GB2413155A

GB2413155A - Hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2413155A
Application number: GB0408325A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Francis Lambert
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2004-04-14
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Also published as: GB0408325D0

Abstract

A hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame and an open position in which it extends substantially perpendicularly to the fixed frame comprises a support track 1, a slider 5 mounted on the support track 1 and a vent arm 7 attached to the support track 1 via the slider 5 by a plurality of links 9, 11, 13. The hinge further comprises a releasable restricting member 31 for acting between the slider 5 and the support track 1, wherein the restricting member 31 is adapted to prevent the hinge from closing. By preventing the hinge from closing, the hinge can be used to support a vent so that the area between the vent and the frame can be used as a fire escape.

Description

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HINGE FOR VENT

This invention relates to hinges, and in particular to an egress hinge which can be held in an open position in which a vent extends at an angle to a fixed frame.

Egress hinges arc well known in the art. For example, GB-2262308B discloses an egress hinge comprising a vent arm for supporting a vent. As the hinge is opened, the vent moves l'rom a closed position within a fixed frame to a fully open position in which the vent extends substantially perpendicularly to the fixed frame. The vent, when in its fully open l 0 position, is held by the hinge towards one edge of the fixed frame, thereby providing the largest possible unhindered opening t'or egress (i.e. when rapid exiting from a building or the like is necessary).

The egress hinge of (il3-2262308B comprises a first slider and a second slider mounted in a support track. A vent arm is attached to the first slider via a thrust link and to the second slider via a control link. A brace joins the first slider to a midpoint of the control link.

Restricting means act between the first slider and the support track to limit motion of the first slider along the support track during opening of the hinge, thereby dictating the position of the vent arm in relation to the support track when the hinge is fully open.

I'he second slider is t'ree to slide in the support track at all times. 'I'herefore, il' the hinge is hung vertically, there is no way of ensuring that the hinge stays open, and it is likely that the weight of the window will close the hinge. 'I'he second slider is provided with a grub screw for altering the *iction between the slider and the support track. However, if this were used to support the weight of the window, the slider and track would be stressed, and it would be difficult to quickly open the window or close the window when required. If a window is to be used as a tire escape, it must be possible to ensure that the window can be kept open at an angle of at least 40 degrees, and preferably at a larger angle, without the window closing on a person attempting to escape through the space between the window and the *ame.

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Accordingly, there is a need for a hinge for a vent which can be kept open even when hung from the top, and which can be opened quickly and easily to an angle greater than about 40 degrees to increase the area through which a person could escape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame and an open position in which it extends at an angle to the fixed frame, the hinge comprising: a support track, a slider mounted on the support track, a vent arm attached to the support track via the slider and a plurality of links, and a releasable restricting member for acting between the slider and the support track, wherein the restricting member is adapted to prevent the hinge from closing.

The restricting member may prevent the hinge prom closing, but allow the hinge to open further. Alternatively, the restricting member may prevent the hinge from both opening and closing further.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the restricting device includes a sprung neck portion and a pair of ears extending perpendicularly thereto, and the support track includes a pair of cut-out regions.

The support track may comprise more than one pair of cut-out regions to allow the hinge to be held open at more than one angle.

The hinge may further comprise a removable handle for attaching to one of the plurality of links to allow a user to open the hinge further.

The handle may comprise a locating pin liar engaging with a corresponding hole in one of the plurality ol'links, and a lilting pin for engaging with an edge of the one of the plurality 3() of links.

The lifting pin may include a lip portion for engaging an underside of the one of' the plurality of links.

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In another embodiment of the present invention, the restricting device may comprise a drive unit comprising means for engaging the drive unit with the support track, and means for driving the slider along the support track.

The support track may comprise a pair of cut-out regions. 'I'he means for engaging the drive unit with the support track may comprise a locking lever comprising a pair of locking pins for engaging with the pair of cutout regions. Alternatively, the means for engaging the drive unit with the support track may comprise a sprung neck portion and a pair of ears extending perpendicularly thereto.

I'he means for driving the slider along the support track may comprise a bevel gear and a threaded drive bar meshing with the bevel gear, wherein an end of the threaded drive bar communicates with the slider.

The hinge may further comprise a releasable cranking handle for rotating the bevel gear.

Alternatively, the hinge may further comprise a motor drive unit for rotating the bevel gear. The motor drive unit may comprise a chain driven motor or a screw driven motor.

Alternatively, the means for driving the slider along the support track may comprise a hydraulic jack system.

using the hinge of the third embodiment, the angle made between the vent arm and the support track at which the hinge can be kept open can be varied. I*or all embodiments of the present invention, the maximum angle between the vent arm and the support track at which the hinge can be held open is preferably in the range of about 40 degrees to about 90 degrees.

A pair of the hinges of the present invention can be applied to opposite sides of a window.

The two hinges may comprise the same mechanism or two different mechanisms. For example, one hinge may comprise a motor drive unit, and the other hinge may include no drive unit. In such a case, the undriven hinge would be opened and closed by the vent which would be being moved by the motor drive unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: leisure I is an isometric view of an egress hinge according to a first embodiment of the present invention in an open position; leisure 2 is an isometric view of an egress hinge according to a first and second embodiment of the present invention in a closed position; Figure 3 is an isometric view of an egress hinge according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a partly open position; I;igure 3A is a crosssectional view taken along line A-A in figure 3 showing the engagement of the handle with the egress hinge of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an isometric view of the handle used in the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is an isometric view of an egress hinge according to a second embodiment of the present invention in an open position; I igure 6 is an isometric view of an egress hinge according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a closed position; Figure 7 is an isometric view ol an egress hinge according to a third embodiment of the present invention in a partly open position; and Figure 8 is an isometric view of an egress hinge according to a third embodiment of the present invention in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIP'l'l()N ()F PRE2FERRISD E:,MBOL)IMENTS With rel'erence to figure 1, an egress hinge according lo a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a support track 1, a first slider 3, a second slider 5 and a vent arm 7.

An end of the vent arm 7 is pivotally attached via a thrust link 9 to the first slider 3. A I () midpoint of' the vent arm 7 is pivotally attached via a control link 11 to the second slider 5.

The control link l l is pivotally attached to the vent arm 7 with a rivet 19 and washer. A brace 13 joins the first slider 3 to a midpoint of the control link 11 via pivots 15,17.

The support track I comprises a web 21, two side walls 23 and two inwardly facing flanges 25 at the tops of the two side walls 23. The first and second sliders 3,5 are shaped to be received in the support track I and to be held therein by means of the flanges 25 in known mamler.

The second slider 5 includes a restricting device 31 which comprises a neck region 33 and two ears 35 extending perpendicularly thereto. 'I'he neck 33 extends from the second slider in a direction away from the first slider 3, between the web 21 and flanges 25 ol' the support track I and towards the flanges 25. The neck 33 is formed of sprung material and, in this way, the ears 35 of the restricting device 31 are continuously biased against the undersides of the flanges 29.

Furthermore, the second slider 5 is provided with an aperture for accepting rivet 41 which connects control link 11 to second slider 5. The rivet is preferably a flat headed rivet.

Two pairs of cut-out regions 27 are provided in the flanges 25 of the support track I and are shaped to receive the ears 35 of the restricting device 31. The cut-out regions 27 are shaped such that when the ears 35 are received in the cut-out regions 27, the second slider is prevented from moving away from the first slider 3, but is not prevented prom moving toward the first slider 3. Consequently, the vent arm 7 is prevented from moving towards the support track 1, and the hinge is prevented from closing further. However, the hinge may still be opened further.

In a fully closed position, as shown in figure 2, the ears 35 of the restricting device 31 are engaged with the pair of slots 27 in the flanges 25 which is furthest away from the first slider 3. An asymmetric end point 55 attached to or forming part of the end of the vent arm 7 is engaged within the asymmetric end cap 51.

