AU2020205265A1

AU2020205265A1 - A hinge leaf

Info

Publication number: AU2020205265A1
Application number: AU2020205265A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Paul Eric KORCZAK
Original assignee: Assa Abloy New Zealand Ltd
Current assignee: Assa Abloy New Zealand Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-16
Filing date: 2020-07-15
Publication date: 2021-02-04

Abstract

A leaf element for a hinge assembly of a type having a leaf element, a second leaf element and an intermediate leaf element coupling the other two leaf elements together. The leaf element has a base and a reinforcement piece located on or in the 5 base in use. The reinforcement piece includes threaded holes for receiving movement limiting pieces. The reinforcement piece is made of a harder material than the base of the leaf element to prevent damage to the threaded holes during installation and use of the hinge assembly. A hinge assembly including the leaf element is also provided. 4/5 28 34 29 21 32 24 29 254 22 30 221 8g5 Fiur 63

Description

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A HINGE LEAF FIELD

This invention relates to a hinge leaf and a hinge assembly comprising the hinge leaf.

BACKGROUND

Hinge assemblies are commonly used to mount panels within frames, for example in

doors and windows. Some hinge assemblies include an intermediate leaf that connects two other leaves together in a certain relative position. This position may be

adjustable by the use of movement-limiting pieces such as screws.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a leaf element for a hinge

assembly, the hinge assembly comprising the leaf element, a second leaf element and

an intermediate leaf element between the leaf element and the second leaf element,

the leaf element comprising: a base adapted for attachment to one of a panel or a

frame, the base formed from a first material; and a reinforcement piece adapted to be

located on the base in use, the reinforcement piece having one or more threaded holes

for each receiving a respective threaded movement-limiting piece to limit movement

of the intermediate leaf element with respect to the leaf element; wherein the

reinforcement piece is formed from a second material that is harder than the first

material.

According to another exemplary embodiment there is provided a hinge assembly

comprising: the leaf element of the previous paragraph; a second leaf element for

attachment to the other of the panel or the frame; and an intermediate leaf element

adapted to be coupled between the leaf element and the second leaf element in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute part of the

specification, illustrate embodiments and, together with the general description of the

invention given above, and the detailed description of embodiments given below,

serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one side of a leaf element according to an

embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of another side of the leaf element of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one side of a reinforcement piece 3 according

to an embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of another side of the reinforcement piece of

Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to an

embodiment;

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of a hinge assembly according to an embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a section view of a hinge assembly in one adjustment setting;

Figure 8 shows a section view of the hinge assembly of Figure 7 in another

adjustment setting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 depicts an example leaf element 1for a hinge assembly. The leaf element 1

includes a base 2 and a reinforcement piece 3.

The base 2 is adapted for attachment to either a panel or a frame. For example, in the

context of a hinge assembly for a door, the base 2 can be attached to either the door

leaf or the door frame. In the context of a window, the base 2 can be attached to the

window panel or the window frame. It will be understood that the leaf element 1is

suitable for hingedly coupling other panels and frames, for example hatches or gates.

The leaf element 1 is adapted to be part of a hinge assembly that also includes a

second leaf element and an intermediate leaf element that is connected between the

other two leaf elements. The intermediate leaf element could couple directly to the

leaf element 1 or via one or more other interposed elements, for example shims or

mounting brackets. In order to couple to the intermediate leaf element, the leaf

element 1 can include one or more connection features adapted to engage with

corresponding features of the leaf element. Connection features could include

recesses adapted to engage with protruding or extending features of the intermediate

leaf element; protrusions or extensions adapted to engage with recesses of the

intermediate element; fastener holes 6 adapted to engage, via fasteners, with fastener

holes 6 of the intermediate element; complementary faces for sliding, mating or snap

fit connection; or other connection features as would be understood by the skilled

person. In the example of Figure 1, the leaf element 1 includes two recesses or

channels 7 adapted to engage with corresponding pivot pins of the intermediate

element, as detailed further with reference to Figure 3.

