Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that an electrical switch for opening doors in buildings, calling elevators, and the like can be improved to require less physical contact, larger activation area, and multiple activation methods, with increased reliability, by utilizing a piezoelectric sensor specifically arranged between rigid, parallel mounting plates in which one of the plates (an inner plate) is rigidly fixed to prevent movement while the other plate (an outer plate) is accessible for receiving physical contact. By rigidly fixing the inner plate, such as by mounting to a wall or bollard, the sensor can react with sensitivity upon an application of less pressure on the outer plate. Such pressure compresses the sensor between the plates to produce an electrical signal. A controller receiving the signal can, in turn, execute to open a door, call an elevator and/or activate a light or sound to provide feedback.

Abstract: A manually-operable balanced door with improved operating characteristics is mounted to pivot around a guide roller so that a hinge side of the door swings inwardly from a door frame while a latching side of the door swings outwardly from the door frame. A door closer within the header is reversed from its position in a prior construction so that a rotatable closer shaft extends downwardly from a hinge side portion of the door frame header. The check shaft is coupled by a rigid closer arm to the latching side of the door, while the hinge side of the door is supported between upper and lower door pivot arms. A bearing assembly is disposed within a hinge end of the upper pivot arm and encircles a pivot pin that is supported within a cavity in a side jamb, the pivot pin being easily removable for disassembling the door from the door frame.