GB2230557A

GB2230557A - A hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2230557A
Application number: GB8909059A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie George Briggs; Edward Kenneth Coventry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-04-21
Filing date: 1989-04-21
Publication date: 1990-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-21
Also published as: GB8909059D0; GB2230557B

Abstract

A hinge (2) comprises a first hinge part (4), a second hinge part (8) and a pivot arrangement (12), the pivot arrangement (12) being such as to enable relative adjustment between the first and the second hinge parts (4, 8). To achieve this the pivot pin is received in an eccentric bore in a bush in one or both of the hinge parts, the bush being rotatable and lockable in the hinge part by means of a locking cap engaging aligned grooves in the bush and hinge part. <IMAGE>

Description

A HINGE This invention relates to a hinge.

There are many different types of hinges. The hinges usually comprise a first hinge part for securing to a fixed member, and a second hinge part for fixing to an opening member. When the hinge is secured in position, there often occurs the need to adjust the relative positions of the first and the second hinge parts to ensure the smooth opening and closing of the opening member with respect to the fixed member. As a last resort with fixed members and opening members made of wood, the hinge can be repositioned although this is usually very inconvenient. The inconvenience increases if the fixed member and the opening member are made of a metal, for example aluminium or UPVC.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, this invention provides a hinge comprising a first hinge part for securing to a fixed member, a second hinge part for securing to an opening member, and a pivot arrangement about which the first and the second hinge part pivot with respect to one another, the pivot arrangement being such that it includes at least one cam profile for enabling relative adjustment between the first and the second hinge parts.

The hinge of the present invention can be adjusted after it has been secured to the fixed member and the opening member simply by adjusting the pivot arrangement. Adjustment of the pivot arrangement causes relative movement between the first and the second parts which in turn causes relative movement between the fixed member and the opening member. Thus the opening member can be arranged to fit precisely in the fixed member and to open and close with a good action.

The hinge may be one in which the pivot arrangement comprises a pivot pin and a first bush, the first bush having a bore for receiving a first pivot pin part, and the bore being off-centre so that the first bush provides a first said cam profile.

The hinge is preferably one in which the first bush fits in a bore in the first hinge part, in which the first bush has locking grooves, and in which the bore in the first hinge part has locking grooves, and the hinge being such as to include a first locking member for locking together at least one pair of aligned locking grooves in the first bush and the first hinge part.

The first bush will usually have more locking grooves than the bore in the first hinge part. Thus, for example, the first bush may have eight of the locking grooves whilst the bore in the first hinge part has four of the locking grooves.

The first bush will usually have rotation means for rotating the first bush.

The rotation means is preferably a slot for a screwdriver. Other formations may be employed for receiving appropriate turning tools.

The first locking member may be a locking cap.

The locking cap may have a pair of locking legs for locating in two pairs of the aligned locking grooves.

The locking cap may also have a locating leg for locating in a bore in the first bush.

The hinge may be one in which the pivot arrangement comprises a second bush, the second bush having a bore for receiving a second pivot pin part, and the bore being off-centre so that the second bush provides a second said cam profile.

The second bush will usually be constructed to be the same as the first bush and the second bush will thus operate the same as the first bush. Thus, the hinge may be one in which the second bush fits in a bore in the second hinge part, in which the second bush has locking grooves, and in which the bore in the second hinge part has locking grooves, and the hinge being such as to include a second locking member for locking together at least one pair of aligned locking grooves in the second bush and the second hinge part.

The second bush may have more locking grooves that the bore in the second hinge part. Thus, for example the second bush may have eight of the locking grooves, whilst the bore in the second hinge part may have four of the locking grooves.

The second bush will usually have rotation means for rotating the second bush. As in the case of the first bush, the rotation means in the second bush is preferably a slot for a screwdriver but the rotation means may be other formations in the second bush if desired.

The second locking member will usually be a locking cap. The locking cap forming the second locking member will usually be the same as the locking cap forming the first locking member. Thus, the locking cap forming the second locking member may have a pair of locking legs for locating in two pairs of aligned locking grooves. The locking cap forming the second locking member may also have a locating leg for locating in a bore in the second bush.

The hinge may be one in which the first hinge part has a post portion, and in which the post portion is provided with apertures for receiving fixing means for fixing the first hinge part to the fixed member.

The hinge may also be one in which the second hinge part is cranked, and in which the second hinge part is provided with apertures for receiving fixing means for fixing the second hinge part to the opening member.

The fixing means will usually be screws. Other types of fixing means may however be employed.

The pivot pin may include a washer for preventing the first and second hinge parts from rubbing on one another during their pivoting with respect to one another.

The washer may be removable from the pivot pin.

In this case, the washer is preferably made of a plastics material such for example as nylon. The washer may alternatively be not removable from the pivot pin.

In this case, the washer may be located in a groove in the pivot pin and the washer may be made from a metal such for example as steel. Other materials may be employed for both types of washer.

Preferably, the fixed member is a door frame, and the opening member is a door. The fixed member may be a frame other than a door frame and it may also be another type of structure. Similarly, the opening member may be other than a door so that it might be a window or other opening structure if desired. The hinge of the present invention is especially suitable for use in the double glazing industry where, for example, residential doors made from aluminium may need to be secured in frames also made of aluminium.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a hinge secured to a fixed member in a form of a door frame and an opening member in the form of a door; Figure 2 shows the hinge, frame and door of Figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 3 is a top plan view as shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hinge; Figures 5 to 9 show different views of a first hinge part of the hinge; Figure 10 to 14 show different views of a second hinge part of the hinge; Figure 16 shows a pivot pin used in a pivot arrangement for the hinge; Figure 17 shows a bush for use in the pivot arrangement; Figure 18 is a view from left to right and shows the pivot pin in the bush; ; Figure 19 is an end view looking from right to left and shows the pivot pin in the bush; Figure 20 is an end view showing the closed end of the bush in Figure 17; Figures 21 and 22 are respectively side and end views of a locking member in the form of a locking cap; Figures 23 and 24 are respectively front and side views of a washer used in the pivot arrangement; Figures 25, 26 and 27 are different views of a screw used in securing the hinge in position; and Figures 28, 29 and 30 are different views of a gudeon pin which fits to the bottom of the hinge and acts as a guide.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a hinge 2 comprising a first hinge part 4 for securing to a fixed member in the form of a door frame 6.

The hinge 2 also comprises a second hinge part 8 for securing to an opening member in the form of a door 10.

The door frame 6 and the door 10 are made from aluminium, and the door 10 is a residential double glazed door.

The hinge 2 also comprises a pivot arrangement 12 about which the first and the second hinge parts 4, 8 pivot with respect to one another. The pivot arrangement 12 is such that it includes two cam profiles as will be described in more detail hereinbelow, the cam profiles enabling relative adjustment between the first and the second hinge parts so that the door 10 can be precisely located in the door frame 6. The cross sectional profile of parts of the door frame 6 and the door 10 can be seen in Figures 1 and 3. It will be appreciated that only part of the door frame 6 and only part of the door 10 have been shown for simplicity of illustration. In the closed position of the door 10, it will be seen that the door 10 abuts against a pair of seals 14, 16.

The pivot arrangement 12 comprises a pivot pin 18 and a first bush 20, see Figures 16 to 20. The first bush 20 has a bore 22 for receiving a first pivot pin part 24 of the pivot pin 18. The bore 22 is off-centre as can be seen from Figures 17 and 18. Thus the first bush 20 provides a first cam profile.

The first bush 20 fits in a bore 26 in the first hinge part 4, see Figures 6 to 9.

The first bush 20 has locking grooves 28 as shown in Figure 20. The bore 26 in the first hinge part also has locking grooves (not shown). The hinge 2 includes a first locking member in the form of a locking cap 30 as shown in Figures 21 and 22. The locking cap 30 locks together a pair of aligned locking grooves in the first bush 20 and the first hinge part 4.

The first bush 20 has more locking grooves 28 than the bore in the first hinge part 4. More specifically, the first push 20 has eight of the locking grooves 28.

The bore in the first hinge part 4 has four of the locking grooves.

The first bush 20 has rotation means in the form of a slot 32 for receiving a screwdriver. The slot 32 thus enables the first bush 20 to be rotated to align appropriate pairs of the locking grooves and to obtain the required can action from the first bush 20 to appropriately adjust the first hinge part 4 with respect to the second hinge part 8.

The locking cap 30 has a pair of locking legs 34 for locating in two pairs of the aligned locking grooves. The locking cap 30 also has a locating leg 36 for locating in a bore 38 in the closed end 40 of the first bush 20. The bore 38 is centrally positioned in the slot 32. Similarly, the locating leg 36 is centrally positioned in the locking cap 30.

The pivot arrangement 12 includes a second bush which is exactly the same as the first bush 20. The second bush thus has a bore 22 for receiving a second pivot pin part 42 of the pivot pin 18. The second bush is associated with a locking cap 30 and it operates in the same manner as described above with reference to the first bush 20. Rotation of the second bush gives yet further adjustment possibilities between the first hinge part 4 and the second hinge part 8.

As can be seen most clearly from Figures 5 to 9, the first hinge part 4 has a post portion 44. The post portion 44 is provided with two apertures 46 for receiving fixing means in the form of screws 48 as shown in Figures 25 to 27 for fixing the first hinge part 4 to the door frame 6.

As shown most clearly in Figures 10 to 14, the second hinge part 8 is cranked. The second hinge part 8 is provided with apertures 50 for receiving more of the screws 48 as shown in Figures 25 to 27 for fixing the second hinge part 8 to the door 10.

The pivot pin 18 includes a washer 54 which is shown in Figures 23 and 24. The washer 54 locates approximately mid-way along the pivot pin 18 and separates the first hinge part 4 from the second hinge part 8 when they are mounted on the pivot pin 18. This stops the first hinge part 4 and the second hinge part 8 rubbing together during their relative pivotable motion. The washer 54 is preferably made of a plastics material.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the hinge 2 can be used with structures other than doors and door frames. If desired, the hinge 2 could be such that only one bush 20 and its associated parts is employed instead of two bushes. The cam profile provided by the bush 20 could be provided on the pivot pin or on the inside of the bore 26 in the first hinge part 4 and/or on the inside of the bore 56 in the second hinge part 8. For doors 10 or other opening structures that open outwards, then the washer 54 may be secured in a locating groove in the centre of the pivot pin 18 for security. This fixed washer 54 stops the door being lifted off the pivot pin 18. The gudeon pin 52 shown in Figures 28-30 locates in the bottom of the hinge and acts as a guide, and other shapes for this gudeon pin 52 may be employed so that, for example, the serrated portion 58-may be larger than shown.

Also, the shape of the crank of the second hinge part 8 can be varied for different profiles of member to which the second hinge part 8 is to be connected, thereby always to enable the second hinge part 8 to form a neat and unobtrusive fixing.

Claims

1. A hinge comprising a first hinge part for securing to a fixed member, a second hinge part for securing to an opening member, and a pivot arrangement about which the first and the second hinge parts pivot with respect to one another, the pivot arrangement being such that it includes at least one cam profile for enabling relative adjustment between the first and the second hinge parts.

2. A hinge according to claim 1 in which the pivot arrangement comprises a pivot pin and a first bush, the first bush having a bore for receiving a first pivot pin part, and the bore being off-centre so that the first bush provides a first said cam profile.

3. A hinge according to claim 2 in which the first bush fits in a bore in the first hinge part, in which the first bush has locking grooves, and in which the bore in the first hinge part has locking grooves,and the hinge being such as to include a first locking member for locking together at least one pair of aligned locking grooves in the first bush and the first hinge part.

4. A hinge according to claim 3 in which the first bush has more locking grooves than the bore in the first hinge part.

5. A hinge according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the first bush has rotation means for rotating the first bush.

6. A hinge according to claim 5 in which the rotation means is a slot for a screwdriver.

7. A hinge according to any one of claims 3 to 6 in which the first locking member is a locking cap.

8. A hinge according to claim 7 in which the locking cap has a pair of locking legs for locating in two pairs of the aligned locking grooves.

9. A hinge according to claim 8 in which the locking cap also has a locating leg for locating in a bore in the first bush.

10. A hinge according to any one of claims 2 to 9 and in which the pivot arrangement comprises a second bush, the second bush having a bore for receiving a second pivot pin part, and the bore being off-centre so that the second bush provides a second said cam profile.

11. A hinge according to claim 10 in which the second bush fits in abore in the second hinge part, in which the second bush has locking grooves, and in which the bore in the second hinge part has locking grooves, and the hinge being such as to include a second locking member for locking together at least one pair of aligned locking grooves in the second bush and the second hinge part.

12. A hinge according to claim 11 in which the second bush has more locking grooves than the bore in the second hinge part.

13. A hinge according to claim 11 or claim 12 in which the second bush has rotation means for roating the second bush.

14. A hinge according to claim 13 in which the rotation means in the second bush is a slot for a screw driver.

15. A hinge according to any one of claims 11 to 14 in which the second locking member is a locking cap.

16. A hinge according to claim 15 in which the locking cap forming the second locking member has a pair of locking legs for locating in two pairs of aligned locking grooves.

17. A hinge according to claim 16 in which the locking cap forming the second locking member also has a locating leg for locating in a bore in the second bush.

18. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first hinge part has a post portion, and in which the post portion is provided with apertures for receiving fixing means for fixing the first hinge part to the fixed member.

19. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second hinge part is cranked, and in which the second hinge part is provided with apertures for receiving fixing means for fixing the second hinge part to the opening member.

20. A hinge substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.