US1134325A - Door-operating mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

R. N. FLINT.

DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATloN FILED rEB.2.1911.

1,1 34,325. Patl'lted Apr. 6, 1915.

5 BHEETSTSHIHET 1.

R. N. FLINT. noon ORI-:RATING MEcHAmsM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. I9II.

Patented Apr.6, 1915.

s sums-SHEET z.

ZIN-TUR R. N. FL|NT.\ nooR OPERATING MEcHANlsM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2 I9II. v 1,134,325, Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

R. N. FLINT.

AD'OOR OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. I9II.

1,134,325. I l Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SEEET 4.

W/TNESSES:

n. N. FLINT. l DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED FIEB. 2 19H.

1,134,325. I Patented Aprv'.6,1915. i

SHEETS-BHEET 5- A jig 106 .97

lstruction all relating to fdoor operating mrnnrnrnr, @F.wasnmeronmlsrmcr .or coLUMBIA.

DOORfOPERATING MECHAN ISM.

Application 1ed= February 2, 1911.

Toull whom l#may concern Be it know-nthatfI, RALPH N. .FLINT, a citizen of theU-.nited States, and a resident of .Washingtomin the District of .Columbia, Ihave made and invented certainnew and useful'lmprovements in Door-Operating Mechanism, sof which the following isa specification.

My invention relatesnto door operating mechanism particularly adapted for rotating vor swinging doors, andthe object thereof is .to provide a door with motor mechanism normally inoperative to,l move the same, so that thedoor is normally at rest; but which motor mechanism may move the door ina direction topermit. aperson to pass through the same, or in la direction to open it, the two expressions being regarded as synonymous; said motormechanism being controlled and rendered operative to move thedoor in thedirection aforesaid by appropriate manually .operable .means located upon and partaking of. the. movement of the door; so4 that `a personA upon approaching' the door will place his hand upon the. con-A trolling means and, upon operating the same, render the motor mechanism operative to transmit motion to the door. The door. may be so arranged that it may readily be operated directly .by force communicated to it by a person passing through the same so that should he fail to operate the controlling means and thus render themotor mechanism operative yto operate the door, he may nevertheless pass through-the door by merely pushing against it; or the door maybe packed so tightly, or move in such close contact with its casing, or the lsame may be so heavy as not to be operableby manual force, in either of which last mentioned cases the door may notbe operated except by or with `the assistance of the motor.

Further objects ofmy invention are to provide various subordinate and auxiliary mechanism, and various features of conmechanism. for doorsv ofthe type above referred to and contributing to or facilitating the object of invention or endfirst above mentioned, all as illustrated in the accompanying drawing and hereinafter disclosed.

Specification of Letters Patent.

,Patented Apr. e, 1915.

Serial No. 606,097.

While the motor mechanism as above eX- plained is normally inoperative to move the door so that the door is Vnormally at rest, the motor itself or source of power available forbperating the door and which motor is .by necessary inferenceincluded in the term motor mechanism may, as will hereinafter appear, operate either continuously or only when the door is to be moved, so that thev motor itself may be either normally at rest or` normally in motion, the latter, however, being the preferable arrangement.

.With the above and other objects of invention in view, my invention consists in the door operating mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification, and particularly claimed in the concluding claims, and in such variations and modifications thereof as will be obvious .to those skilled in the art t0 which .my invention relates. Y vIn the drawings accompanying and forminga part ofthis application; F igure'l is a view partly in section illustrating an embodiment of my door operating mechanlsm applied to a rotating door; Fig. 2 is a View .partly in section showing a circuit closing device, or switch, which forms a part of my .device enlarged; Fig. .3 is a view in the nature of a diagram illustrating another embodimentbf my invention; Fig. 4 -is a diagrammatic view showing another embodiment ofmy invention as applied to a rotating door; Fig. 5 is a view showing in diagram .an auxiliary mechanism designed to be used withthe form of my invention illustrated in Fig. l; Fig. .6 is a diagram showing a slightly modified form of an elementof my device; Fig. 7 is a view partly in section showing one form of my invention applied to a swinging door ;V Fig. 8 is a view showing a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7 in plangFig. 9 is a -view showing another form .-of circuit closing den vice; Fig. 10 is a view showing a slightly modified form of the circuit closing device shown in Fig. 9.

