AU2017204668B2

AU2017204668B2 - An offsetable retainer

Info

Publication number: AU2017204668B2
Application number: AU2017204668A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew KEEN
Original assignee: Aluminium Industries Investments Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aluminium Industries Investments Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-08
Filing date: 2017-07-07
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-07
Also published as: AU2017204668A1

Abstract

A retainer (10) for retaining a substantially planar object (300) for hinged relationship with a frame (200), the retainer (10) including a body including a clamping means for securing a substantially planar object, and at least two position guides, wherein the position guides allow the retainer to be placed in a hinged relationship with a frame in at least two corresponding different positions, the at least two positions offset from each other with respect to a notional plane of the frame. FIG. 1 1/5 too 000 /\ Soo 700 Figure 1

Description

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Figure 1

AN OFFSETABLE RETAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an offsetable retainer. The invention may be useful for a

retainer in a hinge or a hinge assembly used for hinging planar or substantially planar objects, such

as doors, screens and windows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Presently, clamps or other types of retainer may be used to secure doors, windows,

screens and other planar or substantially planar objects in a hinge or hinge assembly. Sometimes

the doors or screens comprise a sheet of glass, and are used in a shower cubicle where the hinges or

hinge assemblies allow the doors or screens to swing open and closed.

[0003] Such clamps or retainers sometimes comprise a body with a slot formed therein, and the

glass sheet or other planar object forming the door or screen is placed into the slot and secured

therein. The hinges or hinge assemblies may also include a hinge mount which is adapted to

connect with, for example, a frame in a shower cubicle. The hinge mount may be adapted to sit in a

slot in the fame, clamp to a rail or otherwise connect with the frame and the retainer is adapted to

rotate with respect to the hinge mount, such that the substantially planar object is able to swing

open and close. Alternatively, the retainer may be adapted to be in hinged connection directly with

a frame, without the need for a hinge mount.

[0004] Often these hinges or hinge assemblies are adapted to be mounted top and bottom of a

planar object, such as a door, screen or window, and towards one or other side of the planar object

so as to allow the object to swing open and closed.

[0005] Some hinges or hinge assemblies, for example, as used in shower cubicle doors, include a

biasing means which operates to bias the door to being closed (or notionally closed). Sometimes the biasing means operate when the door is near to being closed (or notionally closed), so as to cause

the door to automatically swing closed (or notionally closed).

[0006] In some circumstances it may be necessary or desirable to offset the substantially planar

object from, for example, a frame, the offset being in a plane parallel with the plane of the frame.

However, it may be necessary or desirable to offset the substantially planar object while retaining

the function of the frame for mounting the retainer in the hinge or hinge assembly. This may be difficult or impossible with many retainers or clamps in hinges or hinge assemblies, as they are not adapted to account for such an offset, and cannot connect with the frame (or with the hinge mount) if the planar object is in the offset position. Offsetting may be more difficult to achieve in hinges or hinge assemblies including a biasing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention provides a retainer for retaining a substantially planar

object for hinged relationship with a frame, the retainer including a body including a clamping

means for securing a substantially planar object, and at least two position guides, wherein the

position guides allow the retainer to be placed in a hinged relationship with a frame in at least two

corresponding different positions, the at least two positions offset from each other with respect to a

notional plane of the frame.

[0008] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for selecting or adjusting the

position of a retainer with respect to a frame, the retainer for retaining a substantially planar object

for hinged relationship with the frame, the retainer including a body including a clamping means for

securing a substantially planar object, and at least two position guides, wherein the position guides

allow the retainer to be placed in a hinged relationship with a frame in at least two corresponding

different positions, the at least two positions offset from each other with respect to a notional plane

of the frame, the method including selecting or adjusting the position of the retainer to in

accordance with one of the at least two position guides.

SUMMARY OF SOME OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the position guides are channels each adapted to cooperate

with a corresponding projection from the frame. It will be understood that, in use, only one position

guide in a retainer is in operation with the corresponding projection from the frame.

[0010] In one or more other embodiments, the position guides are projections each adapted to

cooperate with a corresponding channel in the frame. It will be understood that, in use, only one

position guide in a retainer is in operation with the corresponding channel in the frame.

[0011] In one or more yet other embodiments, the hinged relationship with the frame includes a

hinged connection to the frame. In some such embodiments, the frame includes either the

projection or the channel with which the respective corresponding channels or projections of the

position guides cooperate.

[0012] In one or more further embodiments, the hinged relationship includes a hinge mount

connected to the frame. In some such embodiments, the hinge mount includes either the projection

or the channel with which the respective corresponding channels or projections of the position

guides cooperate. In some other such embodiments, the hinge mount is configured to snugly fit in a

channel in the frame so as to be firmly retained therein. In embodiments, the retainer and hinge

mount comprise a hinge assembly.

