FIELD

[0001] The present teachings relate to a door closer compensator mechanism, and a door closer assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A door closer is a device that attaches between a door and a fixed structure so as to passively bias the door towards a closed position. The use of a door closer can be advantageous in many applications, and particularly when fire safety is a concern as the spread of fire and smoke is hindered when the door is in the closed position.

[0003] To ensure appropriate fire safety, the gap between the fire door and the door trim underneath the door are designed below a specific maximum value (e.g. 3 mm). Difficulties can arise when the floor adjacent the door is not sufficiently smooth and level, as the door can catch on any irregularities in the flooring when the door is opened, and this issue is often encountered when due prior consideration is not given to the tolerances required for a fire rated door system. These issues can be partially overcome with the use of raised thresholds, such that the flooring fitted into rooms either side of a fire door is positioned below or level with that of the door threshold, or with the use of door drop seals that allow for a larger gap beneath the door when closed. Even so, the clearance from the floor when opening the door is still limited and these solutions can be complex and costly to implement. Retrofits of the door to account for any alterations to the flooring after installation of the door can also be challenging.

SUMMARY

[0004] A first aspect of the teachings provides a door closer compensator mechanism for positioning between a structure and a fire rated door closer arm and compensating for vertical movement therebetween, the door closer compensator mechanism comprising: a first body for connecting to a structure, a second body for connecting to a door closer arm, wherein the first body is connected to the second body so as to transmit a closing force of the door closer arm to the structure, and wherein the first body is configured for translational movement relative to the second body. [0005] With this arrangement, relative translational movement between the door closer arm of a door closer and the structure, such as a door frame, door or wall, can be accommodated for. This can allow a door closer to be used in combination with a rising butt hinge, and in turn allow raised flooring to be used adjacent the door.

[0006] A lost motion connection may be provided between the first body and the second body. This provides a simple mechanism for accommodating the relative movement between the first and second body.

[0007] The first body may comprise a pin, and the second body may define an aperture through which the pin extends.

[0008] The second body may be a bushing for attaching to a door closer arm. The bushing can form a plane bearing surface with the pin that allows sliding contact therebetween.

[0009] The second body may be a door closer forearm for connecting to a main door closer arm of a door closer.

[0010] The first body may be rotatable about a horizontal axis relative to the second body. This can allow any rotational misalignment to be accounted for.

[0011] The aperture may have a central axis, and an inner surface of the aperture may be curved away from the central axis to allow rotation of the second body relative to the pin about two orthogonal axes.

[0012] One of the first and second bodies may define a channel, and the other of the first and second bodies may comprise a pin, bar or the like movable along the channel to provide for the relative translational movement between the first and second bodies. The pin and channel provide a simple means of defining a translational path between the first and second bodies.

[0013] The one of the first and second bodies defining a channel may be rotatable about an axis of the pin, bar or the like. The pin and channel arrangement provides an opportunity to allow some rotational movement between the first and second bodies.

[0014] The door closer compensator mechanism may comprise a resilient element between the first and second bodies, the resilient element configured to bias the position of the first body with respect to the second body. With this arrangement, the door can be biased to a particular position, for example so as to bias to a closed position corresponding to the closed position of a door. As such, the resilient element can act as a fail-safe feature.

[0015] The resilient element may be a spring or foam element.

[0016] One of the first and second bodies may comprise a folded sheet of material configured to define at least a mounting portion and a portion defining the channel. In this manner, a simple means of manufacturing the respective body is provided. The body can be made of a single, integral piece of material.

[0017] The first and second bodies may each have abutting surfaces, wherein the abutting surfaces form a helicoid such that relative rotational movement between the abutting surfaces causes translational movement of the first body relative to the second body. With this arrangement, a well-defined and predetermined relationship between relative rotation of the bodies and the vertical movement of the bodies is defined. This can be matched exactly to the profile of the rising butt hinge.

[0018] The relative translational movement between the first and second bodies may be less than 25mm.

