GB2221721A

GB2221721A - Improvements in or relating to stay hinges

Info

Publication number: GB2221721A
Application number: GB8918084A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edward Buckley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-08-12
Filing date: 1989-08-08
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2009-08-08
Also published as: GB2221721B; GB8918084D0

Abstract

In a window stay hinge of the type comprising a track 10 adapted to be fitted to a fixed window frame, a vent arm 16 adapted to be fitted to the movable window vent, a slider 12 slidable along the track, a link 13 pivotally connected at 14, 15 to the slider 12 and the vent arm 16, and a control arm 17 pivotally connected at 18, 19 to the track 10 and the vent arm 16 one end of the vent arm is provided with a shaped nose portion 24 having an inclined edge 25 adapted, as the vent arm moves to the closed position, to come into wedging engagement with a fixed or rotatable pin or roller 26 mounted on the track and, additionally, in the closed position of the hinge, at least one of the pivotal connections 14, 15 at the ends of the link 13 is offset laterally with respect to a line extending through the pivotal connections 18, 19 at the ends of the control arm 17. A raised portion 29 prevents movement of the arm 16 to the wrong side of the track. In an alternative embodiment the arm 16 has a notched end which engages the pin or roller 26. <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements in or relating to Hinges" The invention relates to hinges and in particular to friction stay hinges for windows.

The invention relates to a window hinge of the kind comprising a track adapted to be fitted to a fixed window frame, a vent arm adapted to be fitted to the movable window vent, a slider slidable along the track, a link pivotally connected at one end to the slider and at its other end to the vent arm, and a control arm pivotally connected at one end to the track, or a part adapted to be fixed in relation thereto, and at its other end to the vent arm, the arrangement being such that the vent arm is movable between a closed position where it extends substantially parallel to the track and an open position where it extends at an angle to the track, such movement being accompanied by movement of the slider along the track.

Normally, two such hinges are provided at opposite sides of the window and the geometry of the hinges is such that as the window vent pivots on the hinges the effective pivot axis of the vent moves away from the fixed window frame thus providing access to both sides of the vent.

Frictional restraint is normally provided to movement of the slider along the track, such restraint being adjustable, to vary the force necessary to open the window. Friction at the pivotal connections can also contribute to the frictional restraint.

In order to provide for positive closing action of the hinges, so that the window vent closes properly against its weatherseal, it is common practice to provide the track with an end cap with which a pointed nose on the end of the vent arm cooperates with a wedging action as the hinge moves into the closed position. However, in practice the pointed nose portion of the vent arm may foul the end cap, preventing proper closing or opening of the window, due, for example, to incorrect installation of the hinges or distortion or excessive tolerances in the components.

The effective operation of the hinge, particularly near the closed position, may also depend on the relative dispositions of the pivotal connections between the components of the hinge. The present invention provides an improved structure and geometry for such a hinge which can alleviate these problems and ensure a more positive closing action of the hinge.

According to the invention, there is provided a window hinge of the kind first referred wherein one end of the vent arm is provided with a shaped nose portion having an edge which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vent arm and is adapted, as the vent arm moves to the closed position, to come into wedging engagement with a pin mounted on the track and having an axis which projects substantially parallel to the pivot axes of the pivotal connections between the other components of the hinge and wherein, in the closed position of the hinge, at least one of the pivotal connections at the ends of the link is offset laterally with respect to a line extending through the pivotal connections at the ends of the control arm.

Preferably the pivotal connection between the link and the slider is offset with respect to the line extending through the pivotal connections at the ends of the control arm, in the closed position of the hinge. In an alternative arrangement both pivotal connections at the ends of the link are offset laterally on opposite side respectively of the line extending through the pivotal connections at the ends of the control arm, in the closed position of the hinge.

The pin may be a fixed pin of circular crosssection, or may be in the form of a roller mounted on the track for rotation about said projecting axis.

There may be provided on the track an abutment spaced from said pin so that said nose portion of the vent arm enters between the pin and the abutment as the vent arm moves to the closed position, whereby said abutment limits possible movement of the nose portion in a direction away from the pin as the vent arm moves into and out of the closed position.

Alternatively, said one end of the vent arm may be formed with a notch which engages over said pin as the vent arm moves into the closed position, one internal side of the notch constituting the aforesaid inclined edge of the nose portion. The notch may be substantially V-shaped.

The following is a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a friction hinge according to the invention, shown in a partly open position, Figure 2 is a side view of the hinge shown in the closed position, Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative form of hinge in a partly open position, Figure 5 shows the hinge of Figure 4 in the closed position, Figure 6 is a side view of a modified version of the hinge of Figures 1 and 2, in an open position, and Figure 7 shows the hinge of Figure 6 in the closed position.

In the following description corresponding parts in the different forms of hinge described are referred to by the same reference numerals.

As previously explained, hinges of the type to which the invention relates are used in pairs at opposite sides, or top and bottom, of the window. The hinges to be described are assymetrical and accordingly the hinges of each pair will be mirror images of each other. For convenience only the right hand hinge of each pair is shown in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the friction hinge comprises a track 10 which, in use, is adapted to be screwed to a fixed window frame. The track 10, which may be formed from aluminium or stainless steel, is generally channel-shaped and has along its opposite sides inwardly turned flanges 11. A plastics slider 12 is received within the track 10 so as to be slidable along the track, the side edges of the slider 12 engaging beneath the inturned flanges 11 of the track. A stop 39 is provided on the track 10 to limit the downward movement of the slider 12 along it.

A link 13 is pivotally connected to the slider 12 by means of a pivot 14, and the opposite end of the link 13 is pivotally connected, by a pivot 15, to the upper end of a vent arm 16 which, in use, is screwed to the frame of the movable window vent. A control arm 17 is pivotally connected at its lower end, by a pivot 18, to the lower end of the track 10 and at its upper end is pivotally connected by a pivot 19 to the vent arm 16, intermediate the ends thereof.

A further link or brace 20 is pivotally connected by a pivot 21 to the slider 12 and, at its lower end, is connected by a pivot 22 to the control arm 17, at a location intermediate the pivots 18 and 19.

Friction hinges of this general type are well known and, in use, two such hinges may be connected between the fixed window frame and movable window vent at opposite sides at the upper end thereof. Such an arrangement is normally described as "top-hung". However, such hinges may also be connected between the upper and lower frame members of the window vent and the fixed window frame, in which case the window is referred to as "side-hung".

When the window is closed, the components of each hinge are generally in line, as shown in Figure 2, with the vent arm 16 overlying the track 10. Figure 1 shows the position of the hinge after the window has been initially opened through a small angle. It will be seen that as the vent arm 16, and hence the window vent, swings away from the track 10, the slider 12 moves downwardly in the track.

Consequently the window vent swings downwardly as well as angularly away from the fixed window frame. The window vent may be brought to a position where it is substantially horizontal and thus provides access, for cleaning, to both sides of the window glass.

Frictional restraint to opening of the window is provided by the frictional engagement of the slider 12 within the track 10. This may be adjusted, in known manner, by adjustment of a screw 23 (see Figure 2) which passes through the slider 12 and bears against the surface of the track.

As previously mentioned, it is desirable to effect positive control of the movement of the window vent to the closed position to ensure that the vent positively and firmly engages the weatherseal on the fixed window frame.

To achieve this, the upper end of the vent arm 16 is formed with a nose portion 24 which provides an edge 25 which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vent arm. The inclined edge 25, as the hinge goes through the last stage of its closing movement, cooperates with a roller 26 mounted on the upper end of the track 10 to one side of the longitudinal axis thereof.

As best seen in Figure 3, the roller 26, which may be made, for example, from steel, zinc or plastics material, is mounted on an axle pin which is, in turn, mounted on a plate 28 which is secured, for example by riveting, welding or staking, to the upper end of the track 10. Alternatively, the axle pin 27 may be mounted directly on the track 10 itself.

