GB2161858A - Improvements in and relating to window hinges - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge for an openable window comprises two mounting members 12, 13 for mounting on the light frame and window frame respectively, and means, e.g. as shown arms 17, 18, 24, pivotally interconnecting the mounting members 12, 13. The member 12 for fixing to the light frame is generally L-shaped for extending round the corner of the light frame and comprises two legs 12a, 12b for fixing to both of the parts of the light frame defining the corner, one of the legs 12a being associated with the interconnecting means. For use with plastics light frames with internal reinforcements, the legs of the one member are arranged so that at least some of the means, e.g. screws 15, fixing the legs to the light frame engage the reinforcements. The invention is also applicable to a conventional hinge arrangement with a pivot axis fixed relative to both mounting members. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating fittings and assemblies The present invention relates to improvements in fittings for windows and particularly, but not exclusively, for use with plastics window frames.

Plastics window frames are generally extruded with a hollow configuration and provided with an internal metal or plastics reinforcement which extends along the length of the moulding. At the corners of the frames, the mouldings are joined by welding but, so as not to interfere with the welding operation, the reinforcements normally end short of the welding zone.

With pivotal opening lights, the hinges are generally mounted on the openable light frame adjacent the corners and this means that, unless special steps are taken, e.g. to insert an extra piece of reinforcement at the corner, one at least of the fixing means, e.g.

screws, will be engaged in an unreinforced part of the frame. This screw has a tendency to work loose and this has a tendency to put strains on the hinge and frames which they are not intended to sustain.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge for the openable light of a window comprising first and second mounting members for mounting on the light frame and window frame respectively, and means pivotally interconnecting the mounting members, wherein the first mounting member for fixing to the light frame is generally L-shaped for extending round a corner of the light frame and comprises two legs each for fixing to a respective frame part defining the corner, one leg being associated with the interconnecting means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a window assembly comprising an openable light and a fixed frame, wherein the openable light is mounted on the fixed frame for pivotal movement relative thereto by a hinge as defined above.

The opening light may be provided with two hinges adjacent adjacent corners of the opening light frame, both of which are as defined above.

The hinge as defined above may be a friction hinge in which the one leg of the first mounting member and the second mounting member extend in parallel planes and are interconnected by arms pivotally connected to the mounting members, with the end of at least one of the arms being slidable along one of the mounting members against a frictional force.

The mounting members may have portions which interengage when the hinge is in its closed position, in which the opening light will be in a closed position. Advantageously these portions are provided at the junction between the two legs of the first mounting member and at the corresponding free end of the second mounting member.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically part of a window with part of an embodiment of hinge according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a section through an embodiment of window frame and an embodiment of hinge according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of hinge according to the present invention, in partly open condition; and Figure 4 is a section through the hinge of Fig. 3 in closed position.

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically part of a window comprising a fixed frame 1 for fixing in the window opening in a wall and an openable light 2 comprising a frame 3 surrounding one or more transparent or translucent panels 4. The frames 1, 3 are extruded of plastics material and have internal reinforcements 5, 6 of metal or plastics, only the reinforcement 6 of-the opening light frame being shown in Fig. 1. The sections of the frames 1, 3 are welded together at the corners 7, 8 and, so as not to interfere with the welding operation, the reinforcements 5, 6 end short of the corners. As shown, the open light 2 is mounted in the fixed frame 1 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis by two similar hinges adjacent respective upper corners of the window and of which a part 1 2 of one hinge is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the extruded frames 1,3 shown in Fig. 1 and their reinforcements 5, 6. As shown, the frames are designed to include, if required, a locking mechanism (not shown), for example an Espagnolette mechanism, which extends around part of the circumference of the opening light in groove 9, beside the location 10 of hinge 11. It will be appreciated that the frame configuration may be varied as required, and specifically that the relative positions of the hinge and locking mechanism groove 9 (if provided) may be varied. Indeed the hinge may be aligned with the locking mechanism groove 9.

The hinge 11, parts of which are shown diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 2, is shown more fully in Figs. 3 and 4 and comprises a first mounting member 1 2 for fixing to the openable light frame and a second mounting member 1 3 for fixing to the fixed frame. The first mounting member 1 2 is generally Lshaped and extends around the corner of the opening light frame, as shown diagrammati cally in Fig. 1, and comprises two legs 12a, 12b, both of which are fixed to corresponding parts of the light frame, for example by screws 1 5 extending through openings 14 into the light frame.

As is apparent from Fig. 1, the uppermost fixing means 15a of leg 1 2a immediately adjacent the corner of the light frame does not extend into and engage the frame reinforcement 6. This produces a very weak fixing and it is the one fixing which takes a substantial part of the strain on the hinge, when the light is opened. However, as shown, a substantial part of the load on this fixing is relieved by the provision of leg 1 2b and its fixing to the light frame which is arranged to be at a location where the fixing means 15d will extend into and engage the reinforcement.

Mounting member 1 3 is similarly fixed by similar fixing means to the fixed frame but as a generality the locations of all the fixing means are in positions in which they will engage the reinforcement 5. If, however, it is found that the fixing point closest to the corner of the fixed frame does not always engage the reinforcement, mounting member 1 3 may also be made as a generally L-shaped member with a leg extending round the corner of the frame and being fixed to the frame 1 at a point where it will engage the reinforcement.

The mounting members 12, 1 3 are interconnected by arms 17, 18. Arm 17 is pivotally connected at 1 9 to member 1 2 and at 20 to member 1 3. Arm 18 is pivotally connected at 21 to member 12 and at 22 to a slidable element 23 which is mounted on member 1 3 for slidable movement against a frictional force along member 1 3. To this end, the member 1 3 is formed with an open channel in which the element 23 is received and retained. The hinge also includes a third arm 24 which is pivotally mounted at 25 on arm 1 7 and at 26 on element 23.It will be appreciated that the relative positioning of the various pivot points is such as to cause mounting member 12 to move relative to mounting member 1 3 both angularly and away from the plane of the fixed frame on which member 1 3 is mounted.

The members 12, 1 3 are also provided with means which interengage when the hinge is in its closed position with the two members 1 2, 1 3 aligned. As shown the inter-engaging means comprise a shaped extension 27 on member 1 3 which engages over a correspondingly shaped extension 28 on the end of leg 1 2a at its junction with leg 12b. Portion 28 may be formed integrally with legs 1 2a and 1 2b or may be made separately and fixed, e.g. by welding or otherwise, to legs 1 2a and 12b.

The hinge as described above may be made of plastics or metal as required.

It will be appreciated that the number and arrangement of the arms interconnecting members 12, 1 3 may be varied as required to provide a hinge with the required opening movement. It will also be appreciated that the invention of this application is equally applicable to a conventional hinge in which the mounting members are interconnected for pivotal movement about an axis fixed relative to both members.

While as described above the mounting member 12 is arranged to be fixed by both its legs to the light frame reinforcements, with improved fixing means, fixing of the mounting member 1 2 to the frame reinforcements may be unnecessary, the member 1 2 being then fixed solely to the plastics frame. Additionally the provision of mounting member 1 2 may allow reducton or elimination of reinforcements in the region of the corner of the frame.

While the invention has been described primarily for use in relation to plastics window frames, it will be apreciated that the hinge may also be used in relation to metal or wood window frames.

Claims (10)

1. A hinge for the openable light of a window comprising first and second mounting members for mounting on the light frame and window frame respectively, and means pivotally interconnecting the mounting members, wherein the first mounting member for fixing to the light frame is generally L-shaped for extending round a corner of the light frame and comprises two legs each for fixing to a respective frame part defining the corner, one leg being associated with the interconnecting means.

2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means interconnecting the mounting members comprise arms pivotally connected to the mounting members and permitting the mounting members to move in parallel planes.

3. A hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivotal connection of the end of one arm to one of the mounting members is slidable along the one mounting member.

4. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including interengageable means on the mounting members for interengagement when the hinge is in its closed position, and provided at the junction between the legs of the first mounting member and at a corresponding end of the second mounting member.

5. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second mounting member for fixing to the window frame is generally L-shaped for extending round a corner of the window frame, the one leg thereof corresponding to the one leg of the first mounting member being associated with the interconnecting means.

6. A hinge substantially as herein de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A window assembly comprising an openable light and a fixed frame, wherein the openable light is mounted on the fixed frame for pivotal movement relative thereto by a hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

8. A window assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the openable light comprises a plastics frame provided with an internal reinforcement and both of the legs of the one member of the hinge are fixed to the light frame.

9. A window assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least some of the fixing means of both the legs of the one member engage the reinforcement.

10. A window assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.