Closing mechanism

Abstract

A closing mechanism (10) for closing a door / window (12) is provided. The door / window slides relative to a door / window frame (14) combined with a door / window side column (18). The closing mechanism includes a biasing assembly (22) extending between the door and the door side pillar, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to bias the door toward a closed position. The closing mechanism includes a speed control assembly (23) operably connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed at which the door is closed. The closing mechanism also includes a restraint assembly (25) operably connected to the speed control assembly to control acceleration of the door when the door approaches the closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for closing a door or a window.

[0002] The present invention particularly but not necessarily solely relates to a mechanism for closing a sliding door or a sliding window, in particular a mechanism for automatically closing a door or a window. Background Art

[0003] The following discussion of background art is only intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. This discussion is not an admission that any of the material mentioned is part of the common general knowledge as of the priority date of this application.

[0004] It is known to provide closing mechanisms for building closures such as doors or windows to automatically close the closure after it has been opened. Some examples of such closing mechanisms include using hydraulic devices, counterweights, and coil springs to move the closure.

[0005] However, most of these closing mechanisms have one or more drawbacks. One such problem is that due to the force exerted by the closing mechanism, the door accumulates a relatively large amount of kinetic energy, resulting in the closing speed of the door gradually increasing as the door closes, before the door slams into the door jamb. For a door that is only partially opened before automatic closing, the resulting closing speed and slamming are within acceptable limits. However, a door that automatically closes from a fully or nearly fully open position does so with sufficient force that it may injure a person inside the closure, for example, if a child were to get their finger caught between the door and the jamb.

[0006] In addition, the closing of the door causes a large amount of noise, which is usually very annoying to people and may also cause damage to the door, door lock, jamb, or window glass located within the door.

[0007] In addition, depending on personal preference or the specific circumstances and / or specific use of the door, it may be desirable for the closing speed of the door to be variable. For example, it may be desirable for an emergency door such as a fire door to close as quickly as possible after the fire alarm system is operated. Alternatively, in a home or care center, it is preferred that a sliding door closes in a gentle manner to avoid injury to the occupants of the home or care center.

[0008] In addition, in a conventional system with an automatically closing sliding door, when the door needs to be opened, a speed control system (which reduces the closing speed of the door) is also operable. A particularly disadvantageous fact is that the speed control system is also operable during the opening of the door, because when the door is opened, the inherent resistance provided by the speed control system during door closing must be overcome. This is troublesome and may prevent the easy opening of the door by the elderly and children.

[0009] The following are examples of conventional systems that provide closing mechanisms for automatic sliding doors.

[0010] For example, European Patent Application 08160499.3 discloses a speed control device using an eddy current brake. However, this particular speed control device does not allow controlling the speed of a sliding door when it is automatically closing.

[0011] In addition, Japanese Patent Document JP2000130004 discloses a speed control device that uses a fluid providing resistance to reduce the speed of a door when it is closing.

[0012] In addition, Danish Patent Document DK163889 relates to a system for closing a fire door, the system including a speed governor. The system is characterized in that the drive means is in the form of at least two belt or chain drives, which together form a speed-increasing exchanger, each chain drive having a sprocket mounted on a common shaft and driven by a drive means directly coupled to a carrier wheel, and the brake is an eddy current brake having a plurality of magnets with alternating polarities that cooperate with a brake rotor in the form of a brake disc, so that when the speed of the door or gate exceeds a specific preferably adjustable value, the speed of the door or gate decreases.

[0013] The present invention has been developed against this background. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to improve, mitigate or overcome at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or at least to provide a practical alternative for the public.

[0015] The present invention is in the form of a closing mechanism that facilitates closing an opening (such as a door or window opening) by closing an opening (such as a door or window). The closing mechanism attempts to return the door / window towards the closed position / to the closed position. Once the opening force is removed from the door / window, or the brake is disengaged, the closing mechanism moves the door / window towards its closed position. When the door / window moves towards its closed position, the closing mechanism controls the acceleration of the door / window. This enables the door / window to close gently.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a door frame having a door jamb, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0017] a biasing assembly that extends between the door and the door jamb, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to bias the door towards the closed position;

[0018] a speed control assembly operably connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed and acceleration of the door closing.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a doorframe, the doorframe having door jambs, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0020] A biasing assembly that extends between the door and the door jamb, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to bias the door towards a closed position;

[0021] A speed control assembly operably connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed at which the door closes;

[0022] A restraint assembly operably connected to the speed control assembly to control the acceleration of the door as the door approaches the closed position.

[0023] The closing mechanism may further include a brake to hold the door in an open or partially open position.

[0024] The closing mechanism may further include a release device to disengage the operation of the closing mechanism on the door.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a doorframe, the doorframe having door jambs, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0026] A biasing assembly having a cable spool for winding or unwinding a cable on the cable spool during rotation of the cable spool, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the door jamb when the door is in an open state, and

[0027] A speed control assembly having a restraint assembly, the cable spool and the speed control assembly being connected relative to each other to affect the rotational speed of the cable spool, wherein the restraint assembly is adapted to affect the rotational movement of the cable spool.

[0028] Preferably, the restraint assembly is a magnetic restraint assembly.

[0029] Preferably, the cable spool is in the form of a cable reel.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a doorframe, the doorframe having door jambs, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0031] A biasing assembly having a cable spool for winding or unwinding a cable on the cable spool during rotation of the cable spool, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the door jamb when the door is in an open state,

[0032] A speed control assembly, the speed control assembly having a restraint assembly, the cable spool and the speed control assembly being connected relative to each other to affect the rotational speed of the cable spool, wherein the restraint assembly is adapted to affect the rotational movement of the cable spool, and

[0033] A braking assembly for braking the biasing assembly, wherein the braking assembly includes a lever movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein a distal end of the lever is adapted to engage with the speed control assembly to stop the movement of the cable spool.

[0034] Preferably, the restraint assembly is a magnetic restraint assembly.

[0035] Preferably, the distal end includes at least one magnet for engaging with a metal part (such as an inner washer or a metal plate incorporated therein) of the magnetic restraint assembly.

[0036] Preferably, the braking assembly is adapted to disengage from the cable spool at the start of the rotational movement of the cable spool.

[0037] Preferably, when the cable spool rotates, at least one node of the cable spool pushes a pawl of the lever away from the node to position the braking assembly in a released state.

[0038] Preferably, there are six nodes.

[0039] Preferably, the lever includes a trigger that extends from a proximal end of the lever and extends outside the housing, which enables a user to use the braking system.

[0040] Preferably, the lever is adapted to allow a user to manually control the braking system.

[0041] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for automatically closing a door that slides within a doorframe, the doorframe having side posts, the closing mechanism including: a biasing assembly having a cable adapted to extend between the door and the side posts when the door is in an open state, the cable being received into and out of the biasing assembly in accordance with the movement of the door; and a speed control assembly restraint assembly; wherein the biasing assembly and the speed control assembly are operatively connected relative to each other to control the speed and acceleration of the cable entering the biasing assembly as the door moves towards its closed position.

[0042] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for automatically closing a door that slides within a doorframe having side posts, the closing mechanism comprising: a biasing assembly having a cable reel for selectively winding or unwinding a cable thereon during rotation of the cable reel, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the side post when the door is in an open state; and a speed control assembly having a magnetic restraint assembly, the cable reel and the speed control assembly being operably connected to each other for restraining the rotational speed of the cable reel, wherein the magnetic restraint assembly is adapted to control the amount of restraint provided to the rotational movement of the cable reel.

