GB2365917A

GB2365917A - An egress hinge for a vent

Info

Publication number: GB2365917A
Application number: GB0019750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive Brain
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-10
Filing date: 2000-08-10
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-08-10
Also published as: GB2365917B; GB0019750D0

Abstract

A hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position, an intermediate position and a fully open position comprises, a slider 3 mounted in a support track 1, a vent arm 7, a control link 15 joining the slider 3 to the vent arm 7, and a restricting link 27, wherein the restricting link 27 acts between the vent arm 7 and the control link 15 to restrict the opening of the vent arm 7 to an intermediate position. The control link 15 comprises a slot 101 that is engaged by a retaining stud 105 located on the retaining link 27. The slot has a widened portion 103 that allows the retaining stud 105 to be disengaged from the slot 101. At one end of the slot is an opening controlled by a spring gate 107. In use the retaining stud 105 is engaged in the slot 101, restricting the opening of the vent to an intermediate position. To open fully the vent arm 7 is moved to a position such that retaining stud 105 is disengaged via the widening 103 in the slot 101, allowing the vent arm 7 to be fully opened. On closing, stops 119 and 117 on the vent arm 7 force the retaining stud 105 to align with and engage the slot 101 via the spring gate 107. Alternatively the slot 101 may be located in the restricting link (27 fig 5) and the retaining stud (207 fig 5) on the control link. In a further embodiment the retaining stud 105 is spring biased such that on closing the vent it is depressed and enters the support track 1.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A HINGE This invention relates to hinges, and in particular to an egress hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame, a partially open restricted position and a fully open position in which it extends substantially perpendicularly to the fixed frame.

Egress hinges for opening vents are well-known in the art. US-4364201 discloses an egress hinge comprising a vent arm supporting a vent. As the hinge is opened, the vent moves from a closed position within a fixed frame to a fully open position in which the vent extends substantially perpendicularly to the. fixed frame. Further, the vent, when in its fully open position, is held by the hinge at one edge of the fixed frame, thereby providing the largest possible unhindered opening for egress (i.e. when rapid exiting from a building or the like is necessary).

Although a hinge as disclosed in US-4364201 achieves its objective, it is very difficult to clean the outside surface of a vent, such as a window, mounted on the vent arm of the hinge. This is a particularly important consideration when access to the outside of the vent is impossible, such as in high rise buildings or the like.

US-4571776 discloses an improved egress hinge based on the hinge of US-4364201. The improvement disclosed in US-4571776 is that the vent arm, together with the links and struts of the hinge, can be released to slide along a support track when the hinge is open. By moving the vent arm in this way, a large access gap is provided between the vent and the fixed frame to allow cleaning of the outside of the vent. Although this arrangement is an improvement over the hinge of US-4364201, it can prove difficult to reset the hinge of US-4571776 into its normal position relative to the support track after the outside of the vent has been cleaned. The problems associated with resetting the hinge will be appreciated moreover when it is remembered that a vent is normally supported by

two egress hinges, both of which must be reset at the same time to allow the vent to be closed - GB-2262308 discloses an improved egress hinge, which further includes a simple facility to enable the vent arm and associated links to be relocated into their normal functional positions relative to the support track.

For safety reasons it is often desirable for an egress hinge to have a partially open restricted position between the closed position and the fully open position. When such an egress hinge is opened, the vent moves from a closed position within a fixed frame to a partially open restricted position. In order to open the egress hinge further, a safety mechanism has to be released and the egress hinge is opened to its fully open position in which the vent extends substantially perpendicularly to the fixed frame.

Such an egress hinge is disclosed in GB-2147047. The opening of the egress hinge is restricted to an intermediate partially open position by stop means attached to a base track and restricting the movement of a slider along the base track. The stop means is readily releasable in an emergency requiring escape through the vent. Once the stop means is released, the egress hinge opens to its fully open position in which the vent extends substantially perpendicularly to the fixed frame, allowing escape through the vent.

Another such egress hinge is disclosed in GB-2273526. The opening of the egress hinge is restricted to an intermediate partially open position by restricting means attached to one end of a base track and engaging means attached to a slider movable along the base track. When such an egress hinge is opened, the vent opens from a closed position within a fixed frame to an intermediate partially open restricted position, due to the engaging means of the slider engaging with the restricting means of the base track. The engagement between the engaging means of the slider and the restricting means of the base track can be released, so that the slider moves along the base track and the egress hinge opens to its

fully open position, in which the vent extends substantially perpendicularly to the fixed frame.

