Improvements in Storm Door Structures.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Storm Door Structures.
I, THEOPHILUS VAN KANNEL, of No. 253, Broadway, in the City, County and
State of New York, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention is an improvement in storm door structures.
The object of my invention is to prevent draughts of air and changes in tempera-
ture in office buildings, hotels, and halls during frequent entrance and exit.
I provide a doorway having the opposite sides in the form of an arc or segment
of a circle or polygon; the door is preferably composed of a series of radial wings,
rigidly united in pairs; the pairs of wings being adjustably united at a central
junction line so as to permit of fixing them in planes either parallel or at any
required angle with respect to each other. The door structure is suspended from
an overhead surface, ceiling or roof by means of a rotating support, and this
rotating support is located on a wheeled carriage moving on a track arranged
transverse the doorway; the rotating support or pivot depends through a slot or
passage in the roof or ceiling, and there is a hinged cover for the slot operated by
a projection from the carriage. Stops are provided to catch and hold the carriage
at the limit of its movement. The contact surface or edge of cach radial wing
is provided with a fixed strip of flexible, yielding, material, like rubber cloth,
and this strip is fixed at an angle with respect to the plane of the wing in such
manner that the door moves freely when rotated in one direction only, while the
rubber strip impinges against the walls of the doorway and operates to resist
rotation when attempt is made to rotate the structure in the opposite direction.
I provide novel and useful devices for locking the doors together and bracing
them; also for locking pairs of wings together and to a fixed point in certain
instances; also for limiting the movement of pairs of wings under the influence
of a retracting device when it is desirable to ventilate the interior while the door
is in position and in use. I also provide a non-rotating steadying pin or pivot
which is longitudinally movable with means for holding said pin against dis-
placement.
The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the doorway and rotating door structure; Figs. 2
and 3 are detail views showing the means employed for fixing the arc-shaped
doorway firmly in position on a hard floor or sidewalk, as of stone; Fig. 4 is a
cross-section of the doorway and door, as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a detail view
showing the flexible strip fixed at an angle with respect to the plane of the wing
upon which it is located; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the overhead surface, the
rails, the carriage, the rotating support, the slot and the hinged cover therefor.;
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section on the line y-y, Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an end

page_text: view of the carriage and attachments shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 7, taken on the
line, Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows the means for adjustably connecting pairs of wings
at a central line and the means employed for locking the hinged braces; Fig. 10
is a detail view on the line a-x, Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the
line yy, Fig. 9; Fig. 12 shows the lower pivot with means for controlling its
position by the movement of the wings of the suspended door structure; Fig. 13
is a vertical cross-section of Fig. 12; Fig. 14, shows the wings arranged in parallel
planes at one side of the doorway; Fig. 15 is a cross-section of Fig. 14; Fig. 16
and Fig. 17 show the means for locking the doors in parallel planes and to a fixed
point; Fig. 18 shows the pairs of wings in parallel planes arranged for use and
ventilation; Fig. 19 is a vertical sectional view of the door structure arranged
as shown in Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is an elevation showing the central braces in posi-
tion, and the door structure and doorway constructed partly of glass; Fig. 21 is
a cross-section on the line -; Fig. 20, the arc-shaped doorway divided into
sections hinged together; Fig. 22 shows the glass doorway forming part of show
cases for exhibiting goods for sale; and Fig. 23 shows the perforate and imper-
forate floor covering arranged to form a receptacle for the dust and dirt moved
to and fro by the revolving structure.
