Door mechanism for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door in an equilibrium position, door, and method for operating a door at an equilibrium position

Abstract

A door mechanism for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door in an equilibrium position at which the door is partially opened, wherein the door mechanism comprises: adjustment means connectable to a door casing and to an expandable elastic component (14); the expandable elastic component (14) for coupling the adjustment means to the door to facilitate retention of the door in the equilibrium position; wherein the expandable elastic component (14) is connectable to the adjustment means via a point located at one of a plurality of positions around a rotation axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the door; and wherein the adjustment means is configured to provide the plurality of positions for thereby adjusting an opening angle of the equilibrium position. Also, a door comprising the door mechanism, and a method for operating the door.

Description

[0001] DOOR MECHANISM FOR OPENING, CLOSING, MOVING AND MAINTAINING A DOOR IN AN EQUILIBRIUM POSITION, DOOR, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DOOR AT AN EQUILIBRIUM POSITION

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure concerns a door mechanism for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door in an equilibrium position. Hence, the door mechanism, which may simply be called mechanism, may be considered as being a mechanism for operating the door. The present invention further concerns a door which comprises the door mechanism. Also, the present invention further concerns a method for operating a door at an equilibrium position. The equilibrium position may be considered as being a semi-open position at which the door is not fully open, nor is fully closed.

[0004] Background

[0005] There are known conventional door mechanisms which are installed on, or are integrated with, a door and are designed to force the door to return to a default close or open position after a user of the door opens or closes the door, respectively. Many of these known conventional door mechanisms are also intended to be used in doors located in public spaces and facilities, such as in public toilets. Typically, a conventional door in a public facility, e.g. in a lavatory, is daily used by a large number of users who open and close the door by hand, as they enter and exit the facility. Nevertheless, the manual operation via hand of these conventional doors poses the risk that germs or other pathogens which may be found on the hands of one or more users may be passed to the other users via the door’s parts which are commonly contacted by all the users. In addition, often a considerable number of the users of public doors tend to use these doors hastily and / or with little or no care regarding public hygiene, and this may further increase the risk of the doors becoming mediums via which pathogens and dirt may spread between the users.

[0006] In view of the above it may be understood that an important drawback with many of the known conventional door mechanisms is that by forcing the door to move to a default fully closed or fully open position, this increases the risk that germs or pathogens are spread between the users. This risk is increased because when the door is at a fully open or fully closed position, it may be particularly difficult for the user to subsequently close or open, respectively, the door in a hands-free manner (e.g. via the user’s foot or elbow), or to reach and push or pull in a hands-free manner a handle that the door may possibly comprise. Hence, there is a need for a door mechanism that overcomes the aforementioned drawback.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The solution provided by the present invention may advantageously prevent the spread of germs or other pathogens between the users of a door. Consequently, the present invention may advantageously contribute to improving the health and safety in public spaces, and especially in public toilets. Moreover, the present invention may advantageously facilitate the operation of a public door by its users. Also, the present invention may advantageously improve the user experience associated with the operation of the door by its users. In particular the present invention may advantageously allow for achieving an automatic opening of the door at a controlled semi-open position, and this may save time in the operation of the door by its users, and more generally may improve the experience of the users. In addition, at least some embodiments of the present invention may advantageously prevent damage of the door during a careless operation of the door by the door’s user.

