GB2376982A

GB2376982A - Two pivot hinge with parallel axes

Info

Publication number: GB2376982A
Application number: GB0115692A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Calvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-27
Filing date: 2001-06-27
Publication date: 2002-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-27
Also published as: GB2376982B; GB0115692D0

Abstract

A hinge for a door or window 2 comprises a first pivot axis 14, a second pivot 15, which is parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis 14, and a control member 22 extending from the door or window 2 to frame 1 to control rotation of the door or window 2 about the second axis 15 during rotation of the door or window about the first pivot axis 14. The control member 22 may include a telescopic arm 23 slidably received in a sleeve 25. Alternatively it may include a hook end 36 which co-operates with a protuberance 37 to bias the door or window 2 into a closed position. The control member 22 may also have a stay member 40 pivotally mounted thereon and received in an elongate guide channel 42 in the frame 1. The hinge may have an intermediate member 18 having an aperture 21 for receiving a strengthening element.

Description

A Door or Window

Description The present invention relates to a door or window pivotally mounted in a frame, and, more particularly, to a door or window having a hinge that enables its rotation relative to the frame between open and closed positions. The door of the present invention is primarily intended for installation in a building. However, it may also be used on a vehicle.

The majority of doors now used throughout commercial and domestic premises are required to meet stringent fire safety regulations which means that they must be able to withstand the effects of a fire for a specified period so that people are given sufficient time to evacuate the building. Although the door itself can be made from a number of fireproof or fire resistant materials or include one or more fire resistant layers built into it, it has been found that the hinge is often the weakest point and so the overall length of time a fire door can withstand is dependent on the ability of the hinges to resist the heat of a fire without failing. The vast number of hinges currently on the market only just or fail to meet the strict safety requirements for fire doors and so significantly reduce their effectiveness in blocking a fire for extended periods. In addition, safety regulations only specify a minimum time that a door must withstand and so any increase in the protection afforded by a fire door over and above that specified is also welcomed.

Although pivotally mounted windows are well known, modern, large double glazed windows with extruded metal frames are generally too heavy for standard hinges to support them and so they cannot be always be used. This type of window generally also has a flange which extends beyond the peripheral edge of the aperture in the frame to seal the window against the frame when closed and to conceal the hinges.

A standard single pivot hinge cannot be used in this case as the overhang on the window would foul against the peripheral edge of the frame when attempts are made to open the window. To alleviate these problems, a pivoting and sliding bar type linkage arrangement often known as a friction hinge is provided along one or both edges of the window is commonly used instead. This arrangement is able to

bear the weight of the window and allow it to be opened and closed. However, this type of linkage also has its limitations which will now be described in more detail.

Although an improvement over standard door type hinges, the pivoting and sliding bar type linkage does not have sufficient strength to carry the weight of very large and heavy windows because the connection between the window and the bar is only at two or three pivot points along one or both opposite edges of the window and there is no support for the window along its spine. Furthermore, the linkages generally comprise four or more bars extending between the edge of the window and the frame and these are clearly visible when the window is open rendering it unattractive. In addition, it is easy for a person to trap a finger between the bars when opening or closing the window and this can result in injury.

Finally, when a window mounted in a frame using the bar type linkage described above is opened, the whole window moves laterally relative to the opening in the window frame, as the linkages slide along runners mounted to the frame and enable the window to pivot without fouling the edge of the frame. This means that when the window is fully open, the aperture is effectively divided into two, each part being on either side of the window. Although the window is substantially at right angles to the aperture, it still partially obscures the aperture when it is fully open rather than providing an uninterrupted view through the whole window aperture.

The present invention seeks to provide a door or window which overcomes or substantially alleviates the disadvantages with the conventional doors and windows described above.

According to the present invention, there is provided a door or window pivotally mounted in a frame comprising a hinge member pivotally mounted to the frame for rotation of the hinge member about a first pivot axis relative to the frame, the door or window being pivotally mounted to the hinge member for rotation of the door or window relative to the hinge member and the frame about a second pivot axis parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis by the hinge member, and a control member extending between the door or window and the frame operable to control

rotation of the door or window about the second pivot axis during rotation of the door or window about the first pivot axis when the door is opened and closed.

The control member is, preferably, operable to prevent rotation of the door or window about the second axis independently of rotation of the door or window about the first axis.

In one embodiment, the control member includes a telescopic arm extending between the door or window and the frame.

Preferably, one end of the arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and the other end is slidably received in a sleeve mounted to the door or window.

Conveniently, the axis of rotation of said one end of the arm relative to the frame is substantially co-axial with the second pivot axis when the door or window is closed.

In a preferred embodiment, a spring is mounted in the sleeve for compression by the arm when the door or window is closed, the compressive force being releasable to bias the door into an open position.

In an alternative embodiment, the control member is a bar pivotally mounted to the frame co-axial with the first pivot axis for rotation of the control member about the first pivot axis relative to the frame, the hinge member and the door.

Preferably, the control bar extends along an edge of the door or window substantially at right angles to the first and second pivot axes and includes a hooked end part that co-operates with a protruberance on the door or window.

Advantageously, a spring is operable to bias rotation of the control bar about the first axis into a position substantially parallel to the frame, the hooked end part of the control bar co-operating with the protruberance to bias the door or window into a closed position in which the door is received in the frame.

Preferably, the control device is configured such that co-operation of the hooked end part of the control bar of with the protruberance prevents rotation of the door or window about the second pivot axis during rotation of the window about the first pivot axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the protruberance on the door or window is received in an arcuate guide channel when the door is almost closed, the protruberance following the path defined by the arcuate guide channel during further movement of the door or window into the closed position, the protruberance being moved out of engagement with the hooked end part of the control bar to enable the window and /or door to rotate about the second pivot axis into a fully closed position.

In another embodiment, a stay member having a first end pivotally mounted to the control bar and a second other end received in an elongate guide channel in the frame, said second end sliding along the channel during movement of the door or window and engaging with one end of the elongate guide channel to limit further opening of the door.

Conveniently, the hinge member includes a longitudinal aperture parallel to and spaced from each pivot axis to receive a strengthening element.

The hinge member may comprise a plurality of discrete hinge units spaced from each other along the edge of the door or window.

The frame and/or the door or window advantageously includes a flange to conceal the hinge member from view when the door or window is closed.

The hinge member preferably includes hinge plates pivotally attached thereto, a first hinge plate mounting the hinge member to the frame and a second hinge plate mounting the door or window to the hinge member.

In yet another embodiment, one or both the hinge plates are L-shaped.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a window and window frame according to the present invention with the window shown in a partially open position ; FIGURE 2 shows a top plan sectional view of the window and frame shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 shows a top plan sectional view of the window and frame shown in Figure 1 and 2 but with the window almost closed; FIGURE 4 shows a top plan sectional view of the window and frame shown in Figures 1 to 3 but with the window closed; Figures 5A and 5B show an alternative hinge member for use in either the first or second embodiments.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a modified version of the first embodiment; FIGURE 6A illustrates another modified version of the first embodiment; FIGURE 7 shows a top plan view of a window and window frame according to a second embodiment with the window open ; FIGURE 8 shows a top plan view of the window and window frame as shown in Figure 5, but with the door almost closed; FIGURE 9 shows a top plan view of the window and window frame shown in Figures 7 and 8 but with the window closed.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a perspective view of part of a window frame 1 having a window 2, only part of which is shown, pivotally mounted thereto and which is designed to receive one or more panes of glass (not shown). The window frame 1 and window 2 are both formed from an extruded material such as metal or plastics and have wall surfaces 3,4 respectively for attachment of hinges, the construction of which will be explained in more detail below, to enable the window 2 to pivot between an open and closed position with respect to the frame 1 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1.

Both the window 2 and frame 1 include an overhang or flange 5,6 that extends beyond the plane of the wall surfaces 3,4 so that when the window is closed as

shown in Figure 4, the gap 7 between the wall surfaces 3,4 and the hinges disposed in the gap 7 are completely concealed from view. A sealing strip (not shown) may be disposed between each flange 5,6 and its adjacent surface on the window and frame respectively to prevent the ingress of dirt into the gap 7, stop draughts or further protect the hinges from the effects of a fire.

The construction and arrangement of the hinges which enable the window to be opened and closed without the overhang 5 on the window fouling the frame 1 will now be described. The window comprises a first hinge 8 having first and second hinge plates or leaves 10,11 which are pivotally connected to each other for rotation about a first pivot axes 14. A second identical hinge 9 is also provided and has first and second hinge plates or hinge leaves 12,13 which are pivotally connected to each other for rotation about a second pivot axis 15. The first leaf 10 of the first hinge 8 is attached to the wall surface 3 of the frame 1 by any suitable means such as screws, and the second leaf 11 of the first hinge 8 is attached to the rear surface 17 of an intermediate member 16 which extends along the entire edge of the window 2 and frame 1 between the wall surfaces 3,4 and maintains the pivot axes 14,15 parallel and spaced from each other. It will be appreciated that the intermediate member 16 is able to pivot about the first pivot axis 14.

