Improved Combined Door Spring and Buffer, Applicable also to Shutters and the like.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th July, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 4th Oct:, 1887.
Improved Combined Door Spring and Buffer, Applicable also to
Shutters and the like.
We, HENRY ALONZO HOUSE and HENRY ALONZO HOUSE Junior both of Bridge-
port in the State of Connecticut United States of America, Machinists 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:-
Our invention relates to devices for controlling the movements of doors or swinging
screens, shutters, and similar articles, and consists in constructing the same as fully
set forth hereinafter, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form
part of this specification and in which :-
Figure 1, is an external elevation of our improved device as constructed and
applied to a door, to constitute a combined door spring and buffer.
Figures 2 and 3, are sectional elevations enlarged showing the parts in different
positions.
Figure 4, is a section on the line 1-2, Figure 2.
Figure 5, is a section on the line 3-4, Figure 2.
Figure 6, is a section on the line 5-6, Figure 2.
Figure 7, is a distorted perspective view illustrating the construction of part of the
device.
Figures 8 and 9, are views illustrating modifications, and
Figures 10 and 11, are views of the action of the device when applied to a door.
The case A, of the device is constructed in any suitable manner, and contains a
central spindle B, and a coiled spring C, so connected with the spindle and with the
case that the turning of the spindle compresses the spring, and the case and spindle are
connected respectively with the door and frame of the door in such manner that the
opening or closing of the door, as the case may be, is the means of winding up or
compressing the spring, the reaction of which imparts a reverse movement of the
door when the latter is released.
Inasmuch as the unimpeded action of the spring will cause the sudden closing or
opening or banging of the door we provide means whereby a temporary yielding
resistance is made to the action of the spring, but without in any way impairing the

page_text: effective force of the latter in finally closing the door, or opening it as the case may be,
while no resistance whatever is offered to the movement of the door in the reverse
direction. Such a resistance is afforded by a body of water, oil or by compressible
fluid, acted upon by a piston put in motion by the turning of the spindle, and caused
to pass through a contracted opening by the movement of the piston in such manner
as to resist the said movement and retard it without preventing it, so that the closing
of the door, while somewhat retarded, is effectually secured by the action of the spring.
Different modes of connecting the piston so as to slide under the rotation of the
spindle may be employed, as for instance, by providing the spindle with a quick
thread, as shown in Figure 8, and placing the piston D, upon it as a nut, the piston
sliding in the case but being prevented from turning by means of ribs or projec-
tions 2, 2, entering notches 3, 3, in the piston. In Figure 9, the piston is shown as
connected by links 4, to arms 5, of the spindle by which the same result is secured.
We prefer, however, to provide the piston with inclines acted upon by bearings or
arms provided with rollers projecting from the spindle, as best shown in
Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7. In this construction the spindle has two laterally projecting
arms 7, 7, each carrying a conical anti-friction roller S, and the piston D, has upon
its upper face two oppositely arranged projections 6, 6, each inclined downward upon
opposite sides of its highest point or apex X, so as to form an annular bearing having
two opposite high points or projections and two intermediate low points or recesses,
and the piston is prevented from turning by having downwardly projecting arms 9,9,
each of which enters a recessed lug 10, within the casing. As the spindle B, revolves
in either direction, the rollers 8, traverse the bearing face of the piston and force the
latter downward until they pass over the highest points X.
The piston may be raised upon the reverse movement by means of a spring 12,
Figures 8 and 9, we prefer, however, to lift it positively by providing the arms 9, with
shoulders y, which bear upon an annular double inclined cam E, corresponding in
form to the bearing face upon the piston, and this cam is connected with the spindle B,
to rotate therewith, and the bearings y, are intermediate to the bearing rollers 8, so
that as the bearings y, move towards the upper portions of the cam E, the
rollers 8, will descend towards the lower portions of the bearing upon the piston,
which is therefore moved positively downward by the bearing rollers 8, and positively
upward by the annular cam E.