In Fig. 1, D, is a doorway in the form of an arc; the extent of the are being
slightly greater than the distance between successive wings; these arc-shaped door-
ways are fixed to the floor or sidewalk or vestibule surface, frequently of stone,
by angle pieces of metal p, which are screwed to the doorway by ordinary wood'
screws and held in place on the floor surface by screws, like q, having a long
conical point. The door structure as shown is composed of four wings 10,
opposite wings being rigidly united into pairs; the two pairs being adjustably
united; the means preferred for securing the described union is a series of cylin-
drical sections, preferably tubular. At diametrically opposite points of each
cylindrical section 100, there are fixed projecting links 101 and 102; the links
are screwed to the wings and rigidly unite them. Alternate sections 100, have
links secured to alternate pairs w, so that the pairs of wings may be placed at
any angle with respect to each other or in parallel planes in proximity, all as
shown in Figs. 4, 14 and 15. The door structure is suspended from a rotating
support or pivot l', there is an overhead surface, structure, ceiling or roof O, upon
which is located a track, for instance, two parallel rails R, of merchant iron, as
shown in Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8. A wheeled carriage C, travels between a central
point and one side of the doorway, and there is a grooved plate, b, upon the carriage,
and a grooved plate a, attached to the pivot P, with balls c, located in the grooves,
as shown in Fig. 7. The wheels 22, upon which the structure is supported are
preferably flanged. At opposite limits of movement of the carriage there are
stops 19, and 20, shown in Fig. 1, and there is a latch or movable stop 21, upon
the carriage; the stops 19 and 20, are provided with slanting contact surfaces;
a projection 23, forming part of the movable stop rides upon the slanting surface
of a fixed stop and then drops into a notch, like 24, in the fixed stop 19, shown in
Fig. 6. There are covers 30, for the slot in the ceiling 0, through which the
pivot P, passes or depends, and these covers 30, are hinged at 31, see Figs. 6
and 8, and there is an angular plough-shaped projection j, forming part of the
carriage C, arranged to lift the covers 30, as the carriage moves from one limit
to the other, allowing the covers to drop back into position to cover the slot upon
completion of the movement. The vertical contact surface of each wing is pro-
vided with a flexible strips, bridging the space between the wings w, and the
doorway D, sufficient in extent to prevent catching or pinching the fingers of the
passer. The strips s, are preferably of rubber or rubber cloth placed at an angle
with respect to the plane of the wing w, and fixed to the wing by a bevel strip t. of
rigid material, and screws: the location of the strip at an angle permits rotation
of the door structure freely in one direction and practically prevents rotation in the
reverse direction. The horizontal contact surfaces of each wing may have the same

page_text: arrangement of flexible strips s, or the strip on such surfaces may be in the plane
of the wing.
There
Referring to Fig. 4, there are central braces B, connected to one pair of
wings at their opposite extremities by hinges h; these braces pass through the
wings of the opposite pair at points some radial distance from the center and I
provide a locking device for locking the wings at such radial points or perfora-
tions, to the braces passing through them; this locking device is shown in Figs. 9,
10 and 11. There are two bars 40, and 41, having their ends adjacent; both bars
are suitably supported in bearings and their adjacent ends are arc-shaped.
is a winged actuating device 43, located upon a bolt 42, having a controlling
handle 44; the adjacent ends of the bars 40, and 41, and the winged actuating
device 43, are in a case 45. The bars 40, and 41, have a normal tendency to
approach and make contact with the actuating device 43, imparted thereto by
means of springs 48, and when in this position a projection 46, on the exterior
end of each bar, enters a notch 47, in the brace B, and when the winged actuating
device 43, is rotated forty-five degrees or more, the bars are forced apart and the
projections 46, are freed from the notches 47; at this time one pair of wings may
be swung around into a parallel plane with respect to the wings of the first pair.
The hinges h, upon which central braces B, are supported extend or project a
sufficient distance to pass through the wings of the second pair and allow the
braces B, to drop into a vertical position, when the wings are placed together, as
shown in Fig. 4.
For the purpose of steadying the suspended door structure I provide a lower
pivot 50, extending through two or more of the cylindrical sections 100; its lower
end is squared and enters a squared socket 51, in the floor or lower surface f, the
object being to prevent rotation of the pivot and avoid the wear due to accumu-
lating dust. The upper end of the pivot is provided with an actuating handle 52,
taking into a groove near the upper end of pivot 50; this handle 52, travels in
a slot 53, and this slot at its upper end takes a right angled turn forming a shoulder
at 55, so that when the pairs of wings are located at right angles with respect to
each other, movement of the handle 52, is prevented by the presence or location
of the wings c, which partially covers the annular passage or slot and operates
to block the movement of the pivot 50. The object of this arrangement is to
prevent mischievous or unauthorized interference. I provide a mechanical con-
nection 90, between the movable stop 21, and the lower pivot 50, so that when
pivot 50, is raised, the catch 21 will be thrown up and free the carriage; when
the cylindrical sections are tubular this mechanical connection is in the form of
the rod 90, passing through the tubular sections.
