Improvements in Means for the Self-closing of Gates, Doors and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Apr.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for the Self-closing of Gates, Doors and the
like.
I, GEORGE ROBERT GOODFELLOW, of 4, Morehampton Road, in the County of
Dublin, Ireland, Builder, 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:
My invention relates to an improved method of and means for affecting the
self closing of field, railway, private-garden and other gates, doors and the
like.
In order that my said invention, and the manner in which I prefer to carry
the same into effect may be fully understood I have hereunto appended a sheet
of drawings, in which I have chosen to illustrate my invention as applied to
an ordinary field or garden gate, which will suffice to make clear its mode of
action and its applicability to any other form of swinging gate or door, Fig. 1
being an elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan or top view of same.
In carrying my invention into effect I mount and fix in any suitable position
within the length of the bearing style or back frame A of the gate B, a whole
or part mitre wheel C, preferably the latter, this being so constructed as to
provide suitable means (such for instance as a hollow part boss or socket D)
whereby it may be screwed, nailed, bolted or otherwise firmly fixed upon A.
The upper end of the style or frame A may be supported in pivotal connection
with the field or garden post E, or its equivalent, in the usual or most approved
manner, while its lower end may be fitted with a socket piece, or otherwise
arranged to provide a pin or stud such as F, adapted to fit and rotate within
a footing G, set into the ground, to form a pivotal support for the lower end
of A.
The post or the like E is arranged to carry a horizontal axle or spindle H,
adapted to freely rotate in bearings such as J and J, while upon the inner end
of His mounted and fixed a whole or part mitre wheel K, in gear with the whole
or part wheel C, on A, so that the motion imparted to C, by the opening of the
gate B would impart a like degree of motion to K, and when the widest open
position of such gate or door is not more than at right angles with its position
when closed, C may be only a half wheel or thereabouts as shewn, or any degree
between this and a complete wheel when the gate is to be opened wider.
The axle or spindle H has fixed thereto, (or to a boss upon the wheel K
whichever may be most convenient) a lever L. having at its lower and free end
a weight M, rendered adjustable by the means of a screw N, the geared. connection
between Cand K being so arranged that the lever I is always depending vertically
(as shewn in Fig. 1) when B is closed, from which it will be understood. that
if the gate or the like B be opened in either direction (as indicated by dotted
outline in Fig. 2) the weighted lever L would be raised a corresponding distance,
(also indicated by dotted outline in the same fig.) the weight M operating to
reclose B when released from the power that opened it, and in certain gates or

page_text: doors I may find it quite unnecessary to provide any means for fastening the
same when closed, the weight M being sufficient for this purpose, thus rendering
my invention applicable (under certain conditions) to the folding doors of offices,
churches, libraries and the like.
I may find it convenient, in connection with out-door gaies, to provide a cover-
ing for the wheels or part wheels and K, to protect them from the weather,
as suggested by dotted outline at P Fig. 1, and where it may be desirable that
the travel of the gate or door B, in either direction, shall not exceed 90° from
its position when closed, I may for this purpose provide upon the part wheel C,
stops such as S, S, for arresting its gearing with the wheel or part wheel K
at the points desired.
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) The herein described method of and means for automatically closing gates,
doors and the like, by the use of bevel gearing actuated by a weighted lever
substantially as herein set forth and shewn.
(2) In an improved method of and means for effecting the self closing of gates,
doors and the like, the combination of a whole or part bevel-wheel such as C,
fixed upon the said door or gate such as A B, and gearing with a like whole or
part bevel wheel such as K, mounted upon a spindle or axle H, borne by or_and
within the gate or door post or frame E, the said wheel or part wheel K or
the axle H upon which it is mounted being provided with a lever L, having an
adjustable weight M, substantially as herein described and shewn by the appended
drawings.
ated this 10th day of March 1900
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.