I recall a door hardware device that mounted partly above the door on
the jamb and partly on the door itself.

If the door closed very fast it caught the door and prevented it from
slamming.  Unlike baby safe devices on the market which simply stop
the door from slamming or closing at all, this device still allowed
the door to close.  Please note that this is specifically not a door
closer that automatically closes a door, or holds it open. The part
mounted on the jamb and the part mounted on the door are not attached
until the door is closed.

I am racking my brain trying to remember where I saw this device last
and can only guess back when I was in school or in a Hospital.  

I am guessing the most likely manufacturer for this device would be
Ives, Hager or Norton.  

Question:  What is the technical name for this device and who still
makes it?  If you can also come up with a model number I would be able
to track it down and purchase it.

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Request for Question Clarification by spot_tippybuttons-ga on 29 Jul 2002 21:46 PDT

You don't mean a pneumatic door closure, as seen on many screen doors,
do you? It amounts to a small shock absorber mounted on both the door
and the frame, and it decelerates the door as it falls shut so that
the door closes but does not slam. If so, you can get one at
practically any hardware store.

Dear pbmaise,

Thank you for your question. This seems to fit your description. I
thought the animation was quite effective.

Chasmood
http://www.chasmood.com/archi-dcc.htm

Dictator US: Seems to be a United States distributor, which may be of
interest
http://www.tuerschliesser.de/us/products/us_2/pdf/K2020U_InhVerz2.pdf

Search strategy:
door "anti-slam"
dictator door check

Please request a clarification if this is not satisfactory and I would
be happy to keep searching.

Regards,

Thank you for finding exactly what I was looking for.  I thought I
tried every possible combination of search terms and am pleased you
were able to come up with an answer when I couldn't.

Dear Pbmaise,

For future reference, the parts of the architrave (door or window
frame) each side are jambs, but the part above is a lintel.

Carnegie.

Carnegie,
Thank you for the info on lintel.  I have just finally figured out
ballustrades and what these parts are called.  It is strange we all
have these very common items in our houses yet we rarely hear their
proper names.

I purchased 4 of the door checks and am anxiously awaiting them to fix
my door slam problem.