The second hinge 9 is disposed between the intermediate member 16 and the window 2. The first hinge leaf 12 of the second hinge 9 is attached to the front surface of the intermediate member 16 and the second hinge leaf 13 of the second hinge 9 is attached to the wall surface 4 of the window 2 again by any suitable means such as screws. It will be appreciated that the window 2 is able to rotate relative to the intermediate member 16 about the second pivot axis 15.

In the illustrated example, the intermediate member 16 is a rigid, elongate, rectangular cross section bar made from metal or other material exhibiting high strength characteristics. A number of hinges 8,9 (only two being shown in Figure 1) may be spaced along the intermediate member 16. Alternatively, single long hinges such as piano type hinges may extend along the length of the intermediate member 16.

In another unillustrated embodiment, the hinges may have a different construction and the intermediate member may be integrally formed as part of the hinge so that not all the hinge plates are required. A hinge having such a construction is shown in Figure 5A and 5B and it can be seen that the intermediate member and hinge leaves which connect the first and second hinges to the intermediate member in the first embodiment are incorporated into a single body 18. The other two remaining leaves 10,13 are retained to enable pivotal attachment of the hinge body 18 to the wall surfaces 3,4 on the frame 1 and window 2. In a preferred arrangement, the body 18 has an elongate aperture 21 in its centre to slidably receive a strengthening member (not shown) which can, if required, be made from a different material to the body 18.

The window incorporates a guiding or control device 22 to control the degree of pivotal movement of the window about the second pivot axis 15. In one embodiment the device 22 comprises an arm 23 pivotally mounted about a pin 24 at its free end to the frame 2 in a location which is laterally spaced from the first pivot axis 14 by approximately the width of the intermediate member 16 such that when the window 2 is closed, the second pivot axis 15 lies substantially co-axial with the axis of rotation of the arm 23 about the pin 24, as shown in Figure 4. The other end of the arm 23 is slidably received in a sleeve 25 mounted to the lower edge 26 of the window 2.

If no control device was present, the window 2 would pivot about the second pivot axis 15 relative to the intermediate member 16 freely and so would not be constrained or controlled to move in an arcuate path as the window 2 is opened.

This would also causes a problem when the window 2 is closed, as it will only pass back into the aperture in the frame 1 neatly if the window 2 is in the correct angular orientation relative to the frame 2. Therefore, the guiding device 22 is operable to control rotation of the window 2 about the second pivot axis 15 relative to the intermediate member 16 whilst the window 2 is being opened and closed by rotating the window 2 and the intermediate member 16 about the first pivot axis 14. As can be seen from Figures 2 to 4, the arm 23 slides within the sleeve 25 as the window 2

is closed which causes the window 2 to pivot about the second pivot axis 15 as it rotates about the first pivot axis 14. It will be appreciated that the arm 23 prevents the window 2 from pivoting about the second pivot axis 15 independently of pivoting about the first pivot axis 14. Therefore, the control member 22 causes the window 2 to move only in an arcuate path between the open and closed positions.

A spring (not shown) may be located in the sleeve 25 and extend between the end of the sleeve 25 and the end of the arm 23 received within the sleeve 25. When the window 2 is closed and the arm 23 slides further into the sleeve 25, the spring is compressed. When the window 2 is opened again the compressive force stored in the spring is released to bias the window towards an open position and assist the person open it.

In a modified version of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the hinge plates attached to the wall surface of the window and frame may be L shaped so as to extend over part of the outer surface of the window and frame respectively, and the flanges or overhangs on the frame and window may be omitted. The part of the hinges overlaying the outer surface of the frame and door or window may be provided with additional means for attaching the hinges to the door. Although the hinges will now be visible, this construction provides increased strength to the connection between the door and the frame and may also enhance its ability to withstand the effects of a fire. A removable decorative strip (not shown) may be fitted over the visible parts of the hinges to provide a more attractive appearance.

In yet another modified version of the first embodiment, illustrated in Figure 6A, the hinge plates may be L-shaped but extend in the opposite direction to those in the first modified version so as to form the flanges which are originally formed integrally with the door or window, as part of the hinge.

