GB2047214A - Hinge applying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for applying hinges to window frames, including means for feeding hinges from a supply thereof and delivering the hinges in the open condition, means for transferring the hinges to succeeding window frames, and means for applying a fastener to hold each hinge in position. The latter means is preferably an electromagnetic pick-up pivotable about axis 30. A pneumatic screw driver head 33 fed with a supply of screws is used to apply the fasteners. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Applying hinger to window frames This invention relates to apparatus for applying hinges to window frames. The apparatus has been developed specifically for this purpose, but it is to be understood that it will also be applicable to the fit ting of hinges to other panels which pivot open in like manner to window sashes.

According to the invention, we provide apparatus for applying hinges to window frames, comprising means for feeding hinges from a supply thereof along a first path, means for presenting the hinges successively at delivery station in a pre-determined orientation and condition, means for transferring hinges from said delivery station to succeeding window frames occupying a pre-determined position on a second path, and means for applying at least one fastener to hold each hinge to the window frame.

The means for presenting the hinges at said delivery station preferably includes means for opening the hinges from the closed condition. Hinges are usually packed and transported in the closed condition (i.e. with the leaves thereof together) for economy of space and ease of handling. However, it is necessary that the hinges be open for fasteners elements such as screws to be applied thereto. Due to manufacturing tolerances, some hinges from a batch thereof may be relatively stiff so that they will not simply fall to the open condition by gravity, and hence there is a requirement for apparatus capable of exerting a positive force to open the hinges. This part of the apparatus according to the invention has been developed to open hinges of which the leaves are of L shape in cross-section.

The means for opening the hinges may comprise 1. means for constraining the pivot portion of the hinge, and a member movable parallel to the free end portions of the leaves of the closed hinge, to push on one leaf partially to open the hinge whilst constraining the other leaf, and 2. a further movable member to push on said one leaf completely to open the hinge, while the other leaf is constrained.

The first and second members, which may operate at right angles to one another, are preferably provided at spaced intervals along the first path, their operation being synchronised with means which feeds the hinges stepwise along such path.

Alternatively, a fixed member with a cam surface may be arranged to engage the one leaf of the partially opened hinge to open same upon advancement of the hinge along the first path.

These and other features of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which FIGURE lisa perspective view of part of the first path, along which hinges are fed, of apparatus according to the invention FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of means for open ing the hinges, & Figures 2A & B respectively sections on A-A & B-B of Figure 2, FIGURE 3 shows means for transferring hinges to window frames FIGURE 4 shows a modified means for opening the hinges.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, hinges 10 are fed, e.g.

from a bowl feeder, in the direction of arrow 11 along a supporting track 12. The hinges are of the type having leaves 13,14 of Shape in cross-section, the leaves being joined at a pivot pin 15. The hinges are fed in the closed condition with the leaves superimposed on one another, and pass along the track 12 with the pivot part of the hinges lying in a right angle recess 16 of the track and the interior angle of the leaves supported on an edge 17.

The hinges pass along track 12 until stopped by an abutment 18. At this stage a ram 19 is operated, e.g.

pneumatically, from a retracted position as illustrated in which it forms the end of track 12 to an extended condition in which it aligns with a further track 20. The track 20 is of the same cross-sectional shape as track 12. From here, the hinges are moved along track 20 by a pusher member 21 reciprocable in the directions of arrow 22.

From track 20, the hinges arrive at the apparatus shown in Figure 2, in which they are opened from the closed condition in which they are fed along track 20. Here the track is provided with a stepped abutment 23 which defines with the track a groove 24 which receives and constrains against lateral movement the hinge pin portion of each hinge. A member 25 is advanced in the direction of arrow 26 to push on the free edge of the uppermost hinge leaf 14, to open the hinge, the under-surface of member 25 being spaced from the upper surface 27 of the hinge feed track, to hold down the lowermost hinge leaf 13 as the hinge is opened. This operation is depicted in Figure 2A, which is a section on AA of Figure 2.

From this partial opening stage, the hinges are advanced along the track so that the leaf 13 lies beneath a part 28 of the track. A further hinge opening member 29 then operates generally downwardly to complete opening of the hinge by movement of leaf 14. This is depicted in Figure 2B, which is a section on BB of Figure 2. The operation of members 25 and 29 is of course synchronised with the stepwise advancement of the hinges along the track 20 by the pusher member 21.

After being opened, the hinges pass along the track to a delivery station at which the track ends. As shown in Figure 3, the delivered hinge is then positioned in relation to an electro-magnetic pick and place unit. This unit is pivotable about an axis 30 between a lowered position, shown in broken lines, in which it can magnetically pick up the hinge from the end of track 20, and a raised position in which it can be reciprocated as indicated by arrows 31 to place the hinge on a window sash frame 32. When so placed, a pneumatic screw-driver head 33, fed from a supply of screws, is advanced to apply a screw and hold the hinge in position on the sash.

The sash has been advanced, in a direction per pendicularto the plane of the drawing, along a structure indicated diagrammatically at 34 which affords the path along which a succession of sashes are advanced. The advancement of the sashes along this path is synchronised with the operation of the hinge applying mechanism, the sash being halted when it is correctly positioned in relation to the hinge placing unit. Further hinges as required would be applied to the sash at further stations along the path of movement of the sashes, the hinge applying mechanism being duplicated at such stations.

Hinges are usually held in place by three screws, and the screws additional to the one already applied and which serves temporarily to hold each hinge in place would be applied atyet another station along the path of the sashes. Various types of apparatus for moving articles along a path or track, and stopping such articles at particular points to enable operations to be performed thereon, are well known and will not therefore be described here.

Referring now to Figure 4, this shows a modification of the means shown in Figure 2 for opening the hinges. Instead of utilising a member 25 to engage one leaf of the hinge and partially open the hinge, the ram 19 is provided with an extension 40 which supports a finger 41 pivoted about an axis 42. The finger 41 is spring biassed by means not shown to lie generally parallel to the direction of movement of ram 19. The finger 41 terminates in a portion 43 with a flat end surface, a downwardly extending protection 44 and an underneath cam surface 45. The dimensions of the finger are such that the bottom of the projection 44 where it has its cam surface 45 is spaced from the surface 27 by slightly more than the thickness of a hinge leaf, so that when ram 19 is advanced the finger operates in the same manner as member 25 to open a hinge occupying track 20.

In operation of this modified apparatus, advancement of ram 19 moves one closed hinge from track 12 to track 20 as for Figure 1, and partially opens the preceeding hinge on track 20 as described above.

The ram 19 remains in its advanced position while pusher member 21 operates, which advances the partially opened hinge along track 20 and moved the hinge carried forward by ram 19 into a position on track 20 in which it can be partially opened by the finger. Ram 19 is then retracted, during which the cam surface 45 lifts the finger 41 to clear the unopened hinge and permit ram 19 to return to its starting position. This sequence of operations is then repeated.

Instead of the use of a member 29 to complete the opening of the hinges now moving along track 20, this may be done by a cam surface. For example, a plate 46 having an edge cam surface 47 may be dis posed at a suitable position along the track 20 spaced from the top surface of the track to enable hinges to pass beneath the plate, the cam surface contacting the partially opened leaf of each hinge moving along the track to complete opening thereof.

Claims (6)

1. Apparatus for applying hinges to window frames, comprising means for feeding hinges from a supply thereof along a first path, means for presenting the hinges successively at a delivery station in a pre-determined orientation and condition, means for transferring hinges from said delivery station to succeeding window frames occupying a pre-determined position on a second path, and means for applying at least one fastener to hold each hinge to the window frame.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the means for presenting the hinges at said delivery station comprises means for opening the hinges from the closed condition.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 for use with hinges with leaves of L-shape in cross section, wherein said means for opening the hinges comprises means for constraining the pivot portion of the hinge and a member movable parallel to the free end portions of the leaves of the closed hinge, to push on one leaf partially to open the hinge whilst constraining the other leaf, and means for pushing on said one leaf and constraining said other leaf, completely to open the hinge.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a second movable member to push on said one leaf completely to open the hinge wherein, the first and second members being provided at spaced intervals along the first path and their operation synchronised with means which advances the hinges stepwise therealong.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a member affording a cam surface to push on said one leaf upon advancement of the hinge along the first path.

6. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.