IL294595A - Brake-assisted safety pivot door - Google Patents

Description

Docket No. 34584 BRAKE-ASSISTED SAFETY PIVOT DOOR BACKGROUND [0001] The present disclosure is directed in general to a safety door assembly. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to a safety door with stopped upper hinge assembly and a lower hinge assembly enclosed in a sleeve to prevent injury resulting from capturing fingers between the hinge facet of the door and the hinge jamb of the doorframe. [0002] As is commonly known, a door can be attached to a frame using a number of hinges such that the door pivots relative to the frame via the hinges. When the door is in an open position, gaps are typically formed between the door and the frame on both sides of the hinged edge of the door. The gap on the side of the door accessible to the hinges is typically smaller than the gap on the other side of the door, although fingers and other objects can fit into either gap and can be pinched or crushed when the door is closed [0003] It is a sad fact of modern living that most children and even adults have at some point in their life injured a finger in the jamb of a closing door. For large and heavy doors, the closing door can become an almost unstoppable swinging lever arm with immense crushing power. These accidents can be extremely painful and can brake bones and can actually sever fingers. [0004] Conventional guards are known to help prevent fingers from entering the gap between the hinged edge (facet) of the door and the door jamb. However, efforts to date to address injury of fingers positioned between the door on the latch side (the latch facet), and the latch jamb have been less than successful. Often, if in a hurry, one will close a door by simply grabbing the edge of the door away from the hinge and swing it closed behind them as they pass through. This inattention to a common task greatly increases the chance of a finger getting caught between the closing door and the jamb whether the hinge jamb or the latch jamb. [0005] The disclosure provided herein addresses these issues. SUMMARY [0006] Provided herein are exemplary implementations of a safety door assembly. More particularly, provided herein are exemplary implementations of safety door assemblies with stopped upper hinge assembly and a lower hinge assembly enclosed in a sleeve to prevent Docket No. 34584 injury resulting from capturing fingers between the hinge facet of the door and the hinge jamb of the doorframe. [0007] In an exemplary implementation, the brake -assisted upper hinge assembly comprises: an upper hinge member having a head portion, a central hinge portion, and a threaded basal end; a bracket, operable to engage the head portion of the upper hinge member and the head jamb of the door frame; an upper pivot plate, having a circular portion, and a protrusion extending from the circular portion, the circular portion further defines a coaxial aperture, sized and configured to accommodate the central hinge portion, and wherein the protrusion extending from the circular portion is sized and adapted to couple to a head facet of the door slab; a circular brake pad sub-assembly, defining a coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the central hinge portion; a mid-disc, defining a coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the central hinge portion; a brake disc, defining a coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the threaded basal portion, the brake disc further comprising a locking nut operably coupled to and coaxial with the brake disc, the locking nut defining an aperture having an internal diameter that is larger than the coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the threaded basal portion; and a lug nut, having an enlarged cylindrical head portion, the lug nut configured to rotatably couple to the threaded basal portion of the upper hinge member, wherein the cylindrical head portion of the lug nut having an outer diameter sized to be accommodated within the aperture defined in the locking nut. [0008] In another exemplary implementation, the lower hinge assembly comprises: a lower hinge member, having a flanged apical portion, and a basal portion extending basally from the flanged apical portion; a lower pivot plate, coupled to a basal end of the hinge jamb, the lower pivot plate defining an aperture operable to receive the basal portion of the lower hinge member; and a lower hinge disc, having a circular portion, and a protrusion extending from the circular portion, the circular portion further defines a coaxial aperture, sized and configured to accommodate the flanged apical portion of the lower hinge member, and wherein the protrusion extending from the circular portion is sized and adapted to couple to a basal facet of the door slab. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Docket No. 34584 id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9"

[0009] For a better understanding of the brake assisted safety door assembly, with regard to the exemplary implementations thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout and in which: [00010] FIG.s 1, illustrates the brake -assisted safety door assembly in the jamb frame; [00011] FIG. 2, shows a top perspective view of the upper and lower hinge assemblies; [00012] FIG. 3, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the coupling of the upper brake -assisted hinge assembly to the head jamb of the door frame; [00013] FIG. 4, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the coupling of the lower hinge assembly to the hinge jamb of the door frame; [00014] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the coupling of the upper brake -assisted hinge assembly to the head jamb of the door frame with the sleeve removed and the upper brake -assisted hinge housing included; [00015] FIG. 6, is a cutaway view of FIG. 5 with the upper brake -assisted hinge housing removed for illustration purposes; [00016] FIG 7, is an exploded view of FIG. [00017] FIG. 8, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the coupling of the lower hinge assembly to the hinge jamb jamb of the door frame with the sleeve removed; [00018] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of FIG. 8; [00019] FIG. 10A illustrate an exemplary implementation of the sleeve, with FIG 10B, illustrating across section thereof transverse to its longitudinal axis; [00020] FIG. 11A is a schematic illustrating the head/hinge facets corner of the door slab, with FIG. 11B, illustrating the hinge/basal facets’ corner; [00021] FIG. 12 is a schematic of an exemplary embodiment of the hinge jamb profile; [00022] FIGs. 13-15, illustrate another exemplary implementation of the upper brake -assisted hinge assembly; [00023] FIG. 16A, illustrates an exemplary implementation using additional friction (or pneumatic, or hydraulic) door holder showing the top perspective view thereof, with FIG. 16B, illustrating bottom perspective view thereof; and Docket No. 34584 id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"

[00024] FIG. 17A, illustrating an exemplary implementation showing a bottom perspective view of a pivot door comprising a tension roller, with FIG. 17B, illustrating a cutaway view, and FIG. 17C, illustrating an exemplary implementation of the tension roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [00025] Provided herein are exemplary implementations of a stopped pivot safety door assembly and their method of use in controlling and preventing unintended injury. [00026] The term "coupled", including its various forms such as "operably coupling", "coupling" or "couplable", refers to and comprises any direct or indirect, structural coupling, connection or attachment, or adaptation or capability for such a direct or indirect structural or operational coupling, connection or attachment, including integrally formed components and components which are coupled via or through another component or by the forming process. Indirect coupling may involve coupling through an intermediary member or adhesive, or abutting and otherwise resting against, whether frictionally or by separate means without any physical connection. [00027] In addition, the term "slidably" or "slidably coupled" refers to movement of one surface (for example the latching assembly) over a second surface (for example, the housing) while maintaining smooth continuous contact between the two surfaces. In another exemplary implementation, the term "slidably coupled" means a state in which two or more components are coupled to one another such that at least one of the components (e.g., the nested column pin assembly) at least slides with respect to another component (e.g., column bores). Likewise; the terms "slide," "slid" or "sliding" are defined as moving, gliding or passing along or through a surface, although continuous contact at each point along the path is not necessarily required. [00028] The term "engage" and various forms thereof, when used, refer to the application of any forces that tend to hold the engaged components together against inadvertent or undesired separating forces (e.g., such as may be introduced during use of the door). It is to be understood, however, that engagement does not in all cases require an interlocking connection that is maintained against every conceivable type or magnitude of separating force.

Docket No. 34584 id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29"

