Looking for an Unusual Door Closer

Edit: I've found a cheap way to do what I want: use a gas strut, the device that holds open the "hatch" on hatchback cars. Bunnings sell a variety of them starting under $20.

I've drawn a diagram HERE, it's a view from above, wire-frame style.

A disadvantage compared to "normal" door closers: it doesn't provide that last little "shove" to make the door's latch bolt push in. However, as I now have a door that stays open or closed by itself, I'm considering removing the latch bolt, and keeping only the door handle. Just push the door to open.

Original post:

I'm looking for something that's either unusual, or I'm not using the correct search terms.

You know how many kitchen cabinets have a door hinge mechanism with two stable positions - fully open and fully closed? And if you try to open the door to 45 degrees, it'll spring to either fully open or fully closed? I'd like the doors between rooms in my house to do the same thing.

I know this can be sort-of done using a "hold open hydraulic door closer", that's not what I'm after. Those typically require a fair bit of force to open the door, and have a loud "click" noise when the "hold open" mechanism engages and disengages. They're also really expensive!

I'd like something simpler (and cheaper!) that will simply stop a door from swinging in the wind, and do so silently. Just like kitchen cabinet hinges do!

I'm pretty sure I could achieve this using something looking like a pneumatic screen-door closer, but one that pushes instead of pulling, and mount it so maximum compression of the spring happens when the door is at 45 degrees. But do such things exist?

Comments

  • +3

    simply stop a door from swinging in the wind

    Just use magnetic door stops like this or this.

    I don't think what you are asking for exists and if it does it will be expensive.

    • I don't think what you are asking for exists and if it does it will be expensive.

      It does, and under $20. See my edit to the post, above.

  • +1

    Unusual Door Closer

    did you ask your wife?

  • automatic door closer, and magnet on the door stop.

    Every office has it.

  • +1

    Unusual Door Closer

    You rang?

  • +1
    • That's an interesting but ugly solution. I'd have to re-hang my door to use it. I found a much prettier solution using a gas strut, see my edit to the post above. Thanks anyway!

  • +1

    So, hold on and let me get this right… You want a door mechanism that if it is at less than 45 degrees it will close the door or if it is open past 45 it will open all the way?

    I dont know if that exists… But if you want something that you can open a door and it closes or if you push it ALL the way open it will stay open, then this is a "door closer with stay open function". It wont open the door for you, but if you push it all the way open, it will detent into fully open until it is pulled closed. If it is left in any position other than fully open, it will close.

    • this is a "door closer with stay open function"

      I mentioned them in my post above, all the ones I have ever come across make a really loud "clack" when they latch open, and another loud "clack" when you pull them away from that position. Not really suitable for a house, where people may be sleeping in the next room. Have you come across any that are silent or nearly silent when going into the detent position?

      I found a different way, using a gas strut. See my edit to the post above. It'll hiss, but that's a high pitch sound, and probably the sound won't be audible in the next room.

  • +2

    Here's a domestic grade pivot hinge which is one of no doubt several ways to achieve your outcome

    • Thanks, but isn't that the same mechanism as a hydraulic door closer, just hidden within the door?

      • +1

        Self-closing with adjustable speed and closing force; hold open function at 90 degrees

  • +1

    The technical term for what you are describing is "bistable", but "bistable door closer" isn't turning up any useful results

    • Thanks, I searched for that term and tried "bistatic" as well. The solution worked out easier than I thought, see my edit to the post above.

  • +1

    Rising butt hinge with a magnetic door catch.
    It really depends on the type of door you’re calling about.

  • +1

    I have used these hinges and they behave this way, but it doesn't appear in the description:
    https://www.lincolnsentry.com.au/blumotion-hinge-integrated-…

    • +1

      They're cupboard door hinges, so yes they behave the right way, but I doubt they'll hold the weight of a full-size room door.

      I found a different way, see my edit to the post above.

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