GB2511282A - Improvements in or relating to hinge arrangements - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge arrangement 10 has a first hinge portion 12 supporting a hinge spindle 14. A leaf member 18 is mounted on the hinge spindle 14 and locking member 22 engages the spindle to prevent axial separation of the hinge leaf. Preferably the spindle has an annular groove 29; the locking member may form a cover having an aperture 40 with a first portion 41 and second narrower portion 42 which engages the groove of the spindle when the cover moves perpendicular to the spindle to a secured second position, the cover 22 may include locking protrusions 39 engaging with recesses in the hinge leaf 18.

Description

lmrrovements in or relating to hinge arrangements The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to hinge arrangements.

Hinge arrangements are used in many circumstances, including the mounting of windows and doors in frames. One type of hinge which is commonly used for exterior doors or windows, particularly those mounted at a vertical hinge axis, is called a flag hinge. A flag hinge typically has a fixed part attached to the frame of the door or window and supporting a vertical hinge spindle. The other leaf of the hinge is generally rectangular in shape, giving rise to the name "flag hinge". This flag leaf is supported on the fixed part to hinge around the axis of the hinge spindle. The hinge spindle is typically supported only at the bottom end. This can create problems if the door flexes during use, possibly moving the flag leaf up the hinge spindle and increasing the bending moment on the hinge spindle, creating a risk of the hinge spindle being bent or even broken.

Examples of the present invention provide a hinge arrangement comprising: a first hinge portion supporting a hinge spindle to define a hinge axis; a leaf member which, in use, is hingedly mounted on the hinge spindle; a locking member movable, in use, between a locking position and a release position; wherein the locking member engages the leaf member, at least when the locking member is in the locking position; the locking member and the hinge spindle having cooperating formations which engage when the locking member is in the locking position and disengage when the locking member is in the release position; wherein, when the locking member is in the locking position, engagement of the cooperating formations prevents the locking member moving axially along the hinge spindle and the locking member engages the leaf member to hold the leaf member against moving axially along the hinge spindle.

The cooperating formations may include a key formation and a key recess, the key formation being located in the key recess when the locking member is in the locking position, to key the locking member against axial movement along the hinge spindle.

The locking member may be movable transversely of the hinge spindle. The locking member may be captive on the hinge spindle.

The cooperating formations may include a reduced diameter neck in the hinge spindle.

The locking member may comprise a knuckle around the spindle and defining a space having a first region sufficiently large for axial movement along the hinge spindle, and a key region which is sufficiently small to accept the hinge spindle only at the said neck.

The leaf member may have knuckles providing a hinge connection with the hinge spindle, and being spaced along the hinge axis to define a gap in which the knuckle of the locking member is received.

The engagement between the locking member and the leaf member may prevent the locking member pivoting around the hinge axis, relative to the leaf member. The locking member may be a cover which covers the leaf member when in the locking position, substantially to prevent access to the leaf member.

Examples of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hinge arrangement which is an example embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the hinge arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a further exploded view of the hinge arrangement of Fig. 1, in an alternative condition; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are perspective and plan views of the locking cover of the hinge arrangement of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are plan views at a horizontal section, taken along the line A -A, indicated in Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of Fig. 1 respectively in the locked and unlocked condition.

Overview The drawings illustrate a hinge arrangement 10. The main components can first be described, with particular reference to Figs. I to 3.

The hinge arrangement 10 comprises a first hinge portion 12 in the form of a base supporting a hinge spindle 14 (Fig. 2) to define a hinge axis 16. In the example being described, the hinge axis 16 is substantially vertical. This is the preferred orientation for using the hinge mechanism being described.

The arrangement 10 also has a leaf member 18 (Fig. 3) which, in use, is hingedly mounted on the hinge spindle 14. This is achieved by two knuckles 20 which have concentric cylindrical passages formed in them, so that they may fit over the spindle 14 to create a journal bearing, allowing the leaf member 18 to turn relative to the first portion 12.

A locking member 22 is also provided. In this example, the locking member 22 is in the form of a cover and will subsequently be described simply as a cover 22, for simplicity.

The cover 22 is movable, in use, between a locking position (Fig. 7) and a release position (Fig. 6), which will be described in more detail below.

