US2200865A - Closure controlling device - Google Patents

Description

May im, 1940.

B. F. STANNARD cLosURE GONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 114 1940- B. F. STANNARD I CLOSURE CONTROLLING DEVICE www s sheets-sheet 2 Filed sept. s, 193e My E4, 1940. B F STANNARD 2,200,865

CLOSURE CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1938 3 `Sheets-Sheet 3 /N Ve N To@ E/VJA M//v FSM/wm Patented May 14, 1940 masts PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE CONTROLLING DEVICE Benjamin F. Stannard, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

signor of forty per cent to A. B. Leavelle, Los

Angeles, Calif.

Application September 3, 1938, Serial No. 228,424

25 Claims.

This invention relates to closure controlling devices of the general character embodied in my U. S. Patent No. 2,118,950, dated May 31, 1938, and my co-pending application Serial No. 121,752, dated January 22, 1937.

An object of my present invention is to provide a closure controlling device embodying a power unit and a checking unit which in their applied positions on a door co-act to hingedly mount the door and to effectively and positively control the movements of the door in such manner that the door can be opened with but negligible resistance being offered by the units, yet it will smoothly and silently close automatically when released, irrespective of the weight of the door or of resistance offered by wind or drafts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure controlling device the power and checking mechanisms of which are arranged in separate hinge forming units, to materially simplify the construction, installation and adjustment of the device, and to enable ample power to be provided in a compact structure, to close the door, as well as to enable maximum strength to be provided by a compact checking mechanism to insure long life thereof in checking the closing movement of the door.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closure controlling device including a holding mechanism by which the closure can be releasably held in various open positions, the holding mechanism being readily adjusted to hold doors of f various weights againstl closing movement, yet `to yield to an attempt to force 35. the closure from an open position, so as to positively prevent damage to the device and the closure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure controlling device in which the holding mechanism is automatically operable and adjustable to hold the closure in any preselected open position in response to movement of the closure to such position, yet instantaneously releases the closure upon a simple manipulation thereof, all while permitting the holding device to be manually actuated to hold the closure in any open position desired.

With these and other objects in View, the in vention resides in the combinations and arrange- 50. mentsy of elements as set forth in the following specication and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a View in side elevation showing the 55closure controlling kdevice applied to a door;

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the power unit embodied in the invention;

Figure 3 is a view of the power unit partly in side elevation and partly in section as viewed rom a position at ninety degrees from Figure 2; 5

Figures 4 and' 5 are transverse sectional views taken respectively on the lines 4 4 and 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a vertical central sectional view of the checking unit embodied in the invention; 10

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, and showing the position occupied by the parts of the checking unit when the door is opened ninety degrees from its closed position;

Figure 8 is av plan View of the checking unit; 15

Figures `9 to 14, inclusive, are transverse sectional views taken, respectively, on the lines 9 9, I0 I0, H II, i2 |,2, I3 I3 and I4 I4 of Figure 6, and looking in the direction ofthe respective arrows.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the invention, in its broad aspect, comprises a power unit P and a checking unit C, each of which, in addition to its respective power and checking function, vprovides a hinge for the closure `with which the invention is associated.

The power unit P, illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, preferably providesI the lower hinge for a closure such as a door D illustrated in Figure 1, and comprises hinge members II) and II constructed of sheet metal, the member IIJ including a flat attaching plate I2 from the ends of which project circular heads I3 and I4. The plate I2 is provided with suitable openings for screws I5 to secure the member to a door jamb J. From the lower end of the plate I2 projects a foot I5 having a horizontal attaching portion I1 adapted to receive a screw I8 to anchor the member to the oor within the closure opening.

The head I3 is provided with a radial slot I9 through which projects a hinge pin 20 of square or other non-circular cross section, for co-action with the walls of the slot in preventing rotation of the pin relative to the hinge member I0. The pin 20 is Xed to or formed integral with a plug 2l threaded into one end of a housing 22.

