GB2450676A

GB2450676A - Hinge with selectively lockable intermediate leaf

Info

Publication number: GB2450676A
Application number: GB0707346A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Henry Jeynes
Original assignee: Samuel Heath and Sons PLC
Current assignee: Samuel Heath and Sons PLC
Priority date: 2007-04-17
Filing date: 2007-04-17
Publication date: 2009-01-07
Also published as: GB0707346D0

Abstract

A hinge 10 having a first leaf 16 for connection to a door 12, a second leaf 18 for connection to a door frame 14, and an intermediate leaf 20, pivotably connected to the first leaf 16 and to the second leaf 18. The hinge 10 includes a restraining device for selectively obstructing pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf 20 with respect to at least one of the first and second leaves. The restraining device may form a spigot 24 extending perpendicularly from the intermediate leaf and receivable in the frame 14. A locking pin 30 may be received in an aperture spigot 24. Alternatively, the restraining device may comprise a hook member 50 and biased toothed keeper 62.. The double acting hinge permits the door to open both inwardly and outwardly. The hinge may be an anti-ligature hinge and may be used in prisons to gain immediate access to a room with a door that is being blocked by an inmate.

Description

Title: Hinge

Description of Invention

This invention relates to hinges for doors, windows or other closures, in particular double acting hinges for doors (or other closures) which may required to be opened in both directions with respect to a frame, for example both inwardly and outwardly of a space to which the closure gives access.

The invention relates particularly, but not exclusively, to hinges for closures which may be selectively required to open in one direction only and both inwardly and outwardly of the frame.

It is known to provide double acting hinges, which include a first leaf for connection to a door, a second leaf for connection to a door frame and a third or intermediate leaf which is connected to and pivotable with respect the first leaf and the second leaf. Such double acting hinges permit the door to open both inwardly and outwardly of the door frame.

It is also known to provide anti-ligature hinges which prevent or reduce the ability to attach items to the hinge. This is an important feature of hinges for use with doors in buildings where there is a risk of people harming themselves, for example by attaching a ligature to the hinge and hanging themselves.

It is a known problem in prisons and other institutions for inmates or residents to block doorways, thus preventing access to the room. This can be a significant problem where immediate access is required, for example in the case of an emergency.

An aim of this invention is to provide a hinge which overcomes or alleviates one or more of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hinge including a first leaf for connection to a door, a second leaf for connection to a door frame, and an intermediate leaf, pivotably connected to the first leaf and to the second leaf, wherein the hinge includes restraining means for selectively obstructing pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf with respect to at least one of the first and second leaves.

The restraining means may be operable to hold the intermediate leaf substantially parallel to one of the first leaf and the second leaf by means of an engagement member which is receivable in one of the frame and the door.

The restraining means may include a restraining member connected to the intermediate leaf and which is receivable in one of the frame and the door.

The restraining means may be engageable with the engagement member to obstruct the pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf with respect to the one of the frame and the door with which the engagement member is engaged.

The restraining member may extend substantially perpendicularly from the intermediate leaf.

One of the frame and the door may be provided with a first formation for receiving the restraining member and a second formation for receiving the engagement member. The second formation may be substantially perpendicular to and communicable with the first formation.

The restraining member may include a formation for receiving at least a part of the engagement member.

Alternatively, the restraining means may include a restraining member which is engageable with the intermediate leaf and at least one of the first and second leaves.

The restraining member may be moveable from a first position in which it obstructs pivotal movement between the intermediate leaf and the first and/or second leaves with which it is engaged, into a second position in which it permits pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf with respect to both the first leaf and the second leaf. The restraining member may be adapted to be housed within the frame.

The engagement member may be engageable with a first formation of the restraining member to move the restraining member from its first position into its second position and vice versa.

The first formation may include a plurality of teeth, and rotation of the engagement member when engaged with the first formation may cause longitudinal movement of the restraining member.

The hinge may also include a holding member which is carried by the frame and has at least one tooth which is engageable with the first formation, for holding the restraining member stationary with respect to the frame.

The hinge may be either a butt hinge or a continuous hinge, and may advantageously be an anti-ligature hinge.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a closure including a door, a door frame and a hinge according to the first aspect of the invention.

