Ligature-resistant hinge cap
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorsMaria Shields, Gregory W. Dole, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ligature-resistant hinge cap according to certain embodiments is configured for use with a hinge including a pair of leaves and a connecting portion connecting the pair of leaves. The ligature-resistant hinge cap generally includes a body portion comprising a base configured to cover an upper face of the connecting portion, a flange extending rearward from the body portion, a rear side defined by the flange, and a front side opposite the rear side, wherein the front side is sloped.
Claims35
A method of discouraging hanging of ligatures from a closure assembly comprising a frame, a hinge mounted to the frame, and a door mounted to the hinge such that a gap is defined between a hinge side of the door and a hinge jamb of the frame, the method comprising:
- positioning a ligature-resistant hinge cap in an installation position relative to the closure assembly, comprising positioning a flange of the ligature-resistant hinge cap within the gap;
- and
- with the ligature-resistant hinge cap in the installation position, securing the ligature-resistant hinge cap to one of the frame or the door.
A hinge assembly having an open state and a closed state, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a first leaf configured for coupling to a hinge jamb of a doorframe;
- a second leaf configured for coupling to a hinge edge of a door, wherein the first leaf and the second leaf face one another when the hinge assembly is in the closed state;
- a connecting portion pivotably coupling the first leaf and the second leaf;
- and
- a ligature-resistant hinge cap, comprising:
- a body portion including a base covering an upper face of the connecting portion;
- and
- a flange extending from the body portion, wherein the flange is sized and shaped for insertion in a gap between the hinge jamb of the doorframe and the hinge edge of the door when the hinge assembly is in the closed state, and wherein the flange is aligned with one of the first leaf or the second leaf.
A hinge assembly having an open state and a closed state, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a first leaf configured for coupling to a hinge jamb of a doorframe;
- a second leaf configured for coupling to a hinge edge of a door, wherein the first leaf and the second leaf face one another when the hinge assembly is in the closed state;
- a connecting portion pivotably coupling the first leaf and the second leaf and
- a ligature-resistant hinge cap, comprising:
- a body portion including a base covering an upper face of the connecting portion;
- and
- a flange extending from the body portion and aligned with one of the first leaf or the second leaf;
- and
- wherein the first leaf and the second leaf together define a first thickness dimension when the hinge assembly is in the closed state, wherein the flange has a second thickness dimension corresponding to the first thickness dimension, and wherein the second thickness dimension is no greater than the first thickness dimension.
A hinge assembly having an open state and a closed state, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a first leaf configured for coupling to a hinge jamb of a doorframe;
- a second leaf configured for coupling to a hinge edge of a door, wherein the first leaf and the second leaf face one another when the hinge assembly is in the closed state;
- a connecting portion pivotably coupling the first leaf and the second leaf;
- and
- a ligature-resistant hinge cap, comprising:
- a body portion including a base covering an upper face of the connecting portion;
- and
- a flange extending from the body portion and aligned with one of the first leaf or the second leaf;
- and
- wherein the flange further comprises an extension that extends beyond the base toward an upper edge of one of the first leaf or the second leaf.
A closure assembly, comprising:
- a hinge assembly having an open state and a closed state, the hinge assembly comprising:
- a first leaf configured for coupling to a hinge jamb of a doorframe;
- a second leaf configured for coupling to a hinge edge of a door, wherein the first leaf and the second leaf face one another when the hinge assembly is in the closed state;
- a connecting portion pivotably coupling the first leaf and the second leaf;
- and
- a ligature-resistant hinge cap, comprising:
- a body portion including a base covering an upper face of the connecting portion;
- and
- a flange extending from the body portion and aligned with one of the first leaf or the second leaf;
- and
- the doorframe, the doorframe comprising the hinge jamb, wherein the hinge jamb is coupled with the first leaf;
- and
- the door, the door comprising the hinge edge, wherein the hinge edge is coupled to the second leaf and faces the hinge jamb such that a gap is defined between the hinge edge and the hinge jamb;
- wherein the flange extends into the gap;
- and
- wherein the flange is secured to one of the hinge jamb or the hinge edge.
A ligature-resistant hinge cap configured for use with a hinge including a pair of leaves and a connecting portion connecting the pair of leaves, the ligature-resistant hinge cap comprising:
- a body portion having an upper side and comprising a base configured to cover an upper face of the connecting portion;
- a flange extending rearward from the body portion;
- a rear side defined by the flange;
- and
- a front side opposite the rear side, wherein the front side is sloped from the upper side of the body portion to the base.
A ligature-resistant hinge cap configured for use with a hinge including a pair of leaves and a connecting portion connecting the pair of leaves, the ligature-resistant hinge cap comprising:
- a body portion comprising a base configured to cover an upper face of the connecting portion;
- a flange extending rearward from the body portion;
- a rear side defined by the flange;
- and
- a front side opposite the rear side, wherein the front side is sloped;
- and
- wherein the flange includes an extension that extends beyond the base.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.