US3711892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Closure counterbalance
Assignee: METEOR RES Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-11-07
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1989-11-07
Abstract
Abstract Two telescopically related tubes to be secured at their outer ends to a closure and closure support, respectively. A compression spring within the tubes urges them apart and stop means limit the extension of the device. In one form, a helical torsion spring between the tubes is fixed at one end to the outer tube and normally contracts to frictionally grip the inner tube. A rotatable sleeve is connected to the other end of the spring so it can be manually expanded to release its grip on the inner tube.
Inventors
- 👤 P Tabor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:54
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/08; E05F1/10; E05F1/1041; E05F1/105; E05F1/1058; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/50; E05Y2900/53; E05Y2900/536; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/28; Y10T292/301; Y10T292/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A counterbalance for a movable closure on a structure comprising; a pair of tubular members, with their inner ends in coaxial telescoped and sliding relation; means at the outer end of each member defining an abutment and comprising securing means for securing said ends to a closure and a closure supporting structure, respectively; compression spring means within said tubular members, reacting at its opposite ends against said abutments whereby to urge said tubular members apart; and cooperating stop means on said tubular members for limiting relative outward movement thereof, the relative diameters of said tubular members being such as to provide an annular space therebetween; said stop means comprising an annular inwardly extending integral shoulder on the outer of said members, spaced from the inner end thereof, and an outwardly flared inner end on the inner member engageable with said integral shoulder; at least the inner end of said outer member being of reduced diameter to slidably engage the outer surface of the inner member, said securing means each comprising a longitudinally extending ear having an opening therethrough, an elastomeric grommet in each opening, and a portion of said grommet spacing said ears from connected structures to provide limited universal movement relative thereto; one of said ears being of less sectional area than the other whereby said one ear will fail first when said counterbalance is subjected to undue force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
A counterbalance for a movable closure on a structure comprising; a pair of tubular members, with their inner ends in coaxial telescoped and sliding relation; means at the outer end of each member defining an abutment and comprising securing means for securing said ends to a closure and a closure supporting structure, respectively; compression spring means within said tubular members, reacting at its opposite ends against said abutments whereby to urge said tubular members apart; and cooperating stop means on said tubular members for limiting relative outward movement thereof, the relative diameters of said tubular members being such as to provide an annular space therebetween; said stop means comprising an annular inwardly extending integral shoulder on the outer of said members, spaced from the inner end thereof, and an outwardly flared inner end on the inner member engageable with said integral shoulder; at least the inner end of said outer member being of reduced diameter to slidably engage the outer surface of the inner member, said securing means each comprising a longitudinally extending ear having an opening therethrough, an elastomeric grommet in each opening, and a portion of said grommet spacing said ears from connected structures to provide limited universal movement relative thereto; one of said ears being of less sectional area than the other whereby said one ear will fail first when said counterbalance is subjected to undue force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A counter balance as defined in claim 1 including selectively operable locking means in said annular space for locking said tubular members against relative telescoping movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises a helical torsion spring surrounding the inner of said tubular members and of a diameter to normally contract into tight frictional engagement therewith; one end of said spring being secured to the outer member; and manually operable means, accessible from the exterior of the outer member, for moving the other end of said spring in a direction to increase the diameter thereof to thereby release its frictional grip on the inner member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 3 including means retaining said spring at the inner end of the outer member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 4 wherein said one end of said torsion spring is secured to said outer member at the inner end thereof; said manually operable means comprising a rotatable sleeve around the outer member and having an opening therethrough; a generally circumferential slot through the inner tubular member radially inwardly of said opening, the said other end of said spring extending generally radially outwardly and through said slot and opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 7 wherein one end of said slot comprises an axially extending portion adapted to engage and hold said outwardly bent end of said spring when said spring is radially expanded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 1 wherein said elastomeric means for spacing said ears comprise end portions of said grommets extending outwardly of opposite sides of said ears.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 1 wherein said compression spring means comprises at least two compression springs, one axially within the other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A counterbalance as defined in claim 1 including an integral cylindrical axial extension at the outer periphery of said flared inner end on the inner member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |