Patent attributes
A door closer comprises a housing mountable to one of a door or a door frame, an arm having a first end pivotally attached to the housing and a second end connected to the other of the door or door frame, the arm being movable between a neutral door position and first and second open door positions up to 180 degrees from the neutral position in opposite directions, and opposing first and second racks movable relative to each other and relative to the housing. Each of the first and second racks has a first end adapted to engage a piston within the housing. The door closer further comprises a pinion within the housing pivotally connected to the arm first end and engaging teeth of the first and second racks, a piston having a first end adapted to engage the first end of the first and second racks, and a spring compressible by an opposite end of the piston. Movement of the arm from the neutral position to one of the first or second door open positions rotates the pinion and urges the first end of the first or second rack into engagement with the piston first end, the piston compressing the spring until the door reaches one of the first or second door open positions, and movement of the arm from the neutral position to the other of the first or second door open position rotates the pinion in an opposite direction and urges the first end of the other of the first or second rack into engagement with the piston first end, the piston compressing the spring until the door reaches the other of the first or second door open position.