[00029] The term "abut", or "abuts" should not be understood to strictly mean that the respective parts must be touching. Rather, "abuts" means that any remaining space between an abutting portion will not cancel or nullify the intended operation of the abutting components. [00030] In the context of the disclosure, the term "operable" means the system and/or the device and/or the program, or a certain element or step is fully functional, sized, adapted and calibrated, comprises elements for, and meets applicable operability requirements to perform a recited function when activated, coupled, implemented, actuated, effected, or implemented. [00031] In the context of the disclosure, "biaser", interchangeable with " biasing element" means any device that provides a biasing force. Representative biasing elements include but are not limited to springs (e.g., elastomeric or metal springs, torsion springs, coil springs, leaf springs, tension springs, compression springs, extension springs, spiral springs, volute springs, flat springs, and the like), detents (e.g., spring-loaded detent balls, cones, wedges, cylinders, and the like), pneumatic devices, hydraulic devices, magnets, and the like, and combinations thereof. Likewise, " biasing member" as used herein refers to one or more members that applies an urging force between two elements. [00032] In addition, for the purposes of the present disclosure, directional or positional terms such as "top", "bottom", "basal", "upper," "apical", "lower," "side," "front," "frontal," "forward," "rear," "rearward," "back," "trailing," "above," "below," "left," "right," "radial," "vertical," "upward," "downward," "outer," "inner," "exterior," "interior," "intermediate," etc., are merely used for convenience in describing the various implementations of the present disclosure. [00033] In the context of the disclosure, the term "accommodate" refers to the ability of an accommodating element (e.g., coaxial aperture 2034 defined in upper pivot plate 203) to allow passage or retention of another element (e.g., central hinge portion 2013 of upper hinge member 201) at close tolerance, without substantial space for other elements or components. Furthermore, as used herein, the term "accommodate" need only mean that at least a portion of something is inside the interior space of the accommodating element and there is not necessarily a requirement for all portions to be inside the interior space of the accommodating element. [00034] A more complete understanding of the components, and assemblies disclosed herein can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings. These figures (also referred Docket No. 34584 to herein as "FIG.") are merely schematic representations based on convenience and the ease of demonstrating the present disclosure, and are, therefore, not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the devices or components thereof, their relative size relationship and/or to define or limit the scope of the exemplary implementations. Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the exemplary implementations selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings and the following description below, it is to be understood that like numeric designations refer to components of like function. Likewise, cross sections are referred to on normal orthogonal coordinate system having XYZ axis, such that Y axis refers to front-to-back, X axis refers to side-to-side, and Z axis refers to up-and-down. [00035] Turning now to FIG.s 1-12, illustrating several exemplary implementations of pivot doors disclosed. As illustrated, pivot door assembly comprises (see e.g., FIG. 1): door frame 100 having head jamb 101, hinge jamb 102, and latch jamb 103; door slab 700: brake -assisted upper hinge assembly 200 coupled to head jamb 101 having apical side 1010 and basal side 1011 (not shown, see e.g., FIG. 16A) and to door slab 700; lower hinge assembly 3coupled to hinge jamb 102 and to door slab 700; and sleeve 400, spanning the gap between brake -assisted upper hinge assembly 200, and lower hinge assembly300, configured to pivot with door slab 700 and abut hinge jamb 102 throughout pivoting (in other words, door slab 7swinging. Further illustrated in FIG. 1, are basal barrier 104, coupled to the basal facet of door slab 700, as well as apical 401 and basal 402 ends of sleeve 400. Likewise illustrated, is coupling brace 1020, configured to couple to lower hinge assembly 300 through hinge jamb 102. [00036] As illustrated in FIG.s 2, 3, and 5-7, in an exemplary implementation, brake -assisted upper hinge assembly 300 can comprises: upper hinge member 201 having head portion 2011 (see e.g., FIG. 7), central hinge portion 2013, and threaded basal end 2012; bracket 202, operable to engage head portion 2011of upper hinge member 201 and head jamb 101 of door frame 100. Bracket 202, can further define a plurality of apertures 2025m, configured to accommodate a plurality of fixing means, such as self-tapping screws, detents, screws and other similar means operable to reversibly engage head jamb 101. As illustrated in FIG. 3, head jamb comprises a drape portion 1012 defining, in another exemplary Docket No. 34584 implementation, cutout 1015, allowing apical end of upper portion 2011 of upper hinge member 