AU8519991A - Improvements to hinge assemblies - Google Patents

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO HINGE ASSEMBLIES Technical Field

THIS INVENTION relates to improvements to hinge assemblies and in particular to adjustable hinge assemblies. Background Art

Common hinges, such as butt hinges or T-hinges have no means for adjustment of the hinge axis other than by adjusting the position of securement of the hinge to a door or gate and a supporting wall or post. This is particular disadvantageous where large heavy gates are being swung as it is very difficult to adjust the hinge to a correct position so that the gate swings squarely into an opening. Further difficulties are encountered with double hung gates in ensuring that the gates line up when they are closed. These difficulties are accentuated if the posts or supports from which the gates are hung sink in the ground or shrink in adverse weather conditions as often in these circumstances a gate will no longer swing correctly or will jam. Summary of the Invention

The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages by providing improved hinge assemblies which provide a facility for adjustment in a simple and efficient manner. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

With the above and other objects in view the present invention provides a hinge assembly adapted to hingedly interconnect a pair of members, said hinge assembly including first and second hingedly interconnected parts, means for securing said first part to one of said members, an elongated threaded member fixed to said second part and at least one adjustment member threadably engaged with said threaded member and movable therealong to adjust the position of said second hinge part relative to said other member whereby to vary the hinge position of said first member relative to said second member. In one preferred arrangement the threaded member or rod may be inserted into an aperture in the other member which may comprise a support post and said adjustment member comprises a nut engaged with the rod on one side of the support post and adjustable along the rod to vary the position of the hinge axis relative to the support post. Preferably a pair of nuts are provided on opposite sides of the support post and engaged with the threaded rod so that the rod can be locked in a selected position to the support.

In one form, said hinge parts comprise a tubular member and a pivot pin extending through said tubular member and rotatable relative thereto. A pair of arms may be engaged with opposite ends of the pivot pin and secured say to a horizontal gate member such as by means of coach screws, bolts or other fastening means. A U-shaped reinforcing member may be also used in conjunction with or in place of the brackets for supporting the brackets to the gate.

In a second form the adjustment is provided on the gate or other member to be swung and the threaded rod is supported on a bracket member or wing for example by extending through spaced apertured lugs or a tubular or other apertured member on the bracket member or wing and which may be adjusted and fixed relative thereto by means of the adjusted member. In a third form suited particularly to use with metal gates the bracket means is clamped about a gate member and defines one part of the hinge for engagement with the other part which is adjustably mounted by means of a threaded rod and locking nuts with a support post in the manner described above. Brief Description of the Drawings

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and wherein:-

Fig. 1 is an elevational partly cut-away view illustrating a first form of hinge assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a strengthening bracket for use with the hinge assembly of Fig. 1:

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing portion of the hinge assembly of Fig. 1, and the bracket of Fig. 2 secured to a gate support member;

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative form of hinge assembly according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line A-A of Fig. 4 showing the engagement of the hinge assembly of Fig. 4 with a gate;

Fig. 6 illustrates a further form of hinge assembly according to the invention for use with a metal framed gate:

Fig. 7 is an elevational view of a modified hinge assembly similar to Fig. 1;

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate further forms of hinge assembly according to the present invention; Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate is side and plan views a

T-hinge assembly according to the present invention:

Figs. 12 and 13 illustrate alternative right and left hand hinge assemblies according to a further form of the invention; Fig. 14 illustrates yet a further form of hinge assembly according to the invention;

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate in plan and elevational views yet a further form of hinge assembly; and

Fig. 17 illustrates in plan view the manner in which the hinge assembly of Fi-g. 15 and 16 may support a gate to a wal 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figs, 1 to 3 there is illustrated a hinge assembly 9 according to the present invention adapted for mounting a gate 10 to a support post 12. The gate 10 in this instance includes a horizonal frame member 11 and a plurality of palings 13 secured thereto but of course may be of any form. The hinge assembly 9 includes a pair of spaced apart elongated planar members 14 which are free at one end and connected at their opposite ends to opposite ends of a pivot pin 15. A tubular member 16 surrounds the pivot pin 15 so as to be rotatable relative thereto and is rigidly connected to a threaded rod 17 which extends generally parallel to the members 14.

