GB2333125A

GB2333125A - A ball joint hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2333125A
Application number: GB9900131A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Jackson
Original assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Current assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date: 1998-01-10
Filing date: 1999-01-06
Publication date: 1999-07-14
Also published as: GB9900131D0

Abstract

A ball joint hinge assembly comprising a hinge element 12 and a hinge block 13, the hinge block including a cavity 17 including an entrance section 18 connected to a rotation section with a hinge slot 19 running between them. The hinge element comprising a ball end 20 and a mounting element 21. The ball end has a cross-section which fits the entrance section to allow entry to the rotation, the mounting element passing along the slot. The ball end is then rotated out of alignment with the entrance section. The hinge assembly is generally operated with the elongate mounting element located within the entrance section which limits its arc of motion. The hinge slot may be fully plugged and the entrance section partially plugged in order to limit the degrees of pivot for the elongate mounting element. The hinge may be used for vehicle windows.

Description

A Hinge Assemblv The present invention relates to a hinge assembly and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a hinge assembly suitable for mounting a window panel within a motor vehicle.

It is known to provide releasable hinge assemblies within motor vehicles and particularly with regard to panels that may require replacement such as so called quarter lights. Such quarter lights are hinged at one end and have a latch type fastening means at the other such that the glass panel which constitutes the quarter light can be opened to a limited extent.

Traditional hinge arrangements including a hinge pin are both relatively expensive and inconvenient for assembly in that typically the hinge is an integrated unit and so the respective mounting and panel must be secured to the hinge rather than vice versa. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that only a limited arc pivotal movement for the hinge is required.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge assembly which is both relatively easy to assemble in that the respective parts of the hinge assembly are detachable whilst providing a limited range of pivotal arc for the hinge in use.

In accordance to the present invention there is provided a hinge assembly comprising a hinge block and a hinge element respectively detachable, the hinge block including a shaped cavity comprising an entrance section, a rotation section and a hinge slot extending from the entrance section to the rotation section, the entrance section having an indented cross-section, the hinge element having a ball end with indentations to correspond substantially with the indented cross-section of the entrance section of the entrance section and with an elongate mounting means extending from the ball end such that the entrance section and the ball end indentations can be substantially aligned to allow the ball end to enter the rotation section within the hinge block with the mounting means passing along the hinge slot and the hinge element being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the mounting means to a position where the ball end indentations and the entrance indentations are not aligned so preventing detachment of the hinge element from the hinge block but allowing pivotal movement of that mounting means within both the entrance section and the hinge slot, the hinge block and hinge element being detachable by similar rotation about the longitudinal axis of the mounting means within the hinge slot until the indentations of the entrance section and of the ball end are in substantial alignment and the mounting means moved along the hinge slot.

Preferably, the indented cross-section of the entrance section and so the ball end of the hinge element are in the form of a cross or a star or a triangle or a rectangle or symmetrical or asymmetrical shape. Preferably, the surface of the ball end and/or the rotation section of the shaped cavity have an appropriate surface to facilitate pivot rotation with respect to each other.

Preferably, the entrance section or the hinge slot may be permanently or temporarily either fully or partially with regard to certain indentations, is sealed or blocked with an appropriate compound or element.

Preferably, the indentations in the ball end of the hinge element are made by cutting out sections from that end and these cut-out sections are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate mounting means.

Preferably, in use, the ball end of the hinge element is rotated through 90" to prevent removal of the hinge element from the hinge block.

Preferably, the hinge element includes securing means to allow easy assembly with a hinged component or mounting post.

Preferably, the hinge block includes securing means to allow easy assembly with a hinged component or mounting post.

Preferably, the hinge slot extends from an indentation of the entrance section of the shaped cavity to a position substantially central to the rotation section of the shaped cavity.

Preferably, the hinge block is formed from appropriately shaped or moulded halves secured together with the shaped cavity formed by these respective halves when secured together.

Preferably, the hinge element has the ball end of the elongate mounting means secured together with a screw thread, adhesive or interference fit or any other appropriate means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with regard to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle incorporating a hinge assembly with respect to a window panel; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hinge block and a hinge element in a detached configuration, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hinge element with the hinge element held within the hinge block, Figure 4 is a plan view of a hinge element and the hinge block just after insertion of the hinge element into the block, Figure 5 is a plan view of the hinge assembly depicted in Figure 4 with the hinge element rotated through 900, Figure 6 is a plan view of an operative state for the hinge assembly where the hinge element mounting component is located within the entry section of the hinge block, Figure 7 is a cross-section of a hinge block, Figure 8 illustrates a triangle configuration for the entrance section, Figure 9 illustrates a star configuration for the entrance section Figure 10 illustrates an asymmetric cross configuration of the entrance section, Figure 11 illustrates a waisted configuration of the entrance section, and Figure 12 illustrates a ball end which is substantially similar only to salient indentations of the entrance section Referring to Figure 1 in which a motor vehicle 10 is illustrated in side view.

