CA1169608A - Hinge structure - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
This invention relates to improvements in a hinge wherein upper and lower leaf formations are connected together by a pintle for swinging movement of one in relation to the other wherein each leaf formation includes a central plate portion with hinge barrel extending along one edge thereof and a mounting plate portion extending from the opposite edge thereof in a plane generally parallel to a plane that includes the central axis of the hinge barrel, the hinge barrel of the upper leaf formation corresponding to and surmounting the hinge barrel of the lower leaf formation whereby the same can be connected together by the pintle in aligned relation for relative swinging movement.

Description

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Field of Invention This invention relates to improvements in hinges for door or window sash construction especially storm doors and more particu-larly to the manner of supporting same within a wall opening of a building and the manner of sealing same one against the other and against the surfaces of the wall opening so as to more securely establish and better define a barrier against the escape of heat from the building interior to the outside atmosphere and vice versa.
Background to the Invention It is common practice for door or window sashes and associ-ated framing and especially storm doors to be supplied by a fabri-cator to specification for ready installation within wall openings of given dimensions.
The framing of the door or window sash structure when deli-vered iB intended to closely match the outline of the wall opening so that upon the application of selected sealing strips to the frame or to the surrounding surfaces of the wall opening and with appropriate screw-threaded fasteners or the like the frame is securely attached within the wall opening so as to effectively block the passage of air between frame and wall opening surfaces.
According to certain proposals, for example ~.S.P. 4,084,361 the frame can be provided with integral hinge elements which match corresponding hinge elements presented by the closure structure which together upon interconnection cooperate to support the door or, window sash structure for swinging movement into and out of registration with the surrounding frama.
Other alternatives, for example Canadian Patent No. 1,071,929 include separate hinge members securable by suitable fasteners to the frame and supporting structures surrounding the wall opening, '~

1 ~ 6~6~8 and likewise to the door or window sash structure itself so as to provide the requisite swinging support.
In the case of storm doors especially, the outermost contour or configuration of the framing members remote from the inner or interior portion thereof on the one hand is intended to follow the contour or configuration of the door jambs, lintel and threshold.
Inwardly the shape matches the contour or configuration of the door structure itself, with clearance preferably kept to a minimum and with the frame and door structure presenting cooperating flanges or anchoring slots for securing sealing strips in place to isolate or interrupt the spaces or narrow passages therebetween so as to substantially block the entry of air from within or from without when the door structure is in full registration within the frame.
Thus the escape of heat from the building interior is minim-ized in colder weather and alternatively penetration of the out-side atmosphere into the building interior is minimized during the warmer weather whereby more efficient control over interior condi-tions is achieved.
_ jects of the Invention The principal object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge structure for a combination door or window sash structure and associated frame therefor of improved strength and endurance under normal wear and tear and which in the closed or fully regis-tered position establishes a much improved barrier to heat 10BS or transfer between sash and frame.
More particularly it is an object of this invention to pro-vide a hinge structure for a combination door or window sash structure and associated frame therefor wherein in the closed position the separation between the sash structure and frame is substantially reduced and the passages so defined by such t 3 69608 separation extended as well as interrupted in a manner such that greater sealing pressures can be exerted and hence the escape of or passage of air therethrough greatly diminished.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel hinge structure which in combination with the frame and sash structure maximizes the available support for the swinging door or window sash so as to ensure full registration and full sealing engagement therebetween.
Features of the Invention One important feature of the invention resides in providing a novel hinge structure for a combination sash structure and frame therefor wherein the frame includes me~bers with inwardly directed principal wall portions having inner and outer margins defining the central opening thereof and having flange formations extending in a direction perimetrally outwardly beyond the outer margins thereof and wherein the sash structure includes outer side wall portions having a perimetral extent and configuration such that whenever the sash structure is fully registered within the central opening of the frame, the outer side wall portions are disposed in close proximity to but separated from the inwardly directed wall portions thereof, the sash structure including outer portions pro-jecting perimetrally outwardly beyond the inwardly directed prin-cipal wall portions of the frame to bridge the separation between the frame and sash structure and overlap the outer flange forma-tions thereof and with appropriate sealing components presented by one of the frame and the sash structure to the other of the frame and sash structure within the outer regions of overlap for estab-lishing a perimetral outer barrier therebetween whenever the sash structure is fully registered within the central opening of the frame.