Preferably the axle pin 27 is fixedly mounted on the plate or track and the roller 26 is rotatable about the axle pin. However, the axle pin itself might be rotatably mounted, in which case the roller 26 could be secured to the pin, or integral with it. The axle pin may also be formed from steel, zinc or plastics material and the plate 28 could also be integral with the axle pin. In the case where the roller and the axle pin are both formed from metal a plastics bush may be located between them.

As the hinge moves to the closing position, the edge surface 25 on the vent arm 16 engages the roller 26 with a wedging action, which guides the vent arm positively and firmly into the final closed position so that the window vent seals positively and firmly against the weatherseal on the window frame.

Instead of being in the form of a rotatable roller, the abutment for engagement by the surface 25 might also be in the form of a fixed, non-rotatable pin, preferably of circular cross-section. The provision of a pin or rotatable roller for engagement with the surface 25 reduces the frictional restraint to closing movement of the vent arm while still providing the positive wedging action, and thus reduces wear of the components, and the risk of deformation, ensuring positive closure for a prolonged period.

The side of the plate 28 carrying the roller may be raised to provide an abutment, as indicated at 29 in Figure 1, to reduce any tendency of the end of the nose portion 24 to move to the wrong side of the track (i.e. to the left in Figure 1) during the initial opening movement of the hinge.

Instead of being integral with the vent arm, the nose portion 24 may be provided on a separate end element, for example formed from plastics, which is secured to the end of the vent arm.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, certain of the pivotal connections between components of the hinge are so disposed as to be relatively offset to one another in the closed position of the hinge, and this is shown clearly in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, in the closed position of the hinge the pivots 18, 22, 21 and 19 are in line, and lie generally on the central longitudinal axis of the track 10.

However, the pivot 14 between the link 13 and the slider 12 is offset to the left of that line, whereas the pivot 15 between the link 13 and the vent arm 16 is offset to the right of that line. Offsetting of the pivotal connection 14 to the slider with respect to the pivot 18 between the control arm and track is known, and is described and claimed in my co-pending British Patent Application No. 2209051. In the present case, however, the additional offsetting of the upper pivot 15, with respect to the line passing through the pivotal connections 18 and 19 at the ends of the control arm 17, further improves the geometry of the hinge to provide positive control of the movement of the hinge components, particularly during the small angular movements during the initial opening and final closing of the window.

In the above mentioned co-pending application, there is described a preferred arrangement in which all of the pivotal connections corresponding to the pivots 18, 22, 19 and 15 are offset with respect to the line of movement, along the track 10, of the pivotal connection 14 between the upper link 13 and the slider 12. Such an arrangement is also shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, but with the modification that the upper end of the vent arm 16 is formed with a nose portion 24 and inclined edge 25 which cooperate with a roller 26 mounted to one side of the upper end of the track 10. The cooperating edge 25 and roller 26 operate in the manner previously described to effect positive closing and retention of the hinge.

The positioning of the pivotal connections shown in Figures 4 and 5 is believed to have some advantages over the offsetting arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2.

However, it may have the disadvantage that the offsetting of all the pivots 18, 22, 19 and 15 can only be achieved by making special provision for locating the lowermost pivot 18 with respect to the track 10. This may, for example, involve providing a separate bracket element on which to mount the pivot 18, or providing a track which is sufficiently wide to accommodate the offset position of the pivot 18. The arrangement of Figures 1 and 2, on the other hand, has the advantage that, since the upper pivot 15 is offset with respect to the lowermost pivot 18, the latter pivot may be mounted directly in the centre of the narrow track 10, in conventional manner, as is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 6 and 7 show a modified version of the hinge of Figures 1 and 2 and corresponding parts of the two hinges have the same reference numerals.