201 to be partially accommodated within head jamb 101. As further illustrated in FIG.s 2, 3, and 5 head jamb 101 further comprises upper brace plate 1014 (see e.g., FIG. 2), coupled to bracket 202 through head jamb 101, whereby upper brace plate 1014 being coupled tom drape portion 1012 of head jamb 101 via plurality of apertures 1015n sized and adapted to accommodate fixing means operable to couple upper brace plate 1014 to drape portion 1012. [00037] Also illustrated, is upper pivot plate 203, having circular portion 2031, and protrusion 2032 extending from circular portion 2031 (see e.g., FIG.s 2, 7), circular portion 2031 further defining coaxial (in other word at the center of circular portion 2031) aperture 2034, sized and configured to accommodate central hinge portion 2013, and wherein protrusion 2032 extending from circular portion 2031 is sized and adapted to couple to head facet 7001 of door slab 700 (see e.g., FIG. 11A). As illustrated in FIG.s 2, 3, and 7, protrusion 2032 further defines a plurality of apertures 2033i, configured to accommodate through the apertures 2033i means for (see above), reversibly coupling upper pivot plat 203 to head facet 7001 of door slab 700. Also illustrated is circular brake pad sub-assembly 204 (see FIG.s 6, 7), defining coaxial aperture 2045 sized and configured to accommodate central hinge member 2013 portion; mid-disc 205, defining coaxial aperture 2055 sized and configured to accommodate central hinge portion 2013; brake disc 206, defining coaxial aperture 2065 (not shown) sized and configured to accommodate threaded basal portion 2012, brake disc 206 further comprising locking nut 2060 operably coupled to and coaxial with brake disc 206, locking nut 2060 defining aperture 2064 having internal diameter ID2060 that is larger than coaxial aperture 2065 sized and configured to accommodate threaded basal portion 2012 of upper hinge member 201; and lug nut 207, having enlarged cylindrical head portion 2071, lug nut 207 configured to rotatably couple to threaded basal portion 2012 of upper hinge member 201, wherein cylindrical head portion 2071 of lug nut 207 having outer diameter OD2071 sized to be accommodated within aperture 2064 defined in locking nut 2060. Also illustrated, is stopper 208, operable to couple upper hinge assembly housing 209. [00038] As illustrated, head portion 2011 of upper hinge member 201, is couped to central hinge portion 2013, via hex nut 2016, Also illustrated, is aperture 2055 defined in mid-disc has a shape complimentary to the perimeter shape of hex nut 2016. Accordingly, when assembled mid-disc 205, abuts the basal side of lower brake pad 2043 (see e.g., FIG. 6), but is Docket No. 34584 not rotatable around central hinge member. Also, coaxial aperture 2045 defined through brake-pad assembly 204, is sized to have an internal diameter sized and configured to accommodate the width W 2011 (in other words, having ID 2045 (not shown) that is configured to accommodate the centerline of head portion 2011), such that pressure on mid-disc provide by brake disc 206, induced through lug nut 207 will cause mid-disc (in other words, a stator plate) to frictionally engage upper pivot plate 203, by causing upper brake pad 2041 to abut basal surface of upper pivot plate, thus selectably preventing door slamming, or rapid movment and thereby addressing the safety on catching fingers between the latch door facet 7003, and the latch jamb 103 (see e.g., FIG. 1). [00039] Furthermore and in certain exemplary implementations, illustrated in FIG.s 6, and 7, the circular brake pad sub-assembly 204 comprises an upper brake pad 2041, a lower brake pad 2043 and a mid-brake disc 2042, sandwiched between the upper 2041 and lower 2043 brake pads discs. Also, upper hinge assembly 200, can further comprise cylindrical housing 209, sized and operable to accommodate circular brake pad sub-assembly 204, (non-rotating, stator) mid-disc 205, and the brake disc 206, providing protection for moving parts from dust and moisture, cylindrical housing coupled to upper hinge assembly using stopper 208. [00040] As further illustrated in FIG.s 2, 4, 8, and 9, and in another exemplary implementation, lower hinge assembly 300 comprises: lower hinge member 301, having flanged 3011 apical portion 3012, and basal portion 3013 extending basally from flanged 30apical portion 3012; lower pivot plate 302, coupled to basal end 1020 of hinge jamb 102, lower pivot plate 302 defining aperture 3025 operable to receive basal portion 3013 of lower hinge member 301 (but not flange 3011; and lower hinge disc 303, having circular portion 3031, and protrusion 3032 extending from circular portion 3031, circular portion 3031 further defines coaxial aperture 3036 (see e.g., FIG. 2), sized and configured to accommodate flanged apical portion 3012 of lower hinge member 301 (but not flange 3011), and wherein protrusion 30extending from the circular portion 3031 is sized and adapted to couple to basal facet 7004 of door slab 700. Also illustrated in FIG.s 2, 8, and 9, are plurality of apertures 3035k defined in extension 3032 of circular portion 3031of lower hinge disc 303, sized adapted and configured to accommodate means for coupling (see above) extension 3032 to basal facet 7004 of door 7(see e.g., FIG.s 4, 11B).

