the
middle of the front end cap or casing, and is connected and jointed to a depending
part of an oblique bracket ar jointed and connected to the top of a fixed bracket,

page_text: secured to the back hinged stile of the door frame. The barrel or cylinder is provided
with flanged brackets on its underside, for securing it to a door, the position of which
is near the edge on the hinge side; and enclosed within the cylinder or barrel is a
coiled spring, adapted to be compressed between one end of the inside of the cylinder
and the back of the piston, the latter of which moves to and fro within the bore of the
barrel, on the opening and closing of a door. The said piston is of the cupped type,
or when not so made, the edges are furnished with suitable packing, to ensure it
working air tight or nearly so within its cylinder.
The front end of the casing has a small hole or orifice through which air enclosed
within the cylinder at the back of the piston, is allowed to escape, on a door being
opened; or the escape may take place through the piston rod hole or gland, while the
back end of the barrel or casing is provided with an inlet air valve, and an outward
air passage. The former is in the middle of the end of the casing, and consists of a
hollow neck with an enlarged end working therein, and pressed outwards by a spring.
encircling a stalk or stem part, which forms the middle of the valve.... The front part
of the valve presented outwardly is made piston like, while the other end which is
within the barrel or cylinder is made in the form of a disc or diaphragm, and forms
the valve proper, which seats itself against an opening leading from the end of a
cylinder through the neck to the outside. An inner flange is made on the inside of
the neck, so as to form an abutment for the spring which is enclosed between it and
the piston part of the valve. This valve allows air to enter the back of the cylinder
on a door being opened, or on the piston being drawn to the other end of the barrel.
On the closing of a door, or on the cushioning property of the air enclosed being
brought into requisition, the valve is pressed home to its seat, and air in the cylinder
prevented from escaping other than through an outlet passage as hereinafter
described.
The other or outward air passage consists simply of a screwed hole wherein a screw
plug takes, the sides of the latter, or that of the former being slight cut away, so as to
form when the plug is screwed up more or less, outlets, of varying diameters, conse-
quent upon the cushioning or check required, as the door approaches its jamb, after
travelling with a constant or accelerating velocity; so that the check is determined
more or less by allowing a greater or less amount of air to escape on the cushoning
taking place.
The bracket arm extends backwards from the front of the piston rod to an upright
bracket as before named, secured to the back stile or back door frame; and to the top
of this bracket, an oblique arm which creates the spring's compression within its
cylinder on the opening of a door is jointed. The connection of this arm with the
bracket, is in a plane a little above or below the plane of the outside of the barrel of
the cylinder, while the other end is connected to the end of the piston rod which works
through the end of the casing of the cylinder; so that the direction of the arm is first
in a plane with the axis of the cylinder, and then bending or curving upwards or
downwards to the bracket, as the case may be, according whether the pneumatic spring
or check is applied to a right or a left handed door.
The action of the spring and check is as follows.
On a door being opened, the oblique jointed arm connected to the end of the piston
rod, causes the piston to be drawn to the front end of the casing or cylinder wherein
it works, in virtue of the angular movement of the door upon which the spring is
attached, and the distance between the jointed and connected ends of the arm,
remaining constant. The forward movement of the piston compresses the spring
behind it, and air enters the vacated part of the cylinder through the inlet valve. On
the door being allowed to close, the tension of the spring created by the opening, now
automatically closes the door, until the said door approaches the jamb (after travelling.
with a somewhat constant velocity) when it is suddenly checked by the cushioning
property of the air enclosed between the piston and the back of the cylinder; thus the
speed of the door is checked on nearing the jamb, and at this point, the cushioning.
property of the air is utilized, as it can only escape slowly through the small outlet
partly covered by the plug, thereby preventing the door from slamming.

page_text: On the escape of air, the door closes by the force of the spring.
The bracket to which the back end of the oblique arm is jointed also forms a stop
for preventing the door from being opened too far.
The formation of the arm also allows it to move in a parallel direction when a door
is opened or closed.
When a door is allowed to be little influenced by the spring on the latter part of its
opening, this is effected by jointing a supplementary lever to the back cap of the
cylinder, so as to form a double armed lever, the front end of which is jointed to the
end of the oblique arm, while the other end presses upon an anti-friction roller carried
by a fixed bracket secured on the hinged jamb of the door.
By thus arranging the connection between the bracket and the arm, the first opening
of a door effects the necessary compression of the spring within the cylinder, leaving
the latter part of the opening to move almost independent of the spring and its con-
nections, in consequence of the door being almost relieved of the spring's pressure at
the end of its stroke or opening, only leaving sufficient tension that will just be enough
to create a return movement of the door.
