Improvements in Springs for Doors and Analogous Articles and in Adjustments and Checks for Preventing Slamming.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 1st. Feb., 1889
Improvements in Springs for Doors and Analogous Articles and in
Adjustments and Checks for Preventing Slamming.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, of 17 Blackman Street, Southwark, in the County of Surrey,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the application of springs
to doors and analogous articles, either alone or in combination with checks; and
also to effect improvements in such checks, either alone or in combination with my
improved, or any other description of springs.
In the following description, the word "door" is (for the sake of brevity) intended
to include all other analogous articles to which my invention may be applied.
I fit a pivot, or its equivalent, having two levers, lugs, or portions of toothed
segments, snugs, or equivalent devices, (herein after called "levers") in a suitable
box or case, in a convenient position relatively to the door.
The ends of jointed connecting rods or links are attached to the levers of the pivot,
or otherwise connected therewith, in such a manner that any motion of the levers
draws or pushes both connecting rods in one direction.
The connecting rods pass through an adjustable plate fitted in the case, and the
farther ends of the connecting rods are secured to a movable plate.
Between the two plates I fit one or more spring or springs, which become com-
pressed when the door is opened.
Both the plates are adjustable by means of screws; the fixed plate being also
capable of angular adjustment, whereby the position of the door inay be readily
adjusted, so as to shut in line with the frame.
The movable plate is adjusted by means of a screw nut, or other suitable appliance,
so as to compress and regulate the spring or springs.
When a combination of spring and check is required 1 attach to the end of the rod
or rods a piston working in a cylinder, and properly packed in a manner similar or
analogous to those described in No. 4447, whereby the expansion of the spring is
checked by means of fluids under pressure.

page_text: My invention may be so modified as to utilise the check only, omitting the spring,
or utilising any other kind of spring which may happen to be attached to the door.
In fitting single-acting doors the number of working parts is proportionately
reduced, and the apparatus is rendered more simple in construction.
I sometimes combine with my invention, an india rubber piston or buffer, and other
obvious appliances, for keeping doors partly open, when required.
1000
Adjustments and Checks for Preventing Slamming.
I, ROBERT ADAMS, late of 17 Blackman Street, Southwark, but now of 67 Newington
Causeway, both in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature
of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
and
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the application of springs to
doors and analogous articles, either alone or in combination with door checks;
also to effect improvements in such checks, either alone or in combination with my
improved, or any other description of springs.
In this Specification the word "door" is (for the sake of brevity) intended to include
all other analogous articles to which my invention may be applied.
I provide the door with a pivot, or equivalent provision for actuating the same;
to which pivot or provision I fit one or more lever of levers, lugs cams, portions of
toothed segments, or equivalent devices, in a suitable box or case, in a convenient
position, relatively to the door, for operating upon the same.
One or more connecting rod or rods is or are attached to the levers of the pivot,
or otherwise connected to the door, in such a manner that any motion of the door,
departing from the closed position, draws or pushes the connecting rod or rods in
uch a manner as to act upon the spring and check or either of them.
One or more spring or springs is or are so fitted as to become compressed when
the door is opened.
The fixed and movable plates," between which the springs are confined, are adjust-
able both for purposes of compression and angular alignment, whereby the position
of the door, may be readily adjusted, so as to shut in line with the frame.

page_text: When a combination of spring and check is required, I attach to the end of the
rod or rods a piston working in a cylinder and properly packed, in a manner similar
or analogous to those described in my former Specification No. 4447%, or to the
improved form of check herein before referred to and bereinafter described, whereby
the expansion of the spring is checked by means of fluids subjected to pressure.
My invention may be so modified as to utilise the check only, omitting the spring,
or utilising any other kind of spring which may happen to be attached to the door.
In fitting single-acting doors, the number of working parts is proportionately
reduced, and the apparatus is rendered more simple in construction.
