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Victorian Floor Spring.

5/24/2015

9 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
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The first floor spring I would like to show is a Cartland & Co Patent Climax floor spring. The series of pictures shows one of the brass cover plates, one of the floor springs before refurbishment, the Climax after I replaced the springs and finally the 1893 patent I found of it. As can be seen I left the cover plates alone, although they would look fantastic polished up.

The Climax is unusual as the springs within are configured to expand rather than contract as in most other models. There is an ingenious vertically positioned wheel connected to the pin that lifts a claw which in turn is coupled to one end of the 8 springs. This claw expands the springs and as they contract the action is reversed closing the door smoothly. As can be seen there is no hydraulic nor pneumatic check in this early model door closer. 

I now have two late Victorian era fully refurbished floor springs awaiting a customer.

9 Comments
Jess the door closer doctor
5/26/2015 10:16:15 am

Heya there, loved what I seen and read about the CLIMAX floorspring,

in the USA, we have a brand of supermarket doors (Chase Doors, and Eliason traffic doors) that use a hinge similar to how the claw works, it's a large V in top hinge with a roller, it operates on gravity instead of springs

also, loved the blog idea!!!

(great, another hardware blog to add to my favorite door hardware websites.....)

-Jess the door closer doctor

Reply
Rod fathers link
5/29/2015 04:23:49 pm

Thanks for the comments Jess I am thrilled you are following.

Reply
Ben
7/23/2015 06:57:31 pm

Hi. My name is Ben. I'm from New Zealand and my woodworking workshop is an old Victorian drapery :)

I've finally managed to get the cover off. I've removed a cup full of rust and the remains of 7 springs (one seems to have disappeared!) The aim was to get it to pivot to 90 degrees again, but it looks entirely repairable to reinstate the spring action aswell! Having a look around online to work out how to repair it and found your blog & website.

Thanks for your good work repairing & restoring heritage!!

Cheers, Ben.

Reply
Rod M.F.S link
7/24/2015 05:11:30 am

Hi Ben, thanks for your comments. It sounds like you have a version of the Climax if you care to send me some pictures I will advise you as best as I am able. Tension and strength of the springs is particularly important on this unit depending on the weight of the door. I had to make a tool to install the new springs and to be honest it was quite a job. The Climax is well worth the effort to repair/renovate, as are most traditional floor springs, and will give you countless years of further service when completed. I have had a recent job enquiry regarding the Climax and a couple of Smith's as well, I will post the pictures in the future. Good luck and hope to hear from you soon..

Reply
jez
9/3/2015 05:38:56 am

Hi - I have two of these Climax Door Springs!
They look in quite good condition...
Let me know if you would like to add to your collection!?

Reply
Rod. MFS link
9/3/2015 11:19:31 am

Hi Jez,

I am most interested in your enquiry. I have emailed you or if you prefer please call me on 07778157607.

Best


Reply
Rowan
7/9/2016 12:37:41 pm

Hi I have two of these floor springs with same pattern as above picture they are in working order and am looking at selling them but unsure of their worth.

Reply
Rod Fathers link
11/27/2017 08:51:43 pm

Hi Rowan,

You can contact me on 07778157607.

Reply
Lesbian Wales link
2/24/2021 05:53:36 am

Lovvely blog you have here

Reply



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    As there is so little information out there with regard to door closers, especially vintage and antique model floor springs, I thought I would start this blog.

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