GB2560549A

GB2560549A - Hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2560549A
Application number: GB1704106.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Nash Robin
Original assignee: Gore Products Ltd
Current assignee: Gore Products Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-15
Filing date: 2017-03-15
Publication date: 2018-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-15
Also published as: GB2560549B; GB201704106D0

Abstract

A hinge comprising first and second bodies 104, 106, a hinge pin 108 with a through-hole 118. The second body includes a through hole 116 which when aligned with hole of hinge pin allows passage of a screw or threaded bolt for attaching the second body to an object such as a vehicle door or alternatively a hinge cover. When fixing means 118 mounts a hinge cover then the second body may include second fasteners (162, fig.5b) to mount the hinge to a vehicle door. Also claimed is a hinge comprising first body 104 and a second body 106 with fixing means attaching to an object (door, frame, hinge cover) wherein in a first rotational position the first hinge body conceals the fixing means and in a second rotational position of the hinge the fixing means/bolt is accessible allowing removal of the fixing bolt 124. Ideally the fastening screws are concealed when the hinge is in the closed position as an anti-tamper means.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Hinge Abstract Title: A hinge (57) A hinge comprising first and second bodies 104, 106, a hinge pin 108 with a through-hole 118. The second body includes a through hole 116 which when aligned with hole of hinge pin allows passage of a screw or threaded bolt for attaching the second body to an object such as a vehicle door or alternatively a hinge cover. When fixing means 118 mounts a hinge cover then the second body may include second fasteners (162, fig.5b) to mount the hinge to a vehicle door. Also claimed is a hinge comprising first body 104 and a second body 106 with fixing means attaching to an object (door, frame, hinge cover) wherein in a first rotational position the first hinge body conceals the fixing means and in a second rotational position of the hinge the fixing means/bolt is accessible allowing removal of the fixing bolt 124. Ideally the fastening screws are concealed when the hinge is in the closed position as an anti-tamper means.

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Hinge

Field of the invention

The present invention is in the field of hinges, particularly but not exclusively for door hinges.

For example, the present invention may be in the field door hinges for vehicles.

Background

Hinges are used in a variety of applications where one object needs to be attached to, but also be rotatably movable with respect to, another object. For the case of hinges being used on doors, the door is typically used to close off or at least obstruct the passage from an inner environment to an outer environment, for example the inside of a vehicle from an outside of a vehicle.

Some hinges are used that have hinge portions that are exposed to the outer environment when the door is in a closed position. These hinges may be formed as part of the door or may, for example, be retro-fitted to the door. An example of a hinge retro-fitted to a door is a security hinge attached to a car door.

In certain situations, one or more of the objects that the hinge attaches to may not be arranged so that a fastening means can be attached to the hinge from inside the inner environment. As such, the fixing means used to fix the hinge bodies on to the desired objects may have to be inserted and/or otherwise accessed from the outer environment. This may cause a problem in certain scenarios, for example, when attaching an outer security hinge to a door and a pillar. In this example, the fixing means attaching the hinge to the door/pillar is visible and accessible to the outer environment where an unwanted party may remove the fixing hinge and therefore gain access to the inner environment and/or remove and take the door.