[0013] In one or more other embodiments, the retainer further includes a fastener component to

restrain the substantially planar object from movement with respect to the body. In such

embodiments, the fastener component operates to prevent the planar or substantially planar object

from lateral and/or up and down movement with respect to the slot.

[0014] In some embodiments, the fastener component includes a threaded means. In

embodiments, the threaded means includes a bolt with a corresponding nut. In further

embodiments, the fastener component is a nut and bolt arrangement, wherein, in use, the bolt is

through both sides of the slot and through a hole in the substantially planar object. In some other

embodiments, the fastener component is located centrally of two grub screws with a longitudinal

axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the grub screws.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the retainer comprises a component in a hinge assembly. In

some embodiments, the substantially planar object is any one of a door or a window. In yet other

embodiment, the door is a sheet of glass forming a door or screen of a shower cubicle.

[0016] In one or more optional embodiments, the retainer includes a bias means, or includes a

part of a bias means in a hinge or hinge assembly, the bias means operable to bias the retainer to a

position, wherein the door, window or other planar or substantially planar object is notionally

closed. In some embodiments, the bias means operates to bias the planar or substantially planar object to being notionally closed only when the planar or substantially planar object is near to being

notionally closed. In some embodiments, the bias means includes the channels or ridges of the

position guides operating with the respective corresponding ridge or channel of the frame or the

hinge mount. It will be understood that, in use, the respective shapes of the channel and ridge

cause the retainer, hinge or hinge assembly to rotate to a preferred position where the channel and

ridge are aligned. The preference for the aligned position may be greater when the bias means is

under force from a massive object, such as a glass panel forming a shower screen door.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the hinged relationship of the retainer with the frame

includes a projection and hole arrangement, wherein the hole receives the projection for rotational movement therebetween. In some embodiments, the projection is on the frame or the hinge mount with a corresponding hole in each of the position guides. In one or more such embodiments, the hole of each position guide is in the respective position guide channel. In some other embodiments, the hole of each position guide is located centrally of the channel. In one or more such embodiments, the hole of each position guide is in the respective position guide ridge. In some other embodiments, the hole of each position guide is located centrally of the ridge. Similarly, the projection may be located on the corresponding ridge or channel of the frame or hinge mount, and may be located centrally of the corresponding ridge or channel.

[0018] In one or more other embodiments, the at least two position guides are parallel with each

other. In such embodiments, it will be understood that the substantially planar object is locatable in

two or more positions offset from each other, both parallel with the plane of the frame.

[0019] It will be understood that, in one or more embodiments, the position guides are operable

to allow the retainer to be placed in a hinged relationship with a frame in at least two corresponding

of the frame, thereby allowing the substantially planar object to be located, for example, during

installation, in at least two different positions offset from each other and parallel to the plane of the

frame. In such embodiments, the position guides also function to allow the substantially planar

object to hingedly move with respect to the frame, and to bias the substantially planar object to be

closed. In this regard, the position guides may be configured to serve a number of functions for a

hinge or hinge assembly.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the retainer includes more than two position guides, and the

retainer can be placed in more than two corresponding offset positions, for example, during

installation.

[0021] It will be understood that, though installation of a substantially planar object, such as a

door in a shower screen, is likely to be when a final decision is made about positioning the door, and

thus when the position guide is selected to be used in the retainer, it is nevertheless possible that a

decision could be made to change the installed position of the door at a later time to another offset

position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] At least one embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the

following, non-limiting illustrations representing the at least one embodiment of the present

invention, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shower cubicle door and door frame, including hinge

assemblies, the hinge assemblies each including an offsetable retainer in accordance with an

embodiment of the present invention, the lower-shown offsetable retainer in a first position

depicted in section A;

[0024] Figure 2, similarly to Figure 1, is a perspective view of a shower cubicle door and door

frame, including hinge assemblies, the hinge assemblies each including an offsetable retainer in

accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lower-shown offsetable retainer in a

second position depicted in section A';

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of section A from Figure 1, showing detail of an offsetable

retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a first position;

[0026] Figure 4 is a perspective view of section A' from Figure 2, showing detail of an offsetable

retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a second position;

[0027] Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of an offsetable retainer in accordance with an

embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 is a partial cross-section view from a left side of Figure 1 showing an offsetable

retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a first position; and,

[0029] Figure 7 is a partial cross-section view from a left side of Figure 2 showing an offsetable

retainer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Figure 1 shows an example application of offsetable retainers 10, 20 in accordance with

embodiments of the invention, wherein the retainers are used for retaining a glass door 300 (sheet

glass), being an example substantially planar object, in a frame 200, which forms a screen 100 for a

shower cubicle. There is shown one retainer 20 towards a top right side of the door 300, and

another retainer 10 towards a bottom right side of the door 300. Each retainer is in a respective

hinge assembly, the top retainer 20 in hinge assembly 400, the bottom retainer 10 in hinge assembly

500. The retainers are shown in a nominally first position (more clearly shown in section A), wherein

the door is in alignment with fixed glass panel 900 when closed as indicated at B.

[0031] The hinge assemblies 400, 500 include respective top 600 and bottom 700 hinge mounts

which are located in respective channels in the top (not shown) and bottom 800 of the frame 200.

Each retainer is operable to rotate with respect to its corresponding hinge mount, so that the door

300 is able to swing between being open and closed.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an example application of offsetable retainers 10, 20 in accordance with

embodiments of the invention, wherein the retainers are shown in a nominally second position

(more clearly shown in section A'), wherein the door is in offset from alignment with fixed glass

panel 900 when closed such that the door is outwardly offset parallel to the plane of the frame 200

when closed, and wherein there is an offset gap between the door 300 and fixed glass panel 900 as

indicated at B'.

[0033] Figure 3 is section A from Figure 1 showing the bottom hinge assembly 500 and respective

retainer 10 in greater detail. As mentioned above, the retainer is shown in a nominally first position.

Hinge mount 700 includes a ridge 702 and the retainer 10 includes a first position guide (first

channel 44), such that, when the first channel rests upon and aligns with the ridge, the hinge

assembly 500 (and therefore the door 300) is closed.

[0034] The retainer 10 includes a body 18 and a slot 12 therein. The slot has two sides 14

(towards the rear of Figure 3 on the far side of the glass of the door 300) and 16 (towards the front

of Figure 2 on the near side of the glass of the door 300). The glass door is placed into the slot 12,

for example, during installation. The retainer also includes a fastener component 27, which operates

to substantially prevent the glass door from moving laterally (side-to-side) and to substantially

prevent the glass door from moving upwardly and downwardly with respect to the retainer 10.

[0035] The retainer 10 and/or hinge assembly 500 may also include bias means to move a planar

or substantially planar object to being closed (or a notionally closed). As exemplified in hinge

assembly 500, the bias is provided by the ridge 702 and channel 44 arrangement between the hinge

mount 700 and the retainer 10. When the door 300 is sufficiently towards being closed (or

notionally closed), the shapes of the channel 44 and ridge 702 are configured so as to cause the

hinge assembly 500 and door 300 to rotate around the axis of the rotational means (wherein the

retainer 10 rotates with respect to the hinge mount 700 in the hinge assembly 500), and move

towards being closed (or notionally closed), wherein the channel 44 is resting along and aligned with

the ridge 702. It will be understood that, in use, the respective shapes of the channel and ridge cause the hinge assembly to rotate to a preferred position where the channel and ridge are aligned.

The preference for the aligned position may be greater when the bias means is under force from a

massive object, such as a glass panel forming a shower screen door.

[0036] Figure 4 is section A' from Figure 2 showing the retainer in a nominally second position, wherein the retainer, and consequently, the glass door 300, are offset parallel with respect to the

plane of the door frame 200. Hinge mount 700 includes a ridge 702 and the retainer 10 includes a

second channel 45, such that, when the second channel rests upon and aligns with the ridge, the

hinge assembly 500 is closed (and therefore the door 300 is closed), and the retainer and door are

offset.

[0037] In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the bias is provided by the ridge 702 and channel

arrangement between the hinge mount 700 and the retainer 10, and operates similarly to the

bias means described above in respect of the first channel 44 when the retainer is in the nominally

first position.

[0038] Figure 5 shows the channels 44, 45 (position guides) more clearly. In this embodiment of

the offsetable retainer 10 the first position guide (channel 44) is located aligned with (immediately

below) the slot 12 of the retainer. Accordingly, when a glass panel for the door 300 is placed in the

slot, and the retainer is installed in, for example, a hinge assembly 500 with the first channel 44 on

the ridge 702, the door will sit immediately above (aligned with) the ridge when closed.

[0039] The second position guide (channel 45) is located offset from the slot 12 of the retainer.

Accordingly, if the retainer 10 is installed in the hinge assembly with the second channel 45 on the

ridge 702, the door will sit offset from the ridge when closed.

[0040] The hinge assemblies 400, 500 also include a rotational means between the hinge mounts

600, 700 and the respective retainers 20, 10. The rotational means may include a substantially cylindrical post protruding upwardly from the hinge mount 700 (downwardly from hinge mount

600), the post protruding into one of two corresponding holes or bores 46, 47 at the bottom retainer

(and one of two corresponding holes or bores at the top of retainer 20), the holes or bores 46, 47

being located centrally of the respective channels 44, 45 in retainer 10. In this way, the axis of

rotation of the hinge or hinge assembly is positioned so as to correspond with the position of the

retainer according to the selected positon guide (channel 44, or channel 45).

