IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING HINGES FOR DOORS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Sanders Stevens, Janus Works Queens Road
Battersea and Charles George Major 34 Freke Road Battersea London for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING HINGES FOR DOORS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Sanders Stevens
and Charles George Major at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 8th November 1883.
John Sanders STEVEN'S Janus Works Queens Road Battersea &, CHARLES
GEORGE MAJOR 34 Freke Road Battersea London-IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING
HINGES FOR DOORS
This Invention relates more especially to that class of Spring Hinges for doors,
which are fixed in the floor, but is applicable also to other types.
Spring Hinges for doors, opening in one direction only, as hitherto constructed
close the door with violent slamming action, or on the other hand are too weak to
hold the door closed against the wind,
As made for double action doors, that is doors opening in both inward and
outward directions, they return the door to the closed position with an impetus
which carries it partly open in the opposite direction, and the door can only come
to rest after a series of noisy jerks.
For single action doors, various checks have been devised, in the form of an
independent and separate apparatus, consisting of a spring buffer; an india rubber
cushion, or a pneumatic cylinder, all of these have the objectionable features of (a)
being a separate piece, requiring an additional fixing; (b), unsightly appearance;
usually projecting from the top of the door; (c). applicability to single action
doors only
The pneumatic check contains delicate valves and adjustments, liable to
derangements, and in some forma, if the door is quickly closed by hand, the air
cushion forces it open again.
The object of our Invention, is to construct a hinge, a closing spring, and a check
or buffer all in one apparatus, to be fixed beneath the floor, and attached to the
heel of the door in the well known manner; the arrangement to be applicable to
doors both single, and double acting. We put our invention into practice as
follows, To the heel of the door we secure a shoe, and to the shoe a short vertical
spindle is firmly attached, which forms a pivot for the door; the point of the pivot
takes a bearing in the bottom of a box fixed beneath the floor, and which contains
the whole apparatus except the shoe.
The spindle, or pivot, has two arms, to which are connected by joint pins, two
rods. These are continued into two cylinders, and terminate therein with a button_

page_text: or collar. In front of the collar is a piston free upon the rod, which can be thrust
through the piston without giving motion to it, but if the rod is pulled outwards,
the collar causes the piston to travel with the rod. Between the piston and the
front of cylinder, is placed a spring, which is compressed by a forward movement
of the piston: The piston is made with a deep boss; with a long recess at the
back, so that the collar on the end of the piston rod may have space in which to
slide, after the piston reaches the back end of the cylinder. The cylinders are
placed side by side in the box, in nearly parallel positions; and each is pivotted,
to allow of the necessary oscillation duo to the curved path followed by the head
of the piston rod.
When the door is closed; both pistons are forced back tightly against the back
ends of their respective cylinders by the action of the springs, and the collars of
both rods are in contact with the backs of their respective pistons. Now if the
door is opened either way, the arms on the pivot will cause one piston rod to be
forced into its cylinder, and the other to be drawn out; The former simply travels
through the piston without effect. The latter pulls the piston forward, and
compresses the springs. If the door is released, it is carried back to the closed
position by the reaction of the spring. The action is exactly the same if the door
is opened in either direction. So far as described, the apparatus is simply a double
acting spring hinge. The check action is effected as follows-The cylinders are
bored parallel for a short distance only, at the back end; and at this portion the
pistons are made to fit, though not quite tightly as against fluid pressure. The
front portion of the cylindors is bored taper, and largest at the mouth. The front
cover has openings through it, The back cover is oither made solid, or is secured
with a joint tight as against fluid pressure. The containing box is charged with
any liquid such as water, strong solution of soft soap and oil, parrafin, parrafin and
oil, glycerine, oil, or any other liquid; but by preference one which will not attack
the ordinary metals of the arts. The liquid flows freely through the front covers
of the cylinders and fills them. When the door is opened, the piston is drawn into
the larger portion of the cylinder, and the liquid having free passage around the
piston, flows past it, and fills the space behind. Its flow is assisted by atmospheric
pressure; for until filled by the liquid, there is a partial vacuum behind the piston.