The vehicle 10 includes several panels in its body construction and within these panels a hinged window 11 is located. This hinged window 11, sometimes referred to as a quarter light is mounted within the vehicle 10 upon a panel 6. The window 11 is mounted with hinge assemblies comprising a hinge element 12 located within a hinge block 13. As indicated above generally in order to facilitate assembly and repair the hinge assemblies constituted by element 12 and block 13 are detachable.

Generally, at least two hinge assemblies are used.

Figure 2 illustrates in accordance with the present invention one embodiment of a hinge block 13 and a hinge element 12. The hinge block 13 comprises moulded or shaped block halves 14, 15 secured together in an appropriate manner. As depicted, the block halves 14, 15 may be moulded from a plastics material with a hinge 16 and appropriate fastening means (not shown) in order to form the hinge block 13. The hinge block 13 includes a shaped cavity 17. The shaped cavity 17 includes an entrance or entry section 18 including indentations and a hinge slot 19 which both extend to a rotation section (not shown).

The hinge element 12 comprises a ball end 20 and an elongate mounting element 21. The ball element 20 and mounting element 21 may be secured together using a screw thread, adhesive or any other appropriate means. The ball end 20 includes indentations 22 which substantially correspond with the indentations 18 in the entrance or entry section of the shaped cavity 17. The elongate mounting element 21 is arranges to allow passage along the hinge slot 19.

In order to form the hinge assembly, the indentations of the ball end 20 are brought into substantial alignment with the indentations of the entry section 18 of the shaped cavity 17 in the hinge block 13. The elongate mounting element 21 is aligned with the hinge slot 19 and so the hinge element 12 moved along the entry section 18 of the shaped cavity into the rotation section within the hinge block 13.

With the ball end 20 within the rotation section of the hinge block 13 the hinge element is rotated about its longitudinal axis. For illustrated purposes, the axis X-X is depicted as the longitudinal axis of the hinge element 20 in Figure 2.

By such rotation about the longitudinal axis of the hinge element 12 the indentations 22 of that element 12 and the indentations of the entry section 18 of the hinge block are no longer in alignment and so the hinge element 12 is captured within the hinge block 13. Only by return rotation into alignment can the hinge element 12 be removed from the hinge block 13. Typically, to ensure good capture the hinge element will be rotated through an angle of 900 about its longitudinal axis.

Normally in operation the longitudinal element 21 will be rotated through an arc within the hinge slot 19 in order to be positioned within the entry section 18 of the shaped cavity 17 of the hinge block 13. Thus, the longitudinal element 21 of the hinge element 12 will be limited to pivoting within the indentations of the entry section 18. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2 the entry section 18 generally describes a cross and so the longitudinal element 21 is limited to pivoting into each respective indentation of the cross and to the extent of such indentations.

It will be appreciated that alternative entry section 18 cross-sections could be used including a triangle, a rectangle, or a star. In fact almost any symmetrical or asymmetrical cross-section could be used provided there is sufficient entry section 18 versus ball end 20 shoulder abutment to provide capture after rotation of the element 12 through its longitudinal axis. Such abutment is determined by the area, both ends, of the ball end left after cut-out of the entry section configuration.

It will be understood that providing sharp definition between the indentations of the entry section 12 allows greater restriction in the allowed pivot movements of the longitudinal element 21. For example, in the depicted cross configuration of Figure 2 the elements 21 is limited to the four points of the cross and lateral slip from the planar pivotal rotation is inhibited by the shoulders of the cross whilst if a triangular cross-section was provided for the entry section 18 of the hinge block 13 slippage from the desired three points of pivotal arc is more probable but such slippage may be used as a progressive feature with regard to location of the hinge in use allowing a more progressive nesting of the hinge.

