U.S. patent application number 15/665766 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-01 for door closer.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Door Closers, Inc.. Invention is credited to Danny Dean DeGott, Siho Sung.
Application Number | 20180030770 15/665766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59350192 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180030770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeGott; Danny Dean ; et
al. |
February 1, 2018 |
DOOR CLOSER
Abstract
A hydraulic door closer is disclosed. The hydraulic door closer
may include a top cap surrounded by an O-ring that is located at
the top of the hydraulic door closer housing opposite a spindle to
seal the hydraulic fluid within the housing. In addition to or in
lieu of the top cap design, the door closer may include a locking
washer to secure the valves to the housing; epoxy and an O-ring at
the interface between the top cap and the housing of the door
closer; use of a dual-walled rubber seal around the spindle; use of
dual O-rings on each valve stems; use of caps that are made of the
same material as the housing instead of aluminum and use of epoxy
on the end caps; and/or use of backcheck with an adjustable
spring.
Inventors: |
DeGott; Danny Dean;
(Nashville, TN) ; Sung; Siho; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Door Closers, Inc. |
Nashville |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59350192 |
Appl. No.: |
15/665766 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62369737 |
Aug 1, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2201/11 20130101;
F16K 1/04 20130101; E05F 3/104 20130101; E05F 3/12 20130101; F16K
3/243 20130101; E05Y 2201/10 20130101; E05Y 2900/132 20130101; Y10T
16/2769 20150115; E05F 3/227 20130101; E05Y 2600/41 20130101; E05Y
2800/28 20130101; E05Y 2800/12 20130101; E05F 3/108 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E05F 3/10 20060101
E05F003/10; E05F 3/12 20060101 E05F003/12; E05F 3/22 20060101
E05F003/22 |
Claims
1. A hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system comprising: a)
a door frame defining a door opening, the door frame comprising a
door frame width and a door frame top located above the door
opening; b) a door comprising a door top and a door width, the door
configured to pivot from a closed position in which the door covers
the door opening, the door width is substantially parallel to the
door frame width and the door top faces the door frame top, to an
open position in which the door does not cover the door opening and
in which the door width is not substantially parallel to the door
frame width; and c) a hydraulic overhead concealed door closer
located in the door frame top and comprising: i) a housing
comprising an interior, a top side, a bottom side opposite the top
side and facing the door top when the door is in the closed
position, a housing height extending from the housing top side to
the housing bottom side and generally perpendicular to the door
frame width and the door width, a front side, a rear side, a
housing thickness extending from the housing front side to the
housing rear side and generally perpendicular to the housing height
and generally perpendicular to the door width when the door is in
the closed position, a proximal end, a distal end, a housing width
extending from the housing proximal end to the housing distal end
and generally perpendicular to the housing height and the housing
thickness and generally parallel to the door width when the door is
in the closed position; ii) a cylinder located in the housing
interior, the cylinder having a cylinder length generally parallel
to the housing width; iii) a moveable piston located in the
cylinder and configured to move at least partially along the
cylinder length, the moveable piston dividing the housing interior
into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber; iv) hydraulic fluid
located in the proximal chamber and the distal chamber; v) at least
one channel located in the housing interior and configured to
transport hydraulic fluid between the proximal and distal chambers,
the at least one channel having a channel length generally parallel
to the housing width and the cylinder length; vi) a cam assembly
comprising a spindle connected to the door top, the spindle having
a spindle height generally parallel to the housing height and a
spindle perimeter generally perpendicular to the spindle height,
the spindle extending below the housing bottom side, the spindle
configured to rotate about a spindle rotational axis generally
parallel to the spindle height; and vii) a top cap having a top cap
diameter generally perpendicular to the housing height and sealing
the distal chamber from the door frame, the top cap located at the
top side of the housing and opposite to the spindle, wherein
pivoting the door from the closed position to the open position is
configured to cause the spindle to rotate about the spindle
rotational axis and cause the piston to move within the cylinder at
least partially along the cylinder length.
2. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1,
wherein the system further comprises a spindle seal, the spindle
seal surrounding and compressing against the perimeter of the
spindle and located below the top cap.
3. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 2
wherein the spindle seal comprises a diameter generally
perpendicular to the housing height.
4. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer of claim 3 wherein
the spindle seal comprises an inner wall surrounding and
compressing against the perimeter of the spindle, an outer wall, a
channel between the inner wall and outer wall, an open top end and
a closed bottom end.
5. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer of claim 4, wherein
the spindle seal is comprised of rubber.
6. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 2
wherein the system further comprises a bottom bearing located
between the spindle seal and the cam assembly, the bottom bearing
comprising a diameter generally perpendicular to the housing
height.
7. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1
wherein the top cap further comprises a top cap circumference and
further wherein the system further comprises an O-ring surrounding
the top cap circumference.
8. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1
wherein the top cap is attached to the housing via epoxy and
threading.
9. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1
wherein the top cap and the housing are comprised of the same
material.
10. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1
wherein the system further comprises at least one valve controlling
the flow of the hydraulic fluid within the at least one channel,
the at least one valve comprising a valve stem having a valve stem
height generally parallel to the housing height and further wherein
the valve stem comprises a top ridge, a middle ridge located below
the top ridge, and a lower ridge located below the top ridge and
the middle ridge, a top O-ring located between the top ridge and
the middle ridge and compressing against the valve stem and a lower
O-ring located between the middle ridge and the lower ridge and
compressing against the valve stem.
11. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1
wherein the system further comprises at least one end cap located
on the proximal end of the housing, the end cap comprising an end
cap diameter generally perpendicular to the housing width, at least
one spring located distally relative to the end cap and the piston,
the spring comprising a proximal end attached to the piston and a
distal end, the spring having a relaxed position and a compressed
position, and further wherein moving the door from the closed
position to the open position is configured to cause the door to
cause the spindle to rotate about the spindle rotation axis and
cause the spring to move from the relaxed position to the
compressed position and the piston to move distally within the
cylinder.
12. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 11
wherein the end cap is configured to seal the hydraulic fluid
within the proximal chamber and further wherein the housing and the
end cap are comprised of the same material.
13. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 11
wherein the end cap further comprises a circumference and further
wherein the system further comprises an O-ring, the O-ring
surrounding and compressing against the end cap circumference.
14. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1,
wherein pivoting the door from the closed position to the open
position is configured to cause the piston to move distally and
move hydraulic fluid located distal to the piston distally within
the cylinder.
15. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim
14, wherein moving the piston distally within the cylinder is
configured to cause hydraulic fluid to move from the distal chamber
through the at least one channel and into the proximal chamber.
16. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim 1,
wherein pivoting the door from the open position to the closed
position is configured to cause the piston to move proximally and
move hydraulic fluid located proximal to the piston proximally
within the cylinder.
17. The hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system of claim
16, wherein moving the piston proximally within the cylinder is
configured to cause hydraulic fluid to move from the proximal
chamber through the at least one channel and into the distal
chamber.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 119
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/369,737, filed Aug. 1, 2016,
entitled "DOOR CLOSER", the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to door closers, more
particularly, to hydraulic door closers whose opening cycle and
closing cycle is controlled by the movement of hydraulic fluid
within the door closer.
Background of the Invention
[0003] Hydraulic overhead concealed door closers typically include
a spindle that extends below the closer housing to connect to the
door as well as a cap on the bottom of the closer housing that
faces the door. In such prior designs, the spindle extends through
the cap. Unfortunately, such caps are often not effective in
preventing hydraulic fluid within the door closer from leaking,
which is aided by gravity.
[0004] Fluid may also leak around the exterior of the spindle due
to the fact that spindles may not have an entirely smooth exterior
surface.