Referring. to Fig. 1 of the drawing 1, 2 are two leaves or panels of a rotating door having four separate leaves, it being. vunderstood, however, that my invention is in no way limited to or dependent upon the particular number of leaves which radiate from or rotate about the common central axis about which the door considered as a whole rotates, and that the door as a whole may be made up of more or less than four leaves. The leaves 1, 2 are supported by and rotate with a common central axle 3 shown as in the form of a hollow metallic pipe or tubular shaft to which all the separate individual leaves such as 1 2, whatever may be their number, are secured so as to be driven from such central axle. rlhe means whereby the separate leaves are secured to the axle 3 are not shown in this ligure as my invention is in no way concerned with such securing means. In this figure the leaf 1 is supposed to move away from the observer, although the door as a whole may of course be arranged to rotate in either direction.

The upper and lower ends of the axle 3 are rotatably supported in fixed supports 4, 5, and 6, 7 are side and upper and lower casings within which the door as an entirety rotates, the lower of the casings 7 being on a level with the floor of the building in which the door is used, and the side casings 6 being curved as will be understood so that at least one of the several radiating leaves supported from the common central axle will always contact with the sideicasings 6, whereby an unobstructed passage through the door and through which wind might blow is avoided.

The reference character 8 designates one member of an electric clutch, the same being.

secured to so as to rotate with and drive the vertical axle 3. The other member of the clutch is designated by 9, the same being loose upon the axle and supported adjacent the clutch member 8 by means of a collar 10; and this loose clutch member 9 is provided with driving means shown as comprising a sprocket wheel 11 secured to it and driven by a sprocket chain' 12, which in turn is driven from an electric motor 13 through worm gearing at 14 and a second sprocket wheel at 15. The driving mechanism for the loose clutch member 9 may, however, be varied, and other of the vpossible forms which such driving mechanism may assume are illustrated in the drawings and described hereinafter.

The electric motor 13 is supplied with electricity through the main line wires 16, the motor, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 1, being in continuous operation whereby continuous rotary motion is imparted to the loose clutch mein- The reference character 17 designates a contact ring rotating withbut insulated from the axle 3, and 18 is a second contact ring rotating with and grounded upon the axle 3 so that current may flow from itl to the axle. Current is supplied to these rings through wires 19 in shunt with the line wires 16 which supply the motor 13, and brushes 20, 21 which bear upon the rings; an adjustable resistance being preferably interposed at 22 to regulate the current owing through'the wires 19. The insulated contact ring 17 is connected with one end of the coil 23 of the clutch member 8 by means of a wire 24 located, preferably, within the hollow axle 3, and the other end of this coil 23 is connected by means of a wire 25 extending also, preferably, through the hollow axle 3 with a distributing ring 26 secured to but insulated from the'axle 3. From the distributing ring 26 conductors 27, one for each separate leaf such as 1, 2 extend along the leaves and to separate circuit closing devices, one such circuit closing device being located upon each separate leaf and the same, consequently, partaking of the rotary motion of the door considered as a whole.

The circuit closing devices are designated by the reference numeral 28, and it will be understood that the distributing ring 26 forms in effect a multiple connection whereby all the circuit closing devices are connected in parallel with the clutch member coil 23 through the wire 25 and wires 27. Fig. 2, illustrates the circuit closing device Vor switch 28 in detail, the same comprising in the embodiment of my invention illustratedein these figures a metallic casing 29 secured to the leaf 1 adjacent its outer edge, which frame is provided with a cylinder 30 which acts as a dash pot to cause the switch to operate slowly as will hereinafter appear. A piston 31 operates in the cylinder 30; and the rod 32 of this piston is connected with a movable member or lever 33 the free end of which is pivoted at 34 adjacent the inner edge of the door; so that, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the several levers 33 appear as barsextending across the leaves and spaced somewhat from the surface thereof, so as to bein a position .such that a person wishingto pass through the door may conveniently and will naturally place his hand upon a lever 33 and swing it downward about its pivotal point 34.

35 is a spring which acts to normally hold the lever mits upper position shown in Fig. 1 and 1n dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The lever 33 carries an arm 36 at its freer outer end, which .arm carries a contact or brush 37 whlch rests upon a block of insulatmg material 38 embedded in the metallic casing 29 when the lever 33 is in its upper i position, whereby the circuit controlled by the swltch 28. is normally broken. The inner end of the lever 33 is electrically con- -nected with the axle 3 and, consequently,

nieuwe is duplicated for each of the separate leaves l, 2, etc., with which the door considered as a whole may be provided, each of said several separate leaves being provided with separate switches: independent of one another but through any one of which a How of current may be established through the. coil 23 of the clutch member 8.

