GB2360065A

GB2360065A - Adjustable hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2360065A
Application number: GB0105696A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Michael Dean; Andrew John Lane; John David Yair
Original assignee: TONOR ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: TONOR ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 2000-03-09
Filing date: 2001-03-08
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Also published as: GB2360064A; GB0005529D0; GB0105695D0; GB0105696D0

Abstract

A hinge assembly for use at a door (11) and associated frame comprises a first part (10) for attachment to the door, a second part (12) to which the first part is pivotally connected by a pivot hinge pin (13), and a plate-like third part (14) for attachment to the frame. The second part carries a captive adjustment screw (33) which passes trough and engages in an internally threaded bore (46) in a lug (45) of the third part, which is disposed at the rear of an opening in the second part. The width of the plate-like third part is less than the width of said opening in which it is disposed, so that rotation of the adjustment screw (33) can move the second part, and thus the first part connected thereto, laterally relatively to the third part fixed to the frame, thereby to adjust the door relative to its frame.

Description

2360065 BE1qGE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to hinge assemblies,

particularly for hinging a movable wing, such as a door, to its frame.

Hinge assemblies are known in which the two main parts thereof, for example connected in use to a door and its frame respectively, are ifflatively adjustable by means of an adjustment member which engages a hinge pin of the assembly which itself connects together the two parts. Operation of the adjustment member causes movement of the hinge pin, and thus one of the parts, relative to the other of the parts, thereby to provide correct alignment of the door within its frame.

In one known such hinge assembly, there are respective adjustment members at the top and bottom of the hinge pin, and by unequal adjustment thereof, it is possible to misalign the hinge such that it binds. Also the adjustment moves one of the hinge parts away from or towards the other part, and where a door is mounted to its frame with three such assemblies, different such movements at the three assemblies can give the appearance of the hinges being out of line.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved hinge assembly.

According to the invention a hinge assembly comprises a first part for connection, in use, to one of a movable wing and a frame relative to which the wing is movable, a second part pivotally connected to the first part, in use, by connecting means, a third part for connection, in use, to the other of said wing and the frame relative to which the wing is movable, and adjustment means for enabling adjustment, in use, of the first and second parts together relative to the third part.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic, exploded perspective view of some components of a hinge assembly of the invention, Figure 2 is a central, longitudinal part cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly in assembled form, Figure 3 is a part cross-sectional view on line A-A of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a schematic, partly cut-away perspective view of part of the hinge assembly of Figure 1 in assembled form.

With regard to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, the hinge assembly comprises three main component parts and is primarily intended to be used with a movable wing and its associated frame, for example a door and doorframe.

The hinge assembly shown comprises a first part 10, intended to be fitted to a door 11, a second part 12 pivotally connected to the first part 10 by a pivot or hinge pin 13, and a third part 14 which is intended to be mounted to the doorframe (not shown), the second and third parts being connected together, in use, as will be described, in a manner which allows for the first and second parts of the hinge assembly to be moved together as a unit relative to said third part 14 of the hinge assembly whilst the door is hingedly attached to its frame, this lateral adjustment movement allowing correct alignment of the door within its frame.

The first part 10 comprises a base plate 15 which is of generally rectangular form. In the base plate are four countersunk circular apertures 16 for reception of appropriate screws to secure this first part 10 to an edge of the door. Extending normally from one side edge of the base plate 15 is a cranked body portion 17 which terminates in a generally cylindrical portion 18 through the length of which extends centrally a circular section bore 19. The body portion 17 is located generally midway along the length of the base plate 15 so that there are two of the apertures 16 at each of the respective opposite sides of the body portion 17. As shown in Figure 2, respective plastics bushes 20,21 are received in opposite ends of the bore 19. Finally with regard to the first part 10, a grub screw 22 is received in a corresponding threaded bore 23 in one side of the portion 18 so that the grub screw can engage with the hinge pin 13 as will be described.

The second part 12 of the hinge assembly has a rearwardly open generally rectangular base portion 24 at opposite ends of which are forwardly projecting hollow arm portions 25,26 respectively. Extending through an inner end wall 27 of each arm portion is a circular section passage 27a to receive as a relatively close pivotal fit, the hinge pin 13, with, as will be described, the portion 18 fitting between said arm portions with the hinge pin extending through the bore 19 and the bushes 20,21 so as pivotally to connect the first and second parts together by means of this hinge pin which itself is non-adjustable laterally, in contrast to the arrangement with the prior art hinge assemblies referred to. As can be seen best from Figure 2, suitable openings 28 are provided through the second part 12 to provide access for fixing screws to secure the third part 14 to the doorframe. Respective plastics material caps 29,30 snap fit with the arm portions 25,26 to close the interior thereof, as shown in Figure 2, and conceal from view adjustment means for adjusting the hinge pin 13 towards or away from the doorframe.