Water, glycerine, or other fluid is placed in the casing A, so as to fill the space
below and cover the piston D, and the piston is either loosely fitted in the case, or is
provided with contracted openings, so that as it is forced downward, the fluid can
escape but slowly from the bottom to the top of the piston, thereby retarding the
inovement of the latter. The openings may be made directly in the piston, as
shown in Figures 8 and 9, where each opening 13, is shown as closed at the lower
side by a spring supported valve 14, so that the piston may rise without resistance
when the door is open, but the valves will partially close when the piston begins to
descend so as to obstruct the upward flow of the fluid. A preferable construction
is shown in the remaining views of the drawing, where the spindle B, is provided
with an opening or channel 18, having an outlet near the lower end of the spindle,
and another above the highest point reached by the piston, and the piston has a
central opening 13, to which is fitted a valve 14, supported by a light spring 15,
which insures the valve closing at once as the piston begins to descend, but the
upward movement ofthe piston is effected without resistance as the valve then opens
downward, permitting the fluid to flow through the opening 13, to the space below.
The resistance to the descent of the piston results from obstructing the channel 18,
and in order to permit this to be effected without dismembering the article we use
an adjustable stop valve 19, which may be adjusted by any suitable device from the
outside of the case. For instance the valve may be the conical lower end of a screw
rod F, extending centrally through the spindle B, and provided with a cross handle
at the upper end. By merely closing the opening 18, the passage is obstructed to
such an extent that the fluid can flow but slowly and the door will close with a
correspondingly slow movement, but while the movement is thus retarded the force

page_text: of the spring is not weakened and it will insure the final and absolute closing of the
door, but without the abrupt movements incident to the use of springs unobstructed
in their action,
To simplify and facilitate the construction of the device, we form the case A, in
two parts 19, 20, one with a flange overlapping the other to which it is secured by
suitable screws and the upper part 19¹, is provided with the attachments for con-
necting it to the door, so that the lower part may be withdrawn without disconnecting
the said attachments. The spring C, is supported in the case by a plate G, resting
upon a shoulder, and provided with an annular track bearing for the rollers 8, and
the outer end of the spring is connected to an annular shell or sleeve H, fitting
within the case to turn freely and capable of being turned within the case so as to
apply any desired tension to the spring. One means of thus turning the shell H,
consists in providing it with openings w, arranged to be exposed through a slot or
opening v, in the case A, and the shell H, will then be turned by inserting pins Y,
in the opening w, until the desired tension is imparted to the spring, after which
one of the pins is inserted in position to bear against the edge of the opening v,
and thereby prevent the shell from turning back. A worm shaft or other suitable
device may be used for turning the shell H, instead of the device described.
important feature of our above described device consists in the construction of parts
whereby the resistance to the rapid movement of the door exists only during
a partial movement of the spindle that is, during the time that the hearing
rollers are travelling from the lower to the highest points of the bearing
surfaces. This permits the said points to be so placed that the bearing rollers
will begin to
move from said points downward just before the door is fully
closed, so that the force of the spring is exerted to close the door to such an extent
as to overcome the resistance of the spring of the door latch but the instant the
resistance of the latch spring is overcome, the bearing rollers 8, pass from the
highest points X, the piston then begins to descend, thus instantly removing all
resistance to the closing of the door, thereby insuring its perfect closing, which
might not result if the resistance was continued until the end of the movement of the
door.
An
The case A, may either be carried by the door or the frame with any suitable
connections between them. In Figure 10, the spindle B, is shown as provided with
an arm I, and the spring is arranged within the casing and connected to the latter
and the spindle so as to exert a force in the direction of the arrow, Figure 10, to
turn the spindle in said direction and carry with it the arm I. The arm I, is con-
nected by means of an extensible rod j, to a stud k, upon the door frame, so that
when the door is open the spindle is turned in a direction the reverse of that indicated
by the arrow, and when the door is released, the force of the spring turning the
spindle in the direction of the arrow, causes the door to be closed.
