EP2032789A1

EP2032789A1 - Height-adjustable hinge

Info

Publication number: EP2032789A1
Application number: EP07748253A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benny Karlsson
Original assignee: Assa AB
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Opening Solutions Sweden AB
Priority date: 2006-06-16
Filing date: 2007-06-15
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Also published as: EP2032789A4; SE529911C2; NO20090142L; WO2007145578A1; NO339642B1; SE0601333L

Abstract

A height-adjustable hinge comprising a first leaf (1) with an upper knuckle ( 3 ) and a lower knuckle ( 4 ), a second leaf (2) with an intermediate knuckle (5) arranged in line with and between the upper and lower knuckles, and a height-adjusting screw (8, 9) that is screwed into one knuckle of the first leaf and arranged to support the second leaf. The height-adjusting screw comprises a free end (8b, 9b) that projects into the intermediate knuckle and that is received therein in a bearing sleeve (10, 11) that comprises a bottom (10a, 10b) against which the free end surface of the height- adjusting screw can rest, and a part (10b, lib) that projects from the bottom in the direction towards the other end of the height-adjusting screw, which part has a cylindrical inner surface (10c, lie) that surrounds the free end of the first height-adjusting screw.

Description

Height-adjustable hinge

Technical field

The invention relates to a height-adjustable hinge of the type that is described in the preamble to claim 1. The hinge according to the invention can be used, for example, to attach a door, window, shutter and other element to a frame or the like in such a way that it can pivot.

Background art

Height-adjustable hinges of the type described above are used when it is desirable to be able to adjust the height of the door in relation to the frame.

Desirable features of such hinges are that they should be simple to fit, be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, be able to accept loading and be durable and that they should comprise few components. Another desirable feature is that the two leaves should be able to be separated from each other.

The hinges can be made of, for example, polymer material or metal. Hinges made of metal have a great ability to accept loading, so that even relatively small hinges can be used to hang heavy doors or the like. A general problem associated with metal hinges is, however, that contact between the parts that can move in relation to each other can give rise to noises and wear of these parts. This wear, in turn, often gives rise to a fine metallic powder that, together with any lubricant, contaminates the hinge and also the door and the frame to which it is attached.

A previously-known height-adjustable metal hinge comprises a leaf that is intended to be attached to the frame, with an upper and a lower knuckle, and a leaf that is intended to be attached to the door, with an intermediate knuckle. A hinge pin is press-fixed in the intermediate knuckle in such a way that it cannot move and its pointed ends project into the upper and lower knuckles . A height-adjusting screw is screwed axially into each of the upper and lower knuckles. The screws have pointed ends that face towards the respective ends of the hinge pin. A bearing washer is arranged in each of the upper and lower knuckles, between the hinge pin and the respective height-adjusting screw. The bearing washers have concave conical upper and lower surfaces against which the pointed ends of the adjusting screws and of the hinge pins make contact. The bearing washers prevent contact between the two screws and the hinge pin. The concave conical surfaces of the bearing washers also form a guide for the pointed ends of the hinge pin that is designed to center the hinge pin in the upper and lower knuckles, in order thereby to prevent contact between the pin and the inside of these knuckles.

In order for such a centering to be achieved, it is however necessary for the pointed ends of the screws and of the hinge pin to make contact with the whole of the respective conical surfaces of the bearing washer. The distance between the pointed end of each screw and the respective end of the hinge pin must be precisely the same as the distance between the two conical surfaces of the bearing washer. In order for the centering to be achieved, it is thus necessary for the two screws to be adjusted precisely. As the correct height adjustment is achieved by adjustment of the lower screw, it is therefore important that the upper screw is tightened very precisely. In the event of it being tightened insufficiently, a clearance arises between the upper screw^* and the washer, with the result that there is insufficient centering of the pin. When the door exerts a load on the hinge, the hinge pin can then be tilted in the upper and lower knuckles, so that the pin comes into contact with the inside of the upper knuckle. As a result, the abovementioned problems arise with noise and wear. If, on the other hand, the upper adjusting screw is tightened too much, the hinge will seize, while at the same time the wear on the bearing washers will increase. Even with correct tightening of the upper adjusting screw, after a certain period of use, wearing of the bearing washers can give rise to a clearance between the upper screw and the washer, so that the pin is tilted and comes into contact with the upper knuckle.

With the abovementioned known hinge, it is not possible to separate the leaf that is intended to be attached to the door from the leaf that is intended to be attached to the frame, as the hinge pin is press-fixed into the knuckle of the leaf that is intended to be attached to the door and projects into the knuckles of the leaf that is intended to be attached to the frame.

Disclosure of invention

An object of the invention is to provide an improved height-adjustable hinge.

Another object is to provide such a hinge by means of which the abovementioned problems are reduced or completely eliminated.

These and other objects are achieved with a hinge of the type described in the preamble to claim 1, which hinge has the characteristics described in the characterizing part of the claim.

The hinge comprises a first leaf with an upper and a lower knuckle, a second leaf with an intermediate knuckle arranged in line with and between the upper and lower knuckles and a height-adjusting screw that is screwed into one knuckle of the first leaf and arranged to support the second leaf. According to the invention, the height-adjusting screw comprises a free end that projects into the intermediate knuckle and that is received in the knuckle in a bearing sleeve that comprises a bottom against which the free end surface of the height-adjusting screw can rest, and a part that projects from the bottom in the direction towards the other end of the height-adjusting screw, which projecting part has a cylindrical inner surface that surrounds the free end of the first height-adjusting screw.

As the free end of the height-adjusting screw is guided and received in a cylindrical part of the bearing sleeve, a satisfactory guiding of the screw is achieved, even if its axial position in the sleeve is changed. If, for example, two hinges according to the invention are used to hang a door, the vertical position of the door can be adjusted by the height- adjusting screw of only one hinge. In order to obtain satisfactory vertical hanging of the door, it is thus sufficient for the screw in the second hinge only to be inserted a short distance into the cylindrical part of its bearing sleeve. With the hinge according to the invention, it is thus not necessary for the adjusting screw or screws that are not used to support the weight of the door to make contact with or even to be precisely adjusted in their respective sleeves.

In a simple way, the hinge according to the invention prevents tilting of the parts of the hinge that move in relation to each other and thereby reduces the risk of metallic contact between the moving parts. In this way, the risk is also reduced of noises arising and of the hinge and adjacent parts being contaminated by particles produced as a result of wear.

As the height-adjusting screw is screwed into the knuckle of one leaf and projects into the knuckle of the other leaf, the invention also makes it possible to take the hinge apart and to reassemble it in a simple way.

The intermediate knuckle suitably comprises a stop, for example in the form of an inner constriction, against which the bottom of the bearing sleeve rests. In this case, the cylindrical part of the sleeve can extend only a short distance in the direction away from the stop inside the intermediate knuckle.

According to an embodiment, the sleeve comprises a ring-shaped collar that rests against the end surface of the intermediate knuckle. In this case, the stop can be omitted. The ring-shaped collar also prevents the end surface of the intermediate knuckle from coming into contact with the end surface of the adjacent knuckle of the first leaf.

According to a preferred embodiment, both an inner stop is used, against which the sleeve rests, and also a collar on the sleeve that is in contact with the end surface of the intermediate knuckle. The cylindrical part of the sleeve then extends from the bottom of the sleeve right to the mouth of the knuckle at its end surface. As a result of the relatively long length of the cylindrical part, it creates a better guide. In addition, in this embodiment, the whole of the part of the height-adjusting screw that is received in the intermediate knuckle is completely surrounded by the sleeve, so that the risk of the screw coming into contact with the intermediate knuckle is reduced still further or completely eliminated. The cylindrical part can also extend farther out, past the end surface of the intermediate knuckle, if desired.