[0043] Preferably, the magnetic restraint assembly includes a magnet plate and a resistor plate, the magnet plate and the resistor plate being arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other for generating eddy currents during relative movement between the magnet plate and the resistor plate, wherein the magnetic restraint assembly is adapted to change the spacing between the magnet plate and the resistor plate for controlling the amount of resistance applied by the magnetic restraint assembly to the cable reel.

[0044] Preferably, the magnetic restraint assembly includes a resistor plate and a magnet plate arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other, wherein the resistor plate is adapted to move relative to the magnet plate, thereby causing a change in the distance between the magnet plate and the resistor plate. This can be achieved in a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art. For example, the resistor plate can be pivotally angled relative to the magnet plate, and vice versa. The resistor plate can also be pulled away from the magnet plate while maintaining a substantially parallel orientation to each other.

[0045] Preferably, the magnetic restraint assembly further includes a first washer and a second washer sandwiching the resistor plate and the magnet plate therebetween.

[0046] Preferably, the first washer is located below the resistor plate.

[0047] Preferably, the second washer includes a concentric outer washer and an inner washer.

[0048] Preferably, the outer washer covers the magnet.

[0049] Preferably, the closing mechanism includes a housing adapted to receive the cable reel and the speed control system to allow rotational movement of the cable reel and rotational movement of the magnet plate.

[0050] Preferably, the resistor plate is pivotally attached to a section of the housing that allows pivotal movement of the resistor plate relative to the magnet plate.

[0051] Preferably, the magnetic restraint assembly includes an outer washer that sandwiches the magnet plate and the resistor plate between the outer washer.

[0052] Preferably, the resistor plate is adapted to be pivoted by a user of the closing mechanism so that the resistor plate pivots relative to the magnet plate by a specific angle.

[0053] Preferably, the closing mechanism further includes means for a user to engage with the resistor plate to change the distance between the resistor plate and the magnet plate.

[0054] Preferably, the resistor plate includes an arm extension that extends tangentially away from the outer periphery of the resistor plate for engaging with means for a user to engage with the resistor plate.

[0055] Preferably, the means for a user to engage with the resistor plate includes an adjusting screw having a distal end with an inclined bevel surface configured to engage with the arm extension.

[0056] Preferably, the adjusting screw is adapted to be slidably attached to the housing of the closing mechanism.

[0057] Preferably, the adjusting screw includes a knob that extends outside the housing to allow a user to operate the adjusting screw.

[0058] Preferably, the magnet plate includes notches arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other, each notch being adapted to receive a magnet.

[0059] Preferably, there are a plurality of magnets.

[0060] Preferably, the number of magnets is a multiple of two (2).

[0061] Preferably, each magnet having a north pole and a south pole is assembled into the magnet plate.

[0062] Preferably, the north and south poles of the magnet are exposed on both sides of the magnet plate.

[0063] Preferably, adjacent magnets have alternating magnetic poles.

[0064] Preferably, each magnet is located between two adjacent magnets, where the north pole of the adjacent magnets is opposite to the north pole of each magnet located between the adjacent magnets.

[0065] In a specific arrangement, the magnets are assembled into the magnet plate in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other in such a way as to increase the magnetic field.

[0066] Preferably, the resistor plate is configured as a washer including an annular body.

[0067] Preferably, the resistor plate includes a configuration having an extension that defines a pin adapted to be received in a compartment defined in the housing to allow pivotal movement of the resistor plate.

[0068] Preferably, the closing mechanism further includes a braking assembly to brake the biasing assembly.

[0069] Preferably, the braking assembly includes a lever movable between (1) a disengaged position and (2) an engaged position, wherein the distal end of the lever is adapted to engage with a magnet plate to stop the movement of the cable reel.

[0070] Preferably, the distal end includes a magnet for engaging with a metal part (such as an inner washer, an outer washer, a metal plate or the like) of the magnetic restraint assembly.

[0071] Preferably, the braking assembly is adapted to disengage from the cable reel during the start of the rotational movement of the cable reel.

[0072] Preferably, there are nodes within the cable reel, and when the cable reel rotates, the nodes push the pawls of the lever away from the nodes, thereby positioning the braking assembly in a released state.

[0073] Preferably, there are six nodes.

[0074] Preferably, the lever includes a trigger that extends from the proximal end of the lever and extends outside the housing to allow the user to control the braking system.

[0075] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for automatically closing a door that slides within a doorframe having side posts, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0076] A biasing assembly having a cable reel and a belt drive operatively connected to the cable reel, the cable reel being adapted to selectively wind the cable onto or unwind the cable from the cable reel during rotation of the cable reel, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the side post when the door is in an open state;

[0077] Wherein the cable reel and the belt drive are operatively connected to each other in such a way that the cable reel and the belt drive are disengaged from each other during door opening and engaged with each other during door closing.

[0078] Preferably, the closing mechanism further includes a speed control assembly having a magnetic restraint assembly, and the belt drive and the speed control assembly are operatively connected to each other to restrain the rotational speed of the cable reel during door closing when the cable reel and the belt drive are engaged with each other.

[0079] In one aspect of the present invention, the biasing assembly further includes a wedge clutch for interconnecting the belt drive and the cable reel, the wedge clutch being adapted to selectively move between (1) a retracted state and (2) an engaged state, the retracted state being for disengaging the cable reel from the belt drive, and the engaged state being for engaging the cable reel with the belt drive.

[0080] In another aspect of the present invention, the biasing assembly further includes a one-way bearing for connecting the belt drive and the cable reel relative to each other, the one-way bearing being adapted to selectively move between (1) an unlocked rotational state and (2) a locked state, in the unlocked rotational state, the bearing rotates freely and the cable reel is disengaged from the belt drive, and in the locked state, the cable reel is engaged with the belt drive.

[0081] In other aspects of the present invention, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, other devices that allow movement in one direction but prevent movement in the opposite direction may equally be applied in place of the wedge clutch or the one-way bearing. These aspects are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0082] Preferably, the wedge clutch includes a plurality of tubular wedges that, when in a retracted state, cause the belt drive to disengage from the cable reel, and when in an engaged state, the belt drive and the cable reel are engaged with each other.

[0083] Preferably, the wedge clutch includes a hooked plate (also referred to as a pawl) that defines a groove for receiving the tubular wedge, the hooked plate being configured such that during door opening, the tubular wedge remains within the groove, thereby causing the cable reel to disengage from the belt drive, and during door closing, the wedge clutch rotates, thereby causing the tubular wedge to be released from the groove in a centrifugal manner and to wedge against the belt drive, thereby causing the cable reel to engage with the belt drive.

[0084] Preferably, the hooked plate includes an inner surface having ridges that are adapted to allow engagement with the tubular wedge and to allow easy release from the ridges of the wedge when the door is opened.

[0085] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a doorframe having door jambs, the closing mechanism including:

[0086] A biasing assembly having a cable adapted to extend between the door and the jamb when the door is in an open state, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to cause the cable to be received in a housing, whereby the door moves toward a closed position;

[0087] A speed control assembly operatively connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed and acceleration of the door closing; and

[0088] A safety cable system operatively attached to the cable for maintaining the section of the cable extending between the door and the jamb in a taut state.

[0089] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for automatically closing a door that slides within a doorframe, the doorframe having side posts, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0090] A biasing assembly having a cable winder for selectively winding or unwinding a cable around the cable winder during rotation of the cable winder, the cable having a first section that extends between the door and the side post when the door is in an open state, and

[0091] A safety cable system operably attached to the cable for keeping the section of the cable that extends between the door and the side post extended and taut.