The members 14 are spaced apart so as to be located neatly about opposite sides of the frame member 11 to be secured thereto by means of coach bolts 18 or other fasteners such as bolts which extend through the frame member 11. The threaded rod

17 extends through a bore 19 in the support post 12 and is adapted to be clamped thereto by means of nuts 20 on opposite sides of the post 12.

In use the members 14 of a pair of hinge assemblies 9 are secured to upper and lower frame members 11 of the gate 10 and transverse bores 19 are formed in the post 12 at spaced locations to receive the respective threaded rods 17. The nuts 20 are then adjusted along the threaded rods 17 to position the pivot pins 15 at a desired location to achieve the requisite swinging access for the gate 10. When the desired position is achieved the nuts 20 are tightened to clamp about opposite sides of the post 12 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 so that the hinge assemblies 9 are positively secured in position.

To further reinforce the hinge assembly 9 in its connection to the frame member 11, one or more U-shaped brackets 21 of the type shown in Fig. 2 may be employed. The brackets 21 are provided in their opposite side flanges 22 with elongated apertures 23 so as to enable alignment with preformed holes in the members 14. As shown in Fig. 3 the brackets 21 are sized to locate neatly about the spaced members 14 and receive the bolts 18 therethrough to clamp the brackets 21 to the frame member 11.

In an alternative arrangement the brackets 23 may be eliminated and the members 14 replaced by an elongated channel member which ^"engages about the frame member 11. In this arrangement the upper and lower flanges of the channel member preferably neatly locate about and support the frame member 11.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5 there is llustrated a second embodiment of the invention applicable to mounting to walls where a threaded rod 17 of the type shown in Fig. 1 may not be passed therethrough. In this embodiment the hinge assembly 24 includes a butt type hinge 25 having one hinge member 26 which may be secured to a wall 27 and the other hinge member 28 secured, for example by welding to an elongated threaded rod 29. The rod 29 engages with a channel member 30 which fits over the gate frame member 11 in a similar manner to that previously described, being secured thereto by bolts 18 or other similar fasteners. The channel 30 is provided with a pair of spaced aligned lugs 31 which are apertured to receive the rod 29 therethrough. A tubular spacer 32 is arranged between the lugs 31 whilst nuts 33 are again engaged with the rod 29 on opposite side of the lugs 31 in the manner illustrated.

It will be apparent that adjustment of the nuts 33 along the rod 29 will vary the position of the gate 10 relative to the hinge 25 and enable its adjustment to a vertical or other desired attitude. When the desired adjustment is achieved both nuts 33 are tightened against the opposite lugs 31 which are supported by the spacer 32 so that a positive locking of the position of the gate 10 relative to the hinge 25 can be achieved. Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of hinge assembly 34 according to the present invention, particularly adapted for use with gates 35 having a tubular frame 36. In this embodiment the hinge assembly 34 comprises a clamp 37 having a pair of clamp parts 38 adapted to be interengaged and clamped by means of a bolt 39 about the gate frame 36. For this purpose each clamp part 38 is of part circular form to conform to the frame 36 and is provided at its end opposite the clamping bolt 39 with a lug 40 for engaging the other clamp part. Each clamp part 38 also includes a tubular gudgeon member 41 which is adapted to be aligned with the gudgeon member 41 of the other clamp part 38 as shown in Fig. 6.

