Door closers

Abstract

A door closer, including: an anchor assembly, including: a frame mounting plate which is fixable relative to a door frame; and an adjustor plate; and an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door leaf to move the door leaf between open and closed configurations relative to the door frame, the actuator assembly including an operating member coupled by a link to the adjustor plate and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly is held adjacent the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the open configuration, the link being configured to extend from the adjustor plate along a first axis, wherein the frame mounting plate is provided with one or more slot(s), the or each slot being elongated along a second axis, the second axis being generally orthogonal to the first axis.

Claims

1. A door closer, including: an anchor assembly, including: a frame mounting plate which is fixable relative to a door frame; and an adjustor plate including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is insertable into the door frame and the second part is attachable to the frame mounting plate; and an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door leaf to move the door leaf between open and closed configurations relative to the door frame, the actuator assembly including an operating member coupled by a link to the adjustor plate and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly is held adjacent the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the open configuration, the link being configured to extend from the first part of the adjustor plate along a first axis, wherein the frame mounting plate is provided with one or more vertical slots, each vertical slot being elongated along a second axis, the second axis being generally orthogonal to the first axis; one or more fasteners configured to pass through respective vertical slots on the frame mounting plate for engagement with the second part of the adjustor plate for adjusting a position of the door leaf relative to the door frame in a vertical direction parallel to the second axis without skewing the link out of the horizontal plane; an adjusting member extending through a respective vertical slot on the frame mounting plate and engaging an aperture on the first part of the adjustor plate for adjusting a distance between the frame mounting plate and the first part of the adjustor plate.

2. A door closer according to claim 1, including more than one link.

3. A door closer according to claim 1, wherein the link has a length of less than 40 mm.

4. A door closer according to claim 1, wherein the link is in the form of a rod-shaped member.

5. A door closer according to claim 1, wherein the link is pivotably connected to the adjustor plate.

6. A door closer according to claim 1, wherein the adjustor plate includes one or more transverse pins.

7. A door closer according to claim 6, wherein the or each transverse pin passes through a respective one of the vertical slots of the frame mounting plate, such that each transverse pin extends through the thickness of the frame mounting plate.

8. A door closer according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting member includes an adjusting screw, whereby the adjusting screw is rotatable in order to vary the distance between the frame mounting plate and the first part of the adjustor plate.

9. A door closer according to claim 1, including a door leaf mounting plate provided with one or more horizontal slots, wherein each horizontal slot is elongated along a third axis (C-C), the third axis (C-C) being generally orthogonal to the first axis (A-A) and generally orthogonal to the second axis (B-B).

10. A door closer according to claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly includes a damper mechanism operatively connected to the operating member so as to damp movement of the operating member at least as it is driven in a direction towards the fully retracted position.

11. A door closer, including: an anchor assembly, including: a frame mounting plate which is fixable relative to a door frame; and an adjustor plate including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is insertable into the door frame and the second part is attachable to the frame mounting plate; and an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door leaf to move the door leaf between open and closed configurations relative to a door frame, the actuator assembly including an operating member coupled by a link to the adjustor plate and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly is held adjacent the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the open configuration, the link being configured to extend from the first part of the adjustor plate along a first axis, wherein the frame mounting plate is provided with one or more vertical slots, each vertical slot being elongated along a second axis, the second axis being generally orthogonal to the first axis; wherein the link has a length of between 25 mm and 40 mm; one or more fasteners configured to pass through respective vertical slots on the frame mounting plate for engagement with the second part of the adjustor plate for adjusting a position of the door leaf relative to the door frame in a vertical direction parallel to the second axis without skewing the link out of the horizontal plane; an adjusting member extending through a respective vertical slot on the frame mounting plate and engaging an aperture on the first part of the adjustor plate for adjusting a distance between the frame mounting plate and the first part of the adjustor plate.

12. A door closer according to claim 11, including more than one link.

13. A door closer according to claim 11, wherein the link is in the form of a rod-shaped member.

14. A door closer according to claim 11, wherein the link is pivotably connected to the adjustor plate.

15. A door closer according to claim 11, wherein the adjustor plate includes one or more transverse pins.

16. A door closer according to claim 15, wherein each transverse pin passes through a respective one of the vertical slots of the frame mounting plate, such that each transverse pin extends through the thickness of the frame mounting plate.