Yet another such egress hinge is disclosed in GB-2311324. The egress hinge is locked in its closed and fully open positions, as well as optional intermediate partially open positions, by at least two locking means attached to a base track and engaging means attached to a slider movable along the base track. In its closed position the engaging means of the slider engages a first locking means of the base track. In order to open the egress hinge, the engagement between the engaging means of the slider and the first locking means of the base track is released, so that the slider moves along the base track and the egress hinge opens to its next position, in which the engaging means of the slider engages a second locking means of the base track, and so on, It is a first aim of the present invention to provide a hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame, a partially open restricted position and a fully open position, wherein the hinge comprises: a slider mounted in a support track, a vent arm, a first end of the vent arm being associated with the support track, a control link joining the slider to the vent arm, and a restricting link, wherein the restricting link acts between the vent arm and the control link to restrict the opening of the vent arm to the partially open restricted position. Preferably the restricting link is pivotally attached to the vent arm.

Alternatively the restricting link is pivotally attached to the control link.

Preferably the restricting link engages the vent arm or control link via a retaining stud and slot arrangement.

Preferably the restricting link carries the retaining stud and the slot runs along the vent arm or control link. Alternatively the slot runs along the restricting link and the vent arm or control link carries the retaining stud.

Preferably the retaining stud is mushroom-headed. Preferably the slot has a widened portion to disengage the retaining stud from the slot.

Preferably the hinge comprises a stop mounted on the restricting link to restrict movement of the restricting link to ensure that the restricting link approaches the vent arm or control link at a suitable angle for re-entry of the retaining stud into the slot. Preferably the hinge comprises a stop mounted on the vent arm or control link to exert pressure on the restricting link to force the retaining stud into the slot.

Preferably, in a first embodiment of the present invention, the slot has an opening with a spring gate, the spring gate allowing for the re-entry of the disengaged retaining stud into the slot. Preferably the spring gate comprises a cover plate with a tab. Preferably the tab is defined by a C-shaped cut-out in the cover plate.

Preferably, in a second embodiment of the present invention, the slot has a second widened portion allowing for re-entry of the disengaged retaining stud into the slot. Preferably a ramp is provided to guide the retaining stud into the slot at the second widened portion. Preferably the retaining stud is biased into engagement with the slot. Preferably the retaining stud is biased into engagement with the slot by means of a spring. Preferably the spring is defined by a resilient plate attached to vent arm, restricting link or control link which carries the retaining stud, Preferably the spring allows the retaining stud to be moved to a stored position within the support track.

The hinge may further comprise a second slider. The hinge may comprise a plurality of links used to associate the first end of the vent arm with the support

track or the second slider in the support track. Preferably the plurality of links includes a reinforcing link.

Preferably the hinge is an egress hinge.

It is a second aim of the present invention to provide a hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame and an open position, the hinge comprising a slider mounted in a support track, a vent arm and a plurality of links, wherein at least a part of the hinge is moved to a stored position within the support track when the hinge is in its closed position. Preferably the part of the hinge moved to a stored position within the support track is a retaining stud.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an egress hinge according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a partly-open restricted position; Figure 2 is a plan view of a control link of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a plate of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross section of Figure 2 along line A-A; Figure 5 is a plan view of an egress hinge according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a partly-open restricted position; Figure 6 is a plan view of a control link of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a cross section of Figure 6 along line B-B.

With reference to the drawings, in particular Figures 1 and 5, an egress hinge according to the present invention comprises a support track 1, a first slider 3, a second slider 5 and a vent arm 7. A first end of the vent arm 7 is pivotally attached via a pivot pin 9 to a thrust link 11, which is in turn pivotally attached via a pivot pin 13 to the second slider 5. Control link 15 pivotally joins a midpoint of the vent arm 7 to the first slider 3 via pivot pins 17 and 19. A brace 21 pivotally joins a midpoint of the control link 15 and the second slider 5 via pivot pins 23 and 25. For additional strength, a reinforcing link 26 pivotally joins the vent arm 7 to the

brace 21. A restricting link 27 is pivotally attached towards a second end of the vent arm 7 via pivot pin 29, and moveably and releasably engaged to a midpoint of the control link 15.

The support track 1 comprises a bottom wall 31, two side walls and two inwardly facing flanges 33 at the tops of the two side walls. The first and second sliders 3, 5 are shaped to be received in the support track 1 and to be held therein by means of the flanges 33 in known manner.