Such adjustment means form the subject of our co-pending UK Patent Application No. (Our Ref: 70105M).

The rearwardly directed opening of the base portion 24 is defined between opposite, parallel longitudinal side walls 31,32, and rotatably mounted at said walls, and extending therebetween is a headed adjustment screw 33. As shown best in Figure 3, the screw 33 has an unthreaded shoulder part 34 adjacent the head, the part being received in a circular aperture 35 through side wall 3 1. The free, unthreaded end of the screw extends out of a circular aperture 36 through side wall 32, and carries a fastener, such as a circlip 37, to retain the screw against inwards axial movement. The head can, if necessary, be partly received in a stepped aperture, and can have any suitable form of slot for engagement by a tool to adjust the hinge assembly, e.g. a normal screwdriver slot 38, or a posi-drive slot. Plastics and/or steel washers can be provided within the apertures in the walls 31,32, and the end of the screw 33 remote from the head could instead be riveted over, if required, to retain the adjustment member in place. As shown in Figure 2, the adjustment member is mounted centrally of the base portion between the arm portions.

The third part 14 of the hinge assembly is preferably a die-cast generally rectangular plate-like component which, in use, is fitted to the doorframe and is received in the rear opening of the base portion 24 of the second part 12. From Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that adjacent the upper and lower ends of the part 14 are countersunk screw holes 39 for fixing screws to secure the plate-like part 14 to the doorframe. Fixing pegs 40 can also be provided at the rear of the part 14. Opposite ends of the third part have respective outwardly directed projecting parts 41,42 disposed out of the main plane of the plate-like component. These projecting parts engage under respective rectangular end lips or end portions 43,44 of the second part, these portions 43,44 being in the main plane of the plate-like component when they engage the parts 41,42 to retain the third part to the second part at the outermost part of the opening of the base portion 24, as shown in Figure 2. In this position the openings 28 are aligned with the screw holes 39 to allow fixing screws to be inserted through the openings 28 and into the screw holes 39 to secure the third part to the doorframe, with the second part secured thereto by way of the interengagement of the portions 43,44 with parts 41, 42.

It is important to note that whilst the length of the third part 14 is not particularly critical, it merely being necessary that it is shorter than the interior of the base portion 24 and can be connected by its connecting parts 41,42, its width is important in that it is this which allows the adjustment of the hinge assembly. In this regard the width must be less than the internal width of the rearwardly open base portion 24 by the amount of lateral adjustment movement required in the hinge assembly.

To effect this relative lateral movement, the front surface of the part 14, i.e. its surface opposite to that from which the pegs 40 extend is formed with a relatively large upstanding integral lug 45 which extends across the whole width of the third part 14 at a position midway between its ends. The lug has a part-cylindrical front surface, with tapering straight sides joining this surface to the main flat front surface of part 14. Extending generally centrally through the lug 45 is an internally threaded bore 46, the thread of which is complementary to the thread of screw 33. As shown best in Figures 3 and 4, the threaded part of the screw is engagedly received in said bore 46 to allow lateral adjustment movement of the part 14 relative to the captive screw held between walls 31,32.

The hinge pin 13 has, centrally along its length a cylindrical groove 47 for engagement by the grub screw 22, as will be described, so as to prevent unauthorised removal of the door. The upper and lower ends of the hinge pin are concealed from view by said respective moulded caps 29,30 fitted over the arm portions and thus concealing the respective outwardly open ends of the passages 27a.

In use, the hinge assembly is provided with the second and third parts already connected together, as described, so that this assembly of the second and third parts can be securely mounted to the doorframe using fixing screws in a conventional manner, such screws passing through the openings 28 and then the holes 39 into the doorframe. Similarly the first part 10 is also securely mounted to the door using fixing screws passing through the apertures 16. Generally at least two, and possibly three, such hinge assemblies would be used to mount the door to the frame. The door is then introduced to said frame, such that for each hinge assembly the body portion 17 is interposed between the arm portions 25,26. With the bore through the portion 18 aligned with the respective passages 27a through the arm portions 25,26, the hinge pin 13 is passed down through the passage 27a in the arm 25, the bore 19, and then the other passage 27a so that the door is then pivotally connected to the frame to pivot about said pin 13. The grub screw 22 is then tightened so that it engages in the groove 47 to secure the hinge pin in place, and the securement of the first part 10 to the door is such that this grub screw is located on the inside of the opening to be closed by the door, (as shown in Figure 3), in order to prevent unauthorised removal of the hinge pin. As the grub screw is only accessible from said one side of the opening, it prevents unauthorised removal of the door by a person on the other side. This has particular application to outside doors and prevents removal of die door from outside the building.

