GB2240363A - Repairing a hinged door - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of repairing a cupboard having a door interconnected by a hinge with a carcase when a hinge plate screwed to either the carcase or to the door has pulled away damaging the fabric of the carcase or door comprises detaching the hinge plate from the damaged component and from a remaining part of the hinge assembly, replacing the hinge plate by a substitute hinge plate of an area greater than that of the original hinge plate and sufficient to cover the damaged area, screwing the substitute hinge plate to the damaged component by screws located outside the boundaries of the damaged area, and attaching the substitute hinge plate to the remaining part of the hinge assembly. A suitable substitute plate comprises an enlarged fixing plate (21), two spaced flanges (27, 28) perpendicular to the plate (21) and adapted to receive the remaining plate of the hinge between them and a support plate extending from one flange (28) parallel to the fixing plate (21) and carrying a socket (32) to receive the hinge pin on the remaining plate. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD AND MEANS FOR REPAIRING A CUPBOARD This invention relates to a method and means of repairing a cupboard that includes a door interconnected with a carcase component by at least one hinge assembly.

In many modern furnishing units, particularly in fitted kitchen and bedroom furniture. cupboard doors and carcases are made from veneered or melamine-faced chipboard. The doors are hung by hinge assemblies, each of which includes a hinge plate that is screwed to the door or to a carcase component by screws specially designed to give a firm hold to the chipboard fabric of the door or carcase component. The connection between the screw and chipboard is generally stronger than the actual chipboard itself, so that when the cupboard is mistreated the usual damage is that an area of chipboard connected to the screws breaks away from the remaining chipboard; the damage is usually to the carcase component. but may be to the door. The usual method of effecting repair in these circumstances is simply to replace the damaged component, but the expense of this is unwelcome.Another method of repair is to cut the damaged section of chipboard from the damaged component and to insert a soft wood block of the appropriate thickness shaped to fit within the cutout section. the block being held in place by adhesive or other suitable means. This is unstatisfactory in that it represents a permanently weakened section of the cupboard. and furthermore in that the block will not carry veneer or facing matching that on the damaged component, so that the appearance is marred.

The invention seeks to provide a method of repair that avoids the disadvantages of the earlier methods. together with means used in such repair.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a method of repairing a cupboard that includes a door interconnected with a carcase by at least one hinge assembly that includes a hinge plate screwed to the carcase component or to the door, the carcase component or door having been damaged by the hinge plate pulling away therefrom and damaging the fabric thereof. the method comprising detaching the hinge plate from the damaged component and from a remaining part of the hinge assembly, replacing the hinge plate by a substitute hinge plate of an area greater than that of the original hinge plate, and sufficient to cover the damaged area. screwing the substitute hinge plate to the damaged component by screws located outside the boundaries of the damaged area, and attaching the substitute hinge plate to the remaining part of the hinge assembly.

The simplicity and advantage of the method will be appreciated. The existing hinge plate which has pulled away from the damaged component and has detached an area thereof is simply detached from a remaining part of the hinge assembly and discarded. A hinge plate larger than the original is then screwed to the damaged component in order to cover the damaged area and the substitute hinge plate is simply attached to the remaining part of the hinge assembly. A strong repair of good appearance can thus be rapidly effected. with the cost being limited to the cost of the substitute hinge plate. screws and labour.

It will be appreciated that the method can be put into practice with many types of hinge assembly usually used for the purpose of hanging cupboard doors.

In one preferred embodiment the hinge assembly is a two-part assembly, the first part comprising a first securing section and a hinge sleeve and second part comprising a second securing section and a hinge pin, capable of fitting withn the sleeve, one of the securing sections including the hinge plate. The invention also extends to a hinge element capable of use in this method, and according to this aspect of the invention a hinge element comprises a hinge plate lying in a first plane.

first and second flanges each extending along a common edge of the hinge plate and lying in a common plane perpendicular to the plane of the hinge plate. the flanges having confronting parallel edges. perpendicular to the plane of the hinge plate. between which edges a space is defined in a central region of said common edge of the hinge plate. a support plate extending from the second flange in a plane parallel to the plane of the hinge plate but not overlying the hinge plate. the support plate having an edge lying in the same plane as said confronting edge of the second flange. and a hinge pin and sleeve extending adjacent to a free edge of the support plate with an axis parallel to the plane of the hinge plate and to the plane of the flanges.