17. A door closer according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting member includes an adjusting screw, whereby the adjusting screw is rotatable in order to vary the distance between the frame mounting plate and the first part of the adjustor plate.

18. A door closer according to claim 11, including a door leaf mounting plate provided with one or more horizontal slots, wherein each horizontal slot is elongated along a third axis (C-C), the third axis (C-C) being generally orthogonal to the first axis (A-A) and generally orthogonal to the second axis (B-B).

19. A door closer according to claim 11, wherein the actuator assembly includes a damper mechanism operatively connected to the operating member so as to damp movement of the operating member at least as it is driven in a direction towards the fully retracted position.

20. A door system including a door closer; the door closer including: an anchor assembly, including: a frame mounting plate which is fixable relative to a door frame; and an adjustor plate including a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is insertable into the door frame and the second part is attachable to the frame mounting plate; and an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door leaf to move the door leaf between open and closed configurations relative to the door frame, the actuator assembly including an operating member coupled by a link to the adjustor plate and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly is held adjacent the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the open configuration, the link being configured to extend from the first part of the adjustor plate along a first axis, wherein the frame mounting plate is provided with one or more [vertical slots, each vertical slot being elongated along a second axis, the second axis being generally orthogonal to the first axis; one or more fasteners configured to pass through respective vertical slots on the frame mounting plate for engagement with the second part of the adjustor plate for adjusting a position of the door leaf relative to the door frame in a vertical direction parallel to the second axis without skewing the link out of the horizontal plane; an adjusting member extending through a respective vertical slot on the frame mounting plate and engaging an aperture on the first part of the adjustor plate for adjusting a distance between the frame mounting plate and the first part of the adjustor plate.

Description

(1) Embodiments of the various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a door closer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of a first part of an adjustor plate;

(4) FIG. 3 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of a second part of an adjustor plate;

(5) FIG. 4 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of a frame mounting plate;

(6) FIG. 5 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of an door leaf mounting plate;

(7) FIG. 6 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of a shaft;

(8) FIG. 7 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of a link;

(9) FIG. 8 shows plan (a) and side (b) views of a transverse pin; and

(10) FIG. 9 shows side views of a door closer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention shown in first (a) and second (b) configurations.

(11) With reference in particular to FIG. 1, in some embodiments a door closer 1 may include an anchor assembly 10 which is, in use, mounted in or on an edge of a door frame facing an edge of a door leaf that is hinged to the door frame, and an actuator assembly 30 which is mounted, in use, within the thickness of the door leaf.

(12) The anchor assembly 10 may include a frame mounting plate 11 which is fixable relative to the door frame, and an adjustor plate, indicated generally at 12, which is located adjacent the frame mounting plate 11 on the side thereof remote from the door leaf.

(13) The actuator assembly 30 is so dimensioned as to be suitable for fitting within the thickness of a door leaf and for this purpose is provided with a housing 23 and a door leaf mounting plate 24. The door leaf mounting plate 24 is fixable relative to the door leaf so as to hold the housing 23 in place.

(14) Within the housing 23 of the actuator assembly 30 there is provided an operating member which operates in a manner known in the art. In some embodiments, the operating member may include a pair of parallel shafts 32. An example of such a shaft 32 is shown in FIG. 6.

(15) In some embodiments, the operating member may include one shaft 32, or more than two (e.g. three, four, five, etc.) shafts 32.

(16) The operating member is coupled by a link 20 to the adjustor plate 12 and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly 10 is held adjacent the actuator assembly 30 when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly 10 is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly 30 when the door leaf is in the open configuration.

(17) The link 20 extends along an axis A-A and the operating member moves in the housing 23 along the axis A-A as the door leaf is opened and closed. It is to be appreciated, therefore, that the direction of the axis A-A changes as the door leaf is pivoted; the direction of the axis A-A moves in a horizontal plane as the door leaf is opened and closed.

(18) The operating member is biased inwardly of the housing 23 towards the retracted or door closed configuration, e.g. as described in GB2456508.

(19) In some embodiments, the actuator assembly 30 may include a damper mechanism (not shown) to regulate the rate of closure of the door leaf relative to the door frame.