The base 2 of the leaf element may also include holes for allowing the leaf element 1 to

be fastened to the panel or frame. These holes could be threaded to engage with

threads of a screw, bolt or other threaded fastener; or they could be unthreaded to

simply allow extension of fasteners, for example screws or nails, therethrough. In the

example of Figure 1, the holes are unthreaded. These may allow screws, for example

metal or wood screws, to extend through the holes and fasten the leaf element 1 to the panel or frame. The base 2 may be in any form suitable for attachment to the panel or frame. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, the base 2 is in the form of a plate.

The reinforcement piece 3 is located on the base 2 of the leaf element 1 in use. Being

located on the base 2 could include being attached to, on or in the base 2, or releasably

located on or in the base 2. For example, the reinforcement piece 3 could be soldered

or welded to the base 2; embedded in the base 2 during manufacture; glued to the

base 2; snap-fit to the base 2; friction fit to the base 2; or attached by other means as

would be understood by the skilled person. In other examples, the reinforcement

piece 3 could be slidingly coupled into or onto the base 2 or inserted into a space in the base 2. In the example of Figure 1, the reinforcement piece 3 is inserted into a space in

the base 2 such that it may be removed or released from the base 2 when the leaf

element 1 is not installed on a panel or frame. The space may have an opening in one

side large enough to receive the reinforcement piece 3, and an opening in the other

side not large enough for the reinforcement piece 3 to pass through.

The reinforcement piece 3 includes one or more threaded holes 4, 5 for each receiving

a respective threaded movement-limiting piece. A movement-limiting piece limits

movement of an intermediate leaf element with respect to the leaf element 1. The

threaded holes 4, 5 may be threaded suitable for engagement with any suitable

threaded movement-limiting means such as a screw, a bolt or threaded rod. In the

example of Figure 1, the threaded holes 4, 5 are each adapted to engage with a screw.

The screw may be a machine screw or other screw with a relatively low pitch.

In the case where the reinforcement piece 3 includes more than one threaded hole,

one hole 4 may be for receiving a piece that limits the maximum extent of movement

of the intermediate leaf element (i.e. the maximum separation between the leaf

element 1 and the intermediate leaf element) and the other hole 5 may be for

receiving a piece that limits the minimum extent of movement of the intermediate leaf

(i.e. the minimum separation between the leaf element 1 and the intermediate leaf

element).

The base 2 is formed of a first material. A variety of materials may be suitable for use

as the first material, for example various metals or plastic. In one example, the base 2 is made from metal. Suitable metals include zinc, aluminium, steel, brass and various alloys. In one example, the first material is zinc or a zinc alloy. Zinc and zinc alloys may be advantageous because they are commonly used in, and particularly suitable for, die casting.

The reinforcement piece 3 is formed of a second material which is harder than the first

material. A variety of materials may be suitable for use as the second material,

depending on the loads required to be borne by the reinforcement piece 3 - in

particular by the threaded holes 4, 5. Due to the relatively small area of the threads

within the threaded hole to which loads are applied in use, the harder second material may ensure that the threaded holes 4, 5 are not damaged. The use of two different

materials for the base 2 and the reinforcement piece 3 may also allow a softer

material, which nonetheless has desirable properties, to be used for the base 2 while

maintaining adequate hardness of the threaded holes 4, 5. In one example, the

reinforcement piece 3 is made from metal. Suitable metals include zinc, aluminium, steel, brass and various alloys. In one example, the second material is steel. Steel may

be advantageous due to its hardness and strength. The steel could be stainless steel or

other types of steel.

As seen in Figure 1, the base 2 includes a space for the reinforcement piece 3. The

space has a width 12 on the top side which is less than a width of the reinforcement

piece 3, as detailed further below.

Figure 2 shows the leaf element 1 from an alternative view. In particular, it shows the

underside of the leaf element 1- the side that is located adjacent the panel or frame in

use.

As seen in Figure 2, the space in the base 2 has a width 13 on the underside. This

width 13 is no less than a width of the reinforcement piece 3, as detailed further

below.

