CN117480307A

CN117480307A - Hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: CN117480307A
Application number: CN202280041511.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·库克; P·R·皮尔逊; J·W·基林
Original assignee: Heywood Williams Components Ltd
Current assignee: Heywood Williams Components Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-08
Filing date: 2022-05-11
Publication date: 2024-01-30
Also published as: GB202108166D0; WO2022258941A1; GB2607607A

Abstract

A hinge assembly for a window comprises a sash member (10) and a frame member (50). The frame part (10) comprises a frame bracket (52) for fixing to the frame and a sash arm (54) for connecting the frame part to the sash part. The sash part comprises a rail (12) for attachment to a first side of the sash and a sash bracket (14) for attachment to a second side of the sash. The sash bracket (14) extends substantially perpendicularly from the first end (16) of the rail (12). The rail (12) comprises a channel for receiving an end (58) of the sash arm (54) and at least one plunger (19), (21), the at least one plunger (19), (21) being biased to extend into the channel. The sash arm (54) is configured to slide along the channel and compress the plungers (19, 21) until the position of the openings (70, 72) in the frame is aligned with the plungers (19, 21), and the plungers (19, 2 l) are received in the openings (70, 72).

Description

Hinge assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for a window and a method of assembling a window.

Background

The window hinge assembly typically comprises a portion for attachment to the sash, a portion for attachment to the frame, and a connection between the sash portion and the frame portion. Assembling a window may be time consuming, as it is difficult to attach the frame part and the sash part in the correct relative position on the frame and the sash, so that the sash is properly mounted in the frame. This assembly process typically requires two operators to mate. Typically, the frame parts are first connected, and then the sash parts are attached by visually aligning the sash parts to positions on the sash for attachment to the frame. When the sash part is attached and the sash is connected to the frame, it may be necessary to readjust the position of the sash part if the initial positioning is incorrect. After a period of use of the window, the sash may slide relative to the frame, in which case the position of the sash part may need to be readjusted.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and a method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will become apparent in the dependent claims and in the subsequent description.

According to a first aspect, a hinge assembly for a window is provided. The hinge assembly comprises a sash part and a frame part, the frame part comprising a frame bracket for fixing to the frame and a sash arm for connecting the frame part to the sash part; the sash part comprising a sash bracket for attachment to a first side of a sash and a rail for attachment to a second side of the sash, the sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the rail; wherein the rail comprises a channel for receiving the sash arm and at least one plunger biased to extend into the channel; wherein the sash arm is configured to slide along the channel and compress the plunger until a position of an opening in the sash arm is aligned with the plunger and the plunger is received in the opening.

Because the corner of the sash may cooperate with a corner provided between the sash bracket and the rail, the sash bracket extending perpendicular to the rail allows the sash part to be attached to the sash without longitudinally adjusting the rail relative to the second side of the sash. This may allow the operator to more accurately position the sash member on the sash, thereby reducing the need for readjustment and thus simplifying the process of mounting the sash member to the sash and saving assembly time.

The rail comprises a channel and at least one plunger received in an opening of the sash arm. The rail allows the sash arm to be easily positioned at a desired location on the rail without having to readjust the relative positions of the sash arm and rail. Thus, the hinge assembly may simplify the process of mounting the sash part to the frame part, thereby saving assembly time.

The end of the sash arm may be configured to be inserted into the channel at the first end of the rail, and the end region of the sash arm may taper in width to taper toward the end of the sash arm.

The tapered end region of the sash arm may be configured to slide easily into the channel so that the sash arm may be conveniently connected to the rail. This may reduce the number of operators required to mount the sash to the frame.

The end region of the sash arm may extend from the sash arm at an oblique angle relative to the sash arm such that the end region of the sash arm may be tilted. The inclined end region may be configured to be inclined away from the rail when the sash arm is inserted into the rail such that the distance between the rail and the sash arm increases towards the end of the sash arm. The inclined end region may be configured to compress the at least one plunger such that the sash arm may slide over the at least one plunger.

The sash part may comprise two of said plungers configured to protrude into the channel, a first of said two plungers being closer to the first end of the rail than a second of said two plungers. The sash arm may include two openings for receiving the plunger, wherein a first opening farther from the tapered end of the sash arm may be configured to receive a first plunger and a second opening closer to the second end of the sash may be configured to receive a second plunger than the first plunger.