In the hinge of Figures 6 and 7 the raised side 29 is omitted from the plate 28 carrying the roller 26. The purpose of the raised side 29 is, as previously described, to reduce any tendency of the end of the nose portion of the vent arm 16 to move to the wrong side of the track 10 during the initial opening of the hinge. In the modified arrangement of Figures 6 and 7 this is achieved instead by suitable shaping of the upper end of the vent arm 16.

As may be seen from Figures 6 and 7, the upper end of the vent arm 16 is formed with a generally V-shaped notch 40 defined by two inclined surfaces 41 and 42. The notch 40 is asymmetrical so that the inclined edge 41 is longer than the inclined edge 42 and the lowermost portion of the notch 40 is in line with the pivot 15 between the vent arm 16 and the link 13.

As in the arrangement of Figure 1, in the closed position of the hinge the pivots 18, 22, 21 and 19 are in line and lie generally on the central longitudinal axis of the track. However, the pivot 14 between the link 13 and the slider 12 is offset to the left of that line, whereas the pivot 15 between the link 13 and the vent arm 16 is offset to the right of that line.

As the hinge moves from the open position shown in Figure 6 to the closed position shown in Figure 7, the inclined edge surface 41 on the vent arm 16 engages the roller 26 with a wedging action which guides the vent arm positively and firmly into the final closed position so that the window vent seals positively and firmly against the weatherseal on the window frame. In the closed position, as shown in Figure 7, the roller 26 sits in the notch 40 on the vent arm and thus positively assists in retaining the hinge in the closed position.

Upon opening of the window the engagement between the inclined surface 42 and the roller 26 prevents any tendency for the upper end of the vent arm 16 to move to the wrong side of the track 10 (i.e. to the left in Figure 7).

In any of the above described arrangements, the link 13 and brace 20 could be connected to the slider 12 by a common pivotal connection.

Claims

1. A window hinge comprising a track adapted to be fitted to a fixed window frame, a vent arm adapted to be fitted to the movable window vent, a slider slidable along the track, a link pivotally connected at one end to the slider and at its other end to the vent arm, and a control arm pivotally connected at one end to the track, or a part adapted to be fixed in relation thereto, and at its other end to the vent arm, the arrangement being such that the vent arm is movable between a closed position where it extends substantially parallel to the track and an open position where it extends at an angle to the track, such movement being accompanied by movement of the slider along the track, wherein one end of the vent arm is provided with a shaped nose portion having an edge which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vent arm and is adapted, as the vent arm moves to the closed position, to come into wedging engagement with a pin mounted on the track and having an axis which projects substantially parallel to the pivot axes of the pivotal connections between the other components of the hinge and wherein, in the closed position of the hinge, at least one of the pivotal connections at the ends of the link is offset laterally with respect to a line extending through the pivotal connections at the ends of the control arm.

2. A window hinge according to Claim 1, wherein the pivotal connection between the link and the slider is offset with respect to the line extending through the pivotal connections at the ends of the control arm, in the closed position of the hinge.

3. A window hinge according to Claim 1, wherein both pivotal connections at the ends of the link are offset laterally on opposite side respectively of the line extending through the pivotal connections at the ends of the control arm, in the closed position of the hinge.

4. A window hinge according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the pin is a fixed pin of circular cross-section.

5. A window hinge according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the pin is in the form of a roller mounted on the track for rotation about said projecting axis.

6. A window hinge according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein there is provided on the track an abutment spaced from said pin so that said nose portion of the vent arm enters between the pin and the abutment as the vent arm moves to the closed position, whereby said abutment limits possible movement of the nose portion in a direction away from the pin as the vent arm moves into and out of the closed position.

7. A window hinge according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said one end of the vent arm is formed with a notch which engages over said pin as the vent arm moves into the closed position, one internal side of the notch constituting the aforesaid inclined edge of the nose portion.

8. A window hinge according to Claim 7, wherein said notch is substantially V-shaped.

9. A window hinge constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.