[0019] The relative translational movement between the first and second bodies may be at least 2mm, optionally at least 5mm, and for example at least 10mm.

[0020] The door closer compensator mechanism may be substantially formed of metal, optionally steel. The structural integrity of metals, such as steel, at high temperatures makes them a suitable material for fire rated applications.

[0021] A further aspect of the teachings provides a door closer assembly comprising a door closer and the door closer compensator mechanism of the first aspect attached to the door closer, wherein the door closer comprises a door closer arm and a cylinder, the cylinder comprising a mounting surface for attaching to a structure, and the door closer arm extends from the cylinder towards the second body.

[0022] The door closer arm may be rotatable about an axis relative to the second body.

[0023] The door closer assembly may comprise a door and at least one of a wall and door frame, wherein the door is coupled to the door frame by a rising butt hinge, the first body of the door closer compensator mechanism is attached to the wall or door frame, and the cylinder is attached to the door at the mounting surface.

[0024] The first body may be attached to an outward facing portion of the wall or door frame.

[0025] The first body may be attached to an inward facing portion of the wall or door frame.

[0026] The door closer assembly may comprise a slider rail positioned between the door closer compensator mechanism and the door closer arm, wherein an end of the door closer arm is slidable along a length of the slider rail.

[0027] The door closer compensator mechanism may be a first door closer compensator mechanism, the door closer assembly comprising a second door closer compensator mechanism, the first and second door closer compensator mechanisms attached at opposing ends of the slider rail.

[0028] The door closer assembly may comprise a door and one of a wall and door frame, wherein the door is coupled to the door frame by a rising butt hinge, the first body of the door closer compensator mechanism is attached to the door, and the cylinder is attached to the wall or door frame at the mounting surface.

[0029] The rising butt hinge may have a hinge angle of at least 45 degrees, and preferably at least 55 degrees.

[0030] The door closer compensator mechanism may have an open configuration corresponding to an open position of the door and a closed configuration corresponding to a closed position of the door, and wherein, in the open configuration, wherein the resilient element biases the door closer compensator mechanism to the closed position.

[0031] With this arrangement, a failsafe is provided that urges the mechanism towards the configuration corresponding to the closed position of the door. This compliments the function of the door closer, in which the door is urged to the closed position.

[0032] The door closer assembly may comprise a door closer bracket between the door closer arm and the second body, the door closer bracket rotatably coupled to the door closer arm and fixedly connected to the second body. With this arrangement, the door closer compensator mechanism can be easily retrofitted to existing door closer arrangements.

[0033] The door may be a fire rated door. A fire rated door is one that when closed within a suitable frame is tested and certified by a suitable body to inhibit the spread of fire and smoke for a particular period, such as half an hour or one hour.

[0034] Throughout the summary of the teachings and description the terms horizontal and vertical are defined with reference to their normal use in the description of a door fitted into a door frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a side view of a door closer assembly in a regular arm door closer configuration;

[0037] Figure 2 shows a side view of a rising butt hinge;

[0038] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a first example of a door closer compensator mechanism;

[0039] Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the door closer compensator mechanism of figure 3;

[0040] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a blank for forming the first body of the door closer compensator mechanism;

[0041] Figure 6 shows a side view of the door closer compensator mechanism in a rotated configuration;

[0042] Figure 7 shows a side view of the door closer compensator mechanism in a closed configuration corresponding to a closed position of a door;

[0043] Figure 8 shows a side view of the door closer compensator mechanism in an open configuration corresponding to an open position of a door;

[0044] Figure 9 shows a side view of a door closer assembly in a parallel arm door closer configuration; [0045] Figure 10 shows a isometric underside view of a second example of a door closer compensator mechanism;

[0046] Figure 11 shows an exploded view of the door closer compensator mechanism of figure 10;

[0047] Figure 12 shows a side view of the door closer compensator mechanism of figure 10;

[0048] Figure 13 shows a third example of a door closer compensator mechanism;

[0049] Figure 14 shows a fourth example of a door closer compensator mechanism;