GEORGE FREDERICK NEWMAN.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent to the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
:
Improvements in Pneumatic Door Springs and Checks.
1 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 my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC DOOR SPRINGS
AND CHECKS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to that class of door springs and checks, commonly known as
air springs, in which compressed air is employed to cushion a piston, working within
a cylinder so as to prevent the too sudden closing or slamming of a door, to which the
said air spring is connected; and my said invention consists (1st.) in so regulating the
check, that a door can be made to close suddenly until just before it reaches the point
of closing, when its motion is arrested by the check, giving a slight momentary return,
and causing the door to close slowly, thereby preventing slamming at the point where
the door meets the jamb. (2ndly.) An inlet valve for admitting air to the cylinder on
the traverse of the piston on the opening of a door. 3rdly. In a piston bracket arm;
by which compression is effected, and force accumulated on the opening of a door;
the bracket and barrel being arranged on the hinge side of the door, so that the former
upon the back frame or stile, while the latter is upon the door, although the said
spring barrel and bracket arm may be attached to the top of the door and door frame
respectively; and (4thly.) in so arranging the jointed bracket arm with respect to the
spring cylinder and piston, that the door at the latter part of its opening, is allowed
to move nearly by itself, without much pressure being exerted; that is, the first open-
ing of the door effects the necessary compression of the spring within the cylinder,
leaving the latter part of the opening to move almost independent of the spring or its
connections.
is
The pneumatic door spring and door check, consists essentially of a cylinder or
barrel enclosed at its two ends, by caps; and working within the bore or barrel of the
cylinder, a piston and piston rod works, which latter passes through a hole in the
middle of the front end cap or casing, and is connected and jointed to a depending
part of an oblique bracket arm, jointed and connected to the top of a fixed bracket,
secured to the back hinged style of the door frame. The barrel or cylinder is provided
with flanged brackets on its underside, for securing it to a door, the position of which
is near the edge on the hinge side; and enclosed within the cylinder or barrel is a
coiled spring, adapted to be compressed between one end of the inside of the cylinder
and the back of the piston, the latter of which moves to and fro within the bore of the
barrel, on the opening and closing of a door. The said piston is of the cupped type,
or when not so made, the edges are furnished with suitable packing, to ensure it
working air-tight or nearly so within its cylinder.
The front end of the casing has a small hole or orifice, through which air enclosed

page_text: within the cylinder at the back of the piston; is allowed to escape, on a door being
opened; or the escape may take place through the piston rod hole or gland, while the
back end of the barrel or casing is provided with an inlet air valve, and an outward
air passage. The former is in the middle of the end of the casing, and consists of a
hollow neck, with an enlarged end working therein, and pressed outwards by a spring
encircling a stalk or stem part, which forms the middle of the valve. The front part
of the valve presented outwardly is made piston like, while the other end which is
within the barrel or cylinder is made in the form of a disc or diaphragm, and forms
the valve proper, which seats itself against an opening leading from the end of a
cylinder, through the neck to the outside.
An inner flange is made on the inside of the neck, so as to form an abutment for the
spring, which is enclosed between it and the piston part of the valve. This valve
allows air to enter the back of the cylinder on a door being opened, or on a piston
being drawn to the other end of the barrel.
:
On the closing of a door, or on the cushioning property of the air enclosed, being
brought into requisition, the valve is pressed home to its seat, and air in the cylinder
prevented from escaping, other than through an outlet passage as hereinafter
described.
The other or outward air passage, consists simply of a screwed hole wherein a screw
plug takes, the sides of the latter, or that of the former being slightly cut away, so as
to form when the plug is screwed up more or less outlets of varying diameters, con-
sequent upon the cushioning or check required, as the door approaches its jamb, after
travelling with a constant or accelerating velocity; so that the check is letermined
more or less by allowing a greater or less amount of air to escape on the cushioning
taking place.
The bracket arm extends backwards from the front of the piston rod to an upright
bracket as before named, secured to the back stile or back door frame; and to the top
of this bracket, an oblique arm which creates the spring's compression within its
cylinder on the opening of a door, is jointed. The connection of this arm with the
bracket, is in a plane a little above or below the plane of the outside of the barrel of
the cylinder, while the other end is connected to the end of the piston rod, which works
through the end of the casing of the cylinder; so that the direction of the arm is first
in a plane with the axis of the cylinder, and then bending or curving upwards or
downwards to the bracket, as the case may be, according whether the pneumatic spring
and check is applied to a right or left handed door.
