EP2182151A2

EP2182151A2 - Adjusting hinge

Info

Publication number: EP2182151A2
Application number: EP09252506A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nigel Shenton
Original assignee: Window Fabrication and Fixing Supplies Ltd
Current assignee: Era Home Security Ltd
Priority date: 2008-10-30
Filing date: 2009-10-29
Publication date: 2010-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-29
Also published as: EP2182151B1; GB0819889D0; EP2182151A3; RU2519999C2; RU2009140293A; GB2464950A; GB2464950B

Abstract

An adjusting hinge plate comprising: a plate for attaching said hinge plate to a surface and a barrel for receiving, in use, a hinge pin therein, wherein the hinge plate further comprises an adjusting insert having a hinge pin hole extending at least partially thereinto for, in use, partially receiving a hinge pin. The insert is rotatable, relative the hinge plate barrel, so as to move the hinge pin hole therein relative the central axis of the barrel, The insert further comprising adjusting means for rotating the insert. (Figure 1)

Description

This invention relates to adjusting hinges, in particular for adjusting hinges suitable for use on doors.
When hanging a door in a frame, it is often a difficult and highly skilled job to ensure that the door is aligned properly in the door frame as alignment is needed in three axis. Linear alignment is needed to align the door in the frame in the vertical axis and in two perpendicular horizontal axis. This multiple alignment can make door hanging a labour intensive and highly skilled job which is commonly done in one of two ways, either by attaching the hinges and then removing material from the edges of the doors such that it fits correctly in the frame, or by moving the hinges up or down, and/or placing shims behind the hinges to pack them out. Types of hinges on which doors are currently hung are well known in the art and typically comprise two hinge plates pivotally attached to one another.
It is the purpose of the current invention to mitigate some of the problems of hanging doors with well known hinges.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an adjusting hinge plate comprising: a plate for attaching the hinge plate to a surface and a barrel for receiving, in use, a hinge pin therein, wherein the hinge plate comprises an adjusting insert having a hinge pin hole extending at least partially thereinto for, in use, partially receiving a hinge pin, and wherein the insert is rotatable, relative the barrel, so as to move the hinge pin hole therein relative the central axis of the hinge plate barrel, the insert further comprising adjusting means for rotating the insert.
In a first preferred embodiment the insert comprises an elongate member having a pivot edge extending substantially parallel to, and offset from, the hinge pin hole, the insert rotatable around the pivot edge. Preferably the pivoting edge comprises a radiused surface and the interior of the barrel preferably comprises a pivot groove in which the pivot edge of the insert is seated.
Preferably the insert has a substantially pear shaped cross section. More preferably the barrel comprises a curved surface substantially opposite the pivot groove, the curvature of said surface such that as the insert is rotated about its pivot edge, the edge opposite the pivot edge follows the curvature of the surface. Preferably the insert is in sliding contact with the hinge palate on its curved edge, and in pivotal contact with the pivot groove.
Preferably the adjusting means comprises: a threaded hole passing through the insert substantially perpendicular the hinge pin hole; and a screw, within said threaded hole, extending across the interior of the barrel such that rotation of the screw advances the insert along it, thereby pivoting it on its pivot edge. The hole may pass through the insert in a solid region thereof beyond the interior end of the hinge pin hole, thereby removing the necessity for the screw to also pass through the hinge pin which would weaken it.
Preferably the barrel comprises a tool opening therein, said tool opening sufficiently large that a tool can be passed therethrough to turn the screw, and sufficiently small so as to retain the screw within the barrel. Preferably the opening comprises a slot.
In a second preferred embodiment the insert comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate member and the hinge pin hole is offset from the central axis of the insert such that rotation of the insert moves the position of the hinge pin hole relative to the central axis.
Preferably the insert comprises at least one tab extending outwardly from one end thereof, said tab butting against the end of the barrel when the insert is fully inserted. Preferably the insert and the barrel comprise features that mate with one another when the insert is fully inserted preventing rotation of said insert relative the barrel, more preferably the mating features comprise castellations on the end face of the barrel, and corresponding mating features on the insert that align in the castellations when it is fully inserted. It is preferred that the castellations and the corresponding mating features on the inserts comprise angled or radiused sides such that rotation of the insert exerts a longitudinal force on the barrel causing the edges of the mating features to ride up the angled or radiused sides of the castellations thereby causing the insert to become rotationally disengaged from the barrel.
By this means turning of the insert automatically self-disengages the insert from the barrel, negating any need for this to be done by the user.
Preferably the insert extends through the barrel, the end that passes through the barrel having a tool opening therein for receiving a tool to rotate said insert.
Preferably a threaded hole extends between the tool opening and the hinge pin hole, and the insert further comprises a screw extending from the threaded hole into the hinge pin hole such that rotation of the screw causes it to protrude by a grater or lesser extent into the hinge pin hole.
This enables the maximum extent that a pin can extend into the hinge pin hole to be controlled which, in use, enables vertical adjustment of the separation of two hinge plates of a hinge, thereby enabling the vertical alignment of a door to be altered in situ.
Preferably the hinge pin hole comprises a stepped bore having an initially wider section into which, in use, a hinge pin having a central portion having an enlarged diameter can be inserted such that the enlarged central diameter sits at least partially in a first wider part of the stepped bore.
According to further aspect of the invention there is provided an adjusting hinge comprising two hinge plates, each hinge plate according to the first preferred arrangement, and a hinge pin, extending into both hinge plates, about which one hinge plate can pivot relative the other.
According to another further aspect of the invention there is provided an adjusting hinge comprising two hinge plates, each hinge plate according to the second preferred arrangement, and a hinge pin, extending into both hinge plates, about which one hinge plate can pivot relative the other.
According to another further aspect of the invention there is provided an adjusting hinge comprising two hinge plates, the first hinge plate according to the first preferred arrangement, and the second hinge plate according to the second preferred arrangement, and a hinge pin, extending into both hinge plates, about which one hinge plate can pivot relative the other.
Preferably the hinge pin comprises a substantially cylindrical element having a central section having a wider diameter than either end section.
According to another further aspect of the invention there is provided an door having at least one hinge according to the invention.
Preferably the hinge plates are orientated such that the upper hinge plate comprises a hinge plate according to the first preferred arrangement and the lower hinge plate comprises a hinge plate according to the second preferred arrangement.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be descried, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinge plate according to a first preferred arrangement of the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded assembly drawing of a hinge having hinge plates according to the first preferred arrangement of the invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hinge plate assembly according to a second preferred arrangement of the invention;
Figure 4 is an exploded front section view of a hinge plate assembly according to a second preferred arrangement of the invention;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a hinge of the invention; and
Figure 6 is a section view of the hinge of Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a hinge plate 20 and hinge assembly are shown. The hinge plate 20 comprises a plate 22 having several fixing holes 24 therein for fixing the hinge plate 20 to a door, and a barrel 26. An elongate insert 28 have a substantially pear shaped X-section is located in a bore 30 in the barrel 26. The insert 28 has a radiused pivot edge 32 which sits in a pivot groove 34 extending along the interior of the bore 30. The bore has a curved face 36 substantially opposite the pivot groove 34, the curvature of the face 36 being such that as the insert 28 pivots about its pivot edge 32 it maintains sliding contact with the curved face 36, thereby restraining the insert 28 on two edges giving it greater stability. The insert 28 has a hinge pin hole 38 therein for receiving a hinge pin 40. As the insert 28 is pivoted about its pivot edge 32, the hinge pin hole 38 becomes offset from the centre line of the barrel 26, enabling the lateral position of one hinge plate 20 to be offset from another hinge plate 20. This gives the benefit that once the hinge is attached to a door and to a frame, the position of the door can be altered relative the frame by a simple alteration of the hinge. The insert 28 has a threaded hole 42 passing therethrough which receives a grub screw 44. The hole 42 passes through the insert 28 in a solid region thereof beyond the interior end of the hole 38. The grub screw 44 is inserted into the threaded hole 42 prior to the insert 28 being inserted into the barrel 26 and is completely contained