Earl Floor Spring

6/28/2015

Stanmore Springs Ltd were continually improving their product, beginning with the Coronet and ending with the Earl. In its final guise as the Earl this floor spring could be adjusted both from side to side and front to back by means of a capstan. This capstan was threaded directly into the cast case and pressed upon the inner surface of the box that was concreted into the ground.

There were two versions of the Earl, the 778 and the 777, the difference between the two were the number of coils on the springs. The less coils the weaker the door spring (lighter doors) the more coils the stronger the door spring (heavier doors). The Earl 778 was the more powerful of the two versions.

The improvements that culminated in the Earl are attributed to Robert Douglas Derek Smith of Stanmore springs Ltd. The final patent was granted on the 21st of July 1971.

6 Comments

Keith Stables

9/9/2015 03:43:07 am

I remember when I was in my 30's working at W & R Leggott(Ironmongers) of Peckover Street.Bradford. I had happy days there working in the iron dept and my job was repairing the Leggott's 'Girda' fllorspring s and other models plus the Stanmore springs as above.I also sometimes had to go to Stanmore Spring company in Leeds to obtain spare parts. I,my brother and father(Engineer Designer)had happy times.

keith Stables

9/9/2015 03:43:57 am

Rod Fathers link

1/25/2017 08:47:48 am

Hi Keith,

I am really sorry i have just come across your comment on my blog, a little late I know but thank you very much for your interest and comment. I have not heard of the Girda before, I do not suppose you have a picture of it or any pictures of different floor springs? I hope you see this reply as i would love to pick your brains, as you probably know your always learning in the floor spring world. Sorry again for the late reply all the best Rod.

Keith Stables

11/22/2017 03:32:52 pm

Hello Rod,
No problems with late reply as I was just intered in the floorsprings shown, It may be of interest that I also repaired the concealed doorcloser that was concealed in the transom, and was usually used for the aluminium type door.You probably know the dorma and Peter Jackson.Sorry but I dont have photos of the Leggott's Girda,the original Girda floorspring was called the 2015. Regards,Keith

Paul Obszanski

3/21/2022 11:28:14 am

Hi
Our church has internal doors with Earl 778 closers.
One door fails to slow down on closing and is dangerous.Is theer a method for adjusting the tension in the springs in the bottom mechanism?
Many thanks
Paul

Keith Stables

3/21/2022 09:05:29 pm

Hello Paul,

It's over 40 years since I worked for a Company in Bradford and also had my own business repairing door closer's and floor springs but I hope this will advice will help you with the problem:-

1. The floor-spring may be in need of cleaning, as if the oil level in the box is very low,the central hydraulic piston will not operate and the floor-spring will be only operate by the springs only,hence the door will slam(close)very quickly which can be a danger to a person being knocked over or even a hand trapped between the doors,

2.I the floor-spring is in a good condition start by removing the top cover plate and also the cover plate from the floor-spring itself,check to see if the oil level is just above the hydraulic piston, and if not replenish with fresh oil.Open and close the door until the oil has entered the piston, and then add some more oil just enough to cover the piston housing.Test the spring by opening the door fully and see if it slows down before reaching the closed position.If this works, replace the spring cover onto the floor-spring, which may need a sealant as there used to be a rubber seal to prevent water entering into the floor-spring, then replace the top cover plate.Also the top door centre hinge may need to be sprayed with oil.
If this works,that;s it, but sometimes doing this method the piston may get stuck inside the piston housing and will not retract causing the door still to close fast.In this situation the piston will have to be removed and possibly cleaned or replaced.

3. If the floor-spring is not required to close slowly, once opened, it is possible to remove the two springs from the (Fork) by opening the door and inserting a nail into each of holes located near where the adjusting screws are,you can also remove the hydraulic piston by removing the pin.If nothing works and the floor-spring is too old,it may have to be replaced completely by another floor-spring and top centre(Hinge).

Hope this helps,
Keith

Earl Floor Spring

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