GB2285835A

GB2285835A - Hinge mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2285835A
Application number: GB9501275A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Albert Tidy; Roger John Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-01-21
Filing date: 1995-01-23
Publication date: 1995-07-26
Also published as: GB9401124D0; GB9501275D0

Abstract

A mechanism 4 which enables a closure element such as a door or window to be moved selectively into or out of a desired operative position includes a carriage 4, movable along a track or rail extending in a direction lying substantially in a plane which is parallel to, or identical with, that in which the said closure element extends when in the said desired operative position, and hinging means 43 for connecting the closure element to the carriage. The hinging means comprising a rigid member having two rotatable mountings 431, 44 whose rotational axes lie in the same general direction, one of the mountings being provided on the carriage, and the other between the hinging means and the closure element. <IMAGE>

Description

HINGE MECHANISM The present invention relates to hinge mechanisms and more specifically to hinge mechanisms for use, for example, in doors, windows and the like.

Traditional hinge mechanisms used with doors and windows comprise a first member for attaching to the door frame and a second member for attaching to the door, the two members being operable to rotate relative to one another about a fixed axis passing through both members. Typical hinge mechanisms for use in double-glazed windows and the like comprise a first member for attaching to the window frame and a second member for attaching to the window, the two members being operable to rotate relative to one another about one axis or an indefinite number of axes arranged along a line by way of a collapsible frame.

As an alternative to such hinge mechanisms, sliding mechanisms can be used. These typically comprise a rail secured to a frame and a carriage onto which a door or a window is secured which slides along the rail.

Such hinge or sliding mechanisms, however, have excessive sight lines, that is when viewed from the exterior of the building in which they are employed the height or width of the external and/or internal frame in the plane of the window is a significant proportion of the height or width of the window.

Furthermore, owing to the lack of manoeuvrability of the hinge mechanism, it is sometimes difficult, or even impossible or dangerous, to open windows incorporating such known mechanisms in such a way as to obtain adequate ventilation or access to the exterior of the building, or for cleaning of the outer pane of the window itself from the interior of the building. Moreover, moderately sized windows of about 2 to 4m2 are easily hindered in their manoeuvrability by the fact that their masses are in the region of 150kg, which can also give rise to substantial moments when the windows are fully opened.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a hinge mechanism for enabling a closure element to be moved selectively into or out of a desired operative position, which mechanism includes a carriage, movable in a direction lying substantially in a plane which is parallel to, or identical with, that in which the said closure element extends when in the said desired operative position, and hinging means for connecting the said closure element to the said carriage such that the said closure element is displaceable with respect thereto.

Preferably, the mechanism further includes rail means extending in the said direction, the carriage cooperating with the rail means so as to be movable therealong. The rail means may comprise a (desirably linear) rail or track.

The carriage may be a wheeled device, or, alternatively, if the rail means comprises a wheeled track, the carriage may be a cooperating member. The carriage may include a rigid elongate frame.

Preferably, the hinging means includes a rotatable mounting for a rotatable attachment about an axis of the closure element thereto.

The rotatable mounting may be provided on the hinging means, the hinging means terminating at an attachment for the closure element.

Preferably, the hinging means is rotatably mounted about an axis on the carriage and the respective axes of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage and the rotatable mounting included in the hinging means extend substantially in the same direction.

Advantageously, the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage is substantially parallel to the direction in which the carriage is movable. The axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage may be substantially horizontal. Alternatively, the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the carriage is movable. In either case, the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage may be substantially vertical.

When in use in the operative position, the rotatable mounting included in the hinging means for the rotatable mounting of the closure element may lie substantially and directly behind or in front of the direction in which the carriage is movable.

Desirably, the hinging means includes stop means to prevent the hinging means moving beyond 90" with respect to the direction in which the carriage is movable.

Preferably, two hinge mechanisms are provided for each closure element, the rotational axes of both mechanisms being in substantial alignment.

Preferably, the hinge mechanism is incorporated in a door or a window.

An embodiment of the invention provides a hinge mechanism for attachment between the two relatively displaceable parts in a closure system, for example a door and its frame, to enable the closure element part of the two parts in the closure system to be moved selectively into or out of a desired operative (closed) position, the mechanism including a carriage for displaceable mounting on one of the two parts in the closure system, a hinging arm rotatably mounted on the carriage and, at a location along the hinging arm spaced from its mounting with the carriage, attachment means for attachment to the other of the two parts in the closure system, the attachment means being adapted to enable the hinging arm to be rotatably mounted on the other of the two parts, the axes of rotation of both mountings being substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the displaceable direction of the carriage, the mechanism being adapted such that, when in use in a closure system, one part is rotatable about one and/or both of the axes to enable both its major sides selectively to face the other part.

