A ligature-resistant hinge cap configured for use with a door hinge and generally including a body portion configured for mounting to the hinge, a flange extending rearward from the body portion, a rear side defined by the flange, and a front side opposite the rear side. The body portion includes a downwardly-extending stem configured to extend into a connecting portion of the hinge, and the front side is sloped.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to hinge caps, and more particularly but not exclusively relates to hinge caps for use in hospital and mental health institutions.

BACKGROUND

One danger facing patients and/or residents of hospitals, mental health institutions, juvenile detention centers, and other facilities is the possibility of self-harm. While self-harm can come in many forms, one common form is by hanging oneself via a ligature attached to a sturdy object, such as a door hardware component. Many facilities attempt to prevent this type of self-harm by reducing the number of surfaces to which such a ligature can be attached, for example by providing the hinges of the door with a sloped cap that inhibits ligatures from being wrapped about the hinge. However, many such ligature-resistant caps suffer from drawbacks and limitations, such as by providing one or more anchor points by which a ligature can be hung from the cap. For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field.

SUMMARY

An exemplary ligature-resistant hinge cap is configured for use with a hinge. The ligature resistant hinge cap generally includes a body portion configured for mounting to the hinge, a flange extending rearward from the body portion, a rear side defined by the flange, and a front side opposite the rear side. The body portion includes a downwardly-extending stem configured to extend into a connecting portion of the hinge, and the front side is sloped. Further embodiments, forms, features, and aspects of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. It should further be appreciated that although reference to a “preferred” component or feature may indicate the desirability of a particular component or feature with respect to an embodiment, the disclosure is not so limiting with respect to other embodiments, which may omit such a component or feature. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one of A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Items listed in the form of “A, B, and/or C” can also mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (B and C); (A and C); or (A, B, and C). Further, with respect to the claims, the use of words and phrases such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” and/or “at least one portion” should not be interpreted so as to be limiting to only one such element unless specifically stated to the contrary, and the use of phrases such as “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” should be interpreted as encompassing both embodiments including only a portion of such element and embodiments including the entirety of such element unless specifically stated to the contrary.

With reference toFIG. 1, illustrated therein is a closure assembly70according to certain embodiments. The closure assembly70generally includes a door frame80, a door90pivotably mounted to the frame80, and a hinge100by which the door90is pivotably mounted to the frame80. The door frame80generally includes a vertical hinge jamb82, a horizontal head84extending from the hinge jamb82, and a vertical latch jamb extending downward from the head84parallel to the hinge jamb82. A hinge jamb stop83extends from the hinge jamb82, and a head stop85extends from the head84. As described herein, the stops83,85provide a stop surface against which a face of the door90may abut when the door90is in its closed position.

With additional reference toFIG. 2, the door90generally includes a vertical hinge edge92that extends between and connects a first broad face94and a second broad face96opposite the first broad face96. The door90also includes a horizontal top edge98that extends between and connects the vertical broad faces94,96. When the door90is in its closed position, the hinge edge92faces the hinge jamb82, and an upper portion of the first broad face94faces the head stop85. Additionally, an open space or gap72is formed between the frame80, the door90, and the hinge100.

The hinge100generally includes a frame-side first leaf110, a door-side second leaf120, and a connecting portion130hingedly connecting the first leaf110and the second leaf120. With the closure assembly70assembled, the frame-side first leaf110is secured to the hinge jamb82of the frame80, the door-side second leaf120is secured to the hinge edge92of the door90, and the connecting portion130facilitates hinged movement of the door-side second leaf120and the door90relative to the frame-side first leaf110and the frame80. In the illustrated form, the hinge100is provided in the form known in the art as a continuous hinge, in which the connecting portion130extends continuously along the longitudinal length of the hinge100and covers the portions that are hingedly interconnected. It is also contemplated that the hinge100may be provided in another form, such as a traditional form in which interleaved knuckles receive a hinge pin.

The frame-side first leaf110extends vertically along the hinge jamb82of the frame80, and generally includes a plate portion112configured for mounting to the hinge jamb82and a body portion114from which the plate portion112extends, and may further include one or more projections119positioned between the plate portion112and the body portion114. The plate portion112may include one or more apertures113for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws) by which the plate portion112is or can be secured to the hinge jamb82. The body portion114is at least partially received within a channel134of the connecting portion130, and is generally arcuate in geometry. A radially-inner side of the body portion114defines a longitudinally-extending groove115, and a radially-outer side of the body portion114may define a set of gear teeth116. The projection119is configured to abut the front surface of the hinge jamb82to ensure that the first leaf110is properly seated and aligned relative to the hinge jamb82.