[0092] Preferably, the safety cable system includes a tensioning device to keep the cable in a taut state.

[0093] The tensioning device may include a ballast attached to the cable.

[0094] In a first arrangement, the ballast includes a heavy weight attached to the proximal end of the cable.

[0095] In a second arrangement, the ballast includes a heavy weight attached to a section of the cable that is within the closing mechanism.

[0096] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closing mechanism for closing a door, the closing mechanism comprising:

[0097] A housing adapted to be fixed to the door, the housing containing a biasing assembly and a speed control assembly;

[0098] The biasing assembly has a cable spool for winding or unwinding a cable thereon, the cable being adapted to extend between the housing and a structure when the door is in an open state, and

[0099] The speed control assembly has a magnetic restraint assembly, and the cable spool and the speed control assembly interact operably to affect the rotational speed of the cable spool, wherein the magnetic restraint assembly is adapted to affect the rotational movement of the cable spool to control the speed at which the door closes.

[0100] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding door comprising a closing mechanism as described herein.

[0101] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding window comprising a closing mechanism as described herein. Description of the Drawings

[0102] Other features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non - limiting embodiments. This description is for illustrative purposes only. It should not be construed as a limitation of the broad overview, disclosure, or description of the present invention as set forth above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0103] Figure 1 is a side view of a sliding door in an open state, and a closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to the sliding door to close the sliding door;

[0104] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of a first arrangement of a closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a transparent cover for illustrative purposes;

[0105] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial view of where components are removed to show the magnet plate of the restraint assembly, showing the specific orientation of each magnet of the magnet plate.

[0106] Figure 4 is Figure 2 another partial view of where various components are removed to show the wedge clutch in an engaged state;

[0107] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are top perspective views of the closing mechanism shown in Figure 2 in a retracted state and an extended state respectively, where the cover and various components are removed to show the interior of the biasing assembly for illustrative purposes;

[0108] Figure 7 and Figure 8 are Figure 2 top perspective views of the closing mechanism shown in, showing the wedge clutch in a retracted state ( Figure 7 ) and an engaged state ( Figure 8 ) respectively, where the cover and various components are removed to show the interior of the biasing assembly for illustrative purposes;

[0109] Figures 9 to 11 is Figure 2 a top perspective view of the closing mechanism shown in, where the cover and various components are removed for illustrative purposes to show the assembly of the magnetic restraint assembly;

[0110] Figure 12 and Figure 13 are Figure 2 top perspective views of the closing mechanism shown in via a lever in a released state and a braked state respectively, where the cover and various components are removed for illustrative purposes;

[0111] Figure 14Is a close-up view showing a portion of the outer circumference of the biasing assembly prior to the proximal end of the engagement lever;

[0112] Figure 15 And 16a are close-up views of the restraint assembly without the closure mechanism housing for illustrative purposes, showing the resistor plate in the un-pivoted and pivoted states, respectively;

[0113] Figure 16b Is a perspective view of the screw adjuster in the disassembled state;

[0114] Figure 17 Is a top perspective view of the closure mechanism including a second arrangement of the safety cable system;

[0115] Figure 18 Is Figure 17 A top perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in, where the safety cable system has been activated;

[0116] Figure 19 Is ready to be installed onto the Figure 1 As shown in the door assembly Figure 2 Perspective view of the closure mechanism;

[0117] Figure 20 Is in the released state Figure 19 Top perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in, where the cover has been removed for illustrative purposes;

[0118] Figure 21 Is in the braking state Figure 19 Top perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in, where the cover has been removed for illustrative purposes and the cable safety system is in use;

[0119] Figure 22 Is in the released state Figure 19 Top perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in, which has a transparent cover for illustrative purposes and the cable safety system is in use;

[0120] Figure 23 Is Figure 19 Exploded left-hand perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in;

[0121] Figure 24 Is Figure 19 Exploded right-hand perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in; and

[0122] Figure 25 Is Figure 2 Top perspective view of the closure mechanism shown in, showing a one-way bearing as an alternative to the wedge clutch shown in Figure 7 For illustrative purposes, the cover and various components have been removed to show the interior of the closure mechanism. Detailed Description

[0123] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of this disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that the example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of this disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies have not been described in detail.

[0124] Although specific combinations of features are recited herein, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible embodiments. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the specification.

[0125] The closing mechanism 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful for automatically closing a sliding door 12 or a sliding window. In particular, according to a specific arrangement of an embodiment of the present invention, the closing mechanism 10 is adapted to control the speed at which the door 12 closes, thereby allowing the user to advantageously adjust the speed at which the door 12 or window closes according to their preference. As described below, controlling the moving speed of the door 12 is achieved via a biasing assembly 22 that is operably connected to a speed control assembly 23 via a belt 58 (see Figure 2 ). The biasing assembly 22 includes a cable winder 94 and a belt drive 98 that is adapted to rotate the belt 58 during rotation of the cable winder 94.

[0126] Another advantageous feature of the closing mechanism 10 of this embodiment is that the biasing assembly 22 is adapted to temporarily disconnect the belt drive 98 from the cable winder 94 when opening the door or window. As described below, temporarily disconnecting the belt drive 98 from the cable winder 94 will stop the rotation of the belt drive 98 during rotation of the cable winder 94 while opening the door 12. This will prevent the speed control assembly 23 from affecting the rotational movement of the cable winder 94 during opening of the door or window. This is particularly advantageous as it reduces wear and facilitates opening of the door or window.

[0127] Another advantage of the closing mechanism 10 is that it includes a safety system that keeps the cable 30 in a tensioned state, including when located outside the closing mechanism 10. The safety system, together with the guide 32, also helps to avoid entanglement of the cable that pulls the closed door or window during the automatic closing process.

[0128] As described below, in a first arrangement, the safety system includes a weight attached to the distal end of the cable 30. In a second arrangement, the safety system includes a counterweight assembly that interacts with the cable 30. In both arrangements, the weight and the counterweight assembly always keep the cable 30 in a tensioned state. Other systems for keeping the cable 30 in tension that can be envisioned by those skilled in the art are included in the closing mechanism of the present invention.

[0129] The closing mechanism 10 of the embodiment will now be described in more detail. Referring to Figure 1 , the closing mechanism 10 is shown attached to a sliding door 12 that slides relative to a doorframe 14 during opening and closing of the door 12. The doorframe 14 has an upper frame 16 and side posts 18.

[0130] Referring to Figure 2 , the closing mechanism 10 is shown having a transparent cover to currently visualize and describe the internal mechanism of the closing mechanism 10.

[0131] As Figure 2 shown, the closing mechanism 10 includes a housing 20 that supports a biasing assembly 22 and a speed control assembly 23, and the biasing assembly 22 and the speed control assembly 23 are operatively connected to each other. The fact that the biasing assembly 22 and the speed control assembly 23 are operatively connected to each other allows the movement speed of the door 12 to be controlled during closing of the door 12.

[0132] In one arrangement, the biasing assembly 22 includes a spring system that is rotatably connected to the biasing assembly 22 at one end and rotatably connected to the bottom surface of the housing 20 at the other end. The spring system includes a scroll spring 26 (see Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 23 and Figure 24 ), and the scroll spring 26 has a distal end connected to the housing 20 and a proximal end connected to a scroll 28 (see Figure 23 ).