The free end of the height-adjusting screw and the inner surface of the bearing sleeve are suitably circular-cylindrical. As a result, it is possible for the pivoting movement of the hinge to be achieved between the height-adjusting screw and the sleeve. In order to ensure that the pivoting movement arises between only these elements, the hinge suitably comprises means for preventing relative rotation between the bearing sleeve and the intermediate knuckle. This means can, for example, consist of an axial outer flange on the sleeve that is in engagement with the slot in the knuckle that normally arises when the knuckle is formed by bending.

The hinge suitably comprises two identical adjusting screws and two identical bearing sleeves. One screw is then screwed into the lower knuckle of the first leaf and projects into a first sleeve that is arranged in the lower part of the intermediate knuckle. The second screw is oppositely directed in relation to the first and is screwed into the upper knuckle of the first leaf so that it projects into a second sleeve that is arranged in the upper part of the intermediate knuckle.

By this means, a reversible hinge is obtained that creates a very good guide that prevents tilting, even in the event of high loads.

The bearing sleeve or sleeves are suitably made of a polymer material and the intermediate knuckle and at least one height-adjusting screw are suitably made of metal. The bearing sleeve then has the function of preventing metallic contact between moving parts of the hinge. In order to obtain a stable hinge that can accept loading and that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, with dimensions that can be kept small, the two leaves and the upper and lower knuckles can suitably also be made of metal.

The hinge can be designed as a simple hinge, both leaves of which are attached directly to a frame, a door or the like. According to another embodiment, the hinge is of the snap-in type in which, in the mounted position, one leaf is received in a fixing that is attached to a frame or a door or the like . In this case, the second leaf that has the intermediate knuckle is suitably the leaf that is received in the fixing.

Additional objects and advantages of the hinge according to the invention are apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims.

Brief description of drawings

In the following, there is a detailed description of an exemplifying embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures, in which:

Figure Ia is a plan view from the front of a hinge according to the invention.

Figure Ib is a section along the line A-A in Figure Ia. Figure Ic is a plan view from below of the hinge shown in Figure Ia.

Figure 2 is an isometric exploded diagram of the hinge shown in Figure Ia.

Figure 3a is a plan view from above of a bearing sleeve comprised in the hinge shown in Figure Ia, and Figure

3b is a section along the line B-B in Figure 3a.

Modes for carrying out the invention

The embodiment of the hinge according to the invention that is shown in the drawings is of the snap-in type and comprises a first leaf 1 and a second leaf 2. The first leaf 1 and the second leaf 2 are made of steel. The first leaf 1 is constructed in one piece with an upper knuckle 3 and a lower knuckle 4 that are traditionally formed by bending two tongues that project from the first leaf. In addition, the first leaf has three screw holes for attaching the first leaf to a frame (not shown) or the like. The second leaf 2 is constructed in one piece with an intermediate knuckle 5 that is arranged in line with and between the upper knuckle 3 and lower knuckle 4 of the first leaf 1. In addition, at its free end, the second leaf has a chamfer 6 and a through-hole 7 for inserting and snap-fixing the second leaf into a fixing that is attached to a door or the like (not shown).

As shown most clearly in Figures Ib and 3, the hinge also comprises a lower height-adjusting screw 8 and an upper height-adjusting screw 9. Each of the two height- adjusting screws comprises a threaded part 8a, 9a that is received in corresponding threads in the lower knuckle 4 and the upper knuckle 3 respectively. The two screws 8, 9 also each comprise circular-cylindrical pins 8b, 9b projecting from the threaded part 8a, 9a in the direction towards each other.

