Conventional devices for controlling the movement of a door from its open to closed positions tend to comprise some form of pivotable bracket which extends between an attachment to an upper door face and an attachment to the headrail of the frame in which the door is mounted.

Movement of the bracket arms is then controlled through a hydraulic, pneumatic or spring operated cylinder mounted on the door itself or on the headrail of the frame. Such closure devices are unsightly, cumbersome and difficult to instal and adjust.

One object of this invention is to provide an improved door closure apparatus which overcomes, or at least alleviates, many of the disadvantages of conventional door closure devices.

According to the present invention in one aspect, there is provided door closure apparatus comprising a hinge having a first hinge plate for attachment to one upstanding side edge of a door, a second hinge plate for attachment to an upstanding side edge of a doorpost and means for enabling relative rotation between the two hinge plate ; and magnetic means comprising a first element which includes a magnet and a second element which includes a keeper plate to which the magnet is attracted; one of the elements of the magnetic means being supported from the second hinge plate and the other of the elements being supported by the first hinge plate or the door, the arrangement being such that the elements of the magnetic means co-operate to or control movement of the door between its open and closed position.

A housing may form part of, be secured to or be supported by the second flange plate, the housing being dimensional to receive and retain the said one element of the magnetic means. The side of the housing closest to the door may be formed with an opening through which one end of the said one element is exposed. In a preferred arrangement, the said one element of the magnetic means is the magnet.

The said other element of the magnetic means may be secured to a door face surface which, when the door is in its open position, lies directly opposite and possibly in contact with said one element of the magnetic means.

In a preferred arrangement, the said second element of the magnetic means is the keeper plate.

The first element of the magnetic means may comprise an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. In the former case, the electromagnet may be powered by mains electricity.

In the arrangement in which an electromagnet is employed, a switching mechanism may be provided which enables powerto be maintained to the electric magnet to retain the door in its open position for a set period of time or until re-operation of the switching mechanism. In a preferred arrangement, the switching mechanism is positioned within the housing.

A smoke and/or fire detector may be provided to automatically deactivate power to the magnet in response to an electrical or electronic signal generated by the detector upon smoke or fire being detected.

Additionally or alternatively, an electric motor may be provided which operates to effect movement of the first hinge plate relative to the second hinge plate about the pin on which the two hinge plates are supported. The electric motor may be operated remotely in response to an electrical signal, for example an RF signal received from a hand-held signal initiating device.

In another aspect, the invention provides door closure apparatus comprising a hinge having a first hinge plate for attachment to one upstanding side edge of a door, a second hinge plate for attachment to an upstanding side edge of a doorpost and means for enabling relative rotation between the two hinge plates ; a housing forming part of or supported by the second hinge plate ; and means located within the housing for controlling movement of the door between its open and closed positions.

In a further aspect, the invention provides door closure apparatus including a hinge having first and second flange plates supported for relative rotation about a pin, a housing connected to one flange plate, a magnet located within the housing, and a keeper plate separate from the housing.

The magnet may be a permanent magnet or a mains-connected electromagnet.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which the sole Figure is an exploded view of door closure apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The illustrated apparatus comprises a hinge 1 including a spindle about which can rotate a first hinge plate 2 formed with screw receiving holes to enable it to be secured to a side edge of a door (not shown) and a second hinge plate 3 formed with screw receiving holes to enable it to be secured to a doorpost (not shown).

The first hinge plate 2 carries a metallic keeper plate 4 having a screw receiving hole 5 to enable it to be attached to one face of the door. The keeper plate may be formed integrally with the first hinge plate 2. Generally, the keeper plate 4 will subtend a right angle to the first hinge plate. In an alternative arrangement, the keeper plate 4 is separate from the hinge plate 2.

The screws of the second hinge plate 3 pass through suitably aligned holes 6 formed in a flange 7 of a housing 8. Thus, on assembly the opposing faces of the second hinge plate 3 and the housing flange 7 are in contact one with the other and are secured to the doorpost by the same screw set.

The housing 8 comprises a backing plate 9 from which protrudes an electromagnet 10 connected through switches or electrical connections 11 to a mains source of electricity. The housing includes a removable cover 12 connectable to the backing plate 9 by screws which pass through holes 14 formed in one side wall 15 of the housing and holes 16 formed in angled projections 17 attached to the backing plate 9. The cover includes a front opening 18 by which the face end of the electromagnet 10 is exposed.

In use, the keeper plate 4 is sited opposite the exposed end of the electromagnet 10 when the door is in its open position, these two elements co-operating to hold the door in its open position by the force of attraction between the electromagnet 10 and the keeper plate 4. The switches 11 may operate to switch off power to the electromagnet after a set period of time thereby imposing a delay on closure of the door. Alternatively or additionally, the force of attraction can readily be selected to control the speed of movement of the door between its open and closed positions.

The switches 11 may operate in response to an electrical or electronic signal received from a smoke and/or fire detecting device. Thus, upon smoke or fire being detected, power to the electromagnet is switched off to cause the door immediately to move to its closed position.

An electric motor may be provided selectively to impart movement of the hinge plate 2 and therefore the door. The motor may be operated remotely via a hand-held RF signal generator.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of door closure apparatus in accordance with the invention and that changes can readily be made thereto without departing from the invention described above.