It is desirable in many cases to prevent the spring which returns the door to its
position from being over strained, as would result if an equal tension was applied to
wind or compress it, increasing regularly in proportion as the door is opened. To
prevent this result we make the connecting rod j, longer than the arm I, and arrange
the stud k, between the spindle and the door hinges, so that as the door is opened, the
spindle will be turned to almost its entire extent during the first half of the move-
ment of the door, until the spring has acquired sufficient tension, but will thereafter
be rotated with a very slight degree. This arrangement has the further advantage
of permitting the pivot or joint i, between the arm I, and connecting rod j, to be
carried beyond a line t, passing through the pivot or joint, connecting the rod j,
to the stud k, as shown in Figure 11, so that when the door hinged at 15, is in its
fully opened position, shown in said Figure 11, the tendency of the spring to move
the arm I, in the direction of the arrow, will be exerted to hold the door in its open
position instead of to close it.
In order to permit the action of the spring to be reversed, we provide for the
ready reversal of the spring by connecting it detachably at either of two points upon
the spindle. For instance, the spring is provided at the inner end with a bearing

page_text: lip 30, adapted to bear upon either of two shoulders 31, 32, of the spindle B,
according to the position in which the spring may be inserted in the casing. By
this means the action of the spring may be made either to open or close a door, or
applied to swing the door to the right or left.
Some of the features above described may be used without being connected with
the other, accordingly as it is desired to make a door spring or a buffer device.
We do not limit ourselves to the precise construction and arrangement of parts
shown, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The combination of a case containing a fluid, a rotary spindle within the case,
a piston within the case surrounding the spindle and movable longitudinally thereof
by the turning of the spindle, and a contracted channel for the passage of the fluid
from one side of the piston to the other, substantially as described.
2. The combination of a case containing a fluid, a rotary spindle within the
case, a piston within the case surrounding the spindle and movable longitudinally
thereof by the rotation of the spindle, means for preventing the rotation of the piston
with the spindle, and a contracted channel for the passage of the fluid from one side
of the piston to the other, substantially as described.
3. The combination of the case, spindle, sliding piston, channel connecting the
spaces above and below the piston, and valve for closing said channel in the spindle
connected with an operating device outside of the casing, substantially as set
forth.
4. The combination of the case, a rotating spindle therein, a piston sliding on
said spindle and a channel connecting the spaces above and below the piston, the
openings to the channel being arranged substantially as set forth whereby the piston
in its movements does not cover them, as described.
5. The combination of the casing, spindle, sliding piston connected to be moved
by the rotation of the spindle, circulating passage in said spindle opening above and
below the piston, and adjustable valve for regulating the opening in said passage,
substantially as set forth.
6. The combination of the casing, rotating spindle, sliding piston, circulating
passage, and spring, of a shell arranged within the casing and connected to the
spring, and provided with adjusting means, for the purpose specified.
7. The combination of the casing, revolving spindle, provided with arms extending
laterally therefrom, a sliding piston having projections with inclined edges affording
bearings for said arms, a passage connecting the spaces above and below the piston,
and a valve carried by the piston and arranged to close as the piston moves in one
direction, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination with the sliding piston, of the rotating spindle having arms
bearing upon projections, of a piston having inclined edges, and a cam carried by the
spindle, corresponding in form to the bearing face of the piston, and affording a
bearing for the piston, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. The combination with the sliding piston and rotating spindle, of arms carried
by the spindle and bearing on cam projections of the piston, a cam carried by the
spindle, and arms upon the piston bearing upon the said cam, the parts constructed
and arranged to positively move the piston in both directions by the rotation of the
spindle, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination of the case, rotatory spindle, spring, a sliding piston in a
body of liquid within the case, a contracted opening for the passage of the fluid from
one side of the piston to the other, and bearings between the spindle and piston
whereby the latter is forced against the liquid during part of the revolution of the
spindle only, substantially as described.
