Device for closing a hinged member

A device for closing a closure member hinged on a support, which closing device comprises an actuator mechanism having a resilient member which is arranged to urge the hinged closure member towards its closed position and a hydraulic damper mechanism for damping the closing movement of said hinged closure member under the action of said resilient member,

• which actuator mechanism comprises:
• a frame;
• a reciprocating pushrod which is slidably mounted on said frame to translate between an extended and a retracted position when opening and closing the hinged closure member;
• and
• said resilient member which is arranged between said pushrod and said frame to urge the pushrod towards its extended position,
• and which hydraulic damper mechanism comprises:
• a cylinder barrel defining a closed cylinder cavity;
• a reciprocating piston placed within said cylinder barrel so as to divide the cylinder cavity into a first side and a second side;
• a first motion converting mechanism for converting the translational motion of said pushrod into a rotational motion of a first pinion, which first motion converting mechanism comprises a first rack and pinion gearing having a first rack on said pushrod which engages said first pinion;
• a transmission, including a second motion converting mechanism, between said first pinion and said piston for transmitting and converting the rotational motion of said first pinion into a translational motion of the piston;
• a one-way valve allowing fluid flow from said first side to said second side of the cylinder cavity when opening the hinged member;
• and
• at least one restricted fluid passage between said first and second sides of the cylinder cavity,
• wherein:
• the hydraulic damper mechanism comprises a piston rod fixed to said piston to reciprocate together with the piston in the cylinder cavity;
• said second motion converting mechanism comprises a second rack and pinion gearing arranged within said cylinder cavity and having a second rack formed by said piston rod and a second pinion engaging said second rack;
• and
• said transmission provides together with said first and second a reduction gearing between said pushrod and said piston so that said piston reciprocates over a smaller distance than said pushrod.