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~ ore particularly according to the invention a novel hinge structure for mounting the sash structure upon the frame for swinging movement from a position wherein the sash structure is in full registration within the central opening of the frame to a fully opened position includes an upper and lower leaf formation, each leaf formation including a central plate portion flanked by a hinge barrel having a longitudinal axis and extending along one edge thereof and by an apertured mounting plate portion extending along the opposite edge thereof and in a direction at an angle to the direction of the central plate portion and a pintle regis-trable in sliding fit with the hinge barrel of the upper and lower leaf formations when the hinge barrel of the upper leaf formation surmounts and is arranged in alignment with the hinge barrel of lower leaf formation.
More particularly, one of the jamb me~bers of the frame is provided with appropriate apertures therethrough in the region of the outer flange formations thereof beyond the region of outer overlap for presentation by the central plate portion of the lower leaf formation of its hinge barrel outwardly therethrough and its associated mounting plate portion in abutting relation to the sur-face of the inwardly directed principal wall portion thereof remote from the surface defining the central opening, and that portion of the stile of the sash structure projecting perimetrally outwardly over and beyond the outer margin of the jamb member aforementioned to overlap the flange formation thereof also having appropriate apertures therethrough aligned with the outer side wall portion of the stile, the mounting plate portion of the upper leaf formation extending therethrough and into aoutment with the surface of the latter mentioned outer side wall portion and with the central plate portion overlying the outer surface of the lat-ter mentioned perimetral projecting portion and presenting its l 16s6a~ ' hinge barrel therebeyond to surmount the hinge barrel of the lower leaf fc)rmation.
With this arrangement, the upper leaf formation is directly secured to the sash structure by means of appropriate screw-threaded fasteners extending through the apertures in the mounting plate portion to penetrate the side wall portion of the stile, with the screw-threaded fasteners for anchoring the lower leaf formation being adapted to penetrate first the inwardly directed principal wall portion of the jamb member of the frame and then register within the apertures of the mounting plate portion there-of whereby the loading attributable to the support of the sash structure through the hinge barrels and pintle is transmitted to and carried by both the inwardly directed principal wall portion of t~e frame as well as by the structural elements defining the wall opening itself, which arrangement tends to preserve the sec-ure attachment of the lower leaf formation of hinge and hence pre-serve the orientation of the movable sash structure to the frame so as to achieve full registration and optimum sealing over an extended period of time.
Particularly with such arrangement of upper and lower leaf formations, minimal separation between sash structure and frame can be achieved.

1 16~8 These and other objects and features are more particularly set forth in the following description which is to be read in con-junction with the sheets of drawing in which Figure 1 is a per-spective view of a preferred embodiment of a combined sash struc-ture in the form of a door sash structure and frame therefore including a threshold member taken from a point to the left and upwardly from the front elevation thereof;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the combined sash struc-ture, frame and threshold member illustrated in Figure 1 taken from the point to the right and below the rear elevation thereof as depicted in Figure l;
Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of one of the stiles of the sash structure and associated jamb member of the frame of Figure 1 taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure l;
Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the other of the stiles of the sash ~tructure and associated jamb menber of the frame of Figure 1 taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1;
E'igure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the upper rail of the sash structure and associated lintel member of the frame of Figure 1 taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure l;
Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the intermed-iate and bottom rails and enclosed panels of the sash structure and associated threshold member of Figure 1 taken along the lines of 6-6 of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken through the hinge structure joining the sash structure and frame taken along the lines 7-7 of Figure l;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a length of a profiled metal extrusion used to construct the stiles and upper and lower rails of the sash structure of Figure 1;