Figure 3 illustrates movement of the elongate element 21 within the entry section 18 of the hinge block 13. The elongate element 21 shows a central location whilst elongate element 21b shows a pivoted position. It will be understood that in the central position depicted by element 21a that in such a position the element 21a is allowed to "float" within the entry section 18 whilst in the pivoted position depicted by element 21b that further pivotal movement is constrained by the indentation 23 both in an arcuate direction and laterally from the plane of pivoted arc. Such limitation of further pivotal movement of the elongate element 21 will inherently have benefits when more controlled location of hinged components is important. Further as depicted in Figure 1 typically the hinge block 13 will be secured to a relatively stationary hinge post or panel 6 whilst the hinge element will be secured to the more mobile panel i.e. window 11. However, those skilled in the art will understand that a vice versa construction could also be achieved.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate various important configural relationships between the hinge block 13 and the hinge element 12 particularly with regard to the ball end 20.

In Figure 4 the indentation of the ball end 20 and the hinge block 13 are in alignment. Thus, the hinge element 12 can traverse the entry section 18 of the hinge block 13 with the elongate element 21 carried along the hinge slot 19. The ball end 20 enters the rotation section of the shaped cavity 17 (Figure 2) of the hinge block and is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the elongate element 21 of the hinge element 12 to adopt a configuration as depicted in Figure 5. In Figure 5 it will be appreciated that the hinge element has been rotated through an angle of 900 such that cut-out indentations of the ball end 20 are no longer in alignment with the indentations of the entry section 18 and so withdrawal of the hinge element 12 from the hinge block 13 is no longer possible. However, the elongate element 21 can rotate through an arc about the centre of the ball end 20 to a position within the entry section 18 of the shaped cavity 17, this configuration is depicted in Figure 6.

In Figure 6 it can be appreciated that the elongate element 21 is located within the entry section 18 of the hinge block 13. Thus, this element 21 can pivot in the directions illustrated by arrows, A, B, C, D. Furthermore, the range of pivotal arc is defined by the depth of the indentations in the entry section 18 of course it will be appreciated that a plug element 25 has been included in the embodiment depicted in Figure 6 in order to plug the hinge slot 19 and so limit the range of pivotal arc in direction B. Typically, this plug 25 will be readily removable in order to allow the elongate element 21 to return to its installation position and with subsequent return rotation allow withdrawal of the indented ball end 20 by alignment with the entry section of the hinge block 13.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the elongate element 21 is provided as a mounting means to which a hinged component can be secured.

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the hinge block 13, it will be noted that the entry section 18 generally leads to a spherical rotation section 24. Thus, a ball end 20 of the hinge element 12 can enter this rotation section 24 but by rotation in the plane of the entry section 18 indentations or variation in the shape of the entry section 18 come into mis-alignment and so interfere with removal of the ball end 20 from the rotation section 24 but allowing rotation of the hinge element 12 about the centre of the ball end 20 into a position within the entry section 17 where no form of rotation will allow re-alignment of the ball end 20 with the entry section indentations or shape. Those skilled in the art will thus appreciate that a wide range of symmetrical and asymmetrical cross-sections for the entry section can be utilised provided a similar cross-section is provided in the direction of the perpendicular axis to the elongate element 21 of the hinge element 12. Such configuration of the ball end 20 ensures that sufficient rotational performance is retained within the ball end 20 whilst only when the cross-section of the ball end 20 and the entry section 17 are aligned will allow withdrawal of the hinge element 12 from the hinge block 13. The most important factor is ensuring that there is adequate surface contact between the ball end 20 and the rotation section 24 after formation of the hinge assembly to ensure robust capture and retention of the hinge element 12 within the hinge block 13. That surface contact is determined by the area, both ends, of the ball end 20 cross-section aligned with the entrance section 18.

It will be appreciated that in order to facilitate rotation within the hinge assembly comprising hinge element 12 and hinge block 13 that adequate lubrication should be provided. This can be achieved either by appropriate choice of materials used to form the respective hinge block and hinge element 12 or by coating with an appropriate material. Furthermore, as depicted in Figure 6 the plugging element 25 may be utilised to allow access for lubrication of the hinge assembly in addition to providing limitation of the elongate element 21. This plug element 25 should be really removable to allow withdrawal and detachment of the respective hinge block 13 and hinge element 12.