Figure 1 shows an example of such a security hinge existing in the prior art. The hinge 2 has a first component 4 and a second component 6 that are connected via a hinge pin 8 which allows the first and second components to rotate relative to each other about the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin. Each of the first component 4 and the second component 6 are attached to respective first and second objects (not shown in the diagram) via fixing means (not shown in the diagram) inserted into the through holes 10 in each of the first and second components 4, 6 respectively. In the example shown in the prior art of Figure 1, the first component 4 has a laterally extending portion with a through hole for accommodating a middle portion of the hinge pin 8. Similarly, the second component 6 has two laterally extending portions that laterally overlap the extending portion of the first component 4. The extending portions of the second component 6 have a first through hole and a recess 16, each accommodating a further two portions of the hinge pin. If this hinge were to be secured on to the outside of a door then the fixing means inserted through the attachment through holes 10 would be exposed to the outer environment and would be easily removed by a third party. Furthermore, the hinge pin may also be simply removed from the abovementioned through holes and recess.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention here is provided a hinge for attaching to a: first object; and, second object using a fixing means; the hinge comprising: a first body for attaching to the first object; and, a second body for attaching to the second object; and, a hinge pin about which at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body; the hinge pin comprising a through hole for accommodating a first portion of the fixing means; the first body configured to accommodate a first portion of the hinge pin; the second body configured to accommodate a second portion of the hinge pin; the second body comprising: a first wall at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin; a second wall at least partially facing the second object; a passageway linking a first opening in the first wall with a second opening in the second wall and configured to accommodate a second portion of the fixing means.

The first aspect may be modified in any suitable way as disclosed herein including, but not limited to, any one or more of the following.

The hinge may be configured to be attached to the second object when the through hole and first opening are aligned.

The hinge may be configured such that the passageway is a first passageway; the hinge further comprising a second passageway for accommodating a third portion of the fixing means; the second passageway comprising at least: a third opening in a wall at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin; the third opening being remote from the first opening; and, a fourth opening remote from the second opening.

The hinge may be configured such that: when the first body is at a first rotational position relative to the second body, the fixing means is insertable into the through hole and the passageway; when the first body is at a second rotational position relative to the second body, the fixing means is prevented from being inserted into the through hole and the first passageway; the first rotational position being different to the second rotational position.

The hinge may be configured such that the second body is configured to be attachable to a third object, the second object being a third body of the hinge.

The hinge may be configured such that the second body comprises an attachment surface configured to face and reside adjacent to the third body when the second body is attached to the third object.

The hinge may be configured such that the second body comprises one or more attachment through holes in the attachment surface for allowing a second fixing means to attach the second body to the third object.

The hinge may be configured such that the third body is configured to cover at least one of the said attachment through holes when the second body is attached to the third object.

The hinge may be configured such that the second body and third body comprise complementary engaging means for allowing the third body to engage with the second body.

The hinge may be configured such that the complementary engaging means are configured to allow the third body to slidably engage with the second body along a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the attachment surface.

The hinge may be configured such that the first body comprises a cavity for accommodating the first portion of the hinge pin.

The hinge may be configured such that the said cavity of the first body is a first cavity; the first body comprising a second cavity for accommodating a third portion of the hinge pin.

The hinge may be configured such that: the second body comprises a cavity for accommodating the second portion of the hinge pin; at least one of the first cavity and second cavity of the first body comprises a through hole configured to allow the hinge pin to pass through the said through hole and into the cavity of the second body.

The hinge may be configured such that the cavity of the second body comprises a through hole configured to allow the hinge pin to pass through the said through hole and into the first or second cavity of the first body.

The hinge may be configured such that wherein any of the cavities of the first and second are cylindrical.

The hinge may further comprise the fixing means.

The hinge may be configured such that the second fixing means resides at least partially in the passageway; and at least partially in the through hole of the hinge pin.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the hinge as described in the first aspect and, optionally, any one or more of the optional features described above for the first aspect.

According to a third aspect on the invention there is provided a kit comprising: a first body as described in the first aspect; a second body as described in the first aspect; and, a hinge pin as described in the first aspect.

The kit may be adapted according to any way disclosed herein.

The kit may further comprise a third body as described in the optional features of the third aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a hinge for attaching to a: first object; and, second object using a fixing means; the hinge comprising: a first body for attaching to the first object; and, a second body for attaching to the second object; the second body comprising an opening for inserting the fixing means; the hinge configured such that at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body such that: in a first rotational position, a portion of the first body at least partially covers the first opening so to preventing the fixing means being inserted into the first opening; in a second rotational position, the fixing means is insertable into the first opening.

The fourth aspect may be modified in any suitable way as disclosed herein including, but not limited to, any one or more of the following.