[0009] The present invention in a first aspect concerns door mechanism for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door in an equilibrium position at which the door is partially opened, wherein the door mechanism comprises: adjustment means connectable to a door casing and to an expandable elastic component; the expandable elastic component for coupling the adjustment means to the door to facilitate retention of the door in the equilibrium position; wherein the expandable elastic component is connectable to the adjustment means via a point located at one position or one of a plurality of positions around a rotation axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the door; and wherein the adjustment means is configured to provide the one position or the one of the plurality of positions for thereby adjusting an opening angle of the equilibrium position. Preferably, the point via which the expandable elastic component is connectable to the adjustment means is located at any one of a plurality of positions. Also, preferably the plurality of positions is a plurality of discrete positions. The door mechanism of the first aspect of the invention may simply be called “mechanism”, or may be called “system” or “door system”. Alternatively, the door mechanism may be called “door control mechanism” or “door position control mechanism” or “door position mechanism” or “door position controlling mechanism” or “opener”. The system of the first aspect of the invention may advantageously enable and facilitate a handsfree operation of the door via allowing a user to push the door without having to contact the latter via the fingers, palms or other parts of the user’s hand. Instead, the mechanism may allow the user to move the door from or towards the equilibrium position via using one of the user’s forearm, elbow, knee, foot or shoe. In that manner, the user’s hands may not be contaminated by germs or other pathogens which may possibly be on the door as a result of the latter’s use by other users. Hence, the mechanism of the first aspect of the invention may contribute to improving the user’s health and safety, and may improve the confidence and comfort with which the users may use a door on which the mechanism may be installed. Also, in the optional case that the door mechanism is installed at a door located in a public facility, e.g. in a public toilet, the door mechanism may advantageously facilitate the operation of the door and the corresponding facility by its users who, when the door is at the equilibrium semiopen position, may easily understand whether the public facility is accessible or available for use. Moreover, advantageously, when the door is at the semi-open position, a user of the door may operate the door more easily compared to what would happen if the door was at a fully open position. This may happen because when the door is at a fully open position, then the door may be very close to a wall that may be adjacent to the door, and this can make it more difficult for the user to easily access a latch, lock or handle that the door may optionally have.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment which hereafter is referred to as “first exemplary embodiment”, the adjustment means is an adjustable pivot arm configured to rotate around the rotation axis to thereby move (i.e. be moved), relatively to the door casing, to any one of the plurality of positions. In the latter case the pivot arm may advantageously allow for adjusting in an easy and reliable way the opening angle of the door at the equilibrium position, and moreover, the door mechanism is advantageously easy to fabricate, install and operate with a plurality of door types.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means is motorized for moving the point (i.e. the point at which the adjustment means contact the expandable elastic part) to any one of the plurality of positions. Therefore, in the optional case that the adjustment means comprise an adjustable pivot arm according to the aforementioned first exemplary embodiment, the adjustment means may further optionally also comprise a motor or servo which is configured to rotate the pivot arm to any one of the positions, for thereby adjusting the opening angle in an easy and controllable way. This may further improve the suitability of the mechanism for a variety of doors and use cases which may involve different equilibrium positions and corresponding opening angles of the door.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment which hereafter is referred to as “second exemplary embodiment”, the door mechanism comprises: a bracket connectable to the door casing, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of engagement points arranged along a curve corresponding to a segment of a circle, and the center of the circle is aligned with the rotation axis; and the point via which the expandable elastic component is connectable to the bracket is any one of the engagement points. In the latter case, the door mechanism may advantageously allow for adjusting the opening angle of the door at the equilibrium position, and moreover, the door mechanism is advantageously easy to fabricate, install and operate with a plurality of door types.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment which is according to the aforementioned second exemplary embodiment, the bracket is symmetric with respect to a plane, wherein the plane is parallel to the rotation axis and is normal to a surface of the casing of the door when the bracket is installed on said surface of the door casing. In the latter case, the aforementioned symmetry of the bracket may advantageously allow and facilitate the use of the corresponding embodiment with left-hand swing doors as well as with right-hand swing doors.