[0133] The scroll 28 is rotatably mounted relative to a central axis 24, thereby allowing the scroll 28 to rotate about the central axis 24 during opening and closing of the sliding door 12 when the scroll 28 is driven by the scroll spring 26. During opening of the door 12 by the user, the rotation of the scroll 28 is driven by the force applied by the user when sliding the door 12 open. The force applied by the user needs to be sufficient to overcome the biasing action of the scroll spring 26. The scroll 28 includes a raised outer edge to ensure that the cable 30 properly wraps around the scroll 28 during operation of the closing mechanism 10.

[0134] The closing mechanism 10 is fixed to the frame 15 of the sliding door 12. The closing mechanism 10 is operatively connected to the side post 18 of the doorframe 14 via a cable 30, and the cable 30 has a distal end attached to the scroll 28 and a proximal end attached to the side post 18. AsFigure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 13 and Figures 19 to 24 As shown in the particular arrangement of Figures 19 to 24 , the cable 30 includes a distal end 34 having a weight in the form of a counterweight ball 106 constrained by a eye bolt 108 which is anchored to the jamb 18 of the door frame 14 in use.

[0135] When the door 12 is in the closed state, the cable 30 is wound around the reel 28 and the reel spring 26 unwinds within the cable retractor 94. During the opening of the door 12, with the reel spring 26 being wound, the cable 30 is unwound from the reel 28 so as to store potential energy which is later used to assist in automatically closing the door 12. The cable 30 can be a string, a rope, a chain or any other type of line and is preferably made of an inelastic material.

[0136] During the opening of the door 12 by a user, the cable 30 is unwound from the reel 28 which causes the reel spring 26 to move from the unwound state to the wound state. During the opening of the door 12, the cable 30 is pulled out from the housing 20 applying a tensile force to the reel spring 26 so as to wind the said reel spring 26.

[0137] When the door 12 is allowed to close, the cable 30 retracts into the housing 20 and when the reel spring 26 releases the potential energy stored in the wound reel, the cable 30 is wound onto the reel 28 and the spring 26 then returns to its unwound state.

[0138] A plurality of cable guides 32 are located within the housing 20 to guide the cable 30 between the reel 28 and the exterior of the housing 20 so as to avoid the cable 30 becoming entangled within the housing 20 during use and to assist in accurately positioning the cable 30 onto the reel 28 by means of the raised outer edge of the cable retractor 94.

[0139] As will be described later herein, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first arrangement of the safety cable system (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 1 6 and Figures 19 to 24 ) and a second arrangement of the safety cable system (see Figure 3 , Figure 17 and Figure 18 ) are provided. The first and second arrangements of the safety cable system 21 maintain the cable 30 in tension during the operation of the closing mechanism 10 (when closing or opening the door 12 or when holding the door 12 open). This avoids slackening of the section of the cable 30 extending between the door 12 and the jamb 18 of the door frame 14. This minimizes the possibility of the cable 30 becoming entangled and forming a "loop" which could pose a potential safety hazard to the user of the door 12.

[0140] In operation, to open door 12, the user needs to apply sufficient force to door 12 (e.g., by pulling the handle of door 12) to draw cable 30 out from reel 28. This drawing action causes reel 28 to rotate, and thus causes reel spring 26 to wind itself around central axis 24 (see Figure 5 ), thereby storing potential energy in reel spring 26. Then, the potential energy is later used to automatically close door 12.

[0141] During the automatic closing of door 12 (e.g., by the user releasing the door handle of door 12), cable 30 rewinds around reel 28 during the rotation of reel 28. The rotation of reel 28 is driven by the fact that once the user has removed the force used to open door 12 or to keep door 12 open, reel spring 26 is able to unwind. The rewinding of cable 30 around reel 28 pulls door 12 towards side post 18, thereby closing door 12.

[0142] Closing mechanism 10 is also provided with a braking assembly 40 to brake biasing assembly 22 and prevent door 12 from closing or further closing in the case where door 12 has been partially opened.

[0143] Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 13 , braking assembly 40 includes a lever 42 which is movable between (1) a disengaged state and (2) an engaged state. In the disengaged state, the distal end 43 of lever 42 is disengaged from outer washer 66a but is located above the metallic part of a restraint assembly in the form of magnetic restraint assembly 25, such as inner washer 66b which allows normal operation of closing mechanism 10, while in the engaged state, the distal end 43 of lever 42 engages outer washer 66a and thus lies above magnet 70 of magnetic restraint assembly 25 of speed control assembly 23 (see Figure 13 ), and thus the closing mechanism is in a braking state.

[0144] The distal end 43 of lever 42 includes a magnet 71. Magnet 71 is adapted to cooperate with inner washer 66b when in proximity to inner washer 66b. In this way, lever 42 remains in the disengaged state until the user applies a force to lever 42 via trigger 50, thereby displacing lever 42 to the engaged state to place the closing mechanism in a braking state.

[0145] In Figure 15 the specific arrangement shown in and Figure 16, distal end 43 is suspended above magnet plate 62. This is particularly advantageous as it reduces wear and noise during the operation of the closing mechanism.

[0146] When biasing assembly 22 is in a braking state, as Figure 13 shown, the pawl 46 of lever 42 (see Figure 14) is located within a groove 49 formed in the reel 28. The groove 49 includes a plurality of nodules 44, and the plurality of nodules 44 are arranged around the outer periphery of the reel 28 in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other within the groove 49. In one arrangement, there are six nodules 44 spaced apart from each other within the groove 49.

[0147] When the biasing assembly 22 rotates, the presence of the nodules 44 pushes the pawl 46 out of the groove 49, thereby pivoting the lever 42 so that the distal end 43 of the lever 42 is released from the magnetic force of the magnet plate 62 and displaced to the inner washer 66b. This places the closing mechanism in the released state.

[0148] The lever 42 is pivotally attached to the housing 20 via a pivot joint 45 (see Figure 13 ), and the pivot joint 45 allows the lever 42 to pivot for engagement and disengagement. The pivot joint 45 is defined by two pins 51a and 51b, and the pins 51a and 51b are adapted to enter the slots 53a and 53b of the housing 20 and the cover 27, as Figure 23 shown.

[0149] In addition, the trigger 50 of the lever 42 extends from the proximal end of the lever 42 and extends to the outside of the housing 20, so that a person (during the operation of the closing mechanism 10) can grasp the trigger 50 to position the lever 42 in the braking state (as Figure 21 shown) or the released state (as Figure 20 , 22 shown). The pivoting of the lever 42 can occur manually via the user's action using the trigger 50, or automatically when the reel 28 starts to rotate as described above.

[0150] During operation, when the door 12 has been opened by the user (fully opened or partially opened), the automatic closing of the door 12 can be prevented. To prevent the automatic closing of the door 12, the user can move the braking system 40 to the braking state by moving the proximal end 41 of the lever 42 (using the trigger 50), so that the distal end 43 of the lever 42 is positioned above the magnet 70. This hinders the rotation of the reel 28. Therefore, the door 12 remains open at the position where the user stops sliding the door 12 and actuates the braking assembly 40.

[0151] To (1) close the door 12 or (2) further open the door 12 (in the case where the door 12 was previously only partially opened), the user can slide the door 12 open, thereby causing the cable 30 to extend / pull out from the housing 20. Pulling the cable 30 will force the reel 28 to rotate, causing the pawl 46 (which engages one of the nodules 44 located in the outer periphery of the reel 28) to pop out of the reel 28. Then, the closing mechanism 10 is in the released state, thus enabling the user to allow the automatic closing of the door 12 or further open the door in the case where the door 12 was previously only partially opened.