[0005] In prior designs, one or more adjustment valves are usually
present. The adjustment valves control the flow of hydraulic fluid
through the door closer. Without sealing around the valves, the
valves are prone to leakage of hydraulic fluid.
[0006] Moreover, in prior designs, the end caps are typically
comprised of aluminum whereas the closer housing is typically
comprised of a different material (namely, steel) and the use of
different materials can lead to leakage.
[0007] Finally, backcheck is feature on some door closers that
prevents the door from crashing into the wall when it is opened
suddenly. However, existing backcheck designs on the market use a
fixed spring instead of an adjustable spring so that the strength
of the spring force in the existing designs cannot be adjusted by
the user.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for new door closers that are
less prone to leakage. There is also a need for new door closers
with backcheck that also include an adjustable spring.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure provides a door closer that is less
prone to leaking and/or includes backcheck with an adjustable
spring as described herein.
[0010] In some embodiments, the door closer includes one or more
features that may resist leakage of hydraulic fluid: 1) the top cap
is opposite the spindle and is on top of the housing so that
gravity does not cause fluid to leak through the cap; 2) epoxy and
an O-ring at the interface between the top cap and the housing of
the door closer; 3) use of a rubber seal around the spindle, which
may be in the form of a circular piece of rubbex with an inner wall
and outer wall and the rubber seal may compress the inner wall
against the spindle to create a seal, and the seal may be comprised
of metallocene butadiene rubber; 4) use of dual O-rings on each
valve stems, namely, adjustment valves that include--three
ridges/lip, a bottom ridge, a middle ridge, and a top ridge and an
O-ring is between the bottom ridge and the middle ridge and a
different O-ring is between the middle and between the top ridge;
and/or 5) use of caps that are made of steel (the same material as
the housing) instead of aluminum and use of epoxy on the end caps.
The present disclosure also provides use of backcheck with an
adjustable spring. The aforementioned is intended to provide a
brief summary of some of the features of the present disclosure and
is not intended to limit the present disclosure.
[0011] In some embodiments, the present overhead concealed door
closer system comprising: a) a door frame defining a door opening,
the door frame comprising a door frame width and a door frame top
located above the door opening; b) a door comprising a door top and
a door width, the door configured to pivot from a closed position
in which the door covers the door opening, the door width is
substantially parallel to the door frame width and the door top
faces the door frame top, to an open position in which the door
does not cover the door opening and in which the door width is not
substantially parallel to the door frame width; c) a hydraulic
overhead concealed door closer located in the door frame top and
comprising: i) a housing comprising an interior, a top side, a
bottom side opposite the top side and facing the door top when the
door is in the closed position, a housing height extending from the
housing top side to the housing bottom side and generally
perpendicular to the door frame width and the door width, a front
side, a rear side, a housing thickness extending from the housing
front side to the housing rear side and generally perpendicular to
the housing height and generally perpendicular to the door width
when the door is in the closed position, a proximal end, a distal
end, a housing width extending from the housing proximal end to the
housing distal end and generally perpendicular to the housing
height and the housing thickness and generally parallel to the door
width when the door is in the closed position; a cylinder located
in the housing interior, the cylinder having a cylinder length
generally parallel to the housing width; a moveable piston located
in the cylinder and configured to move at least partially along the
cylinder length, the moveable piston dividing the housing interior
into a proximal chamber and a distal chamber; iv) hydraulic fluid
located in the proximal chamber and the distal chamber; v) at least
one channel located in the housing interior and configured to
transport hydraulic fluid between the proximal and distal chambers,
the at least one channel having a channel length generally parallel
to the housing width and the cylinder length; vi) a cam assembly
comprising a spindle, the spindle having a spindle height generally
parallel to the housing height and a spindle perimeter generally
perpendicular to the spindle height, the spindle extending below
the housing bottom side, the spindle configured to rotate about a
spindle rotational axis generally parallel to the spindle height
(rotate means at least partially rotate); vii) an arm attached to
the spindle and to the door top; and viii) a top cap having a top