The cover 22, the leaf member 18 and the spindle 14 interact in various ways. The cover 22 engages the leaf member 18, at least when the cover 22 is in the locking position (Fig. 7). In addition, the cover 22 and the spindle 14 have co-operating formations, to be described, which engage when the cover is in the locking position and disengage when the cover 22 is in the release position (Fig. 6). When the cover 22 is in the locking position, engagement of the cooperating formations of the cover 22 and the spindle 14 prevents the locking member moving axially along the spindle 14, and the cover 22 engages the leaf member 18 to hold the leaf member against moving axially along the hinge spindle 14. These interactions can be explained in more detail, after describing the structures in more detail.

Details of the structure The base 12 has an upwardly extending arm 24 providing locations (not shown) for fixings to secure the arm 24 to a frame or wall alongside a window or door. A lug 26 extends forward of the arm 24 to position the spindle 14 in front of the arm 24, supporting the spindle 14 at its lower end so that the spindle 14 extends generally vertically up from the lug 26, to an unsupported tip 28. The spindle 14 has a neck 29 at which the spindle 14 has a reduced diameter. The neck 29 therefore provides a circumferential recess in the outer surface of the spindle 14. The recess serves as a key recess, providing a keying function, as will be described.

The knuckles 20 of the leaf member 18 sit over the spindle 14 to provide a hinge action between the leaf member 18 and the base 12. The cylindrical passages in the knuckles may contain bushes or other inserts of appropriate material to create a smooth hinge action between the leaf member 18 and the spindle 14. A cap 30 is fitted on top of the uppermost knuckle 20 to close the cylindrical passage and keep the arrangement free from dirt.

The knuckles 20 are separated by a gap 32. This receives a knuckle 34 of the cover 22.

The cover 22 and the knuckle 34 can best be seen in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The cover 22 is generally rectangular in form, having a front face 36 with a skid wall 38 around three sides. The skid wall 38 carries teeth 39.

The fourth side of the front face 36 is open, apart from the knuckle 34. The knuckle 34 has a passage 40 of constant, non-circular cross section when viewed parallel with the hinge axis 16. A first region 41 of the passage 40 has an outline which is part of a circle having a radius which is at least as large as the radius of the spindle 14, away from the neck 29. Accordingly, the region 41 is sufficiently large for axial movement along the hinge spindle 14 and away from the neck 29, when the centre of the region 41 is aligned with the hinge axis 16. A second region 42 of the passage 40, here termed the key region, also has an outline which is part of a circle, but the radius of the key region 42 is smaller than radius of the region 41. The radius of the region 41 is smaller than the radius of the spindle 24, except at the neck 29. Accordingly, the key region 42 is sufficiently small to accept the spindle 14, but only at the neck 29.

It can readily be seen from Fig 5 that the regions 41, 42 are not concentric.

In the assembled hinge arrangement 10, the knuckle 34 is located as a collar around the spindle 14, which is received in the passage 40. The knuckle 34 sits in the gap 32 between the knuckles 20, at a height corresponding with the neck 29. That is, when the lowermost knuckle 20 is sifting on the lug 26, with the knuckle 34 in the gap 32, the neck 29 will be in the passage 40. The consequence of this, and the shape of the passage 40, provides freedom for the cover 22 to move transversely of the spindle 14.

However, the cover 22 remains captive on the spindle 14. The two extreme transverse positions of the cover 22, relative to the spindle 14, are illustrated in Fig. 6 and Fig.?. In Fig 6, the spindle 14 is in the larger region 41. This position is called the release position. The larger region 41 is coaxial with the hinge axis 16 and accordingly, the knuckle 34 can be lifted up the spindle 14, away from the neck 29 and onto the wider, upper portion of the spindle 14. The cover 22 can be removed from the spindle 14, in this manner. Location of the knuckle 34 between the knuckles 20 means that the leaf 18 must also be lifted off the spindle 14, in the same action. Thus, the hinge arrangement 10 can be disassembled when the cover 22 is in the release position illustrated in Fig 6.

Similarly, the hinge arrangement 10 can be assembled by fitting the knuckles 20, 34 over the spindle 14 to reach the condition illustrated in Fig 6.

The cover 22 can be moved from the release position of Fig 6 to the locking position of Fig 7 by pushing the cover 22 transversely of the hinge axis 16 so that the neck 29 moves into the key region 42. As this happens, part of the knuckle 34 around the key region 42 will move into the key recess provided by the neck 29. This will create a mechanical key between the knuckle 34 and the spindle 14 above the neck 29. This mechanical key will key the cover 34 against axial movement up the spindle 14.

