Improvements in Door-closing Appliances and Checks for the same.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Door-closing Appliances and Checks for the same.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 67, Newington Causeway, London, S.E., Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the methods of effecting the closing of doors and
checking the same, described in my former specifications but more especially
in Nos. 1264484, 444786, 150788, 14560, and 89403, and the object of my present
invention is to effect further improvements therein.
According to my invention I apply improved methods of causing the rotation
of the spindle or pivot to operate upon the spring and check, when opening
the door and of applying corresponding spring and checking power, when the
door is closing.
In one modification of my invention for single acting doors, that is to say,
doors opening in one direction only, I fit to the spindle a suitable cam and lever
the cam acts upon a door-closing spring with the intervention of an antifriction
roller.
The check cylinder is sometimes made to oscillate upon a pivot, and its piston
rod is so connected with a slotted and pivoted lever or its equivalent, that, on
being drawn out a certain distance, its angle of incidence sometimes temporarily
neutralises its force and on return of the spindle the pin (or otherwise mounted)
lever engages in the slot or its equivalent of the levers near its own axis, impart-
ing a long stroke to the piston rod, and thus ensures a relatively increasing
checking power.
In another modification, as applied to single acting doors, I again sometimes
fit an oscillating or pivoted check cylinder or its piston rod to one end of a
lever. The other end of the lever engages in a slot in the box which arrange-
ment furnishes a temporary fulcrum for the lever. A link or equivalent device
is sometimes fitted to the lever. When the lever assumes a more or less receded
position, the inner end becomes disengaged from the slot, and the action of the
check is thereby temporarily neutralised until the return of the lever, when its
swing end travelling at an even increasing ratio compared with a sliding frame
a powerful check is thereby ensured. The spindle has a lever mounted with a
pin or its equivalent to engage in a pivoted fork or its equivalent to prevent its
too rapid return.
In another modification of my invention as applied to double and single acting
doors, I utilise (preferably) a spiral spring of large diameter, and fit therein
parallel motion or other lever or levers so connected that it or they draw out
the piston rod of the check on opening the door. A lever mounted with a pin
or its equivalent attached to the pivot, operates upon a forked lever, or slotted
lever or its equivalent, in such a manner that the action of the spring is
neutralised through a certain distance of the angular motion of the spindle.
Anti-friction wheels are applied to the frame in the manner indicated in Fig. 21
and other figures in No. 8940⁹³.
In another modification I combine the spring and check concentrically, by

page_text: fitting the check in a central cylindrical position, and surrounding the same with
a coiled spring in an annular space. The spindle is integral with the check-
cylinder and with a radial stop, and the cylinder is attached to the inner end
of the spring by means of a ratchet or other suitable means the outer end being
similarly attached to an outer barrel, which is sometimes specially prepared to
fix to the surface of the door and frame. A stationary rectangular stop is fitted
to the bottom cover of the cylinder. A cataract port and regulating screw and
ratchet are provided in connection with the axis thereof for regulating the rotary
movement of the check and spring.
The checks may be formed for regulation by means of oil, air, or other fluid
or semifluid.
I vary the forms of the cams and other appliances described in and illustrated
by Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 of my former Specification
No. 1507 of the year 1888; also Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 11 of No. 14560 of
the year 1891; and also Figs. 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 of
No. 8940 of the year 1893, relating to door closing and checking appliances,
in such a manner that double-acting doors may be opened to the extent of
180 degrees in one direction, and to a similar or other extent in another direction
while retaining the self closing properties of such mechanism.
. I also vary the forms, leverage, and positions of the cams and wheels (when
required) in such a manner that the springs may be made to exert a greater
force in closing the door in one direction than in an opposite direction, in order
to counteract a surplus or greater pressure of the air or wind, or otherwise, upon
one side of the door than that on the other side. This device can be applied
to cams of all spring hinges.
In order to adjust and take up the wear of the top or bottom centres upon
which self-closing doors swing or rotate, I fit the same with a sliding socket in
a suitable frame or bracket or in the shoe. The position of the socket is
regulated by a screw (preferably with a serrated form of thread). This screw
in some cases is hollowed out to receive a square, hexagonal, or otherwise formed
retaining clip plug, which locks the screw in position, after setting. The plug
is bored through to receive a smaller screw, passing through the plug and fitting
a female screw in the block of the sliding socket. By means of these screws,
the block and the sliding socket are securely and firmly locked or held in the
required position. The smaller screw referred to may in some cases be screwed
into the serrated plug screw-instead of the step. It will be evident that the
means of adjustment may be varied yet without departing from the principle
of my invention, thus the sleeve may be round to pass into a round hole in
the plug, and the meeting surfaces may be serrated to fit each other, so that,
when in contact with each other it would be impossible to change their relative
positions accidentally. This device provides for a very minute adjustment of
the vertical joints of the door and frame.
