EP1726760A2

EP1726760A2 - Hinge

Info

Publication number: EP1726760A2
Application number: EP06252627A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Colin Jeffrey Taylor
Original assignee: Bloxwich Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: Bloxwich Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-19
Filing date: 2006-05-19
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Also published as: EP1726760A3; GB0510182D0; GB0609953D0; GB2427246A

Abstract

A double pivot door hinge 3 comprises a body leaf 4 connected to a centre leaf 5 by a hinge pin 12 and a door leaf 6 connected to the centre leaf by a hinge pin 27. A control mechanism including a slide bar 38 cooperable with flats 17,31 on the hinge pins 12,27 to provide sequential movement of the door leaf 6 about hinge axes A and B between a closed position through an intermediate open position to a full open position. The slide bar 38 is housed in a cavity in the centre leaf 5 containing a lubricant or grease for assisting sliding movement of the slide bar 38.

Description

This invention relates to hinges for mounting a closure such as a door for movement towards and away from a closed position. The invention has application to vehicle door hinges and in particular to hinges for rear access doors of vans, trucks and the like vehicles. More especially, the invention concerns double pivot door hinges for movement of the door between a closed position and an intermediate open position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate open position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to door hinges but it will be understood the invention is not intended to be limited to door hinges and the term "door" is to be construed accordingly to include other types of closures.
Double pivot door hinges are known that provide initial opening movement of up to 180 degrees from the closed position to the intermediate open position about the first hinge axis and further opening movement of up to 90 degrees from the intermediate open position to the fully open position about the second hinge axis. Hinges of this type having an opening range of up to 270 degrees allow a rear access door of for example a van to be opened to a position in which the door extends generally parallel to the side of the vehicle in the fully open position. In this way, the door is clear of the rear of the vehicle providing unrestricted access to the interior of the vehicle for loading/unloading and extends alongside the side of the van so as not to provide an obstruction to passing vehicles/pedestrians. Also the door can be secured to the side of the vehicle to prevent the door closing inadvertently.
The known double pivot door hinges generally include a control mechanism for switching between the hinge axes at the intermediate open position both when opening and closing the door. Problems can arise if the control mechanism is installed incorrectly and/or damaged in service. Other problems can arise where the control mechanism is exposed to the environment preventing adequate lubrication with the result that reliable, smooth operation of the hinge may be impaired.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved double pivot door hinge suitable for vehicle doors that overcomes or at least mitigates some of the problems of the known double pivot door hinges.
Thus, from a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a double pivot door hinge for movement of a door between a closed position and an intermediate open position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate open position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis wherein a control mechanism for the hinging movement includes a slide bar housed within a leaf of the hinge.
By this aspect of the invention, the slide bar is protected from adverse effects of the environment and lubrication may be provided to assist operation of the control mechanism in a reliable manner.
Preferably, the hinge has a body leaf for connection to a door support, a door leaf for connection to a door, and a centre leaf located between and pivotally connected to each of the body leaf and door leaf for hinging movement about the first and second axes respectively.
Preferably, the slide bar permits pivotal movement about the first hinge axis and blocks pivotal movement about the second hinge axis for movement of the door between the closed and intermediate positions, and permits pivotal movement about the second hinge axis and blocks pivotal movement about the first hinge axis for movement of the door between the intermediate and fully open positions. In this way, changeover from one hinge axis to the other hinge axis at the intermediate open position is assured.
Preferably, the slide bar couples the centre leaf and door leaf for pivotal movement relative to the body leaf about the first hinge axis for movement of the door between the closed and intermediate positions, and couples the centre leaf and body leaf for pivotal movement of the door leaf relative to the centre leaf about the second hinge axis for movement of the door between the intermediate and fully open positions.
Preferably, the body leaf and door leaf are pivotally connected to the centre leaf by respective hinge pins wherein each hinge pin is secured in a non-rotatable manner to the associated body leaf/door leaf and is journalled for rotation in the centre leaf. For example, the hinge pins may be arranged to extend through pivot bearings on the centre leaf to engage upper and lower lugs on the associated body leaf/door leaf.
Preferably, each hinge pin is provided with a flat intermediate the ends, and the slide bar is movable between the hinge pins for co-operating with the flats to control sequential hinging movement of the hinge leaves about the first and second axes during opening/closing movement of the door.
Preferably, the slide bar is located in a cavity in the centre leaf and the hinge pins are arranged to align the flats at the intermediate open position of the hinge for movement of the slide bar to changeover the hinge axis according to the direction of movement of the door.
Preferably, the hinge pins have formations for securing the hinge pins to the associated body leaf/door leaf. For example, the hinge pins may have axial splines at one end for securing the hinge pins at a desired angular position during assembly. In a preferred method of assembly the hinge is assembled in the intermediate open and the hinge pins secured with the flats aligned by providing a removable alignment member between the flats to maintain alignment of the flats when the hinge pins are secured.
Preferably, the cavity in the centre leaf includes a detachable back plate for closing the cavity to retain the slide bar in place. Preferably, the back plate is connected to mounting pins that may also serve to guide the slide bar between the hinge pins. Alternatively, the slide bar may be located in a groove in the centre leaf. The cavity may contain lubricant or grease for the sliding movement of the slide bar.
From a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a double pivot door hinge for movement of a door between a closed position and an intermediate open position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate open position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis wherein the hinge includes a body leaf pivotally connected to a centre leaf by a first hinge pin defining the first hinge axis, and a door leaf pivotally connected to the centre leaf by a second hinge pin defining the second hinge axis, wherein the hinge pins are secured in a non-rotatable manner to the associated body leaf and door leaf.
By this aspect of the invention, the centre leaf is rotatable relative to the hinge pins of the body leaf and door leaf for hinging movement of the door about the first and second axes.
Preferably, the hinge includes a control mechanism co-operable with the hinge pins for selecting the hinge axis at the intermediate position according to the direction of movement of the door and maintaining the selected hinge axis for movement of the door to and from the intermediate position. In this way, a change from one hinge axis to the other hinge axis is blocked for all positions of the door other than the intermediate position.
Preferably, the control mechanism includes a slide bar selectively co-operable with flats on the hinge pins to control in sequence hinging movement of the door about the first and second hinge axes. Preferably the flats are aligned in the intermediate open position such that the slide bar can move between the hinge pins to changeover the hinge axis according to the direction of movement for the door and are misaligned in other positions to prevent movement of the slide bar and maintain the selected hinge axis.
Preferably, each hinge pin is journalled for rotation in a respective bearing on the centre leaf and projects from opposite ends of the bearing for securing to lugs on the associated body leaf/door leaf. Preferably each hinge pin has formations at one end for securing the hinge pin in a desired angular position. For example, each hinge pin may be provided with axial splines such that the angular position of the hinge pin can be set during assembly.
Preferably, each hinge pin is journalled for rotation in pivot bushes arranged to separate the centre leaf bearing from the lugs of the associated body leaf/door leaf. Preferably, the pivot bushes are housed in the centre leaf bearing. With this arrangement, contact surfaces of the pivot bushes can be increased. As a result load bearing and/or wear characteristics of the hinge may be improved.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a double pivot door hinge for movement of a door between a closed position and an intermediate open position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate open position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis wherein the hinge includes a body leaf pivotally connected to a centre leaf by a first hinge pin defining the first hinge axis, and a door leaf pivotally connected to the centre leaf by a second hinge pin defining the second hinge axis, wherein each hinge pin is provided with at least one pivot bush between the centre leaf and the associated body leaf/door leaf.
Preferably, each hinge pin is rotationally fixed to the associated body leaf/door leaf and is rotatable relative to the centre leaf.
Preferably, each hinge pin is provided with a pair of axially spaced pivot bushes housed in the centre leaf.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a double pivot door hinge for pivotal movement between a closed position and an intermediate open position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate open position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis including the steps of arranging a body leaf, a centre leaf and a door leaf in the intermediate open position and connecting the body leaf to the centre leaf with a first hinge pin and connecting the door leaf to the centre leaf with a second hinge pin.
By this aspect of the invention, the hinge leaves can be connected while positioned to suit the geometry of a vehicle to which the hinge is to be fitted. In this way, the assembly operation is simplified and manufacturing tolerances are accommodated.
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 shows schematically part of a rear door of a van mounted on the van body by a double axis pivot hinge embodying the invention, the hinge being shown in the closed position;
Figure 2 shows schematically the hinge of Figure 1 in an intermediate open position;
Figure 3 shows schematically the hinge of Figure 1 in a fully open position;
Figure 4 is a rear perspective view, to an enlarged scale of the hinge shown in Figures 1 to 3, the hinge being shown in the closed position;
Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the hinge shown in Figure 4;
Figure 6 is a rear perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of the centre leaf of the hinge shown in Figures 4 and 5 with the cover plate removed;
Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the relative position of the hinge pins and slide control bar in the closed position of the hinge; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 7, showing the pivot bushes on the hinge pins.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 3 show a rear door 1 of a van mounted on the body 2 of the van by a pair of hinges 3 (one only shown). Each hinge 3 is similar and comprises a body leaf 4, a centre leaf 5 and a door leaf 6. The body leaf 4 is connected to the centre leaf 5 for pivotal movement about a hinge axis A and the centre leaf 5 is connected to the door leaf 6 for pivotal movement about a hinge axis B parallel to and spaced from the hinge axis A. As described in more detail later, the hinge 3 provides sequential movement of the door 1 about hinge axes A and B between a closed position shown in Figure 1 through an intermediate open position shown in Figure 2 to a full open position shown in Figure 3.
The body leaf 4 comprises a flat plate 7 with holes 7a for fasteners 7b such as bolts to secure the body leaf 4 to the van body 2. The plate 7 is provided with upper and lower apertured lugs 8,9 with aligned through bores for receiving a hinge pin 12. The centre leaf 5 comprises a box-shaped plate 13 having a boss 14 that is received between the lugs 8,9 and has a through bore aligned with the bores in the lugs 8,9 for passage of the hinge pin 12 to connect the centre leaf 5 to the body leaf 4.
The hinge pin 12 is provided with axial splines 16 at one end for securing the hinge pin 12 relative to the upper lug 8 and with an integral flat 17 intermediate the ends for a purpose described later. In this way, the hinge pin 12 is rotationally fixed to the body leaf 4. The hinge pin 12 also extends through upper and lower cylindrical pivot bushes 18,19 housed in opposite ends of the through bore in the boss 14 on the centre leaf 5. The pivot bushes 18,19 have flanges 20,21 respectively that locate between and separate the boss 14 and the lugs 8,9 for pivotal movement of the centre leaf 5 relative to the body leaf 4 about the hinge axis A.
The door leaf 6 comprises an L-shaped plate 22 with holes 22a in one leg for fasteners (not shown) such as bolts to secure the door leaf 6 to the door 1. The other leg is provided with upper and lower apertured lugs 23,24 having aligned through bores for receiving a hinge pin 27. The centre leaf 5 has a boss 28 that is received between the lugs 23,24 and has a through bore aligned with the bores of the lugs 23,24 for passage of the hinge pin 27 to connect the centre leaf 5 to the door leaf 6.
The hinge pin 27 is provided with axial splines 30 at one end for securing the hinge pin 27 relative to the upper lug 23 and with an integral flat 31 intermediate the ends for a purpose described later. In this way, the hinge pin 27 is rotationally fixed to the door leaf 6. The hinge pin 27 also extends through cylindrical pivot bushes 32,33 housed in opposite ends of the through bore in the boss 28 on the centre leaf 5. The pivot bushes 32,33 have flanges 34,35 respectively that locate between and separate the boss 28 and the lugs 23,24 for pivotal movement of the door leaf 6 relative to the centre leaf 5 about the hinge axis B.
As best shown in Figure 6, the centre leaf 5 is provided with cut- outs 36,37 in the bosses 14,28 corresponding to the axial position of the flats 17,31 on the hinge pins 12,27 in the assembled hinge 3. The cut- outs 36,37 are aligned with a slide bar 38 of rectangular section that is located in a groove (not shown) in the box-shaped plate 13 for sliding movement between the flats 17,31 and is retained by attaching a cover plate 43 to upstands 39,40,41.42 integral with box-shaped plate 13. In this way, the slide bar 38 is concealed within a cavity of the centre leaf 5 and grease or other lubricant may be provided in the cavity to assist sliding movement during the working life of the hinge 3. This arrangement excludes contaminants from the cavity and protects the mechanism.
As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, the slide bar 38 has an axial length corresponding to the distance between a flat on one hinge pin and the outer circumference of the other hinge pin. In this way, the slide bar 38 prevents rotation of the hinge pin when seated against the associated flat and permits rotation of the other hinge pin when seated against the circumference.
Figures 7 and 8 show the arrangement of the hinge pins 12,27 and slide bar 38 in the closed position of the hinge 3 shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. In this position the centre leaf 5 can rotate relative to the body leaf 4 about the hinge pin 12 while the door leaf 6 is prevented from rotating relative to the centre leaf 5 about hinge pin 27 by engagement of the slide bar 38 with the flat 31 of the hinge pin 27. As a result, the door leaf 6 pivots with the centre leaf 5 about hinge axis A through 180° to the intermediate open position in which the centre leaf 5 engages a stop 44 on the body leaf 4 and the hinge axis B is positioned laterally outwardly of the side of the van as shown in Figure 2.
In the intermediate open position, the flats 17,31 are aligned and the distance therebetween is greater than the length of the slide bar 38 allowing the slide bar 38 to be displaced between the hinge pins 12,27.
In this way, if a force is applied to open the door 1 beyond the intermediate open position, the hinge pin 27 rotates with the door leaf 6 to displace the slide bar 38 to seat against the flat 17 on the hinge pin 12 and prevent the centre leaf 5 rotating relative to the body leaf 4 about the hinge pin 12. As a result, the door leaf 6 pivots about hinge axis B through 90° to the full open position in which the door 1 is positioned parallel to and alongside the side of the van as shown in Figure 3.