cap diameter generally perpendicular to the housing height and
sealing the distal chamber from the door frame, the top cap located
at the top side of the housing and opposite to the spindle (more
particularly opposite the tip of the spindle that extends below the
bottom side of the housing). Optionally, pivoting the door from the
closed position to the open position is configured to cause the
spindle to rotate (i.e., partially rotate) about the spindle
rotational axis and cause the piston to move within the cylinder at
least partially along the cylinder length. Optionally, the spindle
does not extend through the top cap. Optionally, the system further
comprises a spindle seal, the spindle seal surrounding and
compressing against the perimeter of the spindle and located below
the top cap. Optionally, the spindle seal comprises a diameter
generally perpendicular to the housing height. Optionally, the
system further comprises a bottom bearing located between the
spindle seal and the cam assembly, the bottom bearing comprising a
diameter generally perpendicular to the housing height. Optionally,
the top cap further comprises a top cap circumference and further
wherein the system further comprises an O-ring surrounding the top
cap circumference. Optionally, the top cap is attached to the
housing via epoxy and threading. Optionally, the top cap and the
housing are comprised of the same material. Optionally, the system
further comprises at least one valve controlling the flow of the
hydraulic fluid within the at least one channel, the at least one
valve comprising a valve stem having a valve stem height generally
parallel to the housing height and further wherein the valve stem
comprises a top ridge (comprising a top ridge diameter
perpendicular to the housing height), a middle ridge located below
the top ridge (and comprising a middle diameter generally
perpendicular to the housing height), and a lower ridge located
below the top ridge and the middle ridge (and comprising a lower
ridge diameter generally perpendicular to the housing height), a
top O-ring located between the top ridge (and comprising a top
O-ring diameter generally perpendicular to the housing height) and
the middle ridge and compressing against the valve stem and a lower
O-ring located between the middle ridge and the lower ridge and
compressing against the valve stem (and comprising a lower O-ring
diameter generally perpendicular to the housing height).
Optionally, the system further comprises at least one end cap
located on the proximal end of the housing, the end cap comprising
an end cap diameter generally perpendicular to the housing width,
at least one spring located distally relative to the end cap and
the piston, the spring comprising a proximal end attached to the
piston and a distal end, the spring having a relaxed position and a
compressed position, and further wherein moving the door from the
closed position to the open position is configured to cause the
door arm to cause the spindle to rotate about the spindle rotation
axis and cause the spring to move from the relaxed position to the
compressed position and the piston to move distally (and the in the
general direction of toward the spindle) within the cylinder.
Optionally, the end cap is configured to seal the hydraulic fluid
within the proximal chamber and the housing and the end cap are
comprised of the same material. Optionally, the end cap further
comprises a circumference and further wherein the system further
comprises an O-ring, the O-ring surrounding and compressing against
the end cap circumference. Optionally, pivoting the door from the
closed position to the open position is configured to cause the
piston to move distally (and generally towards the spindle) and
move hydraulic fluid located distal to the piston distally within
the cylinder. Optionally, moving the piston distally within the
cylinder is configured to cause hydraulic fluid to move from the
distal chamber through the at least one channel and into the
proximal chamber. Optionally, pivoting the door from the open
position to the closed position is configured to cause the piston
to move proximally (and generally away from the spindle) and move
hydraulic fluid located proximal to the piston proximally within
the cylinder. Optionally, moving the piston proximally within the
cylinder is configured to cause hydraulic fluid to move from the
proximal chamber through the at least one channel and into the
distal chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a hydraulic
door closer of one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a front exploded perspective view of the
hydraulic door closer of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the
hydraulic door closer of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom exploded perspective view of the
hydraulic door closer of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the hydraulic door
closer of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 5, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of the
area of the hydraulic door closer denoted by the circled region
labelled 7 in FIG. 6.