In order to more perfectly adjust the alignment of swing doors and strengthen
the adjusting lever in the shoe, I form, integral with the lever, a suitable box,
and fit therein a nut with curved or inclined faces, in which the adjusting screw
engages so as to accommodate itself to the necessary angle, as an improvement
upon the methods included in my former patents.
Dated 3rd Octoba 1900
GEORGE DOWNING & SONS,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agents.

page_text: improvements in Door-closing Appliances and Checks for the same.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 67, Newington Causeway, London, S.E., Engineer, lo
hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in appliances for closing
doors and in means for checking the same; also in various parts and fittings
for use with such appliances. My invention has particular reference to my
former Letters Patents 12,6448, 444786, 150788, 14,5001, and 894093.
According to my invention I provide improved means for utilizing the rotary
motion of the spindle or pivot to operate upon the spring or springs and check
when the door is opened, and vice versa when the door is closing; also I provide
means whereby the check is rendered inoperative during a portion of the return
motion of the door, its full force being utilized during the latter portion of the
return motion so as to enable the door to close more quickly; also I provide
improved means for adjusting and taking up the wear of the top and bottom
centres upon which the door is hung, and means for adjusting the alignment of
such doors.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascer-
tained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate an arrangement of springs and a checking device suit-
able for single-acting doors.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a modification of the checking mechanism suitable for
double-acting doors.
Fig. 6 illustrates a device for operating the check.
Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of Fig. 6.
Figs. 8, 9, and 10 illustrate devices for preventing the recoil or backlash of
the spring frame.
Figs. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate a combined spring and check arranged con-
centrically.
Figs. 14, 14, and 15 illustrate improved forms of cams suitable for particular
purposes.
Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19 illustrate my improved top centre.
Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate my improved bottom socket or shoe.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a is the check, b is the spindle on which the
door is fitted. c is a slotted cam-lever pivoted at c to the box in any desired
manner, the other end of the cam-lever being suitably connected to the piston-
rod a of the check. ¹is a lever integral with the spindle b, the end of which
lever works in the slot of the cam-lever c (with or without the roller c) as shown
in section in Figs. 2 and 3. The slot of the cam lever c is formed approximately
as shown, so that the greatest retarding power of the check is when the door is
just closing, and that, on the door being opened a certain distance, the lever bl
leaves the slot of the cam-lever c whereby the check remains inoperative until
the return of the lever b. The check is shown pivoted to the box; the arrange-
ment of the springs shown in Fig. 1 is a convenient design, but the cam-lever
checking device may be fitted to any other suitable arrangement of springs for
a single-acting door.
In Figs. 4 and 5 a somewhat similar checking device is shown applied for a
double-acting door spring, the arrangement of the springs being according to
requirements and pattern, the spring action being omitted for greater clearness.

page_text: A
The piston rod a¹ is pivoted or otherwise connected with one end of the cam-
lever c pivoted at c¹ to the bearing plate d which supports the spindle.
lever integral with the pivot b works in the slotted lever c in a similar manner
to that described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the action being such that
the check may be temporarily disengaged until the return of the door when the
lever again engages with the slotted lever c and operates the check at a
gradually decreasing leverage.
The checking device shown in Fig. 6 also produces an analogous retarding
effect to those shown in the previous figures. In this case the piston-rod a¹
of the check a is pivoted to a lever e which is pivoted. at e¹ to the spring frame e³,
the free end of the lever being formed approximately as shown and arranged
to work as a fulcrum, at varying points in the slot f formed in the box. When
the door is opened and the spring compressed, the frame pulls the lever e by
its connection at el and the piston rod a is consequently withdrawn from the
check at a greater speed, the lever being of the third class; on the opening being
continued the fulcrum of the lever is withdrawn from the slot f and slides on
the side of the box this position being shown by dotted lines. Similarly and
oppositely, on allowing the door to close the spring frame travels backward and
the fulcrum end of the lever e engages with the projecting side of the slot, and
simultaneously the check is operated at an increasing speed ratio as the fulcrum
moves from the point to the point et by reason of its formation. The pro-
jecting side of the slot fi may be fitted with or as a roller (as shown in dotted
lines) to assist the movement of the fulcrum end of the lever e.
Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of Fig. 6 the arrangement being somewhat
similar but duplicated and provided with links whereby a parallel motion is
obtained. e, e, are levers pivoted at el, el, to the spring frame and arranged as
before described; the outer ends of the levers are attached to links g g which
in turn are connected at g¹ with the piston rod a¹ of the check a. This
arrangement of links and levers thus forms a parallel motion and when operated
(as shown by the dotted lines) they work within the spring through the end of
the spring frame e².
In order to prevent recoil or backlash of the spring frame should the door
be pushed while closing, I provide the devices illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 10,
Figs. 8 and 9 being for spring frames which are drawn up by the usual cam
on opening the door, and Fig. 10 for frames which are thrust downward. In
the former figures I show a lever h, integral with the spindle, the end of which
works, with or without the roller h', in the fork he pivoted at h³ to the frame e².
It will be seen that should the door be pushed to whilst closing the lever h
engages with the pivoted fork h² and prevents the door closing independently
of the check. Similarly in Fig. 10, the lever h carries a roller or block adapted
to engage with the cam i fixed to or integral with the frame e in an analogous
manner to the various devices illustrated in my former Specification No. 14,56091
by the reference numerals 4 and 5. Although I have shown the edge of the
cam curved, it may be flat and the block on the lever may also be corre-
spondingly flat sided.
Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of a spring and check arranged concentrically
one within the other; Fig. 12 is a sectional plan, and Fig. 13 a plan with the
lever removed. As shown, the check cylinder k is fitted in a cylindrical box
formed with means for attaching same to the door or frame, the spring m being
arranged between the two cylinders. The spindle or pivot ¹, which carries the
operating lever n, is integral with the check cylinder k and with a ratchet
the latter being used in combination with a pawl 3 pivoted at k to the lever n
for adjusting the power of the spring; the spring is secured to the check cylinder
and to the spring cylinder by means of a form of ratchet tooth m² m² as shown
in Fig. 12. o is a fixed spindle formed with a quick screw-thread for a portion
of its length and coned at its lower end as shown in Fig. 11, the upper end
titting a hole or recess o¹ in the check, but so that the check cylinder may revolve

page_text: The
independently of the spindle o. The lower portion of the spring box is coned
to receive the cone of the spindle o, the latter being locked in position by a
lock nut as shown. p is a piston block fitting loosely in the check cylinder k
and prevented from rotating therein by ribs fitting slotted guides formed on
the side of the cylinder; the interior of the block is screw-threaded.
block and the piston rings p2 are constructed analogous to the arrangement
shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11 of my Specification No. 12,64484 except that I
now substitute a screw-thread for the helical surfaces or inclined planes therein
described. The spindle is formed with passages o2 which permit the air, oil, or
other fluid to pass from one side of the piston to the other, the flow through
said passages 02 being regulated by a screwed pin or rod 03 in a manner well
known in connection with checks. The lower end of the check cylinder k is
fitted with a plug or disc formed with a central boring for the spindle o, and
with a screw-thread on a conical edge or periphery arranged to become locked
in the correspondingly formed mouth of the check cylinder and render such joint
fluid tight. The plug or disc is provided with a stuffing box and gland as
shown. It will be understood that on the door being opened, the lever nis
operated and causes the check cylinder to revolve; this movement causes the
piston block p to revolve also and rise on the thread of the spindle o and the
spring m to be wound on the cylinder : on the door being allowed to close
the spring m exerts its force to rotate the check cylinder back to its original
position, and simultaneously the piston block 2 is screwed downward thus com-
pressing the fluid and forming a check thereby regulating the closing of the door.
The lever n is preferably attached to the door by a link, but other well known
devices may be employed. The slotted guides 2 may be curved or straight and
vertical or diagonal according to requirements.
Figs. 14, 14, and 15 illustrate my improved forms of cams designed for special
purposes; in Fig. 14 a double-action cam is shown which will allow of the door
being opened 180°; in Fig. 14 a modification is shown in which the cam permits
the door to be opened through 180° one way and about 90° the other way,
and it is obvious that the shape may be still further varied to suit circumstances;
in Fig. 15 a cam is shown suitable for doors liable to heavier wind pressure
on one side than on the other, and is effected by increasing the initial leverage,
the side of the cam being formed to resist the heavier wind pressure.
