GB2076884A - Hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge for joining two panels together edge to edge, for example, in making a folding cabin, comprises two hinge components (11, 12) each defining a panel recess (21, or 22) and a hinge recess (23 or 24) separated by a partition (17 or 18). Scrolls (26 and 27) in the hinge recesses can be fitted together by longitudinal sliding, and then co-operated to form the hinge, and also form a labyrinth seal against moisture penetrating across the hinge. The partitions (17 and 18) protect the edges of panels in the panel recesses from moisture. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION 90" Sealed hinge This invention relates to a hinge suitable for hinging together edge to edge, two panels, for example for use as walls or floor or roof or ceiling of a foldable cabin. An example of such a cabin is described in British Patent Specification 7930089 and an example of such a hinge is described in British Patent No.

1508122.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such a hinge which enables the edges of the panels to be joined to be sealed from the weather and in particular from rain.

According to the present invention, a hinge comprises two extruded section components, for example of aluminium, each section of which defines a recess for a panel or the like and a hinge recess housing one of a pair of co-operating scrolls, one on each component, together with a partition separating the two recesses.

The panel recess can be defined between two opposed parallel side walls, together with the partition joining their interiors, so that the panel can be fitted into that recess, and the edge which would otherwise be exposed is thus protected from the weather. The scroll constituting one component of the hinge is in the hinge recess on the other side of the partition from the panel recess. Thus even thoughmoisturewill beabletoenterthehinge recess, that can be completely sealed off from the panel recess by the partition and will not damage either panel.

Conveniently the side walls defining the recesses can be provided with appropriate shelves, stops or flanges for defining the extreme positions of the hinge, for example, positions in which the panels hinged together are in the same plane, and are at right angles to each other.

Conveniently there are also extruded channel sections capable of fitting over an edge of a panel and of fitting snugly into a hinge recess on a hinge component. One extrusion may consist of two such channels back to back with intermediate connections, and there may also be a strengthening extruded section of square or rectangular form which can fit snugly into a channel section where additional strength is needed.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, and one embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figures 1,2, and 3 show two hinge components coupled together in three different hinge positions, Figure 4 shows two extruded section components fitted at opposite edges of a panel to be joined by the hinge of Figures 1,2 and 3; and Figure 5shows an additional extruded section component which can be used for strengthening.

Referring to Figures 1,2 and 3, it can be seen that the two extruded section aluminium hinge components 11 and 12 each consist of a pair of opposed spaced parallel side walls, 13 and 14, or 15 and 16, with an intermediate partition 17 and 18, extending between them at an intermediate position, and separating the space between the opposed side walls into a panel recess 21 or 22 and a hinge recess 23 or 24. The two recesses are completely separated from each other by the partition so that moisture in the hinge recess cannot come into contact with a panel in the panel recess.

Each hinge recess includes a scroll 26 or 27. The scroll 26 is positioned between the ends of the two side walls 13 and 14; and curves over and backwards into the space between them, whereas the scroll 27 is an extension of the side wall 16 turning inwards and back into the recess 24, the edge of the wall 15 of which is spaced from the scroll 27 to allow a space for the insertion of the scroll 26. A panel 31 has one edge fitted within an aluminium extrusion component 32 of channel cross section, which is a snug fit in the panel recess 21 or 22. The opposite edge of the panel is in a similar channel section 33 which forms part of a composite extruded component consisting of two opposed channels 33 and 34 back to back with connections 35 between them, and serves to hold the panel 31 rigidly with a neighbouring panel in the channel 34.

Either after the panels, such as 31 have been fitted into the two hinge recesses 21 and 22, or preferably before they have been fitted in, the two hinge components 11 and 12 are assembled together by longitudinal sliding.

In the position shown in Figure 1, with the two panels parallel and edge to edge, a flange 41 extending inwardly from the end of the side wall 11 fits into a corresponding recess between the partition 18 and the side wall 15, the edge 42 of the side wall 14 fits against an external shoulder 43 formed on the side wall 16, and the scroll 22 fits fairly snugly within the part of the scroll 26 formed by the partition 17. There is thus location against any movement between the two components in the plane of Figure 1, except clockwise hinge movement about an axis defined where the two scrolls engaged one another.

In the intermediate position shown in Figure 2, movement is guided by sliding of intermediate portions of the scrolls in relation to one another and the edge of the side wall 13 locates against the partition 18.

In the folded position of Figure 3 with the two panels at right angles to each other, the edge of the scroll 22 abuts against an inner surface of the scroll 26, the flange 41 abuts against the inside of the side walls 16, and the edge of the side wall 15 abuts against the outer surface of the side wall 11 to provide a positive stop when the components have been turned through 90".

It will be observed that in all positions of the hinge, and whether or not the inside or the outside of the right angle shown in Figure 3 is exposed to the weather, it is only the hinge recesses that can receive water. Water cannot attack the edges of the panels in the panel recesses, and water can hardly get from the outside to the inside because of the kind of labyrinth seal formed by the co-operating scrolls.

The extruded components can be fairly easily extruded in quantity, and are simple to use because they only have to be fitted over the panels and then slid together.

Where it is necessary to join extrusions together, self-tapping screws and bolts can be used.

It may be useful to enable a tube with the square section of Figure 5 to be used for transverse reinforcement, and for connection to other aluminium extrusions.

AT-piece could have its leg screwed or fitted into one space of the square-section tube 35 and then the cross arms will be available for fixing inside the ends of square tubes of Figure 5.

Claims (5)

1. A hinge comprising two extruded section components each of which sections defines a recess for a panel or the like, and a hinge recess including a different one of a pair of co-operating scrolls, and a partition separating the two recesses.

2. A hinge as claimed in Claim 1 in which the sections of the two components are formed with shelves, stops or flanges, to define opposite limiting positions of the hinge.

3. A hinge as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the scrolls co-operate one inside the other to define a hinge axis and to act as a kind of labyrinth seal against the penetration of moisture from one side of the hinge to the other.

4. A hinge as claimed in any of the preceding claims in combination with additional extruded sections defining channels which are a snug fit in the panel recesses.

5. A hinge comprising two extruded section components, substantially as herein specifically described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.