Preferably, the carriage is movable along rail means and this may be provided with means selectively to hinder movement of the carriage therealong. The attachment means may be rotatable by more than 1800, preferably up to about 2700, and the hinging arm rotatably mounted on the carriage for rotation up to about 90".

Preferably, the hinging arm mounting on the carriage and/or the rotatable mounting of the attachment means is/are lockable in selected angular positions.

Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hinge mechanism of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a vertical section of a double-glazed window, mounted in its frame in a closed (desired operative) position, incorporating a hinge mechanism of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows the double-glazed window of Figure 2 in an open position; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the double-glazed window of Figures 2 and 3, both in the closed position (solid lines) and in the open position (broken lines); Figures 5A to 5D show schematic perspective views of the procedure for opening a window having a hinge mechanism shown in Figures 2 to 4; and Figures 6A and 6B show plan views of the hinge mechanism of Figures 2 to 4 in positions as represented schematically in Figures SA and 5B.

Figure 1 shows a hinge mechanisms of a first embodiment of the present invention including a carriage 4 which is movable along a track or rail positioned either above, below or to one side of the door or window to be hinged.

Preferably, the track is positioned above the door or window for stability. For improved stability, a further mechanism movable along a further track may be positioned opposite the first mechanism at the other side of the door or window. If the track is positioned on one or both sides of the door or window, the weight of the window may necessitate the use of counterbalances, gears, hydraulic mechanisms and the like to support or operate the carriage. Each carriage 4 comprises an elongate frame 41. The carriage shown in Figure 1 carries a pair of wheels 42 disposed respectively at its two ends, but may instead (not shown) have surfaces adapted to cooperate slidingly or rollingly with a correspondingly shaped or wheeled rail. The wheels 42 are desirably mounted to allow free rotation in the same direction. For curved rails, however, the wheels may be fixed for gently turning the carriage in a constant radius arc or may be steerable.

Intermediate the two ends of the frame 41 there is mounted a hinging arm 43 which has a first end 431 hinged with the frame 41 for rotation in a plane containing a line along which the wheels 42 roll and a second end 432 which is adapted to provide a rotatable mounting with the door or window. If desired, the frame 41 of the carriage 4 may be adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis, enabling the hinging arm 43, in effect, to be rotationally mounted thereto. The hinging arm 43 is an L-shaped member whose second end 432 terminates in a cylindrical enlargement 44.

The cylindrical enlargement 44 is shaped to engage with a receiving mounting on the door or window, which mounting can be either moulded or secured to the door or the window. The second end 432 may alternatively terminate in a selfcontained rotatable mounting. Preferably, the rotatable mountings at both ends of the hinging arm 43 have parallel rotational axes which are perpendicular to the rolling direction of the wheels. For low duty applications, the wheels 42 may be made from a plastics material such as nylon, the frame 41 and the L-shaped hanging arm 43 made from pressed steel and the enlargement 44 also made from plastics material or pressed steel. For heavy duty applications, the wheels 42 may include bearings to assist rolling and be made from any suitable material, for example, a plastics material, a composite or metal. Plastics material tyres on stainless steel wheels are preferred for heavy duty double glazing applications. For low duty applications, of sliding surfaces are provided instead of wheels, these may be made from a plastics material such as nylon. A lubricated bearing joint may be employed. Since the hinging arm 43 is subject to considerable loads, it may be made from a thick bar of steel or preferably from a forged steel component. There may be a need in some applications to provide a number of wheels for each carriage to distribute the load therealong. The wheels may be inclined from vertical when in use and may cooperate with an appropriately-inclined rail or track. It has been found to be desirable that the carriage is elongate in shape for heavy duty applications to enable the substantial bending moments from the weight or twisting of the window to be uniformly supported, or prevented from developing, by the spacing of the wheels or the contact points providing the opposite reaction or moment. For low duty applications the moments are smaller and mechanical equivalents to the spaced wheels may be employed. Where insufficient equivalents are employed in either case the window or door binds on the frame, especially when it twists or departs from vertical.

The hinging arm 43, of course, need not necessarily be shaped as shown but could take any form which still provides a hinge mounting at one end 431 (not necessarily on the body of the carriage) for mounting on the frame 41 of the carriage 4 and a rotatable mounting 44 at the other end 432.