[0014] Preferably, the aforementioned expandable elastic component of the door mechanism (i.e. of the door position control mechanism) is a spring, or comprises a hydraulic element which is configured to control a return speed of the door. The aforementioned optional hydraulic element may advantageously further improve the safety of the system and of the door, via preventing a very rapid movement, closing or opening of the door, because such a rapid door movement may result to the crashing of the door against the user and this may pose a danger to the user’s safety. It is noted that for advantageously further simplifying and facilitating the installation or integration of the door mechanism with the door, preferably the expandable elastic component comprises a first end and a second end which is opposite to the first end, and the first end is connected to the adjustment means, and the second end is connected to the door.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the door mechanism further comprises a damping element for controlling the speed at which the door moves towards the equilibrium position. This optional damping element may be used for advantageously further improving the safety of the system and of the door, via preventing a very rapid movement / closing / opening of the door, because such a rapid door movement may result to the crashing of the door against a door casing, a wall or the user.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, when during an operation of the door the latter is away from the equilibrium position, the door mechanism is configured to apply to the door a force which drives the door to return to the equilibrium position, and the closer the door is to the equilibrium position the smaller the force is. This may advantageously cause a smooth return of the door to the equilibrium position. The force may also be called “door-return force”.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the door mechanism further comprises a link of adjustable length, wherein the expandable elastic means is connected to the adjustment means or to the door via the link of adjustable length. The link of adjustable length, which may be also called simply called “link”, is an optional component that may advantageously be used for controlling and adjusting a return speed of the door when the door returns to its equilibrium position.

[0018] The invention in a second aspect concerns a door which comprises a system of the first aspect of the invention.

[0019] A third aspect of the invention concerns a method for operating a door at an equilibrium position, wherein the method comprises: installing on the door a door mechanism which is according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the method of the third aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the following: the door mechanism (i.e. the door position control mechanism) opening and maintaining the door to the equilibrium position at which the door is partially opened.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the method further comprises: a user of the door pushing the door to a fully open or fully close position, thereby triggering the door mechanism so that the latter returns the door to the equilibrium position at which the door semi-opened. Any optional or preferable features mentioned herein with respect to the first aspect of the invention, may correspond to respective optional or preferable feature of the second or third aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

[0022] Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0023] Brief Description of Drawing

[0024] Fig. 1 shows parts of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig. 1 installed on a door, with the door being at a semi-open equilibrium position.

[0026] Fig. 3 is the embodiment of Fig. 2 viewed from a distance.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of Fig. 2, with the door being a more open position compared to Fig. 2.

[0028] Fig. 5 shows the embodiment of Fig. 2, with the door being ay a more close position compared to Fig. 2.

[0029] Fig. 6 illustrates an operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1 .

[0030] Fig. 7 illustrates an operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1 .

[0031] Fig. 8 illustrates an operation of the embodiment of Fig. 1 .

[0032] Fig. 9 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and its operation.

[0033] Fig. 10 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and its operation.

[0034] Fig. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and its operation.

[0035] Fig. 12 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention and its operation.

[0036] Fig. 13 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention installed on a door which is at a semi-open position.

[0037] Fig. 14 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 13 when the door is at a different position compared to Fig 13.

[0038] Fig. 15 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 13 when the door is at a different position compared to Fig 13.

[0039] Detailed

[0040] The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is given solely for the purpose of describing the broad principles of the invention. Next embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the above-mentioned drawings, showing apparatuses and methods according to the invention.

[0041] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained next with reference to Fig. 1-8 which show an embodiment of a door mechanism which is according to the first aspect of the invention and is suitable for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door in an equilibrium position at which the door is partially opened. The parts of the door mechanism are shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows the same mechanism installed on a door 6. The door mechanism may also be called “door position mechanism” or “door position controlling mechanism” or “return mechanism” or “opener”. During the use of the door by a user, when the door is at a closed position but it is not locked, the door mechanism, i.e. the opener, of Fig. 1-8 can repel the door from the closed position to an open or semi-open position of a predefined angle to allow for contactless exit. Hence, the opener of Fig. 1-8 may place the door in a semi-open adjustable position to allow for contactless entry and exit. The opener of Fig. 1-8 may also control the door’s speed and balancing (equilibrium) angle, and may advantageously facilitate a hands-free operation of the door, because it may allow that when the user unlocks the door when the latter is closed, the opener (i.e. door position controlling mechanism) repels the closed door to an open position, allowing the user to leave the room in a contactless way.

