AU2012101849A4 - Hinge pin and hinge assembly utilising same - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention provides a hinge pin assembly including a hinge pin device comprising a pin and a retension arm; and a pin receiving member comprising a bore and a hinge member receiving zone located thereon; wherein upon assembly the hinge pin device and the pin receiving member are releasably engagable to retain the pin at least partially within the bore. The retention arm comprises at least one catch for releasably engaging with the pin receiving member and the pin receiving member comprises at least one protrusion for engaging with the at least one catch of the retention arm. 330-- 223 2 3 6 , - Figure 1

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A DIVISIONAL INNOVATION PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: DAVID STUCKEY INVESTMENTS PTY LTD Actual Inventor: David Martin STUCKEY Address for Service: Houlihan 2 , Level 1, 70 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North, Victoria 3104, Australia Invention Title: HINGE PIN AND HINGE ASSEMBLY UTILISING SAME The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to the Applicant: 1 HINGE PIN AND HINGE ASSEMBLY UTILISING SAME The present application is a divisional application from International Patent Application number PCT/AU2012/000159 designating Australia. The entire disclosure of International application PCT/AU2012/000159 is incorporated herein by reference. 5 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an assembly for forming a hinge. Specifically, the present invention relates to a hinge pin and to an assembly therefor for use with a door system to form a hinge axis to allow the door to move about the hinge axis. 10 Background to the Invention There are many types of door hinges. For example, barrel, butt/mortise, continuous, H, concealed and butterfly hinges. Typically, a hinge is made up of two hinge members, one of which is mounted on the door and the other on the frame, and it has a hinge pin, which 15 is slidably receivable by both hinge members. The hinge pin functions as a hinge axis and the door is able to swing about the hinge axis. An enclosure, such as a cabinet, typically includes a door hinged thereto, through which access to the interior is obtained. In certain circumstances, it is necessary to install or 20 remove the door and to do this, a user typically needs to install or remove the hinge pin to remove the door from the frame upon which the door is mounted. The installation or removal of the hinge pin is sometimes not easily achieved and often involves great difficulty, requiring both hands of the user or the hand of at least two people and in addition, sometimes the need for a tool to facilitate installation or removal of the hinge pin. 25 In some circumstances, where the door is for an enclosure housing electrical wiring, such as a fuse box or electrical meter housing and the like, space to access the wiring within is often a problem. It is frequently the case that an electrician wishing to work on the wiring is required to remove the door completely from the housing in order to gain more space in 30 which to work. Hinge pins are generally in the form of a metal rod, one end of which is flared so that the pin does not fall through the opening of the hinge members. On most occasions such a 2 hinge pin requires considerable force and dexterity exerted by a worker to effect its removal from a hinge. Sometimes the hinge pin may have rusted or simply because of the weight of the door hanging on the hinge this can cause sufficient frictional engagement to prevent the easy removal of the hinge pin from the hinge. When the stubborn pin is 5 removed, it can slip from the worker's grasp, drop and be lost. Therefore, when the pin is removed, the worker has to ensure that it is safely secured, so that when it is required again, it has not been misplaced. Others have sought to devise hinge pins and assemblies using the same that are simple to 10 use. One type of hinge pin is that described in European Patent No. 0359857. This hinge pin has a locking mechanism formed on one end of the hinge pin to engage a hinge bore thereby preventing its removal. While this type of hinge pin is readily insertable into the hinge bore, it can be very difficult to remove, as the worker has to use both his hands, or at least the hands of two workers to hold and support the door to prevent it from falling, 15 when the pin is ultimately removed, while at the same time trying to disengage the locking mechanism from the hinge bore and remove the hinge pin. This can pose logistical problems and additional financial burdens for a company that has contracted to do the work. 20 Another type of hinge pin is that described in United States Patent Application No. 2008/0295285. This type of hinge pin has a clip running along the length of the hinge pin. When the hinge pin is inserted into a hinge bore, the clip releasably engages an outside slot located adjacent to the bore to thereby restrict its release. To remove the pin from the bore, the user needs to push the pin outwardly and then upwardly, which operation can be 25 achieved with one hand, with the other hand supporting the door. This type of hinge pin is an improvement over the hinge pin described in EP0359857 in that the hinge pin is both insertable and removable single-handedly. However, in both of these earlier devices, the hinge pin is only retained in position in the 30 bore while the door is connected to the frame. Further, once the hinge pin is removed from the bore, the hinge pin needs to be stored nearby or held in the hand of the user for reinsertion and mounting of the door. On many occasions, the pin is lost and a replacement pin has to be found in order for the door to be reinstalled. 3 Accordingly, there is a need for an improved a hinge pin assembly, including one that facilitates easy installation and/or removal of a door, where the hinge pin remains in contact with one of the hinge members when the door is removed from the frame. The 5 present invention seeks to overcome or at least ameliorate some of the problems associated with the prior art. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a hinge pin device comprising a pin 10 and a retention arm, both extending from the device, wherein the retention arm is aligned substantially parallel to and spatially apart from pin. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hinge pin assembly comprising a hinge pin device comprising a pin and a retention arm; and a pin 15 receiving member comprising a bore and a hinge member receiving zone located thereon, wherein upon assembly, the hinge pin device and the pin receiving member are releasably engageable to retain the pin at least partially within the bore. The retention arm comprises at least one catch for releasably engaging with the pin receiving member. Further, the pin receiving member comprises at least one protrusion for engaging with the at least one 20 catch of the retention arm. The retention arm is located either on the hinge pin device or on the pin receiving member, wherein the retention arm correspondingly co-acts with either the pin receiving member or the hinge pin device. In either configuration, the retention arm is preferably aligned 25 substantially parallel to and spatially apart from the pin. In the most preferred form, the pin is of a shorter length relative to the retention arm. In an alternative embodiment, the retention arm comprises at least one protrusion and the pin receiving member comprises a complementarily shaped and positioned indentation for 30 ensuring that the pin is at least partially and releasably retained within the bore during use. The retention arm further more preferably comprises a terminal stop means for cooperating with the pin receiving member. The stop means in a preferred form is of a general hook 4 shaped configuration, wherein the stop means is a terminal hook member. Preferably, the retention arm is substantially planar and a side edge of the retention arm is angled substantially towards the pin. 5 In one preferred form, the retention arm comprises one catch and a terminal hook member and the pin receiving member comprises one complementarily shaped and positioned protrusion, wherein the assembly can be moved between a first and a second engagement state. The retention arm further more preferably comprises a second catch suitably positioned thereon to cooperate with the protrusion on the pin receiving member. 10 In use, when the terminal hook member contacts the pin receiving member, the pin is substantially removed from hinge member receiving zone. The pin may take the form of any suitable shape, whereby it is accommodated within the bore. Preferably, the pin is a substantially cylindrical rod and the bore is preferably comprised of spaced apart and 15 aligned substantially cylindrical passageways to receive the pin therethrough. It is the ability of the pin to be substantially removed from the hinge member receiving zone to allow insertion of a door hinge member therein, with the pin remaining partially and releasably retained within the bore, that defines the advantage of the present invention 20 over the prior art. This is preferably achieved by virtue of the cooperation between the retention arm and the pin receiving member to provide a first and a second engaged state. In the first engaged state, the hook member contacts the pin receiving member and the first catch of the retention arm simultaneously engages with a protrusion on the pin receiving 25 member, whereby the pin is removed from the hinge member receiving zone. In this first state, a door hinge member can be inserted into the hinge member receiving zone. When a door hinge member is received into the hinge member receiving zone, an integrated bore is formed, comprising both the bore passing through the door hinge member and the bore of the pin receiving member. The pin is then passed through the integrated bore and the 30 assembly is moved from the first engaged state into the second engaged state, wherein the second catch of the retention arm is brought into positive engagement with a second protrusion on the pin receiving member. Once the pin is fully inserted into the integrated 5 bore, the door is installed. This feature allows for ready installation and removal of the door hinge member into or from the hinge assembly and hence of the door itself. The retention arm more preferably comprises at least one catch and a terminal stop means. 5 The stop means in a preferred form is of a generally hook-shaped configuration, wherein the stop means is a terminal hook member. Preferably, the retention arm is substantially planar and a side edge of the retention arm is angled substantially towards the pin. In a further preferred form, the retention arm comprises a second catch suitably positioned thereon. Preferably, the terminal hook member assists in releasably retaining the hinge pin 10 device in engagement with the pin receiving member when the hinge pin assembly is in the second engaged state. The pin device can cooperate with an existing pin receiving member, having a hinge member receiving zone located therein to form an assembly, whereby a door can be readily 15 installed or removed while the pin is releasably and partially retained in the bore of the pin receiving member. In this way, the hinge pin device of the present invention is useful in a retrofitting situation, where the pin has been misplaced or lost. In alternative embodiments, where the retention arm is located on the pin receiving 20 member, the retention arm preferably comprises at least one catch for releasably engaging with the pin device. Further, the pin device preferably comprises at least one complementarily shaped and positioned protrusion for engaging with the at least one catch of the retention arm. In an alternative embodiment, the retention arm comprises at least one protrusion and the pin device comprises a complementarily shaped and positioned 25 indentation for ensuring that the pin is at least partially and releasably retained within the bore during use. An advantage offered by the present invention is that throughout the installation or removal process of the door from its frame, the pin remains substantially in contact with 30 the pin receiving member and therefore cannot be lost. Described herein are embodiments of the present invention wherein a retention arm attached to a first component, such as a pin receiving member, cooperates with a second 6 component, such as a pin device, to allow the pin of the pin device to be partially withdrawn from the bore of the pin receiving member while remaining in close proximity thereto. The person skilled in the art will recognise that alternative arrangements for the retention arm and corresponding engagement portions are possible. For example, the 5 retention arm may be slidably receivable within a suitably arranged slot in the pin device. Yet further, there may be more than one retention arm/s attached to both components, whereby the retention arms comprise suitable mating surfaces that allow the two components to be slid relative to each other in a manner similar to that described herein. 10 Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 shows isometric views of an embodiment of a hinge pin assembly, according to the present invention, in a first engaged state (A) and a second engaged state (B). Figure 2 shows several views of an embodiment of a hinge pin device, according to the 15 present invention, in a top perspective view (A), a bottom perspective view (B) and an end-on view (C). Figure 3 shows isometric views of an embodiment of a pin receiving member, according to the present invention, in a first orientation (A) and a second orientation (B). 20 Figure 4 shows isometric views of an embodiment of a hinge member useful for the present invention, in a first orientation (A) and a second orientation (B). Figures 5 and 6 shows several views of the hinge pin device shown in Figure 2, the pin 25 receiving member shown in Figure 3 and the hinge member shown in Figure 4 are assembled to form the hinge pin assembly of the invention. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments of the Invention Referring to all the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or 30 corresponding parts throughout the several views, the following description refers to the specific, illustrated embodiments of the present invention and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific illustrated embodiment. 7 According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hinge pin device 200 comprising a pin 210 and a retention arm 220 extending from base 230 of said pin device 200. Pin 210 and retention arm 220 are aligned substantially parallel to and spatially apart from each other. 5 According to another preferred embodiment, there is provided a hinge pin assembly 100 including a hinge pin device 200 comprising a pin 210 and a retention arm 220 extending from base 230 of said pin device 200, wherein pin 210 and retention arm 220 are aligned substantially parallel to and spatially apart from each other; and a pin receiving member 10 300 comprising a bore 310 and a hinge member receiving zone 320 located on receiving member 300 wherein, when assembled, retention arm 220 engages with pin receiving member 300 to releasably retain pin 210 at least partially within the bore 310. As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the hinge pin assembly 100 is formed when a hinge 15 member 400 is received into hinge member receiving zone 320, whereby an integrated bore 310,410 is formed into which pin 210 is fully receivable. Once assembled, a door installed using the hinge pin assembly 100 is able to pivot about the pin 210 acting as a hinge axis. 20 Retention arm 220 preferably includes two catches, a proximal catch 221 and a distal catch 222, relative to the pin device base 230, positioned along the length of the retention arm 220 and a terminal hook member 223 at a free end of the retention arm 220, distal to the pin device base 230. Catches 221,222 are in the form of grooves running across the breadth of the retention arm 220. Catches 221,222 may act as a register of the arm's 25 position relative to the pin receiving member 300 or may act in conjunction with the terminal hook member 223 as a register of the arm's position relative to the pin receiving member 300. The catches 221,222 and terminal hook member 223 co-act to positively engage with pin receiving member 300 to substantially prevent accidental removal of pin 210 from pin receiving member 300. 30 Pin 210 is substantially cylindrical. The shape of the pin 210 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and may take the form of any suitable shape. As illustrated in Figure 2, the pin 210 is shorter relative to retention arm 220. When terminal hook member 223 contacts 8 the pin receiving member 300, pin 210 is substantially removed from the hinge member receiving zone 320. In this state, pin 210 is partially removed from the bore 310 and allows for insertion of a hinge member 400 within the hinge member receiving zone 320 of the pin receiving member 300. 5 The base 230, from which the pin 210 and retention arm 220 extend, is preferably of a substantially open box-shaped configuration, comprising four side walls 231,232,233,234 and a top wall 235. In the illustrated embodiment, pin 210 and retention arm 220 extend from one of the side walls 234. Opposing side walls 231,233 are separated from top wall 10 235 by at least one opening 236 which permit side walls 231,233 to be squeezed together, which movement in turn causes simultaneous separation of retention arm 220 away from the pin 210. This separation enables hinge pin 200 to slidably move the hinge pin assembly 100 between a first engaged state and a second engaged state (see Figures 1A and IB, respectively). 15 As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment (Figure 1A), as the terminal hook member 223 contacts the pin receiving member 300 on limb 330 thereof, distal catch 222 cooperates with protrusion 350. This first engaged state allows the pin 210 to be partially retained within the bore 310 while leaving the hinge member receiving zone 320 20 substantially clear to allow hinge member 400 to be received therein. When the assembly is in the first engaged state, the hinge member 400 can be removed from the hinge member receiving zone 320, hence removing the door from its frame. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the pin receiving member 300 includes a bore 310 25 and a hinge member receiving zone 320 wherein the hinge member receiving zone 320 is located between two limbs 330. The limbs 330 each comprise a corresponding bore 310 into which the pin 210 is inserted. In this illustrated embodiment, the hinge member bore 410 of the hinge member 400 aligns with the corresponding bore 310 of the pin receiving member 300 to form an integrated bore 310,410. The integrated bore 310,410 30 accommodates the pin 210 of the hinge pin 200. During installation of the door, hinge member 400 comprising a bore 410 is located within the hinge member receiving zone 320 and the pin 210 is passed through integrated bore, 9 comprising both bores 310 and 410. In this second engaged state (Figure 5C), when pin 210 is fully located within the integrated bore 310,410, proximal catch 221 releasably and positively engages protrusion 350 and pin device base 230 abuts base 320 of pin receiving member 300. This second engaged state ensures that the door is held securely in position 5 by the pin 210. Once the pin 210 is fully inserted into the integrated bore 310,410, the door 700 is installed. This feature allows for ready single-handed installation and removal of the door hinge member 400 into or from the hinge assembly 100 and hence of the door 700 itself. 10 As shown in Figures 2A-C, retention arm 220 is substantially planar and extends from one of the side walls 234 of the pin device base 230. The retention arm 220 is angled towards the pin 210, rather than being aligned parallel to side walls 231,233. This preferred orientation is better shown in the end-on view shown in Figure 2C. This preferred orientation of the retention arm 220 assists in in the movement of the hinge pin assembly 15 100 between the first and second engaged states. To assist with the sliding action of the pin base 230, side walls 231,233 are initially grasped and compressed together. Compression of the side walls 231,233 forces them to contract towards each other, which in turn, moves the retention arm 220 away from the pin 20 receiving member 300. Compression of the side walls 231,233 also moves terminal hook member 223 out of contact with the pin receiving member 300. The top wall 235 of the pin base 230 preferably further comprises an aperture 237. Aperture 237 is most preferably adapted to allow a tool, such as a screw driver, to be 25 inserted therein for leverage to assist slidable movement of the hinge pin assembly 100 between the first and second engaged states. Most preferably, the top wall 235 further incorporates visual indicators 238 to assist the user in this determination. Preferably, in use, the top wall 235 is partially visible so that only one of the visual indicators 238 can be seen by the user, when the pin assembly 100 is in either the first or second engaged states. 30 Hinge pin 200 can also be placed behind a return 630 of a frame (also known as a concealed hinge), having a suitably sized window 620, such that window 620 allows only one of the visual indicators 238 to be seen by the user, such as is illustrated in Figure 6. 10 Advantageously, by allowing only one of the visual indicators 238 to be seen at a time through window 620, the user can immediately identify the relative engagement state of the hinge pin assembly 100 without having to look at the position of the pin 210 relative to the pin receiving member 300. 5 As shown in Figures 5 and 6, in use, the pin receiving member 300 is nested within a complementarily shaped space 500,600 in a door frame 510,610. In an alternative arrangement, the pin receiving member 300 is nested within a complementarily shaped space at the edge of the door 700 (not shown in figures). The pin receiving member 300 is 10 preferably nested in the former, and if possible, frictionally held, adhered, welded or screwed to the frame or door 700. In a preferred form, the base 330 of the pin receiving member 300 has a cut-out portion 360, which runs parallel with the surface of the frame or door. The cut-out portion 360 allows an edge of the frame or door 700 to be wedged into it to further assist pin receiving member 300 to be securely nested and appropriately 15 positioned. Hinge pin device 200 and pin receiving member 300, may be made of any suitable material, for example, plastic, and can be manufactured by an injection moulding process. In cases where one or more of the components are made of metal, the component(s) can be 20 manufactured by suitable materials and processes including, but not limited to, moulding, welding, bending and stamping. The hinge pin assembly 100 described herein may be installed on any door, which may include a door and a frame, to form a hinge to allow movement of the door between an 25 open condition and a closed condition. The hinge pin assembly 100, once assembled, allows a certain maximum opening angle for the door relative to the door frame to be produced. The maximum opening angle is preferably 180 degrees. If a greater opening angle is desired, the shape and dimensions of 30 the hinge member 400 and/or the space of the hinge member receiving zone 320 can be modified in such a way that a door opening angle of greater than 180 degrees is achieved and preferably 270 degrees. For these opening angles to be achieved, the angle of rotation of the pivoting axis is increased. As an example, the location of the hinge axis could be 11 positioned away from the inner surface of the door or supporting frame; or the depth of clearance space for the rotating hinge member 400 could be adjusted. Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this 5 specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, component or group thereof. Further, any prior art reference or statement provided in the specification is not to be taken as an admission that such art constitutes, or is to be understood as constituting, part of the 10 common general knowledge. 12

Claims (5)

1. A hinge pin assembly comprising a hinge pin device comprising a pin and a retention arm; and a pin receiving member comprising a bore and a hinge member receiving zone located thereon, wherein upon assembly the hinge pin device and 5 the pin receiving member are releasably engageable to retain the pin at least partially within the bore, wherein the retention arm comprises at least one catch for releasably engaging with the pin receiving member; and wherein the pin receiving member comprises at least one protrusion for engaging with the at least one catch of the retention arm. 10

2. The hinge pin assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retention arm is located either on the hinge pin device or on the pin receiving member, wherein the retention arm correspondingly co-acts with either the pin receiving member or the hinge pin device and wherein the retention arm is aligned substantially parallel to 15 and spatially apart from the pin.

3. The hinge pin assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retention arm comprises two catches and the at least one protrusion of the pin receiving member is complementarily shaped to each of the catches of the retention arm to achieve a 20 first and a second engaged state.

4. The hinge pin assembly according to claim 3, wherein the retention arm further comprises a terminal hook member to releasably retain the hinge pin device in engagement with the pin receiving member when the hinge pin assembly is in the 25 second engaged state.

5. The hinge pin assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a door hinge member comprising a bore is received into the hinge member receiving zone. 30 13