The other head I4 is provided with a circular opening 23 from which extends a radial slot 24, the opening freely receiving a second hinge pin 25 ci squareor other non-circular cross section. The pin 25 is rotatably mounted in a second plug 23 by means of washers 2 and 28, the latter washer being fixed by brazing or otherwise to the pin. The plug 26 is threaded into the other end of the housing 22 so as to co-act with the '37 slidably receiving the inner ends of the respective hinge pins 29 and 25 so as toV connect the spring thereto.

A locking disk 38 is provided with a circular opening rotatably receiving a Washerl 39 having a square opening slidably receiving the outer end of the pin 26. The disk 3.8 is further provided with lugs 49 adapted to enter openings 4| in the head I3 so as to co-act therewithin tpreventing displacement of the pin 20 fromtheslot I9 of the head.

The opening 23 of the head I4 receives a circular washer 42 having a square opening slidably receiving the hinge pin 25. A locking disk 43 is provided with an arcuate flange 44 .extending through an angle exceeding one hundred eighty degrees and co-acting withfthe `head I4 as shown in Figure 5 to reinforce the Vlatter and to maintain the pin 29 rotatably mounted in the head by means of a washer VI5 (Figure 2) fitted in a circular opening in the disk and having a square opening slidably receiving the pin A2|).

The hinge member i I includes a at attaching portion 59, from the ends of which project heads 5i and 52 having circular openings 53 and 56 from which extend radial slots 55 and .56, respectively,

receiving the hinge pins 20 and 25. The portion will tend to close Ythe door.

59'is providedwith suitable openings to receive screws 5l for attaching the member II to the door D.

Washers v53 andj59 having square openings slidably receiving the hinge pins 20 vandi25 are seated in the circular openings 53 and 54 of the heads to prevent lateral displacement of the member I i from the member I0.

Locking disks 69 and 69a have lugs 6| and-|52 adapted to project into openings 63 and 64 in the heads 5| and 52, the disk 69a being provided with a square opening receiving the pin 25, and the disk 60 having a circular opening receiving a washer 65 provided with a square opening slidably receiving the hinge pin 2D. Washers 66 and 9? and nuts 66 and 69 are applied to the respective pins 29 and 25, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, so as to hingedly connect the `members Y||| and I I.

By initially loading the spring 29 a predetermined amount, depending on the Weight of the door D, .opening movement of the door will further load the spring so that the torsionA thereof Furthermore, by the provision of the hinged connection between the members I9 and I l, as above described, the member II can be applied to and removed from the member Il) in a direction transverse of the common axis ofthe hinge pins 20 and 25, so as to permit the members to remain permanently attached to the jamb and door, respectively.

The checking unit C, as shown in Figures 6 to 14., inclusive, comprises hinge members and il, the member 'I9 including a ilat attaching plate l2 from the ends of which project heads "I3 and 74, The plate 12 is provided with suitable openings for screws -15 to secure the member to a door jamb J.

The head 'I3 is provided with a radial slot I9 through which projects a hinge pin89 of square or other non-circular cross section having formed thereon intermediate its ends a plug 8| threaded externally into one end of a cylinder or housing 82, the other end of 'which is closed by an 'externally threaded plug 83 in which is journaled a hinge pin 85 formed Aon an actuating member characterized by a worm'screw 36 threaded into a cup-shaped piston 8l Working in the cylinder 82 and having a packing ring 63 secured in place by a spring ring 89. v

The slot 19 of the head 'I3 co-acts with the low er portion of the pin 96 to secure the pin to the hinge member 'I9 against rotation relatively thereto, and in order to confine the pin against displacement from the slot, a locking disk 93 has va square opening receiving the pin and is provided with an arcuate ange 94 exceeding one hundred and eighty degrees and co-acting with the head I3 in the same manner as the disk 43 co-acts with the head I4 of the power unit B as illustrated in Figure 5.

