AU2014202919B2

AU2014202919B2 - Hinge

Info

Publication number: AU2014202919B2
Application number: AU2014202919A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yi Cheng Hsiung; Heng Liu
Original assignee: GUARDIAN SHANGHAI CORP
Current assignee: GUARDIAN SHANGHAI CORP
Priority date: 2013-05-29
Filing date: 2014-05-29
Publication date: 2018-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-29
Also published as: AU2014202919A1

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a first leaf having a first side and an opposite second side, a second leaf, a pivot pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf, the pivot being offset from the first side of the first leaf, and a bracket selectively mountable to the first side or the second side of the first leaf.

Description

ABSTRACT

2014202919 29 May 2014

HINGE

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a hinge assembly.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Garage doors are commonly used to secure and control access to garages. Some typical garage doors include single panel garage doors, roller garage doors, and sectional garage doors. Single panel doors each include one or more single rigid door panels which swing open about a vertical or horizontal axis. Roller garage doors each include a flexible door panel, typically constructed from corrugated steel, which can be rolled up or down using a manual pulley system or motorised drive system.

[0003] As shown in Figures 1A and IB, a sectional garage door assembly 10 includes a plurality of door panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d pivotally connected to one another via respective hinges 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d. To operate the sectional garage door assembly 10, a motorised door drive system (not shown) is used to slide the door panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d up (and overhead) and down along a pair of guide rails (only one shown) 14. The guide rails 14 are located proximate opposite sides of door panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. The hinges 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d (only one side shown) are located along opposite sides of the door panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and each includes roller mounts for mounting guide rollers 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d for guiding the door panels 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d along each guide rail 14. Due to the angle and orientation of the guide rail 14, the separation distances between each door panel 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and the upright portion 20 of the guide rail 14 are different and must be accommodated by hinges 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d of different sizes and/or types.

[0004] There are two main types of sectional garage doors. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a “tongue and groove” type garage door 100, in which a door panel 102a includes a tongue 104 along one side thereof, and an adjacent door panel 102b defines a recess 106 along one side thereof. When the garage door 100 is closed, the respective sides of the door panels 102a, 102b abut one another and the tongue 104 is received within the recess 106 to form an abutment joint 114 (Figure 2B). Adjacent door panels 102a, 102b of the garage door 100 are mounted to one another via hinges 108 (only one shown). Each hinge 108 includes a pivot 110 which is mounted outside the abutment joint 114 between door panels 102a, 102b. The pivot 110 is offset rearwardly from a rear surface of the door panels 102a, 102b. The hinges 108 mounted along opposite vertical sides of the garage door 100 each further includes a roller mount 112 for

2014202919 29 May 2014 mounting a guide roller thereon. Each guide roller rolls along a guide rail 14 when the garage door 100 is opening or closing.

[0005] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a “pinch free” type sectional garage door 200. “Pinch free” type garage doors 200 are designed to avoid a person’s finger or other foreign objects from being caught between adjacent door panels 202a, 202b. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, a door panel 202a of the garage door 200 includes a relatively large projection 204 along one side thereof, which can be received in a corresponding recess 206 defined along one side of an adjacent door panel 202b. The shapes of the projection 204 and recess 206 prevent a person’s finger or other foreign objects from being caught between the adjacent door panels 202a, 202b.

[0006] To allow the adjacent door panels 202a, 202b to move relative to one another during operation of the garage door 200, hinges 208 (only one shown) connects each door panel 202a to an adjacent door panel 202b to form a joint 214 between the adjacent door panels 202a, 202b. Each hinge 208 includes a pivot 210 which is mounted within a separation between the door panel 202a and its adjacent door panel 202b and thus within the joint 214. The pivot 210 is located adjacent to or just forwardly of the rear surface of the door panels 202a, 202b. The hinges 208 mounted along opposite vertical sides of the garage door 200 each further includes a roller mount 212 for mounting a guide roller (not shown) thereon. Each guide roller rolls along a guide rail 14 when the garage door 200 is opening or closing.

[0007] Accordingly, different types of hinges are required for “tongue and groove” type sectional garage doors and “pinch free” type sectional garage doors. For each type of garage door, different sized hinges are also required for joining door panels at different heights so as to accommodate for the different separation distances.

[0008] The present invention is directed to a hinge assembly, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0009] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0010] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge assembly including

2014202919 29 May 2014 a first leaf having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a second leaf, a pivot pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf, the pivot being offset from the first side of the first leaf, and a bracket selectively mountable to the first side or the second side of the first leaf.

[0011] Advantageously, the orientation and position of the bracket can be changed so as to allow the hinge assembly to be transformed for use with different garage door assemblies. For example, the hinge assembly may be transformable from a hinge assembly suitable for use with “tongue and groove” type garage doors, to a hinge assembly suitable for use with “pinch free” type garage doors.

[0012] The hinge assembly may be configured for mounting adjacent door panels of a garage door assembly. In particular, the first leaf may be configured for mounting to a first door panel of a garage door assembly, the second leaf may be configured for mounting to a second door panel adjacent the first door panel, and the pivot may allow the first door panel to move relative to the second door panel.

[0013] The pivot may be offset from both the first leaf and the second leaf.

[0014] The hinge may be configured for mounting adjacent door panels of a “tongue and groove” type garage door when the bracket is mounted to the first side of the first leaf, and the hinge may be configured for mounting adjacent door panels of a “pinch free” type garage door when the bracket is mounted to a second side of the first leaf.

[0015] The first and second leaves may be any suitable shape or size. For example, the first leaf and/or second leaf may be generally rectangular, square, triangular, circular, or irregular shaped. The pivot may include any suitable configuration for pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf. The pivot may include a flexible joint, a pin or the like. Typically, the pivot includes a pin for connecting the first leaf to the second leaf.

[0016] The first and second leaves may each be attached to a door panel using any suitable means. For example, screws, rivets, pins, adhesive, clips, clamps, nuts and bolts, or the like. Each of the first and second leaves may define one or more openings to facilitate attachment to a door panel.

[0017] The bracket may be any suitable shape or size. The bracket may be configured to receive a guide roller assembly for guiding along guide rails of a garage door assembly. The

2014202919 29 May 2014 bracket may define one or more openings, include one or more recesses and/or projections for receiving the guide roller assembly.

[0018] The bracket may be generally C-shaped or U-shaped. The bracket may include a mounting portion and a pair of arms projecting from the mounting portion. Each arm may define an opening for receiving a portion of the guide roller assembly. The arms may be any suitable shape or size. Each arm may be a plate, rod, cylinder or the like. Typically, each arm is a flange.

[0019] The bracket may be manufactured via any suitable means. For example, the bracket may be moulded, cut or stamped. Preferably, the bracket is manufactured using a die stamping process.

[0020] The die stamping process may include using a single stamping die to manufacture different sized brackets from a single strip of material. The size of the brackets may be varied by varying a distance along the strip of material between consecutive stamps.

[0021] The hinge assembly may further include a sleeve for insertion into one or more openings of the bracket. The sleeve may be configured to receive a guide roller for rolling along a guide rail of the garage door assembly.

[0022] The bracket may be mounted to the first leaf using any suitable means. For example, the bracket may be mounted using nuts and bolts, rivets, screws, pins, adhesive, or the like. The first leaf may include one or more openings, recesses and/or protections for receiving and mounting the bracket.

[0023] The first leaf may be configured to receive brackets of different sizes. The different sized brackets may have arms of different lengths. Each side of the first leaf may include a recess for selectively receiving the mounting portion of the bracket.

[0024] Advantageously, the different sized brackets accommodate the different separation distances between the garage door and the guide rails of a sectional garage door assembly. To that end, a suitably sized bracket can be selected for a hinge assembly at different heights along the garage door. This reduces the cost and time required for manufacturing the hinge assemblies as only the bracket size requires varying.

[0025] The hinge assembly may be manufactured from any suitable material, for example, plastic, metal, composite materials, or any combination thereof. Typically, the first and second leaves and the pivot of the hinge assembly are manufactured from plastic, and the bracket is

2014202919 29 May 2014 manufactured from steel.

