US3423784A - Stop and hold device for doors - Google Patents

Description

' Filed. oct. zo. 1965 Jap. 28, 1,969 E. A. REYNDERS" 'A 3,423,784 vSTOP 'AND'HQLD DEVICE Fon DooRs l Jan. 2s, A1969 E. AQ REYNDERS 3,423,784 STOP AND HOLD DEVICE FOR DOORS I Filed oct. 2o, 1965 2 ofv 2 Sheet INVENTCR EUGENE A; RE YNDE RS BY ma m? United States Patent O 3,423,784 STOP AND HOLD DEVICE FR DOORS Eugene Albert Reynders, Northville, Mich., assignor t Ajem Laboratories, Inc., Livonia, Mich. Filed Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,692 US. Cl. 16-82 4 Claims Int. Cl. Ef 5 02 ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE A stop and hold device for a door hinged to a housing, with the door having a fulcrum member secured to the door along the hinged edge, and a spring biased hold member which is rotatable about the fulcrum member as the door is opened and closed, with one end of hold member bearing against one surface of the housing to hold the door open, and a stop member rotatable `about the fulcrum member as the door is opened and closed, and with a hooked end which hooks onto a second surface of the housing, spaced from the rst surface, after the door is opened to prevent the door from opening further.

The present invention relates to a device which holds a door open at a predetermined position and prevents the door from closing or opening further. Although the invention has particular application in equipment such as power washers, deburring units, air washers, wet type dust collectors and similar devices, it will be apparent that the invention has considerably broader application and may be employed for various other purposes.

In certain power washers and deburring units, horizontally hinged doors provide access to the water tank. These doors are hinged to the housing of the equipment at the rear of the tank and swing upward. Sometimes the opened doors are leaned against a vertical Wall of the housing while in other instances it is preferable not to let the door strike against the housing wall. The doors may range in area from less than one square foot to over eight square feet. Generally, these doors are made of steel with angle bands on the underside resulting in a relatively heavy structure. Such construction serves to stiffen the door and also provide a partial baille seal to the splashing liquid in the tank.

Often these heavy doors are hinged very close to the vertical wall of the housing against which they lean after they are swung upward. This results in an open door leaning against a wall at only `a slight angle. Such a condition is quite dangerous since vibrations or slight movements of the door may cause the door to fall back downward possibly striking someone who is near to the edge of the tank opening. The risk of injury also exists for vertically hung doors.

Various `attempts have been made to remove this hazard by arranging hooks or clips at the sides or top of the door. In one form, a hook attached to the vertical wall of the housing is placed over the edge of the open door by hand so as to hold the door in the open position. In another form, as the door is pushed upward it engages a cam which opens a clip. The clip, in turn, engages the edge of the door to hold it in the open position.

None of the approaches previously employed have proven satisfactory in removing the possibility of a heavy door falling downward and injuring an individual. In some cases, the holding device is unreliable so that the door becomes disengaged from the holding device and falls downward. In other instances, the operator of the equipment simply chooses to ignore the holding devices or utilizes them in an inadequate manner merely because he is required to perform an additional step in his routine.

ICC

Another objection to presently used holding devices is that they cannot be reached by shorter operators of the equipment with the result that the holding device is not used and the heavy door is held open as if no retaining device were provided.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved stop and hold device for a door.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stop and hold device for a door which is reliable.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a stop and hold device for a door which is simple in construction and inexpensive to fabricate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stop and hold device for a door which requires a minimum amount of handling by an individual opening and closing the door.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a stop and hold device for a door in a power washer, deburring unit or similar device which overcomes the limitations and shortcomings of devices presently being employed to hold the doors open in such units.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a stop and hold device for a door which may be employed on both horizontally and vertically hung doors.

One stop and hold device for a door constructed in accordance with the present invention and described hereinafter includes a fulcrum member adapted to be secured to the door along the edge of the door which is hinged to a housing and a hold member rotatable about the fulcrum member. The hold member has an end adapted to bear against a rst fixed surface when the door s opened to a predetermined position. This results in the door being held open `at this predetermined position. Also included is a stop member which is coupled to the fulcrum member. The stop member has an end adapted to engage a second fixed surface, spaced from the first fixed surface, after the door is opened to the predetermined position. This results in the door being prevented from opening further.