The action of the spring and check is as follows-
On a door being opened, the oblique jointed arm connected to the end of the piston
rod, causes the piston to be drawn to the front end of the casing or cylinder wherein
it works, in virtue of the angular movement of the door upon which the spring is
attached, and the distance between the jointed and connected ends of the arms, remain-
ing constant. The forward movement of the piston compresses the spring behind it,
and air enters the vacated part of the cylinder through the inlet valve. On the door
being allowed to close, the tension of the spring created by the opening, now auto-
imatically closes the door, until the said door approaches the jamb (after travelling with
a somewhat constant velocity) when it is suddenly checked, by the cushioning property
of the air enclosed between the piston, and the back of the cylinder; thus the speed of
the door is checked on nearing the jamb, and at this point, the cushioning property of
the air is utilized, as it can only escape slowly through the small outlet partly covered
by the plug, thereby preventing the door from slamming.
On the escape of air, the door closes by the force of the spring.
The bracket to which the back end of the oblique arm is jointed, also forms a stop
for preventing the door from being opened too far.
The formation of the arm, also allows it to move in a parallel direction, when a door
is opened or closed.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
manner in which the same is to be performed.

page_text: Figure 1 represents in front elevation, and figure 2 in longitudinal vertical section a
door spring and check, provided with improvements made according to my invention.
Figure 3 is a back end view of the said spring and check figure 1, and figure 4 is a
front end view of the same.
The same letters indicate corresponding parts in figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the
drawings.
a is a cylinder or barrel enclosed at its two ends by caps a² a² made in one piece,
with the attachment flanges a³ ³; and working within the barrel or bore of the
cylinder, is a cup leather piston b, whose piston rod 2 passes through a hole a' in the
middle of the front end cap, and which said piston end is connected and jointed at c'
to the bracket arm e, and which said arm extends above, and in a parallel direction to
the barrel with its other or front end connected and jointed or hinged at 3 to the
top of a standing up fixed bracket & secured to the back or hinged stile of the door
frame Cy and which said barrel or cylinder is secured to the door by the flanges a³,
made in one piece with the end caps as aforesaid.
Enclosed within the interior of the barrel or cylinder ", is a coiled spring g, which
is compressed between the inside of the front end of the cylinder, and the back of the
piston, the latter of which moves to and fro within the bore of the barrel, on the
opening and closing of the door.
The said piston which is of the cupped type, works air tight within the cylinder.
The front end of the casing has a small hole as, through which air enclosed
within the back or spring portion of the cylinder is allowed to escape, on a door
being opened or the escape may take place through the gland part.
The back end of the barrel or casing is provided with an inlet air valve hand an
outward air passage i. is the former, which is in the middle of the casing cap, and
consists of a stalk 2, valve or enlarged end ³, coiled spring 4, and washer on the
end of said stalk; and which said stalk works within a hole of larger diameter than
itself, so as to admit air to the inside of the piston on a door opening; but on the
door closing, the inside face of the enlarged or valve part 3 seats itself around the
passage, and thereby prevents the exit of air.
The other or outward air passage consists of a screw with facets or cutaway
parts, and which pin or plug screws into a round hole in the casing made to receive
it; so that when the plug is screwed up, more or less, varying air outlets are
thereby acquired.
The action of the spring and pneumatic check is as follows:-
On a door being opened, the jointed arm c connected to the front end of the piston
rod, causes the piston to be drawn to the front end of the casing or cylinder a, and
which said travelling of piston within its cylinder, causes the compression of the
spring behind it, and air enters the vacated part of the said cylinder, through the valve h.
On the door being liberated, the tension of the spring created by the opening, now
automatically closes with a somewhat constant velocity, the door f until the said door
approaches the jamb e, when it is suddenly checked by the cushioning property of the
air now enclosed within the cylinder, and compressed between the piston and its back
end. The air thus enclosed, can only escape slowly through the passage i, which
thereby prevents the door from slamming.
The bracket d besides forming the support for the back jointed end of the rod,
also forms a stop for preventing the door opening too far.
Figure 5 represents a modification in which the combined spring and pneumatic
check is provided with a connected double arm instead of a single arm, as in the
previously described arrangement.
Figure 6 represents my improvements applied to door spring without a check. In
this arrangement, the barrel takes the place of the arm, and which back end is made
to roll around a curved bracket secured to the hinged jamb of the door frame; so
that the barrel which becomes the arm, has the springs confined within it, which
are acted upon by a trunk or slide end, moved forward within the barrel by rolling
upon the top of the curved bracket.