[0026] Advantageously, the plastic leaves and pivot minimize the amount of noise produced by the hinge assemblies during operation of the garage door. In addition, manufacturing the bracket from steel provides the bracket with the necessary strength and toughness properties required during operation of the garage door. Therefore, by using a combination of plastic and steel to manufacture the hinge assembly provides the hinge assembly with a desirable combination of properties, including, quiet operation, strength and toughness.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge assembly for a garage door having a plurality of door panels, the hinge assembly including a first leaf having a first face mountable to a first door panel;

a second leaf mountable to a second door panel adjacent the first door panel, a bracket for mounting a garage door guide roller assembly, the bracket being configured for mounting to the first leaf, a pivot for pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf, the pivot being offset from the first face such that the pivot can be located either outside a joint between the first and second door panels when the bracket is mounted to one side of the first leaf, or inside a joint between the first and second door panels when the bracket is mounted to a reverse side of the first leaf.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge assembly for a garage door having a plurality of door panels, the hinge assembly including a first leaf for attachment to a first door panel, a second leaf for attachment to a second door panel adjacent the first door panel, and a pivot for pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf such that the first door panel is movable relative to the second door panel, the hinge assembly being mountable in a first condition so as to allow a separation between the first door panel and the second door panel in a pinch free type garage door, and the hinge assembly being mountable in a second condition so as to allow abutment between the first door panel and the second door panel in a tongue and groove type garage door.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first leaf includes at least one arm extending at an angle to the first leaf, the at least one arm of the first leaf having an opening, and the second leaf includes at least one arm extending at an angle to the second leaf, the at least one arm of the second leaf having an opening, the opening of the at least one arm of the first leaf being placed in alignment

2014202919 29 May 2014 with the opening of the at least one arm of the second leaf, the pivot passing through the the opening of the at least one arm of the first leaf and the opening of the at least one arm of the second leaf to therby pivotally connect the first leaf and the second leaf.

[0030] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge assembly being configured for attaching adjacent door panels of a tongue and groove type garage door and a pinch free type garage door.

[0031] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0032] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0033] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0034] Figure 1A is a side view of a sectional garage door assembly when the garage door is in a closed position.

[0035] Figure IB is a side view of the sectional garage door assembly of Figure 1A when the garage door is in a half open position.

[0036] Figure 2A is a side view a hinge assembly mounted to adjacent door panels of a “tongue and groove” type garage door when the adjacent door panels are being moved relative to one another.

[0037] Figure 2B is a side view the hinge assembly of Figure 2A illustrating the adjacent door panels being in abutment with one another.

[0038] Figure 3A is a side view a hinge assembly mounted to adjacent door panels of a “pinch free” type garage door when the adjacent door panels are being moved relative to one another.

2014202919 29 May 2014 [0039] Figure 3B is a side view the hinge assembly of Figure 3A illustrating the adjacent door panels being in abutment with one another.

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a hinge portion of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a bracket selectively mountable to the hinge portion of Figure 4.

[0042] Figure 6A is a perspective view of a hinge assembly including the hinge portion of Figure 4 and the bracket of Figure 5.

[0043] Figure 6B is another perspective view of the hinge assembly of Figure 6A.

[0044] Figure 7 is a side view of the hinge assembly of Figures 6A and 6B mounted to adajcent door panels of a “tongue and groove” type garage door.

[0045] Figure 8 is a side view of the hinge assembly of Figures 6A and 6B mounted to adajcent door panels of a “pinch free” type garage door.

[0046] Figure 9 is a top section view of a die used to manufacture the bracket of Figure 5 in a die stamping process.

[0047] Figure 10 illustrates top views of two brackets having different sizes which can be manufactured by the stamp die of Figure 9.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0048] A hinge assembly 300 for a sectional garage door assembly 10 as shown in Figures 1A and IB will now be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6A and 6B.

