GB2077348A - Method of forming a hinge bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge bracket suitable for mounting a motor vehicle door is formed by first forming each of two metal plates into an L-shape with two mutually perpendicular flanges 1 and 2, and then securing together a first flange 1 of each plate in such a manner that the other flanges 2 project away from each other but generally in the same plane. A bore 8 for receiving a hinge pin is formed by welding aligned bosses 7 on to each first flange 1 after joining, and then drilling through the bosses and flanges together. The method enables a wide range of hinge brackets to be formed from standard steel sheet. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of forming a hinge bracket This invention relates to a method of forming a hinge bracket and is particularly concerned with forming a hinge bracket for a hinge for mounting vehicle doors.

Hinge brackets forming a part of a hinge mounting a vehicle door on a vehicle are typically either formed from rolled steel section having the desired profile so that the necessity for subsequent shaping is minimised, or by forging.

The costs of hinge brackets formed by either method are high, and require either expensive steel stock to be held or costly forging equipment to be installed and maintained.

According to the present invention a method of forming a hinge bracket comprises forming each of two metal plates into an L-shape having two mutually perpendicular flanges, securing together a first flange of each plate such that the second flanges of the plates project in mutually opposite directions and lie in substantially the same plane, and providing the central hinge member formed by the two first flanges with a bore therethrough adapted to receive a hinge pin.

The first flanges may be welded together, preferably by providing on one flange raised weld pips, for example two or three pips, and projection welding at these pips. The bore may be formed by projection welding a pair of boxes on to opposite sides of the central hinge member, and then drilling through the boxes and the plates together.

The second flanges are each provided with at least one hole therethrough by which they may be secured to the door or to the vehicle body.

The metal plates are preferably steel plates, which may be cut to any desired shape from steel sheet, and then bent to give the L-shaped section.

An advantage of the hinge bracket of the invention is that its formation requires only four simple mechanical operations, namely cutting or stamping into shape, bending, welding, and drilling, thus enabling the bracket to be readily formed from steel sheet. This offers the additional advantage of obviating the need to hold a large stock of specially shaped rolled steel.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a steel plate used to form a hinge bracket in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the completed hinge bracket; and Figures 3 and 4 show respectively plan and side views of the hinge bracket of Figure 2 incorporated in a complete hinge.

To form a hinge bracket, a pair of plates is stamped or otherwise cut from a steel sheet.

Figure 1 shows one such plate, the other plate of the pair being identical. The plate has a first and a second flange 1 and 2 which are bent substantially perpendicular along a bending line indicated by a broken line 3. Projection weld pips 4 are raised slightly from one of the plates and a fixing hole 5, for receiving a fixing bolt, may be drilled in the second flange 2 of each plate.

To form the two plates into a hinge bracket, they are arranged with the first flanges 1 together, the weld pips 4 of one plate touching the surface of the other plate. The plates are then welded together by projection welding at the two pips, the second flanges 2 then being substantially in the same plane, and on opposite sides of the central member 6 of the bracket formed by the welded first flanges 1. A box 7 is then projection welded on to each face of the central member 6 in alignment, and a bore 8 is drilled through the boxes and the member 6.

Figures 3 and 4 show a hinge which includes the hinge bracket formed. A second hinge bracket 10, which may be formed by any suitable method, is connected to the hinge bracket formed by the method of the invention by a hinge pin 1 1, which passes through the bore 8, and on which the second bracket is mounted.

1. A method of forming a hinge bracket, comprising forming each of two metal plates into an L-shape having two mutually perpendicular flanges, securing together a first flange of each plate such that the second flanges of the plates project in mutually opposite directions and lie substantially in the same plane, and providing the central hinge member formed by the two first flanges with a bore therethrough adapted to receive a hinge pin.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the first flanges of the two plates are secured together by welding.

3. A method according to Claim 2, comprising forming one of the first flanges with raised weld pips and projection welding the said first flange to the other first flange at these pips.

4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bore is formed by welding a pair of bosses on to opposite sides of the central hinge member, and then drilling through the bosses and the plates together.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the second flanges are each provided with at least one hole therethrough adapted to receive a fixing bolt or stud.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the metal plates are cut from steel sheet.

7. A method of forming a hinge bracket, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

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

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Method of forming a hinge bracket This invention relates to a method of forming a hinge bracket and is particularly concerned with forming a hinge bracket for a hinge for mounting vehicle doors. Hinge brackets forming a part of a hinge mounting a vehicle door on a vehicle are typically either formed from rolled steel section having the desired profile so that the necessity for subsequent shaping is minimised, or by forging. The costs of hinge brackets formed by either method are high, and require either expensive steel stock to be held or costly forging equipment to be installed and maintained. According to the present invention a method of forming a hinge bracket comprises forming each of two metal plates into an L-shape having two mutually perpendicular flanges, securing together a first flange of each plate such that the second flanges of the plates project in mutually opposite directions and lie in substantially the same plane, and providing the central hinge member formed by the two first flanges with a bore therethrough adapted to receive a hinge pin. The first flanges may be welded together, preferably by providing on one flange raised weld pips, for example two or three pips, and projection welding at these pips. The bore may be formed by projection welding a pair of boxes on to opposite sides of the central hinge member, and then drilling through the boxes and the plates together. The second flanges are each provided with at least one hole therethrough by which they may be secured to the door or to the vehicle body. The metal plates are preferably steel plates, which may be cut to any desired shape from steel sheet, and then bent to give the L-shaped section. An advantage of the hinge bracket of the invention is that its formation requires only four simple mechanical operations, namely cutting or stamping into shape, bending, welding, and drilling, thus enabling the bracket to be readily formed from steel sheet. This offers the additional advantage of obviating the need to hold a large stock of specially shaped rolled steel. Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a steel plate used to form a hinge bracket in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the completed hinge bracket; and Figures 3 and 4 show respectively plan and side views of the hinge bracket of Figure 2 incorporated in a complete hinge. To form a hinge bracket, a pair of plates is stamped or otherwise cut from a steel sheet. Figure 1 shows one such plate, the other plate of the pair being identical. The plate has a first and a second flange 1 and 2 which are bent substantially perpendicular along a bending line indicated by a broken line 3. Projection weld pips 4 are raised slightly from one of the plates and a fixing hole 5, for receiving a fixing bolt, may be drilled in the second flange 2 of each plate. To form the two plates into a hinge bracket, they are arranged with the first flanges 1 together, the weld pips 4 of one plate touching the surface of the other plate. The plates are then welded together by projection welding at the two pips, the second flanges 2 then being substantially in the same plane, and on opposite sides of the central member 6 of the bracket formed by the welded first flanges 1. A box 7 is then projection welded on to each face of the central member 6 in alignment, and a bore 8 is drilled through the boxes and the member 6. Figures 3 and 4 show a hinge which includes the hinge bracket formed. A second hinge bracket 10, which may be formed by any suitable method, is connected to the hinge bracket formed by the method of the invention by a hinge pin 1 1, which passes through the bore 8, and on which the second bracket is mounted. CLAIMS

1. A method of forming a hinge bracket, comprising forming each of two metal plates into an L-shape having two mutually perpendicular flanges, securing together a first flange of each plate such that the second flanges of the plates project in mutually opposite directions and lie substantially in the same plane, and providing the central hinge member formed by the two first flanges with a bore therethrough adapted to receive a hinge pin.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the first flanges of the two plates are secured together by welding.

3. A method according to Claim 2, comprising forming one of the first flanges with raised weld pips and projection welding the said first flange to the other first flange at these pips.

4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the bore is formed by welding a pair of bosses on to opposite sides of the central hinge member, and then drilling through the bosses and the plates together.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the second flanges are each provided with at least one hole therethrough adapted to receive a fixing bolt or stud.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the metal plates are cut from steel sheet.

7. A method of forming a hinge bracket, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.