The hinge may comprise a hinge pin about which at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body;

The hinge may be configured such that the hinge pin comprises a through hole for accommodating a first portion of the fixing means;

The hinge may be configured such that: the first body is configured to accommodate a first portion of the hinge pin; the second body is configured to accommodate a second portion of the hinge pin; the second body comprising: a first wall at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin; a second wall at least partially facing the second object; a passageway linking a first opening in the first wall with a second opening in the second wall and configured to accommodate a second portion of the fixing means.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the hinge as claimed in the fourth aspect and, optionally, any one or more of the optional features described above for the fourth aspect.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising: a first body as described in the fourth aspect; a second body as described in the fourth aspect.

The kit may further comprise a third body as described in the fourth aspect.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a hinge of the prior art;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a first example of a hinge as presented herein;

Figure 3a shows a plan view of the hinge of figure 2 wherein the hinge is in an open position;

Figure 3b shows a plan view of the hinge of figure 2 wherein the hinge is in a closed position;

Figure 4a shows an example of a barrel portion of a hinge for accommodating a hinge pin;

Figure 4a shows another example or a barrel portion of a hinge for accommodating a hinge pin wherein the barrel has a slit;

Figure 5a shows a side view of a second example of a hinge as presented herein;

Figure 5b shows a plan view of the hinge of figure 5a wherein the hinge is in a closed position;

Figure 6a shows a top perspective view of an example of a first body of a hinge for attaching to a vehicle door;

Figure 6b shows an end on view of the first body of figure 6a;

Figure 7a shows a bottom view of an example of a second body of a hinge for attaching to a supporting pillar of a vehicle;

Figure 7b shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the second body of figure 7a;

Figure 7c shows an end-on view of an example of the second body of figure 7a;

Figure 7d shows a bottom perspective view of a third body of a hinge for attaching to the second body of figures 7a-c;

Figure 8a shows a side view of a hinge assembled from the: first body of figures 6a-b; the second body of figures 7a-c, the third body of figure 7d;

Figure 8b shows a bottom view of the hinge of figure 8a;

Figure 8c shows an end-on view of the hinge of figure 8a;

Figure 8d shows a perspective view of the hinge of figure 8a.

Detailed Description

There is presented a hinge for attaching to a first object, such as a door; and a second object (such as a wall, beam or other structural support member) using a fixing means. An example of this hinge is shown in Figure 2. The hinge 102 comprises a first body 104 for attaching to the first object 105. The hinge 102 also comprises a second body 106 for attaching to the second object 107. The hinge 102 also comprises a hinge pin 108 about which at least one of the first or second bodies 104, 106 rotates relative to the other of the first or second body 104, 106. The hinge pin 108 comprises a through hole 110 for accommodating a first portion 124a of the fixing means (not shown in figure 2). The first body 104 is configured to accommodate a first portion 108a of the hinge pin 108. The second body 106 is configured to accommodate a second portion 108b of the hinge pin 108. The second body 106 comprises a first wall 112 at least partially facing the second portion 108b of the hinge pin 108. The second body 106 further comprises a second wall 114 at least partially facing the second object 107. The second body 106 further comprises a passageway 116 linking a first opening 117a in the first wall 112 with a second opening 117b in the second wall 114. The passageway 116 configured to accommodate a second portion 124b of the fixing means (not shown in figure 2).

There is also presented a hinge for attaching to a first object; and, a second object using a fixing means. The hinge comprising: a first body for attaching to the first object; and, a second body for attaching to the second object; the second body comprising an opening for inserting the fixing means. The hinge being configured such that at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body such that: a) in a first rotational position, a portion of the first body at least partially covers the first opening so to preventing the fixing means being inserted into the first opening; b) in a second rotational position, the fixing means is insert-able into the first opening.