The hinge pin 42 for the hinge assembly 34 is of L-shaped form comprising an elongated threaded rod 43 which is adapted to extend through a bore 44 in a support post 45 and an upstanding pivot pin 46 which is adapted to be received within the gudgeons 41 to support the clamp 37 and thus the gate 35 for pivotal movement. As before respective nuts 47 are engaged with the threaded rod 43 on opposite sides of the post 45 and their adjustment along the rod 43 will vary the pivotal axis of the hinge assembly 34 relative to the post 45 and thus the axis about which the gate 35 swings.

In the embodiment illustrated the post 45 is circular in cross-section, however, it may be of any other cross-sectional form. The post 45 may alternatively be hollow in which case the aperture 44 for the rod 43 may be defined by aligned holes on opposite sides of the post 45.

Referring now to Fig. 7 there is illustrated an alternative form of hinge assembly 9' similar to the embodiment of Fig. 1 and in which like parts have been given like numerals, the hinge assembly 9' mounting the gate 10 to post 12. In this embodiment however, the elongated members 14 are el minated and replaced by an angle bracket 48 whose top flange 49 seats on the top face of the frame member 11 and whose side flange 50 abuts the side face of the frame member 11 to be secured thereto by fasteners 51, for example screws passed through apertures in the side flange 50. The top flange 49 is extended to support the pivot pin 15, which is located rotatably in a tubular member 16. The end of the pin 15 which is provided with an enlargement 52 defined for example by a washer or simply by a flattening of the end of the pin 15 to cause radial expansion thereof to prevent detachment of the tubular member 16.

The hinge 9' will function to support a gate 10 as before, with adjustment of the hinge axis relative to the post 12 being obtained by means of the nuts 20 whilst the angle bracket 48 permits the hinge 9' to be secured to frame members 11 of any size. If desired fasteners may also be passed through the top flange 49 into the top face of the member 11. Fig. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of hinge assembly 53 according to the invention which is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 5. In this arrangement, however, the hinge assembly 53 is fixed to the gate frame member 11 by means of a bracket 54 which includes a flat flange portion 55 secured to the frame member 11 by screws 56 or any other suitable fasteners and two upstanding end flanges 57 which are apertured for receiving a threaded rod 58 therethrough. Respective nuts 59 are engaged with the rod 58 to abut opposite end flanges 57.

The threaded rod 58 is secured to a tube 60 which extends transversely of the rod 58 and which is adapted to rotate about a pivot pin 61 which is provided at each end with mounting flanges 62 which mount the pin 61 to a mounting plate 63, the latter being secured to a wall 64 by any suitable fasteners. As shown the pivot pin 61 is disposed outwardly of the wall 64 so that the hinge 53 and gate 10 have the capability of pivoting in opposite directions. Adjustment is achieved by releasing the nuts 59 and moving the rod 58 relatively to the bracket 54 whereafter it may be locked in its desired position by tightening the nuts 59 against the flanges 57.

Referring now to Fig. 9 there is illustrated yet a further embodiment of the hinge assembly 65 similar to the embodiment of Fig. 8 but in which the flange portion 55' is extended at 66 and wherein the nuts 59 are eliminated and replaced by a single adjusting nut 67 located between the flanges 57. It will be apparent that rotation of the nut 67 in opposite directions will cause the gate 10 to move inwardly and outwardly relative to the pivot axis of the hinge 65 defined by the pivot pin 61 and tube 60.

Both of the embodiments described in Figs. 8 and 9 are suitable for left and right hand application simply by rotating the hinge tube 60, pin 61, and mounting plate 63 relative to the gate mounting bracket. Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11 there is illustrated in an alternative form of hinge assembly 68 according to the invention which is in the form of a T-hinge and having an arm or wing 69 adapted to be secured to a member to be swung for example a gate. The arm 69 carries an elongated tubular member 70 which extends longitudinally and centrally thereof to receive a threaded rod 71 which is fixed to the pivot tube 72 of a hinge 73. The rod 71 is curved at 74 adjacent its connection to the tube 72 so that the hinge assembly parts are disposed in substantially the same plane. The threaded rod 71 and tube 72 are preferably connected by welding to the respective hinge parts 72 and 69. A pair of nuts 75 are screw engaged with the rod 71 at opposite ends of the member 70 to allow adjustment of the arm or wing 69 relative to the pivot tube 70 and thus hinge 73 to thereby vary the position of the member to which the arm 69 may be secured relative to the hinge 73.