40 is a spring for pressing the brush 37 against the surface over which it moves as the free end of the lever 33 is depressed. The conductor 27 will preferably take the form of a bar extending across the door to protect the glass commonly present, and, while the lever 33 is referred to in a Way to imply that it is of metal, it may obviously be non-metallic with a conducting wire connecting the brush 37 with the axle 3.

The operation of the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is as follows: A person approaching the leaf 1 will place his hand upon the lever 33 and swing the free right hand end thereof downward, thus moving the brush 37 oit the block of insulating material 38 and into contact with the metallic casing 29; whereupon current will flow from the brush 20 through the insulated contact ring 17 and the wire 24 to and through coil 23 of the clutch member 8, through wire 25 to the insulated distributing ring 26, and through the conductor 27 to the metallic casing 29 ofthe circuit closer or switch 28, through brush 37, and lever 33- and link 39 to the metallic axle 3,

through said axle and grounded contact ring 18 to brush 21, and through the circuit 19 connected in shunt with the line 16 through which current flows" to operate the motor 13 continuously as hereinbefore explained The clutch member 8 being, as will be understood, made of iro-n, is thus magnetized, and the clutchmember 9, being also made of iron, will be attracted and moved into contact with and held firmly against the lower face of the.

clutch member 8. The driven clutch member 9, which normally rotates freely upon the axle 3, will now communicate rotary motion to the clutch member 8 fast upon the axle 3, and, as will be understood, to the rotating door as a whole, thus enabling the lperson to follow the door 1 and pass through.

Persons passing through a door in a direction opposite to the direction above indicated will obviously approach .the leaf 2 from its farther side and close the switch 1ocated 'thereupon precisely as above explained, it being obvious that the operation of. the driving-means is in no Way affected by the fact that two or more switches 28 are depressed at the same time. Should a person in passing through the door not depress the lever 33 it is obv1ous that he may rotate the door by merely pushing against the leaf 1, the manual operation of the door as a whole being in no way ali'ected by the presence of the motor operating mechanism with which it is provided.

The dash pot 30 is provided in order that should a person depress the lever 33 and immediately remove his hand therefrom the arm 33 will be elevated by the spring 35, but slowly, so that the circuit controlled by the switch 28 will remain closed for an appreciable time asl while the door rotates through say something like one third of a rotation, and, in case a number of persons pass through the door in one or both directions and all depress the levers 33 the door will4 obviously rotate through about onel third of a rotation after the last has removed his. hand from a lever, and then come to rest.

The current flowing 'through the coil 23 may obviously be regulated by the adjustable resistance 22, and the current will be so regulated as to hold the clutch members 8 and 9 together with but little more force than is necessary in order to rotate the door, so that should a person stop in passing through the door, or should he fall, the clutch members will slip and the door stop rather than force the person along to his possible injury.

Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically a scheme whereby the motor which operates the rotating door is normally at rest or inoperative. The brushes 20, 21 and the entire controlling and door operating mechanism, except that the operating motor is normally at rest, is precisely the same as above'described. In this figure 42 is the main circuit which extends through the motor 41 and is normally broken at 43 but may be closed by means of the armature or switch 47 of an electromagnetic device or relay 48, this circuit including a solenoid 44. The reference numeral 4'5 indicates a shunt circuit which includes in series an automatically variableresistance 46; a slidclutch member 8; the rcircuit closers or switches 28 upon the leaves, and the brush 21; and a relay 48 the armature 47 of which closes the main circuit 42 at 43 when a current flows in the shunt circuit above traced.