In this example, the first object 105 is a door and the second object 107 is a wall to which the door 105 is to be attached. The hinge 102 is not limited to this example and may be used for hingably attaching any two objects including but not limited to a vehicle door to a portion of the vehicle body. Throughout the description reference may be made to car door and a car body, however it is understood that this reference is made for purposes of exemplifying the hinge 102 disclosed herein and that the hinge may be used for hingably attaching other objects.

Figure 2 shows a side view of an example of a hinge 102 disclosed herein and Figure 3a shows the plan view of the same hinge 102 as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 3a the first body 104 is rotated about a central axis 118 of the hinge pin 108 so that a fixing means 124 may be inserted in to the passageway 116. Figure 3b shows a plan view of the same hinge 102 shown in Figure 3a wherein the fixing means 124 has been inserted into the passageway 116 and at least partially into a recess 126 of the second object 107. As shown in Figure 3a, Figure 3b and Figure 2, the fixing means 124 may only be inserted through the through-hole 110 of the hinge pin 108 and into the passageway 116 of the second body 106 and into the recess 126 of the second object when the through hole 110 and the passageway 116 are aligned both vertically and horizontally.

The fixing means 124 in this example is a screw wherein the screw attachably engages with at least the second object 107 via a complimentary thread in the recess 126 second object 107. Figure 3a shows the first body 104 being attached to a door portion (which is the first object 105 in this example) with another fixing means 122. This fixing means may be a screw or any other type of suitable fixing means.

Any of the fixing means disclosed herein may be anyone or more of a screw, a bolt, a nail an adhesive or any other suitable fixing means.

The hinge 102 as shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b further shows a second passageway 128 for accommodating a third portion 124c of the fixing means 124. The second passageway 128 comprises at least a third opening 130 in a third wall 132 at least partially facing the second portion 108b of the hinge pin 108. The third opening 130 is remote from the first opening 117a. The second passageway 128 further comprises a fourth opening 134 in a fourth wall 136, the fourth opening being remote from the second opening 117b.

In the example shown in figures 2, 3a and 3b, the fourth opening 134 is wider than the third opening 130 wherein the second passageway 128 begins with a recess 138 extending inwardly, from the fourth wall 136, towards the third opening 130. The recess 138 having a bottom wall portion 140 peripherally surrounding an intermediate opening of the second passageway. The recess being configured to accommodate a portion of the fixing means 124. In the example shown in figures 2, 3a and 3b, the fixing means is a screw with a main threaded cylindrical body 124a and a head 124b. The recess 138 accommodates the head wherein the bottom wall 140 contacts the head 124b when the screw 124 is fully inserted into the first and second passageways. This recess 138 may be a counter-sunk of counter-bored portion of the fourth wall

136.

The passageway 116, second passageway 128 and hinge pin through hole 110 are sized to accommodate the elongate threaded portion of the screw 124. In this example, the passageways 116, 128 and through hole 110 are substantially cylindrical. Any one or more (or none) of the passageway 116, second passageway 128 and hinge pin through hole 110 may have a complementary threaded wall to engage with the thread of the screw 124, however it is understood that the recess 126 of the second object 107 has a complementary thread to engage with the screw hence lock the second body 106 to the second object 107.

The hinge 102 of figures 2, 3a and 3b is configured such that each of the first body 104 and second body 106 comprise respective attachment portions 104a, 106a and hinge pin accommodating portions 104b, 106b. The attachment portions 104a, 106a comprise features for aiding the attachment of the respective body 104/106 to the respective object 105/107. These features may be any features including but not limited to through holes for allowing one or more fixing means to pass through and into a portion of the respective object 105, 107. In this example, the attachment feature of the attachment portion 106a of the second body 106 is a part of the passageway 116. In this example, the attachment feature of the attachment portion 104a of the second body 104 is a recess 142 extending inwardly from a wall 144. The wall 144 is configured to be face the object 105 and the inner environment to which the door bounds in closed position. The recess 142 may be a hole for engaging with and accommodating a portion of the screw fixing means 122 by having a complementary thread to that of the screw fixing means

122.