In the modification of Figs. 12 and 13, the tube 76 for receiving the threaded rod 77 is formed by rolling a section 78 (shown in dotted outline) of the wing 79 inwardly. In a similar manner to that described in Figs. 10 and 11 respective nuts 80 are located about the threaded rod 77 at opposites ends of the tube 76. The. post or support plate 81 also has a portion 82 (shown in dotted outline) rolled to form a tubular member 83 for receipt of a curved end 84 of the rod 77 to define the pivot connection between the wing 79 and plate 81.

In the embodiment of Fig. 14 the threaded rod 85 which may be connected to the wing or arm in a similar manner to that of Figs. 10 to 13 is directly pivotally connected to the hinge plate 86. The rod 85 includes for this purpose a bore 87 in its end for receipt of a pivot pin 88 supported by the plate 86. If desired washers or spaces may be located on opposite sides of the rod 85 adjacent the bore 87 to provide additional support to the rod 85. The embodiment of Figs. 15 and 17 is similar to that of Fig. 9, except that the adjustment arrangement is of the form of Figs. 10 and 11. In this case, however, the wing 89 which supports the rod receiving tube 90 is secured in use to the top surface of the gate frame member 91. The supporting bracket 92 is also such as to allow for one hundred and eighty degrees pivotal movement so that the gate 93 may swing flush say against a wall 94. This embodiment may also be adapted for steel frame gates and for this purpose the wing 89 may be of angled sectioned form to seat on a tubular gate frame member to be secured thereto by welding or other means.

The hinge assemblies of the invention enable a gate or other member to be swung in opposite directions as required whilst the threaded rods and associated nuts permit adjustment of the hinge axes of the hinges and thus of the gates. Adjustments may be made after initial hanging so as to cater for expansion or contraction of the wood components in the gate and to ensure that correct swinging is maintained without jamming. Whilst the hinge assemblies of the invention are particularly suited for hanging gates they may be readily applied to other situations where a member is required to be hung from a hinge.

All modifications and variations to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims (10)

1. A hinge assembly adapted to hingedly interconnect a pair of members, said hinge assembly including first and second hingedly interconnected parts, means for securing said first part to one of said members, an elongated threaded member fixed to said second part and at least one adjustment member threadably engaged with said threaded member and movable therealong to adjust the position of said second hinge part relative to said other member whereby to vary the hinge position of said first member relative to said second member.

2. A hinge assembly according to Claim 1 and including a wing adapted to be secured to said second part, said wing including means for receiving said threaded member, said adjustment member being adjustable along said threaded member to vary the position of said threaded member relative to said wing.

3. A hinge assembly according to Claim 2 wherein said wing carries an apertured member, said apertured member receiving said threaded member.

4. A hinge assembly according to Claim 3 and including a further adjustment member, said adjustment members being located at opposite ends of said apertured member and being movable into engagement therewith to lock said apertured member relative to said threaded member at a desired position therealong.

5. A hinge assembly according to Claim 4 wherein said apertured member comprises a tubular member fixed to or formed integrally with said wing.

6. A hinge assembly according to Claim 1 wherein one of said hinge parts comprises a mounting plate for mounting said hinge assembly to said first member.

7. A hinge assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the other said hinge part comprises a tubular member rotatable about an axle or pin fixed to said one hinge part.

8. A hinge assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the other hinge part comprises an end of said threaded rod.

9. A hinge assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said threaded member is receivable in a bore in the other member of said pair.

10. A hinge assembly according to Claim 1 wherein said pair of members comprise a gate and a support for a gate respectively.