Docket No. 34584 id="p-41" id="p-41" id="p-41"

[00041] In addition, as illustrated in FIG.s 4, and 9, lower pivot plate 302 further comprises circular disc portion 3020 and L-shaped extension 304, with first leg 3041 of extension 304 coupled to circular disc portion 3020 , and second leg 3042 of extension 304 (see e.g., FIG. 9) coupled to basal end 1020 of hinge jamb 102, whereby hinge jamb 1020 further comprises basal brace plate 1028 (see e.g., FIG. 4), coupled to second leg 3042 of extension 304, with second leg 3042 defining a plurality of apertures 3045j, sized adapted and configured to accommodate fixing means (see above), operable to couple L-shaped extension 304 to basal brace plate 1028 disposed about the basal end 1020 of hinge jamb 102. [00042] In certain exemplary implementations, there is no lower hinge assembly, and the upper hinge assembly is used as the lower hinge. [00043] In another exemplary implementation, and as illustrated for example in FIG.s 2, 5, 6, and 8 the pivot door assembly disclosed herein, further comprising resilient hollow column 150, having apical end 151 and basal end 152, operably coupled to hinge jamb 102, sized and configured to span height between brake-assisted upper hinge assembly 200, and lower hinge assembly 300, resilient hollow column 150 defines longitudinal axis and further comprises lip 1505 extending radially from hollow column 150 relative to longitudinal axis. As illustrated in FIG.s 2, and 8, resilient hollow column 150 comprises a hollow polygonal column 1500, with a a panel 1501extending from hollow polygonal column 1500, whereby panel 1501 further comprises protrusion 1502, 1503 extending laterally configured to frictionally engage recess 1024 defined in hinge jamb 102. Resilient hollow column operable to abut sleeve 400 and provide self-cleaning to sleeve 400 from dust and moisture, as well as add another safety measure between hinge jamb 102 and hinge facet 7002 of door slab 700. [00044] Door slab 700 used in assemblies 10 disclosed and illustrated for example in FIG.s 1, 6, 11A, and 11B, is quadrilateral slab having head facet 7001, hinge facet 7002, latch facet 7003 and base facet 7004, and wherein head facet 7001 comprises recess 702, sized and configured to accommodate portion of protrusion 2032 extending from circular portion 2031 of upper pivot plate 203. As illustrated in FIG, 11A, the corner of head facet 7001 and hinge facet 7002 form shelf 701 with rise 7011 height h7011 (see e.g., FIG. 6) sized to span brake-assisted upper hinge assembly 200. Likewise, and as illustrated in FIG.s 4, and 11B base facet 70forms step edge 702 with hinge facet 7002, with depth of step sized and configured to Docket No. 34584 accommodate portion of protrusion 3032 extending from circular portion 3031 of lower hinge disc 303. [00045] Regarding sleeve 400, in an exemplary implementation, illustrated e.g., in FIG.s 3, 4, 10A, and 10B sleeve 400 defines cross section (see e.g., FIG. 10B) with internal periphery 4000-4003, that is complimentary to external periphery of substantial portion of upper pivot plate 2039, and lower hinge disc periphery 3039. As illustrated in FIG. 2, circular portion 30of lower pivot plate 302 has a diameter that is larger than the circular portion 3031 of lower hinge plate 302. The difference in size (h4000, see e,g., FIG. 2), is configured such that the periphery of the circular portion 3031 of lower hinge plate is accommodated in the internal periphery of the circular portion 4000 of sleeve 400, yet flush with the periphery of circular portion 3020 of lower pivot plate 303. as illustrated e.g., in FIG. 2, the pivoting of door slab 700 is limited and is resiliently absorbed by the compression of resilient hollow column 150, by extension 4002 and 4003, extending from the C-shaped circular portion 4000 of sleeve 400, thus providing a silencing feature, as well as a safety feature to pivot door assembly disclosed. [00046] Moreover, it is further contemplated, that at least one of upper brake-assisted hinge assembly 200, and lower hinge assembly 300 further comprising torsion spring (not shown) coupled at one end to: upper brake -assisted hinge assembly 200, and/or lower hinge assembly 300, and on other end to door slab 700, operable to urge door slab to self-close at a rate that is selectable using at least one brake-assisted hinge assembly. [00047] Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG.s 13-15, upper brake -assisted hinge assembly 800 can further comprise bracket 810, extending perpendicular to upper pivot plate 803, configured to couple upper brake -assisted hinge assembly 800 to rise 7011 of shelf 7defined in door 700, adding support for upper brake -assisted hinge assembly 800. As illustrated in FIG 13, upper hinge member 801 having head portion 8011 (see e.g., FIG. 13), flanged hinge portion 8013 with flange 8014 extending laterally from flanged hinge portion 8013 (See e.g., FIG. 15), and threaded basal portion 8015 having wider head portion 8016, with basal end 8012. As further illustrated in FIG.s 14, and 15, circular brake pad 804 defines coaxial circular aperture 8040, sized and configured to accommodate sleeve 8041, whereby sleeve 8041 is sized to accommodate flanged hinge portion 8013 with flange 8014 extending laterally from flanged hinge portion 8013 being accommodated in complimentary opening 8051 Docket No. 34584 of stator disc 8050. conical biasing element 805 is configured to accommodate head portion 8081 of adjustment nut 808 but have an internal diameter than mid-section 8080 such that head portion 8081 of adjustment nut abuts basal side of flange 8014 thereby biasing circular break pad 804, against the basal side of upper pivot plate 803. Internal thread of adjustment nut 808, is configured to engage threaded basal portion 8015 of upper hinge member 801, with locking lug nut 807, operable to engage adjustment nut 808. [00048] Also shown is lower disc 806, defining coaxial aperture 8060, sized and configured to rotatably accommodate wider head portion 8016 of threaded basal portion 8015. Lug nut assembly 8061 is illustrated, defining circular aperture. [00049] Additionally and in another exemplary implementation illustrated in FIG.s 16A, 16B, the pivot door assembly can comprise friction door holder 16. As illustrated and in an exemplary implementation pivot door 10 can further comprising friction door holder coupled to head door jamb 100 and door slab 700. Turning now to FIG.s 16A, 16B, friction door holder 16 comprises in certain exemplary implementations: door frame mounting bracket 1600; elongated, hollow channel formed 160 with pair of side walls 166, 166’, bottom 1601 and top 1602 defining elongated guide slot 165, elongated, hollow channel 160 coupled to head door jamb 100; friction sled 162 accommodated and being frictionally slidable within elongated, hollow channel 160; and articulation arm 161 hingedly coupling door frame mounting bracket 1600 and friction sled 162, operable to move friction sled 162 relative elongated, hollow channel 160. Furthermore, friction door holder 16 further comprising first adjustable stopper block 163, configured to limit lateral motion of friction sled 162 affecting maximum opening angle of door slab 700 relative to the plane formed by the door jamb; and second adjustable stopper block 164, configured to limit lateral motion of friction sled within elongated, hollow channel 160. In certain exemplary implementations, friction sled 162 is operable to adjust the kinetic friction between at least one of: bottom 1601, and side walls 166, 166’ of elongated, hollow channel 160. This can be achieved for example, by having friction sled be comprised of two sub blocks that are adjustably coupled to each other with an elastomeric polymer interposed between the sub blocks, such that the pressure exerted on the elastomeric material will cause the elastomeric material to protrude more or less from friction block 162, thus increasing the friction between bottom 1601, and/or side walls 166, 166’ of elongated, hollow channel 160.