The different sizes of plungers and corresponding openings in the sash arms on the rail may prevent the plungers from being received in incorrect openings so that the sash arms are locked to the rail only in the correct position. This may make assembly of the window easier.

The plunger may be cylindrical and the diameter of the first plunger may be greater than the diameter of the second plunger. The diameter of the first opening may be larger than the diameter of the second opening.

The diameter of the second opening may be smaller than the diameter of the first plunger such that when the sash arm slides along the channel, the sash arm slides over the first compression plunger without the plunger being received in the second opening. The sash arm is thus locked to the rail only in the correct position.

The at least one plunger may be disposed in a housing, which may extend from a rear surface of the rail. The at least one plunger housing may be configured to fit in a recess on the second side of the sash. Typically, the window sash has a standard size recess of width 12mm and depth 9mm, such a recess being referred to as a european recess. By limiting the diameter and depth of the plunger housing such that the diameter of the plunger housing is less than or equal to 12mm and the depth of the plunger housing is less than or equal to 9mm, the plunger housing may be configured to fit in a european groove (Eurogroove).

The rail may comprise a first fixing hole having a tapered wall for receiving a countersunk head mount to attach the sash member to the sash.

The tapered wall of the bore may receive the countersunk head mount such that the head of the countersunk head mount does not protrude into the channel. The sash part may thus be attached to the sash without impeding sliding of the sash arm along the channel.

The rail may comprise a second fixing hole and the sash arm may comprise a corresponding fixing opening for receiving a secondary fixing hole when the sash arm is received and locked in the channel to attach the hinge assembly to the sash. The auxiliary fixing hole and the fixing opening on the window sash arm may be configured to receive the flat head fixing piece.

The flush mount may provide a stronger attachment effect than the counter mount, so that the second fixing hole and the fixing opening in the sash arm configured to receive the flush mount may allow for improved connection strength of the sash member to the sash after the frame member has been connected to the sash member.

The frame support may include an end cap configured to receive a packer for adjusting the length of the frame support. The end caps and the packer may be provided at the ends of the frame cradle. The packer may be attached to the end cap with dovetail fittings. In use, the packer may rest against a side of the frame that is perpendicular to the side to which the frame bracket is attached. The packer may be replaced with another packer having a different size to adjust the length of the frame cradle. By replacing the packer with a smaller thickness, the length of the framing stent can be reduced, while replacing the packer with a larger thickness increases the length of the framing stent. This may allow the position of the frame support relative to the frame to be adjusted in the positive and negative longitudinal directions of the frame. Thus, the packer may adjust the longitudinal position of the frame carrier on the frame side. This may allow an operator to more accurately position the frame support on the frame to reduce the need for readjustment.

The packer may include hooks that enable removal of the packer. For example, an operator may insert a tool, such as a screwdriver, into the hook and pull the packer out of the end cap. For example, the hooks may allow an operator to easily remove the packer when the frame cradle is secured to the frame.

The frame bracket may include a slot for receiving a fitting to secure the frame bracket to the window frame. The slots may allow for adjustment of the frame mount in the longitudinal direction of the window frame (e.g., when the packer is removed, or replaced with a thicker or thinner packer). This may allow for easy adjustment of the frame support relative to the frame, so that the position of the window in the frame may be easily adjusted. The longitudinal position of the sash bracket relative to the sash is not adjustable, so that a slot provided in the frame bracket may allow adjustment of a window fitting on the frame.

In one example, the packer may have a thickness of 1mm. In another example, the packer may have a thickness of 2 mm. In another example, the packer may have a thickness of 3 mm.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a window, comprising: attaching a window sash part to a window sash, the window sash part comprising a rail and a window sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the window sash bracket, wherein attaching the window sash part to the window sash comprises securing the window sash bracket to a first side of the window sash and securing the rail to a second side of the window sash perpendicular to the first side; attaching a frame member to a frame, the frame member comprising a frame bracket and a sash arm, wherein attaching the frame member to the frame comprises attaching the frame bracket to a side of the frame; the sash is connected to the frame by inserting the sash arm into a channel of the rail and sliding the sash arm along the channel until at least one spring-loaded plunger on the rail is received in at least one opening in the sash arm.

The method may provide a simplified process of assembling the window without having to readjust the sash and frame members with respect to the sash and frame, thereby saving assembly time.