page_text: a is the barrel arm, gg' are two coiled springs enclosed in the interior thereof, a² is
a fixed front end bracket to the said bracket, and is a roller working upon a
plate let flush into the face of the door f upon which said plate, the roller or wheel
traverses. c is a loose trunk slide, with roller at its back open end, while the other
or front end is closed, and is marked c³is a bracket secured to the back end of the
barrel a and jointed at a to the fixed bracket d, which is secured to the hinge jamb
frame e; and which said bracket has a concentrically curved top & upon which the
wheel rolls; so that on the opening of a door, the spring is compressed, by the
forcing in of the trunk slide, caused by the increasing distance between the joint centre
and the top of the bracket from front to back. By thus employing a bracket with a
curved top as described, the spring becomes stronger at the closing point, or diminishes
in power as the door opens.
Figure 7 represents in side elevation, partly in section, my improvements applied to
another form of door spring without a check. Figure 8 represents a plan of the said
spring.
2 is a central spindle or rod, screwed at its back end 63, and passing at its other end
through a bracket a carrying a roller which latter works upon a metallic plate let
flush into the door; and to the extreme end of the said rod, the front end of the arm c
is connected and jointed, while its back end is connected and jointed to an upright
bracket d. is an adjustment nut, for giving the desired tension to the spring, by the
screwing up of the duplex springs y g. is a saddle or slide working between the
guides or sides extending from end to end of the spring, and by which means,
rigidity is given to the parts, and the rod and bracket is prevented from rotating;
and which said guides are jointed at b to the middle part of the bracket d.
I am aware of the prior patent granted to R. W. Gossage dated October 13 1880
No. 4153 and I do not claim anything described and claimed in the specification of
that patent and in particular I do not claim the apparatus as shown and described
with reference to figures 14 & 15 and 25 nor do I claim the double armed levers
per se.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is—
First. The construction and use of a single arm or rod c, connected and jointed at
one end to the piston or actuating rod of a combined door spring and check, or a
spring, or a check, not combined; and at the other end, the said arm or rod is
connected and jointed to a standing up bracket or other connection, affixed either to a
door frame, or to a door, in which latter case, the apparatus is carried by the frame
and not the door, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated
in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 of the drawings.
Secondly. The inlet valve 1, in combination with one of the end caps, or ends of
either a combined spring and check, or a pneumatic check alone, substantially as
described and set forth.
Thirdly. Making in one piece, or combined in one casting, or in one piece of
metal; the particularly constructed bracket attachments a³, and caps a², substantially
as set forth.
Fourthly. The general construction and arrangement or combination of the parts of
combined door springs and checks, substantially as and for the purpose herein described
and set forth in figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.
Fifthly. Employing and connecting together two operating arms or rods, instead
of one, so as to give rigidity, parallelism and stay to the parts, on opening and closing
of a door substantially as set forth in figure 5.
Sixthly. In a door spring, or a combined door spring and check, in which the
barrel part wherein a spring is enclosed, is made to take the place of the actuating arm,
and which said barrel part carries at its back end a roller and trunk slide, with the
former, rolling upon the curved top a fixed bracket, which admits of the spring
impressing itself more forcibly at the closing point than at any other, substantially as
described and set forth in figure 6.

page_text: Seventhly. The construction and arrangement of the parts of door springs, as set
forth in figures 7 and 8; that is to say, a door spring which consists essentially of an
operating arm or rod, connected respectively at its two ends to a piston rod and fixed
bracket, while the said piston rod is guided and directed in its motion, and prevented
from rotating by side guides, with roller and bushed carrier at one end and jointed to
the said fixed bracket at the other end, substantially as set forth.

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 13th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 4th Feb., 1887.
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:-
My invention relates to that class of door springs and checks, commonly known as
air springs, in which compressed air is employed to cushion a piston, working within
a cylinder so as to prevent the too sudden closing or slamming of a door, to which the
said air spring is connected; and my said invention consists (Ist.) in so regulating the
check, that a door can be made to close suddenly until just before it reaches the point.
of closing, when its motion is arrested by the check, giving a slight momentary return,
and causing the door to close slowly, thereby preventing slamming at the point where
the door meets the jamb. (2ndly.) An inlet valve for admitting air to the cylinder on
the traverse of the piston on the opening of a door. (3rdly.) In a piston bracket arm,
by which compression is effected, and force accumulated on the opening of a door, the
bracket and barrel being arranged on the hinge side of the door, so that the former is
upon the back frame or stile, while the latter is upon the door, although the said
spring barrel and bracket arm may be attached to the top of the door and door frame
respectively and (4thly.) in so arranging the jointed bracket arm with respect to the
spring cylinder and piston, that the door at the latter part of its opening, is allowed to
move nearly by itself, without much pressure being exerted; that is, the first opening
of the door effects the necessary compression of the spring within the cylinder,
leaving the latter part of the opening to move almost independent of the spring or
its connections.