Docket No. 34584 id="p-50" id="p-50" id="p-50"

[00050] In yet another exemplary implementation, and as illustrated in FIG.s 17A-17C, the pivot doors disclosed herein can further, or alternatively comprise tension roller assembly 18, coupled to basal facet 7004 of door slab 700 (see e.g., FIG.s 4, 17A), operable to provide kinetic friction (in other words, a property of a material or surface that increases frictional resistance between the member providing the kinetic friction and the surface it is moving against but while maintaining sufficient movement) between door slab 700 and the surface (e.g., the floor) spanning the distance between hinge jamb 102 and latch jamb 103 (see e.g., FIG. 1, 17A, 17B). As illustrated, tension roller assembly 18 can comprises; mounting frame 184 having top surface 1840, pair of side walls 1842, 1842’ extending basally from top surface 1840, each side wall 1842, 1842’ defining elongated slit 1843, 1843’ therein and pair of mounting legs 1841, 1841’, each extending laterally from each side wall 1842, 1842’ and configured to couple to basal facet 7004 of door 700 (see e.g., FIG.s 4, 17B). Tension roller assembly 18 further has yoke 182, operably coupled to roller 183, (generally cylindrical) roller 183 having elastomeric coating 1830 thereon, wherein yoke 182 further comprises pair of lateral guiding rods 1825, 1825’ (see e.g., FIG. 17C), each guiding rod 1825, 1825’ accommodated within corresponding elongated slit 1843, 1843’ defined in each side wall of mounting frame and configured to allow yoke 182 to have a degree of vertical freedom and translational mobility relative to mounting frame 184 thus being able to compensate for warped surfaces while maintaining constant contact with the (floor) surface. Tension roller assembly further has hollow stem 181, coupled to top surface 1821 of yoke 182, hollow stem 1comprising: tunable biaser 1815, plunger 1811, and (adjustment) nut 1810 coupled to plunger 1811 and hollow stem 181, tunable biaser 1815, coupled to (adjustment) nut 1810, is operable to increase biasing force of biaser 1815 on plunger 1811, wherein plunger 1811 operably coupled to top surface 1821 of yoke 182. Biaser 1815 can be a spring, a hydraulic chamber, a pneumatic chamber and the like. When a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms are involved in certain exemplary implementations, (adjustment) nut 1810 is operable to adjust pressure of the medium (gas, liquid e.g.,). When spring is used, adjusting the stress on the spring will affect the force exerted. [00051] In an exemplary implementation, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, door slab 7accommodates tension roller assembly 18 and further conceals (adjustment) nut 1810. As illustrated, door slab 700 is operably coupled to tension roller assembly 18, allowing yoke 182 Docket No. 34584 to protrude basally from basal barrier 104, coupled to the basal facet 7004 of door 700 (see e.g., FIG.s 4, 17B). As further illustrated, basal barrier 104, comprises elongated surface 10bordered on at least one side by lip 1041, and defining window 1045, through which yoke 1is configured to partially protrude. [00052] It is noted, that several components of pivot door 10 can be formed (though not necessarily so), from elastomeric polymer. These comprise basal barrier 104, resilient hollow column 150, elastomeric coating 1830 of (cylindrical) roller 183, and the elastomeric slab interposed between the two sub-blocks of friction sled 162. In the context of the disclosure, the term "elastomeric" and "elastic" means a material that, upon application of any straining force, is deformable in at least one direction, and which upon release of the straining force, would returns to approximately its original dimension. For example, a compressed elastomeric material may have a length that is at least 50% greater than its relaxed uncompressed length, and which will recover to within at least 50% of its compressed length upon release of the straining force. [00053] The term "about", when used in the description of the technology and/or claims means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is "about" or "approximate" whether or not expressly stated to be such and may include the end points of any range provided including, for example ±25%, or ±20%, specifically, ±15%, or ±10%, more specifically, ±5% of the indicated value of the disclosed amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics. [00054] All ranges, if disclosed herein, are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently with each other. "Combination" is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to denote one element from another. The terms "a", "an" and "the" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The suffix "(s)" as used herein is intended to include both the singular and the plural of the term that it modifies, thereby including one or more of that term Docket No. 34584 (e.g., the bore(s) includes one or more bore). Reference throughout the specification to "one exemplary implementation", "another exemplary implementation", "an exemplary implementation", and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the exemplary implementation is included in at least one exemplary implementation described herein, and may or may not be present in other exemplary implementations. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various exemplary implementations. [00055] As used herein, the language referring in certain exemplary implementations to "sized, shaped and configured" refer to complimentary surfaces that facilitate the interaction indicated, for example, the periphery of sleeve 400 is compliemtary to surfaces 2039, and 30of upper pivot plate 203 and lower hinge disc 303. [00056] While particular exemplary implementations have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended, are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.

