GB2133831A

GB2133831A - Improvements in horizontally hinged panels

Info

Publication number: GB2133831A
Application number: GB08400206A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean-Marie Goiot
Original assignee: GOIOT SA
Current assignee: GOIOT SA
Priority date: 1983-01-05
Filing date: 1984-01-05
Publication date: 1984-08-01
Also published as: IT8324446A0; FR2538841B1; IT1170084B; FR2538841A1; GB8400206D0

Abstract

A hinge system for a panel hinged substantially horizontally along one edge combines a coil spring balancing device (18) preferably having substantially a neutral point for the. vertical position of the panel (3-4), with a friction brake device (17) between a hinge element (10b) rigidly connected relative to the panel and a hinge element (16b) rigidly connected relative to a frame for the opening to be closed by the panel. The invention is particularly applicable to hatch covers. The opening and closing operations of the panel may be controlled by a reversible electric motor (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in horizontally hinged panels The present invention relates to horizontally hinged panels, such as hatch covers and has application generally to doors or covers having a panel movable on a horizontal or substantially horizontal hinge.

In such cases, the weight of the panel gives a tendency to return the panel to a closed position if it is, as is often the case, fixed above an opening, and to open in the reverse case. In order to remedy this disadvantage and to facilitate the opening operation, particularly for panels having a substantial weight, it has already been proposed, for example in GB-A-1 05.689, partially to balance the weight of the panel, typically by a torsional spring so that the tensioned force of the spring balances the weight component of the panel in a half-opened position. Perfect balance in all positions is impossible to obtain and/or the balancing forces vary with ageing of the spring, so that is is usual to be satisfied by compensating a part only of the weight of the panel, i.e. leaving a residual unbalanced component.

However, it is then not possible to leave the panel in any partially opened position other than that for which the torque resulting from the panel weight component happens to be equal to the balancing torque.

It is thus usual to provide a positionmaintaining means, such as a strut of adjustable length, or even a traction cable if the strength of the spring is always the greater. Such arrangements complicate opening and closing operations since the strut or the cable has to be set to the length required for the desired opened position and then released. Moreover, there can be obstruction of access to the opening, and, at least if acting at an edge perpendicular to the hinge, asymmetrical support force can lead to deformation by warping the panel unless the latter is made yet more rigid and therefore heavier.

In so-called tilting windows, so-called braking side pivots are also known. Such pivots include two flanges kept in a coaxial relationship by an axis on which one at least of the two is capable of sliding. One of the flanges is rigidly connected to a side upright of the frame and the other to the side upright of the openable leaf and they are pressed against each other by a force which can be settabie in order that the rotation of the pivot and therefore of the leaf requires a determined torque.

However, it is not possible to consider using such brakes with non-balanced leaves such as those involved by the invention since the opening operation would require a force between a value higher than the panel weight and a value higher than twice the panel weight.

Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a hinged panel having a substantially horizontal hinge along an edge of the panel, which can be left in any opened positions between 0 and 900 or more, perhaps even 1800, without the operation force being prohibitive.

According to the invention there is provided a hinged panel having a substantially horizontal hinge axis along an edge of the panel, further comprising a balancing device compensating, at least partly, the torque resulting from the panel weight, as the panel is rotated between fully open and closed positions and a brake device acting between a hinge element rigidly connected to the panel and a hinge element rigidly connected to framing of the opening for the panel, the braking torque of said braking device being higher, in any position of the panel between fully open and fully closed, than the difference between the torque resulting from the panel weight (3-4) and the torque provided by the balancing device.

Preferably, the balancing device has a substantially neutral nett torque for the panel when the latter is substantially vertical.

The balancing device is preferably of known type, comprising at least a torsional spring mounted about the hinge axis and acting between at least a point rigid with the fixed portion of the hinge and a point rigid with the openable panel.

In known manner, the spring can be characterised in order to balance the panel weight for a torsion of 900 and it can act on either side of its dead point where the panel opens over more than 900.

However, it is possible to use, notably where very heavy panels are involved, other balancing devices of the bar or torsional tube type, or of the compression spring type jack or the hydropneumatic type.

The braking device is preferably of the friction type comprising two or a stacking of coaxial flanges clamped against each other, said flanges being alternately rigidly connected to the frame and the leaf. However, it is also possible to use a braking device with friction cones. Preferably, the braking force of the device is remotely settable.

With a hinged panel system of the invention, the panel can be opened or closed with a torque the maximum value of which is independent of the panel weight since said torque has only to overcome the component of the braking torque and of the balancing tolerance. Therefore, the panel can be easily operated by hand but, preferably, can also be controlled by a relatively reduced power source such as a suitable reversible electric motor.

Therefore, the invention is particularly of interest in pleasure boats for automating the opening of the hatch covers, or in caravans or trailers for automating the opening of the roof ventilation panels, but can also be applied to hatch covers of commercial boats or other trap-door panels in order to reduce the power or the opening devices.

One embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of the hinge of the hatch cover; Figure 2 is a detailed view at a larger scale of the portion forming the brake; and Figure 3 is a sectional view along line Ill-Ill of Figure 1.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 designates a fixed portion, for example part of a boat deck, and 2 the frame of the opening hatch closed by a cover comprising a frame 3 and a transparent panel 4. Reference numeral 5 designates a seal. A hinge includes base plates 6 fixed to the deck by screws 7 and carrying lugs 8 for supporting a hinge pin and a hinge body 9, said plates and the body being formed with a hole coaxial to the axis.

Two spaced plates with or for end hinge pins are rigid with the door frame 3. As shown the plates 3 usually have bores for the passage of a hinge pin or end pins.

The preferred hinge pin system is made of a first pin 11 engaged into one of lugs 8a and extending into the bore of the hinge body 9 and fixed to the hinge body 9 by a cotter-pin 12, and a threaded bolt 13 having a cylindrical head with a hexagonal socket. The head of the bolt 13 engages in a suitable bore of lug 8b, the stem having a cylindrical portion 14 as a hinge bearing in the associated plate 10 and being screwed via its end into an internal screw thread 15 of the hinge body 9. The head of the bolt 13 bears against a stainless steel washer 16 which is secured against rotation relative to the plate 6 and two friction washers 17 are threaded onto the stem of bolt 13 on either side of the plate lob, between the latter and the hinge forming body 9 on the one hand and the washer 16 on the other hand.

The washers 17 form a friction brake between the plate 1 Ob which is rigidly connected to the panel and the plate 6 which is rigidly connected to the deck. The friction force can be set by screwing or unscrewing the hexagon socket screw 13.

On the end of axis 11 is threaded a balancing coil spring 18. One end 19 of that spring is anchored in a bore 20 of frame 3 while the other end 21 abuts against a countersink 22 of the plate 6. The characteristic of said spring are chosen in known manner for substantially balancing the torque of the door weight in all positions between the closed position and 900. Beyond the opened position at 900 and in the embodiment shown, the spring 18 is inactive but a second spring in opposition could be provided for balancing the door when being opened between 900 and 1 800.

Conveniently, hinge parts are secured to, in some cases perhaps even integral with, metal framings of the panel and/or the opening, say of iron or steel.

Claims

1. A hinged panel having a substantially hinge axis along an edge of the panel, further comprising a balancing device (18) compensating, at least partly the torque resulting from the panel weight, as the panel is rotated between fully open and closed positions and a brake device (17) acting between a hinge element (1 OB) rigidly connected relative to the panel and a hinge element (169) rigidly connected relative to framing of the opening for the panel the braking torque of said braking device being higher, in any position of the panel between fully open and fully closed, then the difference between the torque resulting from the panel between fully open and fully closed, than the the balancing device.

2. A hinged panel according to claim 1, wherein the balancing device has a substantially neutral nett torque for the panel when the latter is substantially vertical.

3. A hinged panel according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the braking force of the brake device is variably settable (13).

4. A hinged panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening and closing operations of the panel are controlled by a reversible electric motor of reduced power.

5. A hinged panel arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.