Bardsley Checking Spring Hinge

1/22/2016

From the above advert in the American architect and builders news you can see that this particular Bardsley has been around since 1895. I have been unable to find the patent for this particular spring (Maybe Jess might help) the clue to the patent date however is stamped on the brass cover plate.

Although the 'Bardsley' was invented by Joseph Bardsley of New York and I believe is therefore more well known in America this closer was sold in the UK by Nettleford and Sons who had the sole agents rights for the UK in or around the early 1900's.

After restoration this floor spring works like it was just manufactured. It's checking action engages at any position throughout the arc of a doors swing.

You may not be able to discern in the above picture the 'dashpot' that sits in the centre of the spring, you should however see the brass adjuster for it in the middle of the three screws visible.

6 Comments

Jess the Door Closer Doctor

1/29/2016 04:59:46 am

Hello MFS/Rod, I am not 100% sure of when it was patented, but I have a feeling it was from the year you show, (1890's)

happy to see your Bardsley, Yale also partnered with him in 1940's, the brand faded away into the floorspring history books in the 60's.

in ways, the insides are no different from the AVON you repaired weeks ago, glad you have it working like the day it was made!!

will this one be added to the collection or be mounted in floor??

Steve Benson

5/3/2016 09:27:59 pm

I have been working on a Bradsley Checking Spring Hinge, No 11/2 with a number 13677 which may be a product number. It was installed in the Rectory of Christ Church Glendale, Glendale Ohio USA in 1903.
The door on this system was installed so that it stayed open all the time. When "forced closed it would only open about 6" in the other direction. I removed the door and it sprung back to the correct position and now stops at the proper closed position. Good to see how it is supposed to look on the inside as i have not been able to get the inspection cover off due to rusty screws.
Thanks

MFS link

5/3/2016 09:57:35 pm

Steve,

I am so chuffed you have commented and thrilled to hear you manged to get your Bardsley up and working. Would you be able to send us any pictures for our readers?

I would suggest if you can to persevere and try to get the lid off. The mineral oil has probably turned to the consistency of clay by now, this has more than likely been the cause of the problem and I fear it will gum up again if left.

A tip you may find useful is to use a sharp punch and hammer to shock the screws loose. Place the punch at the 12 'o' clock position if the screw slot is going left to right say ( 9 'o'clock to 3 'o'clock) so as not to damage the slot when you hit the punch. Give a sharp hit at first and then gently tap the screw round until you can use a screwdriver. This works for me 95 times out of 100.

Good luck and all the best!

Jess the door closer doctor

5/3/2016 11:59:24 pm

Steve, I loved reading about your old Bardsley at the church, they sure dont make closers like this anymore, and its great to hear that it is still closing (spring has not snapped or any insides broken)

another thing you can do for rusty screws is using penetrating lubricant such as WD-40 or liquid wrench then hit it like Rod mentioned.

me too, I would like to see what your Bardsley looks like after all this time in the floor,

Rod, I never noticed until now the advert for the oil door check and spring(surface mount) that thing is pretty cool, Corbin used to make something similar as the valve was on front of the body like that, Corbin 99 series, a small one (more designed for lightweight doors in a household environment)

the feature I like the most about the Bardsley oil door check and spring is the reserve oil chamber (using the spring chamber of closer) I am sure this would save lots of time if that was used with today's potbellies (here in states made of aluminum....) and it would be easier on the person putting oil in as they do not have to remove it from the door, many brands these days they do away with this type of convenience feature because of the liability risk involved if it was taken apart with common household tools, and this is why many manufacturers use special pin spanner wrenches as well as other machine tools to get them apart.

LAURENCE REARDON link

9/25/2017 08:57:37 pm

I have this Bardsley Hinge shown on your web page. I am trying to take the door off. Do I do it from the top or where the hinge is on the floor?
Help Please.
Thanks

Rod Fathers link

7/12/2018 08:28:33 pm

Laurence I sincerely apologize I have somehow missed your inquiry so my answer will be far too late I presume. You should locate a large flat headed screw in the top pivot above your head and unscrew this, it will wind the top pivot up and out of a hole in the top of the door, this will then allow you to slightly tilt the door so it clears the header and rock the door of the pin that protrudes from the floor spring. Sometimes you may find the shoe/door is rusted onto the pin and you may have to use a crow bar to lift the shoe/door off the pin.

Bardsley Checking Spring Hinge

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