The other head 74 is provided with a circular opening 95 from which extends a radial slot `96, the opening 95 rotatably receiving a washer 91. having a square opening receiving the square portion v98 `of the hinge pin 85. A locking disk 99 of a construction similar to the rlocking disk 93 has an arcuate ange .I '|16 exceeding one hundred eighty degrees, land is provided with a .circular opening receiving awasher IUI having a square opening receiving the pin portion 98 so that the disks 93- and 99 will co-act to separably connect the cylinder and piston unit, including the cylinder 82 and piston 8l against lateral dis' placement from the hinge member :70, with the piston conned against rotation relative tothe hinge member vby the sliding co-action between The hinge member Il comprises a fiat attach,

ing portion |95 from theends of which project heads |95 and |91, the portion |05 having openings receiving screws |93 tosecure the member 'il to a door D. The head |66 is provided with a circular opening |99 rotatably receiving a washer ||i having a square opening receiving the square' portion 98 of the hinge pin 95. j

The head |96 is `further provided with a radial slot i99a extending from vthe opening |99, and with openings receiving lugs II2 on a connector disk 3 having a square opening also receiving the ,square portion 98 of the hingepin 95. A washer H4 is mounted on the' portion. 9B

and co-acts with a nut i I5 on the threaded shank of the connector disk and thus releasably lock the hinge pin 95 to the hinge member II for rotation with the door D. The other head |97 of the hinge member 'II is provided with a circular opening `I rotatably receiving a washer IES, and having a radialslot H9 through which the hinge pin 89 is adapted to pass. The head I 9'! is further provided with openings |29 receiving-lugs |2| on a connector |22 through which freely extends the pin 89, maintained centrally of the connector by a washer |23 receiving the pin and rotatably seated in the connector, whereby to mount the latter on the pin for rotation with the door D.

fMounted on the connector |22 isa friction clutch composed of afriction ring I 24 confined with more or less pressure between a bearing ring I 25 and a washer'I29 against which the |28 force the ring |25 against a Vstop |29 which' j; adapted to be received in openings I3 in a second connector |32 slidably mounted on a square sleeve |33 on the square hinge pin 80. An actuating element |34 in the form of a cup freely receives the connector |32 and is provided with a v. L slot |35 receiving a pin |36 projecting from the 10 connector |22 to provide a splined connection therebetween.

A conical spring |31 is interposed between the connector |32 and the element |34, and the latter normally gravitates against an arm |38 having a broached opening |33 receiving the square hinge pin 80 to provide for rotary adjustment of the arm on the pin so that the arm is rendered coactable With a cam |40 on the element |35 to effect automatic engagement of the latter with the lugs 30 of the bearing ring |25 when the door D is moved to a preselected open position, all for the purpose of causing the friction ring |24 to yieldingly maintain the door in such open position against the action of the spring 29 of the power unit P as will be later fully described in the operation of the invention.

The arm |38 is confinedl in place by a cap nut |4| threaded on the end of the pin 80 and enclosing the head |42 of a valve pin |43 threadedly mounted at |44 in a central bore in the hinge pin 80 and adjustably controlling a diametric passage |45 in the latter arranged to communicate with the cylinder 82 at one side of the piston head |03. By means of a longitudinalpassage |46 and a second diametric passage |41 arranged to communicate interiorly of the piston at the other side of the piston head |03, liquid in the cylinder can by-pass from one side of the piston to the other under the control of the valve pin The skirt of the'piston is provided with a series of by-pass ports |48 to facilitate such circulation of liquid.

Other ports |43 extend through the head |03 and are controlled by a valve plate |50 normally urged by a spring to close the ports during movement of the piston as is effected during closing movement of the door D, and to open the ports during the reverse movement of the piston which is eiected during opening movement of the door. At the inner end of the hinge pin 80 is a hardened seat |52 against which impinges a thrust ball bearing |56 seating in a pocket |54 in the worm screw 86 and minimizing the friction between the latter and hinge pin during the operation of the invention, which is as follows:

With the power unit P and the checking unit C applied to the door D, let it be assumed that the door is closed, so that the piston 86 will occupy the position shown in Figure 6, and the spring 29 will have been initially loaded to the torsion required for the weight and size of the door.