In using this embodiment, the hinge plate lies over the damaged surface of the component, and the flanges lie against the edge of the component to ensure proper location of the hinge plate. When the hinge element is attached to the remaining part of the hinge assembly it will be seen that the space between the flanges can accomodate part of the securing section of the remaining part of the assembly to allow flush closure of the door.

In a second method according to the invention the hinge assembly comprises first and second parts and means pivotally connecting the first and second parts. and the hinge plate is removably connected to one of said parts.

In one common form of hinge, that removable connection is an adjustable screwed connection in order to obtain the required alignment between the hinge and the component of the cupboard. Alignment of the substitute hinge plate can be accomplished just as effectively as alignment of the originally provided hinge plate so that a straightforward repair method again results.

In order that the invention may be better understood specific embodiments thereof will now be described in more detail. by way of example only. with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first manner in which a cupboard door is originally hung. showing damage to the carcase component of the cupboard; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the repair effected to the carcase; and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are respectively a front elevation, side elevation and plan view of a hinge element used in the repair.

Referring to Figure 1 this shows part of a cupboard carcase component 1 having inner and outer surfaces 2 and 3 formed by a veneer or facing on a chipboard core 4. The carcase component has secured thereto a hinge element comprising a hinge plate 5, return section 6 and support plate 7 having a hinge sleeve 8 extending along a free edge of the support plate. The hinge element is secured to the carcase by screws 9 and 10 penetrating the carcase component from the inner surface thereof, and a screw 11 penetrating the door on an edge surface thereof. The hinge element is engaged with a further hinge element 12 secured to a door, the further element having a hinge pin 13.

Securing is obviously by fitting the pin within the sleeve, and it will be appreciated that such hinges are provided at least at upper and lower parts of the door.

Figure 1 shows typical damage to a cupboard carcase component of this type, caused by attempting to open the door too forcibly or too wide. The strain causes the screws to pull out of the carcase. but because the connection between the screws and the chipboard which they directly engage is stronger than the chipboard fabric itself the pullout of the screws results in pulling out an area 14 of chipboard. leaving a damaged region of irregular shape and irregular depth.

Repair of this can be effected using the hinge element shown in Figures 3 to 5. The hinge element comprises a rectangular hinge plate 21 lying in a first plane. The hinge plate has edges 22 to 25 and is formed with screw holes 26, which are desirably countersunk. First and second flanges 27, 28 each extend along the edge 22 of the hinge plate and lie in a common plane perpendicular to the plane of the hinge plate. The flanges have confronting parallel edges 29, 30 between which a space is defined in the central region of the edge 22 of the hinge plate. The first flange extends from that space to the edge 23 of the hinge plate. and the second flange extends from that space to the edge 25 of the hinge plate.

A support plate 32 extends from the first flange in a plane that is parallel to the plane of the hinge plate, but as the support plate extends away from the hinge plate it does not overlie the hinge plate. The support plate has an edge 34 lying in the same plane as the confronting edge of the second flange. and thus bordering on the space in the central region of the edge 22 of the hinge plate. The free edge of the support plate carries a hinge sleeve 35 having an axis parallel to the hinge plate and to the plane of the flanges.

Referring now to Figure 2 this shows the carcase component following repair using the hinge element of Figures 3 to 5. It will be noted that the hinge plate 21 is sufficiently large to cover the damaged area and to locate the screw holes outside the boundaries of the damaged area. The plate is aligned with the flanges 27, 28. which have the same thickness as the return 6 of the original hinge element lying against the edge of the carcase component and the plate is secured by screws passed through the plate and into the chipboard fabric of the carcase component. The space between the flanges has a length measured along the hinge axis slightly greater than the length of the further hinge element 12. so that when the door is closed the further hinge element is received in the space to ensure flush closure.The door is refitted simply by engaging the hinge pins within the hinge sleeves that are secured to the carcase. The cheapness. simplicity and effectiveness of the technique will readily be appreciated.