When the spring closes the door, the piston must displace the oil from behind it;
at first this flows away freely, but as the piston approaches the smallest portion of
the cylinder, the passage is continually decreased, and the escape of the liquid
retarded, so causing the door to close with a slow and gentle movement; When
quite closed, all the pressure has disappeared from behind the piston, and the door
is under the full influence of the spring. This pressure is supplemented: by the
atmospheric pressure in front of the piston; for at the first movement of the door,
the liquid cannot readily pass the piston, and a vacuum is formed. This forms an
important feature in our invention, and is of great service in preventing the wind
from oscillating the door, especially as the closed position in most spring hinges is
that where the spring is weakest.
In some cases for interior doors, where the wind action is slight, we insert a
valve in the back of the cylinder, opening inwards to give free access to the fluid,
but which closes automatically, and prevents any escape of fluid in the same
direction. The arms upon the pivot spindle are placed at such an angle that as
the spring is more and more compressed; and therefore. becomes continually
stronger, the piston rods shall have a continually decreasing. power over the arins,
thus nearly equalizing the pull upon the door for all positions. The front covers
of the cylinders are adjustable longitudinally, so that the initial compression of the
spring may be varied at will, and consequently its effective strength.
The length of the piston rods is adjustable, so that should the apparatus be fixed
inaccurately, one rod may be shortened, and the other longthened, for the purpose
of throwing the point of the door into its proper central position.
It is obvious that the arrangement as described is equally applicable to double,
and single action doors; in the latter case one cylinder and spring are always

page_text: inoperative, and may therefore be dispensed with if desired, The arrangement is
capable of being worked without liquid of any kind, in which case the piston can
be made as nearly a true fit as possible
The closing springs are made of any suitable material, and may be arranged to
act in tension instead of compression. The mechanical arrangements for connecting
the dash pot checks with the door and also with the springs, may be varied without
departing from the principle of our invention
The arrangement so far as regards the cylinders, pistons, piston rods, and
adjustments, may be attached & applied to any of the known forms of spring
hinges, for the purpose of checking the recoil of the door, either double or single
action
The same apparatus of cylinder, piston, spring, & rod, but without the containing
box and shoe, may be applied to doors double or single action, hung on ordinary
hinge butts or centres.
The check portion of the apparatus may be applied to doors hung on hinge
butts, or other hinges without springs, and closed by independent springs The
check portion of the apparatus may be applied to doors hung on hinges known as
"rising butts"
Another method of carrying out our invention is as follows.
The shoe of door, is fitted with a pivot spindle, having one arm only, and this
arm points in same direction as the door; Two connecting links are jointed to the
single pin of the arm, one lying to the right and the other to the left Ench
connecting rod is jointed to the end of a straight lover; and these two lovers are
pivotted on the box, and are parallel with the door when closed. Between the
opposite ends of the levers is placed one cylinder, piston & spring as before
described, the back cover being jointed to one lever; and the piston rod head to
the other lever; the internal spring then tends to pull the cylinder ends of the
levers together, and does so till stopped by the links at the other end. The
complete system is prevented from oscillating, by a pin standing up from the floor
of the box, between the front end of cylinder and a suitable projection on the head
of the piston rod; The connecting links before mentioned are adjustable for length,
and are slackened out so that the cylinder end; & the projection on piston rod,
each take a bearing upon the projecting pin, and under the action of the spring
grip it between them. Both connecting links are constructed to exert a pull on the
levers, but not a thrust, Now if the door is opened either way, say to the right,
the complete set of cylinder, piston, & spring will tend to movo in the opposite
direction, say to the left, But either the cylinder or the piston rod, as the case
may be, will be prevented from moving by the projecting pin, The other piece
being free to move, the spring must be compressed. If the cylinder is held; the
piston is pulled toward the front cover. If the piston rod is held, the front end of
cylinder is pulled toward the piston, & the spring is therefore compressed which-
ever way the door is moved. The recoil of the spring closes the door, and the
check apparatus is as before described.