Furthermore, the hinging member 43 need not necessarily rotate about a single hinging axis positioned adjacent the frame 41 of the carriage 4. The hinging of the arm 43 need not necessarily be between the two wheels 42 or surfaces 142 of the carriage but may be positioned along or away from the part of the carriage between the wheels or surfaces. It may be preferable in some circumstances to provide an arched member or a suitably shaped member 43 which fits around at least one of the wheels 42 to allow its other end 432 to abut the supporting rail. For heavy duty applications both the hinge on the frame and the rotatable mounting on the hinging arms 43 may include bearings. As an alternative to separate frame and hinging members, it may be desirable, especially for low duty applications, to provide an integrally moulded component having flexible regions acting as hinges. For example, a polymer of propylene may be employed for such a material for low duty applications replacing the hinge end 431. A fibre composite including glass, ceramic, carbon and/or aramid fibres alternately may be employed for heavy duty applications. As a further alternative, the hinging member alone could be replaced with a single flexible elongate member, for example, whose two ends are secured respectively to the frame 41 of the carriage 4 and the door or frame of the window.

If the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is to be used on one or both sides of a door or window with a vertical track, the frame should preferably be attached to a counterbalance mechanism or gearing to stop it from immediately dropping as soon as the door or window is displaced from its frame.

Additionally a similar mechanism may required to allow the hinging arm to be rotated in any desired vertical direction.

Referring to Figures 2 and 4, Figure 2 shows a vertical cross-section, itself partially sectioned, through a doubleglazed unit, incorporating a further hinging mechanism embodying the invention, and Figure 4 shows (in the alternative represented in solid lines) a perspective view of this section. A window 3 held in a supporting frame 6 is shown in the closed (desired operative) position. Wheels 42 of a carriage 4 are shown mounted in a track 7 comprising, in effect, an elongate box extending into the page. The wheels are mounted in groups of three and each include an annular channel 421 which runs along a ridge 71 on the closed track 7. The track 7 is oriented such that it has a longitudinal opening which is open towards the exterior and towards the frame 6 of the window 3. The carriage 4 is movable into the page, as viewed in Figure 2. The hinging arm 43 is shown with its rotatable mounting 44 being positioned nearer to one of the two sets of wheels than the other, the hinging arm 43 being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track 7. The angle between the arm 43 and the track 7 is, of course, dependent upon the arrangement of the rotatable mounting or enlargement 44 on the frame 6 and the track i. The track may be disposed exterior to the rotatable mounting 44, rather than interior to the mounting as shown. The frame 6 of the window 3 comprises an appropriately shaped channel 8 adapted to engage the rotatable mounting 44. In the embodiment shown, the frame 6 and the member 8 are formed integrally by extrusion, with seals 82 sealingly engaging the window 3 with the frame 6.

Figure 2 also shows an outer frame 9 which comprises a lower cill 90, an upper transom 91 and one side 93, internally shaped to give rebated fitting of the frame 6. Weather strips 94 are provided around the inside periphery of the frame 9, or around the outside of the frame 6, on the exterior and interior sides to provide weather proofing between fixed and movable parts. Preferably, in doubleglazing applications the extrusions are formed from aluminium or u-PVC. The joins between the respective adjacent sides of the extrusions may be mitred as is usual.

The sealing material 82 for securing the window 3 may be a silicon sealant and the weather strip 94 may comprise a resilient material such as rubberised plastics material or a fibrous sealing brush.

Figures 3 and 4 (Figure 4 in the alternative this time being represented by broken lines) show the double-glazed window of Figure 2 in an open state in which the hinging arm 43' has been rotated about its (vertical) hinging axis to allow the window 3' in its frame 6' to displace outwardly relative to the outer frame 9. In these Figures, the longitudinal axis of the hinging arm 43' lies approximately perpendicular to the axis of the track 7.

To enable heavy windows, for example, to close with ease, the rotatable mounting of the hinging arm 43 to the frame 41 may include means to bias the hinging arm to the operative (closed) position. This may be achieved by (referring to Figure 4) slightly inclining the rotation axis of the hinging arm 43 about the frame 41 away from the vertical, thereby using the weight of the supported window to bias the hinging arm 43. Alternatively, the mounting of the hinging arm to the frame 41 may be a self-closing hinge in which the hinging arm 43 moves slightly down its axis of rotation on closing, also using the weight of the supported window to bias the hinging arm 43. The rotatable mounting 44 between the hinging arm 43 and the frame 6 may be similarly biased, but biased to rotate the frame 6 to any desired orientation.

Figures SA to 5D show schematic external perspective views for explaining the procedure for opening a window having a hinge mechanism as shown in Figures 2 to 4, embodying the present invention. The window shown comprises an outer frame 9 and movable panes 3. In the closed (desired operative) position in Figure 5A, the carriages 4 for the panes 3 are located adjacent the left hand side of the frame 9. To open the window, force is applied in direction A towards the exterior of the panes. This results in an arrangement shown in Figure 4B, in which the panes 3 are displaced from the frame 9.