[0050] Figure 15 shows an exploded view of a fifth example of a door closer compensator mechanism;

[0051] Figure 16 shows an assembled view of the door closer compensator mechanism of figure 15;

[0052] Figure 17 shows a first position of the door closer compensator mechanism of figure 15;

[0053] Figure 18 shows a second position of the door closer compensator mechanism of figure 15;

[0054] Figure 19 shows an example of a door closer compensator mechanism integrated into a door closer assembly;

[0055] Figure 20 shows a door closer assembly in a track arm door closer configuration;

[0056] Figure 21 shows a door closer assembly in a top jamb mount door closer configuration;

[0057] Figure 22 shows a door closer assembly according to a further example;

[0058] Figure 23 shows an exploded view of the door closer assembly of figure 22;

[0059] Figure 24 shows a side view of the door closer assembly of figure 22;

[0060] Figure 25 shows a sixth example of a door closer compensator mechanism in a first position;

[0061] Figure 26 shows the sixth example of a door closer compensator mechanism in a second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

[0062] Figure 1 shows a door closer assembly 1 in which a door 2 is pivotably coupled to a door frame 3 by one or more hinges 10, such as shown in figure 2. A door closer 20 is attached to the door 2 so that the door 2 is biased towards its closed position, such as shown in figure 1.

[0063] The door closer 20 includes a cylinder 21, a door closer arm 22 comprising a main door closer arm 22a and a forearm 22b (referred to hereafter as first and second door closer arm portions 22a, 22b) rotatably coupled to the cylinder 21 so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane, and a door closer bracket 24 attached to the end of the door closer arm 22. The cylinder 21 acts to rotate the door closer arm 22 so as to impart a force on the door 2 that biases the door 2 to its closed position.

[0064] The door closer 20 shown in figure 1 is in a regular door closer configuration with the door closer 20 located on a pull side of the door, the cylinder 21 attached to the door 2 at a mounting surface 21a of the cylinder 21, and the door closer bracket 24 attached to an outward facing portion of the door frame 3 via a door closer compensator mechanism 30 that will be explained in further detail below.

[0065] The hinge 10 is a rising butt hinge 10. An example of a rising butt hinge 10 is shown in figure 2. The rising butt hinge 10 includes a first hinge portion 10a attached to the door 2 and a second hinge portion 10b attached to the door frame 3. Each of the first and second hinge portions 10a, 10b have abutting surfaces I la, 11b that abut one another, wherein the abutting surfaces I la, 11b have a helicoidal shape so that rotation of the door 2 about the axis of the hinge 10 causes relative vertical movement between the door 2 and the door frame 3.

[0066] In this way, the door 2 is able to move vertically upwards as the door 2 is moved from its closed position to an open position. In particular, the door 2 is positionable close to the floor when in the closed position, whilst being able to accommodate raised surfaces as the door 2 is moved to an open position due to the vertical movement of the door 2. For example, the vertical movement may allow a raised carpet to be positioned adjacent the door 2 without impeding the opening of the door, but ensuring a minimal gap between the bottom edge of the door and its corresponding threshold when closed. [0067] The rising butt hinge 10 may have any suitable hinge angle to provide for the vertical translational movement desired. For example, the rising butt hinge 10 may have a hinge angle of at least 45 degrees, or at least 55 degrees.

[0068] The door closer arm 22 is designed to rotate in a horizontal plane, with minimal vertical movement accommodated. As the door closer 20 is fixed to both the door 2 and the door frame 3 (or alternatively the wall 4), there is an incompatibility with a rising butt hinge 10 due to the inability of the door closer 20 to accommodate any vertical movement. This may result in the door 2 not closing properly, or otherwise compromising the performance of the door closer 20. This can be a particular issue with fire rated doors and fire rated door closers due to the importance of maintaining optimal functionality for safety reasons.

[0069] The door closer compensator mechanism 30 discussed herein is intended to address this problem.

