EGRESS DOOR OPENING ASSISTER

• US 20130111815A1
• Filed: 11/01/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLS
• Original Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions LLS
• Inventors: ALLISON, THOMAS L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,151,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/324
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/105 with a compression spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/426 for the initial opening movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors

Abstract

A door opening spring assistance apparatus is set forth that will automatically apply a door opening assistance force using a combination of rods and coil springs. The release of the rods by the coil springs reduces the force required to set the door in motion.

Claims

1. A spring-assisted door opening mechanism comprising:

a housing having a metal plate, the metal plate having at least one thru-bore;

a cylinder having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis in alignment with the thru-bore;

a rod carried in the cylinder and the bore, a first end of the rod extending from the thru-bore and defining an end cap having a diameter greater than a diameter of the rod, and a second end extending from a free end of the cylinder;

a coil spring carried by a shaft of the first end of the rod and retained on the rod between the end cap and a surface of a metal plate;

wherein, when the housing is secured to one either of a door frame or a door, the first end of the rod engages one either of a door frame or door, the spring providing a door entry assistance force to lessen the force needed by an operator to open a door.

2. The door opening mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the rod is threaded at least along the first end and a second end.

3. The door opening mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the end cap is secured through a terminal end of the first rod.

4. The door opening mechanism according to claim 1 wherein in a nut engages a second end of the rod.

5. A door opening mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the housing is carried by a support bracket, a support bracket supported by one either of a door or a door frame.

6. A process of reducing the force needed to open a closed door comprising:

supplying a door opening assist mechanism having a housing having a metal plate, metal plate having at least one chrubore;

a cylinder having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis in alignment with the thru-bore;

a rod carried in the cylinder and the bore, a first end of the rod extending from the thru-bore and defining an end cap having a diameter greater than a diameter of the rod, and a second end extending from a free end of the cylinder;

a coil spring carried by a shaft of the first end of the rod and retained on the rod between the end cap and a surface of a metal plate;

maintaining the spring in a compressed state when the door is in a closed position; and

unlatching the door, the spring providing a force that pushes the first rod end in a direction toward one of either a door or door frame that reduces the amount of force of a human operator needs to apply to open the door.

7. The process according to claim 6 wherein the door opening mechanism supplies between about 10 to about 50 pounds of force assistance, thereby reducing the amount of force a human operator needs to apply.

8. A door opening assistance device comprising:

a housing defining at least one aperture there through;

a rod carried by the aperture having a first and a second threaded end;

a spring positioned along the length of the rod and secured along a circumference of the rod between a terminal end cap carried by the first rod threaded end and a surface of the housing;

a threaded nut carried by the second end of the rod and positionable along the length of the threaded end of the second rod, and;

wherein, when the housing is secured to one of either a door frame or a door, the end cap engages one of either a door frame or a door, the spring providing a compensating force to lessen the amount of force an operator needs to manually apply to open the door.

9. The door opening system device of claim 8 wherein when the end cap engages a door, the housing is secured to a door frame.

10. The door opening assistance device of claim 8 wherein when the end engages a door frame, the housing is secured to the door.