US3699608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic door closer
Assignee: SOONER DOOR HARDWARE Mfg CO
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Filing: 1970-10-23
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A door closing apparatus having a plurality of springs with a single spring being operable during the first stage of operation of the door, and multiple springs being operable during the second stage of operation of the door, the apparatus being provided with locking mechanism for maintaining the door in fully opened, fully closed, or any intermediate position.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A Schwarz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:24
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/08; E05F1/16; E05F17/00; E05D; E05D13/00; E05D13/10; E05D13/12; E05D13/1276; E05Y; E05Y2201/00; E05Y2201/40; E05Y2201/47; E05Y2201/482; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/10; E05Y2900/13; E05Y2900/132
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
286 words
An automatic door closer for a sliding door located in an opening in a fixed structure, said closer comprising a track mounted on one of said door or fixed structure, track engaging means rotatably mounted on the other of said door or fixed structure and engaging said track so that movement of the door in one direction will rotate said track engaging means, a pinion gear carried by said track engaging means, first and second spur gears meshing with said pinion gear, said first spur gear being fixed to a first rotatable shaft, spring means having one end connected to said first shaft and the opposite end fixed to the structure on which said track engaging means is mounted so that rotation of said first spur gear will increase tension on said spring means, said second spur gear being freely rotatably mounted on a second rotatable shaft, said second shaft having an arm located adjacent to said second spur gear, a projection on said second spur gear adapted to engage said arm when the second spur gear has rotated a predetermined amount, second spring means having one end fixed to said second shaft and the opposite end fixed to the structure on which said track engaging means is mounted, so that rotation of said track engaging means will apply tension to said first spring means as soon as the first spur gear moves and will apply tension to said second spring means after said second spur gear has moved a predetermined amount and when the door is released said first and second spring means will rotate said first and second spur gears in a reverse direction to rotate said track engaging means and close said door.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
286 words
An automatic door closer for a sliding door located in an opening in a fixed structure, said closer comprising a track mounted on one of said door or fixed structure, track engaging means rotatably mounted on the other of said door or fixed structure and engaging said track so that movement of the door in one direction will rotate said track engaging means, a pinion gear carried by said track engaging means, first and second spur gears meshing with said pinion gear, said first spur gear being fixed to a first rotatable shaft, spring means having one end connected to said first shaft and the opposite end fixed to the structure on which said track engaging means is mounted so that rotation of said first spur gear will increase tension on said spring means, said second spur gear being freely rotatably mounted on a second rotatable shaft, said second shaft having an arm located adjacent to said second spur gear, a projection on said second spur gear adapted to engage said arm when the second spur gear has rotated a predetermined amount, second spring means having one end fixed to said second shaft and the opposite end fixed to the structure on which said track engaging means is mounted, so that rotation of said track engaging means will apply tension to said first spring means as soon as the first spur gear moves and will apply tension to said second spring means after said second spur gear has moved a predetermined amount and when the door is released said first and second spring means will rotate said first and second spur gears in a reverse direction to rotate said track engaging means and close said door.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 1 including locking means selectively engageable with said track engaging means to prevent rotation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 1 including cam means extending outwardly from one surface of said second spur gear, and brake means carried by the structure on which said track engaging means is mounted and disposed in the path of travel of said cam means to act as a brake when said cam means engages said brake means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for automatically closing a closure member slidably mounted in a fixed structure, said apparatus comprising track means mounted on one of said closure member or fixed structure, rotatable means engaging said track means and adapted to be rotated thereby when the closure member is moved in one direction, a pair of rotatable shafts, means for driving one of said shafts directly from said rotatable means, lost motion means for driving the other shaft indirectly from said rotatable means, a first tension applying means connected to said one shaft, a second tension applying means connected to said other shaft, so that moving said closure member in one direction will operate said first tension applying means until the closure member has opened a predetermined distance after which continued opening of the closure member will operate both tension applying means and when the closure member is released both tension applying means will initially move the closure member toward a closed position until the closure member passes said predetermined position after which said one tension applying means only will move the closure member to cloSed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for automatically closing a closure member slidably mounted in a fixed structure, said apparatus comprising track means mounted on one of said closure member or fixed structure, rotatable means engaging said track means and adapted to be rotated thereby when the closure member is moved in one direction, a pair of rotatable shafts, means for driving one of said shafts directly from said rotatable means, lost motion means for driving the other shaft indirectly from said rotatable means, a first tension applying means connected to said one shaft, a second tension applying means connected to said other shaft, so that moving said closure member in one direction will operate said first tension applying means until the closure member has opened a predetermined distance after which continued opening of the closure member will operate both tension applying means and when the closure member is released both tension applying means will initially move the closure member toward a closed position until the closure member passes said predetermined position after which said one tension applying means only will move the closure member to cloSed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure of claim 4 in which said track means includes an elongated member having a plurality of equally spaced openings, and said rotatable means includes sprocket means having teeth receivable within the openings of said elongated member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 4 in which said means for driving one of said shafts includes pinion gear means mounted on said rotatable means, and spur gear means fixed to said one shaft and meshing with said pinion gear means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The structure of claim 4 in which said lost motion means includes pinion gear means mounted on said rotatable means, spur gear means rotatably mounted on said other shaft, an outwardly extending projection on said spur gear means, an arm fixed to said other shaft in a position to be engaged by said projection after said spur gear means has been rotated a predetermined amount.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 4 in which said first and second tension applying means include spiral springs, each having one end attached to an associated shaft and the other end connected to a fixed structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |