EP1764473B1 - Spring tension - Google Patents
Spring tension Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1764473B1 EP1764473B1 EP05108502A EP05108502A EP1764473B1 EP 1764473 B1 EP1764473 B1 EP 1764473B1 EP 05108502 A EP05108502 A EP 05108502A EP 05108502 A EP05108502 A EP 05108502A EP 1764473 B1 EP1764473 B1 EP 1764473B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- collar
- wrench
- engagement
- spring
- splined
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 10
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000037974 severe injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000009528 severe injury Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
- B25B13/48—Spanners; Wrenches for special purposes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B13/00—Spanners; Wrenches
- B25B13/46—Spanners; Wrenches of the ratchet type, for providing a free return stroke of the handle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
- B25B27/00—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for
- B25B27/14—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same
- B25B27/30—Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same positioning or withdrawing springs, e.g. coil or leaf springs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/02—Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary
- E06B9/08—Roll-type closures
- E06B9/11—Roller shutters
- E06B9/17—Parts or details of roller shutters, e.g. suspension devices, shutter boxes, wicket doors, ventilation openings
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/02—Shutters, movable grilles, or other safety closing devices, e.g. against burglary
- E06B9/08—Roll-type closures
- E06B9/11—Roller shutters
- E06B9/17—Parts or details of roller shutters, e.g. suspension devices, shutter boxes, wicket doors, ventilation openings
- E06B9/174—Bearings specially adapted therefor
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
- E06B9/56—Operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures; Spring drums; Tape drums; Counterweighting arrangements therefor
- E06B9/62—Counterweighting arrangements
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method for adjusting tension in springs mounted upon rotatable shafts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wrench suitable for utilizing the method. Moreover, the invention relates to a collar system adapted for receiving said wrench.
- the installation of industrial, residential and in particular overhead doors usually involves installing guides that support each side of a moveable door structure and upon which the sides of the door structure are freely slideable.
- some sort of counterbalancing device is usually provided so that the full weight of the moveable door structure is not encountered when the moveable door structure is transferred between an opened and closed condition or vice versa.
- a counter balance device is provided so as to be able to reduce the horsepower requirements of the drive motor. For safety reasons the counter balancing device is also necessary in the event of failure of the door openers.
- a prevailing type of counter balancing device in wide use with such door openers, especially ones that have power operated motors to assist the opening and closing of the doors, is a coiled spring mounted upon a rotatable shaft.
- the shaft is usually located above the opening that is to be covered by the door and is transversely located across the path of the door.
- a coiled spring in a somewhat concentric manner such that the longitudinal centerline of the spring approximately locates upon the longitudinal centerline of the shaft.
- One end of the spring is fixedly attached to a structure upon which the shaft is rotatably mounted and the other end of the spring is held releasably attached to the rotatable shaft.
- the tensioning for the door takes the form of adjusting the tension exerted by the coiled spring upon the rotatable shaft that also holds a wound drag element usually attached to the lowermost end of the door.
- the tension exerted by the spring is supposed to just about counterbalance the weight of the door that is being transferred during opening and closing movement.
- the counterbalancing effect of the weight of the door may origin from the mid of the door for some roller door arrangements or arranged such that it origins from a fully opened condition.
- To adjust the tension of the spring it is necessary for one to loosen the releasably fixed end of the coil spring that is attached to the rotatable shaft and rotate the end of the spring relative to the shaft, either in a manner to lessen the tension or to tighten the tension.
- the prevailing method in today's door industry is to adjust tension of the spring during installation on location of the door and afterwards during service and maintenance.
- An adapter is conventionally applied on the shaft for providing a possibility to wind the shaft by means of iron bars or the like stuck into one of the holes provided on the adapter.
- one common way of locking the spring retainer and thus the spring in relation to the shaft is to fix the spring retainer by one or more wedges between the shaft and a space provided in the spring retainer. The wedge/s are released in the axial direction and sometimes it may be that there is no room for fixing the adapter on the shaft if the wedges are to be pulled out.
- a method for adjusting tension in springs mounted upon rotatable shafts comprises the steps of, applying a first and a second wrench for splined engagement with a collar of said shaft so as to hold the collar against movement in an undesired direction, said collar being connected to at least one spring, adjusting tension in said at least one spring by winding said collar with at least one of said wrenches until an appropriate tension of the spring is achieved.
- the collar comprises a locking device for fixing said collar to said shaft when the tension of the spring is properly adjusted.
- the axial locking engagement is maintained during a whole spring tension adjusting cycle, involving splined disengagement during alternation of said wrenches.
- the axial locking engagement is enabled by a tongue and groove engagement in which said tongue propagates circumferentially and in the transverse direction (B) in relation to the axial direction (A).
- the axial locking device engagement comprises a tongue and groove locking relative to the axial direction (A) of the shaft.
- the axial locking device comprises a U-shaped retractable plate for complementary engagement with a recess in said collar.
- the collar comprises a U-shaped protruding portion for complementary engagement with a recess in said axial locking device.
- the splined engagement of the wrench and collar is accomplished with a wrench spline angle less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees.
- a complementary fit of the splines of the wrench and the splines of the collar reduces the risk for slipping. It has been discovered that an angle between the front edge of the wrench spline of slightly less than 90 degress measured between the inner near surface of the jaw and said front edge provides for improved grip.
- the splined engagement involves engagement with splines propagating in the axial direction (A) of said shaft.
- a further advantage is that the splined engagement is controllable by a latch function maneuverable from a latch operating handle of said wrench. Hence, the serviceman or installer do not have to change the grip of the wrench handle e.g when disengaging the splined engagement when adjusting tension.
- the torque of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a torque locking mechanism being maneuverable from said wrench.
- each wrench having an open ended jaw, with a close fit around a substantial portion of said collar and said opened ended jaw being provided for splined engagement with said collar.
- the method of adjusting tension in springs is particularly well suited for a group consisting of overhead sliding doors, sliding doors and winding roller doors according to any one of the preceding claims.
- the skilled person knowing of the invention may however find other areas of interest.
- a wrench assembly which comprises, an elongate handle, an open ended jaw formation located on one end of said handle for closely surrounding and engaging a majority of the perimeter of a splined shaft, a spring loaded spline latch mechanism mounted on said handle and having a latch that, in a first position, protrudes into a jaw engagement area for splined engagement on said shaft and, in a second position is retracted from the jaw engagement area for splined disengagement, a latch operating device for moving said latch from one of said first position and said second position to the other of said first and second position.
- the wrench spline angle is less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees.
- the splined engagement is controllable by a latch maneuverable from a latch operating handle of said wrench assembly.
- the disengagement of said splined engagement is prevented by a spring loaded spline latch mechanism as long as the latch is subject to an external loading resulting from the splined engagement.
- the latch operating handle is operatively connected to the latch via a spring. If the loading on the latch exceeds the loading from the spring resulting from activating the latch operating handle the latch will remain in position for splined engagement, i.e. the force provided by the spring too the spring loaded latch mechanism is too low to disengage the splined engagement.
- the installer or serviceman due to a mistake let go of both splined engagements at the same time at least one wrench when arranged properly will maintain the splined engagement.
- the spring load in the spring loaded splined engagement is preferably provided by a push spring.
- the push spring is connected to a rod of the latch.
- the latch operating handle is operatively connected to the rod of the latch via a spring.
- the spring characteristics of the push spring is low. Since the wrench spline angle is less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees the external loading does not have to be substantial in order to provide enough resistance to disengagement.
- the latch operating handle is released the latch is pushed back in position for splined engagement in the jaw area by said push spring.
- the torque of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a torque locking mechanism being maneuverable from said wrench assembly.
- a torque locking mechanism being maneuverable from said wrench assembly.
- the wrench assembly is provided with a hook for enabling hanging of said wrench assembly. It is realized that many doors requires such work on a substantial altitude and the hook facilitates for such situations.
- the wrench assembly is provided with replaceable handle portions in order to enable a wrench assembly with different lengths.
- the replaceable handle portion having the most suitable length may be screwed on to the elongate handle of the wrench assembly.
- the handle is provided with a knob on the end portion in order to facilitate picking up of said wrench assembly.
- the knob extends from the handle portion to an extent such that if there is a risk for an operator's fingers to become pinched between a structural element, such as a wall, and the handle portion the knob will provide enough room there between to avoid serious finger pinching.
- a further object with the knob is to enable protection against slipping of the wrench in that it provides for support against loosing the grip during use in the axial direction of the elongate handle.
- a collar system for being rotatably mounted upon a shaft and thus enabling tensioning of springs mounted upon rotatable shafts is presented, which collar system comprises, a secondary attachment portion adapted for connection to one end of said spring mounted upon said shaft, a primary attachment portion on said collar having longitudinally (C) extending splines formed on the outer periphery of said primary attachment portion.
- the secondary attachment portion and the primary attachment portion form one unit.
- the collar system comprises a locking device for fixing said collar to said shaft. During this step holding of one wrench against the spring tension is sufficient and allows for fixing the collar in relation to the shaft when the tension in the spring is properly adjusted.
- said collar system comprises a body formed for attachment to at least said primary attachment portion, said body comprising complementary engagement means on its inside and holes propagating from the outside towards the inside of said body, said holes being arranged for receiving an alternative tension adjusting tool such as an iron bar.
- This body enables the use of a currently conventional method of adjusting springs, using bars, e.g. in case wrenches of the preferred type is not available
- said holes are arranged at given distances around a periphery of said body when following the periphery in the transverse (D) direction.
- a coiled spring 57 is arranged around a shaft and fixed arranged to the surrounding structure of the door in one end (not shown). This represents a more typical type of spring tensioned shafts for doors that are designed for being wound up today.
- a collar 50 is threaded onto the coiled spring 57 from the side such that a flange 55 follows the spiral path of the coiled spring 57.
- a connecting element 59 is provided on the collar for connection with the end portion of the coiled spring, which is normally cranked. When the cranked end portion connects with the connecting element 59 the collar 50 is fixed in relation to the coiled spring 57 which is held between the flange 55 and connecting element 59.
- the collar 50 is however rotatable in relation to said shaft.
- the rotatable collar will have a set of screws 56 that may be positioned so as to engage the shaft member and hold the collar non-rotatable with the shaft.
- the primary attachment portion 51 on said collar 50 has longitudinally (C) extending splines 52 formed on the outer periphery of said primary attachment portion 51, and said primary attachment portion (51) is provided with at least one groove propagating transverse (D) to said splines 52.
- the secondary attachment portion 54 and the primary attachment portion 51 form one unit.
- a wrench assembly 1 having an elongate handle 2 an engagement section in the form of an open ended jaw 3 is disclosed.
- the wrench is designed so that the area within the engagement section will form a close fit over the outer diameter of the splined section of the collar 50.
- the spline latch mechanism 4 is protruding upwardly so that the engaging splines of the wrench 15 is in the area of the engagement section 3.
- a lever arm activates the recessed tongue for axial locking of the wrench 1.
- a pull of the latch operating device 5 towards the elongate handle 2 allows the plunger member to travel inwardly pulling the spline latch mechanism 4 in to the elongate handle 2.
- the engagement section 3 may then be slid over the spline section of adapter.
- two wrenches 1, 1' may engage the spline section of the collar 50.
- the set screws 56 on the rotatable collar 50 may be loosened.
- the rotatable collar 50 is loosened from its connection of the shaft wrenches 1, 1' may be used to hold collar 50 from rotating on the shaft.
- the second wrench may have the latch operating device 5 activated so as to disengage its wrench splines 15 from the spline section of collar 50.
- the second wrench 1' may then be advanced pivotal around the splined section of the collar 50.
- the spline latch mechanism 4 may be released so that its wrench splines 15 engages the spline section of collar 50.
- the latch operating device 5 of the first wrench 1 may be activated so that spline latch mechanism 15 is disengaged from the splines of the collar.
- the second wrench 1' may now be rotated back until its elongated handle 2 is in alignment with the first wrench 1.
- the spline latch mechanism 4 comprises a tensioned push spring 13 working against a rod 6 connecting said latch operating device 5 with said spline latch mechanism 4.
- the disengagement of said splined engagement is prevented by a spring loaded spline latch mechanism 4 as long as the latch 15 is subject to an external loading resulting from the splined engagement.
- the latch operating handle 5 is operatively connected to the spline latch mechanism 4 via a spring 13. If the loading on the latch 15 exceeds the loading from the spring 13 resulting from activating the latch operating handle 5 the latch 15 will remain in position for splined engagement, i.e. the force provided by the spring 13 to the spring loaded latch mechanism 4 is too low to disengage the splined engagement.
- the installer or serviceman due to a mistake activate the latch operating handles 5 of bothe wrenches at the same time at least one wrench when arranged properly will maintain the splined engagement due to the external loading from the coiled spring.
- the spring load in the spring loaded splined engagement is preferably provided by a push spring.
- the push spring is connected to a rod of the latch.
- the latch operating handle is operatively connected to the rod of the latch via a spring.
- the spring characteristics of the push spring is low. Since the wrench spline angle is less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees the external loading does not have to be substantial in order to provide enough resistance to disengagement.
- the latch operating handle is released the latch is pushed back in position for splined engagement in the jaw area by said push spring.
- the torque resistance of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a torque locking mechanism 14 being maneuverable from said wrench assembly.
- the torque locking mechanism 14 consist of a screw or similar attached through the wall of the elongated handle 2.
- the screw may enter a pocket of the spline latch mechanism 4 from the side and support the bottom of the pocket. At the same time the pocket is stretched in the axial direction of the elongated handle 2 so as to allow for movement of the spline latch mechanism 4 if activated.
- the wrench assembly 1 has an asymmetric opening of the open ended jaw 3.
- the axial locking engagement is enabled by a tongue and groove engagement in which said tongue propagates circumferentially and in the transverse direction (B) in relation to the axial direction (A). This is probably more clear in fig 2 .
- the axial locking device comprises a U-shaped retractable plate for complementary engagement with a recess in said collar 50.
- the collar may comprise a U-shaped protruding portion for complementary engagement with a recess in said axial locking device.
- the wrench assembly 1 is provided with a hook 18 for enabling hanging of said wrench assembly 1. It is realized that many doors requires such work on a substantial altitude and the hook 18 facilitates for such situations since there is often not so much space for laying tools when not used.
- the wrench assembly 1 is provided with replaceable handle portions 23 in order to enable a wrench assembly 1 with different lengths.
- the replaceable handle portion 23 having the most suitable length may be screwed on to the elongate handle of the wrench assembly (not shown).
- a further feature of the invention is that the handle 23 is provided with a knob 24 on the end portion in order to facilitate picking up said wrench assembly.
- the knob extends from the handle portion to an extent such that if there is a risk for an operator's fingers to become pinched between a structural element, such as a wall, and the handle portion the knob will provide enough room there between to avoid serious finger pinching.
- a further object with the knob is to enable protection against slipping of the wrench in that it provides for support against loosing the grip during use in the axial direction of the elongate handle. It is appreciated that the various features for enabling improved tension adjustment described in the above given examples may readily be combined in various ways without departing from the scope of protection.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)
- Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)
- Springs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a method for adjusting tension in springs mounted upon rotatable shafts. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wrench suitable for utilizing the method. Moreover, the invention relates to a collar system adapted for receiving said wrench.
-
- The installation of industrial, residential and in particular overhead doors usually involves installing guides that support each side of a moveable door structure and upon which the sides of the door structure are freely slideable. As most moveable door structures are too heavy for a normal person to lift some sort of counterbalancing device is usually provided so that the full weight of the moveable door structure is not encountered when the moveable door structure is transferred between an opened and closed condition or vice versa. Even with power operated door opener devices a counter balance device is provided so as to be able to reduce the horsepower requirements of the drive motor. For safety reasons the counter balancing device is also necessary in the event of failure of the door openers.
- A prevailing type of counter balancing device in wide use with such door openers, especially ones that have power operated motors to assist the opening and closing of the doors, is a coiled spring mounted upon a rotatable shaft. The shaft is usually located above the opening that is to be covered by the door and is transversely located across the path of the door. Upon this shaft is mounted a coiled spring in a somewhat concentric manner such that the longitudinal centerline of the spring approximately locates upon the longitudinal centerline of the shaft. One end of the spring is fixedly attached to a structure upon which the shaft is rotatably mounted and the other end of the spring is held releasably attached to the rotatable shaft.
- The tensioning for the door takes the form of adjusting the tension exerted by the coiled spring upon the rotatable shaft that also holds a wound drag element usually attached to the lowermost end of the door. When properly adjusted the tension exerted by the spring is supposed to just about counterbalance the weight of the door that is being transferred during opening and closing movement.
- The counterbalancing effect of the weight of the door may origin from the mid of the door for some roller door arrangements or arranged such that it origins from a fully opened condition. In original installation of the doors, when replacing broken springs, and even during periodic maintenance, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the springs to the desired degree so that the door can close and counterbalance almost the entire weight of the door during the raising and lowering of the door. To adjust the tension of the spring it is necessary for one to loosen the releasably fixed end of the coil spring that is attached to the rotatable shaft and rotate the end of the spring relative to the shaft, either in a manner to lessen the tension or to tighten the tension.
- The springs used in such installations are not insubstantial in the force and/or torque that they exert to accomplish their task and it is therefore considered by those skilled in the art a potentially dangerous operation. When the one end of the spring attached to the rotatable shaft is loosened it must be securely held so as not to freely uncoil back to a tension free state. Such an uncoiling while a workman or other person is in the area may produce some very severe injuries.
- The prevailing method in today's door industry is to adjust tension of the spring during installation on location of the door and afterwards during service and maintenance. An adapter is conventionally applied on the shaft for providing a possibility to wind the shaft by means of iron bars or the like stuck into one of the holes provided on the adapter. Especially, during service and maintenance when there is also a need to release the spring from the shaft before tension adjustment may begin the operation of arranging such an adapter is often troublesome and sometimes even hazardous. As an example one common way of locking the spring retainer and thus the spring in relation to the shaft is to fix the spring retainer by one or more wedges between the shaft and a space provided in the spring retainer. The wedge/s are released in the axial direction and sometimes it may be that there is no room for fixing the adapter on the shaft if the wedges are to be pulled out.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and efficient method for the tensioning of coiled springs used in door installations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tool for use in properly tensioning springs used in door installations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new attachment for coil springs that will ease the operation of adjusting the tension of coiled springs in door installations.
- These and other objects, which will be presented further on, are achieved by the method according to
independent claim 1. Preferred steps of the method are described in the dependent claims. It is also disclosed a wrench assembly and a collar system. Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the respective dependent claims. - Now, according to the present invention it is disclosed a method for adjusting tension in springs mounted upon rotatable shafts, said method comprises the steps of, applying a first and a second wrench for splined engagement with a collar of said shaft so as to hold the collar against movement in an undesired direction, said collar being connected to at least one spring, adjusting tension in said at least one spring by winding said collar with at least one of said wrenches until an appropriate tension of the spring is achieved. The collar comprises a locking device for fixing said collar to said shaft when the tension of the spring is properly adjusted.
- This enables secure working conditions and support for finding correct position and a thorough splined engagement during holding or working against the resilient force from the spring. In addition the splined engagement allows for service work and installation work even where there is little room for such operations.
- Preferably, the axial locking engagement is maintained during a whole spring tension adjusting cycle, involving splined disengagement during alternation of said wrenches.
- Advantageously, the axial locking engagement is enabled by a tongue and groove engagement in which said tongue propagates circumferentially and in the transverse direction (B) in relation to the axial direction (A). Accordingly, the axial locking device engagement comprises a tongue and groove locking relative to the axial direction (A) of the shaft.
- More preferably, the axial locking device comprises a U-shaped retractable plate for complementary engagement with a recess in said collar. Alternatively, although not preferred, the collar comprises a U-shaped protruding portion for complementary engagement with a recess in said axial locking device.
- Preferably, the splined engagement of the wrench and collar is accomplished with a wrench spline angle less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees. A complementary fit of the splines of the wrench and the splines of the collar reduces the risk for slipping. It has been discovered that an angle between the front edge of the wrench spline of slightly less than 90 degress measured between the inner near surface of the jaw and said front edge provides for improved grip. Advantageously, the splined engagement involves engagement with splines propagating in the axial direction (A) of said shaft.
- A further advantage is that the splined engagement is controllable by a latch function maneuverable from a latch operating handle of said wrench. Hence, the serviceman or installer do not have to change the grip of the wrench handle e.g when disengaging the splined engagement when adjusting tension.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the torque of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a torque locking mechanism being maneuverable from said wrench.
- Preferably, each wrench having an open ended jaw, with a close fit around a substantial portion of said collar and said opened ended jaw being provided for splined engagement with said collar.
- The method of adjusting tension in springs is particularly well suited for a group consisting of overhead sliding doors, sliding doors and winding roller doors according to any one of the preceding claims. The skilled person knowing of the invention may however find other areas of interest.
- According to a second aspect of the invention a wrench assembly which comprises, an elongate handle, an open ended jaw formation located on one end of said handle for closely surrounding and engaging a majority of the perimeter of a splined shaft, a spring loaded spline latch mechanism mounted on said handle and having a latch that, in a first position, protrudes into a jaw engagement area for splined engagement on said shaft and, in a second position is retracted from the jaw engagement area for splined disengagement, a latch operating device for moving said latch from one of said first position and said second position to the other of said first and second position.
- This enables secure working conditions and support for finding correct position and a thorough splined engagement during holding or working against the resilient force from the spring. In addition the splined engagement allows for service work and installation work even where there is little room for such operations.
- Preferably, the wrench spline angle is less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees.
- Advantageously, the splined engagement is controllable by a latch maneuverable from a latch operating handle of said wrench assembly.
- As a further advantage and an important safety aspect the disengagement of said splined engagement is prevented by a spring loaded spline latch mechanism as long as the latch is subject to an external loading resulting from the splined engagement. The latch operating handle is operatively connected to the latch via a spring. If the loading on the latch exceeds the loading from the spring resulting from activating the latch operating handle the latch will remain in position for splined engagement, i.e. the force provided by the spring too the spring loaded latch mechanism is too low to disengage the splined engagement. Thus, if the installer or serviceman due to a mistake let go of both splined engagements at the same time at least one wrench when arranged properly will maintain the splined engagement.
- The spring load in the spring loaded splined engagement is preferably provided by a push spring. The push spring is connected to a rod of the latch. The latch operating handle is operatively connected to the rod of the latch via a spring. The spring characteristics of the push spring is low. Since the wrench spline angle is less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees the external loading does not have to be substantial in order to provide enough resistance to disengagement. On the other hand when there is no external load on said latch and the latch operating handle is activated the latch is retracted by the pull force transferred from the latch operating handle to said push spring. When the latch operating handle is released the latch is pushed back in position for splined engagement in the jaw area by said push spring.
- Moreover, the torque of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a torque locking mechanism being maneuverable from said wrench assembly. In order to allow smooth access and transfer the force from the wrench assembly efficiently to said spring via the collar the wrench assembly has an asymmetric opening of the open ended jaw.
- Furthermore, the wrench assembly is provided with a hook for enabling hanging of said wrench assembly. It is realized that many doors requires such work on a substantial altitude and the hook facilitates for such situations.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the wrench assembly is provided with replaceable handle portions in order to enable a wrench assembly with different lengths. The replaceable handle portion having the most suitable length may be screwed on to the elongate handle of the wrench assembly.
- A further advantage is that the handle is provided with a knob on the end portion in order to facilitate picking up of said wrench assembly. Preferably, the knob extends from the handle portion to an extent such that if there is a risk for an operator's fingers to become pinched between a structural element, such as a wall, and the handle portion the knob will provide enough room there between to avoid serious finger pinching. A further object with the knob is to enable protection against slipping of the wrench in that it provides for support against loosing the grip during use in the axial direction of the elongate handle.
- Now, according to a third aspect of the invention a collar system for being rotatably mounted upon a shaft and thus enabling tensioning of springs mounted upon rotatable shafts is presented, which collar system comprises, a secondary attachment portion adapted for connection to one end of said spring mounted upon said shaft, a primary attachment portion on said collar having longitudinally (C) extending splines formed on the outer periphery of said primary attachment portion.
- This enables secure working conditions and support for finding correct position and a thorough splined engagement during holding or working against the resilient force from the spring. In addition the splined engagement allows for service work and installation work even where there is little room for such operations. Preferably, the secondary attachment portion and the primary attachment portion form one unit.
- The collar system comprises a locking device for fixing said collar to said shaft. During this step holding of one wrench against the spring tension is sufficient and allows for fixing the collar in relation to the shaft when the tension in the spring is properly adjusted.
- According to an alternative embodiment of the third aspect of the invention said collar system comprises a body formed for attachment to at least said primary attachment portion, said body comprising complementary engagement means on its inside and holes propagating from the outside towards the inside of said body, said holes being arranged for receiving an alternative tension adjusting tool such as an iron bar. This body enables the use of a currently conventional method of adjusting springs, using bars, e.g. in case wrenches of the preferred type is not available
- Preferably, said holes are arranged at given distances around a periphery of said body when following the periphery in the transverse (D) direction.
- A preferred method together with currently preferred embodiments of the invention will now be disclosed by means of the appended drawings in which:
-
fig. 1a schematically discloses an overhead sliding door or sectional door of conventional type, -
fig. 1b schematically discloses a winding roller door of conventional type, -
fig. 2 discloses a wrench according to a preferred embodiment of the invention as seen in perspective, -
fig. 3 discloses a wrench according to a preferred embodiment of the invention as seen from the side in an opened up manner in order to more clearly illustrate the features of the wrench, -
fig. 4 discloses a collar according to a preferred second aspect of the invention in a perspective view, -
fig. 5 discloses a preferred manner of applying the method according to a preferred method of the invention in a cut out perspective view, - In the following some non restricting embodiments will be described with support from the drawings and with reference to the numbering thereof in order to more clearly illustrate the functions and features. Referring now to
figs. 4 and 5 the method will be disclosed in more detail. - A
coiled spring 57 is arranged around a shaft and fixed arranged to the surrounding structure of the door in one end (not shown). This represents a more typical type of spring tensioned shafts for doors that are designed for being wound up today. Acollar 50 is threaded onto thecoiled spring 57 from the side such that aflange 55 follows the spiral path of the coiledspring 57. A connectingelement 59 is provided on the collar for connection with the end portion of the coiled spring, which is normally cranked. When the cranked end portion connects with the connectingelement 59 thecollar 50 is fixed in relation to thecoiled spring 57 which is held between theflange 55 and connectingelement 59. Thecollar 50 is however rotatable in relation to said shaft. The rotatable collar will have a set ofscrews 56 that may be positioned so as to engage the shaft member and hold the collar non-rotatable with the shaft. - When the
coil spring 57 is in its free state there is no danger to personnel in the area of the spring mechanism. However, when therotatable collar 50 has been wound so that the end is in a tension position with respect to the end a dangerous condition exists. At that point thecollar 50 must be held firmly in position so that it will not suddenly uncoil. - Furthermore, the
primary attachment portion 51 on saidcollar 50 has longitudinally (C) extendingsplines 52 formed on the outer periphery of saidprimary attachment portion 51, and said primary attachment portion (51) is provided with at least one groove propagating transverse (D) to said splines 52. As will be seen infig 4 thesecondary attachment portion 54 and theprimary attachment portion 51 form one unit. Thus it is possible to perform a safe and smooth tension adjustment with thewrenches 1, 1' only by access to theprimary attachment portion 51. - Now, also turning to
fig 3 awrench assembly 1 according to the present invention having anelongate handle 2 an engagement section in the form of an open endedjaw 3 is disclosed. The wrench is designed so that the area within the engagement section will form a close fit over the outer diameter of the splined section of thecollar 50. When thelatch operating device 5 is in normal condition thespline latch mechanism 4 is protruding upwardly so that the engaging splines of thewrench 15 is in the area of theengagement section 3. Initially a lever arm activates the recessed tongue for axial locking of thewrench 1. - A pull of the
latch operating device 5 towards theelongate handle 2 allows the plunger member to travel inwardly pulling thespline latch mechanism 4 in to theelongate handle 2. In this manner theengagement section 3 may then be slid over the spline section of adapter. When the wrench splines 15 are engaged with the spline section the exerting of a force onhandle 2 ofwrench 1 will exert a force so as to tend to rotate therotatable collar 50. - As it will become more clear two
wrenches 1, 1' may engage the spline section of thecollar 50. When twosuch wrenches 1, 1' engage thecollar 50 theset screws 56 on therotatable collar 50 may be loosened. When therotatable collar 50 is loosened from its connection of the shaft wrenches 1, 1' may be used to holdcollar 50 from rotating on the shaft. While holding onewrench 1 that has itsspline latch mechanism 15 engaged with thesplines 52 of the collar the second wrench may have thelatch operating device 5 activated so as to disengage itswrench splines 15 from the spline section ofcollar 50. With thefirst wrench 1 holding the collar non rotatable with the shaft, the second wrench 1' may then be advanced pivotal around the splined section of thecollar 50. When the second wrench 1' is in a new position thespline latch mechanism 4 may be released so that its wrench splines 15 engages the spline section ofcollar 50. When the second wrench 1' being held in such a position, thelatch operating device 5 of thefirst wrench 1 may be activated so thatspline latch mechanism 15 is disengaged from the splines of the collar. The second wrench 1' may now be rotated back until itselongated handle 2 is in alignment with thefirst wrench 1. Repeating the above procedure with thefirst wrench 1 and the second wrench 1' will allow one to properly adjust tension of thecoil spring 57 while maintaining an axial locking of therespective wrench 1,1' by means of the activated axial locking device. This describes the alternation of the wrenches in more detail. - As a further advantage and an important safety aspect the disengagement of said splined engagement is prevented by said spring loaded spline latch mechanism as long as the latch is subject to external loading. The
spline latch mechanism 4 comprises a tensionedpush spring 13 working against arod 6 connecting saidlatch operating device 5 with saidspline latch mechanism 4. - As a further advantage and an important safety aspect the disengagement of said splined engagement is prevented by a spring loaded
spline latch mechanism 4 as long as thelatch 15 is subject to an external loading resulting from the splined engagement. Thelatch operating handle 5 is operatively connected to thespline latch mechanism 4 via aspring 13. If the loading on thelatch 15 exceeds the loading from thespring 13 resulting from activating thelatch operating handle 5 thelatch 15 will remain in position for splined engagement, i.e. the force provided by thespring 13 to the spring loadedlatch mechanism 4 is too low to disengage the splined engagement. Thus, if the installer or serviceman due to a mistake activate the latch operating handles 5 of bothe wrenches at the same time at least one wrench when arranged properly will maintain the splined engagement due to the external loading from the coiled spring. - The spring load in the spring loaded splined engagement is preferably provided by a push spring. The push spring is connected to a rod of the latch. The latch operating handle is operatively connected to the rod of the latch via a spring. The spring characteristics of the push spring is low. Since the wrench spline angle is less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees the external loading does not have to be substantial in order to provide enough resistance to disengagement. On the other hand when there is no external load on said latch and the latch operating handle is activated the latch is retracted by the pull force transferred from the latch operating handle to said push spring. When the latch operating handle is released the latch is pushed back in position for splined engagement in the jaw area by said push spring.
- Moreover, the torque resistance of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a
torque locking mechanism 14 being maneuverable from said wrench assembly. Thetorque locking mechanism 14 consist of a screw or similar attached through the wall of theelongated handle 2. The screw may enter a pocket of thespline latch mechanism 4 from the side and support the bottom of the pocket. At the same time the pocket is stretched in the axial direction of theelongated handle 2 so as to allow for movement of thespline latch mechanism 4 if activated. Moreover, in order to allow smooth access and transfer of the force from thewrench assembly 1 efficiently to saidspring 57 via thecollar 50 thewrench assembly 1 has an asymmetric opening of the open endedjaw 3. - The axial locking engagement is enabled by a tongue and groove engagement in which said tongue propagates circumferentially and in the transverse direction (B) in relation to the axial direction (A). This is probably more clear in
fig 2 . The axial locking device comprises a U-shaped retractable plate for complementary engagement with a recess in saidcollar 50. Alternatively, although not shown, the collar may comprise a U-shaped protruding portion for complementary engagement with a recess in said axial locking device. - Furthermore, the
wrench assembly 1 is provided with ahook 18 for enabling hanging of saidwrench assembly 1. It is realized that many doors requires such work on a substantial altitude and thehook 18 facilitates for such situations since there is often not so much space for laying tools when not used. - According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the
wrench assembly 1 is provided withreplaceable handle portions 23 in order to enable awrench assembly 1 with different lengths. Thereplaceable handle portion 23 having the most suitable length may be screwed on to the elongate handle of the wrench assembly (not shown). - A further feature of the invention is that the
handle 23 is provided with aknob 24 on the end portion in order to facilitate picking up said wrench assembly. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the knob extends from the handle portion to an extent such that if there is a risk for an operator's fingers to become pinched between a structural element, such as a wall, and the handle portion the knob will provide enough room there between to avoid serious finger pinching. A further object with the knob is to enable protection against slipping of the wrench in that it provides for support against loosing the grip during use in the axial direction of the elongate handle.
It is appreciated that the various features for enabling improved tension adjustment described in the above given examples may readily be combined in various ways without departing from the scope of protection.
Claims (12)
- A method for adjusting tension in springs (57) mounted upon rotatable shafts mounted on a door said method comprises the steps of, applying a first and a second wrench (1,1') for splined engagement with a collar (50) of said shaft so as to hold the collar (50) against movement in an undesired direction, said collar (50) being connected to at least one spring (57), adjusting tension in said at least one spring (57) by winding said collar (50) with at least one of said wrenches (1,1') until an appropriate tension of the spring (57) is achieved.