[0019] FIG. 8 illustrates a close-up cross-sectional view of the
hydraulic door closer denoted by the circled region labelled 8 in
FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates a front, exploded view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a proximal, exploded perspective view of
a portion of the hydraulic door closer of FIG. 1; in FIG. 10, the
housing is transparent to better show the channels.
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 1; FIG. 11 shows the location of the piston
during the process of moving the door from the closed position to
the open position.
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 1; FIG. 12 shows the location of the piston
when the door is in the open position.
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 1; FIG. 13 shows the location of the piston
during the process of moving the door between the opened and closed
positions.
[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 1; FIG. 14 shows the location of the piston
when the door is in the closed position.
[0026] FIG. 15 illustrates a side elevation view of the hydraulic
door closer of FIG. 1 in use in a door.
[0027] FIG. 16 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the
hydraulic door closer of FIG. 1; the spindle is not shown for ease
of viewing.
[0028] FIG. 17 illustrates a sectional view of the hydraulic door
closer of FIG. 16, taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16.
[0029] FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view of the hydraulic door
closer of FIG. 16, taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1-18, the present invention provides
a hydraulic door closer system 10. In the drawings, not all
reference numbers are included in each drawing for the sake of
clarity. Preferably, the hydraulic door closer is an overhead
concealed door closer. FIGS. 1-18 are engineering drawings, drawn
to scale. However, it will be appreciated that other dimensional
proportions between the components are possible.
[0031] Referring further to FIGS. 1-18, in some embodiments, the
system is a hydraulic overhead concealed door closer system 10
comprising: a) a door frame 12 defining a door opening 14, the door
frame 12 comprising a door frame width 16, a door frame height 18
generally perpendicular to the door frame width 16, and a door
frame top 17 located above the door opening 14; b) a door
comprising a door top 20 and a door width 22, the door configured
to pivot from a closed position in which the door covers the door
opening 14, the door width 22 is substantially parallel to the door
frame width 16 and the door top 20 faces the door frame top 17, to
an open position in which the door does not cover the door opening
14 and in which the door width 22 is not substantially parallel to
the door frame width 16; and c) a hydraulic overhead concealed door
closer 24 that may be located in the door frame top 17. The
hydraulic overhead concealed door closer 24 may include i) a
housing 26 comprising an interior 28, a top side 30, a bottom side
32 opposite the top side 30 and facing the door top 20 when the
door is in the closed position, a housing height 34 extending from
the housing top side 30 to the housing bottom side 32 and generally
perpendicular to the door frame width 16 and the door width 22, a
front side 36, a rear side 38, a housing thickness 40 extending
from the housing front side 36 to the housing rear side 38 and
generally perpendicular to the housing height 34 and generally
perpendicular to the door width 22 when the door is in the closed
position, a proximal end 44, a distal end 42, a housing width 46
extending from the housing proximal end 44 to the housing distal
end 42 and generally perpendicular to the housing height 34 and the
housing thickness 40 and generally parallel to the door width 22
when the door is in the closed position. The hydraulic overhead
concealed door closer 10 may also include a cylinder 48 located in
the housing interior 28, the cylinder 48 having a cylinder length
50 generally parallel to the housing width 46 as well as a moveable
piston 52 located in the cylinder 48 and configured to move at
least partially along the cylinder length 50, the moveable piston
52 dividing the housing interior 28 into a proximal chamber 56 and
a distal chamber 54. The door closer may include multiple cylinders
48, each of which may have a piston 52. The door closer interior
also includes fluid, e.g., hydraulic fluid, located in the proximal
chamber 56 and the distal chamber 54. The door closer 10 may also
include at least one channel 58A and 58B located in the housing
interior 28 and configured to transport hydraulic fluid between the