[0049] The hinge assembly 300 includes a hinge portion 302 illustrated in Figure 4. The hinge portion 302 includes a first leaf 304 having a first side 306a and a second side 306b (see Figure 6A) opposite the first side 306a. The hinge portion 302 further includes a second leaf 308, and a pivot 310 pivotally connecting the first leaf 304 to the second leaf 308. The pivot 210 is offset from the first side 306a and the second side 306b of the first leaf 304. As will be understood, the pivot 210 is offset from the first side 306a to a greater extent than its offset from the second side 306b. The pivot 310 is in the form of a pin.

[0050] The hinge assembly 300 further includes a bracket 312 as shown in Figure 5. The

2014202919 29 May 2014 bracket 312 can be selectively mounted to the first side 306a or the second side 306b of the first leaf 304. The bracket 312 is generally C-shaped or U shaped and includes a mounting portion 314 for mounting to the first leaf 304 of the hinge portion 302. The bracket 312 also includes a pair of flanges 316a, 316b extending from the mounting portion 314. Each flange 316a, 316b defines an opening 318a, 318b for receiving a guide roller assembly 18 of the garage door assembly 10 as illustrated in Figure 1A and IB.

[0051] Referring back to Figure 4, the first leaf 304 of the hinge portion 302 includes a recess 320a on its first side 306a. A corresponding recess 320b is also defined on the second side 306b of the first leaf 304 (see Figure 6A). When mounting the bracket 312 to the hinge portion 302, the mounting portion 314 of the bracket 312 is received by the recess 320a of the first side 306a when the bracket 312 is mounted to the first side 306a of the hinge portion 302, or the recess 320b on the second side 306b when the bracket 312 is mounted to the second side 306b of the hinge portion 302.

[0052] As illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, the bracket 312 is mounted to a first side 306a of the first leaf 304 of the hinge portion 302. As more clearly shown in Figure 6B, the mounting portion 314 is received by the recess 320a on the first side 306a of the first leaf 304. Whilst not specifically shown, it is understood that the bracket 312 can be mounted to the hinge portion 302 by any suitable faster, for example, nuts and bolts, screws, pins, adhesive. The bracket 312 can also be held in place by the recess 320a without separate fasteners when the hinge portion 302 is mounted to the garage door panels 12.

[0053] The method of using the hinge assembly 300 will now be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0054] Figure 7 illustrates a method of mounting the hinge assembly 300 to adjacent door panels 102a, 102b of a “tongue and groove” type garage door assembly. To this end, the bracket 312 is mounted to the first side 306a of the first leaf 304. The first leaf 304 is then mounted to a door panel 102a of the “tongue and groove” type garage door assembly. The second leaf 308 of the hinge assembly 300 is then mounted to a door panel 102b adjacent the door panel 102a. In the assembly shown in figure 7, the mounting portion 314 of the bracket 310 is positioned between the door panel 102a and the first leaf 304.

[0055] As shown in Figure 7, the first and second leaves 304, 308 are mounted such that the pivot 310 is aligned with and outside an abutment joint 114 between the inner side edges of the respective door panels 102a, 102b. Due to the configuration of the joints 114 of adjacent door

2014202919 29 May 2014 panels of a “tongue and groove” type garage door assembly, the pivot 310 must be mounted outside the abutment joint 114 to allow proper movement of the adjacent door panels 102a, 102b during operation of the garage door.

[0056] Figure 8 illustrates a method of mounting the hinge assembly 300 to adjacent door panels 202a, 202b of a “pinch free” type garage door assembly. To this end, the bracket 312 is mounted to the second side 306b of the first leaf 304. The first leaf 304 is then mounted to a door panel 202a of the “pinch free” type garage door assembly. The second leaf 308 of the hinge assembly 300 is then mounted to a door panel 202b adjacent the door panel 202a. In the assembly shown in figure 8, the mounting portion 314 of the bracket 310 is positioned between the door panel 202a and the first leaf 304. However, the first leaf 304 is rotated by 180° compared to the first leaf shown attached to the garage door in figure 7.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the first and second leaves 304, 308 are mounted such that the pivot 310 is inserted into a separation area between inner side edges 216a, 216b of the respective door panels 202a, 202b, thereby being located within a joint portion 214 between side edges of the respective door panels 202a, 202b. The separation between inner side edges 216a, 216b of the respective door panels 202a, 202b allow the adjacent door panels 202a, 202b to properly move relative to one another during operation of the garage door.