11. The combination with the sliding piston rotating in a case containing a body
of liquid against which the piston bears, of an inclined bearing upon the piston,
and a bearing arm upon the spindle, the piston bearing arranged to be passed by the

page_text: bearing arm before the spindle completes its movement whereby the resistance of
the piston to the rotation of the spindle is removed, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination of the casing, spring, spindle having a fluid passage 18
therein, and connected to a sliding piston, and a valve carried by the piston,
substantially as set forth.
13. The combination with the casing, a rotatory spindle, sliding piston connected
to be moved by said spindle against a body of fluid in the casing, and contracted
passage for the circulation of said fluid, of an arm extending from and turned by
the spindle an a longer arm or connecting rod jointed to the end of the spindle
arm, and hinged at the point upon a door or frame between the casing and the
hinge of the door, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 28th day of July 1887.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Improved Combined Door Spring and Buffer, Applicable also to
Shutters and the like.
We, HENRY ALONZO HOUSE and HENRY ALONZO HOUSE Junior both of Bridge-
port in the State of Connecticut United States of America, Machinists 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 :-
Our invention relates to devices for controlling the movements of doors or swinging
screens, shutters, and similar articles, and consists of improvements among others in
the class of apparatus described by Robert Adams in his specifications, No. 12664
of 1884 and 2718 of 1885. Our present invention is fully set forth hereinafter, and
is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification and
in which :-
Figure 1, is an external elevation of our improved device as constructed and
applied to a door, to constitute a combined door spring and buffer.
Figures 2 and 3, are sectional elevations enlarged showing the parts in different
positions.
Figure 4, is a section on the line 1-2, Figure 2.
Figure 5, is a section on the line 3-4, Figure 2.
Figure 6, is a section on the line 5-6, Figure 2.
Figure 7, is a distorted perspective view illustrating the construction of part of the
device.
Figures 8 and 9, are views illustrating modifications, and
Figures 10 and 11, are views of the action of the device when applied to a door.
The case A, of the device is constructed in any suitable manner, and contains a
central spindle B, and a coiled spring C, so connected with the spindle and with the
case that the turning of the spindle compresses the spring, and the case and spindle are
connected respectively with the door and frame of the door in such manner that the
opening or closing of the door, as the case may be, is the means of winding up or
compressing the spring, the reaction of which imparts a reverse movement of the
door when the latter is released.
Inasmuch as the unimpeded action of the spring will cause the sudden closing or
opening or banging of the door we provide means whereby a temporary yielding
resistance is made to the action of the spring, but without in any way impairing the

page_text: effective force of the latter in finally closing the door, or opening it as the case may be,
while no resistance whatever is offered to the movement of the door in the reverse
direction. Such a resistance is afforded by a body of water, oil or by compressible
fluid, acted upon by a piston put in motion by the turning of the spindle, and caused
to pass through a contracted opening by the movement of the piston in such manner
as to resist the said movement and retard it without preventing it, so that the closing
of the door, while somewhat retarded, is effectually secured by the action of the spring.
Different modes of connecting the piston so as to slide under the rotation of the
spindle may be employed, as for instance, by providing the spindle with a quick
thread, as shown in Figure 8, and placing the piston D, upon it as a nut, the piston
sliding in the case but being prevented from turning by means of ribs or projec-
tions 2, 2, entering notches 3, 3, in the piston. In Figure 9, the piston is shown as
connected by links 4, to arms 5, of the spindle by which the same result is secured.
We prefer, however, to provide the piston with inclines acted upon by bearings or
arms provided with rollers projecting from the spindle, as best shown in
Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7. In this construction the spindle has two laterally projecting
arms 7, 7, each carrying a conical anti-friction roller 8, and the piston Ď, has upon
its upper face two oppositely arranged projections 6, 6, each inclined downward upon
opposite sides of its highest point or apex X, so as to form an annular bearing having
two opposite high points or projections and two intermediate low points or recesses,
and the piston is prevented from turning by having downwardly projecting arms 9, 9,
each of which enters a recessed lug 10, within the casing. As the spindle B, revolves
in either direction, the rollers 8, traverse the bearing face of the piston and force the
latter downward until they pass over the highest points X.
