GB2356667A

GB2356667A - Hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2356667A
Application number: GB0028420A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glen William Wallis
Original assignee: Mila Hardware Ltd
Current assignee: Mila Hardware Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-23
Filing date: 2000-11-22
Publication date: 2001-05-30
Also published as: GB0028420D0; GB9927558D0

Description

1 2356667 HINGE The present invention relates to a hinge and particularly

relates to an adjustable hinge.

Hinges generally comprise at least two components, one attached to a first, moveable surface (e.g a door) and the other attached to a second, fixed surface (e.g. a door frame). The two components are connected together and are rotatable relative to one another such that movement occurs between the lo two surfaces. In order for the hinge to function smoothly, it is important that the two components are precisely aligned with one another. This is not always straightforward to achieve, particularly if manufacturing tolerances for the components are significant.

The object of the invention is to provide a hinge in which the two components are adjustable relative to one another.

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge comprising a first component arranged for attachment to a first surface and a second component arranged for attachment to a second surface, the first and second components co-operating by means of an adjustable pivot.

The first component may comprise a male component having the pivot, the second component may comprise a female component, the male and female components being rotatable relative to one another about a common axis.

The position of the pivot on the male component of the hinge may be adjustable to alter the manner in which the male component co-operates with the female component. Adjustment may be carried out to improve the functioning of the hinge.

2 The longitudinal axis of the pivot may be tiltable with respect to the female component.

Alternatively, and preferably in addition, the longitudinal axis of the pivot may 5 be adjustable laterally with respect to the female component.

The pivot may comprise a shank region and a body region. Preferably, the pivot shank is elongated, substantially cylindrical in shape and physically connected to the body region.

Preferably there are at least two means for adjusting the pivot on the male component. Adjusting each means by the same amount brings about lateral movement of the pivot. Adjusting by a differing amount brings about tilting of the pivot.

Each adjustment means may comprise a screw. The screws may be received in threaded apertures within the pivot body region. Preferably there are at least two threaded apertures. Preferably, the screws are threaded along their entire length such that they may be screwed entirely through the apertures.

The screws may be screwed through the apertures of the pivot body region to different extents.

The screws are preferably restrained against longitudinal movement so that rotation of the screws causes movement of the pivot.

The male component may comprise an attachment base and a pivot body housing. The male component may be arranged for securement to the first surface by any means. The attachment base may have at least one screw hole. Preferably, the attachment base has three screw holes. The base of the pivot body housing may comprise attachment means. Preferably the attachment means are attachment feet which communicate with complimentary attachment receiving means present on the first surface.

3 The pivot body housing is suitably arranged to house the pivot body. The pivot body housing may comprise apertures extending therethrough. Preferably, the apertures are elongated slots. More preferably, the slots are positioned so as s to extend through to opposing side grooves on the inside of the pivot body housing. The adjustment means in the pivot may be accessible through the slots.

The pivot may be positioned at any point along the longitudinal axis of the lo hinge.

The position of the pivot may be adjustable along the length of the longitudinal axis of the hinge, for example by means of a screw threaded adjustment device.

The female component may comprise an attachment base and a pivot shank housing. The female component may be arranged for securement to the second surface by any means. The attachment base of the female component may have at least one screw hole. Preferably the attachment base has three screw holes. Preferably the attachment means are attachment feet which communicate with complimentary attachment receiving means present on the second surface.

The pivot shank housing is suitably arranged to house the pivot shank.

Preferably the pivot shank housing comprises a socket for receiving the pivot shank. Preferably, the socket is surrounded by an annular member. This serves to reduce friction between the male and female components during relative movement.

The invention includes a hinge in combination with a first and second surface as defined above.

4 The first and second surfaces may be moveable. The first and second surfaces may be stationary. Preferably, one of the surfaces is moveable and the other of the surfaces is stationary. The first surface may be a door or window. The second surface may be a surrounding frame.

The hinge may be manufactured out of any tough, resilient material. Preferably, the hinge is manufactured out of metal.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how an embodiment io of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinge shown aftached to a first and second surface, is Figure 2 is a perspective view of part of a male component of the hinge; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pivot; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pivot inserted into the part shown in Figure 2, to complete the male component of the hinge, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a female component of the hinge.

In Figure 1, a hinge 2 is shown in a closed configuration. The hinge comprises a male component 8 and a female component 30. The male component 8 is attached in use to a first aftachment surface 6 and the female component 30 is secured to a second aftachment surface 4. The female component 30 is moveable relative to the male component 8, being rotatable in the direction of the arrow A about an axis illustrated by the line X-X. In one arrangement, the attachment surface 6 is stationary (e.g a door frame) and the aftachment surface 4 is moveable (e.g a door). Actuation of the hinge in the direction of arrow A about axis X-X causes the hinge to move from the closed configuration as shown, to an open configuration (not shown). In another arrangement, the attachment surface 6 may be moveable and the attachment surface 4 may be stationary. In yet another arrangement, both attachment 5 surfaces 6 and 4 may be moveable.

Figure 2 illustrates part of the male component 8 of the hinge 2 comprising an attachment base 8a and a pivot body housing 8b. The upper surface of the pivot body housing 8b is substantially cylindrical and the two opposed side lo walls are substantially flat each with two apertures 16 extending therethrough. Looking into the opening of the pivot body housing 8b, there are opposing side grooves 14 with which apertures 16 communicate. The side grooves and each aperture 16 of one side wall are in direct alignment with the equivalent aperture 16 on the opposed facing side wall. The underside base of the pivot body housing 8b is substantially flat and has attachment feet 12 affixed thereto for attachment to the attachment surface 6. The attachment base 8a is substantially flat and has three countersunk screw holes 10 through which screws pass to secure the male component 8 to the attachment surface 6.