I sometimes combine with my invention an india rubber piston or buffer, and
other obvious appliances, for keeping doors partly open, when required.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar figures of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 show the construction of my improved fluid check. Fig. 1
is a side view, showing the position of the valve. Fig. 2 is a side view at right
angles to Fig. 1. Fig 3 is a side view, as seen on the opposite side of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation, showing the piston in position, and Fig. 5 is a section
showing the construction of the valve.
5 is the
1 is the cylinder. 2 is the valve box. 3 is a ball resting on the seat 4.
inlet passage for the fluid. 6 is a screwed collar, having a small opening 7. 8 is a
small diaphragm valve covering the hole 7 when held down by the spring 9. 10 is
a hollow screw, which closes the upper end of the valve box and provides space for
the spring 9, and also regulates the descent of the piston. 11 is a small passage
which allows the relieved fluid to escape. 12 is the piston, having a cup leather 13.
The check is similar to that shown in my said former Specification No. 444786,
except as to the valve the construction of which is improved.
On the piston 12 rising, the fluid enters freely by the passages 5 and 14, raising
the ball 3 from its seat. On the descent of the piston the ball 3 is pressed to its
seat, thus closing the passage 5. The fluid pressure then raises the diaphragm valve 8,
whereby the fluid is enabled to pass outwards slowly through 7 and 11. The screw 10
is used to control the passage of fluid through the opening 11, and thus to regulate
the descent of the piston, and consequently the closing of the door. The passages
and 11 also act as relief passages, in case the door is interfered with by hand, when
quietly closing.
These checks may be fitted to all or any of the door springs herein described or
referred to, in a manner analogous to those shown in Figs 11, 14 and 33.
For accommodating the various forms of springs the cylinder 1 is formed with
flanges, lugs, brackets or other convenient provisions for fitting the same, either fixed
or oscillating.
Fig. 6 is a plan of one modification of my improved door spring.
the saine, partly in section, and Fig. 8 shows the position of the same
has been opened 90°.
Fig. 7 shows
when the door
16 is a
door.
17 is a frame,
15 is the pivot, which may be fitted either above or below the
double ended lever, fitted with rollers 18, as shown, to reduce friction.
formed in one with the spindle 19. The lower end of the spindle 19 works in an
adjustable guide 20. This guide can be moved to the right or left by means of the
screws 21, as shown, so as to adjust the exact position of the door, when closed.
The compression of the spring is regulated by the screwed nut 22, tapped to fit
the screw thread on the spindle 19.
Figs. 9 and 10 show another form of lever 16 fitted without rollers, the remainder
of the arrangement being similar to that shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.
In Figs. 11 and 12 another form of lever 16 is shewn. The spindle 19 is fitted
with bent arms 23, 23, and the rollers 18, 18, are attached to the arms 23 so as
to roll upon the double lever 16.
In Figs. 6 to 11, 26 is the fixed plate against which the spring is pressed.
In Fig. 11 this plate 26 is shown adjustable by the screws 25; the-spindle 19

page_text: oscillates inside the spring, the lower end of the spindle 19 being pivotted to the
piston of one of my fluid checks 24, as shown. In Fig. 12 the spring is shown
confined in an open frame 27, which frame is fitted to oscillate upon a pivot 28.
In Fig. 13 the pivot 15 is fitted with a can 29 for double action doors, which
cam is constantly in contact with the roller 30.
This cam, as shown, is so formed as to decrease the power, or leverage, upon
the door as it opens, the leverage increasing, again as the door closes. In this form
of my invention the tightening nut 22 is placed above the spring. The spindle
may be guided by passing through a hole in the fixed plate 26 or by a cross-bar
and rollers as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 13, in which case the plate 26 and the
lugs are dispensed with; or any other form of guide may be fitted to keep the
spindle 19 parallel.
In Fig. 14 the pivot 15 is also fitted with a cam 29 which is constantly in
contact with the roller 30 fitted to the rectangular frame 31. This frame 31 is fitted
to slide in the box, by which it is guided as shown. The lower end of the frame 31
is provided with a rod 32, which may be jointed to the piston of an air check 24.
The rod 19
The rod 32 is bored a short distance to receive the end of the rod 19.
is also guided by the fixed plate 26. The compression of the spring is regulated
by the nut 22.