Known restricting means (not shown) act on the second slider 5 to hold the slider 5 in position in the support track 1. The first slider 3 is, however, still free to move along the support track 1, thereby moving the vent arm 7 between its closed, partially open and fully open positions. In this regard, when the first slider 3 is moved to a position adjacent the second slider 5, the vent arm 7 is substantially perpendicular to the support track 1 and the vent (not shown) mounted thereon is in its fully open egress position.

An asymmetric end point 45 may be provided at the end of the vent arm 7 for engaging with a corresponding asymmetric end cap 47 at the end of the support track 1. Such end points and caps are well known in the art and help to pull-in a vent as it closes.

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 4. With reference to Figure 1, the restricting link 27 and the control link 15 are moveably and releasably engaged to each other. The moveable and releasable engagement comprises a slot 101 in the control link 15 parallel to the length of the control link 15 and comprising a widened portion 103. The moveable and releasable engagement further comprises a mushroom-headed retaining stud 105 mounted on the restricting link 27. The retaining stud 105 sits in the slot 101 in such a way that the retaining stud 105 can move along the slot 101 to provide for the moveable engagement of the control link 15 and the restricting link 27. The retaining stud 105 further sits in the slot 101 in such a way that the retaining stud 105 can be lifted out of the slot 101 at the widened portion 103 thereof to

disengage the retaining stud 105 from the slot 101 to provide for the releasable engagement of the control link 15 and the restricting link 27.

Referring now to Figure 2, the slot further comprises an opening 107 with a spring gate. The spring gate allows for the re-entry of the disengaged retaining stud 105 into the slot 101 for the re-engagement of the control link 15 and the restricting link 27. The spring gate is formed from a cover plate 109 covering the slot 101 and its opening 107, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The cover plate 109 comprises a C-shaped cut-out 111 near the opening 107 of the slot 101. The C- shaped cut-out 111 defines a tab 113. The tab 113 is bent towards the slot 101, as shown in Figure 4, thereby providing a spring gate which can be moved to allow entry of the retaining stud 105 into the slot 101. Usually the cover plate 109 is welded onto the control link 15 by welding points 115.

Referring now to Figure 1, the movement of the restricting link 27 when disengaged from the control link 15 is restricted by two stops 117 and 119.

On opening the egress hinge from its closed position, with the restricting link 27 engaging the control link 15, the first slider 3 moves along the support track 1, the retaining stud 105 moves along the slot 101, and the vent arm 7 moves outwardly towards its partially open restricted position shown in Figure 1. In order to move the egress hinge into its fully open position with the vent arm 7 substantially perpendicular to the support track 1, the vent arm 7 has to be pulled inwardly towards the support track 1 until the retaining stud 105, moving along the slot 101, reaches the widened portion 103 of the slot 101. The retaining stud 105 can then be lifted out of the widened portion 103 of the slot 101, thereby disengaging the restricting link 27 from the control link 15. The egress hinge can then be moved into its fully open position.

In order to move the egress hinge from its fully open position into its closed position, the vent arm 7 is pulled inwardly towards the support track 1 and the restricting link 27 automatically re-englages with the control link 15. The movement of the restricting link 27 when disengaged from the control link 15 is

restricted by two stops 117 and 119. The stops 117 and 119 are positioned in such a way that the movement of the restricting link 27 is restricted to ensure that the restricting link 27 approaches the control link 15 at such an angle that the retaining stud 105 protruding from the restricting link 27 slides along a side 121 of the control link 15 towards the spring gate at opening 107, when the vent arm 7 is pulled inwardly towards the support track 1. When the egress hinge approaches its closed position, the vent arm 7 approaches the support track 1 and the stop 117 on the vent arm 7 pushes the restricting link 27 via a cut-out 123 towards the control link 15. The retaining stud 105 on the restricting link 27 is thereby pushed through the spring gate into the slot 101. Thus, when the vent arm 7 is pulled inwardly towards the support track 1, the retaining stud 105 automatically enters the slot 101 via the spring gate and the egress hinge can be moved into is fully closed position.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 5 to 7. With reference to Figure 5, the restricting link 27 and the control link 15 are moveably and releasably engaged to each other. The moveable and releasable engagement comprises a slot 201 in the restricting link 27 parallel to the length of the restricting link 27. The slot 201 comprises a first widened portion 203 proximal the middle of the slot 201 towards one end of the restricting link 27 and a second widened portion 205 at the end of the slot 201 towards the middle of the restricting link 27. The moveable and releasable engagement further comprises a mushroom-headed retaining stud 207 protruding from the control link 15. The retaining stud 207 sits in the slot 201 in such a way that the retaining stud 207 can move along the slot 201 to provide for the moveable engagement of the control link 15 and the restricting link 27. The retaining stud 207 further sits in the slot 201 in such a way that the retaining stud 207 can be withdrawn from the slot 201 at the first widened portion 203 thereof to disengage the retaining stud 207 from the slot 201 to provide for the releasable engagement of the control link 15 and the restricting link 27.