tively rconnected with a piston 50 movabley in a retarding cylinder 51 which may contain a liquid, or air only; and said plunger is also operatively connected with a slidlng contact 52 which moves over and in contact with a plurality of terminals 53 whereby the a plurality for" sections. The plunger is shown as being provided with a squared -adjustable resistance 42 is sub-divided into i or flattened metallic rod 54 which moves vertically and is guided by a roller 55, a sliding contact being established between the rod and the shunt circuit 454 by the contact spring 56whereby the continuity of the shunt circuit is maintained, the sliding contact 52 being carried by the rod 54 aforesaid. The piston 5() is provided lwith a permanently open passage 57 and with a second passage 58 provided with a valve 59 which opens as the piston moves downward, so that the piston 50 will move slowly in an upward direction but more rapidly in a downward direction. 60 is a spring which normally holds the armature 47 in the position shown. If, then, a switch 28 upon the rotating door be operated as above explained the shunt circuit 45 will be closed and current will flow from the positive side of the line 42 through the adjustable resistance 46; sliding contact 52; rod 54; sliding contact' 56; brush 20; coil 23; switch 28 upon the door and to brush21; through the relay 48 and to the negative side of the line 42. The relay 48 being thus energized the main circuit 42 will be closed at 43 andfcurrent ,thus permitted to flow through the motor 41 which will start'under no load because of the fact that, while current is flowing through the coil 23 of the clutch member 8, its volume is small, because of the resistance 4.6 in series with it, and insuflicient to magnetize the clutch member 8 suflicient, to attract and hold the clutch member 9, which, as will be understood, while it is driven by the motor as it starts runs as yet loose upon the axle 3 and constitutes l an inappreciable load. The main circuit being thus closed and the motor started the solenoid 44 is energized and the plunger 49 being attracted thereby moves upward carrying the sliding `contact 52 with it, thusy progressively cutting out the variable resistance 46. As the resistance 46 is cut out of the shunt circuit 45 the current there' through and through the coil 23 of the clutch member' 8 increases in volume until, finally, and at about the time when the motor 41 shall have attained its. full speed, such current will be sufficient to magnetize the clutch member 8 suiiiciently to attract and hold the clutch member` 9; after which the door will be4 rotated by the motor 41 through the clutch member 9. When the shunt circuit is broken lat the switch 28 the plunger 49, piston 50 and parts connected therewith return quickly to their original position because of the valve 59, the main circuit 42 being broken at 43 as will be understood. This forni of operating mechanism is, perhaps, less prompt/in .action than the form previously described, but is 'partrolling means being the same in fconstruction as hereinbefore described. The automatically variable resistance 46, solenoid 44, plunger 49, cylinder 51 and elements cooperating therewith and above described are repeated in this view as such elements form a part of the operating mechanism of the form of my device disclosed in this figure, although it will be understood that the resistance and number of turns ofthe solenoid, and the amount of variable resistance'employed, are not necessarily the same in both cases, these being matters of design dependent upon the electrical features of the system as a whole.

In the embodiment of my door operating mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4 the clutch mechanism is removed from the axle 43 and is supported upon independent bearings 61. The clutch mechanism comprises a clutch member 62 secured to a shaft 63 which drives the axle 3 through gearing 64, 65, and which clutch member is provided with a coil 66 the terminals of which are connected with contact rings 67, 68 insulated by means of a sleeve 69 of insulatin material, and upon which rings brushes 0, 71 bear whereby current may -be supplied to the coil 66. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 63 is a second clutch member 72 the periphery of which is formed as a gear, and 3 is a pinion in driving engagement with the clutch member 72, said pinion being upon the shaft 74 of the armature of the electric motor 75 which drives the axle 3 of the doors through the mechanism just described. 76 is a relay, 77 its armature, and 78 is a spring for normally holding the armature in the position shown. In the operating Vmeans here described 79 is the main circuit which supplies in shunt the field magnet coils 80 of the motor 75 whereby the field magnets are a1- ways magnetized. A shunt circuit 81 leads from the main circuit 79 and includes in series the brush 21, grounded contact ring 18, .link .39, lever 33, switch 28, conductor 27, distributing ring 26, conductor 82,.insu lateducontact ring 17, brush 20, and relay 76; and, upon this circuit being closed by the switch or circuit closer 28 current will flow through the circuit above traced, thus energizin the relay 76 and attracting the armature thereof and closing another circuit to be next traced. A second shunt 83 leads from the main circuit 79 and includes-in series the armature 84 of the motor 75, contact 85 df the relay 76 at which point this circuit is normally broken, armature 77 of the relay 76, brush 70, contact ring 68, coil 66 ofthe clutch member 62, contact ring 67, brush circuit being in series, the armature willI start to rotate when this circuit is closed thus driving the clutch member 72, but not the clutch member 62 because the volume of current is not as yet sufficient to magnetize the clutch member 62 to a degree suflicient to prevent the clutch member 7 2 from slipping The plunger 49 now beginsto rise due to the current in the solenoid 44, thus progressively cutting out the resistance 46 as the contact 452 moves over the contacts 53. This action is accompanied by an increase in current flowing through the clrouit in question, and

