Door operating mechanism

Abstract

 A door operating mechanism comprises a body (1) including a housing (7), a shaft (13) rotatably mounted in the housing and a coil spring (23) mounted in the housing. The coil spring acts between the housing and the shaft for applying a rotary force to the shaft. A lever arm (3) is secured at one end to the shaft so as to rotate therewith and is rotatably mounted at the other end to means (47) slidably mounted to an elongate retainer (5).

Description

DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM

[0001] This invention relates to a door operating mechanism, such as a mechanism for urging an opened door towards its closed position relative to a door frame or for urging a substantially closed door towards its open position relative to a door frame.

[0002] Most door operating mechanisms are in the form of door closers for urging an opened door towards its closed position relative to a door frame, the door closer comprising a spring provided within a housing which is secured to a door frame, the spring biasing an arm which engages with the door, either directly or by way of a further pivoted arm, to urge the door towards a closed position.

[0003] A problem with such door closers is that they are not aesthetically pleasing when mounted externally of the door and frame, but at the same time they are too bulky to be concealed.

[0004] A further problem is that most door closers are only able to operate as closing mechanisms and are not able to operate as door opening mechanisms.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a door operating mechanism which overcomes, or at least ameliorates, the abovementioned problems.

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a door operating mechanism comprising: a body including a housing, a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a coil spring mounted in the housing and acting between the housing and the shaft for applying a rotary force to the shaft; an elongate retainer; and a lever arm secured at one end to the shaft so as to rotate therewith and rotatably mounted at the other end to means slidably mounted to the elongate retainer.

[0007] The housing may be provided with an internal flange as a bearing support for the shaft. The flange may be provided with an aperture receiving a portion of the spring.

[0008] A further bearing may be provided within the housing for supporting the shaft.

[0009] The shaft may be provided with an aperture receiving a further portion of the spring.

[0010] The housing may be provided with fixing means for securing the body to a door.

[0011] The spring may be a helically coiled spring.

[0012] The elongate retainer may have a channel formed therein for receiving the slidably mounted means. The elongate retainer may have a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

[0013] The slidably mounted means may comprise a friction pad, for example mounted within the channel formed in the elongate retainer. An adjustable friction member, such as a screw, may be mounted in the slidably mounted means so as to engage with the elongate retainer to create friction therewith. The friction member may include a portion of plastics material, such as an acetal plastics material.

[0014] At least one aperture may be provided in the elongate retainer where the adjustable friction member does not engage with the elongate retainer.

[0015] The elongate retainer may include a stop, such as an adjustable stop, for limiting movement of the slidably mounted means relative to the remainder of the retainer.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a door assembly, including a door leaf and a door frame, the body of the door operating mechanism being mounted in the door leaf and the elongate retainer being mounted on the door frame. The door operating mechanism may be employed to control opening or closing of the door, and for right- or left-handed doors, by changing the manner in which the spring is coiled.

[0017] For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of one embodiment of a door operating mechanism according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view corresponding to the plan view of Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a housing forming part of the door operating mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0021] Figure 4 is an end view of the housing shown in Figure 3;

[0022] Figure 5 is a side view of a shaft forming part of the door operating mechanism as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0023] Figure 6 is an end view of the shaft shown in Figure 5;

[0024] Figure 7 is a plan view of a bearing for use between the housing and the shaft;

[0025] Figure 8 is an end view of a closure for the housing shown in Figures 3 and 4;

[0026] Figure 9 is a side view of the closure shown in Figure 8;

[0027] Figure 10 is a plan view of a fixing plate for use with the housing of Figures 3 and 4;

[0028] Figure 11 is a side view of the fixing plate of Figure 10;

[0029] Figure 12 is a plan view of a lever arm forming part of the door operating mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0030] Figure 13 is a plan view of an elongate retainer forming part of the door operating mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0031] Figure 14 is an end view of the elongate retainer of Figure 13;

[0032] Figure 15 is a side view of a friction pad for use in the elongate retainer of Figures 13 and 14;

[0033] Figure 16 is an end view of the friction pad shown in Figure 15;

[0034] Figure 17 shows a rivet for use with the friction pad of Figures 15 and 16;

[0035] Figure 18 shows a friction screw for use with the friction pad of Figures 15 and 16; and

[0036] Figure 19 shows a stop for use with the elongate retainer of Figures 13 and 14.

[0037] The door operating mechanism shown in the figures comprises a body 1 to which is mounted one end of a rotatable lever arm 3, the other end of the arm 3 being slidably mounted in an elongate retainer 5.

