Improvements in Wire Door Spring Fittings as Regards the Adjustment of the Torsion on the Steel Wire or Rod.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application; 2nd Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th April, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 31st Aug., 1888
Improvements in Wire Door Spring Fittings as Regards the
Adjustment of the Torsion on the Steel Wire or Rod.
I, EDWIN HARGREAVES of 52 Booth Street, West, Chorlton upon Medlock in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanician do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The regulation or adjustment as regards force of the ordinary steel wire or rod
door-spring, put into action by the use of its torsile or twisting power enabling the
user by such adjustment to reduce or increase at any time the force as desired; also
the arrangement of certain of the fittings so as to be applicable to a right or left
hand door, thus combining simplicity with economy in the construction of these
articles.
My invention is comprised in the following metal castings or fittings adapted to a
length of steel rod or wire squared and slightly tapered at each end.
1st. I cause to be made a metal casting somewhat resembling on an exaggerated
scale, in its respective parts, the detached inner half of a common cast iron door
hinge, rather less than of an inch thick with a screw hole at each upper and lower
end the centre space being occupied by a pawl movable on a pivot. On the rounded
projection at the edge in the centre either on the right or left hand according to the
way it is held is cored or cast a vertical round hole forming a socket about an inch
in diameter and the same in depth similar in appearance to the pin hole socket of the
half hinge aforesaid only much larger. By placing this fitting either way up, it can
be adapted to either a right or a left hand door.
2ndly. I construct a metal core or pin to fit downwards as far as the head, and
closely in the aforesaid socket about 14 inches long but having a slotted head forming
a flange of an inch in diameter and about an inch deep, the said slots-usually
seven in number or less-being required for the admission of the movable pawl
aforesaid.
At the lower end of this core or pin are drilled through its diameter 4 round holes
for the admission of an ordinary sprig bit to put on the required torsion. Vertically

page_text: through the centre at the top of this slotted head is cast a square hole going right
through but tapering to a narrower hole at the lower end. This hole is intended for
the admission of one of the square ends of the spring rod or wire when in use.
Brdly. I make a flat metal casting about of an inch thick, and an inch or more
square with 2 or more screw-holes, and having a pipe-shaped projecting core at the
side-edge, cast with a vertical square hole to receive the other end of the spring rod
or wire aforesaid.
4thly. I make a similar metal casting but with the vertical hole round instead of
square for the reception of the spring rod or wire in its centre to steady it.
5thly. I take a length of steel rod or wire and square off each end to a slightly
taper form, so as to fit well up into the corresponding holes provided.
After tempering, this rod is inserted in the fittings which are then screwed on to
the door and door jam respectively, when by the aid of a sprig-bit inserted in one of
the holes of the aforesaid core or pin the desired torsion is obtained, and fixed by the
pushing downwards, of the pawl into one of the slots.
The torsile or twisting power of the steel rod is thus regulated to a nicety, and
utilized for the self-closing of the door.
The castings forming the fittings I cause to be made of iron or steel on account of
the strain requiring a tough metal, but in places where the action of rust has to be
encountered I should adopt a hard bronze or bell-metal in preference.
Dated this 1st day of March 1888.

