GB2195701A - Door and door hinge construction - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge construction has a pin 11 movably mounted with respect to a housing 14 and acted on by a spring 15 to urge it into a projecting position, and movable from that projecting position against the spring force to enable the hinge pin and hence the door to be introduced into its fitted position. The door edge may be arcuate (see Fig. 4) to match a recess 97 in the door frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Door and door hinge construction The present invention relates to a door and door hinge construction.

Known hinge constructions for doors utilise two plates hinged together with the plates secured respectively to the side of the door and to the frame-work. A known door and hinge construction utilises a door having a square edge which fits into a rebated frame, with hinges mounted between door edge and the frame for pivoting of the door. With such a construction a gap opens up between the rebated frame and the exterior edge of the door. This construction can make forced entry easier, either by providing a lever point for a jimmy or, once the door is cracked open, providing an entry into which a wedge can be fitted preventing closing of the door and enabling use of a jimmy to force the door off its hinges.

The fitting of the afore-described hinges and hanging of the door is necessarily time consuming, typically requiring recessing of the door and frame, and accurate positioning of the hinges and hanging of door.

A further problem with hinges of the above described type is that heavy blows to the door can cause the mountings to work loose.

Accordingly, there is an aim for a door which is less vulnerable to forced entry and to a hinge system which enables the door to be more easily fitted and which offers good impact resistance.

According to one aspect of the present invention then there is provided a door hinge construction comprising a pivot pin movably mounted with respect to mounting means, biasing means acting on the pivot pin to urge one end of same into a projecting position for co-operation with a pivot pin support, and wherein said pivot pin is movable against said biasing means from said projecting position for assembly purposes.

The pivot pin preferably has a flange intermediate its ends which serves as a stop, limiting the projection of the pin and serving as an abutment for the biasing means. The biasing means conveniently comprises a coil spring disposed about the pin.

In one embodiment the mounting means comprises a hollow cylindrical member (constituting a housing) having opposite end caps. In another it comprises a tubular member of generally oval cross-section, especially with opposite sides flattened. Such an embodiment enables the mounting to be received rotatably in bores therefor, such as in a door. The projecting end passes through a bore in one end cap and the opposite end of the pivot pin, the tail end, projects through a bore in the other end cap. The bores serve to support the pivot pin radially and guide the pivot pin for axial movement.

The flange is accommodated within the housing and the spring biasing means takes its abutment between the flange and the end plate adjacent the tail end of the pivot pin.

The tail end of the pin is provided with retention means for pivot pin actuating means.

Conveniently, this comprises a circumferential groove in the pin and preferably disposed outwardly of the end cap i.e. outside the housing. Alternatively, the tail end could be in the form of a hook or simply provided with a transverse through bore.

The retention means serves for location of an actuation device which is used to withdraw the pivot pin against the spring bias for assembly purposes.

In use, the hinge construction is placed in a bore formed in the door and is intended to be placed such that the pivot pin projects from the top edge of the door. A similar hinge construction can also be used at the bottom of the door, or alternatively either one of the top or bottom hinges can be replaced by a door return mechanism as described in our co-pending patent application No. 8618668 (P1710).

The door framing/floor is provided with a bore to receive the projecting end of the hinge pin. Such bore may be conveniently part of a bearing to ensure smooth pivotting of the door. More especially we prefer to provide adjustable positioning of said-bore for ease of alignment and fitting.

We envisage the end of the pin being keyed into the bearings to ensure rotation of the bearing. The cross-section of the pin may be otherthan round for this purpose. We propose to have the bearing located on a flange which is provided with fixing means and to have an adjustable stop which co-operates with the bearing carrier. The adjustable stop is first positively fixed to the door frame and the stop adjusted to position the bearing in correct alignment with the hinge pin. The fixing means for the bearing carrier may then be done up. This simplifies fixing of the bearing point by avoiding the need td accurately position the carrier fixing holes.

The outer end cap projects beyond the circumference of the housing member so as to form an abutment for locating the housing axially relative to the door. Screw means is conveniently employed to locate the mounting means to the door and co-operating with said outer cap. Where the housing is circular, the screw means preferably serves to locate it in the door casing against rotation.

The bore into which the hinge is received corresponds in length at least substantially with the overall length of the pivot pin so as to allow the pivot pin to be withdrawn for assembly purposes. Conveniently the bore in the door has a side opening to allow introduction of the actuating means for withdrawing the pivot pin.

Conveniently, the door has a metal edge, conveniently an aluminium extrusion, having a longitudinal through bore open at the ends for receiving the cylindrical housing of the hinge and having a corresponding cross-section-- circular or non-circular as the case may be.

An improved fixing results when a flange extension or strap extends from the housing of the hinge pin and fixing means is provided passing therethrough and into the edge of the door. This prevents the door from pulling out of the metal edge extrusion. Transverse bolts passing through the door and flanges of the metal edge extrusion may also be provided for this purpose.

In one embodiment we have the upper end cap formed as a casting with a flange which in use extends along the horizontal door edge--top or bottom depending on whether the hinge pin is at the top or bottom. The flange may have countersunk holes through which fixing means such as screws pass to screw into the door. This is usually of wood construction apart from metal channeling fitting around upright edges and/or top and bottom edges. The flange may be formed with lip or hook means along its length or at the end for receipt in a recess in the door edge. Such location means serves to prevent tilting of the door relative to the hinged edge channel.

An alternative to the flange is strip-like element-say of thin steel or the like, which is apertured to receive the hinge pin housing, up to the flanged end cap and adapted to be secured to the top edge of the door say by a plurality of nails or screws through the strip and into the door. Such strapping may extend a considerable distance across the top of the door. We envisage at least half way even full width and possible wrapping around the edge opposite to the hinge and secured to the opposite side edge-hence our preference for a strip-like element which can be readily bent where the corner falls yet which gives desired strength in tension.

According to another aspect fo the present invention there is provided a pivoted door construction 'wherein the edge of the door adjacent the pivot axis -has an arcuate portion concentric with the pivot axis.

Preferably the arcuate portion extends through dt least 90 degrees from the outer face of the door, and more preferably upto 180 degrees.

The advantage of such an arcuate edge con figuration is that it can result in a construction which does not give rise to the opening of a gap between the edge of the door and the door post on opening the door.

The door post adjacent the pivot axis may simply be rebated in any convenient manner to accommodate the arcuate door edge with a part projecting from the edge of the door towards the pivot axis and at the exterior side of the door (i.e. opposite side to the direction of opening). However, it is preferred that the door post adjacent said arcuate door edge has an arcuate portion concentric with said pivot axis wherein, in use, the arcuate edge of the door closely conforms with the arcuate portion of the door post. Said arcuate portion of the door post may conveniently extend through 90 degrees.

It is preferred that said arcuate door edge formation be formed as an extrusion, in particular an aluminium extrusion, having say a recess for receiving an edge of a wooden door member, and a longtitudinal bore of a crosssection for accommodating the afore-described door pivot construction, say at least at the top edge of the door and, say at the bottom, the door closing mechanism described in our copending patent application No. 8618668 (P1710).

It is also proposed to have the opening/locking edge of the door of arcuate configuration and preferably employing the same or a similar arcuate edge extrusion. The panelling for the door is then fitted into the hinge edge frame, or between the opposite edge framing, into a or a respective rebate therefore. The panelling may be a solid timber blank or any other suitable material or combination of materials. For example a laminate of wood and metal, or foam plastics and metal. A narrower rebate may be provided to accommodate a glass panel suspended from say just the hanging edge, or between the hanging and remote edge frames.

The door post is also conveniently formed as an extrusion, preferably aluminium and preferably hollow.

The various aspects of the present invention will now be described further by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a hinge construction; Figures 2 and 3 are a fragmentary side view and a plan view of a door incorporating the hinge of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of a door and door post; Figure 5 is a plan view of a hinge bearing carrier with adjustable mounting; Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified hinge pin end cap with flange; Figure 7 is a plan view of a strap for use in securing the hinge pin to a door; and Figure 8 is an elevational view of the top edge of a door showing the strip fixing.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a hinge construction for use in locating a door for pivotable operation. It comprises a pivot pin 11 being cylindrical with a rounded end 61 which in use is received in a pivot pin support (not illustrated) fitted into the door frame, head or foot, depending on whether the hinge is fitted as the top or bottom pivot.

Conveniently, the pivot pin support can comprise a brass sleeve fitted into the wood or otherwise of the frame. The pivot pin has a flange 63 intermediate the ends which serves as a stop and spring abutment as described hereinafter.

Mounting means for securing the pivot pin on a door comprises, the illustrated embodiment, a cylindrical housing 14 having end caps 12 and 13. The housing accommodates a coil spring 15 which acts between the end cap 12 and the flange 63 of the pivot pin to bias it into a position with the end 61 projecting from the end cap 13.

A bore 65 in the end cap 13 receives slidably the pivot pin and supports it radially.

The end cap 13 has a peripheral flange 67 or lugs which overlap the cylindrical housing to serve as an abutment locating axially the housing in a bore in the door.

The tail end 69 of the pivot pin also passes slidably through a bore 71 in the end cap 12 and projects therefrom. The tail carries a circumferential groove 73 as illustrated, which serves as an abutment for pivot pin actuation means. By this means the pivot pin can be displaced axially against the spring bias to facilitate assembly of the door into the door frame, i.e. by withdrawing the projecting end 61 towards the end cap 13 so as to reduce the amount of projection.

As an alternative, to the illustration the tail end of the pivot pin could be received in a blind bore which allows for displacement for fitting purposes, but which does not call for the tail to project. The pin is then pushed in from the projecting end. In fact, the casing 14 and end cap 12 could be dispensed with, where the hinge is to be fitted into a blind bore in a door, where the spring could then take its abutment on the bottom of the bore.

Various modifications are envisaged to the hinge pin construction illustrated in Figure 1.

Firstly, it is proposed to make the exterior of the housing non-circular in cross-section. We propose elongating the circular cross-section to give two opposite sides which are generally flat and parallel and joined by semi-circular edges. This enables the housing to be mounted non-rotatably in to a corresponding shaped opening of the door edging.

We also envisage making the projecting end of the pin- 11 non-circular in cross-section, especially square to be received in a corresponding shaped bore of a pivot pin support-see for example Figure 5 and square outline of hole 100 shown dotted.

We also envisage providing a different shaped end cap 13' (see Figure 6) such as with a flange extension 101 having countersunk bores 103 to receive screw means to secure the flange to the edge of a door. Such an end cap can replace that shown in Figure 1. As an alternative to said integral flange extension we propose a strip like element such as shown in Figure 7 having a bore 107 shaped to receive the housing of the hinge pin of Figure 1 and an elongate member 105. The element is preferably made of a relatively thin material which exhibits desired strength in tension, such as steel, and according to one embodiment has a turned in lip 107 at the end which in use is received in a recess therefor formed in the door edge-see dotted lines 107 in Figure 8.Alternatively the elongate strap can extend across the door say at least half the width even across the full width and even bent around the edge opposite to the hinge edge. In this respect see Figure 8. The strap like element 105 is conveniently made of a flexible material such as steel which despite being thin affords desired strength in tension to lie the door firmly into the door edge strap - shown at 81' into which the hinge pin is received. The edge of the door is at 82 extending into side flanges 84 of the edge strap.

The strap 105, can be pinned to the door at several places. Nails can be used for this purpose such as indicated schematically at 109 in Figure 8. The straps can be obscurred from view by cover strips 111 such as aluminium channel sections to compliment edge 81'.

The afore-described hinge construction can be fitted to a typical wooden door simply by boring a hole in the top and/or bottom edge of the door, sufficiently deep to receive the housing and projecting tail of the pivot pin, and also allowing for extension thereof out of the housing for fitting purposes. The more accurate positioning of the bores in the top and bottom of the door the better, but some misalignment can be catered for either in clearance between the pivot pin and end caps or elsewhere.

It is however, preferred to use the aforedescribed hinge construction with a door of special configuration, especially are having an arcuate edge configuration at the hinge side, and more especially with a construction in which the hinge side of the door is formed as a metal extrusion. Aluminium is particularly suitable. Such a door is described with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

The longitudinal aluminium door edge extrusion is shown at 81, preferably running the height of the door. It has a recess 83 to receive the edge of say a conventional timber door panel 85, possibly machined at the edge to fit flush as indicated by dotted lines 85a, and a cylindrical bore 87 again running the length of the extrusion. The bore 87 has a diameter to receive snugly, the cylindrical housing of the hinge construction described with reference to Figure 1. Alternatively, the bore may be non-circular to accommodate for example a correspondingly shaped huge housing. A hinge is shown at 91 with pivot pin 11 projecting above the top of the door. Such a hinge can also be fitted to the bottom of the door if required but an alternative is to fit the door closing mechanism described in our copending application No. 8618668 (P1710). Of course the arrangement could be reversed.Alternatively the door can be adapted to be opened and/or closed with known floor mounted mechanisms by providing an end cap which is secured into the bore 87 of the extrusion. The end cap is slotted (rectangular hole) for receiving the drive actuator.

To facilitate actuation of the pivot pin for assembly of the door into a frame, it is preferred to provide an aperture 93 in the extrusion which opens into the bore 87. Two possible positions for the aperture are illustrated in Figure 4.

More especially, it will be noted that the extrusion has an arcuate surface 95 which is concentric with the pivot axis of the door. In the illustration, the arc extends through 180 degrees forming a half round edge to the door. This is particularly advantageous because it means that on opening of the door no gap opens up which can provide an entry for a lever to lever the door off its hinges.

Accordingly, a securer door results.

It is additionally preferred to have the door frame 100 provided with an arcuate rebate 97 to receive the edge of the door snuggly as illustrated. One preferred arrangement has a 90 degree arc, as illustrated, so that there is no variable gap created on movement of the door which could serve to obstruct opening or closing of the door. It is also preferred to have a similar extrusion 81a at the other edge of the door, opposite to the so called hanging edge, and to have a half round edge 95a, received against a correspondingly shaped arcuate frame. The extrusions 81, 81a are rebated to accommodate door panelling. This may be a wood or a laminate made up of wood, plastics, metal, or any combination thereof. Translucent or transparent glass/acrylic panels may be employed, say with narrowing of the rebate in the edge extrusions or adapters therefore.The panels can be suspended from the hanging edge by the use of the described extrusion, with the opposite door edge extrusion being optional. With such a semi-circular rebated frame, the door projects from the frame on the inner side as will be seen from Figure 4. The extrusion 81 a can serve to accommodate a lock mechanism.

It will be appreciated that other configurations of door post can be utilised without detracting from the improved security. Alternative forms of frame are shown by the dotted outline, with a partially cut back arrangement indicated by the line 99.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown one embodiment of pivot pin support. This is intended for fixing into a transom over the door, or onto the floor or a threshold member beneath the door to receive the afore described hinge pin. It comprises a carrier plate 115 having mounted therein a hinge pin receptor conveniently, as illustrated, in the form of a ball or roller beams 117, the outer race being secured to the carrier and the inner race having a bore 119 to receive the hinge pins and of complimentory shape thereto. Two elongate fixing holes 120 are provided as at 121, preferably counter-sunk.

An end flange 123 serves as an abutment for an adjustable stud 125. The stud cooperates with a mounting post 127 having holes 129 (preferably counter sunk) for screws to fix it in the aforementioned position. With opposite recessing or apeturing for fixing of the assembly so that the external face is preferably flush with the frame/rebate for the door.

A nut 130 threaded onto the stud allows for adjustment of the carrier 115 in relation to the fitted position of the post 127 before final tightening of the carrier in position with screws through elongate holes 120. The mounting post is mounted so that is takes, by way of the stud, load imparted to the carrier through the hinge. The adjustment facility allows for accurate alignment without needing to rely on the fixing through the elongate holes to hold the pivot pin support in position.

The stud end 126 may be coupled to the plate 115.

As an alternative the stud may be threaded into the mounting post with means provided on the shank to rotate it.

Claims (23)

1. A hinge construction for a door comprising a pivot pin movably mounted with respect to mounting means, biasing means acting on the pivot pin to urge one end of same into a projecting position for co-operation with a pivot pin support and wherein said pivot pin is movable against said biasing means from said projecting position for assembly purposes.

2. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the pivot pin has a flange intermediate its ends which serves as a stop limiting projection of the pin and serving as an abutmnet for the biasing means.

3. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the biasing means comprises a coil spring disposed about the pin.

4. A hinge construction as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the hinge pin is provided with retention means for pivot pin actuating means.

5. A hinge construction as claimed in claims 1 to 4 in which the mounting means comprises a tubular member having opposite end caps secured thereto and the projecting end passes through a bore in one of the end caps.

6. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 5 in which the end of the pivot pin opposite to the projecting end, hereinafter referred to as the tail end, projects through a bore in the other end cap.

7. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 5 or 6 when appendent to claim 4 in which the tail end has retention means in the form of a groove, hook or recess.

8. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 5 or 6 in which said one end cap has a flange extension adapted to be secured to the door.

9. A hinge construction as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising strapping co-operable with the mounting means and adapted to be secured to the door edge.

10. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 9 in which the strapping is an elongate flexible member.

11. A hinge construction as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 when mounted in a door within the boundaries thereof.

12. A hinge construction as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising a pivot pin support, a mounting post taking the abutment of the pivot pin support, and means for adjusting the position of the pivot pin support relative to the mounting post.

13. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 12 in which the pivot pin support includes a ball or roller type bearing.

14. A hinge construction as claimed in claim 12 or 13 in which the adjusting means comprises a threaded stud.

15. A door hinge construction constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 or as modified in accordance with Figures 5, 6 or 7.

16. A pivoted door construction wherein the edge of the door adjacent the pivot axis has an arcuate portion concentric with the pivot axis.

17. A door construction as claimed in claim 16 in which the arcuate portion extends between 90 degrees and 180 degrees from the outer face of the door.

18. A door construction as claimed in claims 16 or 17 in which the door post adjacent the pivot axis has an arcuate edge portion concentric with said pivot axis and serving as a rebate receiving said arcuate door edge, at least partially.

19. A door construction as claimed in claim 16 , 17 or 18 in which the arcuate portion is formed by an elongate extrusion member into which a door panel is received.

20. A door construction as claimed in claim 19 in which said extrusion member has a bore receiving the hinge pin construction of any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A door construction as claimed in claim 20 having an opening in the extrusion to allow actuation of the hinge pin.

22. A door construction as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21 further comprising an arcuate: edge to the opening/locking edge of the dor.

23. A door construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of Figures 2, 3 or 4.