It will be understood that all unoccupied space in the cylinder 82 is filled with a suitable liquid such as oil or glycerine, whereby upon opening -the door, rotation of the worm screw 8E with the door will cause its threads to co-act with the nut 81 in advancing the piston in the cylinder towards the position shown in Figure .7, during vvwhich movement the spring 29 will be further wound, and the valve |50 Will be forced open by the pressure of the liquid so as to permit the latter to flow freely through the ports |49 from one side of the piston to the other, thus offering no appreciable resistance to the opening movement of the door.

However, upon releasing the door, the valve |50 will immediately close, thus forcing the liquid to Icy-pass through the passages |45, |46 and |41, in order for the piston to be reversely moved by the spring, and the door to close. The closing movement of the door will thus be checked to an extent determined by the position of adjustment of the valve |43 and can be easily regulated as desired.

With the arm |38 adjusted rotatively on the hinge pin 80 to be engaged when the door is opened to a preselected open position such as the ninety degree position shown in Figure '1, the connector |32 will be engaged with the lugs |30 so as to operatively connect the hinge members and 1| yieldingly through the medium of the clutch ring |24, which will thus automatically maintain the door open.

However, upon manuaily moving the door towards closed position an amount sufficient to entirely clear the arm |38 from the cam, and then slightly moving the door reversely, the connector |32 will become disengaged from the lugs |30 by gravity, to disrupt the operative connection between the hinge members as formed by the clutch ring |24, thus permitting the door to close under the action of the spring 29. It will be clear that by a suitable rotative adjustment of the arm |38 to a new position, the door can be retained open automatically in any preselected adjusted position so as to fully accommodate doors whosey locations enable them to swing open through different angles.

Irrespective of the position of adjustment of the arm |38the door can be releasably retained in any desired open position merely by a manual operation of raising the sleeve |34 until the connector has been raised sufciently through the spring |31 to engage the lugs |30. It will be noted that the spring |31 functions during the automatic operation ofthe door holder to prevent any damage to its parts should the position of the door at which the arm |38 is engaged by the cam |40 correspond to a position in which the lugs |30 do not register with the openings |3| in the connector ring 32, the spring functioning when registration is effected, to advance the connector ring until the lugs |30 are received in the openings |3|.

Should it be desired to hold the door open in any position other than that in which automatic operation of the sleeve |34 is effected, then it is only necessary to raise the sleeve |34 as the door is held in the open position desired, whereby upon a release of the sleeve the door will be yieldingly held in such open position, yet can be moved should an excessive force be applied to the door, thus positively preventing damage to the holding mechanism from this source.

What is claimed is:

1. In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge members; a housing defining a fluid chamber; plugs closing the ends of the chamber; a hinge pin on one plug fixed to one hinge member; a worm screw in the chamber having a hinge pin forming portion journaled in the other plug and fixed to the other hinge member; a piston in the chamber slidably mounted on the hinge pin for actuation by the worm screw in response to relative hinging movement of the hinge members; means by which relative hinging movement of the hinge members in one direction will permit unrestricted movement of the piston; means by which relative hinging movement of the hinge members in the other direction wi-ll retard movement of the thrust of the latter is imposed. 2. In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge members;

di a' housing dening a fluid chamber; plugs closing theends of the chamber; a hinge pin on one plug xed to one hinge member; a worm screw inthe chamber having a hinge pin forming porti-on journaled in the other plug and xed to the-other fhinge member; aV piston in the chamber slidably mounted on the hinge. pin for actuation bythe` worm screw in response to relative hingingy movement of the hinge members; means by which the relative hinging move-ment of the hinge members in one direction will permit unrestrictedvmovement of the piston; means by which relative hinging movement of the hinge members in the other direction will retard movement of the piston; the worm screw having a pocket in its inner end; a ball bearing mounted in said pocket; and

a seat on the inner end of the hinge pin against which the ball bearing works in response to the thrust of the worm screw and piston.