The pivot 20 shown in Figure 3 comprises a substantially elongated cylindrical pivot shank 20a extending from a pivot body 20b. The upper section of the pivot body 20b is substantially cylindrical and the two side walls and base are substantially flat. Extending through the pivot body 20b are two apertures 24. Passing through each apertures 24 is a screw which is threaded along its 2s entire length 22.

Figure 4 shows the pivot 20 fitted in position in the pivot body housing 8b, to complete the male component of the hinge. The pivot body 20b is inserted in the housing 8b and the pivot shank 20a extends out of the housing in a forwardly direction longitudinal to the attachment base 8a along the X-X axis. The ends of the screws 22 extending through the pivot body 20b are housed in the side grooves 14 and line up with, and can be accessed through, the apertures 16 of the pivot body housing 8b. However the screws 22 have a larger diameter than the holes 16. The screws are therefore captive within the housing so although they can rotate, they cannot move in the longitudinal direction. The screws 22 are adjustable with an Allen key or similar device (not shown) depending on the end fitting of the screws 22. It should be appreciated that because the screws 22 cannot move longitudinally, rotation of the screws 22 brings about adjustment of the position of the pivot body 20b inside the housing 8b causing a consequential spatial movement of the pivot shank 20a, in the direction of the Y-Y axis which is illustrated by the double lo headed arrow in Figure 4.

Adjusting the two screws 22 shown in Figure 4 to the same degree (Le equal movement along the Y-Y axis) results in the movement of the pivot 20 relative to the male component 8 in either direction (into and out of the page) along the Y-Y axis. In such an arrangement, there is no change in the direction of the XX axis of the pivot 20. In other words, although the whole axis moves, it keeps the same orientation. However, adjusting the two screws 22 to different degrees (i.e different movement along the Y-Y axis) results in a change in direction of the X-X axis. For example, if one of the two screws (e.g. the forwardmost screw) is maintained in a fixed position, and the other screw (the rearmost screw) is adjusted such that the rear end portion of the pivot body 20b moves along the Y-Y axis into the page, this will cause the pivot shank 20a to tilt along the Y-Y axis out of the page, thereby causing a change in the direction of the X-X axis. Adjustments in such a way may be made to alter the relative arrangement between the first 6 and the second 4 attachment surfaces.

In an alternative embodiment, the apertures 16 are elongated slots (not showr do, to adjust the position of the pivot -tt'v' V") vithin the pivot body housing 8b.

20 by Adjus. alter the relative arrangement betwe le component 30. Because the 7 apertures 22 are replaced by slots, the screws 16 are still accessible even if the pivot is moved longitudinally.

Figure 5 shows the female component 30 of the hinge 2 comprising an attachment base 30a and a pivot shank housing 30b. The upper surface of the pivot shank housing 30b is substantially cylindrical and the two opposed side walls are substantially flat. The underside base of the pivot shank housing 30b has attachment feet 12 attached thereto for attachment to the attachment surface 4. The attachment base 30a has three countersunk screw holes 10 lo through which screws pass to secure the female component 30 to the attachment surface 4.

The opening of the pivot shank housing 30b facing in the direction of the attachment base 30a comprises a circular socket 36 surrounded by an annular member 38. The diameter and length of the socket 36 is substantially similar to that of the pivot shank 20a such that the shank 20a may slide into, and be accommodated by, the socket 36. The annular member 38 acts to reduce friction between the pivot body housing 8b and the pivot shank housing 30b during relative rotational movement.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention enables a very considerable degree of hinge adjustment to be provided, to cope with various degrees of variation in manufacturing tolerances of doors, windows and surrounding frames.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

8 All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually 5 exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated io otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, is abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

9

Claims

1 A hinge comprising a first component arranged for attachment to a first surface and a second component arranged for attachment to a second surface, the first and second components co-operating by means of an adjustable pivot.

2. A hinge as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a male component having the pivot, the second component comprises a female component, the male and female components being rotatable relative to one another about a common axis.

3. A hinge as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the position of the pivot on the male component of the hinge is adjustable to alter the manner in which the male component co-operates with the female component.

4. A hinge as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the longitudinal axis of the pivot is tiltable with respect to the female component.

5. A hinge as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the longitudinal axis of the pivot is adjustable laterally with respect to the female component.

6. A hinge as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the adjustable pivot comprises a shank region and a body region.

7. A hinge as claimed in Claim 6, wherein there are at least two means for adjusting the pivot on the male component such that adjusting each means by the same amount brings about lateral movement of the pivot and adjusting by a differing amount brings about tilting of the pivot.

8. A hinge as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the pivot body region comprises at least two threaded apertures through which screws may be screwed to different extents.

9.A, hinge as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the screws are restrained against longitudinal movement so that rotation of the screws causes movement of the pivot.

10. A hinge as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein the male component comprises an attachment base and a pivot body housing, and the female component comprises an attachment base and a pivot shank housing.

11. A hinge as claimed in claim 10, wherein the male and female attachment bases each have at least one screw hole.

12. A hinge as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the pivot shank housing comprises a socket for receiving the pivot shank.

13. A hinge as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the socket is surrounded by an annular member to reduce friction between the male and female components during relative movement.

14. A hinge as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the pivot body housing comprises apertures extending therethrough to give access to adjustment means in the pivot.

15. A hinge as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the apertures are elongated slots.

16. A hinge as claimed in Claims 14 or 15, wherein the apertures are positioned so as to extend through to opposing side grooves on the inside of the pivot body housing.

17. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot is adjustable along the length of the longitudinal axis of the hinge.

18. A hinge, substantially as herein described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

19. Two attachment surfaces joined by a hinge as claimed in any preceding claim.