Abstract:
A door handle has an elongated member pivotally connected with a plate member. The elongated member has a toe portion which interacts with the plate member. In this way, the elongated member is at least partially retained by the plate member at each end. The door handle provides an anti-ligature design that thwarts suicide attempts by persons attempting to affix or hang ligatures on the door handle. The door handle is also easily operable by those with disabilities.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/297,048, filed on Jan. 21, 2010, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present teachings relate generally to door hardware, such as that which is used to operate door locks, latches and/or deadbolts, although not limited thereto. More specifically, the present teachings relate to door hardware that is anti-ligature in that it is difficult for ropes, cords, wires, articles of clothing or other pieces of material (hereinafter referred to as “ligatures”) to be tied or looped around the door hardware, whether intentionally or unintentionally, to cause harm to persons having access thereto. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In many environments such as, for example, although not limited thereto, medical facilities, schools, offices, government buildings, residences, and other institutions, there exists a population of people at risk of committing suicide. In many psychiatric hospitals, for example, patients have been known to attempt suicide, specifically hanging, while in the care of the institution. 
         [0004]    These suicide attempts are known to have involved the use of doorknobs and other door hardware. To attempt suicide, a person may wrap a ligature such as a belt, although not limited thereto, around a doorknob in order to hang him- or herself. Institutions have many private rooms where such a suicide attempt may take place, such as bathrooms. Every private room cannot be watched at the same time without enormous staff resources. Therefore, private rooms, and specifically door hardware, provide an area of opportunity for a suicide attempt. 
         [0005]    The problem of suicide attempts has been addressed in many institutions by simply removing all door hardware, and even the doors themselves. While this may reduce the opportunity for suicide attempts, it likewise eliminates all privacy and security. 
         [0006]    Some current designs for anti-suicide door hardware have included flush-mounting, low profiles, and steep angles to inhibit the affixing of a ligature. However, these known designs fail to fully inhibit the ability of a person to use door hardware for attempting suicide. Furthermore, in an attempt to make the door hardware difficult to use for the purpose of attempting suicide, known designs have made normal operation of the door hardware difficult. 
         [0007]    Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a superior system and method for use of anti-ligature door hardware. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The needs set forth herein as well as further and other needs and advantages are addressed by the present embodiments, which illustrate solutions and advantages described below. 
         [0009]    The system of the present embodiment includes, but is not limited to, door hardware comprising an elongated member having a first end, a second end, and a pivot point substantially near its first end. A plate member is in pivotal connection with the pivot point of the elongated member such that the plate member and elongated member are substantially close to one another to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween. The plate member has a retaining member for retaining the second end of the elongated member and is adapted for fastening substantially close to a door to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween. The door hardware is operable by pivoting the door hardware about its pivot point to operate a locking mechanism and the elongated member has a tapered profile to inhibit ligatures from hanging thereon. The pivotal connection between the elongated member and the plate member and the retaining member retaining the second end of the elongated member inhibit ligatures from being slipped between the elongated member and the plate member. 
         [0010]    Other embodiments of the door hardware and method of use are described in detail below and are also part of the present teachings. 
         [0011]    For a better understanding of the present embodiments, together with other and further aspects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C are illustrations of one embodiment of a door handle according to the present teachings; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are illustrations of one embodiment of a thumb turn according to the present teachings; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of embodiments of the door handle and thumb turn employed on a door; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are illustrations of another embodiment of a door handle having a lock mechanism according to the present teachings; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beveled latch according to the present teachings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present teachings are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the present embodiments are shown. The following description is presented for illustrative purposes only and the present teachings should not be limited to these embodiments. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment of the door hardware, an anti-ligature door handle according to the present teachings comprises an elongated member, which may be crescent-shaped, and which is tapered to thwart its use as a means for affixing or hanging a ligature. The door handle may have a toe and be in pivotal connection with a plate member which has a toe track for receiving the toe of the elongated member. So constructed, the door handle both inhibits suicide attempts and yet remains easily operable, which may benefit, for example, those with disabilities. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  1 C, shown are illustrations of one embodiment of a door handle  100  according to the present teachings. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the door handle  100  may have a crescent or elongated shape, although not limited thereto. In this way, it may be tapered (e.g., crescent shaped, etc.) to inhibit a person from hanging a ligature or some other material on the door handle  100  in order to hang him- or herself. The door handle  100  may be constructed from any number of materials including lightweight, solid bronze, although not limited thereto. It is preferably constructed with a material that provides institutional strength and durability. 