The adjustment in the lengths of connecting links, enables the point of the door
to be set accurately to its proper position, oven should the apparatus be fixed out
of the central position
Another method of carrying out our invention consists in attaching in any
suitable manner to the door heel a cam, double cam, or cams of peculiar
construction so arranged as that as the door opens in either direction the cam or
cams, force à piston and rod into a cylinder, containing a spring as already
described. When the door is closed it is prevented from swinging because the
piston rod is at the neutral point of the cam and the thrust is nearly lateral
This method is applicable to single action doors and the cylinder can be
immersed in fluid as already described

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Sanders Stevens and Charles George Major in the Patent
Office on the 5th May 1884.
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS, Janus Works Queens Road. Battersea. and CHARLES
GEORGE MAJOR 34 Freke Road Battersea London. IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING
HINGES FOR DOORS
Our Invention relates more especially to that class of Spring Hinges for doors,
which are fixed in the floor, but is applicable also to other types.
Spring Hinges for doors, opening in one direction only, as hitherto constructed,
close the door, with violent slamming action, or on the other hand are too weak, to
hold the door closed against the wind.
As made for double action doors, that is doors opening in both inward, and
outward directions, they return the door to the closed position with an impetus
which carries it partly open in the opposite direction, and the door can only come
to rest after a series of noisy jerks.
For Single Action doors, various checks have been devised, in the form of an
independent, and separate apparatus, consisting of a spring buffer, an india rubber
cushion, or a pneumatic cylinder; all of these have the objectionable features of
(A) Being a separate piece, requiring an additional fixing (b) Unsightly appearance,
usually projecting from the top of the door (C) applicability to single action doors
only. The pneumatic check contains delicate valves, and adjustments, liable to
derangements, and in some forms if the door is quickly closed by hand, the air
cushion forces it open again
The object of our Invention is to construct a hingo, a closing spring, and a check,
or buffer, all in one apparatus, to be fixed beneath the floor, and attached to the
heel of the door, in the well known manner; the arrangement to be applicable to
doors both single, and double acting, We put our invention into practice, as follows,
To the heel of the door we secure a shoe, and to the shoe a short vertical spindle is
firmly attached, which forms a pivot for the door. The point of the pivot takes a
bearing in the bottom of a box fixed beneath the floor, and which contains the
whole apparatus except the shoe. The spindle or pivot, has two arms, to which
are connected by joint pins, two rods, These are continued into two cylinders, and
terminate therein with a button, or collar. In front of the collar, is a piston free
upon the rod, which can be thrust through the piston, without giving motion to it,
but if the rod is pulled outwards, the collar causes the piston to travel with the
rod. Between the piston and the front of cylinder is placed a spring, which is
compressed by a forward movement of the piston; The piston is made with a deep
boss, with a long recess at the back, so that the collar on the end of the piston rod
may have space in which to slide, after the piston reaches the back end of the
cylinder The cylinders are placed side, by side, in the box, in nearly parallel
positions, and each is pivotted to allow of the necessary oscillation due to the
curved path followed by the head of the piston rod. When the door is closed, both
pistons are forced back tightly against the back ends of their respective cylinders,
by the action of the springs, and the collars of both rods are in contact with the
backs of their respective pistons. Now if the door is opened either way, the arms
on the pivot will cause one piston rod to be forced into its cylinder; and the other
to bo drawn out. The former simply travels through the piston without effect, the

page_text: latter pulls the piston forward and compresses the springs. If the door is released,
it is carried back to the closed position by the reaction of the spring. The action
is exactly the same if the door is opened in either direction. So far as described
the apparatus is simply a double acting spring hinge, the check action is effected
as follows. The cylinders are bored parallel, for a short distance only, at the back
end, and at this portion the pistons are made to fit, though not quite tight as
against fluid pressure. The front portion of the cylinders is bored taper, and
largest at the mouth. The front cover has openings through it, the back cover is
either made solid, or is socured with a joint tight as against fluid pressure: The
containing box is charged with any liquid such as water, strong solution of soft-
soap and oil, paraffin, paraffin and oil, glycerine, oil or any other liquid; but by
preference one which will not attack the ordinary metals of the arts-The liquid
flows freely through the front covers of the cylinders and fills them. When the
door is opened, the piston is drawn into the larger portion of the cylinder, and the
liquid having free passage around the piston, flows .past it, and fills the space
behind. Its flow is assisted by atmospheric pressure, for until filled by the liquid,
there is a partial vacuum behind the piston; When the spring closes the door, the
