Patent ID: 7185398

Claim:
A mechanical door closer to extend between a door and an associated door jamb to urge the door to a closed position with respect to the door jamb, said closer including: an elongated track to be fixed to the door or door jamb; a carriage mounted on the track for movement there along; a connecting member attached to the carriage and extending therefrom to attach the carriage to the door jamb if the track is attached to the door, or to attach the carriage to the door if the track is attached to the door jamb, so that movement of the door in a closing direction causes movement of the carriage in a predetermined direction; a biasing member urging said carriage to move in said predetermined direction along the track and wherein said track and connecting member are intended to be attached to the door and door jamb so that upon opening movement of the door said carriage is caused to move along said track in a direction opposite said predetermined direction; and wherein said carriage includes a brake mechanism to restrain movement of said carriage in said predetermined direction, said brake mechanism having: a first brake part, said first part being mounted for rotational movement about an axis transverse of said track and having at least one ramp surface extending angularly and axially with respect to said axis, said first part being engaged with said track to cause rotation of said first part in a predetermined angular direction when said carriage is moved in said predetermined direction along said track; at least one rotatable element, each said rotatable element being engaged with a respective one of said at least one ramp surface; a second brake part, said second part being mounted adjacent said first part and having a surface to engage said element; a first brake surface; a further brake surface, said further brake surface being adjacent said first brake surface; and wherein relative angular movement between said first and second parts by rotation of said first part in said predetermined angular directions causes each said rotatable element to move along said respective ramp surface to separate said first and second parts axially and move said first brake surface against said further brake surface so that a friction force is applied to said first and further brake surfaces to restrain movement of said carriage in said predetermined direction.