proximal and distal chambers 56 and 54, the at least one channel
58A and 58B having a channel length 60 generally parallel to the
housing width 46 and the cylinder length 50. Multiple channels 58A
and 58B and drains 119, 120, 121 and 122 such as those shown in the
drawings are possible. The door closer 10 may also include a cam
assembly 62 comprising a spindle 64, the spindle 64 having a
spindle height 66 generally parallel to the housing height 34 and a
spindle perimeter 68 generally perpendicular to the spindle height
66, the spindle 64 extending below the housing bottom side 32, the
spindle 64 configured to rotate about a spindle rotational axis 70
generally parallel to the spindle height 66 (rotate means at least
partially rotate). The system may also include an arm 72 attached
to the spindle 64 and to the door top 20. The arm 72 may close
around the spindle 64 and be adjustable using for example an Allen
wrench. The door closer 10 may also include a top cap 78 having a
top cap diameter 80 generally perpendicular to the housing height
34 and sealing the distal chamber 54 from the door frame 12, the
top cap 78 located at the top side 30 of the housing 26 and
opposite to the spindle 64. The top cap 78 may be located directly
above the spindle 64. As shown in the drawings, the spindle 64
generally does not protrude through the top cap 78. Optionally,
pivoting the door from the closed position to the open position is
configured to cause the spindle 64 to rotate (i.e., partially
rotate) about the spindle rotational axis 70 and cause the piston
52 to move within the cylinder 48 at least partially along the
cylinder length 50. Optionally, the system further comprises a
spindle seal 82, the spindle seal 82 surrounding and compressing
against the perimeter 68 of the spindle 64 and located below the
top cap 78. Optionally, the spindle seal 82 comprises a diameter 84
generally perpendicular to the housing height 34. Optionally, as
best seen in FIG. 7, the spindle seal 82 has an inner wall 83, an
outer wall 85, a v-shaped channel 87 between the inner wall 83 and
outer wall 85, an open top end 89 (as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7)
and a closed bottom end 91 (as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7). Prior
to assembly into the housing 26, the inner wall 83 is angled (e.g.,
at approximately an angle of between about 10 to about 30 degrees
relative to the outer wall 85). Once the spindle seal 82 is placed
in the housing 26, it pushes against the spindle 64 for better
sealing. The spindle seal 82 may be comprised of rubber, for
example.
[0032] Optionally, the system further comprises a bottom bearing 86
located between the spindle seal 82 and the cam assembly 62, the
bottom bearing 86 comprising a diameter 88 generally perpendicular
to the housing height 34. The system may also include a top bearing
128 located above the spindle seal 82. Optionally, the top cap 78
further comprises a top cap circumference 90 and further wherein
the system further comprises an O-ring 92 surrounding the top cap
circumference 90. Optionally, the top cap 78 is attached to the
housing 26 via epoxy and threading. Optionally, the top cap 78 and
the housing 26 are comprised of the same material. Optionally, the
system further comprises at least one valve 94A, 94B, and 94C
controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid within the at least one
channel 58A and 58B, the at least one valve 94A, 94B, and 94C
comprising a valve stem 96 having a valve stem height generally
parallel to the housing height 34 and further wherein the valve
stem 96 comprises a top ridge 98 (comprising a top ridge diameter
perpendicular to the housing height 34), a middle ridge 100 located
below the top ridge 98 (and comprising a middle diameter generally
perpendicular to the housing height 34), and a lower ridge 102
located below the top ridge 98 and the middle ridge 100 (and
comprising a lower ridge diameter generally perpendicular to the
housing height 34), a top O-ring 104 located between the top ridge
98 (and comprising a top O-ring diameter generally perpendicular to
the housing height 34) and the middle ridge 100 and compressing
against the valve stem 96 and a lower O-ring 106 located between
the middle ridge 100 and the lower ridge 102 and compressing
against the valve stem 96 (and comprising a lower O-ring diameter
generally perpendicular to the housing height 34). The valves
94A-C, which may be adjustable via a screw driver, may also be
secured into housing 26 through the use of locking rings/washers
131 that are stamped into the housing 26 above the valves 94A-C,
and prevent the valves 94A-C from screwing out of the housing 26.
