EP0940537A2

EP0940537A2 - Hinge and fitted assembly

Info

Publication number: EP0940537A2
Application number: EP99301518A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl Newman; David John Delveshine
Original assignee: Vent Guard Ltd
Current assignee: Vent Guard Ltd
Priority date: 1998-03-06
Filing date: 1999-03-01
Publication date: 1999-09-08
Also published as: GB9804652D0; EP0940537A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge and fitted assembly. According to the invention there is provided a hinge (20) for a panel (2) mounted in a frame (3), comprising a first arm (21) and a second arm (22), the first arm being adapted for securement to the hinge edge (4) of one of the panel and frame, the first and second arms being relatively pivotable about a hinge axis (A), characterised in that the second arm is adapted for indirect connection to the hinge edge (7) of the other of the panel and frame by way of at least one further arm (24,25). There is also provided a hinge assembly comprising a hinge as defined herewith mounted to a frame and panel. The construction is such that the hinge axis (A) moves during pivoting of the hinge.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hinge and fitted assembly.
The device is likely to find particular utility for use with hinged doors which are made from extruded aluminium or plastics, including for example UPVC. Accordingly, much of the following description will relate to such use; however the use of the hinge for other applications is not thereby excluded.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Hinged doors are typically located in a fixed frame, and are usually rectangular - comprising a hinge edge and an opposed locking edge joined by two connecting edges. The frame surrounding the door typically comprises three edges (the floor or ground corresponding to the fourth edge); for simplicity the three frame edges will also be referred to herein as the hinge edge, locking edge and connecting edge respectively.
A door typically opens about a substantially vertical hinge axis, so that both the hinge and locking edges of the door and frame are substantially vertical in use, with the (single) connecting edge of the frame being above the door in the gravitational direction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many types of hinge are known for pivotably connecting the hinge edge of a door to the hinge edge of its frame, the hinges being located fully or in part between the respective hinge edges of the door and frame.
However, it is a typical feature of doors of extruded plastics that they have a peripheral lip overlying a part of the frame, the lip being present also on the hinge edge of the door. The lip is provided to carry a seal, which when the door is closed contacts the frame, the seal helping to ensure adequate weather sealing for this type of door. The presence of the lip on the hinge edge of the door requires the door to be moved away from the frame (i.e. substantially out of the plane of the frame) as the door is opened, which precludes the use of many of the known types of hinge.
As above indicated, for plastic doors (and other types having a peripheral lip) the door must be moved away from the plane of the frame as the door is opened. One way to achieve this is to provide a fixed hinge axis which is outside the plane of the door. This can be achieved by the use of a "butt hinge" or the like, which is mounted between the door and frame hinge edges but has a part projecting therefrom, which part locates the axis of the hinge so that the axis remains at all times outside the plane of the door and frame.
However, the projecting parts of the butt hinges are readily visible to persons looking at the door, and so an intending intruder is alerted to the number and relative positions of the hinges. Because there has been considerable development and improvement of the locking systems for doors, which developments render an attack on the locking edge less likely to succeed, intruders are believed increasingly to be targeting the hinge edge when seeking to gain unauthorised entry, and the use of butt hinges which alert the intending intruder to the most suitable positions to attack the hinge edge is a major disadvantage of such hinges.
Plastic windows are also known, which share the feature of the peripheral lip. For such windows there has been developed a certain type of hinging component known as a "stay" or in particular a "four bar linkage stay". Such a stay is shown, for example, in US patent 2,784,459.
Typically, there are two such stays fitted to an opening window, the stays being fitted to the connecting edges of the window and frame rather than directly to the hinge edges. Such stays are located in the gap between the connecting edges of the window and frame when the window is closed (i.e. they are not visible to an onlooker), and yet permit the window to be opened out of the plane of the frame.