[0070] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a first example of a door closer compensator mechanism 30, whilst figure 4 shows an exploded view of the door closer compensator mechanism 30. The door closer compensator mechanism 30 comprises a first body 40 for connecting to a structure, such as a door frame 3 or wall 4, and a second body 50 for connecting to a door closer arm 22 via a door closer bracket 24. The first and second bodies 40, 50 are connected together so as to allow for relative translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50. In particular, to allow relative vertical movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50. In this way, a lost motion connection may be provided between the first body 40 and the second body 50.

[0071] The maximum allowable relative translation movement may be any suitable value, for example at least 2mm and less than or equal to 25mm. The allowable vertical movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50 is intended to take into account the relative vertical movement of the door 2 between the closed position and the open position of the door 2, for example the allowable relative vertical movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50 will be the same or greater than the vertical movement of the door 2 between the closed position and its maximum open position. The relative translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50 will correspond to the translational movement of the rising butt hinge 10, and may be at least 2mm or at least 5mm.

[0072] In order to ensure the function of the door closer 20 is not compromised, horizontal translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50 may be substantially restricted, controlled, or prevented such that the closing force of the door closer arm 22 is transmitted through the door closer compensator mechanism 30 to the structure (e.g. door frame 3 or wall 4). Typically any lost motion between the first and second bodies 40, 50 in the horizontal plane is minimised.

[0073] As shown in figures 3 and 4, the second body 50 may include two brackets 51, 52 and a pin 53. A first end of each bracket 51, 52 attaches to a respective end of the pin 53, whilst a mounting portion 54 at the second end of each bracket 51, 52 attaches to the door closer bracket 24. It will be appreciated that in alternative examples the brackets 51, 52 may be integral. The pin 53 is moveable along a channel 41 defined in the first body 40 so as to provide for the relative translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50.

[0074] The length of the channel 41 may determine a limit to the translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50. For example, the channel 41 may have a length of 10mm such that the relative translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50 is limited to 10mm.

[0075] The second body 50 may be moveably coupled to the first body 40 such that the second body 50 is unable to disconnect from the first body 40. For instance, the channel 41 may be a closed channel 41 such that the pin 53 is retained within the channel 41. [0076] As shown in figure 5, the first body 40 may be formed of a single, integral sheet of material. In particular, the sheet of material may be folded along fold lines (indicated by dashed lines in figure 5) so as to define both the channel 41 and a mounting portion 42 for attaching the door closer compensator mechanism 30 to the structure, e.g. via screws or other suitable fasteners (not shown).

[0077] The door closer compensator mechanism 30 may be substantially formed of metal, for example steel such as mild steel or stainless steel.

[0078] In addition to allowing relative translation movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50, the first and second bodies 40, 50 may additionally be able to rotate relative to each other about an axis. In the current example, the pin 53 is cylindrical such that it can rotate within the channel 41 and/or rotate relative to each bracket 51, 52 of the second body 50, such as shown in figure 6. It will be appreciated that the rotation may cause some limited amount of horizontal movement, however this horizontal movement is substantially restricted, for example at least a magnitude less than any vertical movement.

[0079] The door closer compensator mechanism 30 may include a biasing means that biases the first body 40 relative to the second body 50. In the example of figures 3 to 6, the biasing means is a spring 34 housed within the first body 40 that biases the door closer compensator mechanism 30 away from an open configuration (See figure 8) corresponding to an open position of the door 2 towards a closed configuration (See figure 7) corresponding to a closed position of the door 2.

[0080] It will be appreciated that whilst the biasing means described above is a spring 34, the biasing means may be any suitable resilient element 33 such as a foam/elastomeric element or similar.

[0081] Whilst the aforementioned door closer compensator mechanism 30 is described in combination with a door closer 20 in a regular door closer configuration, it will be appreciated that the door closer compensator mechanism 30 may be used in various door closer configurations. [0082] Figure 9 shows a door closer 20 in a parallel arm door closer configuration, in which the door closer 20 is located on a push side of the door 2 with the cylinder 21 attached to the door 2, and the door closer bracket 24 attached to an inward facing portion of the door frame 3 (for instance the top header of the door frame 3) via a door closer compensator mechanism 30.