Fig. 15 shows another modification, the double-armed lever 16 being varied in form,
and made to lift either of the bent arms 23. The arms 23 and spindle 19 are mado
capable of a small amount of oscillation, for which purpose the lower end of the
spindle 19 is forked as shown in Fig. 16, which is a side view of the lower end
of the spindle 19. 33 is a travelling nut, to which the fork is pivotted by the
screws 34. The door is adjusted by means of the screw 21.
In Fig. 17 the opening of the door and turning of the pivot 15, causes the
slotted cam 35 to draw the spindle 19 and compress the spring. The roller 30 runs
in the curved slot. When a check is combined with the spring, the central cam 36
operates upon the roller, and ensures the silent closing of the door. The curve of
the cam is adjusted for gradually decreasing leverage. A similar arrangement is
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7.
Another method of effecting the same object is shown in Fig. 18, in which a spiral
toothed pinion 35 gears into a triangular toothed rack #6, the rack being guided by
rollers 37, or by other suitable means.
In Fig. 19 the toothed rack 38 is shown arranged to approach the spiral toothed
pinion 35 diagonally, and the spring is arranged to oscillate to suit the motion of
the rack, to which it is united by the spindle 19.
Fig. 20 shows an arrangement for a double-acting door, in which two spiral levers
or cams 39 are cast on the pivot 15. 40, 40, are two triangular slides, having
hooks 41, 41, which both engage the pin 42 in the spindle 19. 43, 43, are two
flexible metallic straps which form connecting links between the cams or levers 39
and the slides 40. When the door is opened one only of the slides is drawn towards
the pivot, the other remaining at rest; the pin 42 being actuated by either of
the slides.
Fig. 21 shows a similar arrangement for a single-acting door.
Fig. 22 is a modification of the slotted cam shown in Fig. 17, arranged for single-
acting doors.
Fig. 23 is a modification of the spiral toothed gear shown in Fig. 18, arranged for
double acting doors, which operates in a manner analogous to the arrangements shown
in Figs. 18 and 20.
Fig. 2 shows a method of modifying the arrangement shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8,
by providing indentations at 44, 45, for accommodating certain positions of the door.
Figs. 2 to 28 show modifications of the methods of adjusting the tail of the
spindle 19. In Figs. 25 and 26 the adjusting bracket 46 is held to the frame by
means of screws passing through slots, as shown in section. Fig. 28 is a view of the
adjustment shown in Fig. 17, at right angles thereto, and Fig. 27 is a modification
of the same.

page_text: Figs. 29 and 30 show a form of connecting rod 47, for connecting the springs with
single-arm cranks 48, attached to the pivots 15; and Figs. 31 and 32 show the
application of similar connecting rods to double-arm cranks 49.
Fig. 33 shows the application of the door spring and check, described in 268587,
to the pivot 15 of the door, which may be placed above or below the door,
or in any other convenient position, the lever 50 being operated upon by the
spring and check, as in 268587. The links 57 and 58 are perforated to facilitate
adjustment, as shown.
Figs. 34 and 35 show the improved method of adjusting the compression of the spring
in Fig. 33.
Fig. 34 is an enlarged end view of the cylinder and Fig. 35 is a section of the
same end. 51 is the cap of the cylinder, having a slot 52 in which the piston rod 54
vibrates. 55 is an annular movable plate. 53, 53, are two screws with flanged
heads, the threads of which work in female threads in the plate 55; by turning
which screws the spring 56 is regulated. The spring is in some cases adjusted
by means of a forked wire passing through holes in the cylinder and holding
the ring 55 in any position required. 59 is a rubber block attached to the vibrating
rod, whereby the door may be held partly open.
It is obvious that many of the parts of the devices and arrangements herein
before described are interchangeable, and that any or all of the springs may be
fitted with checks, in a manner analogous to those shown in Figs. 11, 14 and 33.
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
1. In the construction of fluid checks for preventing slamming, as described in 444786,
the improved regulating valve substantially as herein before described and shown in
Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings.