However, it is not practical to apply the same stays for the hinging of doors, for three major reasons. Firstly, the distance between the connecting edges of a door is significantly larger than that of a window for which such stays are used, and this distance is large enough to require intermediate support along the hinge edge itself. Thus, if the hinge edge of a door is not itself directly supported it can be forced outwardly a significant distance by an intending intruder. Secondly, whilst it is possible to mount the stays of a window to both connecting edges, this is not practical for a door, since one of those connecting edges is adjacent the floor; a stay fitted to the floor would not be widely acceptable since it would present a possible hazard to persons passing through the door. Thirdly, it is not practical to support the weight of a door by two such stays alone, i.e. more than two stays, spaced along the hinge axis, will typically be required.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to reduce or avoid the above-stated disadvantages of the known door hinges.
According to the invention therefore, there is provided a hinge for a panel mounted in a frame, comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being adapted for securement to the hinge edge of one of the panel and frame, the first and second arms being relatively pivotable about a hinge axis, characterised in that the second arm is adapted for indirect connection to the hinge edge of the other of the panel and frame by way of at least one further arm.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a hinge assembly comprising a panel mounted to a frame by at least one hinge, the hinge comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first arm being secured to the hinge edge of one of the panel and frame, the first and second arms being relatively pivotable about a hinge axis, characterised in that the second arm is not directly connected to the hinge edge of the other of the panel and frame, so that the hinge axis can move relative to the other of the panel and frame during relative pivoting of the first and second arms.
Accordingly, it can be arranged that the hinge axis lies between the hinge edges of the panel and frame when the panel is closed, and yet lies outside the plane of one of the panel and frame when the panel is open. Thus, in the closed condition of the assembly it can be arranged that all of the hinge components lie within the gap between the respective hinge edges of the frame and panel and so are not visible; an intending intruder will therefore not be alerted to the number or position of the hinges, so hindering an attack on the hinge edge.
Preferably, there are two further arms, pivotably mounted to the second arm so that upon pivoting of the further arms the second member is moved away from the said other of the panel and frame. Preferably also the further arms provide part of a "parallelogram" arrangement.
Usefully, there is provided connecting means to cause pivoting of the further arm or arms upon pivoting of the first arm relative to the second arm. Accordingly, upon pivoting of the panel relative to the frame (e.g. opening of the door) the further arm or arms will also automatically be pivotted, so moving the hinge axis away from the frame.
Usefully, the said connecting means to pivot the further arm or arms comprises at least one connecting member pivoted to the second arm and a rod in sliding engagement with the first arm. Usefully also, the connecting member is additionally pivotably mountable, or is pivoted, to the other of the panel and frame; preferably, the connecting member is an extension of one of the said further arms.
Typically, the first arm will be adapted to be connected to, or will be secured to, the panel, e.g. the door, whilst the second arm is adapted to be indirectly connected to, or secured to, the frame. In such an arrangement, because in use the second arm is not directly secured to the frame it can move relative thereto, and in particular the hinge axis can move relative to the frame during relative pivotting of the first and second arms.
According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a hinge for a panel mounted in a frame, comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms being pivotably interconnected, respective mounting means for the first arm and for the second arm, the mounting means for the first arm being carried by the first arm, characterised in that the second arm is movable relative to its mounting means.
Usefully, the mounting means for the first arm comprises at least one aperture for receiving a fixing such as a screw or the like; usefully also, the mounting means for the second arm comprises at least one aperture for receiving a fixing, the aperture being located in a bracket which is pivotably connected to the second arm.
Desirably, the first arm, second arm, and further arms are manufactured as metal pressings; this provides an additional advantage over the butt hinges described above. Thus, the known butt hinges are manufactured as metal castings, and it is a recognised feature of a metal pressing that it is stronger than a casting having the same dimensions. However, even in the less desirable embodiments in which one or more of the present hinge components is made as a casting it is believed that the hinge according to the invention will provide greater resistance to an attack on the hinges because when an intending intruder seeks to jemmy the door away from the frame (as is customarily the method of forced entry), the location and arrangement of the hinge components will result in such jemmying action acting to compress or crush one or more of the hinge components. On the other hand, when seeking to jemmy a door fitted with a known butt hinge the action is to pull the hinge components apart. Since castings are strong under compression the hinge of the present invention therefore has another advantage over the known butt hinge when under attack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1: is a schematic view of a door panel and frame assembly according to the invention.
