CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRINGS FOR DOORS
Year: 1836

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
AUGUSTUS HOWELL, of Ramsgate, in the County of Kent, Smith and Iron-
monger, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing
date at Westminster, the Third day of May, in the sixth year of His reign,
and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six, did,
for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Augustus Howell, His especial license, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said William Augustus Howell, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Augustus Howell,
my executors, administrators, or assigns should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPRINGS FOR DOORS;" in which
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Willliam
Augustus Howell, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be
inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,
as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Augustus IIowell, do hereby declare that the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof,
reference being therto, the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters
and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention of certain improvements in the construction of springs for
doors applies both to double and single action door springs; the former
construction allowing the door to which they are attached to open and shut in
either direction, the latter allowing the door to open and close only in one
direction, the door shutting against a jamb or fixed part. The object of my
improvements are,―
First, the construction of a piece of mechanism in such a manner that the
leverage shall command the power or force of the spring, and cause it to hold
the door firmly after it has been closed, and prevent its being blown open by
wind, yet allowing it to yield easily to the push after the door has been started
from the closed position. This is effected, in the first instance, by a peculiarly
shaped excentric rolling lever acting upon the spring in conjunction with an
antifriction roller; and, in the second instance, by snail levers or excentric
rollers and chains, which act upon the spring and present different radii or
leverage in different parts of the movements of the door, the longer or more
favorable radii or leverage coming into operation as the spring is becoming
compressed or brought into greater tension the wider the door is opened,
and the shorter or most unfavorable radius of the levers is presented to the
spring when the door is closed, so that although the spring is really becoming
stronger as the door opens, and offering more resistance to the push, yet it is not
so sensibly felt by the person opening the door, as the more favorable radius
or leverage is then brought into operation upon the spring.
Secondly, my improvements have for their object the construction of
mechanism for angle-action door springs, which prevent the quick return or
slamming of the door against the jamb or door post when let go after it has
been opened, thereby obviating the nuisance of the jar and noise. This is
effected by causing the expanding or returning power of the spring to be
retarded and commanded by a governor, which will partially overcome the
force of the spring, and cause the door to close gently, the retarding mechanism
not offering any opposition or resistance to the door in opening, but beginning
to act immediately after the door has been let go, so as to prevent the quick
expanding of the spring, and consequently the slamming to of the door against
the jamb or stop.

page_text: The several Figures in the accompanying Drawings are representations
of different constructions of my improved door springs. Fig. 1 is a plan,
or horizontal view of the first construction of my improved double-action
door springs, having a cam or excentric and antifriction roller acting upon
the spring, the upper plate or cover of the case being removed to expose
the interior, the position of the parts being in the quiescent state, or as they
are when the door is closed; Fig. 2 is a similar view, the parts being in the
position they are when the door is opened; Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken
through the case, showing part of the door and flooring. a, a, is the box or
case, formed of cast iron or other metal; b is the centre pin on which the
door turns, and carrying the excentric c; the upper part of this pin fits into a
square socket in a shoe piece d, securely fastened to the lower part or heel of
the door in any convenient manner. e, e, is the spring, the one part e
pressing against the side of the case and held by a steady pin, the other part e*
pressing against the end of the sliding piece f, and is also held thereon by
steady pins; the piece f works in a groove or recess in the case, and carries
the antifriction roller g, against which the cam wheel or excentric c of the
centre pin works. It will be seen on inspecting the Figures that there is a
notch or recess h cut out of the excentric at its smaller radius, into which the
roller g fits when the door is closed, the centre of the roller approaching the
centre of the pin, and there must be sufficient power applied to the door on
opening it to force the roller out of the notch, and as soon as it arrives on the
periphery of the cam or excentric, the further compression of the spring as the
door is opening will be easily accomplished as the larger radii of the cam
passes opposite or in contact with the friction roller. On the door being let
go, the force of the spring returns the parts into the former position, and the
roller enters the notch of the excentric and holds the door closed. Fig. 4 is a
similar view to Fig. 1 of another of my improved constructions of double-action
door springs, with a coiled or barrel spring, and in which the first object of
my improvements are further carried into effect, viz', the cams or excentrics
presenting different radii or leverage to overcome the power of the spring at
different parts of the motion of the door. Fig. 5 is another similar view,
showing the parts as situated when the door is opened; and Fig. 6 is a
vertical section. a, a, is the case; b, the centre pin of the door, which carries
the two excentrics c, d, connected by chains to the coiled or barrel spring at e,
the one excentric c being connected by the chain f to the snail cam or
excentric g, attached to the barrel e of the spring, which turns loosely on the
axle h of the spring; the other excentric d is connected by the chain i to
another excentric / mounted on to the lower end of the axle h of the spring.