piston must displace the oil from behind it, at first this flows away freely, but as
the piston approaches the smallest portion of the cylinder, the passage is con-
tinually decreased, and the escape of the liquid retarded, so causing the door to
close with a slow, and gentle movement. When quite closed, all the pressure has
disappeared from behind the piston, and the door is under the full influence of the
spring. This pressure is supplemented by the atmospheric pressure in front of
the piston, for at the first movement of the door, the liquid cannot readily pass the
piston, and a vacuum is formed. In some cases for interior doors, where the wind
action is slight; we insert a valve in the back of the cylinder opening inwards, to
give free access to the fluid, but which closes automatically, and prevents any
escape of fluid in the same direction. The arms upon the pivot spindle are placed
at such an angle, that as the spring is more, and more compressed, and therefore
becomes continually stronger, the piston rods shall have a continually decreasing
power over the arms, thus nearly equalizing the pull upon the door, for all
positions. The front covers of the cylinders are adjustable longitudinally, so that
the initial compression of the spring, may be varied at will, and consequently its
effective strength: The length of the piston rod is adjustable, so that should
the apparatus be fixed inaccurately, one rod may be shortened and the other
lengthened for the purpose of throwing the point of the door into its proper central
position.
It is obvious that the arrangement as described is equally applicable to double,
and single action doors. In the latter case one cylinder, and spring are always
inoperativo, and may therefore be dispensed with if desired. The arrangement is
capable of being worked without liquid of any kind, in which case the piston can
be made as nearly a true fit as possible. The closing springs are made of any
suitable material, and may be arranged to act in tension instead of compression.
The Mechanical arrangements for connecting the dash pot checks with the door,
and also with the springs may be varied without departing from the principle of
our invention. The arrangements as far as regards the cylinders, pistons, piston rods,
and adjustments, may be attached, and applied to any of the known forms of spring
hinges, for the purpose of checking the recoil of the door either double, or single
action. The same apparatus of cylinder, piston spring, and rod but, without the
containing box and shoe, may be applied to doors, double, or single action, hung on
ordinary hinge butts, or centres. The check portion of the apparatus may be
applied to swing doors hung on hinge butts, or other hinges, or centres without
springs, and closed by independent springs. The check portion of the apparatus
may be applied to doors hung on binges, known as rising butts. Another method
of carrying out our invention is as follows, The shoe of the door is fitted with a pivot
spindle having one arm only, and this arm points in the same direction as the door.

page_text: Two connecting links are jointed to the single pin of the arm, one lying to the right
and the other to the left. Ench connecting rod is jointed to the end of a straight
lever, and these two levers are pivotted on the box, and are parallel with the door,
when closed. Between the opposite ends of the levers is placed one cylinder, piston,
-and spring, as before described, the back cover being jointed to one lever, and the
piston rod head to the other lever; the internal spring then tends to pull the
cylinder ends of the levers together, and does so till stopped by the links at the
other end. The complete system is prevented from oscillating, by a pin standing
up from the floor of the box, between the front end of cylinder, and a suitable
-projection on the head of the piston rod. The connecting links before mentioned
are adjustable for length, and are slackened out, so that the cylinder end and the
projection on the piston rod each take a bearing upon the projecting pin, and under
the action of, the spring grip it between them. Both connecting links are constructed
to exert a pull on the levers, but not a thrust. Now if the door is opened either
way, say to the right, the complete set of cylinder, piston, and spring will tend to
move in the opposite direction, say to the left; But either the cylinder, or the
piston rod as the case may be; will be prevented from moving by the projecting
pin, the other piece being free to move, the spring must be compressed If the
cylinder is held the piston is pulled toward the front cover-If the piston rod is
held, the front end of cylinder is pulled toward the piston, and the spring is
therefore compressed. whichever way the door is moved. The recoil of the spring
closes the door, and tho check apparatus is as before described. The adjustment in
the longth of connecting links, enables the point of the door to be set accurately to
its proper position, even should the apparatus be fixed out of the central position
Another method of carrying out our invention, consists in attaching in any
suitable manner to the door heel; a cam, double cam, or cams of peculiar
construction, so arranged that as the door opens in either direction, the cam, or
cams force a piston and rod into a cylinder, containing a spring as already
described. When the door is closed, it is prevented from swinging, because the
piston rod is at the neutral point of the cam, and the thrust is nearly lateral, This
method is applicable to single action doors, and the cylinders can be immersed in
fluid as already described.