A first bearing sleeve 10 and a second bearing sleeve 11 are inserted into the intermediate knuckle 5, from its lower end and upper end respectively. The two bearing sleeves 10 and 11 are identical and in Figures 4a and 4b the first bearing sleeve 10 is shown enlarged. The bearing sleeve 10 is made in one piece out of a polymer material that has suitably a low coefficient of friction and good resistance to wear. Examples of suitable materials are Acetal plastic and Polyamide, such as PA 6,6 reinforced with 20% glass fiber. The bearing sleeve 10 comprises a bottom 10a and a cylindrical part 10b that projects from the bottom with a circular-cylindrical inner surface 10c. At the opposite end of the cylindrical part 10c to the bottom 10a, there is a ring-shaped flange or collar 1Od that projects in a radial direction. On the outside of the projecting part 10b, there is a flange 1Od that projects in a radial direction and extends in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve. A ring-shaped toothed part 1Of is arranged around the outside of the cylindrical part 10c, in the vicinity of the collar 1Od.

As shown most clearly in Figure Ib, the intermediate knuckle 5 has an inner constriction 5a that is arranged essentially midway between the lower end surface 5b and upper end surface 5c of the knuckle 5. The constriction is formed by deformation by punching or stamping the intermediate knuckle 5 and creates a stop against which the bottoms 10a, 11a of the two bearing sleeves make contact and are supported. The length of the projecting parts 10b, lib of the two bearing sleeves corresponds to the distance between the constriction 5a in the knuckle and the lower end surface 5b and upper end surface 5c of the knuckle respectively, so that the collars 1Od, Hd of the bearing sleeves make contact with and are supported by the end surfaces 5b, 5c respectively.

The external diameter of the projecting cylindrical parts 10b, Hb is essentially the same as the internal diameter of the intermediate knuckle 5. When the bearing sleeves 10, 11 are inserted into the intermediate knuckle 5, as a result of being a press fit in the intermediate knuckle 5, the toothed parts 1Of help to retain the sleeves in their inserted positions. In addition, in the inserted position, the longitudinal flanges 1Oe, He of the two sleeves are in engagement with the longitudinal slot 5d in the knuckle 5 that is created when the knuckle is formed by bending. This engagement prevents relative rotation between the two bearing sleeves 10, 11 and the intermediate knuckle 5.

The circular-cylindrical pins 8b, 9b of the two height- adjusting screws 8, 9 are received in bearing sleeves 10, 11 respectively. The diameter of the pins 8b, 9b is essentially the same as the diameter of the inner circular-cylindrical surface 10c, lie of the two sleeves. As a result, the second leaf 2, with the intermediate knuckle 5 and the two bearing sleeves 10, 11, is able to rotate around the two pins 8b, 9b. At the same time, all metallic contact is avoided between the pins 8b, 9b and the intermediate knuckle 5. In addition, a very good guide is created for the intermediate knuckle 5, whereby tilting of this in relation to the pins is prevented in a simple and effective way.

The two height-adjusting screws 8, 9 have an opening 8c, 9c in their surfaces that face away from each other, for the insertion of a socket key. By rotating the height-adjusting screws 8, 9, it is possible to adjust their axial position in relation to the first leaf 1. The intermediate knuckle 5 is pressed downwards by the effect of gravity on the door and rests against the lower height-adjusting screw 8. It is thereby possible to adjust the vertical position of the door by rotating the lower height-adjusting screw 8. Due to the fact that the bearing sleeves have inner cylindrical surfaces 10c, lie that form guides, it is sufficient for only a small part of the pin 9b of the upper height-adjusting screws 9 to project into the upper bearing sleeve 11. With the hinge according to the invention, it is thus not necessary to carry out precise follow-up adjustment of the upper height- adjusting screw so that, for example, it is in contact with the bottom 11a of the upper sleeve 11. With the hinge according to the invention, tilting of the intermediate knuckle 5 is thus prevented, even without any special follow-up adjustment of the upper height- adjusting screw.

An exemplifying embodiment of the invention has been described above. The invention is, however, not limited to this embodiment, but can be varied freely within the scope of the following claims.

For example, the hinge can comprise only one height- adjusting screw and a corresponding bearing sleeve. If two such hinges are used to hang a door, a lower height-adjusting screw in one hinge can be used to adjust the vertical position of the door as described above. Thereafter, the height-adjusting screw in the second hinge, which screw can be either an upper height-adjusting screw or a lower height-adjusting screw, only needs to be adjusted sufficiently for some part of the pin of this screw to project into the cylindrical cavity that is created by the inner cylindrical surface of the corresponding bearing sleeve.

