U.S. patent number 3,777,423 [Application Number 05/216,202] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-11 for condition responsive door holder-closer.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rixson Inc.. Invention is credited to Gordon L. Coulter, Duane D. Pearsall.
United States Patent |
3,777,423 |
Coulter , et al. |
December 11, 1973 |
CONDITION RESPONSIVE DOOR HOLDER-CLOSER
Abstract
A surface-mounted door holder-closer responsive to the products
of combustion passing through multiple passageways formed in a
holder-closer housing cover, a holder-closer assembly frame, and a
static shield which is an integral part of an ionization chamber
module. The ionization chamber module is insertable into the
holder-closer frame with the frame and static shield not only
defining the passageways, but also isolating the ion chamber from
spurious static charges generated within the housing which would
render a false alarm or false emergency door release. The frame
also houses the principal components of the holder-closer, namely,
a closer spring, a dashpot, a latching lever assembly, and an
electromagnet responsive to modulated current flow in the
ionization chamber to effect alarm or emergency release of the
latching lever to close an otherwise open door. The integrated
detector-holder-closer is advantageously and simply mounted on the
lintel or header of a door frame.
Inventors: |
Coulter; Gordon L. (Arlington
Heights, IL), Pearsall; Duane D. (Morrison, CO) |
Assignee: |
Rixson Inc. (Franklin Park,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22806146 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/216,202 |
Filed: |
January 7, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/31; 49/2;
49/379; 16/48.5; 49/279; 340/629 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F
3/222 (20130101); A62C 2/12 (20130101); E05F
15/72 (20150115); E05F 1/006 (20130101); E05Y
2201/462 (20130101); Y10T 16/22 (20150115); E05Y
2201/484 (20130101); E05Y 2900/132 (20130101); E05Y
2800/42 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05F
3/00 (20060101); A62C 2/00 (20060101); A62C
2/12 (20060101); E05F 3/22 (20060101); E05F
1/00 (20060101); E05F 15/20 (20060101); E05f
015/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/1,2,31,279,364,379
;16/48.5,65,80 ;317/131,132 ;340/220,222,237S |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bell; J. Karl
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A condition responsive door holder-closer comprising a housing,
a closer spring and a dashpot disposed within the housing, a drive
spindle projecting through the housing and coupled to the
spring-dashpot subcombination to be responsive to the damped forces
exerted by the subcombination, means within the housing for
latching the spindle at a door hold-open position, means including
one or more openings in said housing for defining passageways
within said housing to facilitate fluid flow within the housing
including the products of combustion, a detector for the
particulate products of combustion located within the housing and
in which detector an electrical current characteristic is altered
in response to the detection of such particulate products of
combustion, and means interconnecting the detector to the spindle
latching means to actuate the latch in response to the flow of the
particulate products of combustion through said housing passageway
means.
2. The combination of claim 1 in which the housing is generally
horizontally disposed on a door frame immediately over the door,
and an arm couples the spindle to the door so that the door and
spindle are responsive motionwise to one another.
3. The combination of claim 2 in which the door is pivoted for
movement relative the frame, the spindle being located adjacent the
pivot axis for the door and generally at one end of the housing,
and the passageway defining means being generally located at the
opposite end of the housing remote from the pivot axis.
4. The combination of claim 3 in which the door holder-closer
housing is elongated and generally horizontally disposed on the
surface of the frame.
5. The combination of claim 4 in which the passageway defined
through the housing is generally vertical.
6. The combination of claim 5 in which the passageway defined
through the housing is both vertical and horizontal attained by
openings located on the top, front, and bottom of the housing.
7. The combination of claim 1 in which the passageway means
includes an electrostatic shield, and the detector is an ionization
chamber.
8. The combination of claim 1 in which the detector is an
ionization detector.
9. A condition responsive door holder-closer contained within a
housing and including means for mounting the housing adjacent the
header portion of a door frame, comprising a particulate products
of combustion condition detector located within the housing and
responsive to fluid flow carrying the particulate products of
combustion and in which detector an electrical current
characteristic is altered in response to the detection of such
particulate products of combustion, means including one or more
openings in said housing defining a fluid flow passageway within
said housing to said condition responsive detector, a closer-holder
spring-dashpot combination including electrically operated means
for arresting the spring-dashpot combination to a door hold-open
position with the spring, dashpot and electrically operated means
being disposed within the housing, and means interconnecting the
condition responsive detector to the electrically operated
arresting means whereby the passage of the particulate products of
combustion through an opening into the passageway releases an
arrested spring-dashpot combination.
