Importance

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Abstract

A door operator of electromechanical character for utilization with swing-mounted doors is provided in a self-contained unit for mounting as a part of a door frame or for attachment to existing doors and frames. The opener has a door driving shaft mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and connectable to a door for closing and opening of the door when rotated, and a transmission interconnecting a prime mover and door driving shaft for rotation to open the door upon selective delivery of power by the prime mover. A pinion interconnected with the shaft meshes with a rack gear for shifting of the rack gear about a longitudinal axis in response to rotation of the shaft. The unit includes a module of interchangeable character having a preloaded spring and configured for the intended direction(s) of rotation of the door for opening. The spring receives energy from the rack gear upon door opening and then transfers the stored energy to the rack gear upon cessation of delivery of power by the prime mover for producing rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction to close the door while returning power to the prime mover, which is preferably an electronically driven and controlled d.c. motor. The rack gear and spring module permit rotation of the shaft also in a direction for emergency opening of the door.

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First Claim