Purpose:
Wide throw hinges are used to maximize door swing clearance, making them ideal for healthcare environments where unobstructed access is critical.
Functionality:
These hinges feature an extended pivot point that moves the door farther away from the frame as it opens, allowing it to swing a full 180 degrees. This design significantly increases the clear opening width compared to standard hinges.
Applications in Healthcare:
In hospital patient rooms, wide throw hinges are handy for accommodating the movement of wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical equipment. They ensure that doors can open fully and lie flat against the wall, minimizing obstructions and facilitating smooth patient transfers and emergency access.
Comparison to Swing Clear Hinges:
While swing clear hinges also increase the clear opening by shifting the door out of the frame’s path, they typically allow for a 90-degree swing. Wide throw hinges, on the other hand, enable a full 180-degree swing, offering greater accessibility—critical in critical care or ADA-compliant environments.
Example:
For example, in a patient room with wide casing or recessed door frames, a wide throw hinge allows the door to swing completely open, ensuring enough clearance for a hospital bed to be easily rolled in or out without striking the door or frame.