The movement of the restricting link 27 when disengaged from the control link 15 is restricted by two stops 209 and 211. The stops 209 and 211 are

positioned in such a way that the movement of the restricting link 27 is restricted, upon disengaging the restricting link 27 from the control link 15, to an arc of less than 900 and in such a way that the restricting link 27 cannot swing past the vent arm 7. The restricting link 27 has a ramp 213 extending along one edge facing towards the retaining stud 207. The ramp 213 facilitates the re-entry of the retaining stud 207 into the slot 201 via the second widened portion 205 of the slot 201.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the retaining stud 207 is resiliently mounted such that it can be pushed through the control link 15 against spring means to facilitate re-entry of the retaining stud 207 into the slot 201. The spring means is provided by the control link 15 having an opening 215 wide enough for a stem 217 (and perhaps even a head) of the retaining stud 207 to fit therethrough. The opening 215 is covered by a plate 219 in such a way that the part of the plate 219 covering the opening 215 can be pushed away from the control link 15. The retaining stud 207 is attached though the opening 215 in the control link 15 to the plate 219. The spring means facilitate re-entry of the retaining stud 207 into the slot 201 and allows the retaining stud 207 to be store at least in part within the support track 1 when the egress hinge is in its closed position.

On opening the egress hinge from its closed position, with the restricting link 27 engaging the retaining stud 207 of the control link 15, the first slider 3 moves along the support track 1, the slot 201 moves relative to the retaining stud 207, and the vent arm 7 moves outwardly towards its partially open restricted position shown in Figure 5. In order to move the egress hinge into its fully open position, the vent arm 7 has to be pulled slightly inwardly towards the support track 1 until the retaining stud 207, moving along the slot 201, reaches the first widened portion 203 of the slot 201. The retaining stud 207 can then be withdrawn from the widened portion 203 of the slot 201 or the restricting link 27 can be lifted off the retaining stud 207, thereby disengaging the restricting link 27 from the control link 15. The egress hinge can then be moved into its fully open position. The stops 209 and 211 are positioned in such a way that the movement of the restricting link

27, when free from the control link 15, is restricted to an arc of less than 90' and in such a way that the restricting link 27 cannot swing past the vent arm 7.

In order to move to egress hinge from its fully open position into its closed position, the vent arm 7 is pulled inwardly towards the support track 1 and the restricting link 27 automatically re-engages with the control link 15. The movement of the restricting link 27 when disengaged from the control link 15 is restricted by stops 209 and 211. The stops 209 and 211 are positioned in such a way that the restricting link 27 will be in a position anywhere between underlying the vent arm 7 and pointing towards the retaining stud 207. When the egress hinge approaches its closed position, the vent arm 7 approaches the support track 1 and ramp 213 runs along the retaining stud 207. When the restricting link 27 is swung in contact with stop 209, the stop 209 on the vent arm 7 forces the restricting link 27 via a cut-out 221 towards the control link 15. The ramp 213 runs over the retaining stud 207 on the control link 15 and pushes the retaining stud 207 towards the support track 1 against the spring bias of the plate 219. The retaining stud 207 can then enter the second widened portion 205 of the slot 201 in the restricting link 27. The entry of the retaining stud 207 into the slot 201 is facilitated by the spring biased plate 219. Thus, when the vent arm 7 is pulled inwardly towards the support track 1, the retaining stud 207 enters the slot 201 via the second widened portion 205 and the egress hinge can be moved into is closed position. When the egress hinge is in its fully closed position, the spring plate 219 allows the retaining stud 207 to be moved to a stored position within the support track 1, if the retaining stud 207 clashed with the vent arm 7.

Referring now to both embodiments of the present invention, as shown particularly in Figures 1 an 5, on opening the egress hinge from its closed position to its fully open position, the first slider 3 moves along the support track 1 towards the restricting means 35, whilst the second slider 5 is held in a fixed position by the restricting means engaging support track 1. Thus, the vent arm 7 moves outwardly towards its fully open position.