2. In the construction of door springs, the combination of the double armed
lever 16 carried by the pivot 15, fitted with rollers 18, working in the frame 17,
having a screwed spindle 19 and nut 22 retaining a compressed spring or springs
between the nut 22 and fixed plate 26; the tail of the spindle 19 being guided
in the adjustable guide 20, regulated by screws 21, the whole being enclosed in
a box substantially as herein before described and shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 of the
drawings.
3. In the construction of door springs as last aforesaid the combination therewith
of the modified form of double armed lever 16 substantially as hereinbefore described
and shown in Figs. 9 & 10 of the drawings.
4. In the construction of door springs of the description aforesaid the combination
therewith of the modified form of double armed lever 16 with the bent arms 23,
rollers 18 and oscillating spindle 19, the compression of the spring being regulated by
the plate 26 fitted with screws 25 substantially as hereinbefore described and shown
in Fig. 11 of the drawings.
5. In the construction of door springs as last aforesaid, the combination there-
with of the modified arrangement of oscillating spindle 19 and cage 27 centred
on a pivot 28, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Fig. 12 of the
drawings.
6. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the spindle 15
fitted with a cam 29, parallel guided screwed spindle 19, regulating nut 22 confining
the spring between the same nut and the guide block 20, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings.
7. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination therewith of
the cam 29, roller 30, frame 31, rod 32 bored to receive the lower end of the spindle 19,
nut 22 and fixed plate 26; with or without the check 24, substantially as herein before
described and shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings.
8. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the
spindle 15, double armed lever 16, arms 23 formed with solid ends to engage the

page_text: lever 16 the spindle 19 oscillating inside the spring and pivotted to the regulating
screw 21, by means of the travelling nut 33 secured in the fork by screws 34,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Figs. 15 and 16 of the
drawings.
9. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the pivot 15
fitted with the slotted cam 35, 36; the spindle 19 fitted with a roller 30 and guided
by the plate 26, substantially as herein before described and shown in Fig. 17 of the
drawings.
10. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the pivot 15°
fitted with the spiral toothed pinion 35, triangular toothed rack 36, linked.to the
screwed spindle 19, fitted with the regulating nut 22, guide 20, and screws 21, sub-
stantially as herein before described and shown in Fig. 18 of the drawings.
11. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the
pivot 15, fitted with the spiral toothed pinion 35, triangular toothed rack 38
diagonally guided, linked to the spindle 19 with an oscillating spring pivotted on
a pin at 28, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in Fig. 19 of the
drawings.
12. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the pivot 15
fitted with spiral levers 39, triangular slides 40, hooks 41 engaging the pin 42 attached.
to the spindle 19, substantially as herein before described and shown in Figs. 20 and 21
of the drawings.
13. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the pivot 15
and spiral slotted cam 35 operating the spindle 19 by means of the roller 30; illustrating
a modification of the cam shewn in Fig. 17, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shown in Fig. 22 of the drawings.
14. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination of the pivot 15
with the two spiral toothed pinions 35, 35 severally gearing into the racks 36, 36 and
operating the spring by means of the spindle 19, substantially as herein before described
and shown in Fig. 23 of the drawings.
15. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the combination therewith of
the modified form of the frame 17, substantially as herein before described and shown
in Fig. 24 of the drawings.
16. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the several methods of con-
structing and fitting guides to the tail ends of the screwed spindle 19, substantially as
hereinbefore described and shown in the drawings.
17. in the construction of door springs as aforesaid the combination therewith of
the adjustable links 57, 58 as an improvement upon 268587, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown in the Fig. 33 of the drawings.
18. In the construction of door springs as aforesaid, the method of adjusting the.
compression of the springs, substantially as herein before described and shown in
Figs. 34 and 35 of the drawings.
19. The general construction and arrangement, and the several combinations of the
same, constituting my invention of improvements in springs for doors and analogous
articles, and in adjustments and checks for preventing slamming, substantially as herein
before described and shown in the drawings.
1000