The door-side second leaf120extends vertically along the hinge edge92of the door90, and generally includes a plate portion122configured for mounting to the hinge edge92and a body portion124from which the plate portion122extends, and may further include one or more projections129positioned between the plate portion122and the body portion124. The plate portion122may include one or more apertures123(FIG. 8) for receiving fasteners (e.g., screws) by which the plate portion122is or can be secured to the hinge edge92. The body portion124is at least partially received within the channel134of the connecting portion130, and is generally arcuate in geometry. A radially-inner side of the body portion124defines a longitudinally-extending groove125, and a radially-outer side of the body portion124may define a set of gear teeth126that mesh with the gear teeth116of the first leaf110. The projection129is configured to abut the second face96adjacent the hinge edge92to ensure that the second leaf120is properly seated and aligned relative to the door90.

The connecting portion130defines the channel134, and further includes a pair of longitudinally-extending rails131,132, each of which is received in the groove115/125of a corresponding one of the leaves110,120. More particularly, a first rail131is received in the groove115of the first leaf110such that the first leaf110is pivotably coupled to the connecting portion130, and a second rail132is received in the groove125of the second leaf120such that the second leaf120is pivotably coupled to the connection portion130. As the door90pivots relative to the frame80between its open position and its closed position, the meshed gear teeth116,126ensure that the connecting portion130pivots relative to the frame80and the door90. In the illustrated form, the connecting portion130is provided as a channel member, and may alternatively be referred to as the channel member130. In other embodiments, the connecting portion130may be defined at least in part by one or more of the leaves110,120. For example, the connecting portion130may be defined as a set of interleaved knuckles through which a hinge pin passes.

In the illustrated form, the hinge100further includes an additional projection101that discourages or prevents the plate portions112,122from being flush with one another when the door90is in its closed position. While the illustrated additional projection101is formed on the second leaf120, it is also contemplated that the additional projection101may be formed on the first leaf110. It is further contemplated that the additional projection101may be omitted, in which case the plate portions112,122may be flush with one another when the door90is in its closed position.

As will be appreciated, the hinge100has an open state corresponding to the open position of the door90and a closed state corresponding to the closed position of the door90. In the closed state, the leaves110,120face one another and define a thickness dimension t102spanning between the outward-facing surfaces of the plate portions112,122. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the thickness dimension t102corresponds to the width dimension w72of the gap72that is formed when the door90is in its closed position. The gap72also has a height dimension h72, which in the illustrated form is defined between the upper edges of the plate portions112,122and the lower face of the head84. It is also contemplated that the height dimension h72may be measured from the upper edges of the plate portions112,122to the top edge98of the door90.

With additional reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, illustrated therein is a ligature-resistant hinge cap200according to certain embodiments. The hinge cap200generally includes a body portion210, a flange220extending rearwardly from the body portion210, and a stem230extending downward from the body portion210. In certain embodiments, the body portion210may be considered to include the stem230. The hinge cap200also includes a rear side201that is defined by the flange220and an opposite front side202that is sloped.

With additional reference toFIG. 5, the body portion210is configured for mounting to the upper end139of the channel member130, and at least partially defines the sloped front side202of the hinge cap200. The body portion210includes a base212from which the stem230extends, and the base212has a geometry that generally corresponds to that of upper end139of the connecting portion130such that when the hinge cap200is mounted to the hinge100, the base212is substantially flush with the upper end139of the channel member130. For example, a portion of the body portion210has a body portion thickness dimension t210that corresponds to the width of the channel member130, and the base212tapers from this first thickness dimension t210to a second thickness dimension t210′ corresponding to the minimum width of the upper end139of the channel member130.