` a consequent increase in speed of the armature 84 of the motor 75, and the parts will be so proportioned that at about the time that the armature reaches its proper speed the clutch member 62, will be magnetized to such a degree that the clutch member 72 will be held in contact therewith with suilicient force to prevent the clutch members from slipping, whereupon motion will be transmitted to the axle 3 and rotary motion imparted to the door. The upward movement of the plunger 49 will be retarded as hereinbefore explained, so that the resistance will not be cut out and the motor started too rapidly, and upon the first mentioned circuit 81 being broken at the switch 28 the relay 76 will be denergized and the second circuit 83 broken at 85, whereupon the solenoid 44 is denergized and the plunger 49 will descend rapidly.

Fig. -5 illustrates in diagram an arrangement for use with a continuouslyv operatingmotor such as is illustrated in Fig. 1, but in which means lare provided for gradually increasing the current'through the coil 2,3 of' the clutch memnber 8 of the magnetic clutch after a flow of current has been established therethrough by closing the circuit by means of the switch 28 upon the door. In this figure 16 is the main circuit .through which current is supplied to the motor 13, and 86 is a shunt circuit which includes in series an automatically variable resistance 46 having terminals 53 as hereinbefore described, a solenoid 87, insulated contact ring 17, the coil 23, the circuit closer 28, and thegrounded ring 18; so that when the circuit is closed by operating the circuit closer 28 current will flow through the variable resistance 46, solenoid 87 and coil23 iii-series. The result will be that the initial current through these elements will be small in volume and insufficient to magnetize the clutch member8suiiiciently to hold the clutch member 9 in contact therewith with suicient force to prevent slipping. As soon, however, as current begins to flow through the solenoid 87 the plunger 49 will be drawn upward thus moving the sliding contact 91I over theterminals 53 and progress'ively cutting out the resistance 46 until, finally, the clutch members 8 and 9 are held together with suliicient force to secure'the transmission of motion to the door in a manner hereinbefore explained. This mechanism is provided with a retarding cylinder 51 like the one hereinbefore described. In the mechanism shown in Fig. 5 the current instead of flowin through the rod 54 and a sliding contact ike the contact 56, flows from the sliding contact 91 through a flexible coiiductor 88 connected therewith and to a block 89 included in the circuit 86, guide rollers 90 being provided for guiding the upper end of the rod 54.

Fig. 6 illustrates an arrangement Whereby the sliding contact 56 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be avoided. In this figure the sliding contact 92 is shown as connected with a block 93 by means of a flexible conductor 94, the said members 92, 93 and 94 being included in the circuit 45 or 83 as the case may be.

It will be understood that the door operating mechanisms shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and contemplated in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, move 100 a leaf of the door through somethinglike one-fourth of a rotation and thenbecome inactive until another of the switches 28 is operated; If, then, but one leaf be employed the door becomes a swinging door and any of the forms of my invention above disclosed may be used to swing such a door about a vertical axis at one side thereof and thus open the same. Such an arrangement Without more would, however, leave the door open, so that when my door operating mechanism is used to operate swinging doors some sort of a door closing device will be employed to return the door to its closed position after it has been opened by the motor mechanism.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated the form of my door operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1 as applied to a swinging door, it being understood, however, that any of the other forms are equally well adapted for such a purpose. In these figures 95 1s a swinging door supported byv a vertical axle 96 supported in bearings 97 and `mov able away .from the observer, referring to Fig. 7, tov open-the door. The reference numeral 98 indicates a clutch member fast. upon the axle 96, and 99 is a second clutch member loose'u on the axle 96 and continuouslyxdriven rom an electric motor 100 130 Aeo through gearing 101 and a sprocketchain 102. The axle 96 carries a grounded contact ring 103 and an insulated contact ring 104, and 105, 106 are brushes in contact with these rings. The clutch member 98 is provided with a coil 107, one end of which is connected with the contact ring 104 and the other with the metallic casing of a switch or circuit closer 108 located upon and partaking of the movement of the door 95, current from this switch being conducted through the swinging lever 109 thereof and through a conducting link 110 to the axle 96 and grounded ring 103. It will thus be seen that when the shunt circuit 111 is closed at 108 the clutch member 98 will be magnetized and the door swung into an open posi- Ytion by the motor 100 which receives its supply of current from the main line 112. The door 95 is returned to its closed position by a door closer. 113 of any suitable form but preferably of the form in which door closing and cushioning or checking functions are present in a single unitary structure.