Figures 3 and 4 show alternative views of the reinforcement piece 3. Figure 3 shows

the top side - i.e. the side that faces the intermediate leaf element in use. Figure 4

shows the underside - i.e. the side that is adjacent the panel or frame in use. As shown in these figures, the reinforcement piece 3 includes two threaded holes 4, 5. In this example, one threaded hole 5 has a bevelled opening at the top. This can provide space for the head of a movement-limiting piece - particularly when the movement limiting piece is at the lower portion of its range of adjustment. It may also provide a stop for the movement-limiting piece at the lower limit of its range of adjustment.

Also shown in Figures 3 and 4 are protrusions 9. These are adapted to retain the

reinforcement piece 3 within a space in the body of the leaf element 1 by making the

reinforcement piece 3 wider than the space in the body in one relative arrangement.

In particular, the protrusions 9 protrude along a first axis such that the reinforcement piece 3 has a first width 11 (shown in Figure 4) as measured along this axis. The space

has a second axis with a second width 12 (shown in Figure 1) as measured along the

second axis. The second width 12 (of the space) is less than the first width 11 (of the

reinforcement piece 3). In use, the reinforcement piece 3 can be oriented in the space

such that the first axis and the second axis are aligned and the reinforcement piece 3 cannot be removed from the space past the region having the second width 12. The

space may have the second width 12 on one side, and may have a third width 13

(shown in Figure 2) no less than the first width on the other side, to allow the

reinforcement piece 3 to be inserted from the other side. Alternatively, the space may

have both the second width 12 and the third width 13 on the same side but at different

angular positions about the space such that the reinforcement piece 3 can be inserted

in one side in a first orientation (in which the first and second axes are not aligned) and

rotated into a second orientation (in which the first and second axes are aligned) to

prevent removal of the reinforcement piece 3 from the space when it is in the second

orientation.

The reinforcement piece 3 of Figures 3 and 4 also includes a ramp 8 at one end. The

ramp 8 is on the side of the reinforcement piece 3 that is adjacent the panel or frame

when the frame leaf is installed. This may match a complementary profile of a hinge

leaf in some implementations.

Figure 5 shows a hinge assembly according to one embodiment of the invention. The

hinge assembly 20 includes the leaf element 1, a second leaf element 21 and an

intermediate leaf element 22. Each of the leaf element 1 and the second leaf element

21is adapted to attach to either a panel or a frame such that when one of the leaf

elements attaches to the panel, the other attaches to the frame. To this end, the

second leaf element 21 includes a base 32 having therethrough one or more fastener

holes 24 for receiving one or more fasteners. The fastener holes 24 of the second leaf

element 21 may be threaded or unthreaded. In the example of Figure 5, the fastener

holes are unthreaded. These may allow screws, for example metal screws, to extend

through the holes and fasten the second leaf element 21 to the panel or frame. The

base 32 of the second leaf element 21may be in any form suitable for attachment to a

panel or frame. In the example of Figure 5, the base 32 is in the form of a plate.

The intermediate leaf element 22 is adapted to be coupled between the leaf element 1

and the second leaf element 21 in use. The intermediate leaf element 22 may be

coupled to each of the leaf element 1 and the second leaf element 21 with any of a

range of connections, such as pivoting or hinged connections; or non-pivoting or non

hinged connections. In the case that the connections to both of the leaf element 1 and

second leaf element 21 are non-pivoting or non-hinged connections, the intermediate

leaf element 22 would include a pivoting or hinged connection to allow the panel to

rotate with respect to the frame.