The flange220is sized and shaped to substantially fill the gap72in order to discourage or prevent the insertion of ligatures into the gap72. As such, various dimensions of the flange220are selected to correspond to corresponding and respective dimensions of the gap72. For example, the flange220has a length L220that corresponds to the depth d72of the gap72, a thickness t220that corresponds to the width w72of the gap72, and a height h220that corresponds to the height h72of the gap72. The flange220has rear side221that defines the rear side201of the hinge cap200, a front side222that at least partially defines the front side202of the hinge cap200, an upper side223, a lower side224opposite the upper side223, a jamb-facing first broad face225, and a door-facing second broad face226opposite the first broad face225. The length L220of the flange220extends from the location that the body portion210meets the flange220to the rear side221. The thickness t220of the flange220extends between the first broad face225and the second broad face226, and the hinge cap200tapers from the second thickness dimension t210′ to the flange thickness t220. The height h220of the flange220extends between the upper side223and the lower side224. In certain forms, the lower side224may include an undercut227that is partially defined by a shoulder228. The undercut227may be sized and shaped to allow for clearance with the hinge leaf and to prevent or discourage a pinching or binding condition between the hinge leaves110,120.

With additional reference toFIG. 6, the stem230extends downward from the body portion210, and is sized and shaped to be received in the channel134defined by the connecting portion130. In the illustrated form, the stem230includes a pair of grooves235that correspond to the grooves115,125, and which receive the rails131,132of the channel member130to provide lateral stability for the hinge cap200. The illustrated stem230also includes an aperture236sized and shaped to receive a fastener (e.g., a set screw) by which the hinge cap200may be secured to the channel member130. While an exemplary form of the stem230is illustrated in the Figures, it should be appreciated that the geometry of the stem230may be dictated by the geometry of the channel134in which the stem230seats. Thus, the geometry of the stem230may be altered, for example in the event that should the geometry of the channel member130and/or the rails115,125is/are different from those illustrated in the Figures.

With additional reference toFIG. 7, illustrated therein is a hinge assembly300according to certain embodiments. The hinge assembly300generally includes the hinge100and the hinge cap200, which is mounted to the upper end139of the channel member. In the interest of clarity, the leaves110,120are omitted from the illustration ofFIG. 7. When assembled, the stem230is seated in the channel134such that the base212of the body portion210is substantially flush with the upper end139of the channel member130. Additionally, a fastener such as a set screw302extends through the aperture236and engages the channel member130to retain engagement between the channel member130and the hinge cap200. While the illustrated hinge assembly300includes the continuous hinge100illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, it is also contemplated that the hinge cap200may be utilized in connection with another form of hinge, such as a traditional form in which interleaved knuckles receive a hinge pin. For example, the hinge cap200may be provided with a stem that defines the hinge pin.

With additional reference toFIGS. 8-10, illustrated therein is a closure assembly70′ according to certain embodiments, which includes the above-described closure assembly70and the hinge cap200. Stated another way, the closure assembly70includes the door frame80, the door90, and the above-described hinge assembly300. In the interests of clarity, the door90is not illustrated inFIG. 8.

With the closure assembly70′ assembled and the door90in its closed position, the gap72is substantially filled by the flange220of the hinge cap200. More particularly, the flange220projects into the gap72such that the jamb-facing first face225faces the vertical interior surface of the hinge jamb82and the door-facing second face226faces the hinge edge92. As noted above, the thickness t220of the flange220may be selected to correspond to the width w72of the gap72. As a result, there is minimal clearance between the flange220and the frame80and minimal clearance between the flange220and the door90such that it is difficult or impossible to feed a ligature into the gap72while the door90is closed. Similarly, the height h220of the flange220may be selected to correspond to the height h72of the gap72such that there is minimal clearance between the upper side223of the flange220and the lower side of the head jamb84, thereby discouraging or preventing a ligature from being fed between the upper side223and the head jamb84when the door90is closed.

With the door90in its closed position, the rear side201of the hinge cap200may be flush or substantially flush (e.g., within about a half-inch or within about a quarter-inch) with one or more other features of the closure assembly70′. In the illustrated form, the rear side201of the hinge cap200is flush with the rear sides118,128of the leaves110,120, and is substantially flush with the first face94of the door90. Alternatively, the rear side201of the hinge cap200may be substantially flush with the rear sides118,128of the leaves110,120, and flush with the first face94of the door90. In other embodiments, the rear side201of the hinge cap200may not necessarily be flush or substantially flush with the rear sides118,128and/or the first face94.