The hinge 102 is configured such that when the first body 104 is at a first rotational position (for example an open position as shown in figure 3a) relative to the second body 106, the fixing means 124 is insertable into the through hole 110 and the passageway 116.

Furthermore, when the first body 104 is at a second rotational position (for example an open position as shown in figure 3b) relative to the second body 106, the fixing means 124 is prevented from being inserted into the through hole 110 and the first passageway 116.

The first body 104 in this example comprises a cavity 146 for accommodating a first portion 108a of the hinge pin 108. This cavity 146 in the example of figure 2 is a cylindrical through hole through which a cylindrical hinge pin 108 may be passed. The cavity 146 in this example resides within the hinge pin accommodating portion 104b.

The first body 104 may comprise a second hinge pin accommodating portion 104b (such as that shown in figure 5a) having a second cavity 146b for accommodating a third portion of the hinge pin 108.

The second body 106 in this example comprises a cavity 148 for accommodating the second portion 108b of the hinge pin 108. This cavity may be a cylindrical through hole as shown in figure 5a or a cylindrical recess having a hinge pin 108 stopping wall opposite the opening through which the hinge pin passes into the cavity 148; as shown in figure 2. Any of the cavities for accommodating a portion of the hinge pin may be cylindrical. Each of these cavities may form part of a barrel.

When the fixing means is inserted into the hinge and engages with the second object 107, the fixing means 124 co-locates the hinge pin 108 with the second body 106 in so far as the hinge pin 108 is restricted from being removed from the recess 148 of the second body 106. The first body 104 rotates about the central longitudinal axis of the hinge pin 108.

In other examples, such as that shown in figure 5a, the first body 104 may have two or more hinge accommodating portions 104b wherein at least two of the hinge accommodating portions 104b reside either side of the hinge accommodating portion 106b of the second body 106. Each of the portions 104b having a cavity 146 that when aligned with the cavity 148 of the second body 106 allow the hinge pin 108 to pass through one of the cavities 146, through the cavity 148 and at least partially into the other cavity 146 of the first body 104. In this configuration, when the fixing means 124 is engaged into the second object 107 by passing at least through the passageway 116 of the second body 106 and through the through hole 110 of the hinge pin 108:

the hinge pin becomes locked into the hinge and the first body 104 cannot be removed from the second body.

The hinge is advantageous over the prior art shown in figure 1 at least for the following reasons. Take for example a door that needs to be securely attached a nearby wall, where at least a portion of the hinge will be visible to the outside environment. Unlike hinges of the prior art where at least one of the fixing means attaching the second body to the second object is visible and accessible to the outside environment, the fixing means may only be accessed when the door is in an open position. When the door is in a closed position such as that shown in Figure 3b an intruder or unwanted third party cannot remove the hinge pin nor remove the fixing means for fixing the second body to the second object. Furthermore, since the door is attached to the first body from the inside as shown in Figure 3b and Figure 3a, the third party may not access any of the fixing means when the door is in a closed position thus making the hinge more secure.

Figures 4a and Figure 4b show alternative plan views of the portion of the second body that accommodates a hinge pin 108. In Figure 4a a barrel is shown whereby the first passageway 116 and second passageway 128 pass through walls of the barrel. In Figure 4b the first passageway 116 passes through the wall of the barrel, however there exists a break 150 in the wall of the barrel opposite the first passageway 116 that can allow the fixing means 124 to pass through.

Figure 5a shows a side view of a second example of a hinge 102 where like numerals represent like components/features from figures 2, 3a and 3b. Figure 5b shows a plan view of the hinge 102 of figure 5a wherein the hinge 102 is in a closed position. It is understood that any one or more of the features and optional adaptions of other examples describes herein may apply to the following example.

In this example, the second object that the second body of the hinge 102 attaches to is a third body 152 of the hinge 102. In this example, the third body is a cover 152 however any other hinge portion may be the third body. For purposes of describing this example, the third body will be referred to as the cover 152.