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E'igure 9 is an end view of the profiled metal extrusion of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a length of a profiled metal extrusion used to construct the jamb memhers and lintel member of the frame of Figure l;
E~igure 11 is an end view of the profiled metal extrusion of Figure 10;
Figure 12 is perspective view of a portion of a length of a profiled metal extrusion used to construct the intermediate rail of the door sash structure of Figure l;
Figure 13 is an end view of the profiled metal extrusion of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of hinge structure used to support the door sash structure of Fig-ure 1 from the frame;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the hinge structure of Figure 14 taken from a point to the rear and below the hinge as depicted in Figure 14;
Figure 16 is an end view of the hinge structure of Figure 14 taken from above;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of the connection between wall opening, hinge structure, frame and sash structure with the surrounding components broken away.
The preferred embodiment of combination sash structure 10 and frame 12 therefor including supporting spaced hinges 14 illustrat-ed in the drawings takes the form of a storm door installation.
The door sash structure 10 includes vertical stiles 16 and 18 respectively, horizontal top rail 20 intermediate rail 22 and bot-tom rail 24 respectively and includes a lower kick panel formation t 1 69608 26.
The vertical stiles 16, 18 and top and bottom rails 20 and 24 are derived from a length of hollow metal stock preferably in the form of the preferred profiled member illustra~ed in Figures 8 and g.
The frame 12 for the door sash structure 10 includes vertical jamb members 28, 29, a lintel member 30, the frame in the case of a door installation, as illustrated, preferably being completed by a bottom threshold member 32. Otherwise the threshold member can have the same configuration in cross-section as the ja~b and lin-tel members.
The vertical jamb members 28, 29 and horizontal lintel member 30 of frame 12 are preferably derived from a length of hollow metal stock, in the form of the preferred profiled member of the type illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.
The hollow profiled members illustrated in Figures 8 to 11 inclusive are extruded through suitable dies and preferably are o aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
The bottom threshold member 32 likewise is a profiled metal member derived by extrusion through a suitable die preferably of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
The supporting hinges 14 for securing the sash structure 10 within the frame 12 are three in number according to the embodi-ment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each hinge including a lower leaf formation 34 and integral hinge barrel 36 and an upper leaf formation 38 and integral hinge barrel 40, which are connected by a pintel 42 provided with a head or stop 43 leaf formations 34, 38 preferably being separated by a washer or bearing 44 located bet-ween hinge barrels 36 and 40.
The hollow extruded profiled member illustrated in Figures 8 :~, 1 1 6g~

and 9 from which stiles 16 and 18 and *op and bottom rails 20 and 24 of sash structure 10 are derived includes four principal wall portions, outer wall portior 48, outer side wall portions 50, in-ner side wall portion S2 and inner wall portion 54.
Outer side wall portion 48 i8 provided with a perimetral outer extension or projection 56 in one direction and terminates in an inner bevelled nose formation 58 in the opposite direction.
Outer perimetral extension or projection 56 presents a longi-tudinally extending slot or groove 60 angled to the general plane of outer wall portion 48 of sash structure 10 and opening inwardly thereof toward frame 12.
Outer side wall portion 50 extends inwardly at generally right angles to the plane of the front wall portion 48 and in-cludes innermost a perimetral reentrant portion or recessed 62 which presents a longitudinally extending surface 64 generally parallel to the plane of the inner wall portion 54 and facing in-wardly, and a longitudinally extending slot or groove formation 66 arranged at right angles to the plane of the aforementioned longi-tudinally extending surface 64 and opening outwardly towards the outer side wall portion 50.
Inner side wall portion 52 includes flanges 68, 70 which define longitudinally extending guideways or channels for anchor-ing frames or trackways 71 for locating glass panels for screening or the like therewithin.
The extruded profiled member illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 from which vertical jamb members 28, 29 and lintel members 30 of frame 12 are derived includes two wall portions, outer flange or facing 72 and inwardly directed principal wall portion 74, outer flange or facing 72 including at the outer extremity thereof a longitudinally extending channel 76 opening inwardly thereof and a _ g _ 5~s longitudinally extending channel 78 somewhat elongate in cross-section and opening outwardly thereof with an intermediate out-wardly angled portion 80 bounding the outer margin of inwardly directed principal wall portion 74 and presenting a longitudinally extending angled surface 81 therealong.
Wall portion 74 terminates inwardly along the inner margin thereof in a centrally directed section 82 at right angles thereto presenting a longitudinally extending slot or channel formation 84 opening outwardly and an opposed longitudinally extending channel formaticn 86 opening inwardly.
The extruded profiled member illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 from which intermediate rail member 22 of the sash structure 10 is derived has a T-shaped perimeter and is hollow in cross-section and includes an outer wall portion 88, side wall portions 90, 92 and inner wall portion 94, the inner wall portion 94 including flanges 96a, 96b at each extremity which together with flanges 98a, 98b upstanding from the side walls 90, 92 serve as guideways or trackways for locating or anchoring panels including kick panel formation 26 and the trackways for panels of glass or screening.
Hinge structure 14 illustrated particularly in Figures 14 through 16 is characterized by the lower leaf formation 34 having a generally planar mounting plate portion 100 suitably apertured as at lOla, lOlb, lOlc joined by a central corrugated bridging portion 102 thereof to hinge barrel 36. The contour of central corrugated bridging section 102 is dictated by the position of the hinge barrel 36 in relation to the mounting plate portion 100 and is achieved by extruding same through a suitable die or in any other acceptable manner so as to not only provide the required spatial relationship but to achieve sub~tantial strength in that 1 1 696~8 region.
Upper leaf formation 38 includes integral right-angled por-tions 104, 106 the mounting plate portion 106 being suitably aper-tured as at 108a, 108b and with supporting or right-angled central bridging section 104 of a dimension dictated by the required spat-ial relation between integral hinge barrel 40 thereof and inwardly extending side wall portion 50 of sash structure 10 to which mounting plate portion 106 is secured.
Vertical stiles 16 and 18 respectively and horizontal top and bottom rails 20, 24 respectively are appropriately mitred at each end to abut and establish the requisite mitred joints indicated at 110, 112, 114 and 116 in Figures 1 and 2 to achieve the requisite rectilinear configuration, the stiles and rails being rigidly con-nected in a conventional manner at their abutting ends by inter-iorally located suitably angled members or channels bridging the joints therebetween and being secured to the respective adjacent stiles and rails by suitable screw-threaded fasteners, all of which has been omitted from the drawings for purposes of clarity.
Intermediate rail 22 is suitably trimmed at each end to meet each side rail 16, 18 along a continuous abutting line of contact as indicated at 118, 120 in Figure 1, with rail 22 suitably an-chored in place by internally located apertured plugs and associ-ated screw-threaded fasteners or by an equivalent clamping ar-rangement, all in a conventional manner, also omitted from the drawings for purposes of clarity.
The kick plate formation 26 occupying the lower portion of the sash structure is defined by a pair of spaced opposed metal plates 122, 124 extending between intermediate rail 22 and lower rail 24 and between the inner lower extremities of the stiles 16 1 1 6~60 ~