page_text: Improvements in Wire Door-spring Fittings
as
Regards the
Adjustment of the Torsion on the Steel Wire or Rod.
I, EDWIN HARGREAVES, of 52 Booth Street West, Chorlton upon Medlock in
the County of Lancaster, Mechanician, 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 has for its object the regulation or adjustment, as regards force, of
the ordinary steel rod or wire door spring put into action by the use of its torsile or
twisting power enabling the user by the manipulation of such adjustment to reduce
to zero or increase within due limits the said torsile force as may be desired.
Also an arrangement by which certain of the fittings can render the contrivance
applicable to a right or left hand door, thereby accomplishing simplicity, lightness and
economy in the construction of these articles.
My invention is contained in certain parts and peculiarities of construction of the
herein described metal castings or fittings adapted to a length of steel rod or wire,
squared and slightly tapered at each end so as to fit securely in the corresponding
holes provided.
1st. The Pawl bracket, I cause to be made a metal casting resembling in its general
appearance on an exaggerated scale the detached inner half of a common cast iron
door hinge, that is, such as have only one socket in this half, rather less than inch
thick with one screw hole at the top and another at the bottom the between
space
being occupied by a pawl describing a half circle on a pivot at its foot, the pivot hole
being in the exact centre of the fitting.
On the rounded pipe-like projection of the "half hinge" aforesaid is cored or cast
a smooth vertical round hole, forming a socket about an inch across and the same in
depth similar in form to the pin-hole socket of the half hinge aforesaid only enlarged
and modified for the purpose required. By placing this fitting either end up before
inserting the pin or spindle hereinafter described it can be adapted to either a right
or left hand door.
2nd. The T pawl. The pawl aforesaid is of a T shape with a slight projection on
the top at its centre for case in handling, each arm of the T serving as required-lt is
a metal plate of about 14 inches in length and an inch in width, the arms of the T.
projecting about th of an inch each way, and in depth about of an inch or more so
as to fit in and fill up the slots hereinafter described.
3rd. The slotted spindle. I cause to be made a cylindric shaped metal casting about
2 inches long and an inch diameter, but having a flange forming a head of an

page_text: inch in diameter and an inch deep the circumference of which being cut or cast
with about seven slots equidistant apart, and about & inch in width provide admission
for the arms of the T pawl aforesaid. At the lower end of this slotted spindle are
drilled through its diameter what forms 4 round holes for the admission of an ordinary
sprig bit to put on the torsion required. Vertically through the centre of this
slotted head is cast a square hole going right through but tapering to a narrower hole
at the lower end. This hole is intended for the adinission of one of the square ends
of the spring rod when in use.
4th. The strain bracket" I cause to be made a flat metal casting about inch
thick and an inch or more square with 2 or more screw-holes, and having a pipe
shaped projecting core at the side edge of the square cast with a vertical square hole
going right through but tapering towards the middle so as to receive the other end of
the spring rod or wire. This narrowing of the hole towards the centre permitting of
its being used either end up makes it available for a right or left hand door.
As this fitting is immovable by the action of the torsile force, I call it the "strain
bracket, it receiving one half of the entire strain.
The middle bracket, I make a similar metal casting as the previous one, but with
the vertical hole round instead of square for the reception in its centre of the spring
rod or wire to keep it steady, and prevent its springing out of its socket.
5th. The torsion wire or rod. I take a length of steel rod or wire say rather
under inch thick and of a length accordingly, and square off each end to a slightly
taper form so as to fit well up in the square holes provided duly passing it through
the round hole of the middle bracket; this wire is duly tempered.
Mode of operation. The middle bracket is first screwed on to the middle of the
door or thereabouts, and the wire passed through it; the strain bracket and the pawl
bracket are then screwed on to the door and door jam respectively, receiving each
end of the wire or rod when by the aid of a sprig bit inserted in one of the holes
aforementioned the desired torsion is obtained by moving it in a lateral direction, and
securely fixed by the pushing downwards of the pawl into the slot required. The
torsile or twisting power of the steel rod or wire is thus utilized and adjusted to a
nicety for the self closing of the door.
The castings I cause to be made of iron, steel or gun metal, or any other equally
tough metal, and where the action of rust has to be encountered I should adopt a
hard bronze or bell metal.

page_text: 3. The slotted spindle as regards the feature of novelty in the square hole of the
head being cored right through, but made to taper to a narrower hole at the lower
end, so as to be adapted to various guages of steel wire.
4. The strain bracket as regards the coring of the square hole which is made to
taper towards the middle as described, thus allowing the wire or rod to be inserted at
either end as required for a right or left hand door.
5. The application of the various devices named and described for the effectual
combining of simplicity, lightness, and economy in the construction of these articles
as described.