10. The combination of claim 9 in which the one or more openings is
located generally at one end of the housing, and means located
generally at the other end of the housing and projecting
therethrough for coupling to a door to effect hold-open and also
door release.
11. The combination of claim 10 in which a door opening is defined
by a frame having a header portion at the top of the frame, and in
which the housing is supported at the top of the frame with one or
more housing openings being generally located toward the
mid-portion of the header and the door coupling means being located
generally at an end portion of the header.
12. The combination of claim 9 in which a plurality of housing
openings defines a complete fluid flow passageway into and out of
the housing.
13. The combination of claim 11 in which a plurality of housing
openings defines a complete fluid flow passageway into and out of
the housing.
14. The combination of claim 9 in which an electrostatic shield
located within the housing isolates the fluid flow passageway
therein electrostatically, and in which the detector is an ion
chamber communicating with the passageway.
15. The combination of claim 12 in which an electrostatic shield
located within the housing isolates the fluid flow passageway
therein electrostatically, and in which the detector is an ion
chamber communicating with the passageway.
16. The combination of claim 9 in which the detector is an
ionization detector.
17. A condition responsive door holder-closer to control a door
pivotally mounted relative an opening defined by a frame having a
header portion at the top of the frame, comprising a housing
adapted to be supported above the door on or near the header
portion, a closer spring and a dashpot disposed within the housing,
a drive spindle projecting through the housing and coupled to the
spring-dashpot combination to be responsively rotatable by the
damped forces exerted by the combination, the spindle being located
adjacent the pivot axis of the door and generally near an end of
the housing mounted adjacent an end of the header portion, an arm
coupling the projected end of the spindle to the door to also
responsively rotate the spindle by forces exerted on the door, a
detector for the particulate products of combustion located
generally at the opposite end of the housing toward the mid-portion
of the door opening and in which detector an electrical current
characteristic is altered in response to the detection of such
particulate products of combustion, electrically operated means
located within the housing for arresting the spring-dashpot
combination to a door hold-open position, and means interconnecting
the condition responsive detector to the electrically operated
arresting means whereby the passage of the particulate products of
combustion through the door opening releases an arrested
spring-dashpot combination to close an open door.
18. The combination of claim 17 in which the housing is elongated
and is disposed generally horizontally on its elongated axis.
19. The combination of claim 17 in which the de-tector is an
ionization detector.
20. In a condition responsive door holder-closer contained within a
housing and adapted to be mounted immediately over a door opening,
the holder-closer including electrically operated means within the
housing for effecting door hold-open and door-closing conditions,
the improvement comprising a particulate products of combustion
detector located within the housing and responsive to particulate
products of combustion and in which detector an electrical current
characteristic is altered in response to the detection of such
particulate products of combustion, means including one or more
openings in said housing defining a fluid flow passageway within
said housing to said detector, and means interconnecting the
detector to the electrically operated means whereby the passage of
the particulate products of combustion through the passageway
actuates the door holder-closer from a hold-open to a door closing
condition.
21. The combination of claim 20 in which the detector is an
ionization detector.
22. The combination of claim 21 including means for shielding the
ionization detector from spurious electrostatic charges.
23. The combination of claim 20 in which the housing is generally
elongated with passageway openings being located generally at one
end of the elongated housing.
24. The combination of claim 23 in which the housing is adapted to
be generally horizontally mounted on a header portion of a door
frame with the openings being located generally toward the center
of the door header.
25. The combination of claim 24 in which the detector is an
ionization detector.
26. The combination of claim 25 including means for shielding the
ionization detector from spurious electrostatic charges.
27. The combination of claim 25 in which the housing openings are
disposed to provide generally vertical fluid flow through the
housing for the particulate products of combustion.
28. The combination of claim 25 in the housing includes top, bottom
and front walls and in which openings are provided in all of said
walls for passage of the particulate products of combustion.
29. In a condition responsive door holder contained within a
housing and adapted to be mounted immediately over a door opening,
the holder including electrically operated means within the housing
for effecting a door hold-open condition, the improvement
comprising a particulate products of combustion detector located
within the housing and responsive to particulate products of
combustion and in which detector an electrical current
characteristic is altered in response to detection of such
particulate products of combustion, means including one or more
openings in said housing defining a fluid flow passageway within
said housing to said detector, and means interconnecting the
detector to the electrically operated means whereby the passage of
the particulate products of combustion through the passageway
actuates the door holder from a hold-open condition whereby the
door is no longer positively held open by the door holder.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is prolific in door holder-closer structures
responsive to the products of combustion to effect an alarm or
emergency release of open doors. Where such doors are released by
detectors, several approaches have been employed, generally ranging
from door release by a complex central fire alarm system
characterized by detectors spaced throughout a structure under
surveillance to a simple form of a fusible element mounted on the
arm of a door closer.