The hinge 102 is in this example is configured to attach to a third object 156. The third object in this example is a body portion of a vehicle such as a pillar of a car that a car door is to be attached to.

The second body 106, in this example comprises an attachment surface 158 configured to face and reside adjacent to the third object 156 when the second body 106 is attached to the third object 158. One or more attachment through holes 160 reside in the attachment surface 158 and for allow for a second fixing means to attach the second body to the third object. The attachment surfacel58 may form one side of a plate that forms part of the second body 106, the attachment through holes extending through the plate.

The cover 152 is configured to cover at least one of the said attachment through holes 160 when the second body 106 is attached to the third object 156. In this example, the second body 106 comprises two attachment through holes 160 wherein two fixing screws 162 are inserted through the holes 160 and are screwed into corresponding recesses 164 in the pillar 156 (the recesses having complementary threads to the fixing screws). The cover 152 in figure 5a is shown to cover both attachment through holes 160 (and fixing screws 162 which are not shown in figure 5a).

In the example show in Figures 5a and 5b, the fixing screw 124 used to attach the second body 106 to the cover 152 passes through the first 116 and second 128 passageways of the second body 106 and into a recess 166 of the cover 152. This recess 166 is a screw hole with a complementary thread to that of the fixing screw 124. In this manner, the fixing means 124 is used to firmly connect the cover 152 on to the second body 106 when the second body 152 is attached to the pillar 156 of the car so that unwanted third parties cannot get access to the attachment fixing means 162 attaching the hinge 102 to the pillar 156 of the car.

An example of a method for installing the hinge 102 onto the vehicle is described below.

A) In any order, or at the same time:

a. the second portion 106 is attached to the car pillar 156 by screwing fixing screws 162 through the attachment through holes 160 into the pillar 156;

b. the first portion 104 is attached to the vehicle door 105 using fixing means 122 wherein the fixing means 122 are inserted through the door 105 and into the fixing recess 142 of the first body 104 of the hinge 102;

B) the door 105, whilst in an open position, is located with respect to the pillar 156 such that the hinge pin accommodating cavity 148 of the second body 106 of the hinge 102 aligns with the two hinge pin accommodating cavities 146, 146b of the first body 104 of the hinge 102; the said cavities 146,146b being aligned to receive the hinge pin 108;

C) the hinge pin 108 is inserted through a first 146 of the hinge pin accommodating cavities 146, 146b of the first body 104, into the hinge pin accommodating cavity 148 of the second body 106 and at least partially into the other hinge pin accommodating cavity 146b of the first body 104; once fully inserted, different portions of the hinge pin 108 reside in each of the said three hinge pin accommodating cavities 146,146b, 148;

D) In any order, or at the same time:

a. the hinge pin 108 is positioned rotationally about its longitudinal axis 118, and vertically such that the first 116 and second 128 passageways of the second body 106 are aligned with the hinge pin through hole 110;

b. the first body 104 and attached door 105 are positioned into an open orientation such that the fourth opening 134 (providing access to the second passageway 128) is accessible for a screw 124 to be inserted;

c. the cover 152 is positioned onto the second body 106 so that it covers the attachment through holes 160and attachment fixing screws 162;

E) the fixing screw 124 is passed into the second passageway 128, through the hinge pin through hole 110, through the first passageway 116 and screwed into the screw hole 166 of the cover 152, attaching the cover 152 to the second body 106.

This method may be adapted according to any feature, configuration of process described herein.