The pneumatic door spring and door check consists essentially of a cylinder or
barrel enclosed at its two ends, by caps; and working within the bore or barrel of the
cylinder, a piston and piston rod works, which latter passes through a hole in the
middle of the front end cap or casing, and is connected and jointed to a depending
part of an oblique bracket arm jointed and connected to the top of a fixed bracket,

page_text: secured to the back hinged stile of the door frame. The barrel or cylinder is provided
with flanged brackets on its underside, for securing it to a door, the position of which
is near the edge on the hinge side; and enclosed within the cylinder or barrel is a
coiled spring, adapted to be compressed between one end of the inside of the cylinder
and the back of the piston, the latter of which moves to and fro within the bore of the
barrel, on the opening and closing of a door. The said piston is of the cupped type,"
or when not so made, the edges are furnished with suitable packing, to ensure it
working air tight or nearly so within its cylinder.
The front end of the casing has a small hole or orifice through which air enclosed
within the cylinder at the back of the piston, is allowed to escape, on a door being
opened or the escape may take place through the piston rod hole or gland, while the
back end of the barrel or casing is provided with an inlet air valve, and an outward
air passage. The former is in the middle of the end of the casing, and consists of a
hollow neck with an enlarged end working therein, and pressed outwards by a spring
encircling a stalk or stem part, which forms the middle of the valve. The front part
of the valve presented outwardly is made piston like, while the other end which is
within the barrel or cylinder is made in the form of a disc or diaphragm, and forins
the valve proper, which seats itself against an opening leading from the end of a
cylinder through the neck to the outside. An inner flange is made on the inside of
the neck, so as to form an abutment for the spring which is enclosed between it and
the piston part of the valve. This valve allows air to enter the back of the cylinder
on a door being opened, or on the piston being drawn to the other end of the barrel.
On the closing of a door, or on the cushioning property of the air enclosed being
brought into requisition, the valve is pressed home to its seat, and air in the cylinder
prevented from escaping other than through an outlet passage as hereinafter
described.
The other or outward air passage consists simply of a screwed hole wherein a screw
plug takes, the sides of the latter, or that of the former being slight cut away, so as to
form when the plug is screwed up more or less, outlets, of varying diameters, conse-
quent upon the cushioning or check required, as the door approaches its jamb, after
travelling with a constant or accelerating velocity; so that the check is determined
more or less by allowing a greater or less amount of air to escape on the cushioning
taking place.
The bracket arm extends backwards from the front of the piston rod to an upright
bracket as before named, secured to the back stile or back door frame; and to the top
of this bracket, an oblique arm which creates the spring's compression within its
cylinder on the opening of a door is jointed. The connection of this arm with the
bracket, is in a plane a little above or below the plane of the outside of the barrel of
the cylinder, while the other end is connected to the end of the piston rod which works
through the end of the casing of the cylinder; so that the direction of the arm is first
in a plane with the axis of the cylinder, and then bending or curving upwards or
downwards to the bracket, as the case may be, according whether the pneumatic spring
or check is applied to a right or a left handed door.
The action of the spring and check is as follows.
On a door being opened, the oblique jointed arm connected to the end of the piston
rod, causes the piston to be drawn to the front end of the casing or cylinder wherein
it works, in virtue of the angular movement of the door upon which the spring is
attached, and the distance between the jointed and connected ends of the arm,
remaining constant. The forward movement of the piston compresses the spring
behind it, and air enters the vacated part of the cylinder through the inlet valve. On
the door being allowed to close, the tension of the spring created by the opening, now
automatically closes the door, until the said door approaches the jamb (after travelling
with a somewhat constant velocity) when it is suddenly checked by the cushioning
property of the air enclosed between the piston and the back of the cylinder; thus the
speed of the door is checked on nearing the jamb, and at this point, the cushioning
property of the air is utilized, as it can only escape slowly through the small outlet
partly covered by the plug, thereby preventing the door from slamming.

page_text: On the escape of air, the door closes by the force of the spring.