The most common type of quick response detector employed has been a
photocell (refraction type) detector or an ionization detector
mounted on the ceiling of a corridor, approximately five feet from
a fire resistant door to effect a barrier which will prevent
passage of the products of combustion from one section of a
building to another. As a general rule, if the top of the door, or
lintel, extends below the corridor ceiling over 18 inches, it is
standard practice to install a second detector on the opposite side
of the door, again, approximately 5 feet from the door. The
corridor closure may be a single door or a dual door using an
electromagnetic door holder-closer on each door. In any event, each
detector is located remotely from the controlled holder-closer.
Accordingly, at least two units must be separately mounted with
interconnecting wiring.
In the event products of combustion are generated, a detector
located on the ceiling causes the release of all controlled doors
to close the corridors. At this stage, personnel evacuation of a
building is possible since the doors will open in the direction of
egress from the building. However, in many cases premature and
unsafe door closing is effected because the detection of ceiling
smoke will occur well before the exitways through the doors become
smoke laden. Accordingly, the doors must be manually reopened to
permit evacuation of those persons who may have delayed their
exit.
Examples of prior art patents relating to condition detectors and
also detector responsive doors are as follows:
U.S. Pat. Filed Inventor Title No. 2,665,129 1-5-54 Durbin et al.
Thermoelectric Door Operating Mechanism 3,009,138 11-14-61 Lindsay
Radioactive Burglar Alarm System 3,039,764 6-19-62 Heinsman et al.
Electric Door Operator 3,069,997 12-25-62 Julian Apparatus for
Preventing Exfiltration of Smoke-Laden Air from Smokehouse
Enclosures 3,207,273 9-21-65 Jurin Closure Release Device 3,430,220
2-25-69 Deuth Fire Detector 3,445,669 5-20-69 Jordan et al.
Radiation Sensitive Carbon Monoxide Detector 3,447,152 5-27-69
Jensen Fire and Smoke Alarm Device 3,495,353 2-17-70 Forsberg Door
Operating Mechanism 3,496,381 2-17-70 Wisnia Proximity Control
Guard Plate 3,497,995 3-3-70 Forsberg Height Sensitive Proximity
Door Operator System 3,500,368 3-10-70 Nagoa Abe Automatic Ionic
Fire Alarm System 3,534,499 10-20-70 Chaffee Door Opening
Apparatus
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention herein described incorporates an ionization detector
in the holder-closer housing. The housing is preferably located
above the door on the lintel or header of the door frame. Any
products of combustion pass through multiple passageways located
within the holder-closer housing to actuate the detector. Location
of the detector at this point and within the holder-closer housing
effects a major safety advantage. Instead of each controlled door
closing at the first evidence of smoke at the ceiling (and the
ceiling may be from 7 to 14 feet high), each door will now remain
open until the smoke "level" builds downward from the ceiling to
the height of the door -- leaving the doors open for persons to
move in either direction -- until such time as smoke or products of
combustion begin to block the actual exitway.
It is impossible to predict the logic of most persons under a fire
or panic condition. Faced with closed doors, many persons will
panic even though the doors will manually open with a normal force.
Moreover, early door closing is highly disadvantageous for those
buildings within which non-ambulatory patients are housed.
The location of the detector near the center of the door or, in the
case of a double door closure, near the center of the corridor, is
simply the best location to detect smoke. This detector location is
effectively attained by this invention because the end of the
closer-holder housing containing the detector is generally so
located. There is a natural flow of air or draft through a closure
opening. This flow will carry the products of combustion through
this opening and also effectively through the detector fluid flow
passageways formed into the surface mounted holder-closer of this
invention. The detector, however, is not actuated until the exitway
is subject to smoke passage; thus, facilitating evacuation until
the last possible safe moment.