         [0020]    The door handle  100  may be easily installed on existing doors, in order to retrofit them, by being designed for use with full-size mortise locks, although not limited thereto. The elongated member of the door handle  100  is preferably constructed without an opening. This way, a ligature cannot be passed through the door handle  100  for affixing thereto. However, it may have an indented portion to enable a user to easily pull a door open. The door handle  100  and plate  110  may be fastened substantially close with a door  108  such that there is only a minute space therebetween. This inhibits a person from slipping a ligature between the door handle  100  and the door  108 . 
         [0021]    The door handle  100  may be in pivotal connection with a plate  110  member, although not limited thereto. The plate member  110  and the door handle  100  may be substantially close to one another to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween. The door handle  100  may have a pivot point  102  so that pivoting the door handle  100  about one end may operate a latch bolt, dead bolt, or some other mechanism for locking or otherwise securing a door. It is appreciated that the pivot point  102  could be anywhere on the door handle  100  and it is not limited to its end. However, positioning the pivot point  102  substantially near its end helps secure the door handle  100  and may inhibit a person from slipping a ligature between the door handle  100  and the plate  110  at that end. 
         [0022]    The door handle  100  may also have a toe  104  which interacts with a retaining member on the plate  110  such as a toe track  106 , although not limited thereto. The toe  104  may be situated on the end of door handle  100  opposite from the pivot point  102 , although not limited thereto. This allows for pivoting of the door handle  100  at the pivot point  102 , while at the same time helping retain the door handle  100 . The toe track  106  may retain the toe  104  of the door handle  100  by inhibiting it from being pivoted farther than the toe track  106  permits. In one embodiment, the toe of the door handle  100  may comprise one or more protrusions which may further retain the toe  104  of the door handle  100  and inhibiting it from being pulled away from the toe track  106 . This may inhibit it from being dislodged from the door by force so as to loop or tie a ligature around it. 
         [0023]    Since the door handle  100  may be coupled with the plate substantially near each of its ends (e.g., pivot point and toe), a person attempting suicide is unable to slip a ligature between the door handle  100  and the plate  110  in order to hang him- or herself. The two connections also make it difficult for a person to break the door handle  100  off of the plate and away from the door, either to use it as a weapon, to cause damage to the door, or for some other reason. 
         [0024]    The door handle  100  may further have a lock mechanism adapted for receiving a key, although not limited thereto. In this way, with the use of a key a user may lock the door handle  100  to secure a door. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1B and 1C , it is appreciated that the door handle  100  may be sized to suit any particular needs. In one embodiment, its depth D may be substantially between 1⅛″ and 3⅛″, and preferably substantially around 2⅛″, while its height H may be substantially between 6½″ and 8½″, and preferably substantially around 7½″. It is appreciated that the door handle  100  may be constructed in any size and in any number of shapes to achieve its desired objectives and the present teachings are not limited to this particular embodiment. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 1C , to operate the door handle  100  a user may pivot the door handle  100  about its pivot point  102  to actuate a latch bolt, dead bolt, or some other locking mechanism, and open the door  108 , although not limited thereto. The pivot point  102  and toe  104  interacting with the toe track  106  assure that the door handle  100  remains secured to the door  108 . 
         [0027]    The large surface area of the door handle  100  provides an easy way to operate the door handle  100  even for users with disabilities. The design may be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing handicap accessibility such that one-handed operation of the door handle  100  will not require tight grasping, tight pinching or twisting of the wrist, although not limited thereto. A door handle  100  so constructed may be useful in, for example, although not limited thereto, psychiatric institutions or other facilities where patient safety is an issue. The door handle  100  is designed to easily operate a door while at the same time being anti-ligature (e.g., inhibiting looping or tying) to impede the possibility of a patient hanging himself or herself. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, shown are illustrations of one embodiment of a thumb turn  120  according to the present teachings. As shown in  FIG. 2A , similar to the design of the door handle  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), the thumb turn  120  may have a pivot point  122  at one end, although not limited thereto, which is in pivotal connection with a plate  126  member. The thumb turn  120  and plate  126  member may be substantially close to one another to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween. Further, the plate  126  member may be fasted substantially close to a door  108  to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween. 
         [0029]    On the end of the thumb turn  120  opposite from the pivot point  122 , although not limited thereto, there may be a retaining member on the plate  126  such as a railing  124 , although not limited thereto. The railing  124  may be adjacent to the thumb turn  120  in order to retain it in place, although not limited thereto. If the railing  124  is substantially close with the thumb turn  120 , it may inhibit someone from inserting a ligature therebetween. In one embodiment, the railing  124  may partially overlap the thumb turn  120  to further retain it in place and inhibit it from being dislodged. 