A second embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. The main difference in this embodiment with respect to the first is that the guide member has a different configuration. It will also be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the intermediate member forms part of the hinge and the door 2 has

an integrally formed tongue 28 which has an aperture therein and which locates over a corresponding aperture in the end of the intermediate member 29. A hinge pin 30 extends through these apertures to pivotally connect the door 2 to the intermediate member 29 so that it can rotate about the second pivot axis 15. Similarly, the other end of the intermediate member 29 is provided with an aperture which locates on a pin 32 formed on the frame 1 to pivotally connect it thereto for rotation about the first pivot axis 14. Therefore, no hinge plates are required in this embodiment. It will be appreciated that this hinge construction can also be used in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the guiding or control device, which will now be described in more detail, can also be used on a window or door having the construction described with reference to the first embodiment and replaces the arm 23 and the sleeve 25 arrangement.

To prevent the door 2 from pivoting freely about the second axis 15, the control device 33 comprises a plate 34 pivotally mounted to the intermediate member 29 so as to be coaxial with the first pivot axis 14. A spring 35 is located on the control plate 34 and is configured so that the control plate 34 is biased in the direction of arrow B in Figure 7. The free end of the control plate 34 remote from the first pivot axis 14 has a cut out along one edge to form a hook 36 in which is received a fixed protruberance 37 or knob attached to the upper edge surface 38 of the door 2. As the control plate 34 is biased by the spring 35 and engages the door due to cooperation between the hook 36 and the protruberance 37, the door 2 is also biased by the spring 35 into a closed position, as shown in Figure 9.

As well as biasing the door into a closed position, the control plate 34 also controls rotation of the door 2 about the second pivot axis 15 and it will be appreciated that whilst the protruberance 37 is located in the hook 36, all pivotal movement of the door 2 about the second axis 15 is completely prevented. In order that the door 2 may close properly, the protruberance 37 locates in an arcuate guide channel 38 cut into the frame 2 above the upper edge surface 38 of the door 2 just before the door 2 is fully closed. When the door 2 is moved further into the closed position, the protruberance 37 follows the path defined by the arcuate guide channel 38 which overcomes the bias provided by the spring 35 and lifts it out of the hook 36 near

the free end of the control plate 34, as shown in Figure 8, and causes the door 2 to rotate about the second pivot axis 15 as the protruberance 37 follows the arcuate guide channel 38. When the door 2 finally reaches its fully closed position, the protrubrance 37 has been lifted completely clear of the hook 36 and has travelled along the outer edge of the control plate 34 and the door 2 has rotated about the second pivot axis 15 so that the intermediate member 29 lies substantially parallel to the edge of the door 2. When the door 2 is opened again, it rotates about both the first and second pivot axes 14,15 until the protruberance 37 is again received in the hook 36 in the control plate 34. Once this has occurred, all further pivotal movement of the door 2 about the second pivot axis 15 is prevented, the door 2 and intermediate member 29 then rotating together about the first pivot axis 14 only.

To limit the extend to which the door 2 may be opened, a stay bar 40 may be pivotally connected to the control plate 34. A second elongate guide channel 41 is cut into the frame 1 adjacent to the arcuate guide channel 38 and a follower 42 connected to the free end of the stay bar 40 is received in the elongate channel 41.

When the door 2 is opened, the follower 42 travels along the path defined by the elongate channel 41. When it reaches the end of the elongate channel 41, further movement is prevented and door 2 cannot be opened further. The position of the stay bar 40 and the movement of the follower 42 along the elongate channel 41 can be understood from Figures 7 to 9. It will be appreciated that the stay bar is an optional feature and that other known arrangements for checking the door could also be used instead.

In a modified version of the embodiment described with reference to Figures 5 to 7, the spring 35 may be omitted. Instead, the control plate is attached to and is biased in the direction of arrow B in Figure 7 by a pivot pin 45 about which the intermediate member 29 pivots. This is achieved by fixing one first end of the pin 45 remote from the control plate relative to said first end before twisting the pivot pin 45 to hook the control plate against the protruberance 37. The pin 45 is therefore longitudially torsioned and so acts as a torsioned spring to urge the control plate and the door in the required direction.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments that the present invention provides an improved hinge for pivotal attachment of a door or window to a frame that is much stronger than conventional hinges and can be used together with a fire door to enhance its fire retention capabilities. It can also be used to pivotally mount very heavy windows and enable them to be opened completely so that the window does not obscure any part of the aperture.