The bracket to which the back end of the oblique arm is jointed also forms a stop
for preventing the door from being opened too far.
The formation of the arm also allows it to move in a parallel direction when a door
is opened or closed.
When a door is allowed to be little influenced by the spring on the latter part of its
opening, this is effected by jointing a supplementary lever to the back cap of the
cylinder, so as to form a double armed lever, the front end of which is jointed to the
end of the oblique arm, while the other end presses upon an anti-friction roller carried
by a fixed bracket secured on the hinged jamb of the door.
By thus arranging the connection between the bracket and the arm, the first opening
of a door effects the necessary compression of the spring within the cylinder, leaving
the latter part of the opening to move almost independent of the spring and its con-
nections, in consequence of the door being almost relieved of the spring's pressure at
the end of its stroke or opening; only leaving sufficient tension that will just be enough
to create a return movement of the door.
GEORGE FREDERICK NEWMAN.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent to the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Door Springs and Checks.
1 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 my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PNEUMATIC DOOR SPRINGS
AND CHECKS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to that class of door springs and checks, commonly known as
air springs, in which compressed air is employed to cushion a piston, working within
a cylinder so as to prevent the too sudden closing or slamming of a door, to which the
said air spring is connected; and my said invention consists (Ist.) in so regulating the
check, that a door can be made to close suddenly until just before it reaches the point
of closing, when its motion is arrested by the check, giving a slight momentary return,
and causing the door to close slowly, thereby preventing slamming at the point where
the door meets the jamb. (2ndly.) An inlet valve for admitting air to the cylinder on
the traverse of the piston on the opening of a door. Brdly. In a piston bracket arm,
by which compression is effected, and force accumulated on the opening of a door:
the bracket and barrel being arranged on the hinge side of the door, so that the former
is upon the back frame or stile, while the latter is upon the door, although the said
spring barrel and bracket arm may be attached to the top of the door and door frame
respectively; and (4thly.) in so arranging the jointed bracket arm with respect to the
spring cylinder and piston, that the door at the latter part of its opening, is allowed
to move nearly by itself, without much pressure being exerted; that is, the first open-
ing of the door effects the necessary compression of the spring within the cylinder,
leaving the latter part of the opening to move almost independent of the spring or its
connections.
The pneumatic door spring and door check, consists essentially of a cylinder or
barrel enclosed at its two ends, by caps; and working within the bore or barrel of the
cylinder, a piston and piston rod works, which latter passes through a hole in the
middle of the front end cap or casing, and is connected and jointed to a depending
part of an oblique bracket arm, jointed and connected to the top of a fixed bracket,
secured to the back hinged style of the door frame. The barrel or cylinder is provided
with flanged brackets on its underside, for securing it to a door, the position of which
is near the edge on the hinge side; and enclosed within the cylinder or barrel is a
coiled spring, adapted to be compressed between one end of the inside of the cylinder
and the back of the piston, the latter of which moves to and fro within the bore of the
barrel, on the opening and closing of a door. The said piston is of the cupped type
or when not so made, the edges are furnished with suitable packing, to ensure if
working air-tight or nearly so within its cylinder.
The front end of the casing has a small hole or orifice, through which air enclosed

page_text: within the cylinder at the back of the piston, is allowed to escape, on a door being
opened; or the escape may take place through the piston rod hole or gland, while the
back end of the barrel or casing is provided with an inlet air valve, and an outward
air passage. The former is in the middle of the end of the casing, and consists of a
hollow neck, with an enlarged end working therein, and pressed outwards by a spring
encircling a stalk or stem part, which forms the middle of the valve. The front part
of the valve presented outwardly is made piston like, while the other end which is
within the barrel or cylinder is made in the form of a disc or diaphragm, and forms
the valve proper, which seats itself against an opening leading from the end of a
cylinder, through the neck to the outside.
An inner flange is made on the inside of the neck, so as to form an abutment for the
spring, which is enclosed between it and the piston part of the valve. This valve
allows air to enter the back of the cylinder on a door being opened, or on a piston
being drawn to the other end of the barrel.
On the closing of a door, or on the cushioning property of the air enclosed, being
brought into requisition, the valve is pressed home to its seat, and air in the cylinder
prevented from escaping, other than through an outlet passage as hereinafter
described.
The other or outward air passage, consists simply of a screwed hole wherein a screw
plug takes, the sides of the latter, or that of the former being slightly cut away, so as
to form when the plug is screwed up more or less outlets of varying diameters, con-
sequent upon the cushioning or check required, as the door approaches its jamb, after
travelling with a constant or accelerating velocity: so that the check is deterinined
more or less by allowing a greater or less amount of air to escape on the cushioning
taking place.
