EP0943047A1

EP0943047A1 - Hinges

Info

Publication number: EP0943047A1
Application number: EP97944002A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stanley Chung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-03
Filing date: 1997-10-03
Publication date: 1999-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-10-03
Also published as: EP0943047B1; CA2312397A1; AU4564997A; WO1999018316A1; DE69718201D1

Abstract

A hinge has first and second hinge members (10, 11) interconnected by an axle (24) that allows relative rotation between them. Each hinge member (10, 11) has screw holes (13, 50) allowing the hinge member (10, 11) to be connected to a leaf or a frame. The screw holes (50) of one hinge member are protected by a cover (56) that can only be removed when the hinge members (10, 11) have a specific relative disposition. This provides a security feature.

Description

HI Q £ The invention relates to hinges .

A known hinge comprises first and second hinge members

interconnected for relative pivotal movement. The second

hinge member includes a mounting member through which, in use,

fixing means extend to fasten the mounting member to a surface

with an end of the fixing means engaging the mounting means.

For example, the fixing means might be in the form of screws

that extend through holes in the mounting means .

It is a problem with such hinges that the mounting means are

readily accessible. Where the hinge is used on a door, this

means that the fixing means can be readily removed and the

door forced open.

According to the invention, there is provided a hinge

comprising first and second hinge members inter-connected for

relative pivotal movement, the second hinge member including

a mounting member through which, in use, fixing means extend

to fasten the mounting member to a surface, with an end of

said fixing means engaging said mounting means, a cover being

provided which is movable relative to the mounting member between an inoperative position in which the cover exposes

said end of said mounting means and an operative position in

which said cover prevents access to said end of said mounting

means, movement from said operative to said inoperative

positions being prevented by said first hinge member except at

one relative disposition of the first and second hinge

members .

By providing a cover that can only be removed in one relative

disposition of the hinge members, access to the fixing means

is prevented during normal use of the hinge.

The following is a more detailed description of two

embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference

being made to the accompanying drawing in which:-

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first form of

hinge,

Figure 2 is an exploded elevational view of a second form of

hinge,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of an adjustment plate of the

second hinge,

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the adjustment plate of Figure Figure 5 is a cross-section through the adjustment plate of

Figures 3 and 4 ,

Figure 6 is a plan view from above of the hinge of Figures 2

to 5 showing the hinge in a closed position, and

Figure 7 is a plan view from above of the hinge of Figures 2

to 5 in a partly open position.

Referring first to Figure 1, the first hinge comprises a first

hinge member indicated generally at 10 and a second hinge

member indicated generally at 11.

The first hinge member 10 is formed from metal and is

generally L-shaped. One limb of the L-shape forms a mounting

12 provided with fixing holes 13 by which the first hinge

member 10 can be connected to a surface with a mounting

surface 14a of the first hinge member 10 against the surface.

A surface 14b opposite the mounting surface 14a is concave.

The second limb of the L forms a boss 15 which has parallel

upper and lower surfaces 16,17 lying in respective planes

parallel to the axis of the fixing holes 13 and normal to the

mounting surface 14. These are inter-connected by parallel

side surfaces, one of which is seen at 18, and an end surface 19 extending between the side surfaces 18. The end surface 19

is concavely curved and forms a curved edge 20 with the upper

surface 16 with two projections at respective opposite ends of

the edge 20.

A hole 21 extends between the upper surface 16 of the boss and

the lower surface 17 of the boss. The axis of this hole 21 is

thus parallel to the mounting surface 14 and normal to the

axes of the fixing holes 13. This hole 21 receives a bush 22

inserted from the upper surface 16. The end of the hole 21 at

the lower surface 17 is closed by a cap 23 which screws into

the hole 21 to allow adjustment of the vertical position of

the bush 22.

An axle 24 is generally circular in cross section and has a

central annular collar 25. One end of the axle is received in

the bush 22 so mounting the axle for rotational movement about

an axis co-axial with the axis of the hole 21.

The second hinge member 11 is also made of metal. The second

hinge member 11 is generally rectangular in shape with

parallel spaced upper and lower surfaces 26,27 interconnected

by parallel spaced end surfaces 28,29. The second hinge member 11 also has a rear surface 30 that extends between the

upper and lower surfaces 26,27 and the end surfaces 28,29.