- The method according to claim 1, which comprises the step of positioning an axial locking device, said axial locking device being provided on at least one of said wrenches (1, 1'), to said collar (50) thereby forming an axial locking engagement of said wrenches (1,1') to said collar (50).
- The method according to any one of claim 2, in which the axial locking engagement is maintained during a whole spring tension adjusting cycle, involving splined disengagement during alternation in position of one of said wrenches (1,1').
- The method according to any one of claims 2-3, in which said axial locking device engagement comprises a tongue and groove locking relative to the axial direction (A) of the shaft.
- The method according to any one of claims 1-4, in which the splined engagement of the wrench (1,1') and collar (50) is accomplished with a wrench spline angle (16) less than 90 degrees and preferably between 80 and 90 degrees.
- The method according to any one of claims 1-5, in which said splined engagement involves engagement with splines (52) propagating in the axial direction (A) of said shaft.
- The method according to any one of claims 1-6, in which said splined engagement is controllable by a latch function maneuverable from a latch operating handle (5) of said wrench (1, 1').
- The method according to any one of claims 1-7, in which torque of said splined engagement is controllable and lockable by a torque locking mechanism (14) being maneuverable from said wrench (1, 1').
- The method according to any one of claims 1-8, in which each wrench (1,1') having an open ended jaw (3), with a close fit around a substantial portion of said collar (50) and said opened ended jaw (3) being provided for splined engagement with said collar (50).
- Method of adjusting tension in springs (57) mounted on any one from the group consisting of overhead sliding doors (81), sliding doors and winding roller doors (91) according to any one of the preceding claims.
- The method according to any one of claims 1-9, in which said axial locking device comprises a U-shaped retractable plate for complementary engagement with a recess in said collar (50).
- The method according to any one of claims 1-9, in which said collar comprises a U-shaped protruding portion for complementary engagement with a recess in said axial locking device.
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP05108502A EP1764473B1 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2005-09-15 | Spring tension |
DE602005023307T DE602005023307D1 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2005-09-15 | spring tension |
AT05108502T ATE479818T1 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2005-09-15 | SPRING TENSION |
DK05108502.5T DK1764473T3 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2005-09-15 | Spring tension |
CN2006800337767A CN101263274B (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2006-09-08 | Spring tension |
PCT/SE2006/001028 WO2007032725A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2006-09-08 | Spring tension |
RU2008114491/03A RU2403363C2 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2006-09-08 | Spring tension |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP05108502A EP1764473B1 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2005-09-15 | Spring tension |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1764473A1 EP1764473A1 (en) | 2007-03-21 |
EP1764473B1 true EP1764473B1 (en) | 2010-09-01 |
Family
ID=35809666
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05108502A Active EP1764473B1 (en) | 2005-09-15 | 2005-09-15 | Spring tension |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1764473B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101263274B (en) |
AT (1) | ATE479818T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005023307D1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1764473T3 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2403363C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007032725A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6302179B1 (en) * | 1998-01-16 | 2001-10-16 | James V. Miller | Modular roll-up partition system with tension adjustment mechanism |
US6527037B2 (en) * | 2001-05-16 | 2003-03-04 | Wayne-Dalton Corp. | Rolling door tensioner |
US20040020609A1 (en) * | 2002-04-10 | 2004-02-05 | Canimex Inc. | Ratchet-like system for winding a rolling door assembly |
US20040211298A1 (en) * | 2003-04-10 | 2004-10-28 | Williams Donald Edward | Shock absorber system adjustment device |
SE527594C2 (en) * | 2004-01-02 | 2006-04-18 | Gunnar Kemppainen | Locking member with a gripping member and a locking member intended for a rotatable fastener |
-
2005
- 2005-09-15 DE DE602005023307T patent/DE602005023307D1/en active Active
- 2005-09-15 EP EP05108502A patent/EP1764473B1/en active Active
- 2005-09-15 AT AT05108502T patent/ATE479818T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-09-15 DK DK05108502.5T patent/DK1764473T3/en active
-
2006
- 2006-09-08 WO PCT/SE2006/001028 patent/WO2007032725A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-09-08 CN CN2006800337767A patent/CN101263274B/en active Active
- 2006-09-08 RU RU2008114491/03A patent/RU2403363C2/en active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1764473A1 (en) | 2007-03-21 |
WO2007032725A1 (en) | 2007-03-22 |
DK1764473T3 (en) | 2010-11-15 |
CN101263274A (en) | 2008-09-10 |
RU2008114491A (en) | 2009-10-20 |
ATE479818T1 (en) | 2010-09-15 |
RU2403363C2 (en) | 2010-11-10 |
CN101263274B (en) | 2012-08-08 |
DE602005023307D1 (en) | 2010-10-14 |
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