GB2033465A

GB2033465A - Hinged panels

Info

Publication number: GB2033465A
Application number: GB7843245A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LBJ SHEET METAL Ltd
Current assignee: LBJ SHEET METAL Ltd
Priority date: 1978-11-04
Filing date: 1978-11-04
Publication date: 1980-05-21
Also published as: GB2033465B

Abstract

Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel (2) or like member in which at least one hinge pin (3) and co-operating apertured member (4) are operable for relative axial retraction in order to obtain removal of the panel (2) e.g. from a support frame (1). In the access panel mounting shown each pivot pin (3) is slidable in a barrel (30) mounted from the back of the panel (2), the barrel containing a compression spring (31) for urging the pin (3) in the direction for engaging the apertured member or bracket (4). The pin (3) is provided with a finger-piece (33) for effecting its retraction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mounting of access panels or the like This invention relates to pivotally or hingedly mounted access panels or similar members such as doors, covers, hatches, gates, windows etc. and has for its object to provide an improved mounting arrangement thereof whereby the panel or the like can be readily removed rom an opening receiving it or otherwise from support structure. The invention has particular practical application to access panels as used in ceilings, e.g. of the panelled or plastered suspended type.

According to this invention pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member consists of pivot or hinge pin mounting means having at least one pivot or hinge pin and a co-operating aperture operable for relative retraction in order to obtain their disengagement and removal of the panel or the like.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and in the practical application of the invention to a ceiling access panel, the construction and arrangement may be as follows, in which: Figure 1 is a detail side view of one of the pivotal mounting arrangements, and Figure 2 is a front view in the direction of the arrow II of Fig. 1.

A frame 1 of rectangular or square form is provided for fixed mounting in the ceiling structure and is shown fabricated from angle section sheet metal members 10, 11 welded or otherwise secured together.

The panel 2 is also shown formed of sheet metal having flanges 21 which, in the closed position of the panel indicated at the right of Fig. 1, extend downwardly from the backing sheet 20 to provide a recess 22 for receiving a decorative tile or tiles or other facing, such as plaster reinforced with expanded metal.

The rear of the backing sheet 20 of the panel carries a pair of pivot pins 3 shown carried by a transverse channel section ledge member 23 secured across the upper rear part of the panel, the pivot pins 3 engaging slots 40 in brackets 4 which depend from side members 11 of the fixed frame 1.

The cranked and inclined arrangement of the slots 40 as shown in Fig. 1 is such that when the panel 2 is closed each pivot pin 3 locates in the end of the upper horizontal portion 41 of the corresponding slot 40 so that the panel 2 assumes a position fully closing the frame opening and flush with the lower edges of the side members 10, 11. The panel 2 is secured in the closed position by a catch 5 entering a slot 1 5 in the adjacent frame member 11, the catch mechanism 50 being operable by a key inserted through an opening 250 in a guide member 25 on the underside of the panel 2 directly under the catch mechanism 50.

When the catch 5 is withdrawn to allow the panel 2 to swing open each pin 3 is able to slide down the inclined portion 42 of its corresponding slot 40 to the bottom of the latter which action imparts forward movement to the panel 2 as it is opened and enables the rear flanged edge 21 to move clear of the adjacent frame member 10 so that it does not foul the latter.

End portions of the panel backing sheet 20 and rear flange 21 are shown slotted at 24 in order to provide clearance for accommodating the brackets 4 when the panel 2 is in the fully open depending position.

When it is desired to remove the panel 2 from its open position in the frame 1 and in accordance with this invention, each pivot pin 3 is retractable out of engagement with its corresponding slot 40 so that the panel 2 can be withdrawn downwardly from the frame 1.

For this purpose each hinge pin 3 is axially slidable in a tubular member or barrel 30 secured on the ledge member 23 such as by spot welding 32 to the latter. The barrel 30 contains a compression spring 31 for urging the pin 3 outwardly into engagement with its associated slot 40 whilst a finger piece in the form of a pin 33 fast with the pivot pin 3 and extending laterally from the latter in a downward direction passes through a slot 36 in the barrel and at 26 in the bottom of the ledge 23 so that the pivot pin 3 can be operated for retracting movement when the panel 2 is in a sufficiently open position.

As will be appreciated the panel 2 can be readily withdrawn from the frame 1 in this way so as to avoid hindrance by, and possible damage to, the panel 2 in gaining access through the frame opening whilst the panel 2 can be just as easily returned to its pivotal mounting in the frame by retraction and release of the pivot pins 3 into engagement with the slots 40 after which the panel 2 can be secured in the closed position.

In addition to the advantage of easy removal and replacement, the advantage of what may be termed as a "hingeless" mounting of the panel 2 is provided in that no pivotal or hinge mounting of the panel 2 is visible from below when the panel is closed, e.g. as compared with normal hinging such as by a piano type hinge.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of this invention. Thus in some cases only one of a pair of pivot pins may need to be retractable for obtaining removal or replacement of the panel whilst the invention further includes the provision of one or more apertured or slotted members retractable in relation to fixed pivot pins.

1. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member consisting of pivot

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mounting of access panels or the like This invention relates to pivotally or hingedly mounted access panels or similar members such as doors, covers, hatches, gates, windows etc. and has for its object to provide an improved mounting arrangement thereof whereby the panel or the like can be readily removed rom an opening receiving it or otherwise from support structure. The invention has particular practical application to access panels as used in ceilings, e.g. of the panelled or plastered suspended type. According to this invention pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member consists of pivot or hinge pin mounting means having at least one pivot or hinge pin and a co-operating aperture operable for relative retraction in order to obtain their disengagement and removal of the panel or the like. Referring to the accompanying drawings and in the practical application of the invention to a ceiling access panel, the construction and arrangement may be as follows, in which: Figure 1 is a detail side view of one of the pivotal mounting arrangements, and Figure 2 is a front view in the direction of the arrow II of Fig. 1. A frame 1 of rectangular or square form is provided for fixed mounting in the ceiling structure and is shown fabricated from angle section sheet metal members 10, 11 welded or otherwise secured together. The panel 2 is also shown formed of sheet metal having flanges 21 which, in the closed position of the panel indicated at the right of Fig. 1, extend downwardly from the backing sheet 20 to provide a recess 22 for receiving a decorative tile or tiles or other facing, such as plaster reinforced with expanded metal. The rear of the backing sheet 20 of the panel carries a pair of pivot pins 3 shown carried by a transverse channel section ledge member 23 secured across the upper rear part of the panel, the pivot pins 3 engaging slots 40 in brackets 4 which depend from side members 11 of the fixed frame 1. The cranked and inclined arrangement of the slots 40 as shown in Fig. 1 is such that when the panel 2 is closed each pivot pin 3 locates in the end of the upper horizontal portion 41 of the corresponding slot 40 so that the panel 2 assumes a position fully closing the frame opening and flush with the lower edges of the side members 10, 11. The panel 2 is secured in the closed position by a catch 5 entering a slot 1 5 in the adjacent frame member 11, the catch mechanism 50 being operable by a key inserted through an opening 250 in a guide member 25 on the underside of the panel 2 directly under the catch mechanism 50. When the catch 5 is withdrawn to allow the panel 2 to swing open each pin 3 is able to slide down the inclined portion 42 of its corresponding slot 40 to the bottom of the latter which action imparts forward movement to the panel 2 as it is opened and enables the rear flanged edge 21 to move clear of the adjacent frame member 10 so that it does not foul the latter. End portions of the panel backing sheet 20 and rear flange 21 are shown slotted at 24 in order to provide clearance for accommodating the brackets 4 when the panel 2 is in the fully open depending position. When it is desired to remove the panel 2 from its open position in the frame 1 and in accordance with this invention, each pivot pin 3 is retractable out of engagement with its corresponding slot 40 so that the panel 2 can be withdrawn downwardly from the frame 1. For this purpose each hinge pin 3 is axially slidable in a tubular member or barrel 30 secured on the ledge member 23 such as by spot welding 32 to the latter. The barrel 30 contains a compression spring 31 for urging the pin 3 outwardly into engagement with its associated slot 40 whilst a finger piece in the form of a pin 33 fast with the pivot pin 3 and extending laterally from the latter in a downward direction passes through a slot 36 in the barrel and at 26 in the bottom of the ledge 23 so that the pivot pin 3 can be operated for retracting movement when the panel 2 is in a sufficiently open position. As will be appreciated the panel 2 can be readily withdrawn from the frame 1 in this way so as to avoid hindrance by, and possible damage to, the panel 2 in gaining access through the frame opening whilst the panel 2 can be just as easily returned to its pivotal mounting in the frame by retraction and release of the pivot pins 3 into engagement with the slots 40 after which the panel 2 can be secured in the closed position. In addition to the advantage of easy removal and replacement, the advantage of what may be termed as a "hingeless" mounting of the panel 2 is provided in that no pivotal or hinge mounting of the panel 2 is visible from below when the panel is closed, e.g. as compared with normal hinging such as by a piano type hinge. Various modifications may be made within the scope of this invention. Thus in some cases only one of a pair of pivot pins may need to be retractable for obtaining removal or replacement of the panel whilst the invention further includes the provision of one or more apertured or slotted members retractable in relation to fixed pivot pins. CLAIMS

1. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member consisting of pivot or hinge pin mounting means having at least one pivot or hinge pin and a co-operating apertured member operable for relative axial retraction in order to obtain their dis-engagement for removal of the panel or the like.

2. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member according to claim 1 wherein at least one pivot or hinge pin is axially retractable from a co-operating apertured member.

3. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member according to claim 2 wherein a pair of oppositely directed pivot or hinge pins (at least one of which is axially retractable) are carried by the access panel or like member for co-operation with corresponding apertures in a support structure or frame.

4. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the or each retractable pivot or hinge pin is axially retractable against the action of spring loading means urging the pin in the aperture engaging direction.

5. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member according to claim 4 wherein the or each retractable pivot or hinge pin is slidable in a tubular member or barrel fast with the access panel or like member and containing the spring loading means such as a compression spring acting on the pin.

6. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the or each axially retractable pivot or hinge pin is provided with a finger-piece for effecting its retraction.

7. Pivotal or hinged mounting of an access panel or like member for obtaining remov-al thereof when substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.