The front surface 31 extends from one end surface 28 along

only a portion of the length of the second hinge member 11

where it terminates in an edge 32. Between the edge and the

opposite end surface 29, the second hinge member 11 is formed

with a cavity to provide a mounting plate 33 having one side

formed by the rear surface 30 and a parallel inner surface 34.

The mounting plate 33 is bounded by a peripheral wall

including an upper wall 35, a lower wall 36 and an end wall

37. The mounting plate 33 is also bounded by a step surface

38 extending between the edge 32 of the front surface 31 and

the mounting plate 33.

The mounting plate 33 is formed with a pair of parallel slots

39 extending through the mounting plate 33 between the inner

surface 34 and the rear surface 30 and also extending in a

direction generally parallel to the upper surface 26 and the

lower surface 27. An oval hole 40 is also provided in the

mounting plate 33 extending between the inner surface 34 and

the rear surface 30 and located adjacent the step surface 38

and between the slots 39. The upper surface 26 and the lower surface 27 are cut away at

their edges remote from the mounting plate 33 so that an edge

of the end wall 37 projects beyond the upper wall 35 and the

lower wall 36 at the front side of the second hinge member 11.

In addition, this forms a rebate 42 in the step surface 38

with the rebate extending from the edge 32.

A slot 43 is provided along the projecting portion of the end

wall 37 and a slot 44 is also provided in the rebate 42

extending along the edge 32. The slots 42,43 are thus

parallel and extend in respective directions normal to the

planes of the upper surface 26 and the lower surface 27 and

normal to the lengths of the fixing slots 39. A flange 45

overlies the stepped surface 38 and has an edge curving over

the rebate 42 towards the rebate slot 43. The function of

these parts will be described below.

A portion of the second hinge member 11 between the rear

surface 30 and the front surface 31 is provided with a hole 46

extending between the upper surface 26 and the lower surface

27. The axis of the hole 46 is thus parallel to the lengths

of the slots 43,44 and parallel to the plane of the mounting

plate 43. The hole 46 receives a cylindrical bush 47 which has a hole that receives the other end of the axle 24 beyond

the collar 25. The open end of the hole 46 is closed by a cap

67. The hole in the bush 47 may be offset from the axis of

the bush 47 so that rotation of the bush 47 results in lateral

adjustment of the second hinge member 11.

In this way, the second hinge member 11 is mounted on the

first hinge member 10 for rotational movement relative thereto

about the axis of the axle 24. When so mounted, the lower

surface 27 of the second hinge member 11 is closely adjacent

the upper surface 16 of the boss 15. The arrangement is also

such that when the mounting plate 33 lies in a plane which is

parallel to the side surfaces 18 of the boss 15 (which is the

assembled disposition of the parts shown in Figure 1) , the

slot 43 adjacent the edge 32 is clear of the curved edge 20

between the end surface 19 and the upper surface 16 of the

boss 15. However, as the second hinge member 11 is rotated

from that position, this slot 43 overlies the upper surface 16

of the boss 15 due to the concave shape of the edge 20. The

purpose of this will be described below.

The end wall 37 includes a hole 48. The second hinge member 11 also includes an adjustment plate

49 formed of metal and generally rectangular in shape. A

fixing hole 50 is provided at each corner of the plate and two

locating holes 51 are provided adjacent longer edges of the

adjustment plate between the adjacent fixing holes 50. One

shorter edge of the adjustment plate 49 is provided with a

rectangular cut-out 52.

The adjustment plate is sized to fit into the cavity

surrounding the mounting plate 33 with a face of the

adjustment plate 49 overlying the inner surface 34 of the

mounting plate 33. When so positioned, two of the fixing

holes 50 are aligned with one of the fixing slots 39 on the

mounting plate and the other two fixing holes 50 on the

adjustment plate 49 are aligned with the other fixing slot 39

on the mounting plate 33. Also when so positioned, a nut 53

fits in the cut-out 52 where it is held against rotation and

a screw 54 extends through the end wall hole 48 and engages

the nut so that rotation of the screw 54 moves the adjustment

plate 49 relative to the mounting plate 33 in a direction

normal to the axis of the axle 24 and parallel to the length

of the fixing slots 39. The second hinge member 11 also includes a cover 56. The

cover 56 is formed of metal and is generally rectangular in

shape with longer side edges 57 interconnected by shorter end

edges 58. Each end edge 58 is provided with the respective

flange 59. The lower end of one flange 59 is provided with a

stop (not shown) whose purpose will be described below.

The flanges 59 are such that they are a sliding fit in the

slots 43,44 adjacent the mounting plate 33. The presence of

the stop ensures that the flanges 59 can only be engaged with

the slots 43,44 at their ends adjacent the lower surface 27

and then slide along the slots until the side edges 57 of the

cover are in register with the upper surface 26 and the lower

surface 27 respectively. When in this disposition, the cover

56 prevents access to the adjustment plate 49 and the inner

surface 34 of the mounting plate 33. It will be appreciated

from what has been described above that the cover 56 can only

be slid into this position when the second hinge member 11 is

positioned relative to the first hinge member 10 as shown in

Figure 1, that is to say with the mounting plate 33 not in a

plane normal to the side surfaces 18 of the boss 15. When the

mounting plate 33 is normal to the side surfaces 18 of the

boss 15, the cover 56 cannot be removed because the end of the slot 43 overlies the upper surface 16 of the boss 15, as

described above.

The cover 56 is provided with a screw hole 60 at one corner

which receives a screw (not shown) to lock the cover 56 to the

remainder of the second hinge member 11.

In use, the hinge is for connecting a leaf, such as a door, to

an associated fixed frame. The first hinge member 11 is

connected to the frame by screws passing through the fixing

holes 13. The first hinge member 10 is connected to the frame

disassembled from the second hinge member 11 via the axle 24.

This is to allow access to the fixing holes 13. Once the

first hinge member 10 has been connected to the frame surface,

the axle 24 and the second hinge member 11 are assembled to

the first hinge member 10.

With the cover 56 removed, the second hinge member 11 is

connected to the leaf by screws passing through the fixing

holes 50 and the adjustment plate 49. The position of the

leaf relative to the frame can be adjusted, before the screws

are finally tightened, by rotating the screw 54 so moving the

adjustment plate 49 relative to the mounting plate 33. The adjustment plate is guided in this movement by the pin 53.

The cover 56 is then replaced as described above. This

provides a significant security feature in preventing access

to the screws fixing the second hinge member 11 to the leaf .

The screws fixing the first hinge member 10 to the frame are

obscured by the second hinge member 11.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the second hinge as

shown in those Figures has a number of parts common with the

first hinge shown in Figure 1. Those parts will not be

described in detail and will be given the same reference

numerals in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 as they have in Figure 1.

The principal difference between the hinges of Figures 2 to 5

and the hinge of Figure 1 is in the construction of the

adjustment plate referenced 60 in Figures 2 to 5 and 49 in

Figure 1. This necessitates associated changes in the mounting plate 33.

The adjustment plate 61, best seen in Figures 3 to 5 , has a

generally rectangular body 62 provided with fixing holes 50 and locating holes 51 and a cut-out 52 (all seen in Figure 3)

m the same way as the adjustment plate 49 of Figure 1

However, at the end of the mounting plate 61 opposite the cut¬

out 52, there are provided a pair of legs 63 (see Figure 4)

lying m respective planes normal to the plane of the body 62

and each adjacent a respective side edge 57 of the adjustment

plate 61 so that the legs 63 are spaced apart Each leg

includes a fixing hole 64

As seen in Figure 5, each locating hole 51 is, at the surface

of the body 62 adjacent the legs 63, surrounded by a projection 65

The use of this adjustment plate 61 requires modification of

the mounting plate 33 as seen m Figure 2 Referring to this

Figure, it will be seen that the mounting plate slots 39 are,

at their ends adjacent the axle 24, provided with enlarged

rectangular apertures 66 This s so that the legs 63 can

extend through these apertures 66 when the adjustment plate 61

is positioned in the cavity and adjacent the mounting plate

63 The nut 53 fits into the cut-out 52 and engages the screw

54 Adjustment of the screw 54 moves the adjustment plate 61

relative to the mounting plate 33, consequently moving the legs 63 within the aperture 66. The projections 65 around the

locating holes 51 engage in the mounting plate slots 39.