and 18, the metal plates 122, 124 preferably being separated by suitable, substantially rigid, foamed plastic material 126.
In describing the interrelationship of sash structure 10 to frame 12, reference will be made to the structure of stiles 16 and 18 and rails 20 and 24 in terms of the general description and numbers applicable to the profiled member of Figures 8 and 9 in that each stile and rail are derived from a length of such profil-ed member.
Likewise, reference will be made in describing such inter-relationship to the structure of jamb members 28, 29 and lintelmember 30 in terms of the description and numbers applicable to the profiled member of Figures 10 and 11 in that the jambs and lintel are derived from lengths of such member.
It will be observed from Figures 1 and 2 and especially from Figures 3 through 7 inclusive that with sash structure 10 in the fully closed position, that is fully regi~tered within the central opening of surrounding frame 12 consisting of jamb members 28, 29, lintel member 30 and threshold member 32, that a substantial bar-rier to the passage or escape of air between the sash 10 and frame 12 and threshold memher 32 is established as will now be des-cribed.
The outer extremities 56 of stiles 16 and 18 and upper and lower rails 20, 24 overlap with the flanges or facings 72 of ver-tical jamb members 28, 29 and lintel member section 30 and outer wall portion or flange 32a of threshold member 32 which extends outwardly from the outer margin thereof defining the lower extent of the central openings. The longitudinal slots 60 presented by outer perimetral extensions or projections 56 are fitted with appropriate compressible sealing strips 125 of a configuration and extent such that they firmly engage and seal against surfaces 81 1 1 69~08 presented by angled portions 80 of jamb members 2~, 29 and lintel member 30 and also against the upper curvate surface of the flange formation 32a of threshold member 32 respectively.
~ le longitudinal channels or slots 66 of reentrant or recess-ed portions 62 innermost of outer side walls 50 of stiles 16, 18 and upper rail 20, are likewise fitted with suitable, compressible sealing strips 126, which have a configuration and extent such that they firmly engage and seal against the surface 128 presented by inner flange formations 82 of jamb members 28, 29 and lintel member 30 with the longitudinal slot 66 of lower rail 24 being fitted in the embodiment illustrated with a modified sealing strip 130 of a configuration and extent so as to firmly engage and seal against the upper surface contour of inner wall formation or flange 32b of threshold member 32 which extends inwardly from the inner margin of the threshold member 32 defining the central open-ing.
Thus, with sealing strips 125, 126 and 130 fitted to the anchoring structure or slots of sash structure 10, a substantial inner ana outer barrier to the escape or penetration of heated atmosphere is established whenever the sash structure 10 is fully registered within the central opening of the frame 12.
Also it is noted that by providing the sash structure 10 with a perimetral outer overlap to frame 12 in the form of an outer extension 56, the separation between the sash and frame is shield-ed or bridged, which arrangement not only extends the length of the intervening passages but diverts them and as well such ar-rangement serves to protect the sealing strips 125 from exposure to the weather and from tampering whenever the sash 10 is fully registered with the frame 12. Moreover, the principal sealing t 3 696~8 strips 125 are placed under direct compression within the outer regions of overlap and with significant abrasion.
It will also be observed that the perimetral reentrant or recessed portions 62 of the outer side walls 50 include perimet-rally extending surfaces 64 facing inwardly to the overlapping inner flange formations 82 of jamb members 28, 29 and lintel mem-ber 30 of frame 12.
The longitudinally extending slots or channels 84 presented by inner flange formations 82 of jambs 28, 29 and lintel 30 are fitted with sealing strips 132 having a configuration and extent to firmly engage and seal against perimetrally extending surfaces 64.
Thus a third intervening barrier is established between the sealing strips 125 and 126 of stiles 16 and 18 and upper rail 20 and jambs 28, 29 and lintel 30, which third barrier serves to en-sure that any flow of air between the sash 10 and the frame 12 is blocked or trapped and to act as a safeguard should sealing strips 125, 126 be torn, punctured or deformed.
It will be understood that in the case of door sash structure 10, frame 12 includes threshold member 32 in place of a length of profiled member of Figures 10 and 11 which otherwise would com-plete the frame and provide three sealing barriers in like manner as explained above.
By this substitution, the preferred option of establishing a third sealing engagement in the threshold region is not available as may be observed from Figure 6 of the drawings and that only two barriers are presented.