The intermediate leaf element 22 may be arranged to have a single preferred

operating position with respect to the leaf element, in which the intermediate leaf

element 22 is to be fixed by one or more movement-limiting pieces. For example, the

intermediate leaf element 22 could be fixed directly to the leaf element 1 in use. The

intermediate leaf element 22 may have two or more discrete operating positions, in

any of which it could be fixed by the movement limiting piece. For example, one or

more shims or washers could be inserted between the intermediate leaf element 22

and the leaf element 1 and the movement limiting piece could fix the intermediate leaf

element 22 as close to the leaf element 1 as allowed by the washer(s) or shim(s). The

intermediate leaf element 22 could have a continuous range of positions, anywhere

throughout which it could be fixed by the movement-limiting means. For example, a

jacking screw could be provided at least partly between the intermediate leaf element

22 and the leaf element 1 to adjust the minimum separation between the intermediate

leaf element 22 and the leaf element 1 and the movement-limiting means could fix the

intermediate leaf element 22 as close to the leaf element 1 as allowed by the jacking screw. In the example of Figure 5, a jacking screw (not shown) engages with a threaded hole 5 of the reinforcement piece 3 of the leaf element 1 and abuts the underside of the intermediate leaf element 22. By raising the jacking screw (i.e.

unscrewing it from the threaded hole 5 of the reinforcement piece 3), the jacking

screw can increase the minimum separation between the leaf element 1 and the

intermediate leaf element 22. The jacking screw is accessible via the hole 27 in the

intermediate leaf element 22. A screwdriver, Allen key or other tool configured to

engage with the head of the jacking screw can be inserted through this hole 27 to

adjust the position of the jacking screw, and hence the minimum limit of movement

between the leaf element 1 and the intermediate leaf element 22. In another example, the jacking screw may engage with a threaded hole provided in the base 2 of

the leaf element. Loads on the jacking screw may not be as great as loads on other

movement-limiting pieces, so the first material of the base 2 may be sufficiently hard

to withstand the loads conveyed thereto via the jacking screw. Intheexampleof

Figure 5, a locking screw 26 engages with another threaded hole 4 of the reinforcement piece 3 and passes through a hole 25 in the intermediate leaf element

22. The hole 25 is sized such that the head of the locking screw 26 cannot pass through

the hole. This sets the maximum limit of movement between the leaf element 1 and

the intermediate leaf element 22. Adjusting the operating position of the intermediate

leaf element 22 with respect to the leaf element 1may allow the separation between

the panel and the frame in the region of the hinge assembly to be adjusted. This can

be used to adjust or correct the seal gap between the panel and the frame, or to

correct for sag of the panel within the frame.

In the example of Figure 5, the intermediate leaf element 22 is pivotably connected to

the leaf element 1. Thus, the intermediate leaf element 22 can be coupled to the leaf

element 1 in a range of angles. Adjustment of the maximum and minimum movement

limits corresponds to adjustment of the maximum and minimum angles, respectively,

between the leaf element 1 and the intermediate leaf element 22 in this example.

In the example of Figure 5, the intermediate leaf element 22 is hingedly coupled to the

second leaf element 21 via hinge 23. The hinge 23 in this example is a barrel-type

hinge including first barrel portions 29 of the second leaf element 21, second barrel

portion 33 of the intermediate leaf element 22 and one or more hinge pins 28 located within the first barrel portions 29 and the second barrel portion 33. The hinge 23 constitutes the hinge connection between the panel and the frame, enabling rotation between the panel and frame - for the opening and closing of a window or door, for example. In one exemplary use, the leaf element 1 is adapted to be fastened to a frame and the second leaf element 21 is adapted to be fastened to a panel.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of one exemplary hinge assembly including the leaf

element 1, the second leaf element 21, and the intermediate leaf element 22. The leaf

element 1 includes the base 2 and the reinforcement piece 3. As detailed with

reference to Figures 3 and 4, the reinforcement piece 3 includes threaded holes 4 and 5 and protrusions 9. As detailed with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the base 2 includes

fastener holes 6 and channels 7. Also shown in Figure 6 is the space 10 in which the

reinforcement piece 3 is located in use.

The second leaf element 21 shown in Figure 6 includes the base 32, fastener holes 24,

first barrel portions 29 and hinge pins 28. Also shown in Figure 6 are hinge bushes 34.

The barrels 29 each receive a respective hinge bush 34. Each hinge bush 34 receives a

respective pin 28, thus forming part of the barrel hinge 23 that couples the

intermediate leaf element 22 to the second leaf element 21.