On opening the egress hinge from its closed position, the first slider 3 moves along the support track away from the end cap 51 until it contacts a first stop means 53 provided in the web 21 of the support track 1, and its motion is halted. In the embodiment shown, the stop means 53 is a crack-stop formed by punching a crack in the web 21 of the support track I from below, thereby producing a raised portion within the track I itself. The second slider 5 moves along the support track I towards the first slider 3 until the vent is in a fully open position. As the second slider 5 moves toward the first slider 3, the restricting device 31 and ears 35 pass under the pair of cut-out regions 27 in the flanges 25 of the support track I which is nearest to the first slider 3. The cut- out regions 27 do not prevent the second slider 5 from moving towards the first slider 3.

On closing the egress hinge from its open position, the second slider 5 moves away from the first slider until the ears 35 of the restricting device 31 engage the cut-out regions 27 of the flanges 25 of the support track 1. The hinge is therefore prevented from closing any further. In order to close the hinge further, the weight of the vent must be taken off the restricting device, and pressure must he applied to the flexible neck 33 of the restricting device 31 until the ears 35 disengage the cut- out regions 27, thus allowing the second slider 5 to slide along the track away from the first slider 3. The support track may be provided with more than two pairs of cut-out regions 27, thus allowing the hinge to be held open at more than one different angles. As the hinge is closed further, the ears 35 engage with the cut-out regions 27 furthest from the first slider 3 and the second slider is prevented Prom moving away Prom the first slider 3 any further. 'l'o close the hinge completely, the first slider 3 is moved away from the first stop means 53 until the asymmetric end point 55 provided on the end of the vent arm 7 engages with the corresponding asymmetric end cap 51 on 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.

leer a top hung vent, the weight of the vent will push the second slider 5 down the support track 1, away from the Viral slider 3. By providing the second slider with a restricting device 31 and the flanges 25 of the support track I with cut-out regions 27, the vent is prevented from returning to its closed position unless pressure is purposefully applied to the neck 33 of the restricting device 31. Consequently, this arrangement prevents a vent from closing itself: Not only does this arrangement provide a vent which can be left with a ventilation gap, but it also provides a vent which can be used as a fire escape. This is because the vent will not close itself onto a person attempting to exit the building through the opening provided by the vent. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, when the ears 35 are engaged in the cut-out regions 27 nearest the first slider 3, the angle between the vent arm 7 and the support track I is 40 degrees. This is the minimum legal opening requirement for a fire escape.

For a heavy or large vent, it may be difficult to reach the vent to open the vent to its full extent. Accordingly, in a second embodiment Off' the invention, as shown in figures 3 to 5, the hinge is provided with a removable handle 71. The hinge of figures 3 to 5 is very similar to that shown in figure 1. IIowever, brace 13 is provided with a hole 73, and an additional pair of cut-out regions is provided in the Hange 25 of the support track 1.

Accordingly the support track includes three pairs oi'cut-out regions.

In order to open the hinge to the position shown in figure 3, that is to a position in which the cars 35 arc engaged with the middle pair of cut- out regions 27, the same method is used as when opening the hinge ol'the first embodiment. Once the hinge has been opened to this position, the ears 35 and cut-out regions 27 prevent the hinge t'rom falling closed. The detachable handle 71 can then be attached to brace 13.

The handle is shown in figure 4. The handle has a locating pin 75 which engages with a hole 73 provided in brace 13 as shown in figure 3A. The handle 71 also has a lilting pin 77 which passes down the side of the brace 13 and hooks under the brace 13 such that it is held in place by a lip 79. The lip 79 prevents the lilting pin 77 from disengaging from the brace 13. Therefore, the operator can release his grip of the handle if, for example, he wishes to attach a similar handle to a hinge attached to the other side of the vent.

