Abstract:
An automated window system and method for a building utilizes a pair of gas springs to bias a window panel outward from a corresponding frame. A force opposing the gas springs is supplied by a motor driven spindle selectively winding and unwinding a cord coupled to the window panel sash adjacent the jamb portion of the frame and window. The cord is slidably retained to the jamb portion of the window sash through a pair of threadable pulls in order to equalize the forces supplied opposing the gas springs in the event of uneven winding of the cord due to buffeting or other forces while the window panel is being moved between an "open" to a "closed" position thereof.
Abstract:
Release mechanism for releasing a door-spring blocked by a blocking device, which mechanism comprises a temperature-sensitive control element for direct thermal actuation, by means of which the mechanism intervenes in the blocking device at a predetermined temperature of that element such that the door-spring is released. The release mechanism comprises for instance a rod guided for movement in longitudinal direction between a first end position and a second end position under a first bias in the direction to this first end position, and a control element comprising an SME material which at the predetermined temperature encloses the rod under a second bias greater than the first and in opposite direction thereto, which rod is coupled to a control member of the blocking device, which control member keeps the blocking device in operation in the first end position of the rod and renders the blocking device inoperative in the second end position of the rod. The release mechanism may further comprise a control circuit.
Abstract:
A mechanism for controlling the raising and lowering of a door comprising a speed reduction gearing, a high speed input shaft and a low speed output shaft connected to the gearing, and a governor mounted on the input shaft for regulating the input shaft's rotational speed. More particularly, the mechanism is provided with a brake having a movable brake shoe, a temperature sensitive link and an elongate member having a central portion coupled to the brake shoe. As well, the first portion of the elongate member is engageable with the temperature sensitive element and a second portion of the elongate member is engageable with the actuator. In this way, the elongate member is provided for moving the brake shoe to the release position in response to one of (1) the temperature sensitive link upon the temperature reaching a predetermined temperature and (2) the actuator.
Abstract:
The electro-mechanical drive includes an electric motor, a transmission and a restoring spring. To improve the capacity to close the door, particularly in the event of a power failure, a large coil spring used as the restoring spring surrounds the electric motor and transmission. The electric motor is short circuited when not powered in order to create a generator effect with consequent damping during movement of the door.
Abstract:
A fire door release mechanism includes a pair of levers engaging a bearing disc to hold a toothed clutch in engagement between a shaft of the fire door and a shaft of its operator. One of the levers has, at its end remote from the bearing disc, a pin on which a holding block is pivotally mounted. The other lever also has a pin at its remote end which is retained within a pocket on the holding block so long as tension is applied to the block, which tension is normally provided by a fuse link chain. When the tension is released, the levers, which are lightly spring biased, pivot out of engagement with the bearing disc to allow the clutch to disengage and separate the operator shaft from the fire door shaft.
Abstract:
A self return mechanism for automatically closing or opening a closure, preferably having a movable door supported during movement by a door frame, the door having a braking element mounted to the top edge of the door, and a door return element. The door return element has one end coupled to the door frame structure and its other end coupled to the door and has an intermediate segment oriented to pass through the braking element and around a portion of the grooved circumference of a pulley wheel. The door return element is preferably an elastic element having an outer dimension that changes as the door moves from an opened position to a closed position. The self return mechanism controls the acceleration and deceleration of the door as it is automatically closed, returns the sliding door to its closed position when it is opened only partially, allows for easy removal and replacement of the door from the door frame structure and is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to assemble.
Abstract:
An automatic door closer whose housing confines a reciprocable damper piston cooperating with a rotary shaft to rotate the shaft in a direction to close the door or to be moved by the shaft in response to opening of the door. The piston can be biased in a direction to close the door through the medium of the shaft by a strong coil spring as well as by a relatively weak second spring in the form of a torsion spring, an extension spring or a compression spring. The second spring ensures that the party opening the door invariably encounters some resistance to movement of the door from closed position as well as that the door begins to move toward the closed position as soon as the door opening force is reduced below the force of the second spring. The first spring is acted upon by a stressing device to ensure that such spring cannot oppose movements of the door to open position but is available to close the door with a certain delay following a relaxation of the door opening force so that the first spring can assist the second spring in closing the door if the first spring cannot close the door alone.
Abstract:
A safety cabinet for the storage of flammable or combustible materials that has doors and a closure mechanism designed to automatically close and latch the doors in the event of fire. The closing mechanism is fully automatic and eliminates mechanical timing features as well as provides an automatic positive method and structure of closing the doors of the cabinet to insure a complete seal and lock.
Abstract:
Hydraulic door closer apparatus includes means for counter-balancing the bias of a return spring, to either assist in opening the door by reducing the force needed to open, or, in an alternative embodiment and mode of operation, to open the door by over-balancing the bias of the return spring. In the latter mode, a remotely manually operable switch, such as, for example, a so-called palm button, may initiate opening the door.
Abstract:
An automatic opening smoke vent door is provided which serves as a normal, self-closing exit door, and which is capable of being connected to a fire alarm circuit so that the door opens automatically in the event of a fire to allow smoke to be vented. The invention provides a member, preferably an L-shaped sub-frame, hinged to the normal door frame, and with an opening device acting between the door frame and the hinged member to urge this member from a closed position to an open position disposed at about 90.degree. to the door frame. The hinged member is normally held in the closed position by a solenoid operated latch, which is released to allow the member to open in the event of a fire. The door is itself hinged to the hinged member, and a normal door closer is connected between the hinged member and the door to allow the door to operate in the usual way when the hinged member is in the closed position.