Attaching the rail to the second side of the window sash may include inserting a fastener through an aperture of the rail and into the window sash. The fixture may be a countersunk fixture and the bore may include a complementary tapered wall so that the head of the countersunk fixture does not protrude into the channel when the fixture is inserted into the bore.

Attaching the rail to the second side of the sash may include inserting a bottom of the at least one plunger into a recess of the second side of the sash.

Attaching the frame member to the frame may include adjusting a longitudinal position of the frame member relative to the frame side by inserting a packer between an end cap of the frame member and the frame edge perpendicular to the frame side.

Connecting the sash to the frame may further comprise inserting a securing piece into a securing opening in the sash arm and a securing aperture in the rail to attach the sash arm and rail to the second side of the sash. The fixing member may be a flat head safety screw which may increase the strength of the connection of the sash part to which the sash arm is connected with the sash.

While several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the solution of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how embodiments thereof may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an example hinge assembly;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the hinge assembly;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the hinge assembly; and

fig. 4 shows another perspective view of the hinge assembly.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the hinge assembly 1 comprises a sash part 10 and a frame part 50.

The sash part 10 comprises a rail 12 for attachment to a first side of the sash and a sash bracket 14 for attachment to a second side of the sash. The sash bracket 14 extends substantially perpendicularly from the first end 16 of the rail 12. When the sash part is attached to the sash, the corner of the sash will be at the corner of the sash part 10 where the rail 12 and the sash bracket 14 are in contact.

The frame part 50 comprises a frame bracket 52 for fixing the frame part 50 to the window frame and a sash arm 54 for connecting the frame part 50 to the sash part 10. The sash arm has a first end 56 and a second end 58. The sash arm 54 is connected to the frame bracket 52 by a top link arm 60, a middle link arm 62, a lower link arm 64 and a rail arm 66 to form a hinge. The lower link arm 64 is pivotally connected to the frame bracket 52, while the track arm 66 and the top link arm 60 are pivotally connected to a slider 68 (shown in fig. 3), the slider 68 being configured to slide along the frame bracket 52.

The sash arm 54 is configured to connect to the rail 12 to connect the frame to the sash. The rail 12 includes a channel for receiving the sash arm 54. The second end 58 of the sash arm 54 is configured to slide into the channel at the first end of the rail 16 and along the channel to the second end 18 of the rail 12. The end region 59 of the sash arm 54 is tapered with a width that narrows towards the second end 58 of the sash arm.

The sash part 10 comprises a first plunger 19 and a second plunger 21. In other examples, the sash member may include a single plunger or two or more plungers. The plungers 19, 21 are accommodated in plunger cases 20, 22. The plungers 19, 21 are spring loaded and biased to extend into the channels of the rail 12. When sufficient force is applied, the plungers 19, 21 may be pressed into the plunger housings 20, 22 so that the sash arms may slide along the channels without being obstructed by the plungers 19, 21.

The end region 59 of the sash arm 54 is inclined. When the sash arm 54 is inserted into the channel of the rail 12, the end region 59 is inclined away from the rail 12 such that the height between the rail 12 and the inclined end region 59 increases towards the second end 58 of the sash arm. The sash arm 54 has a height at the second end 58 relative to the rail 12 that is greater than the height of the plungers 19, 21. As the sash arm 54 slides along the channel of the rail 12, the second end 58 of the sash arm 54 moves over the plunger 19, 21 and the angled end region 59 compresses the plunger into the plunger housing 20, 22.

The sash arm 54 includes a first opening 70 and a second opening 72 disposed along the length of the sash arm 54. The first opening 70 is closer to the first end 56 of the sash arm 54 than the second opening 72. The second opening 72 is configured to receive the second plunger 21, but not the first plunger 19. The first opening 70 is configured to receive the first plunger 19. The diameter of the first plunger 19 is greater than the diameter of the second plunger 21 and the diameter of the first opening 70 is greater than the diameter of the second opening 72.