1 is a
In order to adjust and take up the wear of the top or bottom centres upon
which the door swings or rotates I employ the means shown in Figs. 16 to 19;
Fig. 16 being a section, Fig. 17 a back elevation, Fig. 18 an end view of the
adjusting screw sleeve, and Fig. 19 a plan view of one form of the locking clip.
is a sliding socket block free to move longitudinally in the frame, bracket, or
shoes and formed with the usual socket for the centre or spindle.
screw sleeve fitting the screw thread formed in the frame s; preferably the
thread is of the serrated or ratchet pattern, as shown. The screw sleeve lis
formed with a square, hexagonal, or other suitable hole (a square one being
shown in the drawing) to receive the correspondingly formed plug integral
with the clip t; the latter is formed with side lips 2 adapted to fit corresponding
slots or recesses in the frame s. The clip is bored through to receive a screw s¹
which passes through the clip t and plug t and fits a female thread formed in
the socket block. Thus to adjust the socket the screw s¹ is withdrawn thereby
allowing the clip t to be also withdrawn a sufficient distance to disengage the
lips from their recesses; the clip may now be used to rotate the screw sleeve r
until the desired adjustment has been attained, when the plug of the clip is
withdrawn from the screw sleeve and refitted into its locking position; the
screws is then replaced whereby the whole of the parts are securely locked in
position.
This device is capable of many modifications without departing from the
principle of my invention. For instance, the screw s¹ may be screwed into the
screw sleeve instead of the socket block, also the plug t¹ may be round to pass

page_text: into a round hole in the screw sleeve and the meeting surfaces or ends may be
serrated or notched to fit each other, so that when the clip is fixed the screw
sleeve is also fixed.
Figs. 20 and 21 illustrate a method of adjusting the alignment of the door,
an improvement upon that shown in my former Specification No. 79875. u is a
lever integral with the socket 63 the boss of the latter fitting an opening 2 formed
in the shoe s; is a travelling nut threaded on the transverse set screw secured
in the shoe. Instead of forming the end of the lever with a pair of fingers em-
bracing the nut-which fingers become broken-I now form a shell ' at the end
of the lever in which the nut works but cannot rotate, the shell being slotted
(as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 20) at the sides to accommodate the set
screw. This construction greatly strengthens the lever and permits of the
full range of adjustment for aligning the door.
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:
1. In checks for door closing appliances, the application and use of a slotted
cam lever in combination with a lever integral with the spindle or pivot, arranged
and operating substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 1,
2, and 3 of the drawings.
2. In checks for doors, the modified form of slotted cam lever in combination
with an operating lever attached to the spindle or pivot, arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figs. 4 and 5 of the
drawings.
3. In checks for doors, the combination with a sliding spring frame or other
moving part of the spring mechanism of a lever pivoted to said moving part,
one end of which is connected to the check piston rod, and a notch or slot in
the box in which the other or fulcrum end of the lever works, the fulcrum end of
the lever being formed and the whole arranged and operating substantially as
described and illustrated by Fig. of the drawings.
4. In checks for doors, the combination with a suitably moving part of the
spring mechanism of a pair of levers pivoted to said moving part, and a pair
or pairs of link or links connected to said levers and to the piston rod, the fulcra
of said levers being formed and the whole arranged and operating in combination
with a pair of notches or slots in the box, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated by Fig. 7 of the drawings.
5. In door closing appliances and checks, the combination therewith of the
means for preventing recoil or backlash of the spring frame, substantially as
described and shown by Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings.
G. The combination with door closing appliances and checks for same of the
lever integral with the pivot and formed with a roller or block, and a cam i
integral with the spring frame, substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated by Fig. 10 of the drawings.
7. A spring and check, consisting of a spring box capable of being fixed to
the door or frame, a check cylinder capable of revolving within said spring box,
a spiral spring attached to said spring box and to said check cylinder, a piston
block fitting guides within said cylinder and mounted on a part-threaded spindle
adjustably secured in said spring box, a plug or disc for closing the mouth of
said cylinder and rendering the check fluid tight, means for regulating the
escape of the fluid from below the piston to the upper side, and means for adjust-
ing the power of the spring, substantially as herein before described and shown
by Figs. 11, 12, and 13 of the drawings."
8. A top or bottom centre for doors, consisting of a frame, bracket or shoe
part screw-threaded interiorly, a socket block free to slide longitudinally in
said frame, bracket or shoe, a screw sleeve fitting the interior thread of the
frame, a clip plug for locking and preventing rotation of the screw sleeve, and

page_text: a screw passing through said clip plug into the socket block or screw sleeve,
substantially as herein before described and shown by Figs. 16, 17, 18, and 19
of the drawings.
9. Improved means for adjusting the alignment of swing doors, consisting
of a shell formed on the end of the lever which is socketed in the shoe, said
shell enclosing a travelling nut on a transverse set screw, substantially as set
forth and shown by Figs. 20 and 21 of the drawings.
Dated 1
1000
•
ROBERT ADAMS.
By George Downing & Sons,
Chartered Patent Agents, 8, Quality Court, London, W.C.,