GB2247718A

GB2247718A - Self-closing door hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2247718A
Application number: GB9119014A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alphonsus O'mara
Original assignee: Wen Plast Res & Dev
Current assignee: Wen Plast Res & Dev
Priority date: 1990-09-07
Filing date: 1991-09-05
Publication date: 1992-03-11
Also published as: LU87930A1; GB9119014D0; IE62343B1

Abstract

A hinge device for enabling a door to operate as a swing door which hinge device comprises a first base 11 and a second base 12; the first base having means for pivotally supporting one end of a shaft member and for enabling the second base to be in pivotal interengagement therewith; the second base having means for enabling the shaft member to slidably interengage therewith; biasing means associated with the shaft member for urging the bases together wherein a first position of use, the shaft member is substantially normal relative to the first base and when in a second position of use, the shaft member is at an angle of less than 90 DEG relative to the first base. <IMAGE>

Description

"A DOOR HINGE" This invention relates to a door hinge device.

In particular, it relates to a door hinge device for use with a swing door.

The invention, therefore, provides a hinge device for enabling a door to operate as a swing door which hinge device comprises a first base and a second base; the first base having means for pivotally supporting one end of a shaft member and for enabling the second base to be in pivotal interengagement therewith; the second base having means for enabling the shaft member to slidably interengage therewith; biasing means associated with the shaft member for urging the bases together wherein in a first position of use, the shaft member is substantially normal relative to the first base and when in a second position of use, the shaft member is at an angle of less than 900 relative to the first base.

The invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinge device according to the invention in a first condition of use; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the device of Figure 1 of the drawings; Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Figure 2 of the drawings; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 of the drawings in a second condition of use.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a device 10 according to the invention which comprises a first base 11 and a second base 12.

The first base 11 is substantially rectangular in shape having a first face 21 and a second face 22.

Integral with the first face 21 are three projections 23, 24 and 25 which are in parallel spaced apart relationship. Each of the projections has a respective opening 26 which are in register with each other for enabling a pin 27 to be inserted therethrough. The base 11 has four holes 28 for enabling the base 11 to be mounted onto a door frame (not shown).

The second base 12 comprises a u-shaped member having a first leg 31, a second leg 32 and a connecting element 33. The connecting element has a first or external face 34 and a second or internal face 35.

Integral with the external face 34 and projecting therefrom is a first pair of projections 41, 41a and a second pair of projections 42, 42a. In plan view, the projections 41, 41a have opposing side walls of semi-circular construction and define a first passage 43.

The side walls are sufficiently distant from each other to enable the pin 27 to rotate therebetween. The projections 42, 42a are similarly constructed providing a second passage 44 in parallel spaced apart relationship relative to the first passage 43.

The internal face has two projections 45, projecting therefrom. The projections 45 are tubular in construction providing respective passages 43a, 44a. The passage 43 is in register with the passage 43a; the passage 44 is in register with the passage 44a. An aperture 43b in the connecting element 33 is in register with the passages 43, 43a; an aperture 44k in the connecting element 33 is in register with the passages 44, 44a.

Thus, the passages 43, 43a and aperture 43b provide a first through bore 46; the passages 44, 44b and the aperture 44b provide a second through bore 47.

The leg 31 has three apertures 35 therein; the leg 32 has three apertures 37 therein.

The hinge device 10 also comprises a first shaft 51, a second shaft 52; a first spring 61; a second spring 62; a first spring tension means 71; and a second spring tension means 72.

Each shaft 51, 52 comprises a threaded portion 53 and a non-threaded portion 54. Each non-threaded portion 54 has a perspective opening 55, 56 therein. The diameter of the shaft 51, 52 is such as to enable them to pass through respective bores 46, 47.

The spring 61 is of spiral construction the diameter of which is such as to enable the first shaft 51 to be threaded therethrough. Furthermore, the diameter of the spring 61 is such as to enable it engage externally with one of the projections 45. The spring 62 is of spiral construction the diameter of which is such as to enable the second shaft 52 to be threaded therethrough. Furthermore, the diameter of the spring 62 is such as to enable it engage externally with the other projection 45.

The first spring tension means 71 comprises a tubular portion 73 being internally threaded and adapted for screw engagement with the threaded portion 53 of the shaft 51. The second spring tension means 72 comprises a tubular portion 74 being internally threaded and adapted for screw engagement with the threaded portion 54 of the shaft 52. The spring tension means 71 terminates in a collar 75 the diameter of which is greater than that of the spring 61; the spring tension means 72 terminates in a collar 76 the diameter of which is greater than that of the spring 62.