In the specification and in the accompanying drawing, there is described and shown -an illustrative embodiment of the invention and various modiiications thereof are suggested. It is to be understood that these are not intended to be exhaustive, but on the contrary are given for purposes of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention so that they may modify `and adapt it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

The various objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective -view of a first embodiment of a stop and hold device constructed in accordance with the present invention and indicates the manner in which this device is ailixed to a horizontally hung door;

FIGURE 2 is a enlarged top plan view of the stop and hold device shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation View of the stop and hold device shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the stop and hold device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of two stop and hold devices constructed in accordance with the present invention and indicates how these two devices may work together in unison;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a stop and hold device constructed in accordance with the present invention and indicates the manner in which this device is affixed to a vertically hung door;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section taken 0n line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a section similar to FIGURE 7, but shows the door closed; and l FIGURE 9 is a side elevation view of the stop and hold device shown in FIGURE 6.

Referring to FIGURE l, a stop and hold device 10, to be described in more detail hereinafter, is shown affixed to a door 11 at the edge of which the door iS hinged to a housing 12. The door 11 is hinged to the housing 12 by means of a single eleongated hinge 14 or a plurality of shorter hinges. The opening 13 which the door 11 covers when the door is closed may be the water tank of a power washer or a deburring unit. For such an arrangement, the door is hinged along a horizontal axis and is opened and closed by upward and downward movements.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the stop hold device includes a fulcrum member 15 adapted to be secured to the door 11 along the hinged edge of the door. In particular, the fulcrum member 15, in the form of a bolt, is supported by a bracket 16. The bracket arm 16 comprises a back member 16a, a pair of support arms 1617, and a nut block 16e. The support arms 16b and the nut block 16C are secured to the back member 16a by means of welding seams 25. The bolt 15 passes through holes in the support arms 16b and is received by a threaded well in the nut block 16C. The bracket 16 is positioned against an angle Iband 17 and is secured to the door 11 by a welding seam 18 between the back member 16a and the door.

The bolt 15 carries a first sleeve or tubing 19 having a bore slightly larger than the shank of the bolt and, therefore, large enough to rotate freely about the bolt, a hold member 20 is affixed to the periphery of the sleeve 19 by welding, for example. The hold member 20, best illustrated in FIGURE 4, is a C-shaped metallic member having upper and lower end portions 20a and 20b and a middle portion 20c. The hold member 20 is so shaped and dimensioned that the end 20h bears against surface 12a of the housing 12 when the door 11 is opened to the position illustrated in the drawing.

The bolt 15 carries a second sleeve or tubing 22 also having a bore slightly larger than the shank of the bolt and, therefore, large enough to rotate freely about the bolt. A stop member 21 is aliixed to the periphery of the sleeve 22. The stop member 21 is a metallic member and has a hooked end 21a which is adapted to hook against an edge 23 of a housing flange 24 after the door 11 is opened to the position illustrated in the drawing.

With the door 11 closed, the hold member 20 and the stop member 21 occupy the positions shown dotted in FIGURE 4 and indicated by reference numerals 20 and 21', respectively. As the door 11 is opened, the hold member 20 and the stop member 21 rotate about the bolt 15 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 4 due t0 gravity. When the door 11 reaches a predetermined position, vertical for the example being described, the hold member 20 swings in over the surface 12a and occupies the position shown in FIGURE 4 with the end 2Gb bearing against surface 12a. This holds the door 11 open and prevents the door from closing. As the door 11 tends to close, the end 20h pushes against surface 12a holding the door open.