The piston may be raised upon the reverse movement by means of a spring 12,
Figures 8 and 9, we prefer, however, to lift it positively by providing the arms 9, with
shoulders 3. which bear upon an annular double inclined cam E, corresponding in
form to the bearing face upon the piston, and this cam is connected with the spindle B,
to rotate therewith, and the bearings y, are intermediate to the bearing rollers S, so
that as the bearings y, move towards the upper portions of the cam E,
the rollers 8, will descend towards the lower portions of the bearing upon the piston,
which is therefore moved positively downward by the bearing rollers 8, and positively
upward by the annular cam E.
Water, glycerine, or other fluid is placed in the casing A, so as to fill the space
below and cover the piston D, and the piston is either loosely fitted in the case, or is
provided with contracted openings, so that as it is forced downward, the fluid can
escape but slowly from the bottom to the top of the piston, thereby retarding the
movement of the latter. The openings may be made directly in the piston, as
shown in Figures 8 and 9, where each opening 13, is shown as closed at the lower
side by a spring supported valve 14, so that the piston may rise without resistance
when the door is open, but the valves will partially close when the piston begins to
descend so as to obstruct the upward flow of the fluid. A preferable construction
is shown in the remaining views of the drawing, where the spindle B, is provided
with an opening or channel 18, having an outlet near the lower end of the spindle,
and another above the highest point reached by the piston, and the piston has a
central opening 13, to which is fitted a valve 14, supported by a light spring 15,
which insures the valve closing at once as the piston begins to descend, but the
upward movement of the piston is effected without resistance as the valve then opens
downward permitting the fluid to flow through the opening 13, to the space below.
The resistance to the descent of the piston results from obstructing the channel 18,
and in order to permit this to be effected without dismembering the article we use
an adjustable stop valve 19, which may be adjusted by any suitable device from the
outside of the case.
For instance the valve may be the conical lower end of a screw
rod F, extending centrally through the spindle B, and provided with a cross handle
at the upper end. By merely closing the opening 18, the passage is obstructed to
such an extent that the fluid can flow but slowly and the door will close with a
correspondingly slow movement, but while the movement is thus retarded the force

page_text: of the spring is not weakened and it will insure the final and absolute closing of the
door, but without the abrupt movements incident to the use of springs unobstructed
in their action.
To simplify and facilitate the construction of the device, we form the case A, in
two parts 19, 20, one with a flange overlapping the other to which it is secured by
suitable screws and the upper part 19, is provided with the attachments for con-
necting it to the door, so that the lower part may be withdrawn without disconnecting
the said attachments. The spring C, is supported in the case by a plate G, resting
upon a shoulder, and provided with an annular track bearing for the rollers S, and
the outer end of the spring is connected to an annular shell or sleeve H, fitting
within the case to turn freely and capable of being turned within the case so as to
apply any desired tension to the spring. One means of thus turning the shell H,
consists in providing it with openings w, arranged to be exposed through a slot or
opening, in the case A, and the shell H, will then be turned by inserting pins Y,
in the opening w, until the desired tension is imparted to the spring, after which
one of the pins is inserted in position to bear against the edge of the opening v,
and thereby prevent the shell from turning back. A worm shaft or other suitable
device may be used for turning the shell H, instead of the device described. An
important feature of our above described device consists in the construction of parts
whereby the resistance to the rapid movement of the door exists only during
a partial movement of the spindle that is, during the time that the bearing
rollers are travelling from the lower to the highest points of the bearing
surfaces. This permits the said points to be so placed that the bearing rollers
will begin to move from said points downward just before the door is fully
closed, so that the force of the spring is exerted to close the door to such an extent
as to overcome the resistance of the spring of the door latch but the instant the
resistance of the latch spring is overcome, the bearing rollers 8, pass from the
highest points X, the piston then begins to descend, thus instantly removing all
resistance to the closing of the door, thereby insuring its perfect closing, which
might not result if the resistance was continued until the end of the movement of the
door.