It will be understood that the size and shape of the hinge plate may be selected as desired, as may the lengths of the flanges. The number of screw holes and their location may also be varied. The space between the flanges is essential for flush closure, although that space may be provided by different manufacturing methods. For example, it may be a simple cut out or may be formed as part of a pressing operation. Whatever manufacturing methods are used. the resuitant element is preferably of integral construction. As shown, the length of the first flange below the support section is less than the length of the second flange.As the hinge element will usually be designed so that an edge thereof fits closely to the upper or lower edge of the cupboard carcase this unequal relationship means that the hinge assemblies shown will have to be handed, with assemblies of left hand and right hand being provided. If, however, the relevant distances can be made equal then a single hinge element will suffice, although, this requires a hinge plate that is somewhat shorter than the ideal presently contemplated.

The hinge element is shown formed with a hinge sleeve, which is the preferred configuration. However, it will be appreciated that the element could alternatively be formed with a hinge pin. An alternative method of repair can be utilised when the originally fitted hinge comprises a first part that can be secured to the carcase, and a second part that is hinged to the first part and can be secured to the door. Hinges of this type usually include snap-action springs for assisting proper opening and closing of the door. The first part is secured to the carcase by way of a hinge plate which is screwed to the carcase component itself. the hinge plate being secured to the first part of the hinge in an adjustable manner and capable of being locked in position by a set screw. The damage in this case is again the pulling away of the hinge plate with a section of door fabric.The repair is effected by releasing the set screw, so freeing the first part of the hinge from the hinge plate. The hinge plate of the other hinge or hinges is similarly released and the door removed. The hinge plate with the damaged carcase section is discarded and a new, larger hinge plate is screwed to the carcase. The door is then replaced and adjusted, the set screws being retightened as required.

In a variant of this method the original hinge plate can be retained. and repair to the carcase effected by screwing a steel plate thereto to cover the damaged area, the screw holes being located outside the damaged area.

The plate is formed with two tapped bores and the original hinge plate is secured to the steel plate by screws engaging those bores. The steel plate, original hinge plate and securing screws can then be considered as forming in combination, the substitute hinge plate for attachment to the remaining part of the hinge assembly. Hinge assemblies of the sort contemplated are capable of accomodating the extra thickness resulting from the presence of the steel plate so that there is no interference with operation of the repaired door.

Although the invention has been described in terms of repair to a carcase component it will be appreciated that it is also applicable to repair of a door. Other modifications and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (7)

1. A method of repairing a cupboard that includes a door interconnected with a carcase by at least one hinge assembly that includes a hinge plate screwed to the carcase or to the door, the door having been damaged by the hinge plate pulling away therefrom and damaging the fabric thereof, the method comprising detaching the hinge plate from the damaged component and from a remaining part of the hinge assembly, replacing the hinge plate by a substitute hinge plate of an area greater than that of the original hinge plate. and sufficient to cover the damaged area, screwing the substitute hinge plate to the damaged component by screws located outside the boundaries of the damaged area, and attaching the substitute hinge plate to the remaining part of the hinge assembly.

2. A method according to Claim 1 in which the hinge assembly is a two part assembly, a first part comprising a first securing section and a hinge sleeve and a second part comprising a second securing section and a hinge pin capable of fitting within the sleeve, and in which one of said securing sections includes said hinge plate.

3. A method according to Claim 1 in which the hinge assembly comprises first and second parts, and means pivotally connecting the first and second parts, and the hinge plate is removably connected to one of said parts.

4. A hinge element comprising a hinge plate lying in a first plane, first and second flanges each extending along a common edge of the hinge plate and lying in a common plane perpendicular to the plane of the hinge plate, the flanges having confronting parallel edges, perpendicular to the plane of the hinge plate, between which edges a space is defined in a central region of said common edge of the hinge plate, a support plate extending from the second flange in a plane parallel to the plane of the hinge plate but not overlying the hinge plate, the support plate having an edge lying in the same plane as said confronting edge of the second flange. and a hinge pin and sleeve extending adjacent to a free edge of the support plate with an axis parallel to the plane of the hinge plate and to the plane of the flanges.

5. A hinge element according to Claim 4 in which the hinge plate is rectangular, the first flange extends from the space to a first edge of the hinge plate that is perpendicular to the common edge and the second flange extends from the space to a second edge of the hinge plate that is perpendicular to the common edge.

6. A hinge element according to Claim 5 in which, measured along the hinge axis, the length of the support plate is less than the length of the second flange.

7. A hinge element according to any one of Claims 4 to 6. which is an integral item of manufacture.