[0042] The door mechanism of Fig. 1-8 comprises the following components: a bracket 11 that can be placed on a door casing or on a wall, a pivot arm 12 that is attached to the bracket 11 , a mounting part 13 connected to the door 6, and an expandable elastic component 14 which is elastic and is a spring that bridges the pivot arm 12 with the mounting part 13. Specifically, as illustrated by Fig. 2, a first end of the spring is connected to the pivot arm 12 and a second end of the spring is connected to the door via the mounting part 13, wherein the first end the second end are opposite. It may be understood that in the embodiment of Fig. 2 the adjustable arm 12 acts as the opener’s adjustment means. Also, the expandable elastic part 14, i.e. the spring, of the embodiment of Fig. 2 may expand when pulled and may return to its former shape when released. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-8 the expandable elastic component 14 is a spring, but other embodiments may alternatively include a different type of an expandable elastic part, like rubber, pneumatic, hydraulic or spring-loaded devices. In addition, some expandable elastic parts may be equipped with return speed control. The expandable elastic part / component 14 may also be called elastic part or elastic means. Fig 3. is a view of the door shown in Fig.2, as seen from further away from the door. It is noted that in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the door is at an equilibrium position “a”. The same door of Fig. 2, is also shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. However, Fig. 4 shows the door 6 has been pushed towards a more open position “b”, and Fig. 5 shows the door 6 pushed towards a more closed position “c”. Fig. 6 shows the combination of Fig. 3-5. Fig. 7 further shows the expansion of the elastic part 14 when the door moves from the equilibrium position.

[0043] The operation of the door position control mechanism of the embodiment of Fig. 1-8 is based on the Triangle inequality property that concerns the sum of the lengths of two triangle sides and says: any one of the triangle's sides must be shorter than the sum of the other two. This operation is explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.

[0044] In Fig. 7, the expandable elastic part 14, a spring in this particular embodiment, is attached at the first end to the edge D of the pivot arm 12, and the other end of the spring 14 is attached to point A of the mounting part 13 on the door. Therefore, the first distal end of the elastic means 14 is connected to the edge D of the pivot arm 12, and a second distal end of the elastic means is connected to a point A of the mounting part, said second distal end being opposite to the first distal end. At the equilibrium position of the mechanism, the door pivot point C which is a point on the axis about which the door can pivot, the edge D and the point A are linearly aligned with each other, i.e. they are aligned in a line segment CDA. Preferably points C, D and A are on the same geometrical plane which more preferably is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring 4. The equilibrium position of the mechanism can be also considered as being an equilibrium position of the door on which the mechanism of Fig. 1-8 is attached. Closing or opening the door will cause points C, D and A to be misaligned, and the line segment becomes a triangle. If the door moves towards the closing direction, such that point A moves to position B, the triangle CBD is formed, and If the door moves to the open position triangle such that point A moves to position C, triangle CDE is formed. As the door turns around pivot center C, the distance CA equals CD and DA. For the triangle CDB, according to the Triangle inequality, any one of the triangle's sides must be shorter than the sum of the other two, which leads to the following:

[0045] CD + BD > CB

[0046] CB = CA = CD + DA

[0047] So,

[0048] CD + BD > CD + DA =>

[0049] BD > DA This means that the length of the expandable elastic part increases and the expandable elastic part is tensioned, when the door moves away from the equilibrium position.