More particularly, the locking rings 131 may have a diameter that
is slightly larger than the diameters of each of the housing ports
leading to the valves 94A-C, and the locking rings 131 are press
fit/stamped to force the locking rings 131 through the smaller
ports.
[0033] Optionally, the system further comprises at least one end
cap 108 located on the distal end 42 of the housing 26, the end cap
108 comprising an end cap diameter 110 generally perpendicular to
the housing width 46, at least one spring 112 located proximally
relative to the end cap 108 and the piston 52, the spring 112
comprising a distal end 116 attached to the piston 52 and a
proximal end 114, the spring 112 having a relaxed position and a
compressed position, and further wherein moving the door from the
closed position to the open position is configured to cause the
door arm 72 to cause the spindle 64 to rotate about the spindle
rotation axis 70 and cause the spring 112 to move from the relaxed
position to the compressed position and the piston 52 to move
distally (and in the general direction of toward the spindle 64)
within the cylinder 48. Optionally, the spring 112 is adjustable by
a user, e.g., by turning a component on the end cap 108.
Optionally, the end cap 108 is configured to seal the hydraulic
fluid within the proximal chamber 56 and further wherein the
housing 26 and the end cap 108 are comprised of the same material.
Optionally, the end cap 108 further comprises a circumference and
further wherein the system further comprises an end cap O-ring 118,
the end cap O-ring 118 surrounding and compressing against the end
cap circumference. Optionally, pivoting the door from the closed
position to the open position is configured to cause the piston 52
to move distally (and generally towards the spindle 64) and move
hydraulic fluid located distal to the piston 52 distally within the
cylinder 48. Optionally, moving the piston 52 distally within the
cylinder 48 is configured to cause hydraulic fluid to move from the
distal chamber 54 through the at least one channel 58A and 58B and
into the proximal chamber 56. Optionally, pivoting the door from
the open position to the closed position is configured to cause the
piston 52 to move proximally (and generally away from the spindle
64) and move hydraulic fluid located proximal to the piston 52
proximally within the cylinder 48. Optionally, moving the piston 52
proximally within the cylinder 48 is configured to cause hydraulic
fluid to move from the proximal chamber 56 through the at least one
channel 58A and 58B and into the distal chamber 54.
[0034] Optionally, the system is assembled as shown in FIG. 2, with
the bottom bearing 86 placed in the port/opening 126 in the housing
26 that the top cap 78 closes, followed by the cam assembly 62,
followed by the top cap 78. The top cap 78 is positioned by moving
the top cap 78 toward the port/opening 126 in the housing 26. As
shown, the spindle 64 does not protrude through the top cap 78.
[0035] The system may be sold without the door, door frame 12, and
arm 72. The present disclosure may also be used in a method that
includes providing the door closer 10 and installing the door
closer 10 in a door frame 12 and attaching the door closer 10 to a
door.
[0036] The spring 112 may be bolted to the cam assembly 62 using
the bolts 130 shown in FIG. 9.
[0037] The at least one channel may include several channels 58A
and 58B that are regulated by several valves (e.g., a backcheck
valve 94C which is nearest to the spindle 64, a sweep valve 94B,
and a latch valve 94A that is furthest from the spindle 64), as
well as drains 119, 120, 121, and 122 and balls 123.
[0038] Operation of the Door Closer
[0039] One example of operation of the door closer 10 will now be
described. It will be understood that the operation provided is
exemplary.
[0040] The Operation of the Sweep and Latch Valve
[0041] Opening the backcheck valve 94C reduces backcheck and makes
the door easier to open. Closing the sweep valve 94B and latch
valve 94A makes the sweep and latch closing of the door slower.
[0042] While opening backcheck valve 94C, close sweep valve 94B and
latch valve 94A
[0043] The door is moved from the closed position to the open
position.
