EP1959078A2

EP1959078A2 - A hinge for doors or windows

Info

Publication number: EP1959078A2
Application number: EP08150475A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Lambertini
Original assignee: GSG International SpA
Current assignee: GSG International SpA
Priority date: 2007-02-15
Filing date: 2008-01-22
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: ITBO20070088A1; EP1959078A3

Abstract

Described is a hinge for doors and windows comprising a fixed frame (1) and a mobile frame (2) whose profiles form respective longitudinal fastening grooves (C1, C2) each comprised of a pair (3, 4) of facing upturned L-shaped protrusions defining an upper longitudinal opening (5) whose width (LA) is defined by the distance between the transversal sections (3a, 4a) of the L. The hinge (6) comprises: a first and a second hinge body (7, 10) with a first and second flap (8, 11) which can be associated, through respective first and second fastening means (9, 12), with the grooves (C1, C2); a hinge pin (13) defining the axis of rotation (Z); the first and second fastening means (9, 12) each comprise a pair of screw elements (14) inserted into the flaps (8, 11) and operating on respective stop-lock elements (16) acting on the protrusions (3, 4); each stop-lock element comprising a first, flat base (18) having a main dimension of extension (D18) that is greater than the width (LA) of the upper opening (5) and a second, upper prismatic portion (19), having two opposite inclined walls (19a, 19b) adapted to make contact at least with the front ends of the transversal sections (3a, 4a) of the respective longitudinal grooves (C1, C2).

Description

This invention relates to a hinge for doors or windows, in particular heavy doors or windows of medium to large size.
Hinges for doors and windows of this type currently available on the market can be divided broadly into the following two types:

"face-mounted hinges", that is to say, hinges applied to doors or windows by means of holes or slots made on the outer front part of the frame profiles (used for exterior doors and windows, for example of the reinforced type);
traditional hinges, that is to say hinges applicable to frames, especially door frames, with traditional profiles (like those usually used for windows) where there is an internal groove - on both the fixed and mobile frame - for positioning and fastening the respective flap of the hinge body directly to the inside of the mobile frame or fixed frame.

This specification refers to hinges of the second type, that is, traditional hinges, used on medium-size doors and windows for large indoor areas (as in shopping centres for example).
Hinges of this type, apart from differences in size, consist basically of components used for doors and windows that are smaller and lighter. The components are essentially the following:

a first male, or lower, hinge body having a socket and a flap for fastening it to the fixed frame;
a second female, or upper, hinge body having a respective socket and a flap for fastening it to the sash;
a hinge pin that can be housed inside the two sockets and defining the axis of rotation of the sash.

The hinge flaps are fastened to the respective frames by screws that act on one of the following two types of retaining means that push against the inside of the groove and, more specifically, on the inside walls of the groove which is defined by a pair of facing upturned L-shaped protrusions:

a segment (or block) of profile housed in the groove of the respective frame (usually defined by a pair of L-shaped protrusions) and opposing the inside surface of the protrusions themselves;
a plate with a cam profile (substantially rhomboidal in shape) for each screw present on the flap of the respective hinge body and able to be coupled to the screw itself by means of a threaded hole through the centre of it.

This specification relates to the second type of fastening, which is much simpler than the first type since the plate is pre-fitted to the screw and is inserted into the profile groove lengthways. When the screw is turned, the plate also turns, thereby coming into contact with the opposite walls of the groove and generating a force that opposes the screw.
Tightening the screw further causes the plate to stop turning and to remain fixed forcing it to move closer to the L-shaped protrusions until it presses hard against the protrusions in such a way as to securely lock the hinge flap in place.
Although on the one hand this system makes assembly relatively quick and easy, on the other hand, it has shortcomings in terms of precision, security and durability, especially in the case of profiles with deep grooves: in fact, before being tightened, the screw usually fits loosely inside the hole in the hinge body and, in some situations, this may cause it (and hence the plate) to oscillate slightly inside the groove, which means that the plate is not perfectly centred in the groove and makes uneven contact with the sides of the groove, thus resulting in a poor fit.
This may eventually weaken the stability of the hinge on the profile or even facilitate breaking in.
This invention therefore has for an aim to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a door and window hinge provided with a fastening system that is at once extremely simple and reliable and that can be adapted to suit frame profile grooves of various different sizes without excessively altering the basic structure of the hinge.
According to this invention, the above aim is achieved by a hinge, in particular a hinge for doors and windows, comprising the technical characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.
The technical characteristics of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a part of a hinge for doors and windows and a part of a door or window frame according to the invention in a perspective exploded view;
Figures 2 and 3 are schematic front views showing a part of the hinge of Figure 1 in two different operating configurations, respectively before and after being fastened stably to the frame;
Figure 4 illustrates a part of the hinge of Figure 1 in a plan view from below;
Figure 5 illustrates a part of the hinge of Figure 1 in a side view;
Figure 6 illustrates a part of the hinge of Figure 1 in a perspective view from below;
Figure 7 is a plan view from above of a stop-lock accessory applicable to the hinge of Figure 1.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular Figures 1 to 3, the hinge according to the invention, labelled 6 in its entirety, is applied to heavy doors and/or windows of medium to large size installed in large indoor areas (such as shopping centres, for example).
These doors and windows, of known type, comprise a fixed frame 1 and a mobile frame 2 whose profiles form respective longitudinal fastening grooves C1, C2 each comprised of a pair 3, 4 of facing upturned L-shaped protrusions defining an upper longitudinal opening 5 whose width LA is defined by the distance between the transversal sections 3a, 4a of the L.
The hinge 6 applied to these doors and windows is of partly known type and comprises at least the following:

a first hinge body 7 having a first cylindrical socket 7a and a first flap 8 that can be associated, through respective first fastening means 9, with the groove C1 of the fixed frame 1;
a second hinge body 10 having a second cylindrical socket 10a and a second flap 11 that can be associated, through respective second fastening means 12, with the groove C2 of the mobile frame 2;
a hinge pin 13 that can be housed in the two sockets 7a, 10a and defining the axis of rotation Z of the mobile frame 2.

For the sake of simplicity and convenience of description, the accompanying drawings illustrate only a part of the two frames 1 and 2 and of the hinge 6, since the two parts of the frames as well as of the hinge are similar.
Still with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the above mentioned first and second fastening means 9 and 12 each comprise at least one pair of screw elements 14 inserted into respective holes 15 in the flaps 8 and 11.
The screw elements 14 operate on respective stop-lock elements 16 acting on the protrusions 3 and 4 and are housed in the respective grooves C1 and C2 of the fixed and mobile frames 1 and 2.
Looking more closely at the details, each stop-lock element is comprised of a single block 16 having a central through hole 17 enabling it to be coupled by screwing to the respective screw element 14.
Each block 16 is substantially composed of two parts integrally joined to each other:

a first, lower portion or flat base 18 having at least one main dimension of extension D18 that is greater than the width LA of the upper longitudinal opening 5;
a second, upper prismatic portion 19 having at least two opposite inclined walls 19a and 19b that diverge from each in the direction of the flat base 18 so that when fully tightened, they make contact at least with the front ends of the aforementioned transversal sections 3a and 4a of the respective longitudinal grooves C1 and C2.

In other words, the flat base 18 forms a cam-like feature which, after the screw element 14 has been turned once, allows the entire block 16 to be locked with both sides against the inside walls of the grooves C1 and C2. The prismatic portion 19, on the other hand, enables the block 16 to be centred relative to the groove and flap 8 or 11 of the hinge 6, thus securing it in place and preventing that part of the hinge 6 from turning (as explained in more detail below).
More specifically, (see also Figures 4 to 7), the second, prismatic portion is comprised of a block 19 having the shape of a truncated pyramid.
The flat base 18 may be in the shape of a rhomboid with rounded corners to permit contact and locking with one or both sides against the respective walls of the groove C1 or C2.
Looking more closely at the details, the truncated pyramid shaped block 19 comprises:

an upper base 19c having a dimension D19c, measured between two opposite sides, that is smaller than the width LA of the upper longitudinal opening 5; and
a lower base 19d, joined to the above mentioned flat base 18, having a dimension D19d, measured between two opposite sides, that is at least equal to the width LA of the upper opening 5: thus, the transversal sections 3a and 4a make contact with and are locked to the lower base 19d.