page_text: barrel, one end of the coiled spring being attached in the usual manner to the
interior of the barrel, the other end to the shaft or axle. The operation of the
spring will be seen by inspecting the Drawings and comparing the situation of
the parts, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5. The door being closed and in the
position of the dotted line in Fig. 4, it will be seen that the chains and i pass
from the spring over the smaller radii of the snails g and l, that is, in the least
favorable position to allow of the spring being coiled up or brought further into
tension on any force being applied to the chain for i, for instance, by the
excentrics c or d, being turned with the door in opening either way, but as
soon as the door has been moved from the closed position, the larger or
increasing radii of the snails or cams 9 or will come into action, the chain
being uncoiled therefrom, at the same time the lesser radii of the excentric c
will be brought into operation, the chain coiling on the periphery thereof, and
the parts will assume the position shewn in Fig. 5. On the door being let go,
the spring will immediately uncoil and bring the parts into the quiescent
position shewn in Fig. 4, and close the door. There are proper stop pieces m
and n placed on each chain, which come against stationary stops or abut-
ments o and p fixed at the side of the case or box, which cause the door
always to be brought into the right position when closed. Figures 7, 8, and 9
are representations of one of my improved constructions of springs, with the
mechanism attached thereto for obtaining the second object of my improve-
ment, viz, preventing the slamming to of the door when let go after being.
opened. Fig. 7 is a plan view, shewing the interior, the plate or cover being
removed, and the parts shewn in the position they are in when the door is
closed. Fig. 8 is another similar view, taken after the door has been opened.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the spring box or case. The construction of the
parts of the spring for communicating the motion of the door to the spring and
from the spring to the door are the same as that just above described, and shewn
in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings, and have corresponding
letters of reference marked on the same parts, therefore no further description
of this part will be necessary. Upon the centre pin 6 of the door is mounted
the small cam or excentric o, to which is attached the chain p connected at its
other end to the cam or excentric q, mounted on the centre pin or shaft r. There
is another excentric or cam s also mounted on the centre pin b, to which is
attached the other chain t, and connected at its other end to another excentric
or cam u also mounted on the axis r and revolving with it; v is a ratchet
wheel also placed on this shaft; wis a spur wheel turning loosely on the axler
and carrying palls or clicks x which are kept pressed towards the teeth of the
ratchet by springs in the usual manner. The toothed wheel w takes into an

