GB2100787A

GB2100787A - Hinge construction for windows

Info

Publication number: GB2100787A
Application number: GB8119017A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Thomas Duncombe
Original assignee: Code Designs Ltd
Current assignee: Yale Door and Window Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 1981-06-19
Filing date: 1981-06-19
Publication date: 1983-01-06

Abstract

A window hinge construction comprises a part (1) which has a spigot (12) and a part (2) which has a socket (21, 22) rotatably engaged by the spigot to enable one part attached to the window to turn relatively to the other part attached to a fixed window frame. One of these parts (1) has an arcuate slot (13) which is engaged by a spring-biased projection (25) from the other part. The effective angular extent of the slot (13) controls the amount of permitted window opening movement of the projection (25) within the slot (13) is determined by adjustment of the fixture position of an abutment member of plate (15) which is mounted in or adjacent the slot (13) the plate (15) is preferably provided with teeth which are selectively engageable with teeth (16) formed in or adjacent one side of the slot (13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hinge construction for windows This invention relates to windows and more particularly to a window hinge construction which comprises a pair of metal members rotatable relative to one another and mounted respectively on the window frame and the window. A pair of such hinges are intended to be mounted on the respective sides of the window for pivotal movement about an horizontal axis.

The two parts of each hinge are pivotally interconnected by a spigot and socket type joint which also incorporates a protruding abutment on one hinge member which engages an arcuate slot in the other hinge member. The purpose of this arrangement is to limit the opening angle of the window. This abutment is manually retractable to allow the window to be rotated through 1800 about the hinge axis to enable the normally outer surface of the window to be cleaned from inside the building in which it is installed.

The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the arcuate extent of the slot is a particular characteristic of any particular hinge assembly and therefore with an increase in the height of the window the permitted degree of opening becomes greater and very possibly dangerous. As a consequence there is at present no alternative but to provide a range of hinge assemblies each having a different arcuate slot length and to select from this range a particular assembly to suit a particular size of window. The present invention has accordingly been devised with the object of providing a window hinge construction which is adjustable in manufacture in order to assure a particular angle of limited window opening movement.

In accordance with the present invention therefore a window hinge construction comprises a part which has a spigot and a part which has a socket rotatably engaged by the spigot to enable one part to turn angular relative to the other part, one of said parts having an arcuate slot which is engaged by a projection from the other part, the effective angular extent of the slot and thereby the permissible degree of movement of the projection within the slot being determined by adjustment of the fixture position of an abutment member which is mounted in or adjacent the arcuate slot.

Preferably the abutment enters the arcuate slot and is in adjustable clamped or toothed engagement therewith. A tooth or teeth respectively associated with the arcuate slot and the abutment member preferably extend in a common plane. Alternatively however they could be in parallel planes preparatory to being clamped together in a common plane. As generally known perse provision is also made for manually retracting the projectin from the slot to enable one part to be rotated through 1 800 relative to the other part.

The nature of the invention should however become more clearly apparent by reference to the appended description of a particular and at present preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. This drawing shows the two main parts 1, 2 of the hinge construction in perspective and separated from one another; the part 2 having been rotated through an angle of 900 in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Referring now to the drawing, the part 1 is intended to be fitted to, or as part of, a fixed window frame whilst the part 2 is intended to be fitted to, or as part of a frame for a window which is required to be angularly movable about an horizontal axis. The drawing illustrates parts 1,2 for fitting at the left side of a window; similar but reverse handed parts would be provided for fitting as the right side of the window.

The part 1 comprises a hollow body 10 with a face plate 11 from which there projects a cylindrical spigot 12 which is intended to be inserted into a cylindrical socket formed by two semi-cylindrical plastics material inserts 21,22 located in the hinge part 2. The common axis of the spigot 12 and inserts 21, 22 is therefore the horizontal pivot axis of the window to which the hinge construction is fitted. The frictional grip of the inserts 21,22 on the spigot can be increased or decreased as required by tightening or loosening screws 23 which apply pressure to a block 24 and thence via a pad 25 to the insert 22.

The permitted extent of rotation of the window about the pivot axis is determined by the effective length of an arcuate slot 13 formed in the face plate 11 and which accommodates a protruding abutment or plunger 25 which is contained in a bore formed in the main body 26 of the part 2.

This plunger 25 is biased outwardly of the bore by a spring (not shown). Entrance of the plunger 25 into the slot when the parts 1 and 2 are pivotally connected is effected by turning the part 2 relative to the part 1 so that the plunger 25 becomes initially depressed by travelling contact with a ramp 14 which terminates at the entrance to the slot. After traversing this ramp the plunger is biased by its spring so as to enter the groove. To enable the plunger 25 to be withdrawn from the slot 13 when the window is to be swung through 1 800 for cleaning, provision is made for it to be retracted by lateral movement of a pivoted lever 27 which projects through an opening in the block 24 so as to be easily accessible for finger and thumb manipulation.

The effective arcuate extent of the slot 1 3 and thereby the permitted range of angular movement of the window for ventilation purposes is determined by an abutment member in the form of a plate 1 5 which has radially outwardly directed teeth which are selectively engageable with teeth 16 formed along the upper edge of the slot 13.

The drawing shows the plate 1 5 in an extreme position where a maximum degree of arcuate movement of the plunger 25 in the slot 1 3 is permitted and it will readily be apparent that the plate could be moved by increments of one tooth to reduce the effective length of the slot 1 3 down to a minimum. The plate 1 5 is held in place by headed locating screw 1 7 which extends through an elongated opening behind of the slot 13. The position of the plate 1 5 is selected by the manufacturer depending upon the size of window to which the hinge construction is fitted and it is not intended that this position should be adjustable by the eventual owner.

As will readily be understood, the engageable teeth on the plate 1 5 and the edge of the slot 1 3 could instead be formed on one side of the plate 1 5 and to one side of the face plate 11, suitable means being provided for drawing or clamping the teeth together when a position for the plate has been determined. Other alternative means for fixing the plate 1 5 in a particular stop position along the slot 13 could however be used.

Claims

1. A window hinge construction comprising a part which has a spigot and a part which has a socket rotatably engaged by the spigot to enable one part to turn relative to the other part, one of said parts having an arcuate slot which is engaged by a projection from the other part, the effective angular extent of the slot and thereby the permissible degree of movement of the projection within the slot being determined by adjustment of the fixture position of an abutment member which is mounted in or adjacent the arcuate slot.

2. A window hinge construction according to claim 1 wherein the abutment member is a plate which fits in the slot and has teeth which engage teeth formed along one edge of the slot.

3. A window hinge construction according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the abutment member or plate and the slot are provided on the part which possesses the spigot.

4. A window hinge construction according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the said projection is a plunger which is outwardly spring biased, wherein said arcuate slot has an entrance ramp for causing depression of the plunger against its spring bias in order that the plunger may enter the slot as the hinge parts are turned about the spigot axis, and also comprising means for manually depressing the plunger to enable the parts to be turned relative to one another through an angle which exceeds the effective angular extent of the arcuate slot.

5. A window hinge construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.