The restraining means of the hinge may be operable to permit the door to open in one direction with respect to the frame or in both directions with respect to the frame.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the hinge connected to a door and a frame, Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the hinge connected to a door and a frame, Figure 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the hinge, in a first condition, Figure 5 is a plan view of the hinge in the first condition, with the engagement member engaged with the restraining member, Figure 6 is a plan view of the hinge in a second condition, with the engagement member engaged with the restraining member, and Figure 7 is a plan view of the hinge in the second condition with the engagement member removed.

Referring firstly to figure 1 a hinge is shown generally at 10, for providing connection of a door 12 to a corresponding door frame 14, which defines an aperture. The door 12 has an inner face 12a, an outer face 12b, and a side face 1 2c. The frame 14 includes at least two upright members, one of which is shown at 15, defining the width of the aperture which the door 12 fills when closed, and at least one substantially horizontal member (not shown) extending between the two upright members to define the height of the aperture. The frame 14 has an inner face 14a, an outer face 14b and a side face 14c, corresponding to each of the faces of the door 12. The hinge 10 enables the door 12 to be pivotally moved into and out of engagement with the frame, to open and close the door 12.

The hinge 10 includes a first leaf 16 for connection to the door 12 and a second leaf 18 for connection to one of the upright members 15 of the door frame 14. The hinge 10 also includes an intermediate leaf 20 which is pivotably connected to the first leaf 16 and the second leaf 18. The intermediate leaf 20 is pivotable with respect to both the first and second leaves 16, 18, about respective substantially vertical axes A, B. The first and second leaves 16, 18 are provided with fixing formations 22, in the form of apertures, through which screws or other fasteners (not shown) can be passed to connect the hinge 10 to the side face 12 of the door 12 and the side face 14c of the frame 14 respectively The hinge 10 also includes restraining means for obstructing or preventing pivotal movement between the intermediate leaf 20 and at least one of the first leaf 16 and the second leaf 18. In the present example the restraining means prevents the intermediate leaf 20 from pivoting with respect to the second leaf 18. However it will be appreciated that the restraining means can be adapted alternatively to prevent pivotal movement between the intermediate leaf 20 and the first leaf 16 as required.

The intermediate leaf 20 includes a restraining member 24, in the form of a spigot, which extends substantially perpendicularly from the intermediate leaf 20. The spigot 24 is receivable in a first formation 26 in the frame 14. The first formation 26 includes a recess which extends generally horizontally into the side face 14c of the frame member 15. The second leaf 18 may be provided with a cut away portion 28 for permitting the spigot 24 to pass therethrough to be received in the frame 14; however it will be appreciated that the cut away portion 28 is an optional feature which is dependent upon the position of the spigot 24 on the intermediate leaf 20.

The hinge 10 also includes an engagement member 30, in the form of a locking pin, at least a part of which is receivable in a second formation 32 in the frame 14. The second formation 32 is a substantially horizontal recess in the outer face 14b of the frame member 15. The second formation 32 is substantially perpendicular to and is communicable with the first formation 26 A part of the engagement member 30 is also engageable with an engagement formation 34 which is provided on the spigot 24. In the present example, the engagement formation 34 is a recess in the spigot 24.

In use, the first leaf 16 of the hinge lOis fixed to the side face 12 of the door 12 and the second leaf 18 of the hinge 10 is fixed to the side face 14 of the frame member 15. The intermediate leaf 20 is pivotably connected to the first leaf 16 and the second leaf 18.

In a first condition, it is desirable for the door 12 to be pivotable about one only of the substantially vertical axes A, B, such that the door is permitted to open in one direction. In the first condition the hinge 10 permits the door 12 to pivot about the first substantially vertical axis A, as shown in figure 1, and prevents the door 12 from pivoting about the second substantially vertical axis B. In the present example, pivotal movement about axis A is considered to open the door into the room.