[0083] Figure 10 shows a detailed view of a second example of a door closer compensator mechanism 30 that may be used in the parallel arm configuration, whilst figure 11 shows an exploded view of the door closer compensator mechanism 30.

[0084] The door closer compensator mechanism 30 includes many features in common with the first example shown in figures 3 to 8. The door closer compensator mechanism 30 differs in that the mounting portion 42 of the first body 40 is perpendicular to the mounting portion 54 of the second body 50 due to the door closer compensator mechanism 30 attaching to the inward facing portion of the door frame 3 (as seen best in figure 12). As a result, the first body 40 includes an elongated arm portion 44 that overlaps and extends beyond the second body 50. The elongated arm portion 44 may include various features including fastener holes 47 through which male fasteners (not shown) are insertable for attaching the elongate arm portion 44 of the door closer compensator mechanism 30 to the door frame 3. The elongate arm portion 44 may include cut-out portions to reduce weight or otherwise provide clearance for additional movement of the second body 50 and/or door closer bracket 24. In the example shown in Figures 10 and 11, the elongate arm portion 44 defines an aperture 48 that allows additional clearance for the door closer bracket 24.

[0085] In this second example, the first body 40 is formed of first and second portions 40a, 40b (see figures 11 and 12). The first portion 40a defines a frame within which the second portion 40b is held, with the second portion 40b defining the channel 41 along which the pin 53 is moveable. However, it will be appreciated that the first body 40 in this second example may be formed of a single, integral piece of material in a similar manner to the first example. [0086] In the second example, the second portion 40b of the first body 40 is substantially fixed in position by the first portion 40a of the first body 40. In particular, the second portion 40b is unable to rotate relative to the first portion 40a. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential, as demonstrated by the examples of figures 13 and 14 in which the second portion 40b has a circular profile that allows rotation between the first and second portions 40a, 40b. Rotation of the second portion 40b of the first body 40 may result in some limited amount of horizontal movement of the second body 50 (i.e. movement in the plane in which the door closer arm 22 is movable), as discussed in relation to the example of figure 6.

[0087] In some examples, the door closer compensator mechanism 30 may be arranged so as to allow rotation whilst minimising or eliminating any horizontal movement of the second body 50. In particular, figures 15 to 18 show an example in which the rotation of the second portion 40b of the first body 40 allows rotation of the second body 50 without any horizontal movement of the centre of the mounting portion 54 of the second body 50.

[0088] The second body 50 includes a curved surface 57 arranged to slidably contact an inner surface 42a of the mounting portion 42 of the first body 40. This curved surface 57 allows a rotational path of the second body 50 to be defined so as to minimise, or even eliminate, any horizontal movement of the second body 50. For instance, figures 17 and 18 show a vertical dashed line 59 passing through the centre of mounting portion 42 of the second body 50, and demonstrate that the centre of the mounting portion 42 remains at a fixed horizontal position despite the vertical movement and rotation of the second body 50.

[0089] It will be appreciated that the curved surface 57 of the second body 50 may be shaped to provide any suitable movement profile of the second body 50, for example a curved surface 57 that defines a fixed amount of rotation for a given vertical displacement of the second body 50. [0090] The door closer compensator mechanism 30 of figures 15 to 18 operates similarly to the examples of figures 10 to 14, except that the door closer compensator mechanism 30 of figures 15 to 18 is intended to form part of a regular door closer configuration. However, it will be appreciated that the door closer compensator mechanism 30 of figures 15 to 18 may be adapted for any suitable door closer configuration, for example the door closer compensator mechanism 30 may include an elongated arm portion 44 such as shown in the examples of figures 10 to 14.

[0091] The previous examples have described door closer compensator mechanisms 30 in which the second body 50 attaches to a door closer bracket 24, with the door closer bracket 24 rotatably coupled to the arm 22 of the door closer 20. Alternatively, the second body 50 may attach directly to the arm 22 of the door closer 20.