The function of the longitudinally extending channel forma-tion 78 of profiled member of Figures 8 and 9 is to provide a recessed portion through which requisite suitable screw-threaded 1 ~ 69608 fasteners, not illustrated can be driven to secure the respective jamb members 28 and 29 and lintel member 30 to the perimeter of the wall opening. The edges of channel 78 are appropriately con-toure~, as best seen in Figure 11 as at 134 and 136 to receive and interlockingly secure spaced legs of a bevelled molding or trim strip 138 which conceals the fastener heads located at the bottom of the recess from view, molding strip 138 including an inward extension or lip 140 which lies adjacent the edge of extension 56 of the stiles 16 and 18 and upper rail 20 to give the appearance of a solid facing or surround.
The vertically extending longitudinal channel 76 presented outermost by the profiled member illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 and vertically extending channel 86 opening inwardly and presented by the inner flange formations 82 of the profiled member of Fig-ùres 10 and 11 are adapted to hold or secure appropriate compress-ible sealing strip~ 142, 144 respectively as illustrated in Fig-ures 3, 4, 5 and 7 respectively. Such sealing engagements addi-tionally block any flow of air between the wall opening and jamb members 28, 29 and lintel member 30.
According to the invention, the hinge structure 14 is adapted to be secured to frame 12 and to sash 10 in spaced-apart relation in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, and detailed in Figures 3, 7 and 17 the apertured mounting plate portion 100 of lower leaf formatin 34 being adapted to abut the inner surface of inwardly directed principal wall portion of the jamb member 28.
Apertured mounting plate portion 100 is adapted to be sup-ported within a locating recess 146 formed in upright principal member 148 of the wall opening in the usual manner, with the cen-tral corrugated plate portion 102 being disposed behind angled portion 80 of ja~b 28, the outermost extend of the central portion 1 1 696~8 102 projecting through an appropriate aperture 150 in the flange or facing 72 so as to present hinge barrel 36 in a position beyond the region of outer overlap to receive and cooperate with pintel 42, washer or bearing 44 and overlying hinge barrel 40.
It is also necessary to provide appropriate recesses 152 within the length of the lip 140 of trim strip 138 to accommodate the extent and circumference of aligned hinge barrels 36, 40 as seen best in Figure 1.
Suitable screw-threaded fasteners 154 are employed to fasten apertured mounting plate 100 to the member 148 with the shanks of such fasteners 154 extending through the inwardly directed princi-pal wall portion 74 so as to register with apertures lOOa, lOOb and lOOc, with the heads 156 of the fasteners 154 abutting the outer surface of such wall portion 74.
By so mounting the lower leaf formation 34 in this manner, support for the sash structure 10 taken by hinge barrel 36 and pintel 42 is transmitted to apertured plate portion 100 by central plate portion which rigidly anchored by the respective fasteners 154 between the door jamb member 28 and principal wall opening member 148 effectively distributes the vertical load between jamb 28 and member 148. Thus does the strength and rigidity of the frame 12 contribute to the support and orientation of sash struc-ture 10 as it is swung on its hinges.
Upper leaf formation 38 is supported upon intermediately pos-itioned washer 44 through its hinge barrel 40 located in overlying relation thereto and held in alignment by pintel 42, the central plate portion 104 extending outwardly from hinge barrel 40 to overlie outer wall portion 48 of stile 16 as best seen in Figure 1 with the apertured mounting plate portion 106 penetrating the ~ 1 696~8 outer perimetral extension 56 thereof through an appropriate aper-ture 158 to abut the outer surface of the outer side wall portion 50 thereof and suitably secured thereto by screw-threaded fasten-ers 1~0.
All parts of hinge 14 are appropriately dimensioned so as to match the profiled member of Figure 8 and 9 and 10 and 11 so as to maintain the spatial relationships illustrated in Figures 3 to 7 inclusive with the extent of central plate portion of upper leaf formation exceeding the corresponding extent of central plate por-tion in the circumstances.
It is also obvious that in the case of an embodiment of the invention in the form of a storm door and frame, the vertical stiles 18 and jamb member 29 will be provided with suitable latch mechanisms to releasably secure the sash structure 10 to the frame 12 upon each closing.
Also it will be obvious that a door closing member tensioned so as to urge the sash structure 10 into full registration with frame 12 will be employed which ensures that requisite clamping forces are established between sash structure and frame and thres-hold member.
The central opening within sash structure 10 bounded by upper rail 20 and intermediate rail 22 and the upper portions of stiles 16 and 18 is adapted to be appropriately fitted with glass panels or with screening and may include movable frames or fixed frames as may be desirable.
Having regard to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that the profiled members 71 present channels centrally so that frames for glass panels or screening can be mounted therewithin for vertical displacement.
While the embodiments of the invention illustrated and des-cribed takes the form of a storm door and frame in~tallation, it 1 1 69~