In use, the screws passing through the fixing holes 64 and the

legs 63 can engage a surface of a leaf normal to the surface

engaged by the screws passing through the fixing holes 50 in

the body 62 of the adjustment plate 61. This provides

additional security.

Referring to Figure 6, the hinge of Figures 2 to 5, when in a

closed position, has an edge 57 of the cover 56 and the

associated slot 44 overlying the upper surface 16 of the boss

15. The cover 56 thus cannot be removed from the second hinge

member 11. When rotated from this closed position, as seen in

Figure 7, the edge 57 and the associated slot 44, are clear of

the surface 16, as a result of the presence of the concave

edge 20, and the cover 56 can then be removed for access to

the fixing screws.

It will be appreciated that the adjustment plates 49,61 are

optional. Screws, or any other convenient fixing means, could

be passed direct through the mounting plate 33 into the leaf.

Any other arrangement of cover may be used provided that it is arranged relative to the first hinge member so that the cover

can only be removed in a particular relative disposition of

the first and second hinge members 11,12.

Claims

1. A hinge comprising first and second hinge members

inter-connected for relative pivotal movement, the second

hinge member including a mounting member through which, in

use, fixing means extend to fasten the mounting member to a

surface, with an end of said fixing means engaging said

mounting means, a cover being provided which is movable

relative to the mounting member between an inoperative

position in which the cover exposes said end of said mounting

means and an operative position in which said cover prevents

access to said end of said mounting means, movement from said

operative to said inoperative positions being prevented by

said first hinge member except at one relative disposition of

the first and second hinge members.

2. A hinge according to claim 1 wherein the cover engages

with and disengages from said mounting means with a sliding

action, said disengaging sliding action being prevented by

said engagement with said first hinge except at said one

relative disposition.

3. A hinge according to claim 2 wherein said mounting member includes a mounting plate through which said fixing

means passes, the mounting plate lying in a plane parallel to

the hinge axes and being surrounded by a peripheral wall, the

wall including a pair of slots that are mutually parallel and

are parallel to said hinge axis, the cover having a pair of

parallel flanges that are slidably engagable with said slots

so that the cover is movable between said inoperative and

operative positions in a direction parallel to said hinge

axis, said engagement preventing removal of the cover in a

direction normal to the plane of the plate.

4. A hinge according to claim 3 wherein said cover closes

the space circumscribed by the peripheral wall .

5. A hinge according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein a screw

carried by the cover engages the mounting member to lock the

cover to the mounting member.

6. A hinge according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein

the first hinge member includes a boss projecting in a

direction normal to the hinge axis, said boss including a

shaped surface that prevents sliding movement of the cover

from the operative position by engaging said cover as said sliding movement commences.

7. A hinge according to claim 6 wherein the boss surface

includes a recess such that, when the first and second hinge

members are in said one relative disposition, the cover can be

slid from said operative to said inoperative position.

8. A hinge according to claim 7 when dependent on claim

3 wherein said boss surface lies in a plane normal to said

hinge axis and wherein said recess is a concave recess.

9. A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein

an adjustment plate overlies the mounting member with said

fixing means extending through said adjustment plate and said

mounting member, the adjustment plate and the fixing means

being movable relative to the mounting plate in a direction

normal to the axis of the hinge to allow adjustment of the

hinge relative to said surface.

10. A hinge according to claim 9 wherein said mounting

member carries a screw which engages the adjustment plate so

that screwing said screw into and out of the mounting member

adjusts the position of said adjustment plate in said direction normal to the axis of the hinge.

11. A hinge according to claim 9 or claim 10 and wherein

said mounting member includes a mounting plate through which

the fixing means passes, the adjustment plate including a

first portion lying on a plane parallel to said mounting plate

and through which said fixing means passes and a second

portion lying in a plane normal to the first portion and

extending through the mounting plate, said second portion

being connected to a surface normal to said first-mentioned

surface .

12. A hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with

reference to the accompanying drawings .