(20) In some embodiments, for example in embodiments where the door closer 1 has vertical adjustability, the adjustor plate 12 may include a first part 12a (shown in FIG. 2) and a second part 12b (shown in FIG. 3). In some embodiments, for example in embodiments where the door closer 1 need not have vertical adjustability, the adjustor plate 12 may be formed as a single part or the adjustor plate 12. In some embodiments (not shown) the adjustor plate 12 may include more than two separable parts.

(21) With reference to FIG. 2, the first part 12a of the adjustor plate 12 may include a first pair of facing edges 120a, 122a and a second pair of facing edges 124a, 126a, which connect the first pair of facing edges 120a, 122a to one another. The first pair of facing edges 120a, 122a may be longer than the second pair of facing edges 124a, 126a. When the door closer 1 is in situ, the first pair of facing edges 120a, 122a lies substantially in or parallel to an axis B-B which is at 90 relative to the axis A-A. The first part 12a may also be provided with one or more aperture(s) 128a, 129a, e.g. one aperture 128a may be located adjacent each of the second pair of facing edges 124a, 126a. One or more of the aperture(s) 128a, 129a may be threaded.

(22) With reference to FIG. 3, the second part 12b of the adjustor plate 12 may include a first pair of facing edges 120b, 122b and a second pair of facing edges 124b, 126b, which connect the first pair of facing edges 120b, 122b to one another. The first pair of facing edges 120b, 122b may be longer than the second pair of facing edges 124b, 126b. In use, the second part 12b is orientated relative to the first part 12a such that the first pair of facing edges 120b, 122b lies substantially in or parallel to the axis B-B. The second part 12b may be provided with one or more aperture(s) 128b, which align with the aperture(s) 128a of the first part 12a. The second part 12b may be provided with aperture 129b, which may be threaded.

(23) In some embodiments, the second part 12b may have formed therein one or more aperture(s) 121b, which may be threaded. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has four apertures 121b, although it is to be appreciated that other embodiments (not shown) may have fewer or more than four apertures 121b without departing from the scope of the invention.

(24) Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments the frame mounting plate 11 may include a first pair of facing edges 110, 112 and a second pair of facing edges 114, 116, which connect the first pair of facing edges 110, 112 to one another. The first pair of facing edges 110, 112 may be longer than the second pair of facing edges 114, 116. In use, the frame mounting plate 11 is orientated relative to the adjustor plate 12 such that the first pair of facing edges 110, 112 lies substantially in or parallel to the axis B-B.

(25) In some embodiments, the frame mounting plate 11 may be provided with one or more slot(s) 118, which align with the apertures 128a, 128b of the respective first and second parts 12a, 12b.

(26) Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the frame mounting plate 11 may be provided with apertures to receive fixing screws 2 for fixing the anchor assembly 10 to the frame. In some embodiments, the frame mounting plate 11 may be provided with apertures to receive fixing screws 3 for fixing a cover plate 40 thereto. The purpose of the cover plate 40 is primarily to improve the aesthetic appearance of the door closer 1.

(27) Referring back to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the frame mounting plate 11 may include one or more slot(s) 111 which, in use, align substantially with the aperture(s) 121b of the second part 12b. The frame mounting plate 11 may include a slot 119 which, in use, aligns with aperture 129b of the second part 12b.

(28) In some embodiments, the slot(s) 111, 118, 119 may be elongated and extend in the direction of the axis B-B.

(29) With reference to FIG. 5, the door leaf mounting plate 24 may include a first pair of facing edges 240, 242 and a second pair of facing edges 244, 246, which connect the first pair of facing edges 240, 242 to one another. The first pair of facing edges 240, 242 may be longer than the second pair of facing edges 244, 246.

(30) Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the door leaf mounting plate 24 may be provided with apertures to receive fixing screws 2 for fixing the housing 23 within the door leaf. When fixed to the door leaf the first pair of facing edges 240, 242 of the door leaf mounting plate 24 lies substantially in or parallel to the axis B-B. In some embodiments, the door leaf mounting plate 24 may be provided with apertures to receive fixing screws 3 for fixing a cover plate 40 thereto. The purpose of the cover plate 40 is primarily to improve the aesthetic appearance of the door closer 1.