The intermediate leaf element 22 includes the second barrel portion 33 and holes 25

and 27. The second barrel portion 33 receives the hinge pins 28 in use, thus forming

part of the barrel hinge 23. Also shown in Figure 6 are pivot pins 30, which are

received in the channels 7 of the leaf element 1 to provide a pivotable coupling between the leaf element 1 and the intermediate leaf element 22.

Figure 6 also shows two movement-limiting pieces - in this example jacking screw 31

and locking screw 26. As detailed with reference to Figure 5, the jacking screw 31

engages with a threaded hole 5 of the reinforcement piece 3 and abuts the underside

of the intermediate leaf element 22 in use. As detailed with reference to Figure 5, the

locking screw 26 engages with the threaded hole 4 and passes through the hole 25 in

the intermediate leaf element 22 in use.

Figures 7 and 8 show the hinge assembly 20 in two configurations - a "lowered"

position as shown in Figure 7 and a "raised" position as shown in Figure 8. In Figure 7,

the jacking screw 31 is at its lowest position in the hole 5, i.e. fully inserted. This

means that the minimum limit of the intermediate leaf element 22 is also at the lowest

position. The locking screw 26 is screwed in to set the maximum limit of movement of

the intermediate leaf element 22. Typically, the intermediate leaf element 22 will be

constrained to be substantially fixed in one position when the hinge assembly 20 is in

use. In such an arrangement, the locking screw 26 is screwed in as far as it can go such

that it retains the intermediate leaf element 22 in place against the jacking screw 31

and/or the leaf element, in this case retaining the intermediate leaf element 22 in its lowest position. Consequently, the separation between the leaf element and the

second leaf element 21is also at its minimum.

In Figure 8, the jacking screw 31 is at its highest position in the hole 5, i.e. fully

extended. This means that the minimum limit of the intermediate leaf element 22 is

also at the highest position. The locking screw 26 is screwed in to set the maximum

limit of movement the intermediate leaf element 22. In the typical scenario, the

locking screw 26 is screwed in as far as it can go such that it retains the intermediate

leaf element 22 in place against the jacking screw 31, in this case retaining the intermediate leaf element 22 in its highest fixed position. Consequently, the

separation between the leaf element 1 and the second leaf element 21 is also at the

maximum fixed separation.

In an example use, the leaf element 1of the hinge assembly 20 is attached to a door frame by screwing screws through fastener holes 6 into material of the door frame.

The second leaf element 21 is attached to a door leaf by screwing screws through

fastener holes 24 into material of the door leaf. The separation between the leaf

element 1 and the second leaf element 21- and hence the separation between the

door leaf and the door frame - is adjusted by setting the positions of the jacking screw

31 and the locking screw 26. One or more other hinges may also be installed

connecting the door leaf and the door frame as described above. During installation,

the threaded holes 4, 5 for the locking screw 26 and/or the jacking screw 31 may be

subject to large forces due to the respective screws being tightened. Additionally, once

installed the weight of the panel (e.g. a door leaf) is partially transferred to the threaded holes 4, 5 - especially the hole 4 for the locking screw 26. The harder second material of the reinforcement piece 3 may reduce the likelihood of damage to the threaded holes 4, 5, which may otherwise occur. This also allows the use of a softer first material for the base 2 of the leaf element, increasing the choice of materials available for use in the hinge assembly 20. These softer materials may have advantages not possessed by harder materials, for example they may be easier to use in the manufacture of the leaf element base 2.

There are thus provided a hinge leaf and a hinge assembly that resist damage to

threaded holes and increase the range of materials available for use in the base of the hinge leaf.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the

embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is

not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily

appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not

limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative

examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such

details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive

concept.

Claims

1. A leaf element for a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly comprising the leaf

element, a second leaf element and an intermediate leaf element between the leaf

element and the second leaf element, the leaf element comprising:

a base adapted for attachment to one of a panel or a frame, the base formed from

a first material; and

a reinforcement piece adapted to be located on the base in use, the reinforcement

piece having one or more threaded holes for each receiving a respective threaded

movement-limiting piece to limit movement of the intermediate leaf element with

respect to the leaf element; wherein the reinforcement piece is formed from a second material that is harder than

the first material.