[0050] The same conclusion is valid for triangle CDE for which the following occurs:

[0051] CD + ED > CE

[0052] CE = CA = CD + DA So,

[0053] CD + ED > CD + DA => ED > DA

[0054] Referring to Fig. 6 and 7, the position of the door or the state of the mechanism at which there is the alignment CAD, is a balancing or equilibrium position (or state) at which the length of the spring 14 is minimum. The DA length is minimum when the expandable elastic part’s end A is aligned with the door’s pivot C and the bracket’s edge D, and as a result, the spring 14 gets extended and more tensioned, regardless of the direction of the door’s movement. If no external force is applied, the expandable elastic part 14 pulls the door to return to the position where points C, D and A are aligned to a straight line, said position being the balancing position. The angle 0, shown in FIG. 7, at which the door is opened at the balancing position compared to when the door is fully closed, can be called balancing angle or equilibrium angle. The expandable elastic part can pull the door until it returns to the balancing angle. The force to move the door may be analogue to the hardness of the expandable elastic part; the stiffer the flexible element, the stronger may be the required force to move the door and vice versa. Another way to adjust the force required to move the door is to preload the expandable elastic part. The preload tension may be adjustable. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the preload tension may be adjusted by moving point A along the top side of the door. Hence, it may be understood that in the embodiment of Fig. 7, after the door has been moved from its original equilibrium position, the speed at which the door returns to its original equilibrium position is proportional to the force applied to the door to return it to the equilibrium position. To advantageously avoid damages or injury, the speed should preferably be low, so adjusting the force can influence significantly the operation of the mechanism. Factors that may affect the force include: the stiffness of the elastic means (the spring), the length of the pivot arm, and finally, the preloading of the elastic means. The preloading of the elastic means may preferably be achieved by including in the mechanism a link of adjustable length, wherein via the link the elastic means is connected to either the door or to the door casing the pivot arm or, more generally, to the adjustment means. In the latter case, a user of the door or a technician may adjust the length of the link for thereby adjusting the preloading of expandable elastic means connected to the door. In a non-limiting example, said adjustable link may for example comprise a screw configured to change the position of an end position of the expandable elastic means relative to the door casing or the pivot arm. It is noted that in some embodiments which are according to the second exemplary embodiment mentioned further above, a radius or size of the bracket of the mechanism may affect the pre-loading of the expandable elastic means, and thus the force applied to the door to return it to its equilibrium position.

[0055] In some embodiments which are similar to the one of Fig. 1-7, the bracket and the pivot arm are combined or integrated in one fixed bracket. Integrating the bracket and the pivot arm may provide for adjustability. Some doors may not allow the placement of the mounting part on the top of the door because of the form of the door case. In such cases, the mounting part may be placed on the door side, such that there may occur an alignment between the door pivot, the arm and the mounting part. It is also noted that in the embodiment of Fig. 7, the more the door moves / turns away from the equilibrium position, the larger the angle between BC and BD or between ED and EC becomes. This angle between BC and BD or between ED and EC may be called “displacement angle”, because it is related to the displacement of the door relatively to the equilibrium position. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the return force exerted by the spring for returning the door back to the equilibrium position depends on the displacement angle. That is because the force exerted by the spring may be analyzed to force components, with one of the force components being normal to the door (e.g. normal the large side of the door’s panel) and acting to return the door to the equilibrium position. The force component that is normal to the door and acts to return the door to the equilibrium position may be called “door-return force component”, and decreases as the displacement angle decreases, i.e. the smaller the displacement angle is, the smaller the door-return force component will be. More specifically the door-return force component is proportional to the sine of the displacement angle. Consequently, the automatic return of the door to the equilibrium position, wherein said automatic return is caused by the door position mechanism, may advantageously be smooth.

