Door suicide alarm

Abstract

A door alarm system is provided which activates an alarm when a door (such as the door to the patient's room, a bathroom door within the patient room, etc.) is closed with something (such as a sheet, cord or the like) over the top of door.

1. A door alarm system comprising:
 a door frame having opposed side jambs and a header extending between said jambs, said door frame defining an opening; 
 a door mounted in said door frame by a hinge assembly to be movable between an open position and a closed position; said door having a top, bottom and sides; said door top and said header defining a gap when said door is closed; 
 a pressure sensitive switch mounted to the door proximate the door top; the switch extending substantially the full length of the door between the sides of said door; said switch having a height such that said switch extends into said gap when said door is closed; and 
 an alarm; 
 said switch being in communication with said alarm; whereby, when said switch detects pressure anywhere along its length, said switch will transmit a signal to activate said alarm. 
 
     
     
       2. The door alarm system of  claim 1  further including a bracket mounted to said door; said bracket mounting said switch to said door. 
     
     
       3. The door alarm system of  claim 2  wherein said bracket has a base and opposed side members extending upwardly from said base; said side members being shaped to receive said switch and hold said switch in said bracket. 
     
     
       4. The door alarm system of  claim 2  wherein said bracket is an elongate bracket and extends substantially the full length of said door. 
     
     
       5. The door alarm system of  claim 1  wherein said door includes a channel in said door top; said switch being received in said channel; the switch extending out a top of said channel. 
     
     
       6. The door alarm system of  claim 5  comprising a spacer in said channel below said switch. 
     
     
       7. The door alarm system of  claim 1  including a door beam mounted to said door and a head beam mounted to said header; said door beam having a length substantially the width length of said door; and said header beam having a length substantially equal to the length of said door frame header; said header beam being spaced above said door beam; said gap being defined by said door beam and header beam; said switch being mounted to said door beam to extend into said gap. 
     
     
       8. The door alarm system of  claim 1  wherein said alarm is a visual and/or an audible alarm. 
     
     
       9. The door alarm system of  claim 1  wherein said alarm is positioned on an outside of a wall in which said door is mounted. 
     
     
       10. The door alarm system of  claim 1  wherein said alarm is positioned in a central location of a facility. 
     
     
       11. The door alarm system of  claim 1  wherein said switch includes a lead wire to electrically connecting said switch and said alarm; said lead wire extending along at least a portion of the height of the door proximate the hinge; said wire passing into said wall to be electrically connected to said alarm. 
     
     
       12. The door alarm system of  claim 11  wherein said hinge is a piano hinge and extends downwardly from near the top of said door. 
     
     
       13. The door alarm system of  claim 12  wherein said piano hinge extends substantially the a full length of said door from the top of the door to the bottom of the door. 
     
     
       14. The door alarm system of  claim 12  wherein said switch lead wire extends down one of an inside surface and an outside surface of said piano hinge. 
     
     
       15. The door alarm system of  claim 12  further including a hinge cover applied over said hinge; said hinge cover being sized and shaped to cover any exposed portion of said switch lead wire. 
     
     
       16. A method for notifying hospital personnel of a suicide attempt by a patient, said method comprising:
 providing a door alarm system for a door to or in a patient's room; 
 said door alarm system comprising an elongate pressure sensitive switch proximate the top of a door, said switch extending into a gap above said door; said switch being in communication with said door alarm system to activate an alarm when said door is closed with said item hanging over the top of the door. 
 
     
     
       17. A door alarm system comprising:
 a door frame having opposed side jambs and a header extending between said jambs, said door frame defining an opening;   a door mounted to said door frame and movable between an open position and a closed position; said door having a top, bottom and sides;   a sensing element disposed proximate to the top of or on the top of the door, said sensing element extending substantially a full width of the door; and   an alarm coupled to the sensing element to receive a signal from the sensing element;   wherein the alarm is configured to be active when said door is in the closed position and the sensing element detects an item hanging over the top of said door.   
     
     
       18. The door alarm system of claim 17, wherein the sensing element is mounted on the door. 
     
     
       19. The door alarm system of claim 17, further comprising a switch including said sensing element. 
     
     
       20. The door alarm system of claim 19, wherein the switch is a pressure sensitive switch. 
     
     
       21. The door alarm system of claim 20, wherein the switch is operable to be activated by a pressure of between 3 and 5 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       22. The door alarm system of claim 19, wherein the switch is disposed to extend into a gap defined between the door and the door frame when the door is disposed in the closed position. 
     
     
       23. The door alarm system of claim 19, wherein the switch is wired to the alarm. 
     
     
       24. The door alarm system of claim 19, wherein the alarm is configured to be active when the switch is open. 
     
     
       25. The door alarm system of claim 19, wherein the alarm is configured to be active when the switch is closed. 
     
     
       26. The door alarm system of claim 17, further comprising a first lead wire extending from one end of the sensing element and a second lead wire extending from an opposite end of the sensing element. 
     
     
       27. The door alarm system of claim 17, wherein the alarm is configured to indicate a room from which an alarm originates. 
     
     
       28. The door alarm system of claim 17, wherein the alarm includes an audible alarm. 
     
     
       29. A method for notifying personnel, via a door alarm system, of a suicide attempt by a patient, the door alarm system including a sensing element disposed proximate to the top of or on top of a door and extending substantially a full width of the door and an alarm coupled to the sensing device, said method comprising:
 detecting a pressure applied to the sensing element by an item hanging over the top of the door; and   activating the alarm of the door alarm system to notify personnel of a suicide attempt.   
     
     
       30. The method of claim 29, wherein detecting pressure applied to the sensing element includes detecting pressure generated by the item hanging over the door when the door is disposed in a closed position. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 29, wherein said sensing device is in communication with said alarm to transmit a signal to activate said alarm. 
     
     
       32. A door alarm system for use with a door flame having opposed side jambs and a header extending between said jambs and a door mounted to said door flame and movable between an open position and a closed position, the door alarm system comprising:
 a switch adapted to mount proximate to a top of a door or on the top of the door and having a length substantially equal to a width of the door; and   an alarm configured to couple to the switch and to activate when the switch detects an item hanging over the top of the door when the door is closed.   
     
     
       33. The door alarm system of claim 32, further comprising an alarm lead wire connectable between the switch and the alarm. 
     
     
       34. The door alarm system of claim 32, wherein the door alarm system is configured to activate the alarm when the switch is closed. 
     
     
       35. The door alarm system of claim 17, wherein the full width of the door extends between lateral sides of the door. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 29, wherein the full width of the door extends between lateral sides of the door. 
     
     
       37. The door alarm system of claim 32, wherein the width of the door extends between lateral sides of the door.