The cover 152 in this example, when in its final position, attached to the second body 106, has a first portion 170 extending parallel or substantially parallel to the attachment surface 158 and a second portion 172 extending from the first portion 170 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the attachment surfacel58. The first portion 170 extends over the attachment through holes 162 whilst the second portion 172 extends towards the plane of the attachment surface and resides flush to the third object 156. Each of the first 170 and second 172 portions of the cover may be a wall. The cover 152 may further comprise one or more third portions 174. The third portions 174 (see for example figure 7d) extending: perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the first portion 170 down towards the attachment surface 158; and perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from the second portion 172 towards the hinge pin 108 to an extent of the edge of the first portion 170. The cover 152 may therefore surround and prevent access to the attachment through holes 160. The third portions 174 may comprise top and bottom third portions. The top portion opposes the bottom portion with the second body 106 residing in-between. Each of the first 170, second 172 and third 174 portions of the cover 152 may be corresponding first second and third walls wherein: the first wall 170 connects with the second wall 172, the top third wall 174a and the bottom 175b third wall; the top third 174a wall connects with the first 170 and second wall 172; the bottom third wall 174b connects with the first 170 and second 172 wall; the second wall 172 connects with the first wall 170, the top third wall 174a and the bottom third wall 174b. The cover 152 therefore has an opening on a side opposite the first wall 170 to accommodate the portion of the second body having the attachment surface 158 and a further opening opposite the second wall 172 to allow the fixing screw 124 to engage with the complementary recess 166. These two openings allow for the cover to slide onto the second body.

A further example of a hinge 102 is shown in figures 6a-8d. Hidden feature lines are not shown in these figures. The adaptations and features shown in figure 6a-8d may be used with any of the other examples described herein.

Figure 6a and 6b show a first body 104 of hinge 102 for attaching a door to a vehicle chassis, similar to the example shown in figures 5a and 5b where like numerals represent like features. Figure 6a shows a top perspective view of an example of a first body 104 of a hinge 102 for attaching to a vehicle door (attachment holes for affixing the door not shown). The first body 104 further comprises two further through holes 178 for attaching a further item to the hinge such as a wing mirror.

Figure 6b shows an end on view of the first body 104 of figure 6a. The inner surface 180 (for attaching to the door) of the first body 104 is angled to take into account the slanted shape of the outer door with respect to the axis of rotation of the door.

Figure 7a shows a bottom view of an example of a second body 106 of a hinge 102 for attaching to a supporting pillar 156 of a vehicle. Figure 7b shows a bottom perspective view of an example of the second body 106 of figure 7a. Figure 7c shows an end-on view of an example of the second body of figure 7a.

In this example the second body 106 comprises laterally extending lugs 182 that engage with complementary recesses 184 in the walls of the cover 152. An example of a cover 152 for use with the second body of figures 7a-c is shown in figure 7d. The lugs 182 and recesses 184 are configured such that the cover 152 slides onto the second body 106 to engage into the final position where the screw 124 can be screwed into the recess 166. The cover 152 slidably engages with the second body 106 along a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the attachment surface 158. The lugs 182 and corresponding cover recesses 184 (when the cover is engaged with the second body) restrict the movement over the cover 152 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the attachment surface 158. This provides further security to the hinge 102 as it helps prevent unwanted third parties crow-barring the cover 152 off the second body 106 to get access to the fixing means 162. The recesses 184 in the cover 152, to engage the lugs 182, extend into the walls of the top 174a and bottom 174b third portions of the cover 152 and into the recess in the second wall 172 of the cover 152.

Figures 8a-8d show a hinge 102 formed from the first body of figures 6a-b, the second body of figures 7a-c the cover of figure 7d and a hinge pin.

Any of the examples, including those in the summary, may be adapted with features and/or configurations according to any other example decribed herein.

Claims

1. A hinge for attaching to a:

i) first object; and, ii) second object using a fixing means; the hinge comprising:

I) a first body for attaching to the first object; and,

II) a second body for attaching to the second object; and,

III) a hinge pin about which at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body;

the hinge pin comprising a through hole for accommodating a first portion of the fixing means;

the first body configured to accommodate a first portion of the hinge pin;

the second body configured to accommodate a second portion of the hinge pin; the second body comprising:

A) a first wall at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin;

B) a second wall at least partially facing the second object;

C) a passageway linking a first opening in the first wall with a second opening in the second wall and configured to accommodate a second portion of the fixing means.