We will now proceed to describe our Invention more particularly, by means of
the accompanying drawings in all of which, like letters of reference indicato
like parts.
Fig 1 is a plan, and Fig 2 a sectional elevation of the first arrangement described.
In the plan the bridge piece, or top bearing is shewn half removed, and in all the
drawings the top plate, or cover, for excluding dirt, but which is not connected with
our invention is removed.
In Fig 2 the shoe fastened to the heel of the door, carrying the pivot A which is
stepped into the base of the box B, is clearly shewn, the box being beneath the
floor, and containing the whole of the apparatus except the shoe, the spindle, or
pivot A has two arms C. C. to which are connected by joint pins D, D. two rods
E E. To facilitate adjustment in the fitting of our invention to doors, the two rods
can be screwed at their upper end and their length regulated by means of the lock
nuts shewn at d. d. though this is not absolutely necessary in all cases. The two
rods E, E. are continued into two cylinder F F. which are pivotted at G. G and
terminate therein in two buttons, or collars, c, e. only oue of which is however
shewn in Fig 1. In front of and enclosing the collars, are two pistons I. 1. (only
one of which is here shown.) These pistons are recessed, or hollowed out, so as to
receive the enlarged, or button shaped ends, or collars of the piston rod within
themselves; after the piston has reached the back end of the cylinder. The pistons
are also bored so that the rods can slide freely through them. The pistons are
forced against the enlarged end of the rod by two springs J. J. (only one of which
is shown) which surround the piston rods, and press against the front
adjustable cylinder.cover as shewn.

page_text: When the door is closed, both pistons are forced back tightly, against the back
end of their respective cylinders, by the springs, and the collars e, e, of the piston
rods E, are in contact with the back of the pistons I, The drawing shews tho
position of the various parts when the door is closed.; If however the door be
opened in either direction, the arms C. C. of the pivot A, will cause one piston rod
to be forced into its cylinder, and the other to be drawn out, the former simply
slides through the piston, without effect, the latter pulls the piston forward, and
compresses the spring. When the door is released, it is carried back to the closed
position, by the reaction of the spring. So far the apparatus described is simply a
double acting spring hinge, The check action is as follows
By referring to the sectional part of the drawing Fig 1, It will be seen, that the
cylinder is bored out parallel for a short distance only of its length, at the back
end; and at this portion the pistons are made to fit. The front portion of the
cylinder is taper, and largest at the mouth, openings K. Kare made in the front
cover, but the back end of the cylinder is in this case either imade solid, or is
secured with a joint-tight as against fluid pressure.; The containing box .B, is
charged with any liquid such as water, softsoap and water, oil, paraffin or paraffin
and oil, glycerine, or any other liquid which will not attack chemically, or corrode
the material of which the box is composed. The liquid flows freely through the
ports K, in the front covers of the cylinders, and fills them; When the door is
opened, the piston is drawn into the larger portion of the cylinder, and the liquid
having free passage round the piston, flows past it, and so fills the space behind.
As a partial vacuum is formed by the forward passage of the piston the flow of the
liquid is assisted by atmospheric pressure. When the door closes the piston
displaces the oil, or other liquid from behind it. At first this flows freely past the
piston, but as it approaches the smallest portion of the cylinder, the passage is
continually decreased, and the escape of the liquid retarded, so causing the door to
close quietly. When the door is closed, all the pressure has disappeared from
bohind the piston, and the door is under the full influence of the spring, supple-
mented by atmospheric pressure; for it will be seen by reference to Fig 1 that
owing to the good fit given to the piston, the liquid cannot readily pass it, at the
first movement of the door, and so a vacuum is formed, this is of great service in
preventing the door from swinging, by the action of wind.