Additionally, the present invention has the economic advantage that
regardless of the height of the corridor ceiling relative to the
height of the door, one detector is all that is required to
properly monitor the door. The interconnection of separated
detectors and controlled holder-closers is eliminated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that all of the structural features for attaining the
objects of this invention may be readily understood, reference is
herein made to the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view showing the surface application of the condition
responsive door holder-closer of this invention to a single
door;
FIG. 2 is a view showing the application of one door holder-closer
of this invention to control a pair of corridor doors;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing certain principal components of
the door holder-closer, namely, the ionization chamber module, the
holder-closer assembly, and the cover;
FIG. 4 is an exploded fragmentary view showing the top-bottom
access openings for the products of combustion in the cover, the
ionization chamber module, and the holder-closer frame;
FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 showing
the relative alignment of the front-top-bottom openings of the
cover, frame and module which provide fluid flow access to the
ionization chamber;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the relative alignment of the front
and bottom openings;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the cover with portions broken away to
show the relative alignment of the openings;
FIG. 8 is a front fragmentary view of the portion of the door
holder-closer containing the ionization chamber module with certain
components being broken away to expose principal elements of the
ionization chamber module;
FIG. 9 is a bottom fragmentary view of the portion of the door
holder-closer containing the ionization chamber module with certain
components being broken away to expose elements of the ionization
chamber module and also to show the relative disposition of the
module relative the closer spring;
FIG. 10 is a section view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 5 showing
details of the ionization chamber, its protective screen, and also
the static shield;
FIG. 11 is a top fragmentary view of the door holder-closer
assembly, showing in full or in section the principal components of
the holder-closer,namely, the closer spring, dashpot,
electromagnet, and the latching lever assembly;
FIG. 12 is a front view of the structure of FIG. 11 with the
dashpot partially in section (see lines 12--12 of FIG. 11) to show
the details of the dashpot and the dashpot rollers;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the door holder-closer showing the
latching lever assembly being manually overridden from a hold-open
position and with the electromagnet energized;
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of the door holder-closer showing the
latching lever assembly being released in response to the
deenergization of the electromagnet;
FIG. 15 is a rear view showing the latching lever assembly coupled
to the holder-closer dashpot by a fulcrum pin;
FIG. 16 is a section view of the latching lever assembly taken
along line 16--16 of FIG. 15; and
FIG. 17 is a schematic circuit, with the principal components of
the door holder-closer being diagrammatically shown, which shows
the failsafe connection of the ionization chamber module to its
associated circuitry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, the condition responsive electromechanical
door holder-closer 1 of this invention is shown typically applied
to a flush door 2 which is supported by a plurality of butt hinges
3 (only one of which is shown) upon a conventional metal door frame
4.
In general, door holder-closer 1 includes a track 5 within which a
slide block (not shown) reciprocates. The left end of standard arm
6 is coupled to the slide block. The right end of arm 6 is coupled
to the projecting end of a rotating drive spindle (114 of FIG. 12)
which is an integral part of the holder-closer dashpot.
The door holder-closer housing includes a cover 7 which contains
the principal components of this invention, namely, an ionization
chamber module, a coil spring, a link chain, a dashpot and an
electromagnetic lever assembly.
In the usual preferred installation of door holder-closer 1, cover
7 and its contained components are fixedly positioned on the header
trim 8 of door frame 4, and track 5 is fixedly positioned
immediately below cover 7 adjacent the upper edge of flush door 2
as is shown in FIG. 1.
As is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7, cover 7 has a planar bottom
wall 9, a planar front wall 10 with curved ends, and a planar top
wall 11.
Bottom wall 9 is formed with a plurality of rectangular openings
12, front wall 10 is formed with three rows of circular openings
13, and top wall 11 formed with a plurality of rectangular openings
14. As is hereafter outlined in detail, openings 12, 13 and 14
located in cover 7 are so aligned with other openings to provide
fluid flow access for the products of combustion to an ionization
chamber which is part of the ionization chamber module located
within the housing.
FIG. 2 shows the application of one condition responsive door
holder-closer 1 of this invention to control a pair of corridor
doors 2 and 2'. Each door 2, 2' is controlled by a closer 1, 1',
respectively.
It should be noted, however, that only door 2 is controlled by a
holder-closer 1 which includes a cover 7 formed with a plurality of
openings such as shown with respect to cover 7 of FIG. 1.
Holder-closer 1' which controls door 2' is contained within a cover
7' which has no openings that correspond to openings 12, 13 and 14
of cover 7. In general, holder-closer 1' is constructed in a manner
identical to that of condition responsive holder-closer 1 with the
exception that no ionization chamber module is included within the
closer 1'. As will be hereinafter outlined, the electrical
circuitry of closers 1 and 1' are interconnected so that if
holder-closer 1 detects products of combustion, both closers are
activated simultaneously so as to close doors 2, 2' in response to
such detection. It has been found that it is unnecessary in the
application of a pair of doors which close off a hall or corridor
to employ individual detectors within each of closers 1 and 1'
inasmuch as the single detector is capable of adequate response to
close off both doors.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the two principal components of
the door holder-closer 1, namely, the ionization chamber module 15
and the door holder-closer assembly 16. Module 15 is insertable
within assembly 16 by module movement in the direction of the
arrow, and the combined module holder-closer assembly is enclosed
by cover 7 by relative movement of combined components 15 and 16 in
the direction of the arrows toward cover 7.
