US2983538A - Magnetic door retainer - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1951 M. W. FLETCHER 2,983,538

MAGNETIC DOOR RETAINER Filed May 14, 1959 INVENTOR".

zo j

ATTD RN EYEI United Sra-fes Page 0 r assess j Y MAGNETIC DOOR RErnvnR auchan "wayne Fletcher, 1306 W. `Elm sf., Enid, Okla. a rue May A14, `1959, ser. No. 813,088

2 Claims. (or. 29e-251.5)`

This invention relates to a magnetic retainer, and more particularly to a magnetic retainer for a swlngrng door. The object of the invention is to provide a magnetic taining a door in closed position. `:Another object of the invention is to provide a magnetlc door retainer which includes a magnet that 4is adapted to coact with a movable member, and wherein the movable member-can be adjusted or moved to diierent posrtrons as desired so as to provide Aa means for regulating or controlling the actuation of the magnetic door retainer of the present invention.

A `further object of the invention is to provide a magnetic door retainer which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will fbe apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same Fig. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a door equipped with a magnetic door retainer of the present invention;

Fig. 2- is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view illustrating certain constructional details ofthe present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View.

Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the track and adjustable body member.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the construction of certain pants of the present invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates "a door frame, and the numeral 11 indicates a door which is hingedly connected to the frame 10 as at 12. The frame 10 includes a horizontally disposed stationary rail 13.

According to the present invention there is provided a magnetic door retainer which includes a track 14, Fig. 9, and the track 14 includes `a back wall 15, the track 14 being fastened to the door 11 as at 16. 'Ilhe track 14 further includes a pair of spaced parallel side walls 17 as well as opposed flanges 18. There is provided on one end of the track 14 an end member 19, and the numeral 20 indicates an end piece which is adapted to be fastened in the other end of the track 14.

Slidably or adjustably connected to the track 14 is a body member 21 provided with opposed grooves 22 that slidably receive the flanges 18 ofthe track 14. The body member 21 further includes Aa wide outer face portion 23. The interior of the body member 21 is provided with a recess 24, and the numeral 25 indicates a spring member which is arranged in the recess 24, the spring member t retainer vwhich is adapted to be used for selectively main- Nce . 2 4 j providing a means forholding the body member 21 immobile in its various adjusted positions. There is further provided a block 26 which is secured to the rail 13 as,for example, by means of securing elements 27. A shank 28 extends from the block 26, and a magnet 29 is aixed to the shank 28. Magnet 29 is adapted to coact with the body member 21 so as to selectively maintain the door 11 in its closed position.

lFrom the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a magnetic door retainer which will provide a means for el'ectively maintaining or retaining a door in closed position. According to the present invention the track 14 is adapted to be secured to the door 11, and the end member 19 as well as the end piece 20 provide stop,

members for limiting sliding movement of the body member 21. The body mernlber 21 is Slidably connected to the track 14, and the body member 21 Iis adapted to coact with the magnet 29 so that the door can be selectively kept closed. The magnet 29 is supported by the shank 28 which extends fromthe block 26, and the block 26 is fastened to the frame or rail 13 by means of securing elements 27. t

It is tozbe noted that when the magnetic door retainer is to be used, the body member 21 is arranged in such a. position that the face portion 23 will be contiguous to the magnet 29. At such times when the magnetic door retainer is not being used, the body member 21 can -be slid or shifted along the track 14 so that there will be no coaction between the magnet 29 and body member 21.

The 'body member 21 has the recess 24 in which is positioned the spring member 25, and the spring member 25 exerts suflicient pressure against the track 14 so as to hold the body member 21 stationary in its adjusted position.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in diierent shapes or sizes.

As previously stated, the member 21 can be adjusted so that the tension or pull of the magnet can be adjusted from zero to upwards of many pounds. The present invention embodies the most eicient way whereby the pull of a permanent magnet may be controlled and this is by moving the metal plate 21 which is attracted by the magnet, or the moving of the magnet itself from the metal plate and this movement may be accomplished by movements from up to 180.

The purpose of the present invention is to hold or maintain an inward swinging door of `a building in a closed position especially ,during high winds or whenever the user wishes the door to be controlled. The present invention can be used on commercial store front constructions and a positive latch is provided to hold the door in a closed position during -a wind storm or during strong winds. A magnet is used for power to keep the door in a controlled closed position during a strong: wind and the device can be disengaged by moving the bar or member 21 along the metal track 14 out of the range of the magnet 29. The magnet 29 is supported by the under side of the door frame header opposite the hinge side of the frame. The member 21 is connected to the track 14 before the end piece 20 is secured in place. The spring member 25 is positioned in the recess 24 before the member 21 is connected to the track 14. The grooves 22 are arranged so that themember 21 will be able to slide on the metal track 14 only when pressure is applied to the member 21 in the direction that the person desires to move it. 'I'he movable body member will engage or bypass the magnet only the distance the operator wishes so that a means is provided for controlling the desired amount of magnetic pull. The member 21 may be adjusted by finger-tip control to regulate the magnetic pull on the door so that a means is provided for controlling the door from wind pressure. The block 26 may be applied to the wall surface on either side of the entrance t. T '2,983538 Y v adjacent. thefln'ged edgeofthe door andthe magnet' 29 on the kblocklti can bepositioned so that ,it will `engage the body member 21 and such la Ipositioning of these elements to operate as previously described will hold the dorzopeminst'ead of in ,a'closed position. The `spring 25k maintains a constant pressurevbetweenvthe metal track and-the member 21 sowas toassure: thatfthe member21 will sltay'inztheidesired adjustedpositionfor correct pull. Minorchang'esinshape, size and' rearrangement of details coming withinthe eldl of 'inventionsclairnedfmay be `resorted `to in actualpractice if desired.

What ,isl claimed is: I ,1.v In-iadevice of the character described, for use with a stationarylframe including IValail, land a door hingedly connected to said frame, the improvement 'comprising a track secu-red to the `door and yincluding a back wall and spaced apart longitudinally extending sidewalls, opposed anges' extending'fromsaid Aside walls, an endmember on one end of said track anpend'piece secured to the other end .ofjsaid track, a body member of magnetic material slidably connected to said track and including a pair of opposed grooves for slidably lreceiving saidV flanges, said body member further including a'wide outer face portion, agblock' fastened to said rail, :a shank extending from the block, and Va magnetconnected to said shank for coaction With the face portion of said body member.

- 2'. Ina device of the character described, for use with "a' stationary frame including a rail, yand la' door connected to said frame, the improvement comprisinga track secured to the door and including a back wall and spaced apart longitudinally extending side walls, opposed flanges extending from said side walls, an end member on one end of said track, an end piece secured to the other end of said track, a body member of magnetic material slidably connected to said track-and including `a pair of opposed grooves for slidably receiving said anges, said body member further includingawide outerface portion, a block fastened to the rail, and a magnet connected to said block for coacti'on with the face portion of said body member, there lbeing, a recess in saidrbody member, and a spring member arranged in said recess for engaging said track for mounting said bodyfmemberin adjusted relation to said track.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS t

Images