After the door 11 reaches the position illustrated in FIGURE 4, the hooked end 21a of the stop member 21 hooks against the edge 23 of the housing ange 24 and prevents the door from opening further. As the door 11 tends to open further, end 21a pulls against edge 23. The door 11 may be moved slightly between the points at which hold member 20 prevents the door from closing and stop member 21 prevents the door from opening further. This slight amount of movement is provided in order to release the hold member 20 when the door 11 is to be closed. Specifically, when the door 11 is to be closed it is pushed open slightly more than is illustrated in the drawing so that the hooked end 21a of the stop member 21 engages the edge 23. This slight movement of the door permits an individual to withdraw the hold member 20 to the position shown dotted in FIGURE 4 and indicated by reference numeral 20". Once the hold member 20 is disengaged from the surface 12a of the housing the door 11 may be returned to the closed position. As the door 11 is being lowered the hold member 20 and the stop member 21 rotate about the bolt 15 clockwise due to gravity.

FIGURE 5 shows a multiple unit arrangement which may be employed if the door to be held open is too heavy for a single stop and hold device. A multiple unit arrangement may also be employed on a door which can be held open by a single stop and hold device if the added protection against a single stop and hold device malfunctioning is desired. Referring to FIGURE 5, two stop and hold devices 30 and 31 are coupled together by a tie rod 32. In particular the rod 32 extends between the two hold members 33 and 34. The rod 32 is secured to the hold members 33 and 34 by welding, for example. As the door 35 is opened to the position illustrated, the two stop and hold devices 30 and 31 function in the manner previously described in connection with the stop and hold device 1f) in FIGURES 1 through 4. The two hold members 33 and 34 swing in over the surface 36a of the housing 36 and occupy the positions illustrated with the hold members bearing against surface 36a. The two stop members 37 and 38 hook against edge 39 of the housing 36 and prevent the door 35 from opening further.

When the door 35 is to be closed, it is pushed open slightly more than is illustrated so that nn individual may withdraw the two hold member 33 and 34 together by pulling on the rod 32. Once the hold members 33 and 34 are disengaged from surface 36a, the door may be lowered and closed.

This arrangement requires the operator to use only one hand in withdrawing the hold members. Still longer and heavier doors may be provided with more than two stop and hold devices which function together in unison by means of a longer tie rod.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a stop and hold device constructed in accordance with the present invention and indicates the manner in which this device is affixed to a vertically hung door. Since the operation of the second embodiment is generally similar to the operation of the rst embodiment, a detailed description of the second embodiment will be omitted.

As previously indicated, for a horizontally hung door, the hold member swings into the hold position due to the inuence of gravity as the door is opened. For the vertically hung door 40 shown in FIGURE 6, the hold member 41 swings about a vertical fulcrum in the form of a bolt 42. A compressed spring 43, bearing against a projecting lug 41a on the hold member 41 pushes the hold member into the hold position as the door is opened. The compressed spring 43 is anchored on the door 40 by means of a projection 47 upon which the spring is mounted.

FIGURE 8 shows the door 40 closed. As the door is opened, the hold member 41 slides along surface 44a of the housing 44. When the end 41b of the hold member 41 passes the edge 4412 of the housing, the spring 43 urges end 41b into contact with surface 44C of the housing. The end 4119 slides along surface 44e into the corner 44d as illustrated in FIGURE 7. Once the hold member 41 is in this position, the door 40 is held open by the hold member bearing against the corner 44d of the housing.

The stop 45 serves to prevent the door 40 from opening beyond a predetermined position. In particular, as the door 40 opens and closes, the stop member 45 moves past edge 441) of the housing. Edge 44h extends parallel to the axis of the bolt 42. After the door 40 opens to the position illustrated in FIGURES 6, 7 and 9, the hooked end 45a of stop member 45 hooks over edge 44b and against surface 44a of the housing. This prevents the door from opening further. A guide 46, secured to housing 44 along surface 44a, limits the clockwise rotation of stop mem-ber 45 about bolt 42 and prevents the hooked end 45a from passing completely beyond edge 44b. This insu-res that the hooked end 45a will pull against surface 44a to prevent door 40 from opening further. Without the guide 46, there is the possibility that the freely rotating stop member may assume a position in which the hooked end 45a would not engage surface 44a. The guide 46 also maintains stop member 45 horizontally to prevent binding at the bolt 42. As the door 40 is opened or closed, the stop member 4S slides through the guide 46.