[0056] Fig. 8 shows the door in two different equilibrium positions. The balancing angle depends on the position of the pivot arm 12. Turning the pivot arm 12 causes the door to move to a new balancing angle and align with the mounting part and door pivot. From the above, it can be understood that the door mechanism (i.e. the door position mechanism) shown in Fig. 1-8, is a door mechanism for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door 6 in an equilibrium position at which the door 6 is partially opened, wherein the door mechanism comprises adjustment means and an expandable elastic component 14. The adjustment means is connectable to a door casing and to the expandable elastic component 14. The expandable elastic component 14 is for coupling the adjustment means to the door 6 to facilitate retention of the door 6 in the equilibrium position. Also, the expandable elastic component 14 is connectable to the adjustment means via a point located at any one of a plurality of discrete positions around a rotation axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the door 6; and wherein the adjustment means is configured to provide the plurality of discrete positions for thereby adjusting an opening angle 0 of the equilibrium position.

[0057] In other embodiments of the invention, the bracket 11 and pivot arm 12 shown in Fig. 1-8 are replaced by a bracket that can be attached to the wall or the door casing on one end, and it can be connected with the expanding elastic part at the second end. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment the bracket and the pivot arm of the embodiment of Fig. 1-8 are replaced by a bracket which may also be called bracket means or bracket element, and has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to be attached to a wall or a door casing, and the second end is configured to be connected with the aforementioned expandable elastic part 14. The first end and the second end of the bracket may also be respectively called first connection point and second connection point. Furthermore, alternatively or complementary the aforementioned bracket means or bracket element replacing the combination of bracket-pivot arm may have multiple connection points, as the bracket element 112 of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9, for providing more than one balancing angles.

[0058] In the embodiment of Fig. 9, the multiple connection points correspond to slots 112a (holes) on the bracket element 112, wherein a connection part 112b of the mechanism is insertable in said slots 112a, said connection part 112b being connectable with an end of the expandable elastic means 14 (the spring). In the embodiment of Fig. 9 said connection part 112b is a pin, but may alternatively be a bolt or another type of connection means for connecting said end of the expandable elastic means 14 to any one of the connection points 112a (holes). Hence the connection part 112b may also be called connection means. From the above it can be understood that the door position mechanism shown in Fig. 9 is a mechanism which is according to the first aspect of the invention and comprises adjustment means and an expandable elastic component 15. The adjustment means of the embodiment of Fig. 9 comprise a bracket 112 connectable to a door casing, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of engagement points 112a arranged along a curve corresponding to a segment of a circle, and the center of the circle is aligned with a rotation axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the door. Also, the expandable elastic component 14 of the embodiment of Fig. 9 is for coupling the door to one of the engagement points 112a for thereby adjusting an opening angle of the equilibrium position. Hence, it may be understood that in the embodiment of Fig. 10 the bracket’s point via which the expandable elastic component 14 is connectable to the bracket 112 is any one of the engagement points 112a.,

[0059] Fig. 10 shows an embodiment which is similar to the one of Fig. 9 but differs from the latter in that the different engagement points 112a of the bracket 112 are not at corresponding separate holes in the bracket, but instead are on different points along a cut which is formed in the bracket and has a wave-like profile, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0060] Fig. 11 shows an embodiment which is similar to the one of Fig. 9. Also, in the embodiment of Fig. 11 , the bracket 112 and the plurality of the engagement points is respectively symmetric with respect to a plane which is parallel to the rotation axis (i.e. the axis which is parallel a pivot axis of the door) and is normal to the casing of the door when the bracket is installed on the door casing. This advantageously allows the opener of Fig. 11 to be compatible and suitable to be installed on doors which open towards the left side, as well as with doors which open towards the right side. Therefore, the bracket of Fig. 11 is designed to be universally compatible with doors that open either to the right or left. This symmetrical bracket of Fig. 11 allows seamless installation, regardless of the door's orientation. The shape of the bracket 112 of Fig. 11 is derived from the common area of two quarter circles, and provides sufficient range for adjusting the door’s angle. This bracket design provides great flexibility in installation and usage, making it suitable for a wide range of doors without compromising functionality.