Claims (25)

1.WHAT IS CLAIMED 1. A pivot door assembly comprising a. a door frame having a head jamb, a hinge jamb, and a latch jamb; b. a door slab: c. a brake -assisted upper hinge assembly coupled to the head jamb and the door slab; d. a lower hinge assembly coupled to the hinge jamb and the door slab; and e. a sleeve, spanning a gap between the brake -assisted upper hinge assembly, and the lower hinge assembly, configured to pivot with the door slab and abut the hinge jamb throughout the pivoting.

2. The pivot door assembly of claim 1, wherein the brake -assisted upper hinge assembly comprises: a. an upper hinge member having a head portion, a central hinge portion, and a threaded basal end; b. a bracket, operable to engage the head portion of the upper hinge member and the head jamb of the door frame; c. an upper pivot plate, having a circular portion, and a protrusion extending from the circular portion, the circular portion further defines a coaxial aperture, sized and configured to accommodate the central hinge portion, and wherein the protrusion extending from the circular portion is sized and adapted to couple to a head facet of the door slab; d. a circular brake pad sub-assembly, defining a coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the central hinge portion; e. a mid-disc, defining a coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the central hinge portion; f. a brake disc, defining a coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the threaded basal portion, the brake disc further comprising a locking nut operably coupled to and coaxial with the brake disc, the locking nut defining an aperture having an internal diameter that is larger than the coaxial aperture sized and configured to accommodate the threaded basal portion; and g. a lug nut, having an enlarged cylindrical head portion, the lug nut configured to rotatably couple to the threaded basal portion of the upper hinge member, wherein the cylindrical head portion of the lug nut having an outer diameter sized to be accommodated within the aperture defined in the locking nut.

3. The pivot door assembly of claim 2, wherein the lower hinge assembly comprises: a. a lower hinge member, having a flanged apical portion, and a basal portion extending basally from the flanged apical portion; b. a lower pivot plate, coupled to a basal end of the hinge jamb, the lower pivot plate defining an aperture operable to receive the basal portion of the lower hinge member; and c. a lower hinge disc, having a circular portion, and a protrusion extending from the circular portion, the circular portion further defines a coaxial aperture, sized and configured to accommodate the flanged apical portion of the lower hinge member, and wherein the protrusion extending from the circular portion is sized and adapted to couple to a basal facet of the door slab.

4. The pivot door assembly wherein the lower hinge assembly is identical to the brake-assisted upper hinge assembly.

5. The pivot door assembly of claim 2, wherein the circular brake pad sub-assembly comprises an upper brake pad, a lower brake pad and a mid-brake disc, sandwiched between the upper and lower brake discs.

6. The pivot door assembly of Claim 1, further comprising a resilient hollow column, operably coupled to the hinge jamb, sized and configured to span the height between the brake -assisted upper hinge assembly, and the lower hinge assembly.

7. The pivot door assembly of claim 2, further comprising a cylindrical housing, sized and operable to accommodate the circular brake pad sub-assembly, the mid-disc, and the brake disc.

8. The pivot door assembly of claim 2, wherein the head jamb further comprises an upper brace plate, coupled to the bracket through the head jamb.

9. The pivot door assembly of claim 3, wherein the lower pivot plate further comprises a circular disc portion and an L-shaped extension, with a first leg of the extension coupled to the circular disc portion, and a second leg of the extension coupled to the basal end of the hinge jamb.

10. The pivot door assembly of claim 9, wherein the hinge jamb further comprises a basal brace plate, coupled to the second leg of the extension.

11. The pivot door assembly of claim 3, wherein the door slab is a quadrilateral slab having the head facet, a hinge facet, a lock facet and the base facet, and wherein the head facet comprises a recess, sized and configured to accommodate a portion of the protrusion extending from the circular portion of the upper pivot plate.

12. The pivot door assembly of claim 11, wherein the corner of the head facet and the hinge facet form a shelf with a rise height sized to span the brake -assisted upper hinge assembly.

13. The pivot door assembly of claim 11, wherein the base facet forms a step edge with the hinge facet, with the depth of the step sized and configured to accommodate a portion of the protrusion extending from the circular portion of the lower hinge disc.

14. The pivot door assembly of claim 1, wherein the sleeve defines a cross section with an internal periphery that is complimentary to the external periphery of a substantial portion of the upper pivot plate, and the lower hinge disc.

15. The pivot door assembly of claim 6, wherein the resilient hollow column defines a longitudinal axis and further comprises a lip extending radially from the hollow column relative to the longitudinal axis.

16. The pivot door assembly of claim 15, wherein the hinge jamb further comprises a recess, sized and adapted to engage the lip extending radially from the hollow column.

17. The pivot door assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of the upper brake assisted hinge assemble, and the lower hinge assembly further comprising a torsion spring coupled at one end to the at least one of the: upper brake-assisted hinge assembly, and the lower hinge assembly, and on the other end to the door slab, operable to urge the door slab to self-close.

18. The pivot door of claim 1, further comprising a friction door holder coupled to the head door jamb and the door slab.

19. The pivot door of claim 18, wherein the friction door holder comprises: a. a door frame mounting bracket; b. an elongated, hollow channel formed with a pair of side walls, a bottom and a top defining an elongated guide slot, the elongated, hollow channel coupled to the head door jamb; c. a friction sled accommodated and being frictionally slidable within the elongated, hollow channel; and d. an articulation arm hingedly coupling the door frame mounting bracket and the friction sled, operable to move the friction sled relative the channel.

20. The pivot door of claim 19, wherein the friction door holder further comprising a first adjustable stopper block, configured to limit the lateral motion of the friction sled affecting the maximum opening angle of the door slab; and a second adjustable stopper block, configured to limit the lateral motion of the friction sled within the elongated, hollow channel.

21. The pivot door of claim 19, wherein the friction sled is operable to adjust the kinetic friction between at least one of: the bottom, and the side walls of the elongated, hollow channel.

22. The pivot door of claim 1, further comprising a tension roller assembly, coupled to a basal facet of the door slab, operable to provide kinetic friction between the door slab and a surface spanning the distance between the hinge jamb and the latch jamb.

23. The pivot door of claim 22, wherein the tension roller assembly comprises; a. a mounting frame having a top surface, a pair of side walls extending basally from the top surface, each side wall defining an elongated slit therein and a pair of mounting legs, each extending laterally from each side wall and configured to couple to the basal facet of the door slab; b. a yoke operably coupled to a roller, the roller having an elastomeric coating thereon, wherein the yoke further comprises a pair of lateral guiding rods, each guiding rod accommodated within the corresponding elongated slit defined in each side wall of the mounting frame; and c. a hollow stem, coupled to the top surface of the yoke, the hollow stem comprising: a tunable biaser, a plunger, and a nut coupled to the plunger and the stem, operable to increase a biasing force of the biaser on the plunger, the plunger operably coupled to the yoke.

24. The pivot door of claim 23, wherein the door slab further define a chamber, sized adapted and configured to accommodate the tension roller assembly and further comprises an access opening, configured to provide access at least to the nut.

25. The pivot door of claim 22, wherein the door slab further comprises a basal barrier, coupled to the basal facet of the door slab, wherein the basal barrier further defines a window, sized and configured to accommodate.