Once the handle 71 has been attached to the brace 13, the operator can manually drive the vent further open until the ears 35 of the restricting device 31 are in a position in which they can engage with the third pair of cut-out regions 27 nearest to the first slider 3. This position is shown in figure 5. Consequently, the vent can be opened to a larger angle to provide a larger opening for use as a fire escape.

1() In order to close the vent, the weight of the vent is taken off the restricting device, by applying pressure to the handle 71. Pressure is then applied to the flexible neck 33 of the restricting device 31 so that the ears 35 can disengage from the eut-out regions 27 and the second slider 5 can slide away from the first slider 3 to a position in which the ears 35 are engaged with the middle pair of cut-out regions 27 as shown in figure 3. Once the hinge has reached this position the handle 71 can be removed from the brace 13, by twisting the handle 71 so that the lip 79 of the lifting pin 77 disengages from the brace 13, and lifting the handle 71 away from the brace 13 so that the locating pin 75 disengages from the hole 73. Once the handle 71 has been removed, the hinge can be returned to its closed position in the same way as discussed for the first embodiment.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in figures 6 to 8. In the third embodiment, the second slider 5 includes a dil'ferent restricting device to that used in the first and second embodiments. Tile restricting device comprises a drive unit 81 having a locking lever 87 and a bevel gear 85. A threaded drive bar 83 passes through the drive unit 81 and meshes with the bevel gear 85. An end ol'the threaded drive bar 83 communicates with the second slider 5. 'I'he locking lever 87 comprises locking pins which are sized to engage with cut-out regions 27 provided in the flanges 25 ol'the support track 1. The cut out regions 27 are shaped such that when the locking pins are received in the cut-out regions 27, the second slider 5 is prevented from moving away from the first slider 3, but is not prevented from moving toward the first slider 3. Consequently, the vent arm 7 is prevented from moving towards the support track 1, and the hinge is prevented from closing further. However, it may still be opened further.

In a fully closed position, as shown in figure 6, the locking lever 87 of the restricting device is engaged with the pair of slots 27 in the flanges 25 that is furthest away from the first slider 3. The majority of the threaded drive bar 83 is on the opposite side of the drive unit 81 to the second slider 5. An asymmetric end point 55 attached to the end of the vent arm 7 is engaged within the asymmetric end cap 51.

On opening the egress hinge from its closed position, the first slider 3 moves along the support track away from the end cap 51 until it contacts a first stop means 53 provided in the web 21 of the support track 1, and its motion is halted. In the embodiment shown, the stop means 53 is a crack-stop formed by punching a crack in the web 21 of the support track I from below, thereby producing a raised portion within the track I itself 'I'he second slider 5, the drive unit 81 and the threaded drive bar 83 move along the support track I towards the first slider 3 until the vent is in an open position in which the locking lever 87 engages with the pair of cut-out regions 27 nearest the first slider. Accordingly, the hinge can not be closed any t'urt]ler and the drive unit 81 is held in position by the locking lever 87 as shown in figure 7. 'l'he threaded drive bar 83 does not move relative to the drive unit 81 between the positions shown in figures 6 and 7.

Once the drive unit X1 is held in place by the locking lever 87, the bevel gear 85 is rotated to move the threaded drive bar 83 through the drive unit 81, towards the first slider 3, so that the majority of the threaded drive bar is positioned between the drive unit 81 and the second slider 5. Movement of the threaded drive bar 83 results in the second slider 5 being driven along the support track I towards the first slider 3. Consequently, the hinge is opened further, as shown in figure 8, and a larger opening is provided which can be used, for example, as a fire escape. The bevel gear 85 can be rotated using a cranked handle or a motor drive. Alternatively, the bevel gear 85 can be replaced by an hydraulic jacking system which can be used to push the second slider 5 along the support track I towards the first slider 3.

