Improvements in Apparatus for Holding Open Doors.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1897-Accepted, 5th Mar., 1898
CUALI LEIDIMOITTUATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Holding Open Doors.
I, FREDERIC HUGHES, of 20, Paget Road, West Dulwich, 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 relates to improvements in apparatus for holding open doors,
and is more especially designed for holding them at right angles, or in other
positions where any projecting catch or elevation would trip the foot. The
invention comprises two parts, one for attachment to the bottom of the door itself,
and the other to the floor or pavement. In order to more clearly show the nature
of my invention, I make reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in
which, Fig. 1, shows a side view with the appliance in use. Fig. 2,
the apparatus in its normal position out of use. Fig. 3, an end view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, a plan of Fig. 2. Fig. 5, a plan of the floor plate. Fig. 6, shows one of
the positions the appliance may occupy on the door. Fig. 7, an end view of the
door and appliance.
The part of the appliance for attachment to the door consists of two vertical
plates ab and a horizontal one call joined together or formed in one piece. The
plate 6 may be extended upwards as shown at 61. Movable on the pin d passing
from a to bare the two hinged wings e. At one end of each wing is an upstanding
part f having in it the slot g. In each slot is free to run a pin h attached to the
slide pivotted to the end of the lever j which is itself pivotted to
and furnished at the
the plate b
outer end with the arm k and
toe catch 7. If desired, j might be pivotted to instead of to b.
In either case, 7 might be on the opposite side to that shown in the drawing. The
lever might be continued right through, and a catch provided at each end,
downward pressure on at one end having the same effect as upward pressure on
at the opposite end.
a
The part of the apparatus which is attached to the floor consists of a plate m
having thereon three ridges n o the latter of which may be omitted. The
spaces between the ridges form grooves. The plate m may be attached to the floor
or pavement by screws or otherwise, and at the spot where the door is required
to be kept open. It is also attached in such manner that it will be immediately
under the part of the apparatus attached to the bottom of the door when it (the door)
is opened to the required extent. Further, the plate m must be in such position
that the ridges across it are parallel with the thickness of the door when the latter
is over it. In use the door attachment a bele., is fastened (by screws or otherwise)
to the bottom of the door, at the lower free corner as at Fig. 5, or at any position
between that corner and the hinged edge or hanging rail of the door. The normal
position of e is as represented at Fig. 2, in which position it permits the door to
open or shut. When however it is desired to maintain the door open at right
angles or at some other suitable position then 7 (if on the side shown in the draw-
ing) is pressed down by the foot and causes the wings e to protrude and interlock

page_text: with grooves in the plate m, or in other words causes the outer edges of e to press
into the corner angles formed by the meeting of n with m, and thus hold the
door open.
When the door is to be shut, the hinged wings e are raised by down-
ward or upward pressure on 7 according to the side is on. The back and front
of the part of the apparatus attached to the door may be closed with plates so as
to hide the interior arrangements and present a flush appearance on the door, only
the part projecting. If the door is sufficiently thick, the apparatus may be sunk
in a hole or cavity provided therein, in this case also only the part or parts
would project. The catch 7 might also be operated at the same time as the handle
is turned or left hold of. This might be effected by having an eccentric on the
door handle, and a rod connecting the band of the eccentric with the catch 1. The
apparatus in all cases is intended to be made of any suitable metal
or material. The details of the invention being capable of variation without
departure from the essential features of it, I do not confine myself precisely to what
is described or to what is shown in the accompanying drawing.
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
--
CLAIMS.
1. An improved apparatus for holding open doors the said apparatus consisting
essentially of two portions one for attachment to the bottom of the door, and the
other for attachment to the floor or pavement, the portion for the floor consisting
of a grooved plate, and the door portion of suitably supported hinged wings, the
free edges of which can be brought below the bottom of the door so as to inter-
lock with the groove in the floor plate or withdrawn therefrom by pressure above
or below the projecting end of a lever working a plate having in it pins free to
move in slots provided in upstanding parts of the ends of the said hinged wings,
the whole substantially as described in the above specification and exemplified
in the accompanying drawing.
2. In apparatus such as is the subject matter of the preceding Claim 1,
raising or lowering the projecting end of the lever therein referred to by a con-
necting rod attached at one end to the end of the lever, and at the other end to
an eccentric band or strap movable round an eccentric attached to the door handle,
substantially as described in the above specification.
3. The improved apparatus for holding open doors, the said apparatus being con-
structed and operating substantially as described in the above specification, and
exemplified in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of Decembar 1907
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for Applicant.