[0041] If the retainer 10 is installed using channel 44, the post from the hinge mount 700 will

protrude into hole or bore 46, and thus the axis of rotation for the hinge or hinge assembly will be under the door 300. Alternatively, if the retainer is installed using channel 45, the post from the hinge mount 700 will protrude into hole or bore 47, and thus the axis of rotation for the hinge or hinge assembly will be offset from the plane of the door 300. It will be appreciated that this configuration results in the axis of rotation being in the plane of the frame 200, whether the retainers and door are installed using channel 44 or channel 45.

[0042] Figure 5 also shows the retainer may include grub screws 30 and 32, which may assist in

further securing the glass door panel 300 into the slot 12 of the retainer 10.

[0043] Figures 6 and 7 show alternative positioning of the retainer 10 and door 300, with Figure 6

showing the retainer installed using the first channel 44 (nominally the first position), and Figure 7

showing the retainer installed using the second channel 45 (nominally the second position).

[0044] The hinge mount 700 shown in both Figures 6 and 7 includes a post 50, which is

substantially cylindrical in shape and protrudes from the ridge 702 (not shown in Figures 6 or 7). The

post 50 is a component of the hinge mechanism between the hinge mount 700 and the retainer 10.

The post is located centrally of the ridge 702.

[0045] Figure 6 also shows more clearly that, in the nominally first position using channel 44 (the

first position guide), the glass panel forming the door 300 is aligned with the channel 800 in the

frame 200, and aligned with the axis of rotation defined by the post 50 and the hole or bore 46.

[0046] In Figure 7 it is more clearly shown that, in the nominally second position using channel 45

(the second position guide), the glass panel forming the door 300 is offset from the channel 800 in

the frame 200, and offset from the axis of rotation defined by the post 50 and the hole or bore 46.

Figure 7 also shows that the glass panel forming the door 300 is offset from the fixed glass panel

(900). It should be noted that fixed glass panel is shown only in part so as to not obscure other parts

of the drawing.

[0047] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires

otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be

understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not

the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0048] 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.

Claims

THE CLAIMS:

1. A retainer for retaining a substantially planar object for hinged relationship with a frame, the

retainer including:

a body including:

a clamping means for securing a substantially planar object, and

at least two position guides,

wherein the position guides allow the retainer to be placed in a hinged relationship with a

frame in at least two corresponding different positions, the at least two positions offset from

each other with respect to a notional plane of the frame, and

wherein the position guides are channels each adapted to cooperate with a corresponding

projection from the frame or a corresponding channel in the frame.

2. A retainer according to claim 1, wherein the hinged relationship with the frame includes a

hinged connection to the frame.

3. A retainer according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frame includes either the

projection or the channel with which the respective corresponding channels or projections of

the position guides cooperate.

4. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinged relationship includes a

hinge mount connected to the frame.

5. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinge mount is configured to

snugly fit in a channel in the frame to be firmly retained therein.

6. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the retainer and hinge mount

comprise a hinge assembly.

7. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retainer further includes a fastener component to restrain the substantially planar object from movement with respect

to the body.

8. A retainer according to claim 7, wherein the fastener component operates to prevent the

planar or substantially planar object from lateral and/or up and down movement with respect

to a slot in the body.

9. A retainer according to either claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the fastener component includes a

threaded means.

10. A retainer according to claim 9, wherein the threaded means includes a bolt with a

corresponding nut.

11. A retainer according to claim 8, wherein the fastener component is a nut and bolt

arrangement, wherein, in use, the bolt is through both sides of the slot and through a hole in

the substantially planar object.

12. A retainer according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the fastener component is located

centrally of two grub screws with a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the

grub screws.

13. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the retainer comprises a

component in a hinge assembly.

14. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the substantially planar object is

any one of a door or a window.

15. A retainer according to claim 14, wherein the door is a sheet of glass forming a door or screen

of a shower cubicle.

16. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the retainer includes a bias means,

or includes a part of a bias means in a hinge or hinge assembly, the bias means operable to

bias the retainer to a position, wherein the door, window or other planar or substantially

planar object is notionally closed.

17. A retainer according to claim 16, wherein the bias means operates to bias the planar or

substantially planar object to being notionally closed only when the planar or substantially

planar object is near to being notionally closed.

18. A retainer according to either claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the bias means includes the

channels or ridges of the position guides operating with the respective corresponding ridge or

channel of the frame or the hinge mount.

19. A retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the hinged relationship of the

retainer with the frame includes a projection and hole arrangement, wherein the hole

receives the projection for rotational movement therebetween.

20. A method for selecting or adjusting the position of a retainer with respect to a frame, the

retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the method including:

selecting or adjusting the position of the retainer to in accordance with one of the at

least two position guides.