GB2445793A

GB2445793A - Hinge with links having movable pivots and joined by an offset pivot

Info

Publication number: GB2445793A
Application number: GB0700912A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mathew John Smith
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-17
Filing date: 2007-01-17
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Also published as: GB0700912D0

Abstract

A vent comprising a fixed frame 20 and an opening member 10 attached to the fixed frame 20 by at least one hinge 30. The hinge comprising a frame element 100, an opening element 110, a first link 130 attached at one end to a pivot 160 on the frame element 100 and at the other end to a moving pivot 180 on the opening element 110; and a second link 140 attached at one end to a moving pivot 170 on the frame element and at the other end to a pivot on the opening element 150. The links cross over one another and are joined by a pivot 90 which is offset from the mid-point of at least one of the links 130, 140. The pivot 90 may be offset from the mid-point of both the links. The frame element 100 and the opening element 110 may be tracks accommodating movable carriages which carry the moving pivots.

Description

A HINGE

This invention relates to hinges, and in particular to projecting egress hinges.

Such hinges may be appropriate when the original slim windows are to be replaced by thicker material windows without reducing the egress fire escape facility of the window.

Various sorts of vents exist which allow the opening member of a vent to be partially displaced from the area immediately outside the window. However, if thicker material is a requirement when making a window, the displacement of the opening member from the area immediately outside the window when opening must be even greater to account for the thicker opening member, so that the egress fire escape situation' is not made any worse. Therefore, a new type of hinge is required that will allow the vent to be moved completely clear of the zone immediately outside of the window. This will allow people to climb out of the window without being inhibited by the opening member.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a new hinge design which not only projects out away from the frame, but also opens very much to one side of the frame, when open at 90 degrees, to provide a completely clear and unobstructed opening.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a hinge comprising: a frame element; an opening element; a first link attached at one end to a pivot on the frame element and at the other end to a moving pivot on the opening element; and a second link attached at one end to a moving pivot on the frame element and at the other end to a pivot on the opening element; wherein the links cross over one another and are joined by a pivot which is offset from the mid-point of at least one of the links.

It may be that the pivot connecting the first link to the frame element is fixed.

The pivot connecting the second link to the opening element may also be fixed. If both elements are fixed, the opening element is prevented from being slid sideways relative to the frame element independently of the angle at which it has been opened. However, if the pivot connecting the first link to the frame element and the pivot connecting the second link to the opening element are both releasably fixed pivots, then the pivots can be released and allowed to slide along the lengths of their respective elements. This allows the opening member to slide sideways on the hinge.

Preferably, the opening element is longer than the frame element. The links may be of different lengths and, preferably, the first link is longer than the second link. An advantage of a longer first link and corresponding opening element is that a great range of sideways movement of the opening element relative to the frame element is achieved as the hinge is opened up.

More preferably, the frame element and the opening element are tracks which each accommodate a moveable carriage which carries the moving pivot connected to the respective link. The tracks may be C-sectioned and each moveable carriage may be a lipped slider. In some embodiments, the friction between each moveable carriage and its respective track is adjustable. At least one track may alternatively comprise a slot, wherein the moveable carriage sits within and is supported by the inside edges of the slot and is moveable in either direction along the slot.

More preferably. one or more of the links has a cut Out feature which is positioned on the link at the point where the opposite pivot, which connects the other link to the fixed or opening element, would normally meet the link when the hinge is in the closed position. This cut out feature allows the link and the pivot to pass over one another and the hinge to close aligned.

More preferably, one element can be fitted with a cam and the other element with a guiding body at an opposite facing position to the cam, so that the cam is received, preferably clipped, into the guiding body as the hinge is completely closed. This provides the hinge with a sealing action which prevenis the hinge from opening just slightly from the closed position. Instead, a more substantial force would be required to unseal the hinge and open it up.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a vent comprising a fixed frame and an opening member attached to the fixed frame by hinges. The opening member is movable between a position closing the vent and an open position. wherein

I

the opening member is projected out substantially in line with the edge of the fixed frame when in the open position. The hinges are preferably as described and claimed herein. The advantage of a vent equipped with the fore-described hinge is that the opening member of the vent is projected outwardly and sideways, until it is very much to S one side of the frame when open at substantially 90 degrees. This allows people using the open vent clear and unobstructed passage for egress, during a fire for example.