[0152] As previously mentioned, the door 12 may remain partially open. A problem that may be encountered when manually closing the partially open door 12 is that the cable 30 will tend to become slack and hang under its own weight, thereby forming a loop between the partially open door 12 and the jamb 18 of the door frame 14. When the door 12 is manually closed while the brake is engaged, the cable 30 may also become slack and hang under its own weight to form a loop. When the door 12 is partially open, the presence of the loop may be a safety hazard to people passing through the door frame 14. To this end, the closing mechanism 10 includes a cable safety system 21, which is arranged in a manner that allows the cable 30 to be manually closed and locked. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 1 6 and Figures 19 to 24 A first arrangement is shown in Figure 3 , Figure 17 and Figure 18 The second arrangement is shown in . The cable security system 21 ensures that the cable 30 does not become slack to form a loop.

[0153] Figure 17 and Figure 18 A closing mechanism 10 is shown in combination with a second arrangement of a cable security system 21. The second arrangement of the cable security system 21 includes a weight 52 (used as ballast) adapted to be suspended from the cable 30 via a tether 54. The function of the weight 52 is to keep the cable 30 extended and taut when the door 12 is at least partially open. If the cable 30 is not kept taut when the door is fully open or closed, it may pose a danger to people passing through the doorway. In other embodiments, the configuration of the weight 52 may take different forms. For example, the weight 52 may be located outside the housing 20. It may also be located at the end of the cable 30, as described in more detail in the following embodiments.

[0154] It should be understood that other mechanisms can be used to keep the cable 30 extended and tensioned, which are readily understood by those skilled in the art. These mechanisms may include springs, elastic elements, and other devices capable of elastic deformation.

[0155] exist Figure 17 and 18 In the particular arrangement shown, the weight 52 is located adjacent a wall of the housing 20 that includes an opening 56 for the cable 30 to pass through.

[0156] In addition, the housing 20 includes an opening 56 that is positioned so that the weight 52 can exit the housing 20 when the cable 30 becomes slack, causing the weight 52 to pass out of the housing 20, as shown. Figure 18 shown.

[0157] The heavy weight 52 ensures that the section of the cable 30 located outside the closing mechanism 10 remains extended and taut so as not to form a loop. When the heavy weight 52 is suspended on the cable 30, a downward force is applied to the cable 30 (as Figure 18 shown), ensuring that the section of the cable 30 located outside the closing mechanism 10 has a continuously applied force thereon, preventing the cable 30 from becoming slack and potentially forming a loop.

[0158] Figure 18 Illustrated is the formation of a loop as the heavy weight 52 is lowered when the heavy weight 52 applies a tensile force. Given that the closing mechanism 10 can be attached to the door 12, the loop formed due to the heavy weight 52 does not pose a safety hazard as the loop will hang in front of the door rather than between the open door and the jamb 18 of the doorframe 14.

[0159] According to this embodiment of the present invention, when the door 12 automatically closes due to the action of the closing mechanism 10, the closing mechanism 10 is adapted to prevent the door 12 from slamming shut against the jamb 18.

[0160] As previously mentioned, according to the specific arrangement of this embodiment, the closing mechanism 10 is adapted to control the speed at which the door closes, thereby allowing the user to vary the speed at which the door or window closes according to specific preferences and / or the environment.

[0161] When the door 12 automatically closes, control of the speed of the door 12 is achieved since the speed control assembly 23 is operatively connected to the biasing assembly 22. In this regard, the speed control assembly 23 provides resistance to the rotation of the biasing assembly 22. The biasing assembly 22 includes a belt drive 98 and a reel 28, where the belt drive 98 is located on the reel 28.

[0162] As Figure 2 shown, the biasing assembly 22 is operatively connected to the speed control assembly 23 via a belt 58. Accordingly, due to the resistance provided by the speed control assembly 23, the rotational speed of the reel 28 will be limited.

[0163] In the specific arrangement of the drawings, the speed control assembly 23 includes a magnetic restraint assembly 25 (see Figure 10 ), and the magnetic restraint assembly 25 is adapted to provide resistance to the rotation of the reel 28. In particular, the magnetic restraint assembly 25 includes a magnetic eddy current assembly that is adapted to limit the movement of the rotational speed of the shaft gear 92 of the magnet plate 62 to which the drive belt 58 is attached. The resistance provided by the magnetic eddy current assembly limits the rotational speed of the reel 28 (since the reel 28 is connected to the rotating magnet plate 62). This will control the speed at which the cable 30 exits the closing mechanism 10, resulting in a reduced speed of the cable winder 94 and thus a reduced speed of the door 12 when it automatically closes.

[0164] Now referring specifically to Figure 23 and 24, showing the internal structure of the closing mechanism 10 in a first arrangement incorporating the safety cable system 21.

[0165] The magnetic restraint assembly 25 includes a plurality of plates adapted to be joined together. In particular, the magnetic restraint assembly 25 includes a resistor plate 60 and a magnet plate 62, as well as a first washer 64 and second washers 66a and 66b sandwiching the resistor plate 60 and the magnet plate 62 therebetween.

[0166] The first washer 64 is located below the resistor plate 60, thus improving the polarity and, in turn, increasing the binding force with which the speed control assembly 23 can be attached to the biasing assembly 22. The second washer 66 includes a concentric outer washer 66a and inner washer 66b. The outer washer 66a covers the magnet 70, thus increasing the magnetic polarity and, in turn, increasing the binding force with which the speed control assembly 23 can be attached to the biasing assembly 22.

[0167] The magnet plate 62 includes a plate 68 adapted to receive a plurality of magnets 70 (such as permanent magnets, for example neodymium magnets). In particular, the plate 68 includes notches arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other. Each notch is adapted to receive a magnet 70. This arrangement of the magnet plate 62 is particularly advantageous because the faces of the magnets 70 are exposed on both sides of the plate 68 defining the magnet plate 62. In the particular arrangement shown in the figure, each magnet 70 includes a disc-shaped body, the ends of which include opposite poles, in particular a north pole and a south pole.

[0168] In a particular arrangement, there are a plurality of magnets 70 arranged in a spaced-apart relationship relative to each other along the magnet plate 62. In other arrangements, the number of magnets 70 can be a multiple of 2.

[0169] Reference Figure 3 , each magnet 70 (e.g., 70a) is located between adjacent magnets 70 (e.g., 70f and 70b), where the north poles of the adjacent magnets 70 (70f and 70b) are reversed from the north pole of each adjacent magnet 70 (e.g., 70a) located between the adjacent magnets 70 (70f and 70b). This alternating arrangement of adjacent magnets 70 is oriented such that their north poles are reversed relative to each other, enhancing the eddy currents induced during rotation of the magnet plate 62 and thus increasing the binding force that the speed control assembly 23 can exert on the biasing assembly 22.

[0170] As Figure 9 and Figure 23 shown, the resistor plate 60 is configured as a washer that includes an annular body defining an inner gap 72 that allows the shaft 74 to pass through for connection to the magnet plate 68. Additionally, the resistor plate 60 includes a structure 76 configured with extensions that laterally extend to define pins 78a and 78b. The structure 76 including the pins 78a and 78b is adapted to be received within a compartment 80 defined on the inner side of the housing 20, as Figure 9as shown.

[0171] Reference Figure 9 , Figure 9 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the closing mechanism shown in, where the cover, belt drive 98, belt 58, magnet plate 62, and lever 42 are removed for illustrative purposes. Figure 9 The wedge clutch 96 is shown, with the cable reel 94 on the left and the resistor plate 60 on the right.

[0172] Figure 10 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the closing mechanism shown in, where the cover, belt 58, washer 64, and lever 42 are removed for illustrative purposes, and the biasing assembly 22 is shown on the left and the speed control assembly 23 (without washer 64) is shown on the right.