The bracket arm extends backwards from the front of the piston rod to an
bracket as before named, secured to the back stile or back door frame; and to the top
upright
of this bracket, an oblique arm which creates the spring's compression within its
cylinder on the opening of a door, is jointed. The connection of this arm with the
bracket, is in a plane a little above or below the plane of the outside of the barrel of
the cylinder, while the other end is connected to the end of the piston rod, which works
through the end of the casing of the cylinder so that the direction of the arm is first
in a plane with the axis of the cylinder, and then bending or curving upwards or
downwards to the bracket, as the case may be, according whether the pneumatic spring
and check is applied to a right or left handed door.
The action of the spring and check is as follows-
On a door being opened, the oblique jointed arm connected to the end of the piston
rod, causes the piston to be drawn to the front end of the casing or cylinder wherein
it works, in virtue of the angular movement of the door upon which the spring is
attached, and the distance between the jointed and connected ends of the arms, remain-
ing constant. The forward movement of the piston compresses the spring behind it,
and air enters the vacated part of the cylinder through the inlet valve. On the door
being allowed to close, the tension of the spring created by the opening, now auto-
matically closes the door, until the said door approaches the jamb (affer travelling with
a somewhat constant velocity) when it is suddenly checked, by the cushioning property.
of the air enclosed between the piston, and the back of the cylinder; thus the speed of
the door is checked on nearing the jamb, and at this point, the cushioning property of
the air, is utilized, as it can only escape slowly through the small outlet partly covered
by the plug, thereby preventing the door from slamming.
On the escape of air, the door closes by the force of the spring.
The bracket to which the back end of the oblique arm is jointed, also forms a stop
for preventing the door from being opened too far.
The formation of the arm, also allows it to move in a parallel direction, when a door
is opened or closed.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
manner in which the same is to be performeil,"

page_text: Figure 1 represents in front elevation, and figure 2 in longitudinal vertical section a
door spring and check, provided with improvements made according to my invention.⚫
Figure 3 is a back end view of the said spring and check figure 1, and figure 4 is a
front end view of the same.
The same letters indicate corresponding parts in figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the
drawings.
:
a is a cylinder or barrel enclosed at its two ends by caps a² a² made in one piece.
with the attachment flanges a³ and working within the barrel or bore of the
cylinder, is a cup leather piston ; whose piston rod b² passes through a hole in the
middle of the front end cap, and which said piston end is connected and jointed at
to the bracket arme, and which said arm extends above, and in a parallel direction to
the barrel, with its other or front end connected and jointed or hinged at c to the
top of a standing up fixed bracket d secured to the back or hinged stile of the door
frame and which said barrel or cylinder is secured to the door by the flanges a
made in one piece with the end caps as aforesaid.
e.
Enclosed within the interior of the barrel or cylinder «, is a coiled spring which
is compressed between the inside of the front end of the cylinder, and the back of the
piston, the latter of which moves to and fro within the bore of the barrel, on the
opening and closing of the door.
The said piston which is of the cupped type, works air tight within the cylinder.
The front end of the casing has a small hole, through which air enclosed
within the back or spring portion of the cylinder is allowed to escape, on a door
being opened or the escape may take place through the gland part.
The back end of the barrel or casing is provided with an inlet air valve hand an
outward air passage i. is the former, which is in the middle of the casing cap, and
consists of a stalk, valve or enlarged end, coiled spring, and washer on the
end of said stalk; and which said stalk works within a hole of larger diameter than
itself, so as to admit air to the inside of the piston on a door opening; but on the
door closing, the inside face of the enlarged or valve part seats itself around the
passage, and thereby prevents the exit of air.
The other or outward air passage consists of a screw with facets or cutaway
parts and which pin or plug screws into a round hole in the casing made to receive
it; so that when the plug is screwed up, more or less, varying air outlets are
thereby acquired.
The action of the spring and pneumatic check is as follows:-
and
On a door being opened, the jointed arm connected to the front end of the piston
rod 2, causes the piston b to be drawn to the front end of the casing or cylinder
which said travelling of piston within its cylinder, causes the compression of the
spring behind it, and air enters the vacated part of the said cylinder, through the valve h.
On the door being liberated, the tension of the spring created by the opening, now
automatically closes with a somewhat constant velocity, the door, until the said door
approaches the jambe, when it is suddenly checked by the cushioning property of the
air now.enclosed within the cylinder, and compressed between the piston and its back
end. The air thus enclosed, can only escape slowly through the passage, which
thereby prevents the door from slamming.