page_text: endless worm or screw y, the axle of which turns in proper bearings and
carries at its other end the worm wheel z, which takes into another worm or
endless screw 1 on the upright shaft 2, which carries upon its upper end the
retarding flyer or expanding governor, shewn detached in two views at
Figures 10 and 11; Figure 10 shewing it in the quiescent position, as it is
when the door is closed; Figure 11 shewing it expanded and in action, as
when the door is closing; the retarding governor consists of a plate 3
mounted on the end of the axle 2, and carrying the expanding pieces or
wings 4, 4, which turn loosely on pins or studs 5, 5, and are connected
together by arms or levers 6, 6, and the rod 7; 8 is a coiled spring attached
at one end to the plate 3 and at the other end to one of the pieces or wings 4;
the operation is as follows:-On the door being opened the centre pin b
is turned, by which the cam o is made to draw the chain p from off the
excentric 9 and carry round the axis r, and with it the ratchet wheel v, in the
direction of the red arrow, the palls x, x, giving way to its motion, the
excentrics p and u with their chain t being also put into motion by the same
means, but at this time merely transferring the chain from one to the other,
but the moment the door is let go the spring e exerts its force to cause the
door to close and the various parts to turn the reverse way, in the direction
of the black arrow, which action immediately causes the cams by the chain t,
to draw round the excentric 9 and turn the ratchet wheel in the reverse
direction to that when opening the door; and the ratchet wheel, by means of
the palls or clicks x, these parts being now in connexion with the screw
wheel w, cause it to be set in motion, and consequently turns the worm y with
its shaft and wheel z, and this latter gives motion to the other worm 1, shaft 2,
and the returning governor, which as it acquires velocity as the door is closing
by the expanding or return action of the spring, the centrifugal force of the
pieces or wings 4, 4, overcomes the force of the coiled spring 8, and they
expand, as shewn in Figure 11, and thereby offer more extended surface or
greater leverage to the resistance of the atmosphere, and by thus partially
overcoming or counterbalancing the expanding power of the spring e, retards
or obstructs the return of the door and prevents its shutting quickly and
slamming, and as soon as the door has shut against its jamb the parts assume
the quiescent position as in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 and 13 are representations
of another of my improved constructions of door springs in which the parts
for communicating the motion of the door to the spring, and from the spring
to the door, is of the construction second above described, that is, with the
curled or barrel spring; and the same letters of reference being marked upon
corresponding parts, the foregoing description will be sufficient to explain this

page_text: part of the mechanism; and as the retarding motion is similar to that just
above described, therefore, no further description will be required, the same
letters of reference being marked upon corresponding parts to the former.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object
of my Invention, I would remark that I recommend the box or case of the
spring to be filled with oil, not only for the purpose of reducing friction but
also to deaden the noise caused by the working of the mechanism, and I have
therefore used worms, and endless screws, and wheels with oblique cut teeth,
in preference to ordinary toothed wheels, as the former work more smoothly
together, and make less noise in working than the latter.
And further, I would remark that I do not mean or intend to claim as my
Invention any of the parts separate, as some of them have been heretofore
used for like purpose; neither do I intend to confine myself to the precise
forms or dimensions above described and shewn in the Drawings, as different
sized springs, having greater or less power, will be required for different sized
doors; neither do I intend to confine myself to any particular dimension or
construction of retarding mechanism herein described, as that may be varied
and arranged at pleasure, my improvements consisting in, and what I
particularly claim as my Invention being,―
First, the improved combination of double-action door springs as above
described and shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying Drawings,
consisting of the excentric or rolling lever mounted on the centre pin of the
door, the antifriction roller, its'sliding piece, and the spring.
Secondly, in the improved construction of double-action door springs as
above described and shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 6, in which the force or
power of the spring is, by the positions and combinations of the various
excentrics or snail levers, opposed to the opening of the door when it is
closed, but when the door is once started in opening assuming positions which
are more favorable for overcoming the power of the spring.
And further, I claim as my Invention the application to door springs of
commanding or retarding mechanism set in motion by the expanding or
returning force of the spring, which would otherwise be exerted to cause the
door to close quickly and slam against its jamb, this commanding mechanism
being intended to take up the surplus power of the spring at that time.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Agustus Howell, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this First day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS (L.S.) HOWELL.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the First day of November, in
the seventh year of the reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth, the
said William Augustus Howell came before our said Lord the King in His
Chancery and acknowledged the instrument aforesaid, and all and every-
thing therein contained and specified, in form above written. And also the
instrument aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made
in the fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the
Third.
Inrolled the Third day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-six.