[0092] Figure 19 shows an example in which the second body 50 includes a first section 50a that connects to the pin 53 so as to allow relative translational movement between the first and second bodies similar to that described in the above examples, and a second section 50b that rotatably couples to the arm 22 of the door closer 20. In this way, the bracket 24 may be omitted so as to reduce the parts count of the door closer 20.

[0093] Whilst the above examples have described door closer compensator mechanisms 30 used as part of door closers 20 in a regular arm or parallel arm door closer configuration, it will be appreciated that the door closer compensator mechanisms 30 may be used as part of any suitable door closer configuration.

[0094] Figure 20 shows an example in which a pair of door closer compensator mechanisms 30 are used in combination with a slider rail 26, so as to be provided in a track arm door closer configuration.

[0095] The door closer 20 is located on a pull side of the door 2. A door closer arm 22 extends from the cylinder 21 of the door closer 20 to a slider rail 26. The end 23 of the door closer arm 22 is slidable along the length of the slider rail 26, with the slider rail 26 attached to the wall 4 via the two door closer compensator mechanisms 30. In this way, any vertical movement of the door 2 resulting from the use of a rising butt hinge 10 is accommodated by the door closer compensator mechanisms 30. [0096] The door closer compensator mechanisms 30 may be positioned at any suitable position along the slider rail 26, such as at opposing ends of the slider rail 26. It will be appreciated that the door closer assembly 1 may include any suitable number of door closer compensator mechanisms 30 positioned at any suitable position along the slider rail 26. The slider rail 26 may be attached to an outward facing portion of a wall 4, as shown in figure 20, the outward facing portion of a door frame 3, or the inward facing portion of a wall 4 or door frame 3.

[0097] Whilst the above examples have included a cylinder 21 of the door closer 20 attached to the door 2, it will be appreciated that the door closer compensator mechanisms 30 may be equally suitable as part of a door closer assembly 1 in which the cylinder 21 is attached to the wall 4 or door frame 3, with door closer arm 22 extending towards a door closer compensator mechanism 30 attached to the door 2. An example of such a top jamb mount door closer configuration is shown in figure 21.

[0098] In the previous examples, the second body 50 is shown to include two brackets 51, 52 and a pin 53. The pin 53 is moveable along a channel 41 defined in the first body 40 so as to provide for the relative translational movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50, whilst the brackets 51, 52 attach to a door closer bracket 24.

[0099] In alternative examples, the door closer bracket 24 itself may be adapted to form the first body 40. An example of such an arrangement is shown in Figures 22 to 24, in which the first body 40 is defined by the door closer bracket 24 and a pin 27 extending between arms of the door closer bracket 24, whilst the second body 50 is defined by a bushing 55 moveably mounted on the pin 27. The bushing 55 is located between the arms of the door closer bracket 24 so as to be prevented from decoupling from the pin 27. [0100] The door closer bracket 24 differs from a conventional door closer bracket in that the distance between the arms of the door closer bracket 24 is substantially larger than the distance between the arms of a conventional door closer bracket (e.g. the distance between the arms of the door closer bracket 24 may be greater than 15mm, or greater than 20 mm). The distance between the arms of the door closer bracket 24 is such that the bushing 55 is moveable along the axis of the pin 27. The bushing 55 forms a plain bearing surface with the pin 27 that allows sliding contact between the pin 27 and bushing 55 with minimal friction. The bushing 55 may be formed of any suitable material, such as phosphor bronze. It will be appreciated that the permissible linear travel of the bushing 55 is limited by the distance between the upper and lower inner surfaces of the arms of the door closer bracket 24.

[0101] The bushing 55 is attached to the second door closer arm portion 22b of the door closer arm 22 such that movement of the bushing 55 along shaft of the pin 27 results in corresponding movement of the door closer arm 22.