To close the egress hinge from its open position, the bevel gear 85 is rotated in an opposite direction, such that the threaded drive bar moves through the drive unit 81 away from the first slider 3. Consequently, the second slider 5 moves away from the first slider until the second slider 5 is adjacent to the drive unit 81 as shown in figure 7. In order to close the hinge further, the weight of the vent is taken off the locking lever 87, and the locking lever 87 is disengaged from the cut-out regions 27 nearest to the first slider 3. The second slider 5, drive unit 81 and threaded drive bar 83 are allowed to slide along the support track away from the first slider until the locking lever 87 engages with the cut-out regions furthest from the first slider. Consequently, the second slider is prevented from moving away from the first slider 3 any further. l o close the hinge completely the first slider 3 is moved away from the first stop means 53 until the asymmetric end point 55 provided on the end of the vent arm 7 engages with the corresponding asymmetric end cap 51 on the end of the support track 1.

In all three embodiments, support track 1 is fixed to a fixed frame (not shown) by a number of fixing means, e.g. rivets or screws.

Grub-scrcws 61 pass through the first and second sliders 3,5 to bear against the web 21 of the support track]. By adjusting the grub screws 61, the friction between the sliders 3, 5 and the support track I can be varied, thereby enabling the opening and closing of the hinge to be more easily controlled.

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

1. A hinge for supporting a vent between a closed position in which it lies within a fixed frame and an open position in which it extends at an angle to the fixed frame, the hinge comprising: a support track, a slider mounted on the support track, a vent arm attached to the support track via the slider and a plurality of links, and a releasable restricting member Nor acting between the slider and the support track, wherein the restricting member is adapted to prevent the hinge from closing.

2. Tile hinge according to claim I wherein the releasable restricting member is adapted to prevent the hinge from closing, whilst allowing the hinge to open further.

3. The hinge according to claim I wherein the releasable restricting member is adapted to prevent the hinge from opening and closing.

4. The hinge according to any preceding claim wherein the restricting device includes a sprung neck portion and a pair of ears extending perpendicularly thereto, and the support track includes a pair of cut-out regions.

5. The hinge according to claim 4 wherein the support track comprises more than one pair of cut-out regions.

6. The hinge according to any preceding claim and further comprising a removable handle l'or attaching to one ol the plurality of links.

7. The hinge according to claim 6, wherein the one of the plurality of links has a hole therethrough and wherein the handle comprises a locating pin for engaging with the hole.

8. 'I'he hinge according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the handle comprises a lifting pin for engaging with an edge of the one of the plurality of links.

9. The hinge according to claim 8 wherein the lifting pin includes a lip portion for engaging with an underside of the one of the plurality of links.

10. The hinge according to claim 1, wherein the restricting device comprises a drive unit comprising means for engaging the drive unit with the support track, and means for driving the slider along the support track.

I 1. The hinge according to claim 10 wherein the support track comprises a pair ol'cut- out regions, and the means for engaging the drive unit with the support track comprises a locking lever comprising a pair of locking pins for engaging with the pair of cur-out regions. 1()

12. The hinge according to claim 10 wherein the means for engaging the drive unit with the support track comprises a sprung neck portion and a pair of ears extending perpendicularly thereto.

13. 'I'he hinge according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the means for driving the slider along the support track comprises a bevel gear and a threaded drive bar meshing with the bevel gear, wherein an end of the threaded drive bar communicates with the slider.

14. The hinge according to claim 13, further comprising a releasable cranking handle for rotating the bevel gear.

15. The hinge according to claim 13, further comprising a motor drive unit for rotating the bevel gear.

16. '[he hinge according to claim 15 wherein the motor drive unit comprises a chain driven motor or a screw driven motor.

17. The hinge according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the means for driving the slider along the support track comprises a hydraulic jack system.

18. A hinge substantially as hereinbef'ore described with reference to and as shown in figures I and 2.

19. A hinge substantially as hcreinbefore described with reference to and as shown in figures 3 to 5.

20. A hinge substantially as hereinbelore described with reference to and as shown in figures 6 to X.