IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING AND OTHER HINGES FOR DOORS & GATES
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Patrick O'Connor at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 31st August 1876.
PATRICK O'CONNOR, of Wavertree, in the County of Lancaster, Door Hinge
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING AND OTHER HINGES FOR DOORS &
GATES."
My Invention relates principally to subfloor and subway hinges for automatically
closing doors and gates, when such doors and gates are left free, and has for its
object to provide a spring hinge which shall be compact and durable, and in which
the spring or springs may be easily removed and replaced, or adjusted as to tension
when desired without taking down or removing the door or gate. The connection
from the hinge to the door or gate allows of freely regulating the position thereof
when closed.
The said Invention also relates to an improved construction of top centre and
socket for doors and gates.
First. As means for obtaining a compact spring hinge which shall not occupy too
great a depth beneath the floor, and in which the length of the spring shall not be
cramped, I employ two rising and falling pieces working vertically in guides, one in
front of the other. The spring to be compressed rests on the front rising and falling
piece. The back rising and falling piece forms a cam, and is operated by a roller
on the bottom centre of the door. The motion of the back rising and falling piece
is communicated to the front rising and falling piece through a rocking lever or
levers.
Second. As means for removing and replacing the spring or springs in binges con-
structed as described under the above first head I place the said spring or springs
such a distance in front of the operating mechanism that when the door or gate is
opened the said spring or springs shall be underneath the floor in a position free
from the said door or gate; part of the top of enclosing box is made removable, so
as to allow of access to the said spring or springs.
Third. As means for adjusting the tension of springs in hinges constructed as
above described, I form part of the top of the hinge box removable, and fit the top
cap, against which the spring or springs rest in guides and adjust the position of
Buch cap by screws or nuts.
Fourth. As means for connecting the said hinge to the door or gate in such
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page_text: manner that the position of the door may be regulated at will I form the operating
spindle or bottom centre of the hinge where it is secured to the shoe of the door or
gate with two projections or lugs, one on each side, and employ two set screws
screwed in shoe of the door or gate at the same side thereof to abut against the
said lugs; by this arrangement the position of the door or gate can be regulated,
and any slack between the shoe and the head of the hinge is taken up by the set
screws.
Fifth. As means for removing the operating parts of the binge without having
to remove the hinge box secured beneath the door or gate, I fit the said operating
parts and bearings in a separate framework, which fits freely into the said box and
may be removed therefrom when necessary.
Sixth. As means for guiding and steadying the top centre or hinge of a door,
when being raised and lowered, as well as to obtain greater rigidity when in position,
I prolong the upper stem of the said centre and carry it through a guiding
frame.
Seventh. As means for more effectually and easily oiling the top centre and socket,
I provide the holding flange or strap of the socket which fits along the top of the
door with an oiling groove.