Door holder-closer assembly 16 includes a metallic frame 17 which
is generally U-shaped in cross section, having an elongated
irregular bottom 18, a connecting back 19, and an elongated
irregular top 20. As is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, frame
bottom 18 and frame top 20 are formed with elongated openings 21
and 22, respectively. The plurality of cover openings 12 are
aligned with frame opening 21 as is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, so that
opening 21 provides bottom access for openings 12 into the interior
of frame 17. Similarly, the plurality of cover openings 14 are
aligned with frame opening 22 so that top access may be had into
the interior of frame 17.
In view of the fact that frame 17 has no front covering adjacent
frame openings 21 and 22, cover openings 13 permit direct fluid
flow access into frame 17 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, ionization chamber module 15 is an
integral electrical unit having a body portion 15a from which a
finger portion 15b projects. As is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, frame 17
is formed with a chamber which will receive module 15. Module 15
comprises basically two parallelly disposed circuit boards 30 and
31 (see FIGS. 5, 8) which are fabricated of insulated material.
Circuit boards 30, 31 are fixed in the parallel disposition by
means of metallic spacer bars 32, 33, 34 (FIGS. 8, 9) and others
which are not shown in the drawings.
Electrical components and interconnecting wiring generally
denominated by numeral 35 are mounted between circuit boards 30, 31
and in some cases the components are supported directly by the
circuit boards. These components constitute part of the ionization
chamber amplifier hereinafter described. The exterior sides of
circuit boards 30, 31, as well as the bottom edges of these boards
adjacent frame connecting back 19 and the top edges of module
finger portion 15b are all protectively insulated by a paper
insulator covering 36. A metallic shield plate 37 covers the edges
of module body portion 15a adjacent cover 7 (see FIGS. 8 and
9).
Cover plate 37 supports reset pushbutton switch 38 and pilot light
39 so that these two components are exposed through appropriately
located openings positioned in cover 7 (see FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). The
operation of these components is hereafter described with respect
to FIG. 17.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, spacer bars 33 and 34 support metallic
plate 45 transversely disposed between circuit boards 30 and
31.
As is best shown in FIG. 10, the right surface of metallic plate 45
supports ion chamber 46. Ion chamber 46 is generally cup-shaped in
cross section having a cylindrical side wall 47 joined by a bottom
48 contacting plate 45. Circular opening 49 provides access to the
interior of ion chamber 46 (see FIG. 5).
Radioactive source 50 is supported on the right end of metallic
positive electrode post 51 so that the source is centrally located
within the ion chamber (see FIG. 5 also). Insulator bushing 52
isolates electrode 51 from the metallic plate 45.
In the preferred commercial embodiment, radioactive source 50 is a
sandwich comprising a silver layer 50a, a gold layer 50b containing
dispersed Americium oxide and a gold sealing layer 50c.
A U-shaped metallic static shield 60 is supported on spacer bars 33
and 34 by a plurality of front spacer bushings 61 and a plurality
of bottom spacer bushings 62.
Electrostatic shield 60 generally comprises two rectangular,
metallic, plate-like spaced legs 63 and 64 connected by curved
portions 65 and 66 (see FIGS. 8, 9). Support tabs 67 and 68 project
from between curved connector portions 65, 66 so as to be
supportedly sandwiched between front spacer bushings 61. Front
access opening 70 which provides a fluid passageway to ion chamber
46 is defined by connector portions 65, 66 and tabs 67, 68 (see
FIGS. 6 and 8).
The spacing of shield legs 63 and 64 defines a bottom access
opening 71 and top access opening 72 to ion chamber 46 (FIG.
7).
As is shown in FIG. 5, shield leg 63 is formed with a central hole
which defines opening 49 for ion chamber 46. Accordingly, fluid
flow access into the interior of chamber 46 is provided by the
following three passageways:
(1) front passageway -- through cover openings 13, front shield
opening 70 to chamber opening 49 (FIGS.5,6,7 and 8);
(2) bottom passageway - through cover openings 12, frame opening
21, shield opening 71 to chamber opening 49 (FIGS.4,5, 6,7);
and
(3) top passageway - through cover openings 14, frame opening 22,
shiled opening 72 and chamber opening 49 (FIGS. 5, 7).
As is hereinafter outlined with reference to the
schematicdiagrammatic representation of FIG. 17, fluid flow, i.e.,
the passing of the products of combustion through the foregoing
passageways affects the electrical conductivity between source 50
and ion chamber sidewall 47 so that appropriate amplifier circuitry
can detect such products.
