AU2018101625B4

AU2018101625B4 - Sectional door hinge

Info

Publication number: AU2018101625B4
Application number: AU2018101625A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shiva Shankar Linge Gowda; Ben Lumbers
Original assignee: Reliance Doors Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Reliance Doors Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-29
Filing date: 2018-10-29
Publication date: 2019-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-29
Also published as: AU2018101625A4

Abstract

I\txe\Interwovn\NRPortbl\DCC\TXE\17935893_l.docx-29/102018 - 13 A hinge for connecting first and second panels of a sectional door, the hinge including: a first hinge plate having a first face for attachment to a surface of the first panel at a first panel edge; and a second hinge plate having a second face for attachment to a surface of the second panel at a second panel edge, the second hinge plate being hingedly connected to the first hinge plate using a hinge connection protruding away from the first and second faces, wherein the second hinge plate includes at least one tab protruding away from the second face proximate to the hinge connection, such that the second panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the second panel edge against the at least one tab. Fig. 1A

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved hinge for use in sectional doors.

Description of the Prior Art [0002] During the installation of sectional doors or multiple panel doors, one panel is laid upon another and a hinge is used to fasten the two panels together secured by fasteners such as screws. The distance between the panels and the hinge point is critical for the proper operation of the door. This distance varies from installation to installation since not all installers follow the same procedure. Moreover, there are sometimes variations in the geometry of the hinge (which is used as a guide for locating the two panels) and/or holes provided in the panels (to allow the hinge to be fastened to the panels), resulting in inaccurate installation. It would be desirable to solve this installation error and standardise installation.

[0003] Previously, many different methods have been attempted to reduce the impact of the above mentioned variations. One previous technique has involved placing a sheet of cardboard between the two panels during installation and removing it after installation. However, this has been found to be unreliable when there are inaccuracies in the holes, since after the cardboard has been removed the panel tends to return to a relaxed position and the pull-out stresses in the hinges again results in inaccurate installation.

[0004] Another previous technique has involved using the hinge as a guide between the two panels, but this is not consistently effective since a panel edge will rest on a curved radius of the hinge, and moving it forward and backward alters the gap between the panels resulting inaccurate installation.

[0005] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

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-2Summary of the Present Invention [0006] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a hinge for connecting first and second panels of a sectional door, the hinge including: a first hinge plate having a first face for attachment to a surface of the first panel at a first panel edge; and a second hinge plate having a second face for attachment to a surface of the second panel at a second panel edge, the second hinge plate being hingedly connected to the first hinge plate using a hinge connection protruding away from the first and second faces, wherein the second hinge plate includes at least one tab protruding away from the second face proximate to the hinge connection, such that the second panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the second panel edge against the at least one tab.

[0007] In one embodiment, each tab is formed integrally with the second hinge plate.

[0008] In one embodiment, each tab is formed as a bent portion of an end of the second hinge plate.

[0009] In one embodiment, each tab includes a flattened tab surface for engaging with the second panel edge.

[0010] In one embodiment: the hinge connection includes a hinge pin and one or more respective hinge portions extending from each of the first and second hinge plates, each hinge potion including a substantially cylindrical hinge pin receptacle for receiving the hinge pin; and the at least one tab extends substantially alongside at least one of the hinge portions that extends from the first hinge plate.

[0011] In one embodiment, each hinge portion is formed as a bent portion of an end of the respective hinge plate.

[0012] In one embodiment, the hinge portions that extend from the first hinge plate each include a flattened outer surface extending away from the first face, such that the first panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the first panel edge against the flattened outer surface.

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-3 [0013] In one embodiment, the first hinge plate includes two outer hinge portions extending on either side of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate includes a central hinge portion located between the two outer hinge portions, the second hinge plate including two tabs extending substantially alongside the two outer hinge portions of the first hinge plate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first hinge plate includes at least one other tab protruding away from the first face proximate to the hinge connection, such that the first panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the first panel edge against the at least one other tab.

[0015] In one embodiment, the hinge includes at least two fastener holes in each of the first and second hinge plates.

[0016] In one embodiment, the hinge further includes a roller support extending from one of the hinge plates, the roller support including a cylindrical sleeve for supporting a roller that engages with a track when the sectional door is installed.

[0017] It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0018] Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0019] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an example of a hinge for connecting first and second panels of a sectional door;

[0020] Figure 1A is a side view of the hinge of Figure 1A [0021] Figure 2 is a side view of the hinge of Figure 1A attached to panels of a sectional door; and [0022] Figure 3 is a side view of a prior art hinge attached to panels of a sectional door for comparison to Figure 2.

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-4Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0023] An example of a hinge 100 for connecting first and second panels 210, 220 of a sectional door will now be described with reference to Figures 1A and IB and Figure 2.

[0024] On a preliminary note, it should be appreciated that the hinge 100 may be used in the installation of sectional doors having multiple panels that are hingedly connected together and supported by tracks arranged on either side of an opening. Sectional doors of this type may be used to provide closures for shed, garages, warehouses and other buildings.

[0025] The panels will typically have an overall rectangular shape having an aesthetic exterior surface bounded by relatively long upper and lower edges and relatively short side edges. The panels may be formed from a range of materials such as steel, timber, insulated or non-insulated materials or any other materials conventionally used in sectional doors.

[0026] For the purpose of this example, it is assumed that each panel has suitable surfaces at its upper and lower edges for allowing the attachment of a hinge 100. Generally these attachment surfaces will be provided on the interior of the panel so that the hinges 100 are not visible or exposed to the external environment when the sectional door is closed. Otherwise, the shape and configuration of the panels is not particularly limited.

[0027] In broad terms, the hinge 100 includes a first hinge plate 110 having a first face 111, and a second hinge plate 120 having a second face 112. The second hinge plate 120 is hingedly connected to the first hinge plate 110 using a hinge connection 130 protruding away from the first and second faces 110, 120, generally as per conventional hinges.

[0028] With regard to Figure 2, which shows an example of the hinge 100 connecting first and second panels 210, 220 in use, it will be appreciated that the first face 111 is provided for attachment to a surface 211 of the first panel 210 at a first panel edge 212, whilst the second face 112 is provided for attachment to a surface 221 of the second panel 220 at a second panel edge 222.

[0029] The second hinge plate 120 specifically includes at least one tab 141, 142 protruding away from the second face 121 proximate to the hinge connection 130, such that the second

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-5 panel 220 can be located relative to the hinge connection 130 by abutting the second panel edge 222 against the at least one tab 141, 142 as depicted in Figure 2.

[0030] The above described configuration of the hinge 100 facilitates more accurate installation of the hinge 100 to the panels 210, 220 by allowing the installer to firmly urge the second panel edge 222 of the second panel 220 against the at least one tab 141, 142 when attaching the second hinge plate 120 to the second panel 220.

[0031] For comparison, Figure 3 shows a typical prior art hinge 300 attached to the same panels 210, 220 of a sectional door, where the prior art hinge 300 includes first and second hinge plates 310, 320 hingedly connected together using a hinge connection 330, but without the at least one tab 141, 142. In this case, the second panel edge 222 will contact with a curved surface of the hinge connection 330, which will lead to less accurate installation of the second panel 220.

[0032] In contrast to the prior art arrangement, the at least one tab 141, 142 provided in the hinge 100 helps to ensure proposer positioning of the panels 210, 220. For instance, in the present example this can ensure that there is surface contact between respective interlocking portions 213, 223 of the two panels 210, 220 as shown in Figure 2.

[0033] Using the at least one tab 141, 142, a gap between the first and second panel edges 212, 222 may be fixed, unlike traditional hinges such as the prior art hinge 300 of Figure 3, where the hinge connection 330 surface is curved. It will be appreciated that, when connecting the panels 210, 220 using the prior art hinge 300, moving the panels 210, 220 relative to the curved surface of the hinge connection 330 may increase or decrease the gap between the first and second panel edges 212, 222, which can result in inaccurate installation and variation of the hinge point.

[0034] Accordingly, the hinge 100 may provide the following advantages over convention sectional door hinge arrangements. As mentioned above, the distance of the gap between the panels 210, 220 can be maintained uniform irrespective of the installer. As a result, installation error can be minimised, resulting in more standard installation. Furthermore, less time may be required for adjusting the door for proper functioning, which can in turn

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-6decrease the overall time of installation. The installation process may also be performed by less skilled installers.

[0035] Further implementation features of the hinge 100 will now be described.

[0036] In general, the hinge 100 may be formed using conventional hinge construction techniques. In the present example, each of the first and second hinge plates 110, 120 of the hinge 100 will be formed using separate plates or sheets of a metal such as a steel or aluminium alloy which can be cut to a desired shape and in which features can be formed as required using cutting and bending operations. However, it should be appreciated that the hinge 100 may be formed out of any suitable material depending on requirements.