In the first condition, as shown in figure 1, the intermediate leaf 20 is adjacent and substantially parallel with the second leaf 18, and hence is substantially parallel with the side face 14c of the frame member 15. The restraining member 24 extends substantially perpendicularly to the second leaf 18 and the side face 14c of the frame member 15. The restraining member 24 thus extends into the first formation 26 in the frame 14 When the restraining member 24 is received in the first formation 26, the engagement formation 34 of the restraining member is aligned with the second formation 32 in the frame 14. The engagement member 30 is receivable in the second formation 32 and in the engagement formation 34. When the engagement member 30 is engaged with the second formation 32 and the engagement formation 34, the intermediate leaf 20 is locked in position with respect to the frame 14 and the second leaf 18 by the engagement member 30 The intermediate leaf 20 is hence obstructed from pivoting with respect to the second leaf, and the door is prevented from opening about axis B which, in the present example, is considered to be outwardly of the room In a second condition, as shown in figures 2 and 3, the engagement member 30 has been disengaged from the engagement formation 34 of the restraining member 24, by being pulled outwardly of the frame 14 and out of the engagement formation 34. The engagement member 30 may be partially or completely removed from the second formation 32 in the frame 14. When the engagement member 30 is disengaged from the engagement formation 34, the restraining member 24 is no longer locked in engagement with the frame 14, and hence is removable from the frame 14, by pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf 20 with respect to the frame 14 and the second leaf 18 about the axis B. In the second condition the door 12 is pivotable about both axes A and B, and the door 12 is openable in both directions with respect to the frame 14, i.e. both into and out of the room. This is advantageous if the door 12 is blocked from one side, in this case the inner side 12a, and access is required to the room. Allowing someone on the outer side 12k of the door 12 to open the door 12 outwardly (i.e. towards themselves) by removing the engagement member 30 overcomes the problem of the door 12 being blocked.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 4 to 7. In this embodiment, the hinge 10 includes restraining means which includes a restraining member 50 housed in a cavity 51 of the frame 14. The restraining member 50 includes a body 52 and a hook portion 54. The body 52 has a front face 52a and a rear face 52b. The hook portion 54 includes a first limb 56, one end of which is connected to the front face 52a. The first limb 56 extends substantially perpendicularly from the body 52. A second limb 58 is connected to the free end of the first limb 56 and extends substantially perpendicularly to the first limb 56, such that the restraining member 50 is substantially U-shaped.

The body 52 of the restraining member 50 is carried in the cavity 51 of the frame 14 such that the front face 52a of the restraining member lies adjacent the side face 14c of the frame 14. The hook portion 54 extends outwardly of the side face 14c of the frame 14. Each leaf 16, 18, 20 of the hinge 10 includes an aperture 17, 19, 21 respectively, for enabling the hook member 54 to pass therethrough when the leaf 16, 18, 20 is adjacent and substantially parallel to the side face 14c of the frame 14. When all three leaves 16, 18, 20 of the hinge 10 are adjacent and substantially parallel with each other, as shown in figure 4, the door 12 sits in the frame 14 and closes the aperture defined by the frame 14.

The restraining member 50 is dimensioned such that in a first condition an edge of the respective apertures 17, 19, 21 of at least two leaves 16, 18, 20, in this example the second leaf 18 and the intermediate leaf 20, are receivable in the U-shaped hook portion 54. As shown in figure 4, the first limb 56 of the hook portion 54 extends outwardly of the side face 14 of the frame 14, and through the respective apertures 19, 21 of the second and intermediate leaves 18, 20. The second limb 58 lies adjacent an edge of the intermediate leaf 20, substantially within the aperture 17 of the first leaf 16. The aperture 17 of the leaf 16 is larger than the corresponding apertures 19, 21 of the second and intermediate leaves 18, 20 to accommodate the second limb 58.

The rear face 52b of the restraining member 50 is provided with an engagement formation 62 for engagement with an engagement member 60.

In the present example the engagement formation 62 includes a plurality of teeth.

The frame 14 includes a formation, for example a recess (not shown) which extends substantially horizontally into the outer face 14b for receiving the engagement member 60. In this embodiment of the hinge 10, the engagement member 60 is a splined key at least a part of which is receivable in the cavity 51 of the frame 14 for engagement with the teeth 62 of the restraining member 50. It will be appreciated that the engagement member 60 need not necessarily be a key, and may alternatively be any member which is engageable with the restraining member 50 in order to move the restraining member 50 from one position to another. For example, rather than a key which is inserted into the cavity 51 when necessary, the engagement member may be permanently engaged with the restraining means, and manual operation by an authorised person may be effected by engagement of an object with the engagement member 60, for example a coin. This enables the device to be operated quickly in an emergency, but reduces the likelihood of the device being operated inadvertently or by unauthorised persons.

The restraining member 50 is moveably connected to the frame 14 by a keeper 64 which is pivotally connected to the frame 14. The keeper 64 is pivotable with respect to the frame 14 and the restraining member 50 about a substantially horizontal axis C. The keeper 64 has at least one tooth 66 which is engageable with the teeth 62 of the restraining member 50, and a formation with which the engagement member 60 is engageable. The keeper 64 is biased to a position in which the tooth 66 is engaged with the teeth 62 of the restraining member 50 by a spring 68, which is connected at one of its ends to the frame 14. The keeper 64 also includes an engagement formation 70 with which the engagement member 60 is engageable.

When the restraining member 50 is in a first position, as shown in figure 4, the hinge 10 is in a first condition. In this first condition, the restraining means of the hinge 10 prevents the intermediate leaf 20 from pivoting with respect to the second leaf 18 about the substantially vertical axis B. The door 12 is thus restricted to opening in one direction only, in this case, into the room.

As shown in figure 4 the door 12 is closed and the leaves 16, 18, 20 of the hinge 10 are adjacent and parallel with respect to each other. The restraining member 50 is in a first position, and the first limb 56 of the hook portion 54 extends through the respective apertures 19, 21 of the second and intermediate leaves 18, 20, and the second limb 58 of the restraining member lies in the aperture 17 of the first leaf 16, adjacent an edge of the intermediate leaf 20. The aperture 17 of the first leaf is dimensioned such that it is possible for the first leaf 16 to pivot with respect to the second and intermediate leaves 18, 20 such that the door 12 is openable in one direction, without being obstructed by the restraining member 50 when the restraining member 50 is in the first position.

If the door 12 is required to be opened in the opposite direction, in the present case outwardly of the room, or in both directions, a user on the outside of the door 12, is able to insert the engagement member 60 into the formation in the frame 14, to engage the restraining member 50, and to move the hinge 10 into a second condition.

Figure 5 shows the splined key 60 inserted in the frame 14 and engaged with the teeth 62 of the restraining member 50. The key 60 engages both the restraining member 50 and the keeper member 64. The key 60 has a diameter which is greater than the distance between the formation 70 of the keeper member 64 and the rear face 52b of the restraining member 50.

Therefore the insertion of the key 60 causes the keeper member 64 to pivot about substantially horizontal axis C, which disengages the tooth 66 of the keeper member 64 from the teeth 62 of the restraining member 50. The key engages the formation 62 of the restraining member 50, and rotation of the key 60 causes linear movement of the restraining member 50 in a first direction. Rotation of the key 60 in the opposite direction causes linear movement of the restraining member 50 in the opposite direction.

Rotation of the key 60 and the corresponding movement of the restraining member 50 cause the hook part 54 of the restraining member 50 to disengage the second and intermediate leaves 18, 20 of the hinge 10, as shown in figures 6 and 7. The hook part 54 is able to move along the apertures 19, 21 of the leaves 18, 20, such that the second limb 58 is no longer adjacent the edge of the intermediate leaf 20, and is instead aligned with the aperture 21 of the intermediate leaf 20. In the second condition, the restraining member 50 does not obstruct pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf 20 with respect to the second leaf 18 about the substantially vertical axis B, and the door 12 is permitted to open both inwardly and outwardly of the frame 14.

When the hinge 10 is in its second condition, wherein the intermediate leaf 20 is able to pivot about the substantially vertical axes A, B with respect to both the first leaf 16 and the second leaf 18, the engagement member 60 is removable from engagement with the restraining member 50 and the keeper member 64. The spring 68 biases the keeper member 64 towards the position in which the tooth 66 is engaged with the teeth 62, as shown in figure 7. The restraining member 50 is thus held in its second position with respect to the frame 14.

In order to avoid inadvertent or unauthorised operation of the hinge 10 in its second condition, wherein the door 12 is openable in both directions, the frame 14 is provided with a rebate 80 on its outside face 14b, for receiving a removable part of the frame (not shown) which covers the formation 32 in which the engagement members 30, 60 are receivable. The removable part of the frame enables the hinge 10 to be accessed and operated in its second condition only as and when necessary, for example in the event of an emergency to avoid inadvertent or unauthorised opening of the door 12 in more than one direction.

It will be appreciated that where the hinge 10 is intended for use in prisons or other institutions, doors are generally openable from one side only, and the restraining means and engagement members 30, 60 are arranged accordingly such that it is possible to control the operation of the hinge 10 from one side only of the door 12 and frame 14.

The hinge 10 may be an anti-ligature hinge, having at least one chamfered portion at a top part thereof to prevent the attachment of ligatures or other materials. Alternatively or additionally, the hinge may be concealed within the frame and/or the door. The hinge may be a butt hinge or a continuous hinge.

A door or other closure may be provided with one or more hinges 10 for facilitating opening of the door in either one direction or two directions as required.

The hinge 10 has been described for connection to a door and a frame. It will be appreciated that features of the hinge 10 which are described as being connected to or interacting with the door 12 may be adapted for connection or interaction with the frame 14 and vice versa.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "door" and "doorframe" and variations thereof are to be interpreted to indude windows and other closures and their respective frames.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A hinge having a first leaf for connection to a door, a second leaf for connection to a door frame, and an intermediate leaf, pivotably connected to the first leaf and to the second leaf, wherein the hinge includes restraining means for selectively obstructing pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf with respect to at least one of the first and second leaves.

2. A hinge according to claim

3 wherein the restraining means is operable to hold the intermediate leaf substantially parallel to one of the first leaf and the second leaf 3. A hinge according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the restraining means includes an engagement member which is receivable in one of the frame and the door.

4. A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the restraining means includes a restraining member connected to the intermediate leaf and which is receivable in one of the frame and the door, and which is engageable with the engagement member.

5. A hinge according to claim 4 wherein the restraining member extends substantially perpendicularly from the intermediate leaf.

6. A hinge according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein one of the frame and the door includes a first formation for receiving the restraining member and a second formation for receiving the engagement member, the second formation being substantially perpendicular to and communicable with the first formation

7. A hinge according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the restraining member includes a formation for receiving at least a part of the engagement member.

8. A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the restraining means includes a restraining member which is engageable with the intermediate leaf and at least one of the first and second leaves.

9. A hinge according to claim 8 wherein the restraining member is moveable from a first position in which it obstructs pivotal movement between the intermediate leaf and the first and/or second leaves with which it is engaged, into a second position in which it permits pivotal movement of the intermediate leaf with respect to both the first leaf and the second leaf.

10. A hinge according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the restraining member is adapted to be housed within the frame.

11. A hinge according to any one of claims 3 and 8 to 10 where dependent on claim 3 wherein the engagement member is engageable with a first formation of the restraining member to move the restraining member from its first position into its second position and vice versa.

12. A hinge according to claim 11 wherein the first formation includes a plurality of teeth, and rotation of the engagement member when engaged with the first formation causes longitudinal movement of the restraining member.

13. A hinge according to any one of claims 8 or 9 to 12 where dependent on claim 8, including a holding member for holding the restraining member stationary with respect to the frame.

14. A hinge according to claim 14 wherein the holding member is carried by the frame and includes at least one tooth which is engageable with the first formation

15 A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge is an anti-ligature hinge.

16. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge is a butt hinge.

17 A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the hinge is a continuous hinge.

18. A hinge substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A closure including a door, a door frame and a hinge according to any one of claims ito 17.

20. A closure according to claim 19 wherein the restraining means of the hinge is operable to permit the door to open in one direction with respect to the frame or in both directions with respect to the frame.

21. A closure substantially as herein described and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.