         [0030]    Since the thumb turn  120  may be coupled with the plate substantially near each of its ends (e.g., pivot point and railing), a person attempting suicide is unable to slip a ligature between the thumb turn  120  and the plate  126  in order to hang him- or herself. 
         [0031]    The thumb turn  120  may further have a lock mechanism adapted for receiving a key, although not limited thereto. In this way, with the use of a key a user may lock the thumb turn  120  to secure a door, although not limited thereto. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2B and 2C , it is appreciated that the thumb turn  120  may be sized according to any particular need. In one embodiment, although not limited thereto, its depth D may be substantially between 5/16″ and 1⅛″, and preferably substantially around 13/16″, while its height H may be substantially between 2½″ and 4½″, and preferably substantially around 3½″. It is appreciated that the thumb turn  120  may be constructed in any size and in any number of shapes so that it achieves the desired objectives. It may be easily installed on existing doors, in order to retrofit them, by being designed for use with full-size mortise locks, although not limited thereto. The thumb turn  120  may be used by itself in order to secure a door  108  or in combination with the door handle  100 , although not limited thereto. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2C , in operation a user may easily pivot the thumb turn  120  about its pivot point  122 . The thumb turn  120  may provide a suitable surface area with which to easily operate a latch bolt, dead bolt, or some other mechanism for securing a door  108 , although not limited thereto. Although it is referred to as a “thumb” turn, it is appreciated that any single finger, multiple fingers, or any other body part or apparatus can easily operate the thumb turn  120 . In this way it provides easy operation, which may be helpful for users with disabilities, while at the same time thwarting suicide attempts. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , shown is a perspective view of embodiments of the door handle  100  and thumb turn  120  employed on a door  108 . This illustrates how the two devices may be employed simultaneously to provide both the benefits of privacy and security, as well as anti-ligature characteristics and ease of operation. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , shown are illustrations of another embodiment of a door handle  140  having a lock  142  according to the present teachings. In this embodiment, the door handle  140  is adapted for use with a cylindrical lock as opposed a mortise lock (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). “Mortise lock” typically refers to a lock that requires a pocket (or mortise) to be cut into the door into which the lock is to be fitted. A cylindrical lock, on the other hand, is one in which two holes are bored perpendicular to one another into the door; a large hole is bored into the door face and a smaller cross bore hole is bored into the door edge. It is appreciated that the present teachings could be adapted for any number of different types of locks and they are not limited to these particular embodiments. 
         [0036]    In operation, the entire door handle  140  housing may rotate as a single unit upon an escutcheon plate (an ornamental or protective plate, not shown) surrounding the door hole. The lock  142  may require a key in order to secure a door. It is appreciated that any form of locking mechanism may be employed on this or any embodiment of the door handle or thumb turn according to the present teachings. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , shown is a perspective view of one embodiment of a beveled latch  150  according to the present teachings. The beveled latch  150  (e.g., locking mechanism, latch bolt, dead bolt, etc.) may have a bevel  152  (e.g., tapered edges, etc.) on its top, its bottom, or both (as shown), although not limited thereto, to inhibit its use as a potential ligature point. With traditional latches, the top and bottom of the latch are typically flat. People have been known to insert a ligature (e.g., a sheet with a knot on the end, etc.) between the door  108  and the door jamb (not shown), above the traditional latch. In such a case, the traditional latch restrains the ligature at a height suitable for hanging oneself with the free end of the ligature. 
         [0038]    With the beveled latch  150  according to the present teachings, however, the bevel  152  causes the latch to release upon downward or upward (if bottom bevel) pressure. In this way, if a person places a ligature between the door  108  and door jamb above the beveled latch  150 , for example, and then puts downward pressure on the ligature in order to hang him- or herself, the pressure of the ligature on the bevel  152  causes the beveled latch  150  to withdraw. This releases the door  108 , freeing any ligature and inhibiting the suicide attempt. 
         [0039]    The beveled latch  150  may also be used with a dead bolt in applications where security is preferable. In such a case, it may be preferable that the deadbolt can only be deployed by authorized personnel, such as with a key, although not limited thereto. 
         [0040]    While the present teachings have been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that they are not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Although institutions and doors have been discussed, anywhere a lock or apparatus for opening a door is desirable is a potential application for the present teachings and they are not limited to these particular embodiments. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to those skilled in the art to which this pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is intended that the scope of the present teachings should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.