When the doors are constructed and arranged as described. and as shown in
Fig. 4, entrance is at the right, and the admission of air and dust is practically
prevented because one wing w, closes with respect to the doorway D, before the
preceding wing leaves the doorway. The pairs of wings may be arranged in
parallel planes at the center, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 14 and 15, or they
may be arranged at one side of the doorway, as shown in full lines in Figs. 14
and 15, or they may be arranged in parallel planes, free to vibrate and regulate
the ventilation, in warm weather for instance, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19.
For the purpose of arranging the doors as shown in full line in Figs. 14 and 15,
I provide a bolt 70, journalled upon one pair of wings and a link 72, fixed to
the second pair of wings projects into the line of movement of the bolt 70. To
lock the wings together and at the side of the doorway, the bolt 70, is passed
through the link 72, and into socket 71, in the overhead structure, and the lower
pivot 50, is passed into a socket 51, shown in Fig. 14. To hold the pairs of wings
in parallel planes and permit their vibration together, as shown in Fig. 18, I
cause the bolt 70, to enter the link 72, and provide an elevated fixed link 61. to
limit the movement of the door structure in one direction, and an elastic or
retractile connection 60, which may be a helical spring or strip of rubber, or
equivalent device, to return the doors to the limit established by the link 61.

page_text: The case 73, for the bolt 70, has three stops or notches; when the handle of the
bolt 70, is in the notch 75, the wings may be separated; when in the notch 76,
the two pairs of wings are united; when in the notch 77, the pairs are united
together and to the fixed point in the roof 71.
In Fig. 20, I have shown a door and doorway, parts of both of which are formed
of glass g; in Fig. 22 I have shown a doorway D, of glass g, forming the wall
of a show case S, in which goods may be displayed.
In Fig. 21, have shown a doorway D, of arc-shape divided into minor arcs
hinged together at i, so as to minimize the obstruction due to the curvature of the
doorway in case it is desired to move bulky articles.
In Fig. 23, I have shown a floor covering divided into quadrants, the quad-
rants m, located in the space between the sides of the doorway being perforated to
receive dust and dirt moved over the surface, while the quadrants r, adjacent to
the sides of the doorway are imperforate, thus preventing the passage of air
around the edge of the flexible strip forming the contact surface of the wing.
'
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway and a door therefor
having radial wings, a pivot for suspending said door from an overhead support,
lower pivot connecting said door with a fixed point below it and means for
moving the lower pivot longitudinally, substantially as described.
2. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway and a door therefor
composed of radial wings united at a central line, a rotating support suspending
said door from an elevated surface or structure, a wheeled carriage supporting
said rotating support, and a track for said carriage, substantially as described.
3. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway and a door therefor
having a series of wings united at a central line, a rotating support suspending
said door from an elevated surface or structure, a wheeled carriage supporting
said pivot, a track for said carriage extending transverse the doorway and stops
for holding the carriage in position, substantially as described.
4. In a storm door structure, the combination of a doorway and a door therefor
having a series of radial wings united at a central line, a rotating suspension
device for said door depending from an elevated surface or structure, a wheeled
carriage supporting said device, a track for said carriage extending transverse
the doorway, fixed stops at the limits of movement of said carriage, and a movable
stop carried by the carriage to engage either fixed stop, substantially as described.
5. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway, a door therefor
having a series of radial wings united at a central line, a roof or cover for said
door, a pivot supported upon said roof for supporting the door and a slot or pas-
sage in the roof along which said pivot is movable to change the point of support
of the door, substantially as described.
6. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway with a door therefor
having a series of radial wings united at a central line, a projecting roof or cover
for the door, a pivot located upon said roof supporting the door and permitting
free rotation thereof, a slot or passage in the roof through which said pivot passes
and a hinged cover for the slot, substantially as described.
7. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway with a door therefor
having, a series of radial wings united at a central line, a projecting roof or cover
for the door, a pivot from which said door is suspended, a wheeled truck sup
porting said pivot, a slot or passage in the roof through which said pivot passes
a hinged cover for said slot or passage and a projection from the truck in position
to engage said hinged cover, substantially as described.
8. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway with a door having
a series of radial wings united at a central line, a pivot from which said door i
suspended, means for moving said pivot transversely upon its support, a catel

page_text: for holding said pivot in position, a longitudinally movable lower pivot connecting
said door with a fixed point below it and a movable mechanical connection between
said lower pivot and said catch whereby the lifting of the lower pivot releases the
catch, substantially as described.
9. The combination in a revolving storm door structure of a series of radial
wings united in pairs, means for connecting the wings of each pair rigidly together,
and means for adjustably connecting pairs with respect to each other, substan-
tially as described.
10. The combination in a revolving storm door structure of four radial wings
united in pairs by a series of separate sections having links fixed thereto at
diametrically opposite points, said sections being superposed and the links of
alternate sections connected to each pair of wings, substantially as described.
11. The combination in a revolving storm door structure of radial wings united
in pairs by a rigid connection, and a hinged connection at the central vertical line
of the pairs whereby said wings may be placed in parallel planes or at any angle
with respect to each other, substantially as described.
12. The combination in a revolving storm door structure of a series of wings
united in pairs by a rigid connection, a hinged connection between separate pairs
and means for locking said pairs together in parallel planes, substantially as
described.
13. The combination in a revolving storm door structure of a series of wings
united in pairs by a rigid connection, a hinged connection between separate pairs
and means for locking said pairs together in parallel planes, and to the casing,
substantially as described.
14. The combination in a revolving stormi door structure of a series of wings
united in pairs, a hinged connection between pairs, a bolt for locking one pair to
a fixed point in the casing, and a link fixed to a second pair in position to engage
the bolt between the first pair and the fixed point in the casing, substantially as
described.
15. The combination in a revolving storm door structure of a series of wings
united in pairs, a hinged connection between pairs, a bolt located on one pair of
wings for locking said pair to a fixed point in the casing, a link fixed to a second
pair of wings and extending into the line of movement of said bolt between said
door and fixed point and means for holding the bolt in three positions; (a) com-
pletely withdrawn, (b) in position to unite the first and second pairs of doors (c) in
position to unite said pairs together and to the fixed point, substantially as
described.
16. In a storm door structure the combination of a door having radial wings
adjustably united at a central junction line and an arc-shaped brace having each
end hinged to one wing of a pair, substantially as described.
17. In a storm door structure the combination of a door having radial wings
adjustably united at a central junction line and an arc-shaped brace having its
opposite ends hinged to each of a pair of wings and passing through a third wing,
substantially as described.
18. In a storm door structure the combination of a door having four radial
wings united in pairs, said pairs being adjustably united at a central line and
arc-shaped braces hinged upon opposite sides of one pair, each brace passing through
a wing of a second pair, substantially as described.
19. In a storm door structure the combination of a door having four radial
wings united in pairs, said pairs being adjustably united at a central junction
line, an arc-shaped brace hinged upon each wing of one pair and means for locking
said brace in position, substantially as described.
20. In a storm door structure the combination of a series of wings adjustably
united at a central junction line, a brace hinged to each wing of a pair and ex-
tending through one wing of a second pair, said brace hinges being located upon
projections extending at least the thickness of the brace from the wing upon
which they are supported, substantially as described.

page_text: 21. In a storm door structure the combination of a series of radial wings united
at a central line, a rotating suspended support for said door and a lower pin or
pivot to steady the structure which is held against rotation, substantially as
described.
22. In a storm door structure the combination of a series of radial wings united
in pairs, said pairs being adjustably united at a central junction line, a rotating
suspended support for said door, a lower pin entering a fixed socket below it, and
means for moving said pin longitudinally and holding it in either of two positions,
said means consisting of a slot or channel in the pin case in position to be covered
and uncovered by the movement of one of the radial wings, substantially as
described.
23. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway and a door having a
series of radial wings united in pairs, means for fixing said doors together in
parallel planes and a retracting device for returning the parallel wings to any pre-
determined angular position with respect to the doorway, substantially as described.
24. In a storm door structure the combination of a doorway, a door having a
series of radial wings united in pairs, means for fixing said doors together in
parallel planes, a device for limiting the movement of said wings in one direction,
and a retracting device for returning the parallel wings to a predetermined angular
position with respect to the doorway, substantially as described.
FELL & JAMES,
Agents for the Applicant.