When the egress hinge is fully open, the vent mounted on the vent arm 7 is supported at one side of the fixed frame (to which the support track 1 is attached) and does not hinder entry or exit through the frame. If, however, it is desired to clean the outside surface of the vent, the restricting means needs only to be released such that the second slider 5 is free to move along the support track 1. Indeed, the vent arm 7, the first slider 3 and the second slider 5, together with all the links 11, 15 and 27 and the brace 21, can be moved relative to the support track 1. When the vent arm 7 is positioned somewhere near the middle of the support track 1, access is readily available to both sides of the vent.

When cleaning of the vent has been achieved, if the hinge is once again closed, the first and second sliders 3, 5 will begin to move in opposite directions along the support track 1. Relatively soon, however, the first slider 3 engages a stop in the support track 1. In the present embodiments, the stop is a crack-stop formed by punching a crack in the bottom wall 31 of the support track 1 from below, thereby producing a raised portion within the track 1 itself.

When the first slider 3 strikes the stop, its motion is halted. The only possible motion then is for the second slider 5 to continue in the opposite direction along the support track 1. Eventually, when the hinge is fully closed, the restricting means re-engages the support track 1. Thus, when the hinge is once again opened, the second slider 5 is held in its normal position towards one end of the support track 1.

Still referring to both embodiments of the present invention, the degree of opening of the egress hinge in its partially open restricted position depends on the length of the restricting link 27. Preferably the restricting link 27 is of such a length that it allows a maximum of 11 degrees of opening of the vent, when the restricting link 27 and the control link 15 are engaged.

Still referring to both embodiments of the present invention, the vent arm 7, the control link 15, the restricting link 27, the support track 1 and the first and second sliders 3, 5 are made from material which is strong enough to support the

weight of the vent. For example, the vent arm 7, the control link 15, the restricting link 27, the support track 1 and the first and second sliders 3, 5 may be made from metal.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1 . A hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame, a partially open restricted position and a fully open position, wherein the hinge comprises: a slider mounted in a support track, a vent arm, a first end of the vent arm being associated with the support track, a control link joining the slider to the vent arm, and a restricting link, wherein the restricting link acts between the vent arm and the control link to restrict the opening of the vent arm to the partially open restricted position.
2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restricting link is pivotally attached to the vent arm.
3. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restricting link is pivotally attached to the control link.
4. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restricting link engages the vent arm or control link via a retaining stud and slot arrangement.
5. A hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the restricting link carries the retaining stud and the slot runs along the vent arm or control link.
6. A hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slot runs along the restricting link and the vent arm or control link carries the retaining stud.
7. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the retaining stud is mush room-headed.
8. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the slot has a widened portion to allow disengagement of the retaining stud from the slot.

<Desc/Clms Page number 14>
9. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the hinge comprises a stop mounted on the restricting link to restrict movement of the restricting link to ensure that the restricting link approaches the vent arm or control link at a suitable angle for re-entry of the retaining stud into the slot.
10. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the hinge comprises a stop mounted on the vent arm or control link to exert pressure on the restricting link to force the retaining stud into the slot.
11. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the slot has an opening with a spring gate, the spring gate allowing for the re-entry of the disengaged retaining stud into the slot.
12. A hinge as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spring gate comprises a cover plate with a tab.
13. A hinge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the tab is defined by a C-shaped cut-out in the cover plate.
14. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the slot has a second widened portion allowing for the re-entry of the disengaged retaining stud into the slot.
15. A hinge as claimed in claim 14, wherein a ramp is provided to guide the retaining stud into the slot at the second widened portion.
16. A hinge as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the retaining stud is biased into engagement with the slot.
17. A hinge as claimed in claim 16, wherein the retaining stud is biased into engagement with the slot by means of a spring.

<Desc/Clms Page number 15>
18. A hinge as claimed in claim 17, wherein the spring is defined by a resilient plate attached to the vent arm, restricting link or control link which carries the retaining stud.
19. A hinge as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the spring allows the retaining stud to be moved to a stored position within the support track.
20. A hinge as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second slider.
21. A hinge as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of links used to associate the first end of the vent arm with the support track or the second slider in the support track.
22. A hinge as claimed in claim 21, wherein the plurality of links comprises a reinforcing link.
23. A hinge as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge is an egress hinge.
24. A hinge as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.
25. A hinge as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 5 to 7.
26. A hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame and an open position, the hinge comprising a slider mounted in a support track, a vent arm and a plurality of links, wherein at least a part of the hinge is moved to a stored position within the support track when the hinge is in its closed position.

<Desc/Clms Page number 16>
27. A hinge as claimed in claim 26, wherein the part of the hinge moved to a stored position within the support track is a retaining stud.