In applying force outwardly as shown by arrow A, the hinging arms 43 are caused to rotate as shown by arrow B and the carriage caused to move to the right as shown by arrow C. The spacing of the panes 3 from the frame 9 is related to the angular orientation of the hinging arm 43 about the carriage 4. Preferably, the arm 43 is rotatable through about 900 in order that it lies approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement of the carriage. Movement of the panes 3 to the right as shown by arrow D results in an arrangement shown in Figure 5C in which the panes 3 are displaced along the length of the track 7 in the frame 9.

The displacement need not necessarily be as far to the right hand side of the frame as shown. Rotation of the panes 3 in direction E results in an arrangement shown in Figure 5D in which the panes 3 are shown as having been swung through more than 90" so that the outer pane of glass now faces the interior of the building from where it may be cleaned. The panes 3 may be swung further in direction E so that the panes are parallel to the plane of the frame 9.

Desirably, at least one hinging arm, carriage 4 and/or mounting to the window panes 3 via their frame include locking means or means to engage these parts in selected orientations relative to one another. Preferably the hinging arm is adapted to lock or engage perpendicularly to the carriage as shown in Figure 5C.

Figures 6A and 6B show plan views of the hinge mechanism of Figures 2 to 4, as represented schematically in Figures 5A and 5B and including arrows A to E for reference.

In Figure 6A, the carriage 4 lies close to a vertical mullion 95 and mounted inside the closed track 7. The frame 6 and the panes 3 lie flush with adjacent fixed frames 61 and panes 31. Application of force in direction A, following release of locks and the like, causes the frame 6 and panes 3 to move outwardly, the carriage moving away from the vertical mullion 95 in direction C and the hinging arm rotating in direction B outwardly. In Figure 6B, the carriage is displaced to the right of the vertical mullion 95 and the frame 6' and panes 3' are disposed parallel to their position in Figure 6A. Preferably the hinge mechanism is lockable in this orientation for ventilation.

It should be appreciated that the hinge mechanism hereinbefore described may be used to pivot doors and other such closures. The opening of the closure need not necessarily be outwardly and the carriage may be mounted on the closure, such as a window, with the hinging arm rotatably mounted to the frame.

Claims

Claims:

1. A hinge mechanism for enabling a closure element to be moved selectively into or out of a desired operative position, which mechanism includes a carriage, movable in a direction lying substantially in a plane which is parallel to, or identical with, that in which the said closure element extends when in the said desired operative position, and hinging means for connecting the said closure element to the said carriage such that the said closure element is displaceable with respect thereto.

2. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanism further includes rail means extending in the said direction, the said carriage cooperating with the said rail means so as to be movable therealong.

3. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said rail means comprises a rail or track.

4. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the said rail or track is provided with an elongate channel for retaining the said carriage thereon.

5. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the said carriage is a wheeled device.

6. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rail means comprises a wheeled track and the carriage is a cooperating member.

7. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes a rigid elongate frame.

8. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinging means includes a rotatable mounting for a rotatable attachment about an axis of the closure element thereto.

9. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rotatable mounting is provided on the hinging means, the hinging means terminating at an attachment for the closure element.

10. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the hinging means is rotatably mounted about an axis on the carriage and the respective axes of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage and the rotatable mounting included in the hinging means extend substantially in the same direction.

11. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the or each rotatable mounting is operable to hinge through substantially 900.

12. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage is substantially parallel to the direction in which the carriage is movable.

13. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage is substantially horizontal.

14. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage is substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the carriage is movable.

15. A hinge mechanism as claimed in claim 10, 11, 12 or 14, wherein the axis of rotation of the hinging means about the carriage is substantially vertical.

16. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein, when in use in the operative position, the said rotatable mounting included in the hinging means for the rotatable mounting of the closure element lies substantially and directly behind or in front of the direction in which the carriage is movable.

17. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the carriage includes stop means to prevent the hinging means moving beyond 900 with respect to the direction in which the carriage is movable.

18. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two hinge mechanisms are provided for each closure element, the rotational axes of both mechanisms being in substantial alignment.

19. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge mechanism is incorporated in a door or a window.

20. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinging means is a rigid elongate member.

21. A hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinging means includes a flexible member.

22. A closure system incorporating a hinge mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim.

23. A closure system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the closure element part of the system is rotatably mounted on the hinging means.

24. A hinge mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 or Figures 2, 3, 4, 6A and 6B of the accompanying drawings.

25. A closure system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5A to 5D, 6A and 6B of the accompanying drawings.