[0038] The body 1 comprises a housing 7 which is shown in more detail in Figures 3 and 4. The housing is formed with an internal flange 9 in the region of one end thereof (the lower end as illustrated) to act as a bearing, the flange being formed with an aperture 11, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

[0039] Within the housing 7 there is provided a rotatable shaft 13 which is formed with an external annular flange 15. The rotatable shaft is shown in Figures 5 and 6. An aperture 17 is formed in the flange, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter. The shaft 13 is mounted in the housing 7 with the flange 15 at that end of the housing remote from the internal flange 9 of the housing. The internal flange 9 acts as a bearing for the shaft 13 in the region of one end thereof, while a separate bearing 19 (shown in Figure 7) is provided between the shaft and the housing around a stub portion of the shaft between the flange 15 and the end of the shaft. Consequently, the shaft is supported by bearings in the region of each end thereof. The stub portion of the shaft 13 is internally threaded, the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter and is formed with a substantially square section 21 at the end thereof.

[0040] A helically coiled torsion spring 23 extends at one end into the aperture 11 in the internal flange of the housing and at the other end thereof into the aperture 17 in the external flange of the shaft. Consequently, the spring 23 is able to exert a turning force between the housing and the shaft, the direction of the turning force depending on the nature of the spring.

[0041] That end of the housing containing the stub portion of the shaft 13 is provided with a closure 25, through which the stub shaft extends, as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0042] The housing is mounted within a leaf of a door or the like. A cylindrical recess is formed within the door leaf from an (upper) edge thereof and the housing is secured in place by means of a fixing plate 27 which is shown in detail in Figures 10 and 11. The fixing plate extends through recesses 29 formed in the end of the housing 7 and through recesses 31 formed in the end closure 25 of the housing. The fixing plate is formed with an aperture 33 for the stub shaft of the shaft 13 and is secured in place by suitable fasteners which pass through countersunk apertures 35. Clearly the form of the fixing plate can be varied if desired, for example to wrap around a 90 degree angle for fixed measurement fitting.

[0043] Figure 12 shows the rotatable lever arm 3 in more detail. The elongate arm is formed with a substantially square aperture 37 which engages with the square section 21 at the end of the stub portion of the shaft 13 so as to rotate with the shaft. The arm 3 is secured to the shaft 13 with a suitable fastener 39 which engages in the threaded bore formed in the end of the stub portion. Two further apertures 41 ensure access for fasteners for securing the fixing plate 27 to the door leaf. An aperture 43 is formed in the end of the arm 3 opposite to the square aperture 37 to provide part of a sliding pivotal connection to the elongate retainer 5 as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

[0044] The elongate retainer 5 is shown in more detail in Figures 13 and 14 and is generally in the form of a C-section channel which is secured to the frame of the door by suitable fasteners which pass through apertures 45 provided in end regions of the retainer. A friction pad 47, shown in detail in Figures 15 and 16, runs within the channel formed in the elongate retainer 5 and is provided with an elongate rib 49 which extends through the narrow part of the channel and serves to guide the friction pad along the channel. Two apertures 51, 53 are formed through the central region of the friction pad 47. Aperture 51 receives a rivet 55 (see Figure 17) which is retained in the aperture by means of a shoulder, passes through the aperture 43 in the arm 3 and is secured to the arm to allow pivoting between the friction pad 47 (and hence the elongate retainer 5) and the arm 3. Aperture 53 is threaded and receives a friction screw 57 (see Figure 18) which passes through the friction pad 47 to engage with the rear face of the channel of the retainer 5.

[0045] The outer end of the screw 57 is provided with means for allowing rotation, and therefore adjustment, of the screw (such as means for receiving an Allen key), while the end of the screw which engages with the channel is provided with a tip of plastics material having high mechanical strength, hardness and toughness to provide suitable frictional properties against the channel while remaining resistant to wear. One example of such a material is an acetal plastics material. The rear face of the elongate retainer 5 is provided with one or more elongate apertures 59. In the region of an aperture 59 there is no engagement between the friction screw 57 and the elongate retainer 5 which results in reduced friction and less resistance to movement of the door relative to the door frame. The combination of the friction screw 57 and the aperture(s) 59 can therefore be used to control the speed of movement of the door under the control of the spring 23, generally at the end of the range of movement of the door, such as to increase the speed of movement of the door when it is to latch. The friction screw can be adjusted towards or away from the rear of the channel to make the door run, respectively, more slowly or more quickly over part of its range of movement, while the length, position and number of apertures can similarly be adapted to make the door run more quickly or more slowly over part of its range of movement.