The bracket besides forming the support for the back jointed end of the rod,
also forms a stop for preventing the door opening too far.
Figure represents a modification in which the combined spring and pneumatic
check is provided with a connected double arm instead of a single arm, as in the
previously described arrangement.
In
Figure 6 represents my improvements applied to door spring without a check.
this arrangement, the barrel takes the place of the arm, and which back end is made
to roll around a curved bracket secured to the hinged jamb of the door frame; so
that the barrel which becomes the arm, has the springs confined within it, which
are acted upon by a trunk or slide end, moved forward within the barrel by rolling
upon the top of the curved bracket.

page_text: is the barrel arm, g gl. are two coiled springs enclosed in the interior thereof, a² is
a fixed front end bracket to the said bracket, and b is a roller working upon a
plate let flush into the face of the door f upon which said plate, the roller or wheel
traverses. e is a loose trunk slide, with roller at its back open end, while the other
or front end is closed, and is marked . is a bracket secured to the back end of the
barrel a and jointed at a to the fixed bracket d, which is secured to the hinge jamb
frame e and which said bracket has a concentrically curved top upon which the
wheel rolls so that on the opening of a door, the spring is compressed, by the
forcing in of the trunk slide, caused by the increasing distance between the joint centre
and the top of the bracket from front to back. By thus employing a bracket with a
curved top as described, the spring becomes stronger at the closing point, or diminishes
in power as the door opens.
Figure 7 represents in side elevation, partly in section, my improvements applied to
another form of door spring without a check. Figure 8 represents a plan of the said
spring..
12 is a central spindle or rod, screwed at its back end 78, and passing at its other end
through a bracket a carrying a roller b which latter works upon a metallic plate let
flush into the door; and to the extreme end of the said rod, the front end of the arm
is connected and jointed, while its back end is connected and jointed to an upright
bracket d. is an adjustment nut, for giving the desired tension to the spring, by the
screwing up of the duplex springs gg. is a saddle or slide working between the
guides or sides extending from end to end of the spring, and by which means,
rigidity is given to the parts, and the rod and bracket is prevented from rotating:
and which said guides are jointed at to the middle part of the bracket d.
I wish it to be observed that although I have described that figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
are combined door springs and checks, yet I wish it to be observed that the respective
parts of each device may be used or employed alone if necessary, either to form a door
spring alone, or a pneumatic check alone, for the purpose as herein described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is-
First. The construction and use of a single arm or rod e, connected and jointed at
one end to the piston or actuating rod of a combined door spring and check, or a
spring, or a check, not combined; and at the other end, the said arm or rod is
connected and jointed to a standing up bracket or other connection, affixed either to a
door frame, or to a door, in which latter case, the apparatus is carried by the frame
and not the door, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and illustrated
in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 of the drawings.
Secondly. The inlet valve h, in combination with one of the end caps, or ends of
either a combined spring and check, or a pneumatic check alone, substantially as
described and set forth.
Thirdly. Making in one piece, or combined in one casting, or in one piece of
metal; the particularly constructed bracket attachments a³,
and caps a², substantially
as set forth."
Fourthly. Making the bracket d, (which carries one end of the actuating arm of
either a combined door spring and check or a spring or a check not combined) act as
a stop for limiting the opening of a door, or preventing a door being opened too far,
substantially as described and set forth.
Fifthly The general construction and arrangement or combination of the parts of
combined door springs and checks, substantially as and for the purpose herein described
and set forth in figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.
Sixthly Employing and connecting together two operating arms or rods, instead
of one, so as to give rigidity, parallelism and stay to the parts, on opening and closing
of a door substantially as set forth in figure 5.
Seventhly. In a door spring, or a combined door spring and check, in which the
barrel part wherein a spring is enclosed, is made to take the place of the actuating arm,

page_text: and which said barrel part carries at its back end a roller and trunk slide, with the
former, rolling upon the curved top a fixed bracket, which admits of the spring
impressing itself more forcibly at the closing point than at any other, substantially as
described and set forth in figure 6.
Eighthly. The construction and arrangement of the parts of door springs, as set
forth in figures 7 and 8; that is to say, a door spring which consists essentially of an
operating arm or rod, connected respectively at its two ends to a piston rod and fixed
bracket, while the said piston rod is guided and directed in its motion, and prevented
from rotating by side guides, with roller and bushed carrier at one end and jointed to
the said fixed bracket at the other end, substantially as set forth.