Improvements in Self-closing Door Hinges.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 26th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1896.
AL
CIFICATION.
Improvements in Self-closing Door Hinges.
A communication to me from CARL MINE, of 11, Schlachthofstrasse, Cassel, in
the Empire of Germany, Mechanic.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a door hinge, in which the adjoining surfaces of
the two parts of the hinge are made inclined, so that the door when opened, closes
by its own weight.
The upper part of the hinge, which is fixed upon the door, is connected with the
lower part by a cylindrical bolt fixed to the latter and passing through the upper
part which turns upon it.
The faces or ends of the two parts of the hinge which fit against each other are
made helical or screw-shaped, so that when the door is opened it is at the same time
raised, whilst when released the weight of the door brings it down and shuts it, the
helical surface upon the upper part turning upon the helical surface on the lower
part.
The adjoining surfaces of the two parts of the hinge may be made with a double
helical incline, so that when the door is moved in either direction from its central or
lowest position it rises, but is brought back to its original or lowest central position
by its own weight when released.
Dated this 11th dor
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.
A communication to me from CARL MINE, of 11, Schlachthofstrasse, Cassel, in
the Empire of Germany, Mechanic.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
This invention has for its object a door hinge, in which the adjoining surfaces of
the two parts of the hinge which work upon each other, are made inclined, in such
manner that the door when opened closes by its own weight. In order to hold the
door in its open position, horizontal projections or bands are made at the ends of
the upper and lower helical surfaces, so that the door can rest upon them without
sinking and shutting. As the contact surfaces of these hinges require more

page_text: catch the surplus oil which runs off.
ng material chan ordinary hinges, it is necessary to provide a holder to
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of the invention,
Figure 1 shews the hinge, when the door or gate to which it is attached is
closed.
Figure 2 shews the same when the door is open, the upper part of the hinge
having been turned through 180 degrees.
Figure 3 shews the improved hinge for a double door opening in both
directions.
Figures 4, 5, and 6 shew the arrangement of the horizontal prolongations of the
inclined surfaces, which serve to allow the door to remain wide open.
Figures 7 and 8 shew the arrangement of oil holders for keeping the frictional
surfaces of the hinge constantly lubricated.
The upper part A of the hinge, which is fixed upon the door, is connected with
the lower part B by a cylindrical bolt C, fixed to the latter and passing through
the upper part which turns upon it.
The faces or ends of the two parts which fit against each other are made of a
double helical or screw-shaped form as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7, or in
the form shewn in Figure 3, with the inclined part in both directions so that the
door may open both ways. The upper part A, of the hinge, turns upon the pin or
bolt C, so that when the door is opened it is at the same time raised. As the
of the frictional surfaces are arranged symmetrically upon each side of the
central line any one-sided pressure and uneven wear of the parts cannot take
place.
parts
In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 3 the surfaces in contact are made of a
double inclined, or waved or undulating, shape, so that the door is raised whether
it is turned to the right or to the left.
In the arrangement of the hinges shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the door in every
position, even when wide open always has a tendency to come back to its lowest
position by its own weight.
If it is desired that it should remain of its own accord in its wide open position,
the arrangement (see Figures 4 and 5) of horizontal prolongations c, c, d, d,
beyond the ends of the helical surfaces a, a, b, bl, is necessary. In the wide open
position of the door, these surfaces come against each other, and the tendency of
the door to descend by its own weight, and consequently to close, is prevented.
Moreover, if it is desired that the door should be held more firmly in its wide open
position the opposite horizontal surfaces c, c, d, d', may be made convex and
concave respectively, as shewn in Figure 6.
As in the improved hinges having helically shaped friction surfaces between the
two parts, a specially good lubrication is necessary, and as consequently the surplus
lubricating oil is liable to flow over and run down on the doorposts and floor, it is
necessary o provide a suitable oil holder, surrounding both parts of the hinge and
catching the overflowing oil or grease. In Figures 7 and 8 such an oil holder is
shewn partly in section, Figure 7 shewing it applied to a hinge with inclined
friction surfaces, and Figure 7 to a similar hinge with horizontal surfaces. On the
lower support B of the hinge (Figure 7) below the inclined surfaces a, the ring is
fixed which surrounds the inclined frictional surfaces, at a sufficient distance from
them, so as to form a receptacle for the surplus lubricating fluid, and to keep the
hinge constantly lubricated.
The improved hinge described may also be used as a closing device upon doors
already hung upon hinges on which they are capable of rising and falling, by
making it in the shape of a third hinge. In this case the upper part is not
immoveably fixed to the door; but is attached to the latter in the way illustrated
in Figure 4, in which the hinge has a longitudinal slit D, through which a bolt
provided with a head passes and fixes the hinge adjustably to the door by the
plate F attached to the latter.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
I claim is :-
(1.) A door hinge, the rubbing surfaces between the two parts of which are
made of undulating or wave shape, or of a double helical shape, round the bolt or
pin which connects the upper to the lower part, so that the door always tends,
when opened, to come back by its own weight to its lowest position, substantially
as described and illustrated.
(2.) In combination with the door hinge described and claimed in Claim 1, the
arrangement of horizontal flat or curved prolongations of the helical friction
surfaces of the hinge, for the purpose of enabling the door to remain wide open,.
substantially as described and illustrated.
(3.) In combination with the door hinge described and claimed in Claim 1, the
arrangement of an oil holder, consisting of a tubular ring, attached to the lower
part of the hinge, so that both parts of the hinge are contained in it, substantially
as and for the purposes described and illustrated.
Dated this 26th day of September 1896.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.