[0173] Figure 11 is Figure 1 a top perspective view of the closing mechanism shown in, where the cover, belt 58, and lever 42 are removed for illustrative purposes, and the biasing assembly 22 is shown on the left and the speed control assembly 23 is shown on the right.

[0174] As described for the method of operation of the speed control assembly 23, this particular arrangement of the resistor plate 60 is adapted to pivot a specific angle relative to the magnet plate 62 such that the distance between the magnet plate 62 and the resistor plate 60 can be changed. This allows the amount of resistance provided by the speed control assembly 23 to the biasing assembly 22 to be changed / regulated. In particular, when the resistor plate 60 pivots away from the magnet plate 62, the resistance decreases. By changing the distance between the magnet plate 62 and the resistor plate 60, the speed at which the door closes can be changed.

[0175] Now refer to Figure 15 , 16a and 16b, the resistor plate 60 includes an arm extension 82 that extends tangentially away from the outer perimeter of the resistor plate 60.

[0176] The regulator screw 84 is part of the closing mechanism 10. The arm extension 82, together with the regulator screw 84 and the ramp member 85, allows the resistor plate 60 to pivot away from or closer to the magnet plate 62.

[0177] In the particular arrangement shown in the figure, the regulator screw 84 includes a knob 90 and an upper frame 91 that is spaced from the knob 90 via a reduced-diameter joint 93. As Figure 10 and Figure 17 shown, the joint 93 is adapted to be received in an opening 88 in the housing 20 such that the upper frame 91 can be located within the compartment 86. In this way, the regulator screw 84 is attached to the housing 20, the knob 90 is located outside the housing 20, and the upper frame 91 is located within the compartment 86, asFigure 17 as shown

[0178] Referring Figure 16b , the upper frame 91 includes an opening 95 for receiving the nut 103. In the arrangement shown in the figure, the nut 103 includes a square body, and the opening 95 has a square configuration. In other arrangements, the nut 103 and the opening 95 can be configured to have any shape that prevents the nut 103 from rotating within the opening 95. In this way, the nut 103 is axially fixed within the opening 95, thereby ensuring that the nut 103 rotates together with the regulator screw 84 during rotation of the knob 90 by the user of the closing mechanism 10.

[0179] The ramp member 85 includes a threaded end 105 that is adapted to be received by the nut 103 and is at least partially received by the joint 93 and the knob 90.

[0180] During clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the regulator screw 84, the threaded end 105 will respectively (1) move the ramp member 85 onto the arm extension 82, pivoting the resistor plate 60 away from the magnet plate 62, as shown in FIG. 16a, or (2) move the ramp member 85 away from the arm extension 82, causing the resistor plate 60 to return closer to the magnet plate 62, as Figure 15 shown

[0181] Specifically, pivoting of the resistor plate 60 relative to the magnet plate 62 is achieved by rotating the regulator screw 84. As Figure 15 and 16a show, when the regulator screw 84 is wound towards the interior of the housing 20, the inclined surface of the ramp member 85 displaces the resistor plate 60 away from the magnet plate 62, thereby reducing the resistance to rotation of the spool 28 of the biasing assembly 22. By winding the regulator screw 84 away from the housing 20, the resistor plate 60 will return closer to the magnet plate 62, thereby increasing the resistance provided to the rotation of the spool 28 of the biasing assembly 22.

[0182] When setting up the closing mechanism 10, the installer / user can adjust the mechanism such that the door closes at a desired speed. In this regard, the installer / user can manipulate the knob 90 to change the distance between the resistor plate 60 and the magnet plate 62, thereby changing the speed at which the door 12 closes during operation of the closing mechanism 10.

[0183] Referring Figure 10 , the magnet plate 62 is adapted to rotate about an axis 74 attached to the housing 20. As previously mentioned, the magnet plate 62 is adapted to be operatively connected to the biasing assembly 22 via a drive belt 58. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the magnet plate 62 includes a shaft gear 92 for receiving the drive belt 58.

[0184] In operation, rotation of the spool 28 of the biasing assembly 22 via the drive belt 58 causes the magnet plate 62 to rotate relative to the resistor plate 60 at a specific speed. These specific speeds have an amplitude that causes eddy currents. Rotation of the magnet plate 62 relative to the resistor plate 60 at a specific speed induces eddy currents that generate a magnetic field which exerts a repulsive force on the permanent magnets 70 of the magnet plate 62, thereby reducing the rotational speed of the magnet plate 62. In this way, the speed control assembly 23 is able to control the rotational speed of the spool 28, resulting in a reduced speed of the door 12 when it automatically closes.

[0185] As described above, the magnet plate 62 rotates at a specific speed, the magnitude of which is capable of forming eddy currents. In a specific arrangement of the figures, the ratio of the diameter of the belt drive 98 to the diameter of the shaft gear 92 is such that the magnet plate 62 rotates at these specific speeds, for example see Figure 7 . The strength of the magnetic field varies according to the rotational speed, the number and strength of the magnets 70, and the distance between the magnets 70 and the resistor plate 60.

[0186] Now refer to Figure 23 and Figure 24 , the biasing assembly 22 includes a cable reel 94, a wedge clutch 96, and a belt drive 98. The cable reel 94 includes a spool spring 26 and a spool 28.

[0187] When closing the door 12, the cable reel 94 and the belt drive 98 can work together.

[0188] Conversely, when opening the door 12, the belt drive 98 disengages from the cable reel 94. In this case, during the opening of the door 12, the cable reel 94 disengages from the belt drive 98, causing the drive belt 58 not to drive the speed control assembly 23. This is particularly advantageous as it reduces wear due to fewer components in operation, as well as the resistance provided when opening the door 12 when the speed control assembly 23 is not operating (since the belt drive 98 has temporarily disengaged from the cable reel 94).

[0189] The selective disengagement and engagement between the cable reel 94 and the belt drive 98 is due to the wedge clutch 96.

[0190] The wedge clutch 96 is adapted to selectively shift between a retracted state (as shown in Figure 7 ) and an engaged state (as shown in Figure 8 ). In the retracted state, the cable reel 94 disengages from the belt drive 98. In the engaged state, the cable reel 94 engages with the belt drive 98.

[0191] Refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8, the wedge clutch 96 includes a plurality of tubular wedges 100, which cause the belt drive 98 to disengage from the cable reel 94 when in the retracted state (as shown in Figure 7 ). When the tubular wedges 100 are in the engaged state (as shown in Figure 8 ), the belt drive 98 and the cable reel 94 are engaged with each other via the wedge clutch 96.

[0192] As shown in Figure 8 , the tubular wedges 100 are held in place by a hook-shaped plate 102 (pawl 102) when in the retracted position, and the hook-shaped plate 102 defines a recess 104 for receiving the tubular wedges 100 (see Figure 8 ). During the opening of the door 12, the wedge clutch 96 rotates, causing the tubular wedges 100 to remain within the recess 104 and causing the cable reel 94 to disengage from the belt drive 98. When the door 12 is closed, the wedge clutch 96 rotates in the opposite direction (relative to the rotation of the wedge clutch 96 during the opening of the door 12), causing the tubular wedges 100 to be released from the groove 104 due to centrifugal force (as shown in Figure 8 ). This causes the tubular wedges 100 to abut against the wall 97 (around the pawl 102, as shown in Figure 8 ), and engaging the wall 97 causes the cable reel 94 to engage the belt drive 98. The rotation of the belt drive 98 drives the magnet plate 62 of the speed control assembly 23, which causes the rotational movement of the cable reel 94 to be restricted, thereby reducing the speed at which the door 12 automatically closes.