Fig 3. Shews our Invention as applied to, and combined with the well known
"Smith's" Spring described in Androw Smiths specification No 6477, A.D. 1883.
In this case the spiral springs shown in Fig 1 are not required as the crescent
shaped spring J, supplies its place, the rods E, being connected to the calliper
shaped levers; upon the end of which the spring J, presses. The check liquid
contained in the box B, here enters the cylinder at K.
Fig 4. Shews another modification of the samo combination; but the crescent
spring is replaced by a volute spring J working in a dashpot cylinder F, and
exerting its action through the rod E, and beam upon the arms C. C.
"
Fig. 5. Shews our Invention as combined, and suitable for working with, "Barnes
door hinge as described in his specification No 4078. AD, 1882. the spiral springs
being replaced by two volutes J, one only of which is shewn working in dash
pot-cylinders F., the liquid check in this case entering through ports K. K.
Fig. 6. Shews one form of valve L; placed at back end of cylinder, and opening
inwards, these as we have already described are suitable for interior doors, where
the wind action is slight
Fig. 7. Shews our Invention combined with a modified, and improved form of
"Bulls" spring, the original of which is described in Edward Bulls specification
No 3 A D 1881., In Fig 7, the door pivot A, is made with a long flat cross
section embraced by a triangular stirrup, attached to the chain E which here
replaces the piston rod, and the flexibility of which enables us to avoid pivotting
the cylinder. The triangular stirrup gives stability to the door in the closed
position, without the introduction of subsidiary springs, the spring J.flexible

page_text: rod E, and piston I, are placed within a dashpot cylinder F, and the whole
within an internal box B, the liquid used as a check entering the cylinder
through the holes K, K.
Fig. 8. Is an elevation of door pivot A, and section of stirrup.
Fig. 9. Shews a modification of our Invention, as applied to a door fitted with n
pivot A, to which is keyed a tooth wheel, the teeth of which are made to engage
with a chain, forming a double flexible piston rod E, E. to ends of which two
pistons I. I, are secured, which are opposed by two springs J.J. The pistons travel
in two dashpot cylinders, as already described, and when pulled forward by the
door compress, the springs in front of them; while one spring is being compressed,
the slack chain, or flexible piston rod, on the other side, folds itself up within the
cylinder F, the door is held firmly in the closed position, by both pistons taking a
bearing against the cylinder ends. The tooth wheel may be made of varying
radius, so as to reduce the power of the spring over the door when open One
cylinder can be dispensed with, when this arrangement is used for doors opening in
one direction only, and the liquid used as a check, inay be made to enter the cylinder,
through the holes K K
Fig 10 Shews our Invention as combined with a simplified spring, of the type
described in Dilkes and Turners specification No 1453 A.D. 1853. Here the door
pivot A, has two arms C. C bearing against the reverse inclines of a peculiarly
formed crosshead, attached to the piston rod E, the piston rod is fastened to a
piston I, within a dashpot cylinder F, the spring J behind the piston, being
compressed between it and the back of the containing box; the end of cylinder F,
is open, and the cylinder is retained in position, by being fitted into grooves in the
containing box B. If the door is moved in either direction, one, or other, of the
arms must force the piston rod further into the cylinder, further compressing
the spring, and its reaction closes the door. The door is held firmly in the closed
position, because both arms are then pressed upon, equally by the. spring-and
any movement throws all the pressure to one side. As the door opens, the decreased
leverage of the arms, combined with the special form of crosshead, reduces the
power of the spring, which is consequently strongest when the door is closed; the
face of the crosshead is constructed as a loose piece, secured and adjusted by two
screws d, d, by these screws the line of the inclines is altered, and the point of the
door thrown into any desired position within limits, when the spring is at rest;
this provides correction for errors in fixing. The dash pot check arrangement is
the same as before, except that as the end of the cylinder is open, no ports, or holes,
are required, and the fluid escapes through the opening for piston rod., as well as
past the piston, neither being packed.
Fig. 11. is a detail of the door pivot A, for the above arrangement, we sometimes
fit this pivot with a pair of friction rollers, instead of with dead rubbing surfaces.
