door opener

plural door openers

1. The control mechanism by which a door is latched and unlatched.

   Last, door systems are examined, particularly locking and latching mechanisms, door openers and door closers.

   1988, United States. National Bureau of Standards, Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, page 336

   2 more examples

   […] the rack being engaged by a meshing door opening and/or closing pinion of a door opener whereby the door is thus capable of being opened upon the door opener controlled rotation of said pinion in one direction and of being closed upon the door opener controlled rotation of such pinion in the other direction.

   2001, Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, page 1355

   Latour's iconic example of doors and door openers helps boil down the complexity involved in the creation of any technology to a simple evocative case.

   2018, James Gerrie, Technology and Society: A Philosophical Guide, page 92

2. Any of various devices designed to make opening a door easier.

   The door openers were printed in PLA at a rate of 70–80 per day at the University of Cincinnati Digital Fabrication Laboratory across roughly 20 3D printers. The door openers were printed in batches of 3–4 per print session on each printer.

   2021, Frank J. Rybicki, 3D Printing in Medicine and Its Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic, page 117

   1 more example

   Car door openers which are said to permit easy one-man operation are available. These devices consist of a light chain fall for attaching to the door handle. When door openers are used, the fixed end of the fall will not be fastened to a car ladder or grab iron.

   1962, United States. Department of the Air Force, Accident Prevention Handbook: Ground Safety, page 13-5

   1. Any of various devices to automatically open a door in response to a sensor or signal sent from a controller.

      Some inspectors will not test an automatic door opener if there is a vehicle parked in the garage under the opener.

      2003, Carson Dunlop, Principles of Home Inspection: Systems & standards, page 122

      3 more examples

      A radio control for a door opener operating above 70 MHz manufactured after March 24, 1971 shall be certificated pursuant to Subpart B of this part.

      1959, United States. Federal Communications Commission, Rules and Regulations - Volume 2, page 119

      Another cause might be a short in the wire between the door opener and wall button, which can activate the opener at the slightest jiggle.

      2010, Beckstrom, Ortho's Home Repair Problem Solver, page 142

      The head-mounted door openers are usually surface-applied to the head of the door frame and operate the door with an arm assembly similar to a standard door closer.

      2019, David Kent Ballast, PPI Interior Construction & Detailing for Designers & Architects

   2. firefightingA crowbar-like tool used by firefighters to quickly force locked doors to open.

      The two most common types of door openers used are the "Hale" and the "Detroit".

      1947, Connecticut. Bureau of Vocational Education., Regional Firemen Training Schools - Volume 2, page 8

      2 more examples

      Within this one tool, you have the same basic feature of the door opener, crowbar, and hatchet.

      1985, John A. Carley, Mavis V. Whigham, Fire protection specialist (AFSC 57150), page 24

      Although an old tool, the Detroit door opener still functions well when used correctly and will have devastating effects on today's standard locks and door closures.

      1997, Richard A. Fritz, Tools of the Trade: Firefighting Hand Tools and Their Use, page 27

3. Someone who opens doors.

   Jody steps toward the first door, then motions for his lighting man–Mike, and his designated door opener–Wil, to flank him.

   2014, James Reagan, Leeds House, page 66

   1 more example

   Imagine our language type as a "door opener." There are two kinds of door openers: “interpreter openers" and "compiler openers." An interpreter opener has a rough job. He must carry a large bag of keys wherever he goes.

   1981, David Fox, Mitchell Waite, Pascal Primer, page 16

4. Any tactic, approach, or giveaway item employed by a salesman to capture the interest of a potential customer.

   […] when working the territory cold, you will find these little notes great door openers.

   1922, A Salesman's Correspondence, page 60

   2 more examples

   We occasionally resort to what we call "door openers" to aid the salesman in obtaining an interview. One of these was a bill hook, a very useful little device, for hanging in the kitchen and making it convenient for the housewife […]

   1924, Gas Industry, volume 18, page 121

   […] admitted that the salesmen are all door-to-door sales people […] and that many of them […] used different statements as door-openers.

   1966, United States. Federal Trade Commission, Federal Trade Commission Decisions, volume 70

5. A communication technique designed to encourage someone to speak openly.

   Sincerity is key to the effectiveness of nonverbal door openers.

   2014, Marty Brounstein, Traci Cumbay, Peter Economy, Managing All-in-One For Dummies, page 272

   3 more examples

   The therapeutic interviewer can use a door opener to start to explore a particular client concern.

   2008, Michael D. Reiter, Therapeutic Interviewing, page 70

   Door-openers are like green lights for motorists. They are signals that listeners use to encourage speakers to elaborate on their message.

   2009, Shirley Taylor, Alison Lester, STTS-Communication: Your Key to Success, page 54

   One important listening skill to have when communicating with your child is being certain to use “door openers,” as opposed to “door slammers.

   2011, Denise D Witmer, The Everything Parent's Guide to Raising a Successful Child

6. Someone or something that provides someone with opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

   There are so many things that we experience that could be door openers for demons.

   2010, Don Dickerman, Keep the Pigs Out: How to Slam the Door Shut on Satan and His Demons and Keep Your Spiritual House Clean, page 93

   2 more examples

   The story of the mutual 'door-openers,' then, depicts the act of one agent sneaking the other agent into the room behind the door as though the term that opens the door could be used – like the Trojan horse – strictly instrumentally: diversity only opens the door or functions as a container, and in comes gender, or equality or antidiscrimination.

   2017, Eike Marten, Genealogies and Conceptual Belonging, page 68

   Door openers are social mobilizers and bridges, introducing or integrating young people into their own networks and groups, extending their social capital and connections to provide new social, cultural, and economic benefits. Those born into wealthy families may inherit powerful door openers.

   2021, Stephanie Malia Krauss, Making It: What Today's Kids Need for Tomorrow's World, page 76