Positive electrode 51 and associated components are shielded within
metallic housing 75 supported on the left surface of metallic plate
45.
In view of the fact that small particles other than those created
by the products of combustion, such as insects, can also create a
current flow change within ion chamber 46 which simulates smoke or
fire, screen 76 envelops the outside surface of cylinder sidewall
47. This screen also extends between shield legs 63 and 64 (FIGS. 9
and 10). Accordingly, all fluid flow into ion chamber 46 must pass
through the cylindrical wall of the screen located between shield
legs 63 and 64.
Additionally, the screen prevents the radioactive source 50 from
falling outside of cover 7 in the event the source support on post
51 is broken. This is a necessary safety measure.
The principal components of door holder-closer 1 which cooperate
with ionization chamber module 15 will now be described. Referring
to FIGS. 11 and 12, support frame 17, which is enclosed within
cover 7, houses the following principal components; namely, spring
coil assembly 79, link chain 80, dashpot 81, electromagnet 82 and
latching lever assembly 83.
Lating lever assembly 83 is described in U. S. Pat. 3,729,771
granted May 1, 1973 to Burke J. Crane, Richard E. D'Hooge and Frank
D. Roberts for Latching Lever Assembly for Door Holder-Closer.
Spring assembly 79 includes compression coil spring 84 which
envelops a spring rod 85. The left end of spring rod 85 is threaded
(FIGS. 9 and 11) so that the adjacent end of spring 84 is held by
spring retainer 86. Retainer 86 is adjustably mounted relative
threaded rod 85 by washer 87 and spring tension adjusting nut
88.
The right end of spring 84 is supported on spring support plate 89
which has a retaining circular flange 90. Flange 90 receives the
adjacent contacting spring 84 turn. Accordingly, spring 84 is
positioned relative to rod 85 by spring retainer 86 and spring
support plate 89 so that adjustment of nut 88 can vary the static
compression force generated by spring 84.
Lateral movements of spring 84 relative to frame 17 are limited by
front spring guide 91 and rear spring guide 92.
The right end of spring rod 85 (FIGS. 11 and 12) is coupled to link
chain 80 by connecting pin 93. The right end of link chain 80 is
coupled to dashpot 81 by connecting pin 94.
The details of the dashpot, particularly with reference to FIGS. 11
and 12, will now be described. In FIG. 11, a simplified horizontal
section view of the dashpot is shown and in FIG. 12 a simplified
vertical section view taken along lines 12--12 of FIG. 11 is
shown.
In its principal aspects, dashpot 81 comprises a fixed stator 95
which is housed within cavity 96 defined by generally cylindrical
rotor 96. Stator 95 is formed with a pair of stator vanes 98 and
99. The stator and its vanes remain fixed at all times relative
support frame 17. Stator 95 is formed with a mounting flange 100
(FIG.12) which is fixed to frame top 20 by a plurality of screws
101.
Rotor 97 supports a pair of integral vanes 102 and 103 (FIG.11)
which rotate with the rotor. As is shown in FIG. 12, rotor 97
comprises a cylindrical section 104 to which annular flanges 105
and 106 are fixedly attached. The rotation of rotor 97 produces a
corresponding rotation of annular flanges 105 and 106.
Connecting pin 94 extends betwen flanges 105 and 106 to anchor
chain 80 respectively to rotor 97. Likewise, roller pins 107 and
108 extend between the flanges so that rollers 109 and 110 may
rotate relative their associated pins and between the flanges.
Rollers 109, 110 also move responsively with rotor 97 and flanges
105, 106.
The interior dashpot cavity 96 defined between rotor 97 and stator
95 contains a viscoelastic plastic solid. This material may
preferably be either a natural or synthetic unvulcanized rubber or
an elastomeric-like material known as "bouncing putty". This
damping medium is contained within cavity 96 by means of O-ring
seal 111; damping adjusting screw 112 is manually movable within
its threaded bore to exert a varying pressure upon the damping
medium through port 113 (FIG. 12). Rotor spindle stem 114 receives
the lower end of rotor cylindrical section 104 so that elements
104, 114 rotate in unison. Consequently, the attachment of standard
arm 6 to spindle stem 114 produces related movement between arm 6
and the dashpot rotor elements. Rotor elements 104, 114, including
flanges 105 and 106 are rotatably fixed relative frame 17 by
bearing plates 115 and 116.
Stepped pin 117 serves as an alignment bearing for rotor 97
relative stator 95.
As is shown in FIG. 11, electromagnet 82 and lever assembly 83 are
closely associated with dashpot 81. In particular, electromagnet 82
is supported on frame 17 by electromagnet support plate 117.