On fitting the door to the doorframe, some relative adjustment between the assembly of the first and second parts relative to the third part may be necessary, although it will be appreciated that, in the described embodiment, the fitting of the hinge pin will not require, and is not capable of, any adjustment. The relative positions of the interconnected first and second parts to the third part, and hence the relative position of the door in the frame, can be adjusted by turning the adjustment screw 33. Since the screw is captive, rotation of the screw 33, by means of a screwdriver blade inserted into slot 38, in a selected direction causes lateral movement of the second part, and thus also of the first part, relative to (i.e. across) the third part 13 which is fixed to the doorframe, by virtue of the screw thread of screw 33 being engaged with the internal thread of bore 46. If required, appropriate -8 marking can be provided adjacent the head of screw 33 so that the same degree of adjustment can be made to each of the hinge assemblies connecting the door to the frame. It will be appreciated that the screw head of each assembly is hidden when the door is closed, as shown in Figure 3.

The adjustment member would normally be mounted in the second part and engaged with the lug 45 so as effectively to be locked in each adjusted position, so that adjustment will only take place by means of specific positive adjustment of the member 33 by virtue of said screwdriver blade or other tool. Since only a single adjustment member is provided at each hinge assembly, adjustment is relatively quick and straightforward and since the first and second parts together are adjusted relative to the fixed third part, which is concealed from view, all the hinge assemblies at the door will always appear in line. Since the hinge pin is no longer acted upon by the adjustment means, as in the prior art assemblies, there is no danger of the pin becoming misaligned and binding.

i i The lug 45 or equivalent can be formed integrally or non-integrally with the third part 14, and could, for example, be formed by displacement of material outwardly from the plane of the plate-like member. It will be appreciated that the shapelform of the lug 45 or equivalent can be varied as required, as can the corresponding shapelform of the adjustment member which engages therewith. It will also be appreciated that in an alternative arrangement, it may be possible to mount the adjustment member at the third part 14 for engagement with an appropriate part of the second part 11, or even possibly an appropriate portion of the first part 10, given that in such cases there could still be lateral adjustment movement of the first and second parts together relative to the third part of the hinge assembly without any relative adjustment movement of the hinge pin, in contrast to the prior art arrangements mentioned. It will also be appreciated that, if desirable, more than one adjustment member and corresponding projection could be provided at each hinge assembly.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly comprising a first part for connection, in use, to one of a movable wing and a frame relative to which the wing is movable, a second part pivotally connected to the first part, in use, by connecting means, a third part for connection, in use, to the other of said wing and the frame relative to which the wing is movable, and adjustment means for enabling adjustment, in use, of the first and second parts together relative to the third part.

2. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the adjustment means comprises a rotatable threaded element.

A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said rotatable threaded element is captive with one of the connected first and second parts and the third part, and engaged in a threaded bore of the other of said connected first and second parts and the third part.

4. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the rotatable threaded element is mounted at the second part so as to be captive therewith and engaged in a threaded bore of the third part.

5. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said threaded bore is formed in a projecting portion of the third part.

6. A hinge assembly as claimed in Class 5, wherein the third part is of generally planar plate-like form, disposed with lateral clearance within an open side of said second part defined between opposite longitudinal walls thereof at which said rotatable threaded element is mounted.

7. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the third part and said open side are both rectangular in plan.

8. A hinge assembly as claimed in either of Claims 6 and 7, wherein the third part is retained at said open side of the second part by respective end projecting parts thereof engaging against respective end portions of said second part disposed relatively outwardly of said end projecting parts.

9. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said end projecting parts are disposed parallel to but out of the general plane of said third part.

10. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 9, wherein said projecting portion is on an inner side of said plate-like third part and at least one fixing peg is on a rear side thereof.

11. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 10, wherein through said plate-like third part extends at least one hole for a fixing screw to secure the third part to said wing or said frame, in use.

12. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the second part has one or more holes therethrough respectively aligned with said at least one hole in the third part to allow passage of one or more fixing screws therethrough, with said second and third parts secured together, to fix said third part to said wing or said frame, in use.

13. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the connecting means is a hinge pin having therein along its length, a groove into which a grub screw carried by said first part extends, to prevent disengagement of said hinge pin from said second part by axial force on said hinge pin.

14. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 13, wherein with said first part secured to said wing, said grub screw is located on the inside of the opening closed by said wing, in use.

15. A hinge assembly substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.