A swing clear hinge, also known as an offset door hinge, is a specialized hinge that allows a door to swing fully out of the doorway, creating a completely clear opening.
Understanding Swing Clear Hinges
Swing clear hinges are designed to move the door completely away from the frame, unlike standard hinges that leave the door partially within the opening when fully open. This provides significant advantages, particularly in situations where maximizing clear space is crucial. Here's a closer look at their functionality:
- Offset Design: The key feature of swing clear hinges is their offset design. This means the pivot point of the hinge is located away from the door frame. This offset pivot point allows the door to swing further back, creating a wider and more accessible opening.
- Full Clearance: With standard hinges, when a door is opened 90 degrees, a portion of the door still intrudes into the doorway. Swing clear hinges avoid this, letting the door swing either 180 degrees to be flush against the wall or fully out of the doorway.
- Increased Accessibility: By maximizing the usable doorway width, these hinges are very useful in spaces needing clear and unimpeded passageways.
Applications of Swing Clear Hinges
Swing clear hinges find particular use in:
- Wheelchair Accessibility: They are commonly used in homes and facilities to provide better wheelchair access. They maximize the clear opening space, making it easier for wheelchair users to navigate doorways.
- Tight Spaces: In areas where space is limited, the increased clearance prevents doors from obstructing movement.
- Healthcare Settings: Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities use swing clear hinges to provide unhindered access for medical equipment and personnel.
Comparison Table: Swing Clear Hinges vs. Standard Hinges
| Feature | Swing Clear Hinge | Standard Hinge |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Clearance | Allows the door to swing fully clear of the opening | Door partially intrudes into the opening |
| Pivot Point | Offset from the door frame | Aligned with the door frame |
| Accessibility | Maximizes doorway width for access | Can limit accessible width |
| Typical Use | Wheelchair access, tight spaces, healthcare | Common in general residential and commercial applications |
Swing clear hinges are a simple but effective solution to improve accessibility and maximize space in doorways.