According to an alternative embodiment, the lower base 19d might have a dimension D19d, measured between two opposite sides, that is greater than the width LA of the upper opening 5 so as to create a deformation force that locks the flaps 8 and 11 in place much more securely.
For improving the stability of hinge 6 grip within the grooves C1 and C2, anti-slip protrusions or serrations 20 are provided at the join between the lower base 19d of the second, truncated pyramid shaped block 19 and the flat base 18 (see Figure 7), which, in use, make stable contact with the inside of the transversal sections 3a and 4a.
To strengthen the tightness of the fit between the hinge 6 and the respective grooves C1 and C2, the first and second flaps 8 and 11 of the hinge bodies 7 and 10 have two parallel, longitudinal protrusions 21 and 22 that project from their bottom profiles and afford a matching central housing which, in use, accommodates at least a part of each second prismatic block 19 (the part that protrudes outwards from the groove C1 and C2), thereby locking the hinge bodies 7 and 10 in such a way that they cannot swivel.
For improving the security of the fit, the first and second flaps 8 and 11 may each have three screw elements 14 inserted into respective holes 15 and corresponding stop-lock elements 16 to be housed in the respective longitudinal grooves C1 and C2.
In use, therefore, each of the hinge bodies 7 and 10 is positioned by sliding it in the respective groove C1 and C2 (see Figure 1).
At the point where the hinge body 7 and 10 has to be fitted, the installer starts tightening the screw elements 14, thus initially turning the respective stop-lock element 16 through approximately ninety degrees (see arrow F1) so that the flat base 18 makes contact, on or both sides, with the walls of the respective groove C1 and C2 (see Figure 2).
Continuing to tighten the screw elements 14 causes the element 16 to move upwards (see arrow F2) in such a way that the upper base 19c is inserted into the opening 5 in the groove C1 and C2 and is accommodated in the housing in the flap 8 and 11 defined by the protrusions 21 and 22 until the flat base 18 and the serrations 20 come into contact with the transversal sections 3a and 4a.
A hinge made as described above fully achieves the aforementioned aims thanks to the special structure of the stop-lock elements.
This structure, comprising two different geometrical configurations for each stop-lock element, enables the stop-lock elements to be secured in place irreversibly once the truncated cone-shaped block is housed in the groove opening, but without altering the standard structure of the door or window frame or hinge.
The internal fit between part of the truncated cone-shaped block and the hinge flap makes the hinge more compact, protecting it from wear and making it more secure against breaking in.
This geometrical configuration also offers a self-centring feature allowing the screw and stop-lock assembly to be positioned exactly in the centre of the hole, without letting the screw oscillate as in prior art solutions.
If necessary, the position of the hinge can be adjusted by simply slackening the screw slightly and sliding the hinge along the groove.
The anti-slip serrations improve the security of the fit after the screws have been tightened on the hinge flap.
The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

A hinge for doors and windows comprising a fixed frame (1) and a mobile frame (2) whose profiles form respective longitudinal fastening grooves (C1, C2) each comprised of a pair (3, 4) of facing upturned L-shaped protrusions defining an upper longitudinal opening (5) whose width (LA) is defined by the distance between the transversal sections (3a, 4a) of the L; the hinge (6) comprising at least:
- a first hinge body (7) having a first cylindrical socket (7a) and a first flap (8) that can be associated, through respective first fastening means (9), with the groove (C1) of the fixed frame (1) ;

- a second hinge body (10) having a second cylindrical socket (10a) and a second flap (11) that can be associated, through respective second fastening means (12), with the groove (C2) of the mobile frame (2);

- a hinge pin (13) that can be housed in the two sockets (7a, 10a) and defining the axis of rotation (Z) of the mobile frame (2);

- the first fastening means (9) and the second fastening means (12) each comprising at least one pair of screw elements (14) inserted into respective holes (15) in the flaps (8, 11) and operating on respective stop-lock elements (16) acting on the protrusions (3, 4) and housed in the respective grooves (C1, C2) of the fixed frame (1) and mobile frame (2); the hinge (6) being characterized in that each stop-lock element is comprised of a single block (16) having a central through hole (17) enabling it to be coupled by screwing to the respective screw element (14), the block (16) comprising:

- a first, lower portion or flat base (18) having at least one main dimension of extension (D18) that is greater than the width (LA) of the upper longitudinal opening (5);

- a second, upper prismatic portion (19) having at least two opposite inclined walls (19a, 19b) which, when tightened, make contact at least with the front ends of the transversal sections (3a, 4a) of the respective longitudinal grooves (C1, C2).
The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion (19) is comprised of an oblique prismatic element where the two inclined walls (19a, 19b) diverge from each in the direction of the flat base (18).
The hinge according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the second, prismatic portion is comprised of a block (19) having the shape of a truncated pyramid.
The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat base (18) is in the shape of a rhomboid with rounded corners.
The hinge according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the truncated pyramid-shaped block (19) comprises an upper base (19c) having a dimension (D19c), measured between two opposite sides, that is smaller than the width (LA) of the upper longitudinal opening (5), and a lower base (19d), joined to the flat base (18), having a dimension (D19d), measured between two opposite sides, that is at least equal to the width (LA) of the upper opening (5) so as to make contact with and be locked to the transversal sections (3a, 4a).
The hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that the lower base (19d) of the truncated pyramid-shaped block (19) has a dimension (D19d), measured between two opposite sides, that is at least greater than the width (LA) of the upper opening (5).
The hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that, at the join between the lower base (19d) of the second, truncated pyramid shaped block (19) and the flat base (18), anti-slip protrusions or serrations (20) are provided which, in use, make stable contact with the inside of the transversal sections (3a, 4a).
The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second flaps (8, 11) of the first and second hinge bodies (7, 10) have two parallel, longitudinal protrusions (21, 22) that project from their bottom profiles and afford a matching central housing which, in use, accommodates at least a part of each second prismatic block (19) protruding outwards from the groove (C1, C2), thereby locking the hinge bodies (7, 10) in such a way that they cannot swivel.
The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second flaps (8, 11) each have three screw elements (14) inserted into respective holes (15) and corresponding stop-lock elements (16) to be housed in the respective longitudinal grooves (C1, C2).