The switch mechanism for closing the controlling circuitwhen a swinging door is used may be of the form hereinbefore disclosed. I prefer, however, to employ the form shown in Fig. 9, which form, conversely, may be used with a rotary door, the distinguishing feature of which form is that the lever which accomplishes the closing of the circuit moves in a horizontal plane and in the same direction as the door to close the circuit which it controls. In Fig. 9, 114 is the metallic body portion of the switch member, 115 is a brush normally spring pressed outward carried by the oscillating lever 109 and which normally rests upon a block 116 of insulating material, 117 is a cylinder,vand 118 is a piston moving therein to thereby form a dash pot, and 119 is a rod connecting the piston with the lever 109. The piston 118 is provided with a minute passage .120, and a spring 121 is provided to keep the lever 109 normally in its outer position shown inA Fig. 9, ad torreturn it kto that position after it has been pressed toward the door by a person who would pass therethrough. The lever 109 is shown as pivoted to the leftl hand side of the door at 122. In Fig. 10 the rod 119 is shown as prolonged through the cylinder 117 and provided with a handle 123, this being one arrangement whereby the controlling circuit may be closed .and the door opened by a person who wishes to pass through the door from the farther side thereof, referring to Fig. 7.

In view of the premises it will be understood that in all the forms of my invention -illustrated and described, the door is normally at rest and the motor mechanism whereby the door is to be moved in a direction to .open'it is normally in condition such and moving with the door as explained,`

whereby the motor mechanism is rendered operative to open the door; whereupon the door will open or rotate and permit the per-` son to pass through the door, the motion of the door continuing as long as the motor controlling mechanism is controlled by the person passing through the door, and preferably for a short time after the person has released such controlling mechanism. While the door, because of the fact that the same is normally inoperatively connected with the operating' motor mechanism, is free to be operated at all times so that a person may pass therethrough by pushing upon the door and without bringing. the operating mechanism into operative relation -with the door, my invention is especiallyand perhaps best adapted for use with doors in which the friction between the casing and the door in the ease of rotating doors is sov great, and for use with doors which are so heavy, that they could not be conveniently operated Without motor mechanism to move or assist in moving them.

ico

Having thus described my'invention and explained the operationthereof I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In door operating mechanism, a door comprising a rotary central axle and a plurality of leaves or panels carried by said axle; a motor normally disconnected from said axle; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said axle, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to said axle; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit ;y and a switch .adapted to control the flow of electricity through said circuit to thereby operate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with said axle through said clutch mechanism, said switch being located upon and partaking of .the movement of said door.

2. In door operating mechanism, a door comprising arotary central axle and a plurality of leaves or panels carried by said axle; a continuously operating motor; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said Ymotor and saidv axle, the samebeing normally inactive to transmit motion to said axle; acircuit. in which said clutch mechanism is; included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; and a switch adapted to control the flow of electricity through said circuit to thereby operate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with said axle through said clutch mechanism, said switch being located upon and partaking of the movement of said door.

3. The combination with a door movable in a. direction to open it by force communicated thereto by a person passing through the same, of a motor adapted to open the door; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motorv and the door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to the door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; a 'switch located upon and partaking of the movement of the door and adapted to coll.- trol the flow of electricity through said clutch mechanism to thereby actuate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with the door through said clutch mechanism and means for retarding the movement of said switch in a direction to open said circuit after the circuit has been closed by said switch.

4. rlhe combination with a door movable in a direction to open it by force communicated thereto by a person passing through the same, of a continuously operating motor` adapted to open the door; electrically operatedclutch mechanism between said motor and the door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to the door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; a switch located upon and partaking of the movement of the door and adapted to control the iiow of electricity through said clutch mechanism to thereby actuate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with the door Lthrough said clutch mechanism and means for retarding the movement of said switch in a direction to open said circuit after. the circuit has been closed by said switch.