Fig 12. Shews our Invention as applied to a door, without a containing box, and
above the floor line, This arrangement of spring check, can be fixed at any height
above the floor, and is in general detail similar to Fig 1, when removed from the
containing box, the check, either liquid, or fluid, however being contained in the
cylinder F, which is bored taper, to allow it to escape past the piston, when the door
is opened as already explained, The cylinder is fitted with a stuffing box, and
gland to prevent the escape of the liquid, or fluid check contained in it.
Fig. 13 Illustrates another method with one arm, and cylinder, the whole enclosed
in a box beneath the floor, The pivot A, is fitted with one arm only, and this
points in the same direction as the door. Two connecting links C. C are jointed to
the single pin of the arm, each connecting link is jointed to a straight lever pivotted
at O, O to the containing box B, and occupying a position parallel to the door,
when closed. Between the opposite ends of the levers, is placed one cylinder, piston
and spring as before described, the back end of cylinder being jointed to one lever
at P, and the piston rod E, being jointed to the other at Q, the internal spring then
tends to pull the cylinder ends of the levers together, and does so until stopped by
the links at the other end. The complete system is provented from oscillating by a

page_text: ud, or pin R. standing up from the floor of the box, between the front end of
linder, and a suitable projection, on the head of piston rod E at S, The
nnecting links C. C are adjustable, and are slackened out, so that the cylinder
d, and projection on piston rod, each take a bearing upon the pin R, and under
e action of the spring grip it between them. If the door is opened either way,
y to the right, the complete system of cylinder, piston, and spring, will tend to
ove in the opposite direction say to the left. But either the cylinder or the
ston rod as the case may be, will be prevented from moving, by the projecting
n R, If the cylinder is held, the piston is pulled toward the front cover; If the
ston rod is held, the front end of cylinder is pulled toward piston I, the spring
ing compressed whichever way the door is moved. The recoil of the spring closes
e door, and the check action is as before described. The adjustable connecting
aks C. C, enable the point of the door to be set accurately to its proper position.
igs 14 and 15 are two cam arrangements, with special devices d, d for adjusting
e alignment of cylinder, and therefore the door. The check liquid enters the
linders by holes K. K
ig. 16. Shews a valve similar to that described, and shewn in Fig 6; but fitted
to the piston I, in some cases it would be more convenient fitted to the piston,
than to the cylinder end, in Fig 20 the valve is shewn in position, within the
cylinder which is similar to that already described and shewn in Fig. 10.
ig. 17, Shews our Invention as combined with a spring; as described in
William Legotts specification No 380 AD 1881. The door pivot has keyed
to it, a pinion driving two racks, which are fastened to the rod E, operating
the pistons, and springs J. In this case the liquid check enters the
cylinders F F through the holes K. K.
ig 18, Shews our Invention, as combined with a horse shoe spring, as described
by Robt Adams in his specification No 798 A.D 1875, The liquid check
enters the cylinder F, at holes K. K.
ig 19. Shows our Invention as combined with, and adapted to the form of
spring, described by Joseph Smith, in his Specification No 3822 A D 1814
ig 21 Shews a modification enabling the spring J, to act in tension instead of
compression; In some cases it would be inconvenient to use such an arrangement,
the spring is in this case attached to the back end of cylinder or dash pot F.
The foregoing modifications are given as typical cases, but there are numberless
rms of spring door hinges, to which our improvements are applicable.
We have mentioned the names, and have given the dates of Specifications of
everal Inventors of door springs, and have shewn the manner in which our
nprovements could be conveniently adapted to their inventions. We should wish
understood however, that we lay no claim to any, or either of the inventions as
escribed by them. We have also shewn a number of ways, in which our invention
ay be modified, and carried out alone, or in combination with the springs of
her inventors; But so far as regards our invention as herein set forth, we do
ot bind, or confine ourselves to the exact details given, and methods, of adaptation
described, as they can be modified in a variety of other ways, without departing
om its nature, and spirit.