When the sash arm 54 is inserted into the channel, the second end of the sash arm 58 is configured to compress the plunger 19, 21. Because the diameter of the second opening 72 is too small for the second opening 72 to accommodate the first plunger 19, the second opening 72 slides over the first plunger 19 as the sash arm 54 slides along the channel. As the sash arm 54 slides further along the channel, the plunger 19, 21 remain compressed until the first opening 70 is aligned with the first plunger 19 and the second opening 72 is aligned with the second plunger 21. The second plunger 21 is received in the second opening 72 and the first plunger 19 is received in the first opening 70, thereby preventing the sash arm 54 from sliding along the channel and locking the sash member 10 to the frame member 50. As shown in fig. 2, the plungers 19, 21 extend completely through the first and second openings 70, 72 in the sash arm.

Plunger housings 20, 22 protrude from the rear surface of rail 12. Plunger housing 20, 22 are substantially cylindrical. When the sash part 10 is attached to the sash, the plunger housing 20, 22 is configured to fit in the recess of the sash side. Typically, the sash-side recess is a standard size of 12mm wide and 9mm deep, known as the european recess (Eurogroove). Plunger housing 20, plunger housing 22 are configured to fit within the european recess of the frame. The diameter of the portions of the plunger housing 20, 22 extending into the grooves of the sash is less than or equal to 12mm and the depth of the portions of the plunger housing 20, 22 is less than or equal to 11mm.

The rail includes a first bore 24 having a tapered profile. The first hole 24 is configured to receive a countersunk fixture to connect the sash member 10 to a sash. When the countersunk head mount is received in the aperture 24, the head of the mount does not protrude into the channel so that the rail can be attached to the sash without impeding sliding of the sash arm along the channel. The rail comprises a further conical bore 25 for receiving a counter mount. In other examples, the rail may include only one tapered bore, or may include more than two tapered bores. The number of tapered holes for receiving the countersunk head holder may vary depending on the length of the guide rail.

The rail comprises the second aperture 26 and the sash arm comprises a corresponding third opening 74. When the sash is locked in place on the rail, the third opening 74 is positioned in alignment with the second aperture 26, the first plunger 19 is received in the first opening 70, and the second plunger 21 is received in the second opening 72. The second aperture 26 and the third opening 74 are configured to receive a fastener to secure the assembled hinge assembly to the window sash. The third opening 74 and the second aperture 26 are configured to receive a tack fastener.

The frame member 50 includes end caps 76 disposed at the ends of the frame bracket 52. The end cap 76 is configured to abut a first side of the frame that is perpendicular to a second side to which the frame bracket 52 is attached. As shown in fig. 4, the end cap 76 is configured to receive a packer 78 for adjusting the length of the frame member 50. The packer 78 may be attached to the end cap 76 by a dovetail fitting. When the packer 78 is set at the end of the end cap 76, the packer is configured to generally abut against the side of the frame that is perpendicular to the side to which the frame bracket is attached. Thus, the packer is configured to adjust the length of the frame cradle, thereby adjusting the position of the frame cradle 52 in the longitudinal direction of the second side of the frame. Different sized packers may be inserted onto the end cap to adjust the longitudinal position of the frame cradle 52. For example, a first packer may have a thickness of 1mm, a second packer may have a thickness of 2mm, and a third packer may have a thickness of 3 mm.

The packer includes hooks 79 for enabling removal of the packer 78. In use, an operator may insert a tool, such as a screwdriver, into the hook 78 and pull the packer to remove the packer 78 from the end cap 76.

The frame bracket includes a slot 80 for receiving a fitting that secures the frame bracket 52 to the frame. In use, the slot 80 allows for adjustment of the longitudinal position of the frame support 52 relative to the window frame. Thus, when adding or removing packers of different thickness, the position of the frame support relative to the frame can be adjusted so that the sash can be mounted in the correct position relative to the frame.

A method of assembling a window, the method comprising attaching a sash part 10 to a sash such that a sash bracket 14 is attached to a first side of the sash and a rail 12 is attached to a second side of the sash perpendicular to the first side. The method further includes attaching the frame member 50 to the frame by attaching the frame bracket 52 to one side of the frame. The method further includes connecting the sash to the frame by inserting the second end 58 of the sash arm 54 into the channel of the rail 12 and sliding the sash arm 54 along the channel until the first and second spring-loaded plungers 19, 21 are received in the respective first and second openings 70, 72 of the sash arm 52.

Attaching rail 14 to the second side of the sash includes inserting plunger housing 20, 22 into a recess of the sash.

Attaching rail 14 to the second side of the sash includes inserting a countersunk head mount into first aperture 24 such that the head of the countersunk head mount does not protrude into the channel.

Attaching the frame bracket 52 to the frame includes adjusting the position of the frame bracket 52 in the longitudinal direction by inserting or removing a packer 78 between the end cap 76 and a side of the frame perpendicular to the side to which the frame bracket 52 is attachable. Attaching the frame bracket 52 to the frame includes inserting screws through slots 80 in the frame bracket 52 and into the frame.

Connecting the sash to the frame further comprises inserting a fastener through a third opening 74 in the sash arm, through the second aperture 26 in the rail 12 and into the sash.

The second sash part is attached to a third side of the sash opposite the second side and the second frame part is attached to the side of the frame opposite the side to which the frame bracket 52 is attached. The second hinge assembly formed by the second sash member and the second frame member is a mirror image of the first hinge assembly. Attaching the sash to the window comprises inserting the sash arm of the second frame part into the rail of the second side at the same time as the sash arm 54 is attached to the rail 12 of the first hinge assembly 1.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for a window, comprising a sash member and a frame member,

the frame part comprising a frame bracket for fixing to the frame and a sash arm for connecting the frame part to the sash part;

the sash part comprises a rail for attachment to a first side of the sash and a sash bracket for attachment to a second side of the sash, the sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the rail;

wherein the rail comprises a channel for receiving the sash arm and at least one plunger biased to extend into the channel;

wherein the sash arm is configured to slide along the channel and compress the plunger until a position of an opening in the sash arm is aligned with the plunger and the plunger is received in the opening;

wherein the sash part comprises two of said plungers, said two plungers being configured to protrude into said channel, a first of said two plungers being closer to a first end of said rail than a second of said two plungers; and

wherein the sash arm comprises two of the openings for receiving the plungers, wherein a first opening farther from the sash arm end than a second opening is configured to receive a first plunger, and wherein a second opening closer to the sash arm end is configured to receive a second plunger than the first plunger.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein an end of the sash arm is configured to be inserted into the channel at the first end of the rail and the sash arm includes an end region that tapers in width to narrow toward an end of the sash arm.

3. The hinge assembly of claim 2, wherein the end region is sloped such that a distance between the end region of the sash arm and the rail increases toward an end of the sash arm when the sash arm is received in the channel, wherein the sloped end region is configured to compress the at least one plunger.

4. The hinge assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plunger is cylindrical and the first plunger has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second plunger and the first opening has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second opening.

5. A hinge assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rail comprises a fixing hole, wherein the fixing hole has a tapered edge for receiving a countersunk mount to attach the sash part to a sash.

6. The hinge assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame support includes an end cap configured to receive a packer for adjusting a length of the frame support.

7. A method of assembling a window, comprising:

attaching a window sash part to a window sash, the window sash part comprising a rail and a window sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the window sash bracket, wherein attaching the window sash part to the window sash comprises securing the window sash bracket to a first side of the window sash and securing the rail to a second side of the window sash perpendicular to the first side;

attaching a frame member to a frame, the frame member comprising a frame bracket and a sash arm, wherein attaching the frame member to the frame comprises attaching the frame bracket to a side of the frame;

connecting the sash to the frame by inserting the first end of the sash arm into the channel of the rail and sliding the sash arm along the channel until at least one spring-loaded plunger on the rail is received in at least one opening in the sash arm;

wherein the sash part comprises two of said plungers, said two plungers being configured to protrude into said channel, a first of said two plungers being closer to a first end of said rail than a second of said two plungers; and is also provided with

8. The method of claim 7, wherein attaching the rail to the second side of the window sash comprises inserting a fixture through a hole of the rail and into the window sash, wherein the fixture is a countersunk fixture and the hole has complementary tapered sides such that a head of the countersunk fixture does not protrude into the channel when the fixture is inserted into the opening.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein attaching the rail to the second side of the window sash comprises inserting a bottom of the at least one plunger into a recess of the second side of the window sash.

10. The method of any of claims 7-9, wherein attaching the frame member to the frame comprises adjusting a longitudinal position of the frame member relative to the frame side by inserting a packer between an end cap of the frame member and the frame edge perpendicular to the frame side.

11. The method of any of claims 7 to 10, further comprising inserting a fastener through a hole in the sash arm and a hole in the rail to attach the sash arm and rail to the second side of the sash.