As the hinge of the present invention is able to cope with heavy duty windows and frames, it is envisaged that it could be used in conjunction with the friction type hinge of the prior art in a triple frame window construction to enable a multiplicity of window opening options. In more detail, one or more windows can be mounted in a first frame and pivotally mounted to an intermediate frame using the prior art standard friction type hinges described above to enable the window and first frame to be opened outwardly. The intermediate frame may be pivotally mounted to a third frame mounted in the building using the hinge of the present invention. The intermediate frame may be opened inwardly for cleaning of the windows or to allow maintenance to the friction type hinges to be carried out more easily. As the hinge of the invention is able to cope with heavier windows than the friction type hinge, all the windows mounted in the first frame may be opened as one by pivoting the intermediate frame about the third frame thereby providing a larger opening than would be the case when the windows in the first frame are opened individually by pivoting the first frame about the intermediate frame. This is an advantage if the window is to be used as a fire escape.

In a final unillustrated embodiment of the invention, instead of fitting the control member to the top and/or bottom edge of a door or window, the door or window may have a recess or cut out in its uppermost edge and down one side about which it is hinged to receive the hinge, guide member and protruberance 37. In this case, the hinge may also incorporate a housing that is attachable to the door and forms a channel along its edge and in the cut out portion along the top and/or bottom edges to receive the guide member and protruberance and conceal them from view.

This embodiment enables the advantages of the hinge to be realised when used on

doors and/or windows that are flush fitting, i. e. those that do not include an overhang to conceal the hinge.

Many modifications and variations of the invention falling within the terms of the following claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the foregoing description should be regarded as a description of the preferred embodiments only.

Claims

Claims 1. A door or window pivotally mounted in a frame comprising a hinge member pivotally mounted to the frame for rotation of the hinge member about a first pivot axis relative to the frame, the door or window being pivotally mounted to the hinge member for rotation of the door or window relative to the hinge member and the frame about a second pivot axis parallel to and spaced from the first pivot axis by the hinge member, and a control member extending between the door or window and the frame operable to control rotation of the door or window about the second pivot axis during rotation of the door or window about the first pivot axis when the door is opened and closed.
2. A door or window according to claim 1, wherein the control member is operable to prevent rotation of the door or window about the second axis independently of rotation of the door or window about the first axis.
3. A door or window to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control member includes a telescopic arm extending between the door or window and the frame.
4. A door or window according to claim 3, wherein one end of the arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and the other end is slidably received in a sleeve mounted to the door or window.
5. A door or window according to claim 4, wherein the axis of rotation of said one end of the arm relative to the frame is substantially co-axial with the second pivot axis when the door or window is closed.
6. A door or window according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a spring is mounted in the sleeve for compression by the arm when the door or window is closed, the compressive force being releasable to bias the door into an open position.
7. A door or window according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control member is a bar pivotally mounted to the frame co-axial with the first pivot axis for

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rotation of the control member about the first pivot axis relative to the frame, the hinge member and the door.
8. A door or window according to claim 7, wherein the control bar extends along an edge of the door or window substantially at right angles to the first and second pivot axes and includes a hooked end part that co-operates with a protruberance on the door or window.
9. A door or window according to claim 8, including a spring operable to bias rotation of the control bar about the first axis into a position substantially parallel to the frame, the hooked end part of the control bar cooperating with the protruberance to bias the door or window into a closed position in which the door is received in the frame.
10. A door or window according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein cooperation of the hooked end part of the control bar of with the protruberance prevents rotation of the door or window about the second pivot axis during rotation of the window about the first pivot axis.
11. A door or window according to claim 10, wherein the protruberance on the door or window is received in an arcuate guide channel when the door is almost closed, the protruberance following the path defined by the arcuate guide channel during further movement of the door or window into the closed position, the protruberance being moved out of engagement with the hooked end part of the control bar to enable the window and/or door to rotate about the second pivot axis into a fully closed position.
12. A door or window according to any of claims 7 to 11, including a stay member having a first end pivotally mounted to the control bar and a second other end received in an elongate guide channel in the frame, said second end sliding along the channel during movement of the door or window and engaging with one end of the elongate guide channel to limit further opening of the door.

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13. A door or window according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge member includes a longitudinal aperture parallel to and spaced from each pivot axis to receive a strengthening element.
14. A door or window according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the hinge member comprises a plurality of discrete hinge units spaced from each other along the edge of the door or window.
15. A door or window according to claim 14, wherein the hinge member includes hinge plates pivotally attached thereto, a first hinge plate mounting the hinge member to the frame and a second hinge plate mounting the door or window to the hinge member.
16. A door or window according to claim 15, wherein one or both the hinge plates are L-shaped.
17. A door or window according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the frame and/or the door or window includes a flange to conceal the hinge member from view when the door or window is closed.
18. A door or window substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.