will be obvious to persons skilled in -the art that the invention may take the form of any closure for any opening and wherein the sash structure may be hinged or clamped to the frame as may be expedient in the circumstances.
Further, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations or modifications may be undertaken to the structures that embody the invention as illustrated and described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims.

Claims (8)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Hinge means comprising upper and lower leaf formations and a pintle for connecting same together for swinging movement of one in relation to the other, wherein each leaf formation includes a central plate portion with hinge barrel means extending along one edge thereof and a mounting plate portion extending from the oppo-site edge thereof in a plane generally parallel to a plane that includes the central axis of said hinge barrel means, said hinge barrel means or said upper leaf formation corresponding to and surmounting the hinge barrel means of said lower leaf formation whereby the same can be connected together in aligned relation for swinging movement by said pintle means extending within said hinge barrel means of said upper and lower leaf formations.

2. Hinge means according to claim 1 wherein the extent of said central plate portion between said hinge barrel means and said mounting plate portion of said upper leaf formation exceeds the corresponding extent of said central plate portion of said lower leaf formation.

3. Hinge means according to claim 2 wherein said mounting plate portion of said upper leaf formation extends in a plane at sub-stantially right angles to the general plane of said mounting plate portion thereof.

4. Hinge means according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said mount-ing plate portion of said lower leaf formation extends in a plane at an angle other than a right angle to the general plane of said central plate portion thereof.

5. Hinge means comprising at least a pair of spaced hinge struc-tures, each said hinge structure having an upper and lower leaf formation, each leaf formation including a central plate portion flanked by hinge barrel means having a longitudinal axis and extending along one edge thereof and by an apertured mounting plate portion extending along the opposite edge thereof and in a direction at an angle to the direction of said central plate por-tion and pintle means registrable in sliding fit with said hinge barrel means of said upper and lower leaf formations when said hinge barrel means of said upper leaf formation surmounts and is arranged in alignment with said hinge barrel means of said lower leaf formation.

6. Hinge means according to claim 5 wherein the extent of said central plate portion between said hinge barrel means to said mounting plate portion of said upper leaf formation exceeds the corresponding extent of said central plate portion of said lower leaf formation.

7. Hinge means according to claim 6 wherein said mounting plate portion of said upper leaf formation extends in a plane at sub-stantially right angles to the general plane of said central plate portion thereof.

8. Hinge means according to claims 5, 6 or 7 wherein said mount-ing plate portion of said lower leaf formation extends in a plane at an angle other than a right angle to the general plane of said central plate portion thereof.