3. In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge members;

.wa housing dehning a fluid chamber; plugs closing'the ends of the chamber; a hinge pin on one plug fixed to one hinge member; a worm screw in the chamber having a hinge pin forming portion journaled in the other plug and xed to the #other hinge member; a piston in the chamber slidably mounted on the hinge pin for actuation by the worm screw in response to relative hinging movement of the hinge members; check valve means carried by the piston and operable in response to relative hinging movement of the hinge members in one direction, to permit movement of the piston unrestricted bythe fluid; said hinge pin having a by-pass for the ow of uid from one sideof the piston to the other; and a -rvalve in the hinge pin adjustable from exteriorly of the chamber to control the flow of iiuid through the by-pass in order to vary the extent to which movement of the piston is retarded by the uid in response to the relative movement ofthe hinge l' vmembers in thevreverse direction.

4. In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge members; a housing defining a fluid chamber; plugs closing the ends of the chamber; a hinge pin on one plug fixed to one hinge member; a worm screw Cin the 'chamber having a hinge pin forming portion journaled in the other plug and fixed to the other hinge member; a piston in the chamber slidably mounted on the hinge pin for actuation by the worm screw in response to relative hinging @movement of the hinge members; check valve means carried by the piston and operable in response to relative hinging movement of the hinge members in one direction, to permit movement of the piston unrestricted by the fluid; said hinge @pin having a longitudinal passage and transverse passages communicating withthe'ends thereof, and respectively with the chamber at opposite sides of the piston; the hinge pin having a bore from one end thereof to the passages; and an ad- ..justable valve in said bore co-actable with the passages to control the flow of iiuid therethrough in order to vary the extent to which movement of the piston is retarded by the fluid in response to relative hinging movement of the hinge members .yin the reverse direction.

5. In a closure hinge, a hinge member having an attaching portion and laterally projecting heads provided with slots to their outer edges; an operating unit disposed between said heads and provided with hinge pins adapted to be applied to and removed from saide slots in a direction laterally of the hingel members; and means including locking members having vopenings receiving said, hinge pins and means co-actable with said heads to lock the hinge pins-'in theA slots against lateral displacement.

6. In a closure hinge, a hinge member having an attaching portion and laterally projecting heads provided with slots from their outer edges; any-operating `unit disposed between said heads and provided with hinge pins adapted to be applied to and removed from said slots in a direction laterallyof the hinge members; and means including locking disks receiving said hinge pins and having arcuate anges exceeding one hundred and eighty degrees for kco-action with said heads in locking the hinge pins thereto against lateral displacement.

7. In a closure hinge, a hinge member having an attaching portion and laterally projecting heads provided with slots from their outer edges;

an operating unit disposed between said heads and provided with hinge pins adapted to be applied to and removed from said slots in a direction laterally of the hinge members; a second hinge member having an attaching portion and lateral projecting heads provided with slots from their outer edges for receiving the hinge pins; the heads of the secondsaid hinge member having openings; other locking members having lugs entering said openings to prevent lateral displacement of the hinge pins from said slots of the second said hinge member; and means on the hinge pins co-acting with the second said locking members to prevent displacement of the latter axially of the hinge pins.

8. In a closure hinge, a hinge member having an attaching portion and laterally projecting heads provided with slots from their outer edges; an operating unit disposed between said heads andA provided with 'hinge pins adapted to be applied to and removed from said slots in a direction laterally of the hinge members; `said heads having openings; lockingmembers having openings receiving the hinge pins, and'provided with lugs adapted to enter the openings of the heads to lock the hinge pins to the hinge member against lateral displacement from the slots; and means co-actable with said locking members to prevent displacement thereof axially from the hinge pins.

9. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly' connected members;v

a friction clutch; means for operatively connecting the hinge members through the medium of said clutch; and means for actuating the rst means to cause said clutch to retain the hinge members in a preselected position of relative adjustment automatically in response to adjustment of the hinge members to such preselected position.

10. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch; means for operatively connecting thehinge members through the medium of said clutch; means for actuating the rst means to cause said clutch to retain the hinge members in a preselected position of relative adjustment automatically` in response to adjustment of the hinge members to such preselected position; and means by which the last means `can be adjusted to varyv the preselected position at whic said last means will automatically act. f

11. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected1.1f1erll1bers;l av

friction clutch; means for operatively connecting the hinge members through the medium of said clutch; means for actuating the first means to vcause said clutch to retain the hinge members can be manually actuated to retain the hinge members in other than the preselected adjusted position, irrespective of the automatic actuating means.