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 schematic plan view of an opening member in an almost closed position relative to the edge of a frame; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the opening member starting to project away from the frame; Figure 3is a schematic plan view of the opening member projecting out almost in line with the edge of the frame; Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the opening member projecting out in line with the edge of the frame; Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the hinge from above; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of the hinge from below.

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the hinge from above, including a cam and guiding member; Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the hinge from Figure 7 from below, including the cam and guiding member Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a moveable carriage mounted on a c-sectioned track; Figure 1 0 is a schematic perspective view of a moveable carriage mounted in a slot track; and Figure I I is a schematic perspective view of the cam and corresponding guiding body.

With reference to the drawings, a vent, as shown in Figures 1 -4 of the drawings, comprises a fixed window frame 20 and an opening member 10, the opening member 10 being attached to the window frame 20 using one or more hinges 30. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the hinge 30 comprises a frame element 100 and an opening element 110. A first link 130 attached at one end to a fixed pivot 160 on the frame element 100 and at the other end to a moving pivot 180 on the opening element 110. A second link 140 is attached at one end to a moving pivot 170 on the frame element and a fixed pivot on the opening element at the other end. The links 130 and 140 cross over one another and are joined by a fixed pivot 90 which is offset from the mid-point of each of the links.

The frame element 100 and opening element 110 are tracks, each with a moveable carriage 120 or 125 which carries a movable pivot 170 or 190 connected to a respective link 130 or 140. The tracks are C-shaped in cross-section and each moveable carriage is a lipped slider. Each track comprises a base and two side walls which possess a pair of flanges that face each other to form a C-section. The first and second sliders 120 and 125 are shaped to be received in the tracks and to be held therein by means of the flanges. The sides of the first and second sliders 120 and 125 are lipped to give a U shape that grips the flanges, preventing the vertical displacement (i.e. free play) seen in sliders oithe prior art and constraining the sliders to moving in one dimension along the track. The lips also prevent the metal links froni rubbing on the metal flanges of the track. The friction between each moveable carriage and its respective track is adjustable.

The offset of pivot 90 from the midpoint of each of the links 130 and 140 causes the angle between the two elements 1 00 and 110 to increase as the hinge is opened up.

Pivot 90 splits each link into two lengths, a short length and a long length (shown as lengths A and C, or B and D in figures 5, 6, 7 and 8).

The links 130 and 140 are different lengths. The first link 130 is longer than the second link 140, and the opening element 110 is longer than the frame element 1 00 to accommodate the greater movement of the sliding pivot 1 80 attached to the first link 130.

In figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, lengths A and B have been kept as short as possible to provide the maximum amount of link rotation from the linear travel of moving pivot 170 (attached to moveable carriage 120). while still providing sufficient projection of the opening element 110 out from the frame element 100. Length C has been kept as short as possible to provide the minimum amount of projection whilst still clearing the frame element 100. Length D has been kept as long as possible to drive the linkage as the hinge is opened and ensure the minimum amount of slide travel is required to achieve it's maximum opening angle, reducing the inherent friction present in the operation of the hinge.

As the hinge is opened up and the angle of the hinge is increased, the opening member is projected away from the frame member in a manner dependent on the lengths A, B, C and D. If the lengths A, B, C and D were all equal then the opening member would be projected outwards from the frame member while remaining parallel to the frame member. Movable pivots 170 and 180 would move along the frame and opening members respectively at an equal rate as the hinge was opened.