[0044] The spindle 64 rotates, moving the piston 52 distally
towards the spindle 64 and the housing distal end 42, compressing
the spring 112. The piston 52 moves through the backcheck drain
hole 119. Fluid in the distal chamber 54 moves to the proximal
chamber 56 by moving through the main hole 132, upwardly through
the backcheck drain hole 119 where the fluid is blocked by steel
ball 123, and then travels through the drain hole 122.
[0045] The spring 112 relaxes, and the piston 52 moves proximally
towards the end cap 108, causing the spindle 64 to return to the
start position.
[0046] With the movement above, opening the sweep valve 94B makes
the fluid in the proximal chamber 56 move to the distal chamber 54
using sweep drain hole 121, sweep valve 94B, drain hole 122 and
piston 52.
[0047] When fluid in the distal chamber 54 is moving, if the piston
52 is blocking sweep drain hole 121, sweeping is done. See FIG.
11.
[0048] When sweeping is done, opening the latch valve 94A will
allow leftover fluid in the proximal chamber 56 to move back to the
distal chamber 54 using latch drain hole 120, upwardly through
latch valve 94A, downwardly through sweep valve 94B, out drain hole
122 and piston 52, as a result the door is fully closed. See FIG.
12.
[0049] The Operation of the Backcheck Valve
[0050] Fully close backcheck valve 94C, the door is opened,
rotating the spindle 64 and moving the piston 52 distally (toward
the spindle 64), as fluid moves from the distal chamber 54 to the
proximal chamber 56 via the backcheck drain hole 119. While the
piston 52 is blocking the backcheck drain hole 119, the piston 52
cannot move since fluid is controlled by backcheck drain hole 119
only. See FIG. 12.
[0051] When the piston 52 is not moving, the spindle 64 cannot
rotate further due to the intense pressure in the housing interior
28. This is what is referred to as backcheck.
[0052] (When the backcheck valve 94C is fully closed, a very small
amount of oil flows in the gap between the cylinder 48 and piston
52, allowing the door to open slowly further).
[0053] The items referred to above are labelled in the drawings per
the below legend.
TABLE-US-00001 system 10 door frame 12 door opening 14 door frame
width 16 door frame height 18 door top 20 door width 22 closer 24
housing 26 interior 28 housing top 30 housing bottom 32 housing
height 34 front side 36 rear side 38 housing thickness 40 distal
end 42 proximal end 44 housing width 46 cylinder 48 cylinder length
50 piston 52 distal chamber 54 proximal chamber 56 channel 58A
& B channel length 60 cam assembly 62 spindle 64 spindle height
66 spindle perimeter 68 spindle rotational axis 70 arm 72 top cap
78 top cap diameter 80 spindle seal 82 Spindle seal inner wall 83
spindle seal diameter 84 Spindle seal outer wall 85 bottom bearing
86 Spindle seal groove 87 bottom bearing diameter 88 Spindle seal
top 89 top cap circumference 90 Spindle seal bottom 91 top cap
o-ring 92 at least one valve 94A, B, C valve stem 96 top ridge 98
middle ridge 100 lower ridge 102 top o-ring 104 lower o-ring 106
end cap 108 end cap diameter 110 spring 112 spring distal end 114
spring proximal end 116 end cap o-ring 118 back check drain hole
119 latch drain hole 120 sweep drain hole 121 drain hole 122 steel
ball 123 Port of housing 126 Top Bearing 128 Bolts 130 Locking ring
131 Main drain hole 132
[0054] Having now described the invention in accordance with the
requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will
understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed
embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions.
Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the steps of any
method described herein may be performed in any suitable order and
steps may be performed simultaneously if needed.
[0055] Terms of degree such as "generally", "substantially",
"about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a reasonable amount
of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not
significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as
including a deviation of at least .+-.5% of the modified term if
this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it
modifies. In addition, the steps of the methods described herein
can be performed in any suitable order, including
simultaneously.
* * * * *