The hinge device 10 is assembled as follows.

The shaft 52 in inserted between the opening generated by the projections 23, 24; the shaft 53 is inserted between the opening generated by the projections 24, 25. With the openings 26, 55 and 55 in register, the pin 27 is inserted therein so that the shafts 51, 52 are in pivotal engagement relative to the base 11.

The base 12 is offered to the base 11 so that the shafts 51, 52 pass through respective bores 46, 47 and the projections 23, 24 and 25 are in meshing engagement with the projections 41, 41a, 42, 42a. The shafts 51, 52 now project from the internal face 35. The springs 61, 62 are placed over each respective shaft 51, 52. Finally, the tension means 71, 72 are mounted onto respective shafts 51, 52. By screwing the tension means 71, 72 relative to the shafts 51, 52, the tension on the springs 61, 62 may be increased or decreased as desired.

In use, the base 11 is mounted on a door frame (not shown) using appropriate screws or bolts (not shown) via the holes 28. The base 12 is mounted on a door 100 using appropriate screws or bolts (not shown) via the holes 37. It will be appreciated that appropriate sized openings (not shown) will be provided in the door to accommodate the springs 61, 62 and the spring tension means 71, 72. Usually, a door will require more than one hinge device 10. The spring tension means 71, 72 are pre-tension having regard to the weight and size of the door and the number of hinge devices 10 employed.

When the door 100 is in the closed condition, the hinge device 10 is in a first condition of use as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. In other words, the shafts 51, 52 are substantially perpendicular relative to the base 11.

If the door 11 is opened to the left as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the base 12 pivots relative to the base 11 and the hinge device is in a second conditions of use so that the shafts 51, 52 are no longer perpendicular relative to the base 11. Rather, the shafts 51, 52 are at an angle less than 900 relative to the base 11. In pivoting, the shafts 51, 52 rotate about the pin 27 and slidably in the bores 46, 47 respectively.

The distance the shafts 51, 52 project between the legs 31, 32 of the base 12 is reduced thus compressing the springs 61, 62. Consequently, a force is needed to push the door 100 open and unless the force is maintained, the door 100 will close by the action of the springs 61, 62 urging the shafts 61, 62 back into the space between the legs 31, 32.

It will be appreciated that the door 100 may also be opened to the right if desired.

The hinge device 10 according to the invention thus provides a relatively simple means for enabling a door 100 to act as a swing door. In addition, the number of components of the device 10 is relatively small and relatively easy to manufacture and assemble.

The invention is not limited by or to the specific embodiments described which can undergo considerable variation without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A hinge device for enabling a door to operate as a swing door which hinge device comprises a first base and a second base; the first base having means for pivotally supporting one end of a shaft member and for enabling the second base to be in pivotal interengagement therewith; the second base having means for enabling the shaft member to slidably interengage therewith; biasing means associated with the shaft member for urging the bases together wherein in a first position of use, the shaft member is substantially normal relative to the first base and when in a second position of use, the shaft member is at an angle of less than 900 relative to the first base.

2. A hinge device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first base has a first face and a second face, the first face having at least two projections or fingers which are in parallel spaced apart relationship; each of the fingers having a respective opening therein in register with each other opening for enabling a pin member to be inse-.ved therethrough.

3. A hinge device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the second base is u-shaped having a first leg, a second leg and a connecting member; the connecting member having an internal face and an external face, the external face having a plurality of projections adapted for engaging with the fingers of the first face.

4. A hinge device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each of the projections has opposing side walls of semicircular construction which together with respective openings in the connecting member define a respective passage for enabling a respective shaft member to be in slidable engagement therein.

5. A hinge device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein each of the shaft members has an opening therein for enabling the pin member to be inserted therethrough.

6. A hinge device as claimed in any of Claims 4 or 5 wherein each of the shaft members projects through said respective openings from the internal face, each of said shaft members having a respective biasing means associated therewith for urging the shaft members into the first position of use.

7. A hinge device as claimed in Claim 6 wherein each of the biasing means comprises a coiled spring member in threaded engagement with a respective shaft means, and means is provided for varying the tension of each spring on each shaft member.

8. A hinge device as claimed in Claim 7 wherein when in the second position of use, each coiled spring member is in a state of compression substantially greater when compared with the state of each coiled spring member when in the first position of use.

9. A hinge device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.