[0058] By mounting the bracket 312 on an opposite side of the first leaf 304 and flipping over the hinge portion 302, the hinge assembly 300 can be transformed to be usable for either a “tongue and groove” type sectional garage door or a “pinch free” type sectional garage door. This overcomes the problem for garage door installers having to stock many different types of hinge assemblies for installation with different types of sectional garage doors.

[0059] Now referring to both Figures 7 and 8, once the hinge assembly 300 is properly attached to the adjacent door panels 102a, 102b or 202a, 202b, the guide roller assemblies 18 can be fitted within the bracket 312 so that the movement of the door panels 102a, 102b or 202a, 202b are guided by the guide roller rolling along a corresponding guide rail 14 during operation of the garage door assembly.

[0060] The hinge assemblies 300 fitted at different heights along the garage door assembly 10 will have different sized brackets 312. In particular, the hinge assemblies 300 installed at an upper portion of the garage door assembly 10 will have brackets 312 with longer flanges 316a, 316b than those installed at a lower portion of the garage door assembly 10 to compensate for the different separation distances between the door panels 12 and the guide rail 14 as illustrated in

2014202919 29 May 2014

Figure 1A.

[0061] To manufacture the different sized brackets, a single die can be used to cut the brackets into shape during a die stamping process.

[0062] Figure 9 illustrates a top sectional view of a die 400. The die 400 is used to cut a strip of steel 402 into a number of brackets 312 in a die stamping process. The die 400 includes a first set of cutting edges 404a on one side of the die 400, and a second set of cutting edges 404b on a second side of the die 400 opposite the first side 404a.

[0063] During the die stamping process, the strip of steel 402 is situated below the die 400 so that a downward action (i.e. a first stamping action) of the die 400 cuts the strip of steel 402 along the cutting edges 404a, 404b. The strip of steel 402 is then moved past the die 400 for a predetermined distance before the die 400 is moved downwardly again (i.e. a second stamping action) to cut another portion of the steel strip 402. The cut made by the second set of cutting edges 404b in the first stamping action and the cut made by the first set of cutting edges 404a in the second stamping action forms the shape of a bracket 312. The process is then repeated with the steel strip 402 continuing to move past the die 400 at predetermined distances until a desired number of brackets 312 are produced. The brackets 312 are then bent into shape for mounting to a hinge portion 302 to form a hinge assembly 300.

[0064] To adjust the size of the brackets 312, the distance for which the strip of steel is moved past the die 400 can be increased or decreased between consecutive stamping actions to increase or decrease the bracket sizes accordingly.

[0065] As shown in Figure 10, to produce a bracket 312’ of a specific size, the strip of steel 402 is moved a distance di past the die 400 between consecutive stamping actions. To produce a bracket 312” of a larger size, the strip of steel 402 is moved a distance d₂ past the die 400 between consecutive stamping actions, in which d₂ is greater than di.

[0066] When bending the brackets 312’, 312” into shape, the size of the corresponding mounting portions 314’, 314” are kept the same so that the length of the arms 316a’, 316b’ are shorter than the length of arms 316a”, 316b”.

[0067] Brackets 312 of any suitable size can thereby be conveniently and cost effectively manufactured in the simple die stamping process described above using a single stamp die 400. In this manner, the same type and sized hinge portions 300 can be manufactured and matched with a bracket 312 of any suitable size for installation in any sectional garage door assembly.

2014202919 29 May 2014

This overcomes the problem of having to manufacture different sized or types of hinges for installation in a single garage door assembly to accommodate for the different separation distances between the garage door panels and the guide rails.

[0068] Moreover, conventional metal hinges can be quite noisy during operation. To minimise noise produced by the hinge assembly 300 during operation of the sectional garage door, in some embodiments, the hinge portion 302 including the pivot 310, is manufactured from plastic. Making the hinge portion 302 from plastic also alleviates problems due to rust and corrosion of conventional metal hinges. The bracket 312 would be manufactured from steel to ensure that the bracket 312 has sufficient strength and toughness to bear the load of the door panels during operation of the garage door. Making the hinge assembly 300 from both plastic and steel in this manner advantageously allows the hinge assembly 300 to possess the desirable combination of qualities of quiet operation, strength and durability.

[0069] The hinge assembly 300 is thereby versatile in that it can be used with either a “tongue and groove” type sectional garage door or a “pinch free” type sectional garage door. The size of the bracket 312 can be conveniently changed to allow the hinge assembly 300 to be used at different heights of the garage door. The different sized brackets 312 can be cheaply and conveniently manufactured using a single die in a die stamping process. The combination of metal and plastic in the hinge assembly 300 provide the hinge assembly with the desirable qualities of quiet operation, strength and durability.

[0070] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0071] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0072] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

2014202919 29 May 2014

2014202919 16 Oct 2018

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A hinge assembly for a garage door having a plurality of door panels, the hinge assembly including a first leaf having a first face mountable to a first door panel, the first leaf having a recessed region on the first face, the first hinge leaf having a second face, the first leaf having a recessed region on the second face;

a second leaf mountable to a second door panel adjacent the first door panel, a bracket for mounting a garage door guide roller assembly, the bracket having a mounting region, the mounting region adapted to fit within one of the recessed regions of the first leaf such that when the bracket and the first leaf are mounted to a first door panel, the first face or the second face of the first leaf and the mounting region of the bracket lie flush with the first door panel, a pivot for pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf, the pivot being offset from the first face such that the pivot can be located either outside a joint between the first and second door panels when the bracket is mounted to one side of the first leaf, or inside a joint between the first and second door panels when the bracket is mounted to a reverse side of the first leaf.
2. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivot is offset from both the first leaf and the second leaf.
3. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the bracket is configured to receive a guide roller assembly for guiding along guide rails of a garage door assembly.
4. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the bracket defines one or more openings, or includes one or more recesses and/or projections for receiving the guide roller assembly.
5. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the bracket includes a mounting portion and a pair of arms projecting from the mounting portion, each arm having an opening for receiving a portion of the guide roller assembly.
6. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a sleeve for insertion into one or more openings of the bracket, the sleeve being configured to

2014202919 16 Oct 2018 receive a guide roller for rolling along a guide rail of the garage door assembly.
7. A hinge assembly for a garage door having a plurality of door panels, the hinge assembly including a first leaf for attachment to a first door panel, a second leaf for attachment to a second door panel adjacent the first door panel, and a pivot for pivotally connecting the first leaf to the second leaf such that the first door panel is movable relative to the second door panel, the hinge assembly being mountable in a first condition so as to allow a separation between the first door panel and the second door panel in a pinch free type garage door, and the hinge assembly being mountable in a second condition so as to allow abutment between the first door panel and the second door panel in a tongue and groove type garage door.
8. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first leaf includes at least one arm extending at an angle to the first leaf, the at least one arm of the first leaf having an opening, and the second leaf includes at least one arm extending at an angle to the second leaf, the at least one arm of the second leaf having an opening, the opening of the at least one arm of the first leaf being placed in alignment with the opening of the at least one arm of the second leaf, the pivot passing through the opening of the at least one arm of the first leaf and the opening of the at least one arm of the second leaf to thereby pivotally connect the first leaf and the second leaf.
9. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pivot comprises a pivot pin.
10. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the mounting portion of the bracket lies between one of the recessed regions of the first leaf and the first door panel when the hinge assembly is mounted to a garage door.
11. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge assembly is mountable in a first condition so as to allow a separation between the first door panel and the second door panel in a pinch free type garage door, and the hinge assembly is mountable in a second condition so as to allow abutment between the

2014202919 16 Oct 2018 first door panel and the second door panel in a tongue and groove type garage door
12. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims configured for attaching adjacent door panels of a tongue and groove type garage door and a pinch free type garage door.

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2014202919 29 May 2014

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2014202919 29 May 2014

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2014202919 29 May 2014

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