[0037] Each tab 141, 142 may be formed integrally with the second hinge plate 120. For example, each tab 141, 142 may be conveniently formed as a bent portion of an end 122 of the second hinge plate 120. In other words, each tab 141, 142 may be provided as a leg or flange that is bent or folded out of the plane of the second hinge plate 120. Each tab 141, 142 may be bent so that it is substantially perpendicular to the second hinge plate 120 so as to form a ledge at a right angle to the plane of the second hinge plate 120. However, such a perpendicular arrangement is not essential and the tabs 141, 142 may be inclined in some embodiments, such as if the second panel edge 222 is finished with a correspondingly inclined angle.

[0038] Whilst forming the tabs 141, 142 integrally with the second hinge plate 120 using a bending operation is convenient and cost effective, this is also not essential and in some embodiments the tabs 141, 142 may be provided using separate components that may be attached to the second hinge plate 120 using any suitable technique such as by adhesive or appropriate fasteners.

[0039] In any event, each tab 141, 142 will preferably include a flattened tab surface for engaging with the second panel edge 222. It will be appreciated that this will provide for more accurate installation, assuming the second panel edge 222 has a corresponding flat surface that can be abutted against the flattened tab surface of each tab 141, 142.

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-7[0040] In the present example, the tabs 141, 142 protrude from the second hinge plate 120 by about 5mm to provide an adequate area for abutment of the second panel edge 222, but the specific dimensions of the tabs 141, 142 should be selected depending on the particular geometry of the second panel edge 222.

[0041] The hinge connection 130 may include a hinge pin 131 and one or more respective hinge portions 132, 133, 134 extending from each of the first and second hinge plates 110, 120. Each hinge potion 132, 133, 134 may include a substantially cylindrical hinge pin receptacle for receiving the hinge pin 131, in a generally conventional manner as far as metal hinge construction is concerned. In such arrangements of the hinge connection 130, the at least one tab 141, 142 may extend substantially alongside at least one of the hinge portions 132, 133, 134 that extends from the first hinge plate 110.

[0042] Each hinge portion 132, 133, 134 may be formed as a bent portion of an end 112, 122 of the respective hinge plate 110, 120, as is usually the case for traditional metal plate hinges.

[0043] In the particular embodiment of the hinge 100 as shown in Figures 1A and IB, the first hinge plate 110 includes two outer hinge portions 132, 134 extending on either side of the first hinge plate 110 and the second hinge plate 120 includes a central hinge portion 133 located between the two outer hinge portions 132, 134. Accordingly, in this case the second hinge plate 120 includes two tabs 141, 142 extending substantially alongside the two outer hinge portions 132, 134 of the first hinge plate 110.

[0044] It will be appreciated that providing tabs 141, 142 on the second hinge plate 120 that extend alongside the hinge portions 132, 134 of the first hinge plate 110 particularly enables the bent construction of the tabs 141, 142, since the tabs 141, 142 will be located along sections of the end 122 of the second hinge plate 120 that would otherwise have a free edge.

[0045] Furthermore, providing two tabs 141, 142 opposing the two hinge portions 132, 134 of the first hinge plate 110 allows for the tabs 141, 142 to be located on the outer edges of the hinge 100 and thus provide a wider effective surface upon which the second panel edge 222 can be abutted, thus leading to more stable positioning of the second panel 220 during installation.

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-8[0046] The hinge 100 may also optionally include features for facilitating more accurate installation of the first panel 210 relative to the hinge connection 130, in a similar manner as provided by the tabs 141, 142 for locating the second panel 220. For instance, in the present example, the hinge portions 132, 134 that extend from the first hinge plate 110 may each include a flattened outer surface 151, 152 extending away from the first face 111, such that the first panel 210 can be located relative to the hinge connection 130 by abutting the first panel edge 212 against the flattened outer surface 151, 152 as can be seen in Figure 2.

[0047] Such an arrangement helps to ensure dimensional accuracy of the gap between the first panel edge 212 and the second panel edge 222 and thus allows for more accurate installation. Furthermore, it is noted that this provides flattened outer surfaces 151, 152 that are located on the outer edges of the hinge 100 in a similar manner as the tabs 141, 142 and thus provide similar installation advantages.

[0048] However, alternative embodiments may involve forming the first hinge plate 110 so that it includes at least one other tab (not shown) protruding away from the first face 111 proximate to the hinge connection 130, such that the first panel 210 can be located relative to the hinge connection 130 by abutting the first panel edge 212 against the at least one other tab. The at least one other tab may be formed in a similar manner as described above for the tabs 141, 142, albeit formed from the first hinge plate 110 rather than the second hinge plate 120. With regard to Figure 1A, a single other tab could extend alongside the central hinge portion 133 that extends from the second hinge plate 120, for instance.