[0102] The arrangement may include a spring 34, or other suitable resilient element, that biases the door closer compensator mechanism 30 towards a closed configuration corresponding to a closed position of the door 2. The resilient element is located between the bushing 55 and an arm of the door closer bracket 24, e.g. figure 22 shows the pin 27 extending through a centre of a coiled spring 34.

[0103] As shown in Figure 24, aperture 55a of the bushing 55 may include a curved inner surface. In particular, the inner surface is curved away from the central axis 55b of the aperture 55a of the bushing 55 to allow rotation of the second body 50 relative to the pin 27 about two orthogonal axes, i.e., rotation about the central axis 55b of the bushing 55 and rotation about an axis orthogonal to the central axis 55b. The curvature of the aperture 55a may define a circular hyperboloid, such that contact between the bushing 55 and the pin 27 is maintained at all angular positions of the bushing 55 relative to the pin 27. The bushing includes a shoulder 55c that abuts the second door closer arm portion 22b and helps to accurately mount the bushing in position relative to the second door closer arm portion 22b. The shoulder 55c also increases the surface area of the end of the bushing 55c thereby providing a larger surface on which the spring 34 contacts. [0104] The pin 27 shown in Figures 22 to 24 is a clevis pin having a first, headed end 27a and a second, clevis end to which a clevis pin clip 27b is attachable to secure the pin 27 to the door closer bracket 24. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable pin 27 may be used.

[0105] In an alternative to the example of figures 22 to 24, the door closer mechanism 30 may be absent the bushing, such that the second body 40 includes the second door closer arm portion 22b directly and moveably coupled to the pin 27. The second door closer arm portion 22b extends from the pin 27 and towards the first door closer arm portion 22a of the door closer arm 22. In this case, the aperture 22i in the second door closer arm portion 22b may be similarly curved at its inner surface to allow rotation of the second body 50 relative to the pin 27 about two orthogonal axes.

[0106] In operation, the door 2 is attached to the door frame 3 on a rising butt hinge 10 such that the door 2 moves vertically as it is moved between the open configuration and the closed configuration. For example, the door 2 moves downwards as the door 2 is moved from the open position to the closed position. The door closer bracket 24 is fixed to the door 2 such that the door closer bracket 24 moves in accordance with the door 2. The door closer arm 22 is attached to the cylinder 21 such that the vertical movement of the door closer arm 22 is restricted, as is the bushing 55 fixed to the door closer arm 22. To accommodate the vertical movement of the door closer bracket 24, the door closer arm 22 translates along the pin 27. Any rotational movement of the door closer arm 22 relative to the door closer bracket 24 can be accommodated for by the curved inner surface of the bushing 55.

[0107] A biasing means, such as the spring 34, biases the door closer arm 22 to the lower, closed configuration.

[0108] It will be appreciated that the examples discussed above in relation to figures 22 and 24 may be suitably adapted for use in any of the above-mentioned arrangements in which the door closer arm 22 has first and second closer arm portions 22a, 22b (See the examples of figures 1 to 19 & 21). For instance, the door closer bracket 24 may be attached to the door frame 3 and the cylinder attached to the door 2. [0109] Figures 25 and 26 show an alternative example in which relative vertical movement between the first and second bodies 40, 50 is provided by helicoidal abutting surfaces 46, 56 of the first and second bodies 40, 50. Figure 25 shows the door closer compensator mechanism 30 in a first configuration corresponding to a closed position of a door 2, whilst figure 23 shows the door closer compensator mechanism 30 in a second configuration corresponding to an open position of a door 2.

[0110] The functionality of this arrangement is similar to that of a rising butt hinge 10, with rotation of the second body 50 relative to the first body 40 causing corresponding vertical movement of the second body 50 relative to the first body 40 in accordance with the angle of the helicoid.

[0111] Where the word 'or' appears this is to be construed to mean 'and/or' such that items referred to are not necessarily mutually exclusive and may be used in any appropriate combination.

[0112] Although the teachings have been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the teachings as defined in the appended claims.