Referring now principally to FIGS. 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16, the
latching lever assembly 83 will now be described. The principal
elements of lever assembly 83 are lever 120, lever fulcrum shaft
121, lever assembly biasing spring 122, armature-lever coupling
spring 123, armature plate 124, screw-washer-nut 125, and spring
alignment cylinder 126.
Lever 120 is formed with a latch detent 127 whose main function is
to engage rollers 109 and 110 to effect hold open. The lever is
also formed with a yoke having legs 128 and 129 from which lugs 131
and 132 project to receive coupling spring 123.
Coupling spring 123 (FIG.15) is a helical wound torsion spring
formed into two divided and joined sections 133 and 134 having a
central spring connector loop 135 (FIG.16) and two end connector
loops 136 and 137 (FIG.15).
Spring 123 is shown in its tensioned position; that is, end
connector loops 136 and 137 have been relatively rotated under
spring tension so that loops 136 and 137 are adjacent central
connector loop 135 as is shown in FIG.15. This disposition of
connector loops 135, 136 and 137 places spring sections 133 and 134
in torsional tension. Accordingly, when loop 135 is rigidly fixed
to armature 124 by bolt and nut 125 (FIG.16) and end connector loop
136 is fixed to lug 131 and end connector loop 137 is fixed to lug
132 (FIG.15), coupling spring 123 develops a strong torsional force
which tends to force armature plate 124 against lever 120 as is
shown in FIGS. 11, 14 and 16. However, it should be noted that as
shown in FIG. 13, the resiliency of spring 123 enables armature
plate 124 to be separated from lever 120 in response to oppositely
directed forces as will be hereafter outlined.
When door 2 is closed, as is shown in FIG. 1, and regardless of the
energized or deenergized condition of electromagnet 82, lever
assembly 83 assumes the position shown in FIG. 11. As is shown in
this Figure and also FIG. 15, lever 120 is pivoted relative dashpot
81 by fulcrum pin 121. Fulcrum pin 121 also receives biasing spring
122 so that a force is exerted by this spring which normally urges
the lever assembly to the position shown in FIG. 11; that is, a
position in which armature 124 rests against electromagnet 82.
When electromagnet 82 is energized, armature 124 is magnetically
attracted to the core of the electromagnet. However, as door 2 is
opened, rotor 97 (FIGS.13 and 14) is rotated counterclockwise
moving therewith chain 80 and thus compressing closer spring 84.
The counterclockwise motion of the rotor also causes rollers 110
and 109, in that sequence, to pass under latching detent 127, thus
elevating lever 120 as is shown in FIG. 13. Armature 124, however,
is magnetically fixed against electromagnet 82 in response to the
energization of this electromagnet.
As the rotor 97 is rotated counterclockwise a further slight angle
from that shown in FIG. 13, roller 109 (or roller 110 depending
upon the amount of angular hold-open desired) is held in engagement
against latching surface 127a of latching detent 127. With this
occurrence, lever 120 is lowered so that it assumes the relative
position with respect to armature 124 shown in FIG. 11. Door 2 is
thus held open by the engagement of either roller 109, 110 and
latching surface 127a.
In the event it is decided to manually override the hold-open latch
of door holder-closer 1, the clockwise movement of rotor 97 causes
rollers 109, 110 to elevate or cam away lever 120 so that the
closer spring 84 can rotate rotor 97, thereby causing standard arm
6 to move within track 5 to close door 2.
It is important to note that during this condition of manual
override, armature 124 is retained against electromagnet 82 as is
shown in FIG. 13. In other words, during manual override, armature
124 always maintains contact with electromagnet 82. The resiliency
of coupling spring 123 enables lever 120 to move upwardly without a
corresponding movement in armature 124.
In the event door 2 is held open in response to the engagement of
either roller 109, 110 with respect to latching surface 127a, and
electromagnet 82 is deenergized due to the opening of a manual
operate switch or the detection of an undesired condition by
ionization chamber 46, lever assembly 83 is released as is shown in
FIG. 14 and rollers 109, 110 cam latching detent 127 upwardly. In
view of the fact that electromagnet 82 is deenergized, a holding
force is not applied to armature 124 and the armature maintains its
contact position with respect to lever 120 as a result of the
torsional forces applied to armature 124 and lever 120 by coupling
spring 123.
In all situations in which electromagnet 82 is denergized, lever
latching assembly 83 produces a characteristic release noise which
is undesirable. However, in the usual installation of a
holder-closer of the type described, an emergency or alarm release
rarely occurs; accordingly, such noise can be tolerated. Manual
override, however, is a commonplace occurrence, and in this
instance latching lever release noises can attain an intolerable
frequency unless eliminated by appropriate latching lever designs.