Fig.2: is a perspective view of part of the door panel and frame of Fig.1, in the partially "open" condition;
Fig.3: is a sectional view of the panel and frame in the partially open panel condition;
Fig.4: is a sectional view of the panel and frame in the "closed" panel condition;
Fig.5a,b,c: are respectively plan, end and side views of the first arm of the hinge according to the invention;
Fig.6a,b,c: are respectively side, plan and end views of the first further arm and connecting member of the hinge;
Fig.7a,b,c: are respectively plan, end and side views of the second arm of the hinge according to the invention;
Fig.8a,b,c: are respectively plan, side and end views of the second further arm of the hinge; and
Fig.9a,b,c: are schematic views showing the respective positions of the hinge components at various pivoting stages.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The door panel and frame assembly 1 comprises a door panel 2 and frame 3, both of which are rectangular in front view. The door 2 is formed from four lengths of extruded plastic, mitred and joined at the corners, in known fashion, and the frame 3 is similarly formed of three lengths of extruded plastic. The door 2 comprises a hinge edge 4, a locking edge 5 and two connecting edges 6. The frame comprises a hinge edge 7, locking edge 8 and single connecting edge 9.
The door 2 has an infill panel 10, which may for example be glass or other known material. The frame 3 is located adjacent floor 11 and within surrounding brickwork 12.
As is typical of doors made of extruded plastics, the edges 4 and 5, and at least the upper edge 6 of the door 2 have a lip 14 (Figs.2,3) which in the closed door condition overlies a part of corresponding edges 7,8,9 of the frame 3. In particular, in the closed conditoon as shown in Fig.4, the lip 14 of the door hinge edge 4 overlies the wall 15 of the frame hinge edge 7. Though not shown in Fig.4, the lip 14 will typically have a recess to locate a seal which in the closed condition of the door will engage the wall 15, to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture therebetween.
It is the presence of the lip 14 which necessitates the complex hinging action, i.e. when the door 2 is opened it is necessary for the whole of the hinge edge 4 to move away from the frame hinge edge 7 so that the lip 14 does not foul the wall 15.
As shown in Fig.2, the hinge 20 comprises a first arm 21 which is pivotably mounted to second arm 22 by a pivot pin 23. The pivot pin 23 provides the hinge axis A between the first arm 21 and second arm 22. In this embodiment, the first arm 21 is secured to the hinge edge 4 of the door 2, suitably by screws or other known fixing means. However, it is a feature of the present invention that the second arm 22 is indirectly connected to the hinge edge 7 of the frame 3.
In this embodiment, the second arm 22 is connected to the hinge edge 7 by way of two further arms 24,25, the further arms each being pivotably connected both to the hinge edge 7 of the frame and to the second arm 22. Accordingly, and as more clearly shown in Fig 9, the two further arms 24,25, the second arm 22, and a part of the hinge edge of the frame form a parallelogram whereby the second arm can be moved towards and away from the hinge edge 7.
It is a feature of a parallelogram that the second arm 22 is maintained parallel to the surface of the hinge edge 7 as it moves relative thereto. However, it will be understood that the maintenance of the second arm parallel to the hinge edge is not critical to the invention, and that some alteration in the positions of the respective pivots and/or spacing between those pivots can be made without affecting the utility of the hinge.
It will be understood from Fig.2 that there are two further arms 24, one to either side of the second arm 22, the second arm 22 being pivotably mounted between the further arms 24.
In the embodiment shown, each further arm 24 has an extension piece 26 (Fig.3) which permits the arm 24 to engage the first arm 21. Specifically, the extension pieces 26 of the respective further arms 24 are linked by a rod 27 (Fig.3), part of which rod lies within a pair of elongated tracks 28 in the first arm 21. It will be understood that the extension pieces 26 and rod 27 comprise a connecting means by which pivoting of the first arm 21 relative to the second arm 22 is communicated to the further arm 24 and also to the further arm 25.
Accordingly, the sequence of actions as the door 2 is moved from its closed position within the plane of the frame 3 to its open position outside the plane of the frame 3, is as follows:-
1. the door is moved slightly away from its fully closed position, causing the first arm 21 to pivot slightly about hinge axis A relative to the second arm 22;
2. the tracks 28 engage the rod 27, causing pivoting of the further arm 24;
3. the pivoting of further arm 24 causes movement of the first arm 22 away from the hinge edge 7 of the frame 3, and so causes corresponding pivoting of the further arm 25;
4. further opening movement of the door 2 causes further pivoting of the first arm 21 relative to the second arm 22, and further consequential movement of the second arm 22 away from the hinge edge 7.
It will be understood that during the opening movement described above, the rod 27 is caused to move along the tracks 28.
It is arranged that the tracks 28 do not engage the rod 27 for the first few degrees of pivoting of the door 2, so that the door lock edge 5 clears the frame lock edge 8 before the second arm 22 is moved away from the frame hinge edge 7, i.e. the door lock edge 5 does not foul the frame lock edge 8 as the second arm 22 is moved away from the frame hinge edge 7.
As shown in Fig.4, when the door is closed, the hinge 20 lies within the gap between the door hinge edge 4 and the frame hinge edge 7. For most of the profiles which are presently used for door panels and frames, the gap has a width w of between 13 mm and 17 mm, and a depth d of at least 45 mm. The components of the hinge 20 are chosen to fit within this gap, and not to be visible from outside (or inside) the door when the door is closed. Accordingly, an intending intruder will not be alerted to the number of hinges fitted to the door, or to the positions thereof. In this regard, there will typically be three or four hinges 20 fitted to the door 2, spaced apart along the hinge edges 4,7, though more or fewer hinges can be used depending upon the weight of the door 2.
It will be understood from a comparison of Figs.3 and 4 that in the closed condition the hinge axis A lies within the gap between the door hinge edge 4 and the lock hinge edge 7, whilst in the open condition the hinge axis A has moved relative to the frame hinge axis 7, and specifically has moved away from the centre of the plane of the frame 3, so carrying the lip 14 away from the wall 15.
Fig.5 shows the construction of the first arm 21 of the exemplary embodiment. Thus, the arm 21 is a metal pressing, having a two side walls 30 interconnected by a plate 31. As above described, each side wall 30 has a track 28 formed therein, and an aperture 32 for receiving pivot pin 23.
Fig.6 shows the construction of the first further arm 24 with its integral extension piece 26. The arm 24 is also a metal pressing, and has two side walls 33a,b interconnected by a plate 34. In addition, there is a projection 35 standing proud of the side walls 33a. The side wall 33a has two apertures 36,37, the aperture 36 being adapted to receive a pivot pin 38 (Fig.2,3) so that the arm can be pivotably mounted to bracket 53 which is secured to the frame 3, the aperture 37 being adapted to receive a screw or similar fixing for one end of the rod 27. It will be understood from Fig.2 that there are two further arms 24, being mirror images of each other, the rod 27 being mounted between the apertures 37 of the respective further arms.
The projection 35 has an aperture 39 which carries a pivot pin 40 (Fig.3) which pivotably connects the further arm 24 to the second arm 22. The purpose of the projection 35 is to space the mounting of the pivot pin 40 from the side wall 33a, so that in the closed condition of the hinge one of the side walls 30 of the first arm 21 can lie within the space 41 between the projection 35 and the side wall 33a.
Fig.7 shows the construction of the second arm 22. The arm 22 is also a metal pressing, and has two side walls 42 interconnected by a plate 43. The side walls 42 have three apertures formed therein. The aperture 44 receives the pivot pin 23, the aperture 45 receives the pivot pin 40, and the aperture 46 receives pivot pin 47 (Figs.2,3) by which the second arm 22 is pivotably connected to the further arm 25.
Fig.8 shows the construction of the further arm 25. The arm 25 is also a metal pressing, and has two side walls 48 interconnected by a plate 49. The side walls 48 have two apertures formed therein. The aperture 50 receives pivot pin 47 whilst the aperture 51 is adapted to receive a pivot pin 52 (Fig.2,3) so that the arm can be pivotably mounted to bracket 54 which is secured to the frame 3.
Though not shown in the drawings, it will be understood that the plate 31 of the first arm 21, and the brackets 53,54, have mounting means by which they may be secured to the door hinge edge 4 and the frame hinge edge 7, respectively. Such mounting means will preferably be a number of apertures for receiving a screw or other fixing, in known fashion.
It will be understood that certain detail modifications can be made to the embodiments described, without affecting the utility of the hinge. In particular, a modification such as replacing the extension pieces 26, rod 27 and tracks 28 with another connecting means which communicates the pivoting of the first arm to the further arms can be made; one such modification would be the incorporation of a flexible band or the like which is pulled by the first arm as it is moved away from the second arm, and which in turn pulls the second arm away from the frame hinge edge.
In the embodiment described above the first arm 21 is secured to the door 2 and the brackets 53,54 are secured to the frame; this is expected to be the favoured arrangement. However, the alternative use in which the first arm 21 is secured to the frame 3 and the brackets 53,54 are connected to the door is not thereby excluded.
In the preceding description the emphasis has been placed upon the need for security of outwardly opening doors (i.e. the door opens towards the outside of the building); however, similar problems arise with inwardly opening doors having a peripheral lip. In addition it is often a further requirement that an inwardly opening door move away from the plane of the frame as it is opened so that the door does not foul the plaster which in many cases abuts the internal surface of the frame.
Whilst as above described the invention has particular benefits for doors, it could if desired also be utilised on any hingedly opening panel, such as a top-hung or side-hung window for example.

Claims

A hinge (20) for a panel (2) mounted in a frame (3), comprising a first arm (21) and a second arm (22), the first arm being adapted for securement to the hinge edge (4) of one of the panel and frame, the first and second arms being relatively pivotable about a hinge axis (A), characterised in that the second arm is adapted for indirect connection to the hinge edge (7) of the other of the panel and frame by way of at least one further arm (24,25).
A hinge according to claim 1 characterised in that there are two further arms, a first further arm (24) and a second further arm (25), each of said first further arm and said second further arm being pivotably mounted to the second arm (22).
A hinge according to claim 2 characterised in that the first further arm (24) and the second further arm (25) provide part of a "parallelogram" arrangement.
A hinge according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised by connecting means (26,27) adapted to cause pivoting of said at least one further arm (24,25) upon pivoting of the first arm (21) relative to the second arm (22).
A hinge according to claim 4 characterised in that the connecting means comprises at least one connecting member (26) pivoted to the second arm, and a rod (27) in sliding engagement with a part of the first arm (21).
A hinge according to claim 5 characterised in that the connecting member (26) is pivotably mountable to the hinge edge (7) of said other of the panel and frame (7).
A hinge according to claim 5 when dependent upon claim 2 characterised in that the connecting member (26) is an extension of said first further arm (24).
A hinge according to any of claims 1-7 characterised in that the first arm (21), second arm (22), and further arms (24,25) are manufactured as metal pressings.
A hinge according to claim 8 characterised in that the first arm (21) and the second arm (22) are both of channel section, the second arm being receivable substantially within the first arm, in that there are two further arms, a first further arm (24) and a second further arm (25), the second further arm being receivable substantially within the second arm, there being two first further arms also of channel section, one first further arm being to either side of the first and second arms, each of said first further arms having a side wall and a projection (35) spaced from the side wall and defining a gap between the side wall and the projection, a part of the first arm being receivable within the gap.
A hinge assembly comprising a panel (2) mounted to a frame (3) by at least one hinge (20), the hinge comprising a first arm (21) and a second arm (22), the first arm being secured to the hinge edge (4) of one of the panel and frame, the first and second arms being relatively pivotable about a hinge axis (A), characterised in that the second arm is movable relative to the hinge edge (7) of the other of the panel and frame, the hinge axis moving relative to the other of the panel and frame during relative pivoting of the first and second arms.
A hinge assembly comprising a hinge (20) according to any of claims 1-9 in which the first arm (21) is mounted to the hinge edge (4) of one of the panel (2) and frame (3), and in which the second arm (22) is indirectly mounted to the hinge edge (7) of the other of the panel and frame.