[0049] The hinge 100 will typically include at least two fastener holes 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176 in each of the first and second hinge plates 110, 120. It will be noted that in this case the second hinge plate 120 includes a pattern of four fastener holes 173, 174, 175, 176, where outer fastener holes 173, 174 are the primary fastener locations, and additional fastener holes 175, 176 are added to provide extra stiffness between the first and second panels 210, 220 which can help to avoid bending of the panels 210, 220 in extreme circumstances during the operation of the sectional door.

[0050] It will be seen that second hinge plate 120 includes an extended tapered end 123 opposing its hingedly connected end 122. As shown in Figure 2, this extended tapered end

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-9123 may overhang the surface 221 of the second panel 220 to which the second hinge plate 120 is attached, but this may facilitate fastening to another structure of the second panel 220. For instance, the second panel 220 may have a bent sheet metal exterior surrounding an insulating substrate or the like, and the fastener hole 176 in the extended tapered end 123 may be used to directly fasten the second hinge plate 120 to that substrate.

[0051] The hinge 100 may further include a roller support 160 extending from one of the hinge plates 110, 120. In this case the roller support 160 extends from the first hinge plate 110. The roller support 160 including a cylindrical sleeve 161 for supporting a roller (not shown) that engages with a track (not shown) when the sectional door is installed, in a generally conventional manner.

[0052] In the present example, the roller support 160 is formed as a bent portion of an end 113 of the first hinge plate 110 opposing its hingedly connected end 112. The roller support 160 is offset from the first hinge plate 110 on the other side of the first hinge plate 110 compared to the hinge connection 130, and this is achieved using a bent flange 162 between the end 113 of the first hinge plate 110 and the roller support 160.

[0053] In any event, it will be appreciated that the hinge 100 can help to standardise the installation of sectional doors and remove sources of installation errors often encountered in conventional designs. The design of the hinge 100 and particularly the arrangement of the tabs 141, 142 helps to ensure that the panels 210, 220 of the sectional door can be spaced correctly when installing the panels 210, 220 with the hinge 100. This helps to ensure the installed geometry is accurate and helps to prevent rubbing of adjacent panels 210, 220. This also helps to load the panel weight evenly across all the hinges 100.

[0054] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0055] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to

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-10persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A hinge for connecting first and second panels of a sectional door, the hinge including:

a) a first hinge plate having a first face for attachment to a surface of the first panel at a first panel edge; and

b) a second hinge plate having a second face for attachment to a surface of the second panel at a second panel edge, the second hinge plate being hingedly connected to the first hinge plate using a hinge connection protruding away from the first and second faces, wherein the second hinge plate includes at least one tab protruding away from the second face proximate to the hinge connection, such that the second panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the second panel edge against the at least one tab.
2) A hinge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

a) each tab is formed integrally with the second hinge plate;

b) each tab is formed as a bent portion of an end of the second hinge plate; and

c) each tab includes a flattened tab surface for engaging with the second panel edge.
3) A hinge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:

a) the hinge connection includes a hinge pin and one or more respective hinge portions extending from each of the first and second hinge plates, each hinge potion including a substantially cylindrical hinge pin receptacle for receiving the hinge pin; and

b) the at least one tab extends substantially alongside at least one of the hinge portions that extends from the first hinge plate.
4) A hinge according to claim 3, wherein at least one of:

a) each hinge portion is formed as a bent portion of an end of the respective hinge plate;

b) the hinge portions that extend from the first hinge plate each include a flattened outer surface extending away from the first face, such that the first panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the first panel edge against the flattened outer surface; and

c) the first hinge plate includes two outer hinge portions extending on either side of the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate includes a central hinge portion located between the two outer hinge portions, the second hinge plate including two tabs extending substantially alongside the two outer hinge portions of the first hinge plate.

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5) A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of:

a) the first hinge plate includes at least one other tab protruding away from the first face proximate to the hinge connection, such that the first panel can be located relative to the hinge connection by abutting the first panel edge against the at least one other tab;

b) the hinge includes at least two fastener holes in each of the first and second hinge plates; and

c) the hinge further includes a roller support extending from one of the hinge plates, the roller support including a cylindrical sleeve for supporting a roller that engages with a track when the sectional door is installed.