[0046] Also provided within the elongate retainer 5 is a stop 61 as shown in more detail in Figure 19. The stop is provided with apertures for the passage of fasteners (not shown) which apertures coincide with apertures 45 at one end of the retainer 5 so as to secure the stop within the retainer and limit movement of the friction pad 45 and therefore limit opening of the door. If required, the stop may provide alternative stop points, for example either by setting the ends of the stop at different lengths beyond the fasteners to set different end points depending on the way in which the stop is installed, or by providing additional apertures enabling the stop to be installed at different relative locations.

[0047] In addition to being suited for use with new doors and door frames, the door opening mechanism is capable of being fitted to an existing door and door frame, simply by drilling a recess in the top edge of the door and fastening the channel within the door frame. Once installed, the housing is concealed within the door and only the arm is visible. The mechanism can be used with any type of door in which the required recess can be formed to accommodate the housing. This includes pvcu, composite and wooden doors and/or frames. The mechanism can be adapted for left- and right-handed doors simply by reversing the action of the spring. Similarly, the mechanism can be adapted for controlling the opening or the closing of a door by reversing the action of the spring. In normal use it would be expected that the mechanism would be used for controlling closing of a door once the door has been opened. However, it is equally possible for the mechanism to provide assisted opening of a door once the door has been unlatched and will then hold the door in an opened position until the door is closed by other means, for example manually. The door operating mechanism is ideal for use in domestic situations, but can additionally be used in commercial situations and can include mechanical and/or electrical operating components.

[0048] In use of the illustrated door operating mechanism as a door closing mechanism, when the door in which the housing is mounted is opened, the rotatable lever arm 3, complete with the friction pad 47, is urged along the channel of the elongate retainer 5. Opening of the door therefore causes the shaft 13 to rotate and to load the spring 23 up to a maximum determined by the position of the stop 61. When the door is subsequently released, the spring 23 urges the shaft to rotate in the opposite direction and causes the door to close. The speed at which the door closes, though, is determined by adjustment of the friction screw 57 and the position and extent of the aperture(s) 59.

[0049] In use of the illustrated door operating mechanism as a door opening mechanism, the spring 23 is initially loaded and once the door is unlatched the spring causes the shaft 13 to rotate which in turn urges the door towards an open configuration. The speed at which the door opens is again determined by adjustment of the friction screw 57 and the position and extent of the aperture(s) 59. The stop 61 allows the extent to which the door is opened to be determined, the stop serving to maintain the door art such position until it is moved back towards a closed position and latched.

Claims

1. A door operating mechanism comprising: a body (1) including a housing (7), a shaft (13) rotatably mounted in the housing and a coil spring (23) mounted in the housing and acting between the housing and the shaft for applying a rotary force to the shaft; an elongate retainer (5); and a lever arm (3) secured at one end to the shaft so as to rotate therewith and rotatably mounted at the other end to means (47) slidably mounted to the elongate retainer.

2. A door operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (7) is provided with an internal flange (9) as a bearing support for the shaft (13).

3. A door operating mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the flange (9) is provided with an aperture (11) receiving a portion of the spring (23).

4. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a further bearing (19) is provided within the housing (7) for supporting the shaft (13).

5. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shaft (13) is provided with an aperture (17) receiving a further portion of the spring (23).

6. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing (7) is provided with fixing means (27) for securing the body (1) to a door.

7. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spring (23) is a helically coiled spring.

8. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate retainer (5) has a channel formed therein for receiving the slidably mounted means (47).

9. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate retainer (5) has a substantially C-shaped cross-section.

10. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slidably mounted means (47) comprises a friction pad.

11. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an adjustable friction member (57), such as a screw, is mounted in the slidably mounted means (47) so as to engage with the elongate retainer (5) to create friction therewith.

12. A door operating mechanism as claimed in claim 11, wherein the friction member (57) includes a portion of plastics material, such as an acetal plastics material.

13. A door operating mechanism as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein at least one aperture (59) is provided in the elongate retainer (5) where the adjustable friction member (57) does not engage with the elongate retainer.

14. A door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate retainer (5) includes a stop (61), such as an adjustable stop, for limiting movement of the slidably mounted means (47) relative to the remainder of the retainer.

15. A door assembly, including a door leaf and a door frame, and a door operating mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body (1) of the door operating mechanism is mounted in the door leaf and the elongate retainer (5) is mounted on the door frame.

Drawing