Energy absorbing door control device

Claim 2

An energy absorbing device, comprising: a. a tubular first housing means having a base end; b. a mandrel centrally disposed in the first housing means and secured at the base end thereof; c. an energy absorbing elastomeric sleeve covering the mandrel; d. a tubular second housing means dimensioned to receive the mandrel and sleeve and telescope within the first housing means between an extended position and a retracted position; e. a spring within the first housing means urging the second housing means toward its extended position; f. a set of indenting elements; g. and a cage means for the indenting elements disposed within the second housing means and surrounding the elastomeric sleeve, the cage means having a peripheral wall sloping axially in a direction to cause the indenting elements to press into the elastomeric sleeve upon extension of the second housing means in response to the force exerted by the spring, and to cause the indenting elements to clear the elastomeric sleeve upon retracting movement of the second housing means.

Claim 3

An energy absorbing device as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the cage means includes a screwthreaded member axially adjustable in the second housing means, a manually engageable member to advance and retract the screwthreaded member to change the axial length of the cage means thereby to change the amount of penetration of the indenting elements into the elastomeric sleeve so as to change the amount of energy absorption; b. and the second housing means includes an aperture for access to the manually engageable member.

Claim 4

An energy absorbing device as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the elastomeric sleeve differs in thickness in accordance with a preselected pattern to change the energy absorbed thereby in proportion to the force exerted by the spring, thereby to produce an essentially uniform force urging the second housing means toward its extended position.

Claim 5

An energy absorbing device as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the first and second housing means include mutually engageable latch and keeper elements for joining parts thereof together for assembly.

Claim 6

A door control device, comprising: a. a hub member; b. means for journalling the hub member; c. a housing sleeve secured to the hub member and extending thErefrom; d. a mandrel secured to the hub member and extending therefrom in centrally disposed relation to the housing sleeve; e. an energy absorbing elastomeric sleeve on the mandrel; f. a tubular coupling member receiving the elastomeric sleeve and slidably received in the housing sleeve, the coupling member terminating in an axially directed annular stop; g. a spring within the housing between the hub member and coupling member for urging the coupling member toward the extended end of the housing sleeve; h. an extension member having a tubular end secured to the coupling member; i. a ball cage means including a screwthreaded end engaging the extension member for relative axial adjustment, a cage compartment confronting the annular stop and having axially tapered walls, and a manually engageable knurled portion to effect axial adjustment, the extension member having an aperture exposing the knurled portion; jar and a ring of indenting balls disposed in the cage compartment for indenting the elastomeric sleeve, the housing sleeve and extension member being relatively movable to effect corresponding movement of the indenting balls along the elastomeric sleeve.

Claim 7

A door control device, comprising: a. a hub member; b. means for journalling the hub member; c. a housing sleeve secured to the hub member and extending thErefrom; d. a mandrel secured to the hub member and extending therefrom in centrally disposed relation to the housing sleeve; e. an energy absorbing elastomeric sleeve on the mandrel; f. a tubular coupling member receiving the elastomeric sleeve and slidably received in the housing sleeve, the coupling member terminating in an axially directed annular stop; g. a spring within the housing between the hub member and coupling member for urging the coupling member toward the extended end of the housing sleeve; h. an extension member having a tubular end secured to the coupling member; i. a ball cage means including a screwthreaded end engaging the extension member for relative axial adjustment, a cage compartment confronting the annular stop and having axially tapered walls, and a manually engageable knurled portion to effect axial adjustment, the extension member having an aperture exposing the knurled portion; jar and a ring of indenting balls disposed in the cage compartment for indenting the elastomeric sleeve, the housing sleeve and extension member being relatively movable to effect corresponding movement of the indenting balls along the elastomeric sleeve.

Claim 8

A door control device as defined in claim 5, wherein: a. a first latch lug and latch aperture means join the hub member and housing sleeve, and a second latch lug and latch aperture means join the coupling member and extension member.

Claim 9

The combination with a hinged door and frame therefor of a door control device, comprising: a. a bracket for attachment to a door frame; a strap for attachment to a door near its hinge axis; b. a first and a second structure, arranged for relative telescoping movement and pivotally connected respectively to the bracket and the strap, the bracket and strap being relatively movable upon pivoting the door a predetermined initial amount to effect a relative contraction of the structures; and being relatively movable upon further pivoting of the door to effect relative extension of the structures; c. an energy absorbing elastomeric sleeve and supporting mandrel therefor fixed within the first structure and movable into the second structure upon relative contraction; d. a coupling joined to the second structure and slidable within the first structure, the coupling surrounding the sleeve, and having an end of reduced diameter; e. a spring within the first structure and engaging the coupling to urge the second structure toward an extended position; f. a member axially adjustable within the second structure and telescoping the reduced end of the coupling to form therewith an indenting ball cage having tapered walls and variable in its axial dimension; g. and a set of indenting balls in the cage and movable to a position indenting the elastomeric sleeve; whereby, upon extension movement of the structures under urge of the spring, the elastomeric sleeve absorbs energy to control the rate of extension.

Claim 10

The combination with a hinged door and frame therefor of a door control device, comprising: a. a bracket for attachment to a door frame; a strap for attachment to a door near its hinge axis; b. a first and a second structure, arranged for relative telescoping movement and pivotally connected respectively to the bracket and the strap, the bracket and strap being relatively movable upon pivoting the door a predetermined initial amount to effect a relative contraction of the structures; and being relatively movable upon further pivoting of the door to effect relative extension of the structures; c. an energy absorbing elastomeric sleeve and supporting mandrel therefor fixed within the first structure and movable into the second structure upon relative contraction; d. a coupling joined to the second structure and slidable within the first structure, the coupling surrounding the sleeve, and having an end of reduced diameter; e. a spring within the first structure and engaging the coupling to urge the second structure toward an extended position; f. a member axially adjustable within the second structure and telescoping the reduced end of the coupling to form therewith an indenting ball cage having tapered walls and variable in its axial dimension; g. and a set of indenting balls in the cage and movable to a position indenting the elastomeric sleeve; whereby, upon extension movement of the structures under urge of the spring, the elastomeric sleeve absorbs energy to control the rate of extension.

Claim 11

A door control device as defined in claim 7, wherein: a. the axially adjustable member determines the depth of indentation of the balls into the elastomeric member thereby to determine the energy absorption of the elastomeric sleeve, and the second structure is provided with an access opening exposing the axially adjustable member to permit adjustment.