5. In door operating mechanism, a door; a motor; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to said door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to. said circuit; a variable resistance in said circuit in series with said electrically operated clutch mechanism; a solenoid through which a current of electricity flows; means actuated by said solenoid for progressively cutting out said variable resistance; and a switch adapted to control the How of electricity through said circuit to thereby operate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with said door through said clutch mechanism, said switch being located upon and partaking of the movement of said door and the direction of motion of said motor being such that it operates the door in a direction to open the same.

6. In door operating mechanism, a door; a motor; electrically perated clutch mechanism between said motor and said door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to said door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; a variable resistance and a solenoid in said circuit in series with one another and with said electrically operated clutch mechanism; means actuated by said solenoid for progressively cutting out said variable resistance; and a switch adapted to control the flow of electricity through said circuit to thereby operate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with said y door through said clutch mechanism, said switch being located upon and partaking of the movement of said door and the direction of motion of said motor being such that it operates the door in a direction to open the same.

7. The combination with a door movable in a direction to open it by force communicated thereto by a person passing through the same, of a motor adapted to open the door; electrically' operated clutch mechanism between said motor and the door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to the door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; a variable resistance in said circuit in series with said electrically operated clutch mechanism; a solenoid through which a current of electricity flows; means actuated by said solenoid for progressively cutting out said variable resistance; and a switch located upon and partaking of the movement of the door and adapted to control the low of electricity through said clutch mechanism to thereby actuate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with the door through said clutch mechanism.

8. rl`he combination with a door movable in a direction to open it by force communicatedthereto by a person passing through the same, ofv a motor adapted to open the door; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and the door, the

same being normally inactive to transmit motion to the door; a circuit in which said iclutch mechanism is included; a source of taking of the movement of the door and adapted to control the flow of electricity through said clutch mechanism to thereby actuate said clutch ymechanism and' operatively connect said motor with the door through said clutch mechanism.

9. In door operating mechanism, a door; a motor; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to said door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; a switch included in said circuit for controlling the flow of electricity therethrough to thereby operate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with said door through said clutch mechanism, said switch being located upon and partaking of the movement of said door and the direction of motion of said motor being such that it operates the door` in a vdirection to open the same and a dash-pot operatively associated with said switch and acting to retard the opening movement thereof after it has been moved to close said circuit.

10. The combination with a door movable in a direction to open it by force communicated thereto by a person passing through the same, of a motor adapted to open the door; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and the door, the same being normally inactive to transmit motion to the door; a circuit in'which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; a switch included in said circuit and located upon and parta-king of the movement of the door forcontrolling the flow of electricity through said clutch mechanism to thereby actuate said clutch mechanism and operatively connect said motor with thedoor through said clutch mechanism; and a dash-pot operatively associated with said switch and acting to retard the opening movement thereof after it has been moved to close said circuit.

11. In combination, a rotary door; a motor for operating said door.; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and door and which clutch mechanism is normally inactive to transmit motion to said door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source ofelectricity for supplying current to said circuit; and a circuit closing device located uponand partaking of thev movement of said door and adapted to control said circuit to thereby operatively connect said motor with said door through said clutch mechanism.

y 12. Indoor operating mechanism, a door comprising a rotary central axle and a plurality of leaves or panels carried'by said axle; an electric motor for driving said axle,

said motor being normally disconnected from said axle; a circuit through which electricity may iiow to operate said motor; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said axle; a switch located upon and partaking of the movement of said door; a second circuit wherein said switch and said clutch mechanism are included; means for supplying electricity to said circuits; and an electrically operated circuit closing device included in said second mentioned circuit and operable by a current of electricity flowing therethrough for closing said first mentioned circuit and thus rendering said motor operative to rotate said axle.

13. In combination, a rotary door; a continuously operating electric motor for operating said door; a circuit through which electricity may flow to operate said motor; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and door and which clutch mechanism is normally inactive to transmit motion to said door; a circuit in which said clutch mechanism is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to both said circuits; and a circuit closing device located upon and partaking of the movement of said door and adapted to control said second mentioned circuit to thereby operatively connect said'motor with said door through said clutch mechanism.

14. In door operating mechanism, a door comprising a rotary central axle and a plurality of leaves or panels carried by said axle; an electric motor for driving said axle; said motor being normally disconnectedf'rom said axle; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said axle; means for supplying electricity to said clutch mechanism to operatively connect said motor with said axle when the door is to be rotated; a circuit through which electricity may flow to operate said motor; a switch locatedupon and partaking of the movement of said door; a

vsecond circuit wherein said switch is included; means for supplying electricity to said circuit; and an electrically `operated circuit closing device included in said second mentioned circuit and operable by a current of electricity flowing therethrough for closing said rst mentioned circuit and thus rendering said motor operative to rotate said axle.