within the barrel. A small slot 46 is provided in the side wall of the barrel and allows access to the grub screw 44 for a tool, for example an allen key, such that it can easily be turned when assembled. The dimensions of the slot 46 are such that the grub screw 44 can not extend out of it. As the grub screw 44 is turned it is restrained by the walls of the barrel 26, causing the insert 28 to move over it thereby pivoting about its pivot edge 32. As the insert 28, and grub screw 44 passing therethrought, pivot within the barrel, the slot 46 continues to allow access with a tool. The pin 40 comprises a longitudinal shaft having a bearing plate 48 comprising opposing bearing surfaces positioned substantially at its mid point. The bearing plate 48 prevents the hinge plates 20 rubbing against one another when the hinge is assembled. The hinge shown in Figure 2 comprises two hinge plates 20, two inserts, 28, two grub screws 33 and one pin 40, however it will be appreciated that a hinge falling within the scope of the invention need only comprise one adjusting hinge plate as described above, and that the second hinge plate could be a standard hinge plate as known in the art. Where two adjusting hinge plates 20 are used, although in Figure 2 the two inserts 28 are shown in the same alignment, the two inserts 28 may optionally be orientated at ninety degrees to one another, giving the additional benefit that adjustment of each insert 28 would adjust of each hinge plate 20 in a different axis, thereby giving greater versatility.
Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 an alternative preferred arrangement of the invention is shown comprising an adjusting hinge plate assembly 50 comprising a hinge plate body 52 having a plate 54, having fixing holes 56 therein for attaching the hinge plate assembly 50 to a door or frame, and a barrel 58. The barrel 58 comprises a tubular section that is open at both ends and which receives an insert 60 therein. The insert 60 is substantially cylindrically shaped and has a stepped hole 62 extending into it from one end for receiving a hinge pin 64. The hole 62 is offset from the centre line of the insert 60 such that rotating the insert 60 within the barrel 58 changes the position of the pin 64 with respect to the centre line of the barrel 58 of the hinge plate 52. The insert 60 has a lip 66 protruding perpendicularly to its central axis at the end that receives the pin 64. The lip 66 butts up against the end face 68 of the barrel and prevents the insert from passing fully through the barrel 58 when it is inserted. The lip 66 has a number of protrusions 70 protruding therefrom towards the barrel 58 which, when assembled, align with castellations 72 in the end of the barrel. These protrusions 70 and castellations 72 prevent the rotation of the insert 60 when they mate with one another to maintain the stepped hole 62, and therefore the pin 64 in its desired position. The inset 60 is provided with an adjustment feature, in this case a hexagonal hole 74 in the end opposite the bore 62. The hexagonal hole 74 accepts an allen key, or other hexagonal tool, which can be used to turn the insert 60. The protrusions 70 and the castellations 72 have either angled or rounded sides such that when a turning force is applied via a tool in the hexagonal hole 74, the induced forces on the protrusion 70 and castellation 72 respectively cause the insert 60 to move longitudinally in the barrel 58, freeing the protrusions 70 from the constraints of the castellations 72. The insert may then be rotated to index it into the desired position, without the need to disassemble any parts of the hinge. This enables a hinge having these hinge plate assemblies 50 to easily be adjusted in situ. The stepped hole 62 comprises a narrower portion for receiving the shaft 76 of the pin 64, and a wider section adjacent the mouth of the stepped hole 62 for receiving an enlarged portion of the pin 78. The enlarged portion (increased diameter) gives additional bearing support to the pin 64 where in enters and exits the stepped hole 62. A threaded through hole 80 interconnects the bottom of the stepped hole 62 with the hexagonal hole 74 and contains a grub screw (omitted for clarity). As the grub screw is wound into the threaded hole 80 it projects to a greater or lesser extend into the stepped hole 62. As the pin 64 is dimensioned to extend, when assembled, to the bottom of the stepped hole 62, the grub screw will lift the pin in the stepped hole 62, thereby, in use, giving vertical adjustment of the position of the door relative the frame. As the grub screw is accessible via the hexagonal hole 80, a tool may be inserted through the hexagonal hole 80 to adjust the grub screw, thereby adjusting the door height on the hinge, whilst in situ.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 a hinge 82 is shown comprising one hinge plate 20 as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and a second hinge plate assembly 50 as described in relation to Figures 3 and 4. The combination of the two hinge plates of the invention result in a hinge that enables very accurate adjustment of a door relative a frame in all three axis.

Claims

An adjusting hinge plate comprising: a plate for attaching said hinge plate to a surface and a barrel for receiving, in use, a hinge pin therein, wherein the hinge plate further comprises an adjusting insert having a hinge pin hole extending at least partially thereinto for, in use, partially receiving a hinge pin, wherein the insert is rotatable, relative the hinge plate barrel, so as to move the hinge pin hole therein relative the central axis of the barrel, the insert further comprising adjusting means for rotating the insert and wherein the insert comprises an elongate member having a pivot edge extending substantially parallel to, and offset from, the hinge pin hole, the insert rotatable around the pivot edge.
The adjusting hinge plate of claim 1 wherein the adjusting means comprises: a threaded hole passing through the insert substantially perpendicular the hinge pin hole; and a screw within said threaded hole and extending across the interior of the barrel such that rotation of the screw advances the insert along it, thereby pivoting it on its pivot edge, wherein the threaded hole passes through the insert in a solid region thereof adjacent the interior end of the hinge pin hole.
The adjusting hinge plate according to claim 2 wherein the pivot edge comprises a radiused surface.
The adjusting hinge plate according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the interior of the barrel comprises a pivot groove in which the pivot edge of the insert is seated.
The adjusting hinge plate according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the insert has a substantially pear shaped cross section.
The adjusting hinge plate of claim 4 and 5 wherein the barrel further comprises a curved surface substantially opposite the pivot groove, the curvature of said surface such that as the insert is rotated about its pivot edge, the edge opposite the pivot edge follows the curvature of the surface.
The adjusting hinge plate of claim 6 wherein the insert is in sliding contact with the hinge plate on its curved surface, and in pivotal contact with the pivot groove.
The adjusting hinge plate of claim 1 wherein the barrel comprises a tool opening therein, said tool opening sufficiently large that a tool can be passed therethrough to turn the screw, and sufficiently small so as to retain the screw within the barrel.
The adjusting hinge plate of claim 8 wherein said opening comprises a slot.
An adjusting hinge comprising two hinge plates, each hinge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a hinge pin, extending into both hinge plates, about which one hinge plate can pivot relative the other.
An adjusting hinge according to claim 10 wherein the inserts of the two hinge plates are orientated at 90° to one another.
An adjusting hinge comprising two hinge plates, the first hinge plate according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the second hinge plate according to claim 1 wherein: the insert comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate member; the hinge pin hole is offset from the central axis of the insert such that rotation of the insert moves the position of the hinge pin hole relative to said central axis; the insert and the barrel comprise mating features comprising castellations on the end face of the barrel and corresponding features on the insert that align in the castellations when the insert is fully inserted and wherein a threaded hole extends between the tool opening and the hinge pin hole, and the insert further comprises a screw extending from the threaded hole into the hinge pin hole such that rotation of the screw causes it to protrude by a greater or lesser extent into the hinge pin hole.
The adjusting hinge of claim 12 wherein the castellations and the corresponding mating features on the inserts comprise angled or curved sides such that rotation of the insert exerts a longitudinal force on the barrel causing the edges of the mating features to ride up the angled or curved sides of the castellations thereby causing the insert to become rotationally disengaged from the barrel.
The adjusting hinge of claim 12 or 13 wherein the insert extends through the barrel, the end that passes through the barrel having a tool opening therein for receiving a tool to rotate said insert.
A door having at least one hinge according to any one of claims 10 to 15.