However, if length A is shorter than length D and length C is shorter than length B, as per the drawings, then as the hinge is opened, opening element 110 will travel in a curved path sideways. as well as out. As the hinge angle is increased, the end of the opening element 110 adjacent to fixed pivot 150 moves away from the frame element slowly and in a relativel' tight curve in a direction outwardly and sideways away from the frame element. The other end of opening element 110 adjacent to movable pivot I 80 moves away from the frame element 100 more quickly and with a shallower and longer curve. When the opening element 110 is opened up to a 90 degree angle from the frame element 100, it will have travelled sideways beyond the end of the frame element 100.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new hinge design which not only projects out away from the frame, but also opens very much to one side of the frame, when open at 90 degrees, to provide a completely clear and unobstructed opening.

A second embodiment of the hinge is shown in figures 7, 8 and 10 where the track of opening element 11 0 comprises a slot 220 along the a length of element 110 instead of a C-section. wherein a moveable carriage 280 comprising a mushroom headed pin sits within, and is supported by, the inside edges of the slot 220 and is moveable in either direction along the slot. This arrangement results in less friction and enables the opening element 110 to be slimmer, if necessary.

As can be seen in the figures, particularly figure 9, a cut out feature 210 of opening element 130 is positioned on the link at the point where the pivot 170 meets opening element 130 when the hinge is in the closed position. As a result, the cut out 210 can accommodate the pivot 170 as the hinge closes, thereby enabling the opening element 130 and frame element 100 to be aligned when the hinge is fully closed.

Figures 7, 8 and 11 show cam 230 attached to opening element 110 and corresponding guiding body 240 attached to frame element 100 at an opposite facing position to the cam 230, so that the cam clips into the guiding body as the hinge is completely closed. More particularly, the guiding body 240 defines a recess for the cam 230 which is accessible by the cam 230 via a resilient neck which retains the cam 230 within the guiding body 240. Improved weather sealing thereby results, because the end of the opening element 110 is firmly located.

It vill 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

Cia i ills: I. A hinge comprising: a frame element; an opening element;

a first link attached at one end to a pivot on the frame element and at the other end to a moving pivot on the opening element; and a second link attached at one end to a moving pivot on the frame element and at the other end to a pivot on the opening element; wherein the links cross one another and are joined by a pivot which is offset from the mid-point of at least one of the links.
2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pivot connecting the first link to the frame element is fixed.
3. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot connecting the second link to the opening element is fixed.
4. A hinge as claimed in an' preceding claim, wherein the opening element is longer than the frame element.
5. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first link is longer than the second link.
6. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pivot is offset from the mid-point of both of the links.
7. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length along the first link between the moving pivot on the opening element and the pivot connecting the two links is greater than the length along the second link between the pivot on the opening element and the pivot connecting the two links.
8. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length along the second link between the moving pivot on the frame element and the pivot connecting the two links is greater than the length along the first link between the pivot on the frame element and the pivot connecting the two links
9. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the length along the first link between the moving pivot on the opening element and the pivot connecting the two links is greater than the length along the second link between the moving pivot on the frame element and the pivot connecting the two links.
10. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame element and the opening element are tracks which each accommodate a moveable carriage which carries a moving pivot connected to a respective link.
11. A hinge as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tracks are C-sectioned.
12. A hinge as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein at least one moveable carriage is a lipped slider.
13. A hinge as claimed in claim 10, wherein one track comprises a slot in the element.
14. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 0 to 13, wherein friction between a moveable carriage and its respective track is adjustable.
15. A hinge as claimed any preceding claim, wherein one element is fitted with a cam and the other element with a guiding body at an opposite facing position to the cam.
16. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the links has a cut Out feature positioned on the link at the point where an opposite pivot, which connects the other link to the fixed or opening element, meets the link when the hinge is in a closed position
17. A hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
18. A vent comprising a fixed frame and an opening member attached to the fixed frame by hinges, the opening member being movable between a position closing the vent and an open position, wherein the opening member is projected out substantially in line with an edge of the fixed frame when in the open position; wherein at least one of the hinges is as claimed in any preceding claim.
19. A vent as claimed in claim 1 8, wherein the vent is an egress vent, the plane of the vent, when open, being in line with an edge of the fixed frame.
20. A vent substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.