[0061] Fig. 12 shows another embodiment of a door position mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention. The mechanism of Fig. 12 comprises an expandable elastic part (expandable elastic means) that comprises a hydraulic part 18 and a first and a second shaft 16, 17. The first shaft 16 at opposite ends of it is respectively connected with and can respectively pivot about the hydraulic part 18 and the second shaft 17, wherein the second shaft 17 at an end of it is respectively connected with and can respectively pivot about the first shaft 16.

[0062] Advantageously the embodiment of Fig. 12 may offer adjustable return speed. For this purpose, preferably the hydraulic part 18 is configured for limiting the rotation speed with which the first shaft 16 can rotate (pivot) about the hydraulic part. In an example, the hydraulic part is part of a common door closing mechanism. This kind of common closing mechanism includes a spring and a hydraulic mechanism that controls the return speed. Advantageously, the expandable means of Fig. 12 is reliable, heavy duty and cost effective. It can be understood that in the embodiment of Fig. 12 the aforementioned expandable elastic means effectively replaces the spring shown in Fig. 1-11. The addition of the first shaft which in the embodiment of Fig. 12 is a short arm 16, may advantageously allow the door to fully open in rooms where the wall is close to the door pivot. This may occur when the wall is close to the door casing. When the door moves away from the equilibrium position, the hydraulic mechanism’s distance from the pivot arm is increased and as a result the second shaft 17, i.e. the second arm 17, pulls the first arm 16 and turns it. By turning the first arm 16, a spring found inside the hydraulic mechanism 18 is tensioned. As soon as the door is unlocked or released, the first arm 16 will turn and pull the door back to the equilibrium position. The return speed of the door is adjustable.

[0063] Fig. 13 shows another preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. Similarly to the embodiment of Fig. 1-8, in the embodiment of Fig. 13 the expandable elastic component 14 is a spring, and the adjustment means comprise a pivot arm 12. However, in the embodiment of Fig. 13-15 the door mechanism, and more specifically the adjustment means of the mechanism, further comprises a servo 19 which is installed on the door casing, is connected and attached to the pivot arm 12, and is configured to rotate the pivot arm 12, for thereby changing the equilibrium position of the door. Therefore, the servo 19 via moving / rotating the pivot arm 12 with respect to the casing of the door can respectively move / rotate, with respect to the door casing, the position of the point at which the elastic expandable component 14 of the mechanism connects with the pivot arm 12. The servo’s axis is aligned or is parallel with the door’s rotation axis, allowing smooth and controlled adjustments of the door’s position from fully closed, to semi-open, to fully open. It is noted that in the embodiment of Fig. 13, the elastic component 14, apart from assisting in returning the door to its equilibrium position, may advantageously also contribute to improving the safety of the door mechanism’s operation, and to protecting the servo 19 from damage and mechanical strain, via absorbing shocks that may be caused by obstacles that may block the door's movement. Overall, the servo mechanism 19 of the embodiment of Fig. 13, renders the door mechanism motorized, and in this way it improves versatility and flexibility of use of the door mechanism, providing the ability to fully close or fully open the door, or to keep it balanced at an intermediate, semi-open position. This flexibility significantly enhances the overall functionality and usability of the door mechanism, especially in public or high-traffic environments where touchless and automated control is desired.

[0064] Preferred embodiments of the system of the first aspect of the invention may advantageously be installed on any type of door, including wood, metal, or glass, and can be used in any type of building or facility, such as offices, hospitals, schools, and public restrooms.

[0065] Doors, especially doors in public toilets or other public facilities, which comprise installed thereon on any of the aforementioned preferred embodiments of Fig. 1-13, may provide some important advantages compared to conventional doors that do not comprise said preferred embodiments. Some of the advantages are the following. In the context of public toilets, it's important for users to find the door of an available toilet in an open position for several reasons:

[0066] Visibility of Availability: An open door is a clear, universal signal that the toilet is unoccupied. This visual cue is especially useful in busy public settings where time and privacy are of the essence.