Also, the tendency for the armature to move away from an energized
electromagnet can produce static charges if of sufficient intensity
will erroneously simulate a fire, etc if the conductive condition
of the ionization chamber 46 is affected. Accordingly, a latching
lever design which only releases the armature from an electromagnet
during an alarm condition is desirable.
The schematic circuit of FIG. 17 shows an electrical circuit
effecting the interconnection of electromagnet 82 to ionization
chamber 46 to effect hold-open and closing of door 2 in a failsafe
manner of operation. Additionally, the schematic circuitry
incorporates a condition responsive detector and amplifier unit
within module 15 which is failsafe in operation. In particular, if
all of the components of the module 15 are properly operating, door
2 will remain in hold-open effected by the latching of either
roller 109 or 110 against latching detent 127 in response to the
manual closing of control switch 151. If, however, module 15 is not
properly operating or, alternatively, this unit senses a condition
such as flame or smoke, door 2 will be released from a latched
hold-open position effected either by roller 109 or 110 and closed
in response to the closing force exerted by coil spring 84.
The detailed operation of the circuitry of FIG. 17 is as follows.
Assuming module 15 is in proper operating condition and that the
ionization chamber 46 input applied to terminals 152 and 153
indicates an absence of a flame or smoke condition, door 2 will be
held in the open position in response to the manual closing of
switch 151; that is, the closing of switch 151 applies line voltage
from terminals 154 and 155 to amplifier A of module 15. The
application of line voltage to amplifier A energizes amplifier
output relay 156, thereby closing normally open contact 156a.
The closing of contact 156a applies line voltage to the coil of
power relay 157. With this occurrence, normally open contact 157a
is closed, thereby applying line voltage to fullwave bridge
rectifier 158 to energize electromagnet 82 with a
pulsating-direct-current voltage. (The physical position of a
module containing bridge 158 is shown in FIGS. 11-14).
The energization of electromagnet 82 causes magnetic armature 124
to resiliently hold lever 120 downwardly (FIG. 11) and into locking
engagement with either roller 109 or roller 110 against latching
detent 127 (if door 2 is manually opened).
Accordingly, lever 120 holds rotor 97 with sufficient force to
overcome the otherwise closing force exerted by coil spring 84.
Thus, so long as electromagnet 82 is energized, door 2 will be held
in an open position.
In the event, however, (a) a slight manual closing force is applied
to door 2, (b) switch 151 is opened, (c) module 15 malfunctions, or
(d) an undesired condition such as smoke or flame is detected by
chamber 46, lever detent 127 will be pivoted from engagement with
roller 109 or 110, as the case may be, and spring 84 will close the
door to the position shown in FIG.1.
In the situation of case (a) above, the manual override closing
force causes disposition of the lever assembly 83 components as
shown in FIG. 13 during the point of operation at which roller 109,
for example, is in camming engagement with latching detent 127.
In situations (b), (c) and (d) above, electromagnet 82 is
deenergized, thereby enabling the camming action of roller 109 or
110, as the case may be (see FIG. 14), to elevate lever 120 as well
as armature 124 as is shown in this Figure.
In a multiple door installation, such as the corridor application
shown in FIG. 2 in which only holder-closer 1 need incorporate a
detector module 15, the electromagnet of holder-closer 1' is merely
interconnected with the circuitry for holder-closer 1 so that both
electromagnets (corresponding to electromagnet 82) are energized or
deenergized simultaneously.
Reset pushbutton switch 38 is connected to amplifier A of module 15
so that the circuitry can be again placed in a detecting readiness
condition after the closer has released in response to a fire or
alarm condition. Switch 38 is accessible for manual operation from
the front of cover 7 (FIGS. 7 and 9).
Pilot light 39 is also connected to amplifier A of module 15. When
the circuitry is in a properly operating supervisory condition, the
pilot light will periodically emit light. When a fire, etc. is
detected, the pilot light will remain on. A deenergized pilot light
indicates an electrical malfunction. In a preferred circuit
arrangement the circuitry "locks" into an alarm condition (pilot
light 39 on) and remains in an alarm condition until the unit is
reset by manual operation of switch 38.
A preferred detailed circuit for module 15 is described in U. S.
Pat. 3,673,586 granted June 27, 1972 to Lyman C. Blackwell for
Resistance Con-trolled Timed Pulse Generator.
It should be understood that the structure shown in the drawings is
merely typical, and that modifications can be made without
departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *