Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Closers – Weight
Patent
1998-06-19
2000-05-23
Mah, Chuck Y.
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Closers
Weight
E05F 100
Patent
active
060651849
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to apparatus for effecting the automatic closing of a sliding door, following manual opening. The type of sliding door to which the invention relates in particular is an arrangement whereby a sliding panel moves over a fixed panel, such as for example a patio door.
The invention is particularly advantageous in hot climates, where air-conditioning systems rapidly lose efficiency if patio doors are left open, but also finds applications in more temperate climates, perhaps in autumn and spring when the patio doors are still being used whilst the central heating system is on.
Australian patent specification number AU-B-75066/81 discloses a door closer with a counter-weight restrained to move substantially vertically within a tube, and a linkage between the counter-weight and the door arranged so that the counterweight rises as the door opens and falls as the door closes.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for automatically closing a sliding door comprising a weight for operative connection to a sliding panel forming part of a sliding door assembly such that sliding the panel into the open door position lifts the weight which then falls again once the sliding panel is released, thus closing the door, which apparatus comprises; a vertically extending pneumatic tube wherein the weight in the form of a piston is guided, and a pulley for guiding a cable fixed to the sliding panel, wherein the movement of the piston within the pneumatic tube is dampened by means of check valve and throttle allowing admission and restricted outflow of air respectively, characterised by, elbow, weight piston, second tube houses the cable and supports at the distal end thereof a second pulley, such that the end of the cable fixed to the moving panel draws the moving panel by weight of the piston in a direction away from the pneumatic tube.
The piston, which conveniently is of generally cylindrical shape, includes air seals close to each end, which create an airtight seal with the inner surface of the tube. The tube is open at its upper end, but closed at the bottom end where one or more air valves are included.
Preferably, there is provided a single air valve in the form of a by-pass flow control valve, comprising a one-way flow valve with a screwed sleeve underneath. This valve allows air to be drawn into the tube beneath the piston upon raising of same (i.e opening of the door), and also allows the controlled release of air from the tube beneath the piston upon falling of same (i.e closing of the door). By turning the screwed sleeve clockwise, the valve is pressed up, holding it slightly off its seal and allowing the air, after initial compression, to escape slowly around the valve and through the sleeve. By turning the screwed sleeve dial clockwise, the air escapes faster and the door closes quicker, and by turning it anti-clockwise, the air escapes more slowly and the door closes more slowly. Thus, the screwed sleeve can be set to control the desired speed of door closure, and after the initial compression of the air, the piston will then fall at the selected steady rate, rather than accelerating under free fall.
This overcomes the problem of having to have quite a heavy piston in order to overcome the static friction to get the sliding panel moving in the first instance.
In an alternative embodiment, there is a combined seal/one way valve fixed to the base of the piston and adapted such as to allow air to flow through the seal when the piston is lifted upon opening the door, but to prevent such air flow when the piston is falling, thereby creating a substantially airtight seal and compressing the air within the tube beneath the piston, permitting smooth closing operation.
The apparatus may include additional weights which may be required, to be attached onto or adjacent the piston, for different door assemblies.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of converting a manually operated sliding door assembly having at
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Drury Malcoln
Mah Chuck Y.
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