In this way, the door 1 can be moved to the full open position by separate hinging movement about the pivot axis A,B. The door is closed by a reverse of the above operation, changing over the hinge axis at the intermediate open position when the door leaf 6 engages a stop 45 on the centre leaf 5.
As will now be appreciated, the present invention provides a double pivot door hinge for a vehicle door movable between a closed position and an intermediate position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis.
In the above described embodiment, the first hinge axis A provides a range of movement of 180° and the second hinge axis B provides a range of movement of 90° giving a total range of movement of 270° between the closed and fully open positions. It will be understood, however, that this is not essential and the range of movement can be changed as desired by adjusting the relative position of the flats 14,31 on the hinge pins 12,27 in the closed position of the hinge 3.
The above-described hinge construction has a number of advantages. For example, the slide bar 38 is housed within the centre leaf 5 and is protected from the environment. Moreover, grease or other lubrication provided within the centre leaf 5 to facilitate sliding movement of the slide bar 38 is not washed away or contaminated by dirt.
The hinge 3 can be assembled in the intermediate open position with the flats 14,31 of the hinge pins 12,27 aligned by temporarily fitting an alignment member between the flats 14,31. In this way, rotation of the hinge pins 12,27 is prevented as they are being inserted to engage the splines 16,30 at the end of the hinge pins 12,27 to secure the hinge pins 12,27 in position. This ensures the hinge pins 12,27 are fitted in the correct angular position relative to the associated hinge leaf 4,6 for changing over the pivot axis at the intermediate open position when the alignment member is removed and replaced by the slide bar 38. As a result, operation of the hinge 3 is smooth and reliable.
Other advantages of the above-described hinge construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A double pivot door hinge for movement of a door between a closed position and an intermediate open position about a first hinge axis and between the intermediate open position and a fully open position about a second hinge axis wherein a control mechanism for the hinging movement includes a slide bar housed within a leaf of the hinge.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 1 characterised in that, the slide bar permits pivotal movement about the first hinge axis and blocks pivotal movement about the second hinge axis for movement of the door between the closed and intermediate positions, and permits pivotal movement about the second hinge axis and blocks pivotal movement about the first hinge axis for movement of the door between the intermediate and fully open positions.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that, the hinge has a body leaf for connection to a door support, a door leaf for connection to a door, and a centre leaf located between and pivotally connected to each of the body leaf and door leaf for hinging movement about the first and second axes respectively.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 3 characterised in that, the slide bar couples the centre leaf and door leaf for pivotal movement relative to the body leaf about the first hinge axis for movement of the door between the closed and intermediate positions, and couples the centre leaf and body leaf for pivotal movement of the door leaf relative to the centre leaf about the second hinge axis for movement of the door between the intermediate and fully open positions.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that, the body leaf and door leaf are pivotally connected to the centre leaf by respective hinge pins wherein each hinge pin is secured in a non-rotatable manner to the associated body leaf/door leaf and is journalled for rotation in the centre leaf.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 5 characterised in that, the hinge pins are arranged to extend through pivot bearings on the centre leaf to engage upper and lower lugs on the associated body leaf/door leaf.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 5 or claim 6 characterised in that, each hinge pin is provided with a flat intermediate the ends, and the slide bar is movable between the hinge pins for co-operating with the flats to control sequential hinging movement of the hinge leaves about the first and second axes during opening/closing movement of the door.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 7 characterised in that, the slide bar is located in a cavity in the centre leaf, and the hinge pins are arranged to align the flats at the intermediate open position of the hinge for movement of the slide bar to changeover the hinge axis according to the direction of movement of the door.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 8 characterised in that, the hinge pins have formations for securing the hinge pins to the associated body leaf/door leaf, for example axial splines for securing the hinge pins at a desired angular position during assembly.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 8 or claim 9 characterised in that, the cavity in the centre leaf includes a detachable back plate for closing the cavity to retain the slide bar in place.
A double pivot door hinge according to claim 10 characterised in that, the centre leaf is configured to guide the slide bar between the hinge pins.
A double pivot door hinge according to any one of claims 8 to 11 characterised in that the cavity contains lubricant or grease for the sliding movement of the slide bar.