12. In a hinge door check of the type` Which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch; means for operatively connecting the hinge members through the medium of said clutch, including a cam carried by one hinge member; and an arm movable with the other hinge member about the rhinging axis of the members for co-action with the cam in engaging the clutch automatically so as to retain the hinge members in a preselected position of relative adjustment.

13. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch; means for operatively connecting the hinge members through the medium of said clutch, including a cam carried by one hinge member; an -arm movable with the other hinge member about the hinging axis of the members for co-action with the cam in engaging the clutch automatically so as to retain the hinge members in a preselected position of relative adjustment; and means by which said arm can be adjusted rotatively of the other hinge member to vary the preselected position at which the arm will co-act with the cam as aforestated.

14. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a clutch carried by one hinge member; means carried by the other hinge member, for operatively connecting the hinge members through the medium of said clutchl and normally urged to a position in which said clutch will be inactive; and

tive adjustment of the hinge members to a preselected position, to operatively connect the hinge members through the medium of the clutch, whereby to retain the hinge members in the preselected position. f

1.5. Ina hinge door check of the type which includes apair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch carried by one hinge member; a jaw clutch, one jaw of which lis connected to the friction clutch, andthe other jaw of which is connected tothe other hinge member and is normally disengaged from the first jaw; and means co-actable with said other jaw, to move the latter into engagement with the first jaw, in response to relative hinging movement ofthe hinge members to a preselected position, whereby to cause thev friction clutch to yeldingly retain the hinge members in such position.

16. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch Vcarried by one hinge member; a jaw clutch, one jaw of which is 'connected to the friction clutch, and the other jaw of which is connected to the other hinge member and is normally disengaged from the rst jaw; a cam operatively associated' with said other jaw; and an arm movable with said one hinge member for coaction with the cam in engagingv said jaws when the hinge members are relatively adjusted to a preselected position, whereby to retain the hinge means operable automatically in response to relamembers in the preselected position through the medium of said friction clutch.

17. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch carried by one hinge member; a jaw clutch, one jaw of which is connected to the friction clutch, and the other jaw of which is connected to the other hinge member and is normally disengaged from the rst jaw; a sleeve carried by said one hinge member and having a cam; a spring interposed between said other jaw and sleeve to provide a yieldable operative connection; and an arm movable with said one hinge member for co-action with the cam in moving said sleeve axially to a position in which said spring will move said other jaw into engagement with the first jaw in response to relative hinging movement of the hinge members to a preselected position, whereby to retain the hinge members in said position through the medium of the friction clutch.

18. In a hinge door check of the type which includes a pair of hingedly connected members; a friction clutch carried by one hinge member; a jaw clutch, one jaw of which is connected to the friction clutch, and the other jaw of which 1s connected to the other hinge member and is normally disengaged from the first jaw; a sleeve carried by said one hinge member and having a cam; a spring interposed between said other jaw and sleeve to provide a yieldable operative connection; and an arm movable with said one hinge member for co-action with the cam in moving said sleeve axially toa position in which said spring will move said other jaw into engagement with the first jaw in response to relative hinging movement ofy the-hinge members to a preselected position, whereby to retain the hinge members in said position through the meduim of the friction clutch, said sleeve being adapted for.-v

manual actuation to engage the jaw clutch at other than said preselected position of the hinge members.

19. In a closure hinge; a pair of hinge members; a housing defining a fluid chamber; hinge pins projecting from the ends of the housing, o ne of the hinge pins being fixed to the housing and to one of the hinge members, and the other being rotatably mounted in the housing and xed to the other hinge member; one of said pins having a portion projecting into said chamber; a piston working in thechamber; means co-acting with the `piston and hinge pins, to move the piston in one direction or the other according as relative f hingingmovement of the hinge members in one direction or the other is effected; check valve means for preventing circulation of fluid from one side of the piston to the other during` relative hinging movement of the hinge members in one direction; and means defining Ia. by-pass in said projecting portion of the respective hinge pin through which fluid can pass from one side of the piston to the other.