(31) Referring back to FIG. 5, the door leaf mounting plate 24 may be provided with one or more slot(s) 248, which, when the frame mounting plate 11 and the door leaf mounting plate 24 are fitted to the respective door frame and door leaf, align substantially with the slot(s) 118 of the frame mounting plate 11. In some embodiments, the or each slot 248 may be elongated along an axis C-C, the axis C-C being at 90 relative to the axis B-B. It is to be appreciated that the axis C-C is also at 90 relative to the axis A-A. In other words, the or each slot 248 may extend between the facing edges 240, 242 of the door leaf mounting plate 24.

(32) Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a shaft 32 having a first end 320 and a second end 322. In some embodiments, the shaft 32 may include a first linking member 324, e.g. in the form of a drilled hole, at or adjacent the first end 320 thereof. The first linking member 324 is for connecting the shaft 32 to components of the operating member located within the housing 23. In some embodiments, the shaft 32 may include a second linking member 326, e.g. in the form of a drilled hole, at or adjacent the second end 322 thereof. The second linking member 326 is for pivotably connecting the shaft 32 to a link 20.

(33) Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a link 20 having a body 200 provided at each end with respective linking members 202, 204, e.g. in the form of drilled holes.

(34) The link 20 may be in the form of a rod-like member (as shown in the figures).

(35) In some embodiments, the link 20 may take other forms such as that of a plate-like member or a chain.

(36) In some embodiments, there may be more than one link 20. For instance, the embodiments shown in the figures have two links 20 but in other embodiments fewer (e.g. one) or more (e.g. three, four, five, etc.) links 20 may be provided.

(37) In some embodiments, the or each link 20 may have a length of less than approximately 40 mm. For instance, the or each link 20 may have a length of approximately 35 mm2 mm.

(38) In some embodiments, the link 20 may have a length of approximately 40 mm or greater, e.g. 45 mm2 mm.

(39) The or each link 20 may be pivotably connected to the adjustor plate 12 through the slots 118 of the frame mounting plate 11. In some embodiments, the adjustor plate 12 may include one or more transverse pin(s) 21, to which the or each link 20 may be pivotably connected.

(40) Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a transverse pin 21 having a body 210 provided at each end with respective linking members 212, 214, e.g. in the form of drilled holes.

(41) Referring to FIG. 1, each shaft 32 (not visible since they are accommodated within the housing 23) is pivotably connected to one end 204 of a respective link 20, e.g. by a pin, so that each shaft 32 can pivot relative to its respective link 20. The end 202 of each link 20 is connected to the adjustor plate 12. In some embodiments, the end 202 of each link 20 may be connected to the adjustor plate 12 by the respective transverse pin 21.

(42) In some embodiments, the or each transverse pin 21 may be fixed to the first part 12a of the adjustor plate 12 and pass through apertures 128b and slots 118 of the respective second part 12b and frame mounting plate 11, such that the or each transverse pin 21 extends through the thickness of the second part 12b and frame mounting plate 11.

(43) In some embodiments, the or each transverse pin 21 may be formed integrally with the first part 12a and/or the second part 12b.

(44) In some embodiments, an adjustment member, for example an adjusting screw 13 extends through the aperture 129b of the second part 12b and is engaged in the aperture 129a of the first part 12a of the adjustor plate 12. It is to be appreciated that the adjusting screw 13 passes through the slot 119 of the frame mounting plate 11. Rotation of the adjusting screw 13 varies the distance between the frame mounting plate 11 and the adjustor plate 12 in a manner known in the art.

(45) In some embodiments, fasteners 14 may be provided which engage with the respective apertures 121b of the second part 12b. It is to be appreciated that the fasteners 14 pass through the slots 111 of the frame mounting plate 11.

(46) Advantageously, in some embodiments the door closer 1 is such that a door leaf to which the actuator assembly 30 is mounted can be raised and lowered relative to a door frame to which the frame mounting plate 11 is fixed when the door leaf is hinged to the door frame.

(47) Referring to FIG. 9, it will now be explained how a door leaf may be raised or lowered whilst being hinged to a door frame and fitted with a door closer 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this situation the hinge(s) connecting the door leaf and door frame must be vertically adjustable when in situ, but may have a variable pivot axis (e.g. a concealed hinge) or a fixed pivot axis (e.g. a butt hinge).

