Newly developed hands-free door openers by a New York City-based design company make the task easier while also providing an affordable, easy-to-install device that promotes contactless, sanitary-safe entry.
The patent-pending hands-free openers from MYT Wares in Brooklyn include components from igus, a Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics. The company runs its North American operations out of Providence, RI.
The hands-free handle lever door opener can be used in commercial and residential applications without replacing or changing any existing handle lever hardware, is 2.7 ADA compliant and is designed to work with most handle levers.
Designed by Etienne Sauret, Peter Coulombe and the team at MYT Wares, the product includes a 12 mm drylin R hard-anodized aluminum shaft and iglide J sleeve bearing flanges from igus. Like all igus components, they are self-lubricating and offer extended service life.
Typically used in packaging, laboratories, kiosks and 3D printing, the drylin shaft offers cleaner, more cost-effective results even in harsh environments. The shaft has a high-wear resistance and is also corrosion resistant.
The sleeve bearing also has high wear resistance, but the critical feature for this application is the low coefficient of friction. One of the most versatile bearings in igus' wide range of products, the product is frequently used in automation, cleanroom, aerospace engineering and beverage technology. The low-stick tendency of iglide J bearings is especially important at very low speeds, such as those in this application.
"The shaft glides up and down between two igus bushings," Sauret said. "It was very important to have a very low coefficient of friction between the two. This assembly basically answered three core questions for us. The ability to go up and down, to rotate and to do so without sound."
The rotating feature is a key component of the design and instrumental in the ability to swivel along with the user when opening a door. "The rotational motion does not limit a user's arms as they move to go through the door," Sauret said. "Additionally, this smooth motion prevents discomfort or even injury."
For more information contact:
igus, Inc.
P.O. Box 14349
East Providence, RI 02914
800-521-2747
sales@igus.com
www.igus.com
MYT Wares
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