GB1588944A - Hinge - Google Patents

Description

(54) A HINGE (71) We, OY EXCELSIOR AB, a Finnish body corporate, of 33270 Tampere 27, Finland, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: - The present invention relates to a hinge comprising two hinge flaps swivellable around a common axis, whereof one flap may be secured to a frame or similar fixed element and the other may be secured to a door or similar swinging element.

The hinge is preferably but not necessarily made as a symmetrical hinge, that is a hinge which is applicable both to leftand right-handed doors.

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge comprising two hinge flaps which are swivellable about a common axis, whereof one flap may be secured to a door frame or similar fixed element and the other flap may be secured by a screw to a door or similar swinging element, the other flap having a bend to accommodate a seam formed on the door or similar swinging element and comprising a recess to receive said screw when the hinge is secured to said door or similar swinging element, the recess extending around said bend and being such that the other flap can be located on the screw when the screw is already partially screwed into said door or similar swinging element, the recess being such that the location of the other flap on the screw can be achieved by the head of the screw passing through a part of the recess which is at one side of said bend, and the shank of the screw passing into a further part of the recess which is at the other side of said bend.

Although the hinge has been defined with reference to a seamed door or similar swinging element, it can also be used with an unseamed door or similar swinging element.

The recess is preferably shaped such that the screw or similar element can be inserted horizontally, in which case all parts of the recess are located essentially on the same level. This feature may enable the door or similar swinging element to be easily installed one hinge at a time where more than one hinge is provided.

The aforementioned further part of the recess preferably comprises a countersunk portion for receiving the head of the screw, which makes the hinge joint free of any clearance with respect to the screw and the swivelling hinge flap can, if required, be detached from the door and reinstalled without any damage.

The hinge may have in conjunction with it a cylindrical fixing socket which is for insertion into the door or similar swinging element and in which is to be secured the screw.

The fixng socket may be mounted in a recess easily bored in the door or similar swinging element and may have a threaded receive opening for the screw which is preferably countersunk for the screw head.

In order to obtain a secure mounting the socket may be provided with an outer thread enabling a convenient premounting at a factory.

A preferred embodiment has the significant advantage that the hinge is symmetrically shaped such that the hinge, when installed, does not determine the opening direction of the door, but the door can be alternatively installed to open to the left or to the right according to the location of the hinges on the frame side. The hinge side is changed by turning the door upside down. Accordingly, with this preferred embodiment only one hinge type and one door type are needed for both opening directions instead of left- and right-handed dors and hinges.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be put into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are side views of a hinge according to the invention; Figure 3 is a top view of the hinge and fixing socket in section along line A-A in Figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates the situation when the door is installed.

The hinge comprises a fixed flap 1 mounted to a door frame 6 or similar element, and a swivelling flap 2 pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin or axis 3. Also shown is a cylindrical fixing socket 4 mounted in a threaded opening 9 in a door 7 or similar element. Both flaps 1 and 2 are bent in order to be able to accommodate a seam 16 formed on the door, and in such manner that the flaps 1 and 2 can lie one against the other in one pivoted position (not shown) of the hinge.

The hinge flap 1 is in a manner known per se provided with holes 5 for fixing screws, by means of which the hinge is secured to the frame 6. The fixing socket 4, which is a rotary body and the outside whereof is threaded to improve its hold and to facilitate its detachment, is completely recessed in the door 7. It is provided with a countersunk end region 10 to accommodate the head of the screw 8, wherefore the door has no projecting parts during transport and storage. Such a totally countersunk socket is also preferable for aesthetic reasons and may, if required, also be used in connection with other types of flaps.

The hinge flap 2 is provided with a recess in which the screw can be inserted when installing the door. The screw is threaded in the door into the position shown in Figure 3. Its head is inserted through an oval opening 11 in the direction of arrow 15 to the bottom of a slot 12, whereby the screw is located in a notch 13. The screw stays in this notch but allows the door to turn around it, and thus a second hinge can be installed without any twists damaging the hinge. The screw 8 is tightened into a countersunk region 14.

When removing the door, the screw 8 is somewhat unscrewed and pulled away from the hinge through the opening 11. As the opening 11 and slot 12 are formed in the two parts of the flap 2 being perpendicular to each other a seamed door can be installed without difficulty. The closed form of the recess formed from parts 11, 12, 13, 14 gives a good mechanical strength to the flap and at the same time prevents the door from falling off even if the screw is not fully tightened.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. A hinge comprising two hinge flaps which are swivellable about a common axis, whereof one flap may be secured to a door frame or similar fixed element and the other flap may be secured by a screw to a door or similar swinging element, the other flap having a bend to accommodate a seam formed on the dor or similar swinging element and comprising a recess to receive said screw when the hinge is secured to said door or similar swinging element.

the recess extending around said bend and being such that the other flap can be located on the screw when the screw is already partially screwed into said door or similar swinging element, the recess being such that the location of the other flap on the screw can be achieved by the head of the screw passing through a part of the recess which is at one side of said bend, and the shank of the screw passing into a further part of the recess which is at the other side of said bend.

2. A hinge according to claim 1, wherein the one flap is bent to accommodate the bent other flap in one position of the hinge.

3. A hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one side of the bend faces the common axis.

4. A hinge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in conjunction with a cylindrical fixing socket which is for insertion into the door or similar swinging element and in which is to be screwed said screw.

5. A hinge according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical fixing socket has an outer thread for detachable mounting in the door or similar swinging element.

6. A hinge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein one end of the cylindrical fixing socket is countersunk.

7. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said further part of the recess has a countersunk portion for receiving the screw head.

8. A hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, when the one flap is secured to a door frame or similar fixed element and the other flap is secured to a door or similar swinging element.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Figure 1; and Figure 4 illustrates the situation when the door is installed. The hinge comprises a fixed flap 1 mounted to a door frame 6 or similar element, and a swivelling flap 2 pivotally secured thereto by means of a pin or axis 3. Also shown is a cylindrical fixing socket 4 mounted in a threaded opening 9 in a door 7 or similar element. Both flaps 1 and 2 are bent in order to be able to accommodate a seam 16 formed on the door, and in such manner that the flaps 1 and 2 can lie one against the other in one pivoted position (not shown) of the hinge. The hinge flap 1 is in a manner known per se provided with holes 5 for fixing screws, by means of which the hinge is secured to the frame 6. The fixing socket 4, which is a rotary body and the outside whereof is threaded to improve its hold and to facilitate its detachment, is completely recessed in the door 7. It is provided with a countersunk end region 10 to accommodate the head of the screw 8, wherefore the door has no projecting parts during transport and storage. Such a totally countersunk socket is also preferable for aesthetic reasons and may, if required, also be used in connection with other types of flaps. The hinge flap 2 is provided with a recess in which the screw can be inserted when installing the door. The screw is threaded in the door into the position shown in Figure 3. Its head is inserted through an oval opening 11 in the direction of arrow 15 to the bottom of a slot 12, whereby the screw is located in a notch 13. The screw stays in this notch but allows the door to turn around it, and thus a second hinge can be installed without any twists damaging the hinge. The screw 8 is tightened into a countersunk region 14. When removing the door, the screw 8 is somewhat unscrewed and pulled away from the hinge through the opening 11. As the opening 11 and slot 12 are formed in the two parts of the flap 2 being perpendicular to each other a seamed door can be installed without difficulty. The closed form of the recess formed from parts 11, 12, 13, 14 gives a good mechanical strength to the flap and at the same time prevents the door from falling off even if the screw is not fully tightened. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. A hinge comprising two hinge flaps which are swivellable about a common axis, whereof one flap may be secured to a door frame or similar fixed element and the other flap may be secured by a screw to a door or similar swinging element, the other flap having a bend to accommodate a seam formed on the dor or similar swinging element and comprising a recess to receive said screw when the hinge is secured to said door or similar swinging element.

the recess extending around said bend and being such that the other flap can be located on the screw when the screw is already partially screwed into said door or similar swinging element, the recess being such that the location of the other flap on the screw can be achieved by the head of the screw passing through a part of the recess which is at one side of said bend, and the shank of the screw passing into a further part of the recess which is at the other side of said bend.

2. A hinge according to claim 1, wherein the one flap is bent to accommodate the bent other flap in one position of the hinge.

3. A hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said one side of the bend faces the common axis.

4. A hinge according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in conjunction with a cylindrical fixing socket which is for insertion into the door or similar swinging element and in which is to be screwed said screw.

5. A hinge according to claim 4, wherein the cylindrical fixing socket has an outer thread for detachable mounting in the door or similar swinging element.

6. A hinge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein one end of the cylindrical fixing socket is countersunk.

7. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said further part of the recess has a countersunk portion for receiving the screw head.

8. A hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, when the one flap is secured to a door frame or similar fixed element and the other flap is secured to a door or similar swinging element.