(48) FIG. 9a shows a door closer 1 in a first configuration which corresponds to a door leaf to which the actuator assembly 30 is mounted being set at its maximum raised position relative to a door frame to which the frame mounting plate 11 is fixed. FIG. 9b shows the door closer 1 in a second configuration which corresponds to the door leaf being set at its maximum lowered position relative to the door frame.

(49) To move between the first and second configurations the fasteners 14 are loosened, so that the adjustor plate 12 can be moved relative to the frame mounting plate 11 along the axis B-B. This means that the actuator assembly 30 (and door leaf to which it is mounted) can be moved along the axis B-B relative to the frame mounting plate 11 (and door frame to which it is fixed).

(50) The fact that the slots 111, 118, 119 are elongated along the axis B-B means that the adjustor plate 12 and the parts coupled thereto (such as links 20 and actuator assembly 30) can be moved without hindrance in either direction along the axis B-B.

(51) An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the links 20 and shafts 32 do not become skewed out of the horizontal plane as the door leaf is raised or lowered relative to the door frame. Instead, as can be seen from FIGS. 9a and 9b, the links 20 (and hence respective shafts 32) remain in the horizontal plane when the actuator assembly 30 is set at its maximum raised position (FIG. 9a) and maximum lowered position (FIG. 9b) relative to the frame mounting plate 11, or any position in between the maximum raised and maximum lowered positions. Consequently, door closers 1 according to this aspect of the invention can be used with door systems fitted with hinges that are vertically adjustable when the door leaf and door frame are fixed to one another. The provision of the slots 111, 118, 119 means that the adjustor plate 12 (and hence actuator assembly 30 to which it is connected) can be moved relative to the frame mounting plate 11 which, in turn, can prolong the lifespan of the door closer 1 and also the hinges themselves.

(52) The provision of the slot 119, in particular, has the further advantage that, if desired, it is possible to retain the feature of the adjusting screw 13 for varying the distance between the frame mounting plate 11 and the adjustor plate 12. It is to be appreciated that without the slot 119 it would not be possible to move the adjustor plate 12 along the axis B-B relative to the frame mounting plate 11 and have the ability to vary the distance between the frame mounting plate 11 and adjustor plate 12. It is also to be appreciated that in order for the door closer 1 to exhibit adjustability along the axis B-B and the ability to vary the distance between the frame mounting plate 11 and adjustor plate 12 the adjustor plate 12 must be formed into at least two separate parts 12a, 12b. The adjusting screw 13 is engaged with the first part 12a to permit variation in the distance between the frame mounting plate 11 and adjustor plate 12 and the fasteners 14 are engaged with the second part 12b to permit adjustability along or parallel to the axis B-B. This is adjustability enables the door leaf to be adjusted relative to the door frame vertically, i.e. in a direction parallel to the second axis (B-B).

(53) The applicant has surprisingly found that by ensuring that the length of the or each link 20 is less than approximately 40 mm (e.g. approximately 35 mm2 mm) the life of the door closer 1 and/or the door hinges can be prolonged. This is due to the fact that the pivoting connection between the or each link 20 and its respective shaft 32 exits the housing 23 via respective slots 248 in the door leaf mounting plate 24 as the door leaf pivots about the door frame towards its open configuration but before the pivot axis of the variable pivot axis hinge starts to move in the horizontal plane. Consequently, neither the link 20 nor its respective shaft 32 come into contact with the door leaf mounting plate 24 when the door closer 1 according to this aspect of the invention is fitted to a door system having a variable pivot axis hinge. In this situation the hinge(s) connecting the door leaf and door frame may or may not be vertically adjustable when in situ.

(54) A further beneficial feature of the invention is the fact that the slots 248 extend along the axis C-C. Since the axis C-C is at 90 relative to the axis A-A there is an additional effect that neither the link 20 nor its respective shaft 32 come into contact with the door leaf mounting plate 24 as the door leaf pivots about the door frame towards its open configuration. Consequently, the life of the door closer 1 may be further prolonged.

(55) It is to be appreciated that whilst the figures show embodiments in which the adjustor plate 12 includes separate first and second parts 12a, 12b, in some embodiments (for example embodiments where vertical adjustability is not essential) either one of the first and second parts 12a, 12b may be omitted. Therefore, features described in relation to the first part 12a may be provided on the second part 12b, and vice versa.

(56) When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

(57) The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.