2. The leaf element of claim 1, wherein the second material is metal.

3. The leaf element of claim 2, wherein the second material is steel.

4. The leaf element of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first material is metal.

5. The leaf element of claim 4, wherein the first material is zinc.

6. The leaf element of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the base has a space defined

therein and wherein the reinforcement is adapted to be located in the space in use.

7. The leaf element of claim 6, wherein the base comprises a first side to be located

adjacent the panel or frame when the base is attached to the panel or frame, and

wherein the space comprises a first opening in the first side, the first opening being

adapted to receive the reinforcement piece.

8. The leaf element of claim 7, wherein the base comprises a second side opposing

the first side, and wherein the second side comprises a second opening in the second

side, the second opening being adapted to prevent passage of the reinforcement piece

therethrough.

9. The leaf element of claim 8, wherein the reinforcement piece comprises one or

more protrusions that protrude from the reinforcement piece at least partly along a

first axis such that the reinforcement piece has a first width along the first axis, and

wherein the second opening has a second width in second axis that is less than the first

width, and wherein the reinforcement piece and the base are adapted to be oriented

with respect to each other with the first and second axes aligned when the

reinforcement piece is located in the space.

10. The leaf element of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the reinforcement piece

comprises two threaded holes for each receiving a respective threaded movement limiting piece.

11. The leaf element of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the base has one or more

fastener holes for receiving one or more fasteners to fasten the base to the panel or

frame.

12. A hinge assembly comprising:

the leaf element of any one or claims 1-11;

a second leaf element for attachment to the other of the panel or the frame; and

an intermediate leaf element adapted to be coupled between the leaf element and

the second leaf element in use.

13. The hinge assembly of claim 12, wherein the intermediate leaf element is hingedly

coupled to the second leaf element.

14. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 12-13, wherein the intermediate leaf

element has a first opening for allowing extension therethrough of a first threaded

movement-limiting piece.

15. The hinge assembly of claim 14, wherein the intermediate leaf element has a

second opening for allowing access therethrough to a second movement-limiting

piece.

16. The hinge assembly of any of claims 14-15, further comprising a first threaded

movement-limiting piece adapted to extend through the first opening of the

intermediate leaf element and to be received in a first threaded hole of the one or

more threaded holes of the reinforcement piece.

17. The hinge assembly of claim 16, wherein the first threaded movement-limiting

piece is adapted to limit the maximum extent of movement of the intermediate leaf

element with respect to the leaf element when the intermediate leaf element is

coupled to the leaf element.

18. The hinge assembly of claim 17, wherein the intermediate leaf element is

couplable to the leaf element in a range of angles, and wherein the first threaded

movement-limiting piece is configured to limit the maximum angle between the

intermediate leaf element and the leaf element.

19. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the first threaded

movement-limiting piece is a screw.

20. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 15-19, further comprising a second

threaded movement-limiting piece adapted to be accessible through the second

opening and to be received in a second threaded hole of the one or more threaded

holes of the reinforcement piece.

21. The hinge assembly of claim 20, wherein the second threaded movement-limiting

piece is adapted to limit the minimum extent of movement of the intermediate leaf

element with respect to the leaf element when the intermediate leaf element is

coupled to the leaf element.

22. The hinge assembly of claim 21, wherein the intermediate leaf element is

couplable to the leaf element in a range of angles, and wherein the second threaded

movement-limiting piece is configured to limit the minimum angle between the

intermediate leaf element and the leaf element.

23. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 20-22, wherein the second threaded

movement limiting piece is a screw.

24. The hinge assembly of any one of claims 12-23, wherein the second leaf element

has one or more fastener holes for receiving one or more fasteners to fasten the

second leaf element to the other of the panel or frame.

25. The hinge assembly of any of claims 12-24, wherein the base of the leaf element is

adapted to be fastened to a frame.

26. The hinge assembly of claim 25, wherein the second leaf element is adapted to be

fastened to a panel.