[0067] Ventilation: Keeping the door open when the toilet is not in use allows for better air circulation within the cubicle, which helps to dissipate odors and reduce humidity, maintaining a more hygienic environment.

[0068] Safety: An open door can also be a safety feature; it allows for quick visual checks by cleaning or security staff to ensure that there are no issues or emergencies within the stall.

[0069] Hygiene: With heightened awareness of surface contamination, especially in the wake of health crises like the COVID- 19 pandemic, touchless entry reduces the need for users to contact surfaces which might carry germs.

[0070] - Accessibility: An automatic opening feature can make restrooms more accessible, especially for individuals with disabilities or those who might have their hands full. Efficiency: Automatic doors can improve the flow of traffic in and out of the restroom, reducing queues and wait times. Energy Conservation: When paired with sensors, automatic doors can help conserve energy in climate-controlled environments by ensuring that doors aren't inadvertently left open.

[0071] Maintenance: Open doors make it easier for maintenance staff to identify which stalls require cleaning or restocking without having to manually check each one.

[0072] In designing a mechanism that facilitates keeping toilet doors in an open position when not in use and allows for automatic opening, these factors contribute to a more user-friendly, sanitary, efficient, and safe public restroom experience. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments disclosed here are non-limitative examples, and other embodiments are possible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A door mechanism for opening, closing, moving and maintaining a door in an equilibrium position at which the door is partially opened, wherein the door mechanism comprises: adjustment means connectable to a door casing and to an expandable elastic component; the expandable elastic component (14) for coupling the adjustment means to the door to facilitate retention of the door in the equilibrium position; wherein the expandable elastic component (14) is connectable to the adjustment means via a point located at one position or one of a plurality of positions around a rotation axis that is parallel to a pivot axis of the door; and wherein the adjustment means is configured to provide the one position or the one of the plurality of positions for thereby adjusting an opening angle of the equilibrium position.

2. A door mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means is or comprises an adjustable pivot arm (12) configured to rotate around the rotation axis to thereby move, relatively to the door casing, to any one of the plurality of positions.

3. A door mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment means is motorized for moving the point to any one of the plurality of positions.

4. A door mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means comprises: a bracket (112) connectable to the door casing, wherein the bracket comprises a plurality of engagement points (112a) arranged along a curve corresponding to a segment of a circle, and the center of the circle is aligned with the rotation axis; and wherein the point via which the expandable elastic component (14) is connectable to the bracket is any one of the engagement points (112a).

5. A door mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the bracket (112) or the plurality of the engagement points (112a) is symmetric with respect to a plane which is parallel to the rotation axis and is normal to the casing of the door when the bracket is installed on the door casing.

6. A door mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the expandable component (14) is a spring, or comprises a hydraulic element (18) which is configured to control a return speed of the door.

7. A door mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the expandable elastic component (14) comprises a first end and a second end which is opposite to the first end, and the first end is connected to the adjustment means, and the second end is connected to the door.

8. A door mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the door mechanism further comprises a damping element for controlling the speed at which the door moves towards the equilibrium position.

9. A door mechanism according to any of preceding claims, wherein when during an operation of the door the latter is away from the equilibrium position, the door mechanism is configured to apply to the door a force which drives the door to return to the equilibrium position, and the closer the door is to the equilibrium position the smaller the force is.

10. A door mechanism according to any of preceding claims, wherein the plurality of position is a plurality of discrete positions.

11. A door mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a link of adjustable length, wherein the expandable elastic means is connected to the adjustment means or to the door via the link of adjustable length.

12. A door comprising a door mechanism which is according to any of the preceding claims.

13. A method for operating a door at an equilibrium position, wherein the method comprises: installing on the door a door mechanism which is according to any of claims 1-11.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:a user of the door pushing the door to a fully open or fully close position, thereby triggering the door mechanism so that the latter returns the door to the equilibrium position at which the door is semi-opened.

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