US3909877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Detent door holder
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1975-01-17
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1995-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A detent door holder is provided for use with a door closer assembly to hold the door in a predetermined position (normally, an open-door position), upon engagement of the detent with a detent surface. The detent includes a body and a plunger assembly associated therewith. The plunger assembly has a retracted position in which the detent is inoperable to engage the detent surface and the door is freely movable. The plunger assembly also has an extended position in which the plunger assembly is operable to engage the detent surface, thus holding the door in the predetermined position. A main spring exerts a first biasing force opposing movement of the plunger assembly from the extended, operable position toward the retracted position, and a secondary spring exerts a second biasing force on the plunger assembly opposing movement of the plunger assembly from the retracted position toward the extended position. Preferably, the first biasing force is substantially greater than the second biasing force. Thus, it is possible with the detent of the present invention to set the plunger assembly, i.e., move it from the retracted position to the extended, operable position, in opposition to a relatively small spring force, while maintaining the plunger assembly operable to engage the detent surface under the influence of a much larger spring force.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles B Christy
- 👤 Roger D Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:01
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F3/00; E05F3/22; E05F3/221; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/10; E05Y2900/13; E05Y2900/132; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S16/00; Y10S16/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A detent means for use with a door closer assembly to hold a door in a predetermined position upon engagement of said detent means with a detent surface, said detent means comprising: a. a body; b. a plunger assembly associated with said body, said plunger assembly having a retracted position in which the door is freely movable, and an extended position in which said plunger assembly is operable to engage said detent surface; c. means biasing said plunger and said biasing means exerting a first biasing force opposing movement of said plunger assembly from said extended, operable position toward said retracted position; and d. said biasing means exerting a second biasing force opposing movement of said plunger assembly from said retracted position toward said extended, operable position, said first biasing force being substantially greater than said second biasing force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A detent means for use with a door closer assembly to hold a door in a predetermined position upon engagement of said detent means with a detent surface, said detent means comprising: a. a body; b. a plunger assembly associated with said body, said plunger assembly having a retracted position in which the door is freely movable, and an extended position in which said plunger assembly is operable to engage said detent surface; c. means biasing said plunger and said biasing means exerting a first biasing force opposing movement of said plunger assembly from said extended, operable position toward said retracted position; and d. said biasing means exerting a second biasing force opposing movement of said plunger assembly from said retracted position toward said extended, operable position, said first biasing force being substantially greater than said second biasing force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A detent means as defined in claim 1 wherein said first biasing force is at least about 10 times greater than said second biasing force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A detent means as defined in claim 1 including cam means axially movable relative to said body, said plunger assembly defining a cam actuating surface normally in engagement with said cam means, said cam actuating surface being configured to permit movement of said plunger assembly between said retracted position and said extended, operable position in response to relative rotation of said cam means and said plunger assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A detent means as defined in claim 3 including a housing generally surrounding said body and being rotatably and axially movable with respect thereto, said plunger assembly being fixed with respect to said housing to prevent substantial axial and rotational movement therebetween.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A detent means as defined in claim 4 wherein said biasing means includes first and second biasing means operable to exert, respectively, said first and second biasing forces, said second biasing means biasing said plunger assembly toward said retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A detent means as defined in claim 5 wherein said body includes first and second seat means axially fixed with respect to said housing, said first biasing means comprises a first spring and said first seat means and said second biasing means comprises a second spring and said second seat means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A detent means as defined in claim 6 wherein said first biasing force is from about 100 to about 150 pounds and said second biasing force is from about 5 to about 10 pounds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A detent means as defined in claim 1 wherein said biasing means includes a first spring means operable to exert said first biasing force and a second spring means operable to exert said second biasing force.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A detent means as defined in claim 8 wherein said first spring means has seat means axially fixed with respect to said body and said second spring means has seat means axially fixed with respeCt to said body and said second biasing force biases said plunger assembly toward said retracted position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A detent means as defined in claim 9 including cam means axially movable relative to said body, said plunger assembly defining a cam actuating surface normally in engagement with said cam means, said cam actuating surface being configured to permit movement of said plunger assembly between said retracted position and said extended, operable position in response to relative rotation of said cam means and said plunger assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A detent means as defined in claim 10 wherein said cam means is biased toward engagement with said cam actuating surface by said first spring means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A detent means as defined in claim 11 wherein said body includes axially extending guide means and said cam means includes means engaging said guide means to permit axial movement of said cam means within said body and substantially prevent rotation of said cam means relative to said body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
222 words
A detent means adapted to be mounted on a pivotable arm to hold said arm in a predetermined position upon engagement of said detent means with a detent surface, said detent means comprising: a. a body including means for fixedly mounting said body on said pivotable arm; b. a plunger assembly disposed at least partly within said body and being rotatably and axially movable relative thereto, said plunger assembly including means for engaging said detent surface; c. a housing generally surrounding said body and being fixed with respect to said plunger assembly; d. cam means axially movable relative to said plunger assembly, said plunger assembly defining a cam actuating surface normally in engagement with said cam means to permit axial movement of said plunger assembly in response to relative rotation of said cam means and said plunger assembly; e. a first spring means including a seat fixed with respect to said body and exerting a first biasing force biasing said cam means outwardly toward engagement with said cam actuating surface and opposing movement of said plunger assembly inwardly; and f. a second spring means including a seat fixed with respect to said body and exerting a second biasing force opposing movement of said plunger assembly outwardly, said first biasing force being at least about 10 times greater than said second biasing force.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
222 words
A detent means adapted to be mounted on a pivotable arm to hold said arm in a predetermined position upon engagement of said detent means with a detent surface, said detent means comprising: a. a body including means for fixedly mounting said body on said pivotable arm; b. a plunger assembly disposed at least partly within said body and being rotatably and axially movable relative thereto, said plunger assembly including means for engaging said detent surface; c. a housing generally surrounding said body and being fixed with respect to said plunger assembly; d. cam means axially movable relative to said plunger assembly, said plunger assembly defining a cam actuating surface normally in engagement with said cam means to permit axial movement of said plunger assembly in response to relative rotation of said cam means and said plunger assembly; e. a first spring means including a seat fixed with respect to said body and exerting a first biasing force biasing said cam means outwardly toward engagement with said cam actuating surface and opposing movement of said plunger assembly inwardly; and f. a second spring means including a seat fixed with respect to said body and exerting a second biasing force opposing movement of said plunger assembly outwardly, said first biasing force being at least about 10 times greater than said second biasing force.
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) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |