Hinge brake

摘要

A hinge brake apparatus is provided for controlling the rate of either opening or closing of a door or the like. The hinge brake includes a cylinder member having a tubular-open-ended configuration and a piston member which axially slidably interfits in telescoping relation with the cylinder and forms a sliding seal therewith. A one-way air flow control arrangement is disposed adjacent the end of the cylinder opposite its open end for controlling the flow of air between the interior and the exterior of the cylinder in response to travel of the piston in at least one axial direction relative to the cylinder. A check valve arrangement is provided for permitting a relatively free and less impeded air flow between the exterior and interior of the cylinder in response to travel of the piston in the opposite axial direction. The check valve also serves to substantially confine any air flow to the air flow control arrangement in response to the travel of the piston relative to the cylinder in the first-mentioned direction.