The case A, may either be carried by the door or the frame with any suitable
connections between them. In Figure 10, the spindle B, is shown as provided with
an arm I, and the spring is arranged within the casing and connected to the latter
and the spindle so as to exert a force in the direction of the arrow, Figure 10, to
turn the spindle in said direction and carry with it the arm I. The arm I, is con-
nected by means of an extensible rod j, to a stud k, upon the door frame, so that
when the door is open the spindle is turned in a direction the reverse of that indicated
by the arrow, and when the door is released, the force of the spring turning the
spindle in the direction of the arrow, causes the door to be closed.
It is desirable in many cases to prevent the spring which returns the door to its
position from being over strained, as would result if an equal tension was applied to
wind or compress it, increasing regularly in proportion as the door is opened. To
prevent this result we make the connecting rod j, longer than the arm I, and arrange
the stud k, between the spindle and the door hinges, so that as the door is opened, the
spindle will be turned to almost its entire extent during the first half of the move-
ment of the door, until the spring has acquired sufficient tension, but will thereafter
be rotated with a very slight degree. This arrangement has the further advantage
of permitting the pivot or joint i, between the arm I, and connecting rod j, to be
carried beyond a line t, passing through the pivot or joint u, connecting the rod j,
to the stud k, as shown in Figure 11, so that when the door hinged at 15, is in its
fully opened position, shown in said Figure 11, the tendency of the spring to move
the arm I, in the direction of the arrow, will be exerted to hold the door in its open
position instead of to close it.
In order to permit the action of the spring to be reversed, we provide for the
ready reversal of the spring by connecting it detachably at either of two points upon
the spindle. For instance, the spring is provided at the inner end with a bearing

page_text: lip 30, adapted to bear upon either of two shoulders 31, 32, of the spindle B,
according to the position in which the spring may be inserted in the casing. By
this means the action of the spring may be made either to open or close a door, or
applied to swing the door to the right or left.
Some of the features above described may be used without being connected with
the other, accordingly as it is desired to make a door spring or a buffer device.
We do not limit ourselves to the precise construction and arrangement of parts
shown, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is :-
1st. The combination of the casing, rotating spindle, sliding piston, circulating
passage, and spring, of a shell arranged within the casing and connected to the
spring, and provided with adjusting means, for the purpose specified.
2nd. The combination with the sliding piston, of the rotating spindle having arms
bearing upon projections, of a piston having inclined edges, and a cam carried by the
spindle, corresponding in form to the bearing face of the piston, and affording a
bearing for the piston, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. The combination with the sliding piston and rotating spindle, of arms carried
by the spindle and bearing on cam projections of the piston, a cam carried by the
spindle, and arms upon the piston bearing upon the said cam, the parts constructed
and arranged to positively move the piston in both directions by the rotation of the
spindle, substantially as set forth.
4th. The combination of the case, rotatory spindle, spring, a sliding piston in a
body of liquid within the case, a contracted opening for the passage of the fluid from
one side of the piston to the other, and bearings between the spindle and piston
whereby the latter is forced against the liquid during part of the revolution of the
spindle only, substantially as described.
5th. The combination with the sliding piston rotating a caso containing a body
of liquid against which the piston bears, of an inclined bearing upon the piston,
and a bearing arm upon the spindle, the piston bearing arranged to be passed by the
bearing arm before the spindle completes its movement whereby the resistance of
the piston to the rotation of the spindle is removed, substantially as set forth.
6th. The combination with the casing, a rotatory spindle, sliding piston connected
to be moved by said spindle against a body of fluid in the casing, and contracted
passage for the circulation of said fluid, of an arm extending from and turned by
the spindle and a longer arm or connecting rod jointed to the end of the spindle
arm, and hinged at the point upon a door or frame between the casing and the
hinge of the door, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 50th day of July, 1987
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agent for the Applicants.