If desired, it is also possible for the pivoting movement of the hinge to take place between the intermediate knuckle and one or two bearing sleeves, instead of between the height-adjusting screws and the respective bearing sleeves. In this case, the two longitudinal engaging flanges 1Oe, lie are omitted. With this embodiment, the inner cylindrical surface does not need to be circular-cylindrical, but can be cylindrical with, for example, an oval or polygonal cross section.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the bottom of the bearing sleeves is solid. The bottom can, however, also consist, for example, of a ring-shaped flange that is open in the center, a cross or the like.

The bearing sleeve does not need to extend the whole way from the stop in the intermediate knuckle to the end surface of the knuckle, but can be made shorter, provided that it has an inner cylindrical surface that forms an adequate guide. If the bearing sleeve has a collar that projects in a radial direction and that is in contact with the end surface of the intermediate knuckle, the constriction in the intermediate knuckle that constitutes a stop for the sleeve can be. omitted in certain applications where the hinge is not subjected to too great a load.

Claims

1. A height-adjustable hinge comprising a first leaf ( 1 ) with an upper knuckle ( 3 ) and a lower knuckle

( 4 ) , a second leaf ( 2 ) with an intermediate knuckle ( 5 ) arranged in line with and between the upper and lower knuckles and a height-adjusting screw (8, 9) that is screwed into one knuckle of the first leaf and is arranged to support the second leaf, which height- adjusting screw comprises a free end (8b, 9b) that projects into the intermediate knuckle and that is received therein in a bearing sleeve (10, 11), characterized in that the bearing sleeve (10, 11) comprises a bottom (10a, 10b) against which the free end surface of the height-adjusting screw can rest and a part (10b, lib) that projects from the bottom in the direction towards the other end of the height-adjusting screw, which part has a cylindrical inner surface (10c, lie) that surrounds the free end of the first height- adjusting screw.

2. The hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediate knuckle ( 5 ) has an inner stop against which the bottom (10a, 10b) of the bearing sleeve (10, 11) rests.

3. The hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the projecting part (10b, lib) of the bearing sleeve (10, 11) extends to one end surface (5b, 5c) of the intermediate knuckle (5 ) .

4. The hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bearing sleeve (10, 11) has a radial collar (1Od, lid) that rests against one end surface (5b, 5c) of the intermediate knuckle.

5. The hinge as claimed in any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the free end (8b, 9b) of the height- adjusting screw (8, 9) and the inner surface (10c, lie) of the bearing sleeve are circular-cylindrical.

6. The hinge as claimed in claim 5, comprising means (1Oe, lie) for preventing relative rotation between the bearing sleeve (10, 11) and the intermediate knuckle ( 5 ) .

7. The hinge as claimed in any one of the claims 1-6, comprising two height-adjusting screws (8, 9) and two bearing sleeves (10, 11), in which hinge a first height-adjusting screw (8) is screwed into the lower knuckle (5) and has a free end (8b) that projects into the intermediate knuckle (5) and that is received therein in a first bearing sleeve (10), and in which hinge a second height-adjusting screw (9) is screwed into the upper knuckle (3) and has a free end (9b) that projects into the intermediate knuckle (5) and that is received therein in a second bearing sleeve (9).

8. The hinge as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second bearing sleeves (10, 11) are essentially identical.

9. The hinge as claimed in any one of the claims 1-8, wherein at least one bearing sleeve (10, 11) is made of a polymer material and the intermediate knuckle (5) and at least one height-adjusting screw (8, 9) are made of metal.

10. The hinge as claimed in any one of the claims 1-9, wherein the hinge is of the snap-in type and, in the mounted position, one leaf (2) is received in a fixing that is attached to a frame or a door or the like.

11. The hinge as claimed in claim 10, the mounted position, the second leaf (2) is received in the fixing.