[0193] As shown in Figure 4 , the wall 97 around the pawl 102 includes an inner surface having a plurality of valleys 101 and ridges 99. This configuration (1) allows for a more positive engagement between the inner surface (especially the ridges 99) and the tubular wedges, and (2) allows the tubular wedges 100 to be released more smoothly from the valleys 101 and ridges 99 when the door 12 is open and the wedge clutch 96 is in the disengaged state, so that the speed control assembly 23 does not operate to facilitate the opening of the door 12. The valleys 101 and ridges 99 contribute to better control and enhanced operation of the closing mechanism 10.

[0194] Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 1 6 and Figures 19 to 24 show a first arrangement of the cable safety system 21. The first arrangement of the cable safety system 21 includes a counterweight ball 106, which is attached to the proximal end 34 of the cable 30, and the proximal end 34 of the cable 30 is attached to the side post 18 of the door frame 14. The proximal end of the cable 30 passes through a ring screw 108 mounted on the side post 18.

[0195] The counterweight ball 106 is designed as a safety device when the cable 30 becomes slack (as shown inFigure 21 As shown in, the cable 30 can be pulled downward. Slack in the cable 30 can occur in certain situations, such as when the door 12 is closed and the closing mechanism 10 is in the braking state. If the closing mechanism 10 is in the braking state, and unless the door 12 is opened to position the closing mechanism 10 to the released state, the closing mechanism 10 will remain in the braking state, which will cause the cable 30 not to retract onto the spool. This causes the cable 30 to drop towards the middle of the opening of the door 12 during the closing of the door 12 and potentially form a loop. As Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 1 6 and Figures 19 to 24 shown, the cable safety system 21 has a counterweight ball 106, which is actuated by gravity to pull the cable downward parallel to the side post 18, thereby avoiding the formation of a loop and thus reducing the risk of a user using the door 12 getting stuck.

[0196] In a particular arrangement, the counterweight ball 106 is made of metal and is adapted to be tied to the proximal end 34 of the cable 30.

[0197] During the process of installing the closing mechanism onto the door 12, the eye bolt 108 is screwed onto the side post 18 of the door with the face of the loop of the eye bolt 108 facing downward. Once the closing mechanism 10 and the eye bolt 108 have been installed (see Figure 20 ), the cable 30 is pulled out of the closing mechanism 10 and slides through the gap 109 in the eye bolt 108 (see Figure 19 ). The counterweight ball 106 will then rest against the outer edge of the eye bolt 108, as Figure 21 shown.

[0198] In another configuration as Figure 25 shown, instead of including a biasing assembly with a wedge clutch, it includes a one-way bearing 111 for connecting the belt drive 98 and the cable winder 94 to each other, the one-way bearing being adapted to selectively move between an unlocked rotational state and a locked state, in the unlocked rotational state, the bearing rotates freely, wherein the cable winder is disengaged from the belt drive, and in the locked state, the cable winder is engaged with the belt drive.

[0199] Although this embodiment particularly discusses a closing mechanism applied to a sliding door, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily used to close any opening. Such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0200] Modifications and variations that are obvious to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0201] In addition, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the disclosed embodiments. These embodiments are only intended for illustrative purposes. Functionally equivalent products, formulations, and methods are clearly within the scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0202] References to positional descriptions such as lower and upper, or inner and outer, will be in the context of the embodiments depicted in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the terms, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0203] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and are not limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "including", and "having" or variations thereof are inclusive and thus specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0204] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or part from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first", "second", and other numerical terms do not imply an order or sequence when used herein. Thus, the first element, component, region, layer, or part discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or part without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0205] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "inner", "outer", "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another as shown in the figures. Spatial relative terms may be intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, an element described as "beneath" or "below" another element or feature will be oriented "above" the other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term "beneath" can cover both an upper and a lower orientation. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

Claims

1. A closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a door frame, the door frame having a door jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable spool for winding or unwinding a cable thereon during rotation of the cable spool, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the door jamb when the door is in an open condition, a speed control assembly having a constraint assembly, the cable spool and the speed control assembly being connected relative to each other to affect a rotational speed of the cable spool, wherein the constraint assembly is adapted to affect the rotational movement of the cable spool, and A brake assembly for braking the biasing assembly, wherein the brake assembly includes a lever movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein a distal end of the lever is adapted to engage the speed control assembly to stop movement of the cable spool.

2. The closing mechanism according to claim 1, in, The confinement assembly is a magnetic confinement assembly.

3. The closing mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, in, The distal end includes at least one magnet for engaging a metallic portion of the magnetic confinement assembly.

4. A closing mechanism according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in, The brake assembly is adapted to disengage from the cable spool upon initiation of rotational movement of the cable spool.

5. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, As the cable shaft rotates, at least one node of the cable shaft pushes a pawl of the lever away from the node to position the brake assembly in a released state.

6. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in, The lever enables a user to manually control the braking system.

7. A closing mechanism for automatically closing a door sliding in a door frame, the door frame having a jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable retractor for selectively winding or unwinding a cable thereon during rotation of the cable retractor, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the jamb when the door is in an open position; and a speed control assembly having a magnetic restraint assembly, the cable retractor and the speed control assembly being operably connected to each other for restraining the rotational speed of the cable retractor, wherein the magnetic restraint assembly is adapted to control the amount of restraint provided to the rotational movement of the cable retractor.

8. The closing mechanism according to claim 7, in, The magnetic restraint assembly includes a magnet plate and a resistor plate, the magnet plate and the resistor plate are arranged in a spaced relationship relative to each other for generating eddy currents during movement of the magnet plate and the resistor plate relative to each other, wherein the magnetic restraint assembly is adapted to vary the spacing between the magnet plate and the resistor plate to control the amount of drag applied by the magnetic restraint assembly to the cable retractor.

9. The closing mechanism according to claim 7, in, The magnetic confinement assembly includes a resistor plate and a magnet plate arranged in spaced relationship relative to one another, wherein the resistor plate is adapted to pivot relative to the magnet plate allowing a distance between the magnet plate and the resistor plate to be varied.

10. A closing mechanism according to claim 7, 8 or 9, in, The magnetic confinement assembly also includes metallic portions, such as first and second washers, that sandwich the resistor plate and the magnet plate.

11. The closing mechanism according to claim 10, in, The first gasket is located below the resistor plate.

12. The closing mechanism according to claim 10 or 11, in, The second gasket includes a concentric outer gasket and an inner gasket.

13. The closing mechanism according to claim 12, in, The outer gasket covers the magnet.

14. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in, The closing mechanism includes a housing adapted to receive the cable retractor and the speed control system to allow rotational movement of the cable retractor and rotational movement of the magnet plate.

15. The closing mechanism according to claim 14, in, The resistor plate is adapted to be pivotally attached to a section of the housing that permits pivotal movement of the resistor plate relative to the magnet plate.

16. A closing mechanism according to claim 7, 8 or 9, in, The magnetic confinement assembly includes an outer washer sandwiching the magnet plate and the resistor plate therebetween.

17. The closing mechanism according to claim 1, in, The resistor plate is adapted to be pivoted by a user of the closure mechanism such that the resistor plate is pivoted at a particular angle relative to the magnet plate.

18. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 17, in, The closing mechanism also includes means for a user to engage the resistor plate to change the distance between the resistor plate and the magnet plate.

19. The closing mechanism according to claim 18, in, The resistor plate includes an arm extension extending tangentially away from an outer perimeter of the resistor plate for engagement with a device for a user to engage the resistor plate.

20. The closing mechanism according to claim 19, in, The means for user engagement with the resistor plate includes an adjuster screw having a distal end configured as an inclined ramp for engagement with the arm extension.

21. The closing mechanism according to claim 20, in, The adjuster screw is adapted to be slidably attached to the housing of the closure mechanism.

22. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 21, in, The magnet plate includes recesses arranged in spaced relationship relative to one another, each recess being adapted to receive a magnet.

23. The closing mechanism according to claim 22, in, There are multiple magnets.

24. The closing mechanism according to claim 23, in, Adjacent magnets have alternating poles.

25. A closing mechanism according to claim 23 or 24, in, The magnets are assembled into the magnet plate in a spaced relationship relative to each other to increase the magnetic field.

26. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 25, in, The resistor plate is configured as a washer including an annular body.

27. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 26, in, The resistor plate includes a configuration having an extension defining a pin adapted to be received within a compartment defined in the housing to allow pivotal movement of the resistor plate.

28. A closing mechanism according to any one of claims 7 to 27, in, The closing mechanism also includes a brake assembly for braking the biasing assembly.

29. The closing mechanism according to claim 28, in, The brake assembly includes a lever movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, wherein a distal end of the lever is adapted to engage the magnet plate to prevent movement of the cable retractor.

30. The closing mechanism according to claim 31, in, The distal end includes a magnet for engaging a metallic portion of the magnetic confinement assembly, such as an inner washer or an outer washer.

31. A closure mechanism according to claim 28, 29 or 30, in, The brake assembly is adapted to disengage from the cable retractor during initiation of rotational movement of the cable retractor.

32. A closure mechanism according to any one of claims 28 to 31, in, There is a node within the cable retractor that pushes the pawl of the lever away from the node when the cable retractor rotates, thereby positioning the brake assembly in the released state.

33. A closing mechanism for automatically closing a door sliding in a door frame, the door frame having a jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable retractor for selectively winding or unwinding a cable on the cable retractor during rotation of the cable retractor, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the jamb when the door is in an open state, and a belt drive operably connected to the cable retractor, Therein, the cable retractor and the belt drive are operably connected to each other in such a manner that the cable retractor and the belt drive are disengaged from each other during the door opening and are engaged with each other during the door closing.

34. A closing mechanism according to claim 33, in, The closing mechanism also includes a speed control assembly having a magnetic restraint assembly, the belt drive and the speed control assembly being operably connected relative to each other to restrain the rotational speed of the cable retractor when the cable retractor and the belt drive are engaged relative to each other during closing of the door.

35. A closing mechanism according to claim 33 or 34, in, The biasing assembly further includes a sprag clutch for connecting the belt drive and the cable retractor relative to each other, the sprag clutch being adapted to be selectively shifted between a retracted state for disengaging the cable retractor from the belt drive and an engaged state for engaging the cable retractor with the belt drive.

36. A closing mechanism according to claim 35, in, The sprag clutch includes a plurality of tubular sprags that cause the belt drive to disengage relative to the cable retractor when the sprags are in a retracted state and that engage the belt drive and cable retractor with each other when the sprags are in an engaged state.

37. A closing mechanism according to claim 35 or 36, in, The sprag clutch includes a hook plate defining a recess for receiving the tubular wedge, the hook plate being configured such that when the door is opened the tubular wedge is retained within the recess, thereby causing the cable retractor to disengage from the belt drive, and during closing of the door the sprag clutch rotates, thereby causing the tubular wedge to be released from the recess to wedge against the belt drive, thereby causing the cable retractor to engage with the belt drive.

38. A closing mechanism according to claim 37, in, The hook plate includes an inner surface having ridges adapted to allow engagement with the tubular wedge and to allow easy release from the ridges of the wedge when the door is opened.

39. A closing mechanism according to claim 33 or 34, in, The biasing assembly also includes a one-way bearing for connecting the belt drive and the cable retractor relative to each other, the one-way bearing being adapted to selectively move between an unlocked rotational state in which the bearing is free to rotate and in which the cable retractor is disengaged from the belt drive, and a locked state in which the cable retractor is engaged with the belt drive.

40. A closing mechanism for automatically closing a door sliding in a door frame, the door frame having a jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable retractor for selectively winding or unwinding a cable on the cable retractor during rotation of the cable retractor, the cable having a first section of the cable extending between the door and the jamb when the door is in an open state, and A security cable system is operably attached to the cable for maintaining the section of the cable extending between the door and the jamb extended and tensioned.

41. A closing mechanism according to claim 40, in, The safety cable system includes a tensioning device to keep the cable in a tensioned state.

42. A closing mechanism for closing a door, the closing mechanism include: a housing adapted to be secured to the door, the housing housing a biasing assembly and a speed control assembly; The biasing assembly has a cable spool for winding or unwinding a cable thereon, the cable being adapted to extend between the housing and the structure when the door is in an open condition, and The speed control assembly has a magnetic restraint assembly, the cable spool and the speed control assembly operably interacting to affect a rotational speed of the cable spool, wherein the magnetic restraint assembly is adapted to affect the rotational movement of the cable spool to control a speed at which the door closes.

43. A closing mechanism for closing a door that slides relative to a door jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable spool for winding or unwinding a cable thereon during rotation of the cable spool, the cable being adapted to extend between the door and the door jamb when the door is in an open condition, and A speed control assembly having a constraint assembly, the cable spool and the speed control assembly being connected relative to each other to affect a rotational speed of the cable spool, wherein the constraint assembly is adapted to affect the rotational movement of the cable spool.

44. A closing mechanism according to claim 43, in, The confinement assembly is a magnetic confinement assembly.

45. A closing mechanism according to claim 43 or 44, in, The cable spool is in the form of a cable reel.

46. ​​A closing mechanism for closing a door, the door sliding relative to a door frame, the door frame having a door jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly extending between the door and the door jamb, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to bias the door toward a closed position; A speed control assembly is operably connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed and acceleration of the door closing.

47. A closing mechanism for closing a door, the door sliding relative to a door frame, the door frame having a door jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly extending between the door and the door jamb, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to bias the door toward a closed position; a speed control assembly operably connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed at which the door closes; A restraint assembly is operably connected to the speed control assembly to control acceleration of the door as the door approaches the closed position.

48. A closure mechanism according to claim 46 or 47, further comprising a brake for holding the door in an open or partially open position.

49. A closing mechanism according to claim 46 or 47, further comprising disengagement means to disengage the action of the closing mechanism on the door.

50. A closing mechanism for automatically closing a door sliding in a door frame, the door frame having a jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable adapted to extend between the door and the jamb when the door is in an open state, the cable being received in and out of the biasing assembly in response to movement of the door; and a speed control assembly restraining assembly; wherein the biasing assembly and the speed control assembly are operably connected relative to each other for controlling the speed and acceleration of the cable entering the biasing assembly as the door moves toward its closed position.

51. A closing mechanism for closing a door, the door sliding relative to a door frame, the door frame having a door jamb, the closing mechanism include: a biasing assembly having a cable adapted to extend between the door and the jamb when the door is in an open state, wherein the biasing assembly provides a biasing force to cause the cable to be received in the housing, whereby the door moves toward a closed position; a speed control assembly operably connected to the biasing assembly to selectively control the speed and acceleration of the door closing; and A security cable system is operably attached to the cable for maintaining the section of the cable extending between the door and the jamb in a taut condition.

52. A sliding door comprising a closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 51.

53. A sliding window comprising a closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 51.

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