Accordingly, when the neck 29 is received in the key region 42, the cover 22 is locked against axial movement along the spindle 14 (and in particular, up the spindle 14).

Thus, the cover 22 cannot be removed from the spindle 14 when in the locking position, without first moving the cover 22 in a transverse direction to move the spindle 14 into the larger region 41.

This transverse movement of the cover 22 also creates an interaction between the cover 22 and the leaf member 18. The presence of the knuckle 34 in the gap 32, and the presence of the hinge spindle 14 threading through all three knuckles 20, 34, causes the knuckle 34 to block the knuckles 20 from moving up or down the spindle 14, thereby holding the leaf member 18 against moving axially along the hinge spindle.

The interaction between the cover 22 and the leaf member 18 also involves the teeth 39. When the cover 22 is in the release position of Fig 6, the teeth 39 are clear of the leaf member 18. The cover 22 is free to turn around the spindle 14 to move away from the leaf member 18, as illustrated in Fig 3. This provides access to the leaf member 18, for example for adjustment or maintenance. In particular, the leaf member 18 may provide mechanisms for adjusting the alignment of the door or window in the frame.

The cover 22 can be closed by turning it around the spindle 14 to move back against the leaf member 18. When fully closed against the leaf member 18, the cover 22 can then be moved transversely to the locking position described above. As the cover 22 reaches the locking position, the teeth 39 engage under the leaf member 18. This creates engagement between the cover 22 and the leaf member 18, preventing the cover 22 from pivoting around the hinge axis 16, relative to the leaf member 18. The cover 22 is therefore held against the leaf member 18, preventing access to the leaf member 18. Access to the leaf member 18 cannot be regained without returning the cover 22 to the release position described above. A suitable mechanism may be provided, not forming part of the present invention, to prevent unauthorised movement of the cover 22 from the locking position to the release position, thereby providing security against tampering with the leaf member 18.

It can therefore be understood from the above description that when the cover 22 is in the locking position (Fig 7), engagement of the cooperating formations provided by the key recess of the neck 29 and the knuckle 34 around the key region 42 prevents the cover 22 moving axially along the spindle 14 and furthermore, the cover 22 engages the leaf member 18, in the gap 32, to hold the leaf member 18 against moving axially along the spindle 14. This locks the relative axial positions of the base 12 and the leaf member 18 so that the hinge cannot be disassembled through tampering or other unauthorised action, and neither can the leaf member 18 ride up the spindle 14 in the event that the door is subjected to forces tending to make it flex. This provides protection against damage to the spindle 14.

Concludinci comments Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, many shapes and dimensions, and relative shapes and dimensions of the various components can be varied while still allowing the components to function in the manner described.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of

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features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS1. A hinge arrangement comprising: a first hinge portion supporting a hinge spindle to define a hinge axis; a leaf member which, in use, is hingedly mounted on the hinge spindle; a locking member movable, in use, between a locking position and a release position; wherein the locking member engages the leaf member, at least when the locking member is in the locking position; the locking member and the hinge spindle having cooperating formations which engage when the locking member is in the locking position and disengage when the locking member is in the release position; wherein, when the locking member is in the locking position, engagement of the cooperating formations prevents the locking member moving axially along the hinge spindle and the locking member engages the leaf member to hold the leaf member against moving axially along the hinge spindle.
2. 2. A hinge arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cooperating formations include a key formation and a key recess, the key formation being located -20 in the key recess when the locking member is in the locking position, to key the locking member against axial movement along the hinge spindle.
3. 3. A hinge arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking member is movable transversely of the hinge spindle.
4. 4. A hinge arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is captive on the hinge spindle.
5. 5. A hinge arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooperating formations include a reduced diameter neck in the hinge spindle.
6. 6. A hinge arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the locking member comprises a knuckle around the spindle and defining a space having a first region 1O sufficiently large for axial movement along the hinge spindle, and a key region which is sufficiently small to accept the hinge spindle only at the said neck.
7. 7. A hinge arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the leaf member has knuckles providing a hinge connection with the hinge spindle and spaced along the hinge axis to define a gap in which the knuckle of the locking member is received.
8. 8. A hinge arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement between the locking member and the leaf member prevents the locking member pivoting around the hinge axis, relative to the leaf member.
9. 9. A hinge arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is a cover which covers the leaf member when in the locking position, substantially to prevent access to the leaf member.
10. 10. A hinge arrangement substantially as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.
11. 11. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter -20 disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.