We intend the use of the word door, as applied to this invention, to include
indows, casements, trap doors, lids, covers, gates,
What we consider novel, and original, and desire to have secured to us by
etters Patent is as follows-
A Double Action Spring hinge, combined with a check apparatus, consisting of
one, or two cylinders, or dashpots as described and shewn.
The application of liquid, or air checks, to double action, or swing doors;
In a liquid check for a door, the use of a dashpot, or cylinder, constructed
without valves substantially as described.
A combined door spring, and check; or a combined hinge, and check; adapted to
fixing beneath the floor, and for double, or single action doors; the check
being given by fluid pressure.

page_text: 5 In a door spring, and liquid check, the arrangement of cylinder, and piston as
described by which the pressure of the atmosphere; is used to augment the
effect of the spring in holding the door closed.
6. The door check as described in above combination, with a valve for admitting
fluid to the back of cylinder
7. In a cylinder, and piston door check, the peculiar construction of piston, and
rod, enabling the rod to travel in one direction without the piston.
5
8. In a spring hingo, (used either with, or without a fluid check) the peculiar
disposition of the spring cylinders, and the arms upon the pivot, which causes
the mechanical effect of the spring to diminish, as its elastic force increases, 1
substantially as described for combined hinge and check.
9. In a Spring Hinge, with two spiral springs, as described the adjustable piston
rods, which enable the door to be accurately set to its required position, in
spite of errors of fixing
10. A Single Action Spring hinge, and door check, as described, having one 1
spring, piston and adjustable rod, in one cylinder, or dash pot only, working
in a box, or without it, but containing fluid check as described.
11. A combined door hinge, spring and check, in any of the forms described, the
checking liquid being replaced by atmospheric air.
12. The use of the combined Door hinge, and check, in any of the modifications 2
described without the spring, air being used in place of liquids
13. In any of the arrangements of combined spring, and check, the modification
which allows the spring to work in tension, one form of which is shown in
Fig 21.
14. The application of the fluid check as described, to any of the known forms of 2
spring hinges, either for double or single action doors.
15. The application of the combined closing spring, and liquid check to double
action doors, hung on ordinary hinges, or centres, or ordinary hinge butts,
and centres.
16. The application of the combined closing spring, and liquid check, to single
action doors, hung on ordinary hinge butts, or centres.
17. In a fluid check, without spring, or hinge, the combination with the freo
piston device, enabling it to be attached to a double acting door
18 The several arrangements of spring, hinge, and fluid check, described in which
one cylinder, and spring are made to close, and check a double action door in 3
both directions.
19. In the arrangement as in Fig 13, the adjustable links, which enable the door
to be set to its correct position.
20. In the arrangement above described, the construction of connecting links to
exert a pull only, and not a thrust.
21. In all the arrangements described in which the spring is retained in position
by the cylinder cover, the screw, or other adjustment of cover, by which the
initial compression of the spring is regulated.
22. The combination of door hinge, closing spring, and fluid check for double, or
single action doors, as shewn in Fig 10 in which one spring only is required,
working in a cylinder open at the end.
23. In the same arrangement the loose adjustable head to piston rod, and the
method of adjusting same for setting the door in the central position..
"
24. The Combination of door hinge, spring, and fluid check, arranged as in Figs 14.
15 in which the door pivot, has a cam form and thrusts back, or pulls forward,
the piston rod,
25. In the same arrangement; the device of two adjusting screws, for the purpose
of correcting the alignment of the cylinder and of the door
26. In a combined door hinge, spring and check, the use of a valve in the piston, or
in the cylinder end, for the purpose of admitting fluid to the interior of the
cylinder.
-
4

page_text: The use of a box, so as to form a feed tank, or reservoir, for the supply of
liquid, to the cylinders, pistons, or dashpots, or one of them when enclosed
therein; substantially as, and for the purposes, and in the way and manner
herein shewn, and described.
In Witness Whereof We the said John Sanders Stevens, and Charles Georgo
Major have hereunto set our hands and seals this second day of May in the
year of our Lord. 1884.
Witness THOMAS SANFORD.
237 High Street,
Exeter,
JOHN SANDERS STEVENS (L.S.)
CHARLES GEORGE MAJOR. (LS)