15. In door operating mechanism, a door; an electric motor for moving said door, said motor being normally disconnected from said door; a circuit through which electricity may flow to operate said motor; a solenoid included in said circuit; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said door; a switch located upon and partaking of the movement of said door; a second circuit wherein said switch and said clutch mechanism are included, and

which circuit includes also a variable resistance; means operated by said solenoid for progressively cutting said variable resistance out of the circuit in which it is included; means for supplying electricityto said circuits; and an electrically operated circuit closing device included in said second mentioned circuit and operable by ya current of electricity flowing therethrough for closing said first mentioned circuit'and thus rendering said motor operative to move said door.

16. In door operating mechanism, a door; an electric motor for moving said door, said motor being normally disconnected from said door; electrically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and said door; means for supplying electricity to said clutch mechanism to operatively connect said motor with said door when the door is to be moved; a circuit through which electricity may iiow to operate said motor; a solenoid included in said circuit; a switch located uponl and partaking of the movement of said door; a second circuit wherein said switch is included; a variable resistance included in said second circuit; means operated .by said solenoid for progressively cutting said variable resistance rout of the circuit in which it is included;

means for supplying electricity to said circuits; and an electrically operated circuit closing device included in said. second mentioned circuit and operable by a current of 'electricity flowing therethrough for closing said first mentioned circuit and thus rendering said motor operative to move saiddoor.

17. The combination with a door movable in a direction to open it by force communi- :'cated thereto by a person passing through the same, of an electric motor adapted to open the door, said motor being normally disconnected from the door; a switch located upon and partaking of the movement of the ldoor; a circuit wherein said switch is included; a source of electricity for supplying current to said circuit; an electrically operated circuit closing device inriuded in said circuit and operable by a current of electricity flowing therethrough for establishing a flow of electricity through and thus rendering said motor operative; and electrically operated clutch mechanism for `operatively connectin said motor with said door.

18. In oor operating mechanism, a door;

variable resistance in series with said clutchl mechanism; means for establishing a flow of electricity through ,said clutch mechanism and variable resistance to operatively connect said motor with said door when the door is to be moved; a circuit through which electricity may flow to operate said motor; a

solenoid included in'said circuit; .a switch located upon and partaking of the movement of said door; a second circuit wherein said switch is included; means operated by said solenoid for progressively reducing the amount of variable resistance .in series with said clutch mechanism; and an electrically operated circuit closing ldevice included in said second mentioned circuit and operable by a current of electricity flowing therethrough for closing said first mentioned circuit and thus rendering said motor operative to move said door.

19. In combination, a. rotary door; an electric motor for operating said door; a circuit through which a current of electricity may flow to operate said motor; electically operated clutch mechanism between said motor and door and which clutch mechanism is normally inactive to transmit motion to said door; a circuit in which said clutch lmechanism is included; means for supplying electricity to said circuits; a switch located upon and partalring of the movement of said door and adapted to control the flow of electricity through said second mentioned circuit to thereby operatively connect said motor with said door through said clutch mechanism; and an electrically operated circuit closing device included in said secondmentioned circuit and adapted to control said first mentioned circuit.

20. In combination7 a rotary door; an'

Vconnect said motor with said door through said connecting means.

21. In combination, a rotary door; an electric motor for operating said door, said motor being normally disconnected from vvsaid door; a circuit through which a current of electricity may flow to operate said motor; electrically operated means intermediate said motor and door and through which said motor-may be operatively connected with said door; a circuit in which said connecting means is included; means for supplying electricity to said circuits; a

switch 'located upon and pai-taking of thev movement of said door and adapted to control the flow of electricity through said second mentioned circuit to thereby operatively im v 1,134,325

connect said motor with said door through State of New York, this 30th day of Janusaid connecting means; and an electrically ary, A. D. 1911.

operated circuit closing device included in said second mentioned circuit and adapted RALPH N' FLINT' 5 to 'control said first mentioned circuit. Witnesses:

Signed at New York, borough of Man- A. V. WALSH,

hatten, in the county of New York, and H. M. WHITE.

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