Figures 8 through to 11 illustrate alternatives for entry section 17 and so entry cross-sections. In Figure 8 a triangle configuration is depicted with the elongate element 21 allowed to rove within the confines of the triangular crosssection and entry section 18 of the hinge block. In Figure 9 a star configuration for the entry section is illustrated and clearly the elongate element 21 is more definitively confined within the points of each star. In Figure 10 an asymmetric cross is illustrated and again the elongate element 21 is allowed to rove within the cross section of the asymmetric cross entrance section of the hinge block. In Figure 11 the elongate element can wander within the cross-section defined by a wasted entry section depicted. It will be appreciated by those skilled in art that the indentations created by the cross or star configuration with their more certain location for the elongate mounting element 21 make these configurations generally preferred.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that for entry of the ball end 20 into the rotation section through the entrance section 17 of the hinge block 13 it is only necessary for alignment with a certain key indentations of the entrance section of the hinge block 12 whilst adequate clearance with regard to the rest of the entrance section shape and to indentations is achieved by the rest of the ball end 20. Thus, a triangular cross-section and ball 20 may enter a five point star entrance section 17 by alignment with three points of the star and clearance with regard to the other two points as depicted in Figure 12. However, it will be appreciated with such a configuration there will be reduced abutment between the hinge element 12 and the hinge block 13 upon forming the hinge assembly with the consequent reduction in probable hinge strength.

It will be appreciated that by having a crossed or asymmetric entry section 17 cross-section it may be possible to provide variation in the pivotal arc of the elongate mounting element 21 by providing indentations of variable depth. First, by rotating the hinge block appropriately within the mounting panel 6 the desired indentation will be engaged by the elongate mounting element 21 upon installation with the desired pivotal arc. Although a rotation of 90" is defined with regard to pivotal movement, it will be appreciated a wider angular range is possible. Thus, provided adequate retention is maintained, a pivotal angular range of up to 1800 is possible. By appropriate choice of such pivot range it will be understood by those skilled in the art that two or more entrance sections could be provided for the assembly and such entrance sections would act similarly to that described above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A hinge assembly comprising a hinge block and a hinge element respectively detachable, the hinge block including a shaped cavity comprising an entrance section, a rotation section and a hinge slot extending from the entry section to the rotation section, the entrance section having an indented or shaped cross-section, and the hinge element having a ball end with indentations or a cross-section to correspond substantially with the indented or shaped cross-section of the entrance section of the hinge block and with elongate mounting means extending from the ball end such that the entrance section and the ball end indentations can be substantially aligned to allow the ball end to enter the rotation section within the hinge block with the mounting means passing along the hinge slot and the hinge element being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the elongate mounting means to a position where the ball end indentations and the entrance section are not aligned so preventing detachment of the hinge element from the hinge block but allowing pivotal movement of that mounting means within both the entrance section and the hinge slot, the hinge block and the hinge element being detachable by similar rotation about the longitudinal axis of the mounting means within the hinge slot until the indentations of the entrance section and of the ball end are in substantial alignment and the mounting means moved along the hinge slot to remove the ball end from the rotation section through the entrance section of the hinge block.
2. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the entrance section and the ball section in a plane perpendicular to the elongate mounting element has a cross-section which is a cross or a star or a triangle or a rectangle or a symmetrical or asymmetrical shape.
3. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the surface or the material from which the ball end and/or the rotation section of the hinge block have an appropriate co-efficient of friction to facilitate pivot rotation with respect to each other.
4. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the entrance section or hinge slot may be permanently or temporarily either fully or partially sealed or blocked with an appropriate element or compound to limit movement of the elongate element of the hinge element.
5. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the indentations in the ball end of the hinge element are made by cutting out sections from that end and these cut-out sections are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate mounting means.
6. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the ball end of the hinge end of the ball element is 900 out of alignment with the entrance section to prevent removal of the hinge element from the hinge block.
7. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hinge element and the hinge block include securing means to allow easy assembly with a component to be hinged.
8. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hinge slot extends from an indentation of the entrance section of the shaped cavity.
9. A hinge assembly wherein the block is formed from two respective halves, each half moulded with a respective proportion of the shaped cavity formed therein such that when these halves are secured together the hinge block and shaped cavity are constituted.
10. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hinge element is formed from a discrete ball end component secured to a discrete elongate mounting element using a screw thread, adhesive or any other appropriate means.
11. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the end ball of the hinge element is aligned with only certain key indentations of the entrance section of the hinge block to allow entry to the rotation section whilst having adequate clearance with regard to the rest of the entrance section shape and/or indentations.
12. - A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the entrance section comprises several indentations of variable depth to allow different pivotal arc ranges for the elongate mounting element in use.
13. A hinge assembly in accordance with any of the embodiments described above with regard to a respective drawings.