20'. In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge members; a housing defining a fluid chamber; hinge pins projecting from the ends of the housing, one

of the hinge pins being fixed to the housing and to one of the hinge members, and the other being rotatably mounted in the housing and fixed to the other Ahinge member; one of said pins having a portion projecting into said chamber; a piston working in the chamber;'means co-acting with the piston and hinge pins, to move the piston in one direction or the other according as relative hinging movement of the hinge members in one direction or the .other is effected; `check valve means for .preventing circulation :of 4fluid from one :side .ofthe piston sto the other during relative 'hing-'ing movement ci the hinge members Vin vone direction; means .defining .allay-pass in said projecting portion of the respective hinge pin ythrough which Vfluid can pass from one side of .the piston kto the other; and valve means by which the flovv of fluid can `be'controlledfrom exteriorly of the chamber.

2l. In a Vclosure hinge, a pair of hinge members; a housing defining a iiuid chamber; hinge pins projecting irom'the ends .of the :nous-ing, one of fthe hinge pins being nXed to the housing and to one of the hinge members, and the other being rotatably mounted yin the housing .and fixed to the other hinge member; one of said pins having a portion projecting into saidchamber; a piston working in the chamber; means co-acting vwith the piston and hinge pins, vto move the piston in one direction or the other according as relative hin'gingmovement of the hinge members in one direction or the other is eiected; check valve means for preventing circulation of fluid from one side of the piston to the other during relative hinging movement ofthe hinge members in one direction; said projecting portion of the respective hinge pin having a longitudinal passage and transverse passages communicating therewith, and respectively with the chamber at opposite sides of the piston; said hinge pin having aborefrom its'outer end and communicating with sa'id'passages; and avalve adjustable in said bore from exteriorly of the housing, to control the ilow of fluid vthrough the passages.

22. In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge members; a uid containing housing having hinge pins projecting therefrom; means co-acting with the hinge pins and hinge members to hingedly connect the latter; a piston working in -said housing; means co-acting with the piston and hinge pins to move the piston in one direction or the other according as relative hinging movement ofthe hinge members inone direction or the other is eiected; check valvemeans by which circula- -tion of fluid from lone side of the piston tothe other during 4relative hinging movement of the hinge members Vin one direction is prevented; land means in one of said hinge pins vthrough which fluid in the housing can by-pass from one'side'of the pistonto .the other. f Y

23. :In a closure hinge, a pair of hinge,k members; a'luid containing housing having hinge pins projecting therefrom; means co-acting with the hinge pins and hinge members vto hingedly sconnect the latter; ya piston IWorkingl ing-said housing; means co-acting Awith the piston andk hinge `pins to move the piston in one direction or 'the other according as relative hinging movement 'of the hinge members in one directionk or the other is effected; check valve-means by which circulation of fluid. from one side of the pistonrto the other during relative hingingmovement of the hinge members in one direction is prevented; meansA in one of said hinge pins through which nuid inthe housing `can by-pass from one side-oi' the piston vto the other; and adjustable vvalve means mounted in saidv onek of Vthe hinge pinsvand operable from exteriorly ofthe in a preselected position of relative adjustment f automatically in 'response to adjustment of the hinge lmembers to such preselected position.

25. In a closure hingega pair of hingedly conf nected members, one having a housing defining a iiuid containing chamber; an actuating screw connected to the other hingemember for rotation thereby; a hollow piston Working in -said chamber and having a nut portion receiving said screw; a

.stud projecting from the housing into said chamber and into said piston, with a splined connec- 1 Ation-between the latter and stud, whereby to con-n ne the piston against rotation relative to said housing; means fcio-acting with said actuating' v 4screw and-,piston to feedthe latter*` on said'stud in vone direction or the'other according as theV hinge members are relatively rotated in one di. rection or the other; and means co-actable With fluid in `thehousing to retard movement of the ypiston in one direction.Y f ,y

BENJAMINvr STANNARD.

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