To close the door 40, the door is opened slightly beyond the position illustrated so that the hooked end 45a of the stop member 45 engages surface 44a. This slight movement of the door permits an individual to withdraw the hold member 41 against the action of spring 43 until the end 41b of the hold member clears edge 44b of the housing 44. Once the hold member 41 clears edge 44b the door may be returned to the closed position.

From the foregoing, it is seen that a stop and hold device according to the present invention on the one hand prevents a door from opening beyond a predetermined position and on the other hand prevents a door opened to a predetermined position from closing. While in most applications, particularly for power washers and deburring units, the predetermined positions for stopping and holding the door are substantially the same, it is readily apparent that in other applications it may be desirable to provide a greater angular movement between these two positions. Such a result may `be achieved by selecting proper shapes and dimensions for the hold and stop members.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein Without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A stop and hold device for a door comprising:

a fulcrum member adapted to be secured to said door;

a hold member rotatable about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having an end adapted to bear against a first fixed surface when said door is opened to a predetermined position, whereby said door is held open;

a compressed spring anchored to said door and bearing against said hold member for urging said end of said hold member into Contact with said rst fixed surface when said door is opened to said predetermined position to hold said door open at said predetermined position;

and a stop member coupled to said fulcrum member and having an end adapted to engage a second fixed surface, spaced from said first fixed surface, after said door is opened to said predetermined position, whereby said door is prevented from opening further.

2. A stop and hold device for a door hinged to a housing comprising:

a fulcrum member adapted to be secured to said door along the hinged edge of said door;

a hold member rotatable about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having an end adapted to bear against a first surface of said housing when said door is opened to a predetermined position, whereby said door is held open;

a compressed spring having one end anchored to said door and a second end bearing against said hold member for urging said end of said hold member into contact with said first surface when said door is opened to said predetermined position to hold said door open at said predetermined position;

and a stop member rotatable about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having a hooked end adapted to hook onto a second surface of said housing, spaced from said first surface, after said door is opened to said predetermined position,

whereby said door is prevented from opening further.

3. A stop and hold device for a door hinged to a housing comprising:

a fulcrum member adapted to be secured to said door along the hinged edge of said door;

a hold member rotatable about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having an end adapted to push against a first surface of said housing when said door is opened to a predetermined position, whereby said door is held open;

a compressed spring having one end anchored to said door and a second end bearing against said hold member for urging said end of said hold member into contact with said first surface when said door is opened to said predetermined position to hold said door open at said predetermined position;

and a stop member rotatable about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having a hooked end adapted to pull against a second surface of said housing, spaced from said surface, after said door is opened to said predetermined position, whereby said door is prevented from opening further.

4. A stop and hold device for a door hinged to a housing comprising:

a fulcrum member adapted to be secured to said door along the hinged edge of said door;

a hold member rotatable about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having an end adapted to bear against a first surface of said housing when said door is opened to a predetermined position, whereby said door is held open;

a compressed spring having one end anchored to said door and a second end bearing against said hold member for urging said end of said hold member into contact with said first surface when said door is opened to said predetermined position to hold said door open at said predetermined position;

a stop member rotatable'about said fulcrum member as said door is opened and closed and having a hooked end adapted to hook over an edge of a second surface of said housing, spaced from said first surface, after said door is opened to said predetermined position, whereby said door is prevented from opening further, said edge of said second surface extending parallel to the axis of said fulcrum member;

and means for limiting the rotation of said stop member about said fulcrum member to prevent said hooked end of said sto-p member from passing completely beyond said edge of said second surface as said stop member rotates, thereby insuring engagement of said hooked end of said stop member and said second surface after said door is opened to said predetermined position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 129,242 7/ 1872 Mayberry 217-60 736,714 8/1903 Gendron 16-49 1,499,089 6/1924 White 217-60 2,222,428 11/ 1940 Boettcher 220--31 2,439,132 4/ 1948 Hatala 217-60 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. EDWARD J. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner.

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