Anti-ligature door hardware

1. Door hardware, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end, a second end, and a pivot point substantially near its first end; and

a plate member in pivotal connection with the pivot point of the elongated member such that the plate member and elongated member are substantially close to one another to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween, the plate member having a retaining member adjacent to the elongated member;

wherein the plate member is adapted for fastening substantially close to a face of a door to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween;

wherein the door hardware is operable by pivoting the elongated member about its pivot point to operate a locking mechanism, the pivoting crossing from one side of a vertical plane of the door to its other side, the vertical plane perpendicular to the face of the door; and

wherein the elongated member has a tapered profile to inhibit ligatures from hanging thereon;

whereby the pivotal connection between the elongated member and the plate member and the retaining member adjacent to the elongated member inhibit ligatures from being slipped between the elongated member and the plate member.

2. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the elongated member further comprises a toe; the retaining member of the plate member comprises a toe track; and the toe is at least partially disposed in the toe track.

3. The door hardware of claim 2 , wherein the toe further comprises protrusions that retain the toe in the toe track.

4. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member of the plate member comprises a railing adjacent to the second end of the elongated member.

5. The door hardware of claim 4 , wherein the railing at least partially overlaps the second end of the elongated member.

6. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with a bevel on its top.

7. A door handle, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end, a second end, a pivot point substantially near its first end, and a toe substantially near its second end; and

a plate member in pivotal connection with the pivot point of the elongated member such that the plate member and elongated member are substantially close to one another to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween, the plate member having a toe track adapted for receiving the toe of the elongated member;

wherein the plate member is adapted for fastening substantially close to a face of a door to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween;

wherein the door handle is operable by pivoting the elongated member about its pivot point to operate a locking mechanism, the pivoting crossing from one side of a vertical plane of the door to its other side, the vertical plane perpendicular to the face of the door;

wherein the elongated member has a tapered profile to inhibit ligatures from hanging thereon; and

wherein the toe track comprises an opening in the plate member for receiving the toe, the toe generally perpendicular to that plate member such that the toe is disposed in the opening.

8. The door handle of claim 7 , wherein the elongated member further comprises indentations to assist a user in grasping the door handle.

9. The door handle of claim 7 , wherein the toe further comprises a plurality of protrusions that retain the toe in the toe track.

10. The door handle of claim 7 , further comprising a door, wherein the door handle is fastened to the door.

11. The door handle of claim 7 , wherein the door handle is adapted for use with mortise locks.

12. The door handle of claim 7 , wherein the door handle is adapted for operating a latch bolt.

13. The door handle of claim 7 , further comprising a lock adapted for receiving a key and locking the door handle.

14. The door handle of claim 7 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with a bevel on its top.

15. A thumb turn, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end, a second end, and a pivot point substantially near its first end;

a plate member in pivotal connection with the pivot point of the elongated member such that the plate member and elongated member are substantially close to one another to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween, the plate member having a retaining member adjacent to the second end of the elongated member;

wherein the plate member is adapted for fastening substantially close to a face of a door to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween;

wherein the thumb turn is operable by pivoting the elongated member about its pivot point to operate a locking mechanism, the pivoting crossing from one side of a vertical plane of the door to its other side, the vertical plane perpendicular to the face of the door;

wherein the elongated member has a tapered profile to inhibit ligatures from hanging thereon; and

wherein the thumb turn operates a dead bolt;

whereby the pivotal connection between the elongated member and the plate member and the retaining member adjacent to the elongated member inhibit ligatures from being slipped between the elongated member and the plate member.

16. The thumb turn of claim 15 , further comprising a door, wherein the thumb turn is fastened to the door.

17. The thumb turn of claim 15 , further comprising a lock adapted for receiving a key and locking the thumb turn.

18. A door handle, comprising:

an elongated member having a first end and a pivot point substantially near its first end; and

a lock adapted for receiving a key;

wherein the elongated member is adapted for fastening substantially close to a face of a door to inhibit a ligature from being inserted therebetween;

wherein the door handle is operable by pivoting the elongated member about its pivot point to operate a locking mechanism, the pivoting crossing from one side of a vertical plane of the door to its other side, the vertical plane perpendicular to the face of the door;

wherein the lock is adapted for locking the door handle; and

wherein the elongated member has a tapered profile to inhibit ligatures from hanging thereon.

19. The door handle of claim 18 , wherein the elongated member further comprises indentations to assist a user in grasping the door handle.

20. The door handle of claim 18 , further comprising a door, wherein the door handle is fastened to the door.

21. The door handle of claim 18 , wherein the door handle is adapted for use with cylindrical locks.

22. The door handle of claim 18 , wherein the door handle is adapted for operating a latch bolt.

23. The door handle of claim 18 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch with a bevel on its top.

24. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member retains the elongated member.

25. The door hardware of claim 24 , wherein the retaining member retains the elongated member at its second end.

26. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member at least partially overlaps a portion of the elongated member.

27. The door hardware of claim 26 , wherein the retaining member overlaps a portion of the elongated member along a length of the elongated member.

28. The thumb turn of claim 15 , wherein the retaining member comprises a railing.

29. The thumb turn of claim 15 , wherein the elongated member comprises a toe substantially near its second end, wherein the retaining member comprises a toe track, and wherein the toe is at least partially disposed in the toe track.

30. The thumb turn of claim 29 , wherein the toe further comprises protrusions that retain the toe in the toe track.

31. The thumb turn of claim 15 , wherein the dead bolt is beveled.

32. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is unlocked by pivoting the elongated member in either direction across the vertical plane.

33. The door hardware of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is in a locked position when the elongated member is substantially parallel with the vertical plane.