2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1 and configured to be attached to the second object when the through hole and first opening are aligned.

3. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the passageway is a first passageway; the hinge further comprising a second passageway for accommodating a third portion of the fixing means; the second passageway comprising at least:

a. a third opening in a wall at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin; the third opening being remote from the first opening; and,

b. a fourth opening remote from the second opening.

4. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim and configured such that:

I) when the first body is at a first rotational position relative to the second body, the fixing means is insertable into the through hole and the passageway;

II) when the first body is at a second rotational position relative to the second body, the fixing means is prevented from being inserted into the through hole and the first passageway; the first rotational position being different to the second rotational position.

5. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second body is configured to be attachable to a third object, the second object being a third body of the hinge.

6. A hinge as claimed in claim 5 wherein the second body comprises an attachment surface configured to face and reside adjacent to the third body when the second body is attached to the third object.

7. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second body comprises one or more attachment through holes in the attachment surface for allowing a second fixing means to attach the second body to the third object.

8. A hinge as claimed in claim 7 wherein the third body is configured to cover at least one of the said attachment through holes when the second body is attached to the third object.

9. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 6-8 wherein the second body and third body comprise complementary engaging means for allowing the third body to engage with the second body.

10. A hinge as claimed in claim 9 wherein the complementary engaging means are configured to allow the third body to slidably engage with the second body along a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the attachment surface.

11. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first body comprises a cavity for accommodating the first portion of the hinge pin.

12. A hinge as claimed in claim 11 wherein the said cavity of the first body is a first cavity; the first body comprising a second cavity for accommodating a third portion of the hinge pin.

13. A hinge as claimed in claim 12 wherein:

the second body comprises a cavity for accommodating the second portion of the hinge pin;

at least one of the first cavity and second cavity of the first body comprises a through hole configured to allow the hinge pin to pass through the said through hole and into the cavity of the second body.

14. A hinge as claimed in claims 12 or 13 wherein the cavity of the second body comprises a through hole configured to allow the hinge pin to pass through the said through hole and into the first or second cavity of the first body.

15. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein any of the cavities of the first and second are cylindrical.

16. A kit comprising:

I) a first body as claimed in any preceding claim; a second body as claimed in any preceding claim;

III) a third body as claimed in any preceding claim

IV) a hinge pin as claimed in any preceding claim

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Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1704106.2 Examiner: Ben Munns

16. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising the fixing means.

17. A hinge as claimed in claim 16 configured such that the second fixing means resides at least partially in the passageway; and at least partially in the through hole of the hinge pin.

18. A vehicle comprising the hinge as claimed in any preceding claim.

19. A kit comprising:

I) a first body as claimed in any preceding claim;

II) a second body as claimed in any preceding claim; and,

III) a hinge pin as claimed in any preceding claim.

20. A kit as claimed in claim 19 further comprising a third body as claimed in any of claims 510.

21. A hinge for attaching to a:

I) a first body for attaching to the first object; and,

II) a second body for attaching to the second object; the second body comprising an opening for inserting the fixing means;

the hinge configured such that at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body such that:

A) in a first rotational position, a portion of the first body at least partially covers the first opening so to preventing the fixing means being inserted into the first opening;

B) in a second rotational position, the fixing means is insertable into the first opening.

22. A hinge as claimed in claim 21 comprising a hinge pin about which at least one of the first or second body rotates relative to the other of the first or second body;

23. A hinge as claimed in claim 22 wherein the hinge pin comprises a through hole for accommodating a first portion of the fixing means;

24. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 22-23 wherein:

the first body is configured to accommodate a first portion of the hinge pin;

the second body is configured to accommodate a second portion of the hinge pin; the second body comprising:

A) a first wall at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin;

B) a second wall at least partially facing the second object;

25. A hinge as claimed in claim 24 wherein the passageway is a first passageway; the hinge further comprising a second passageway for accommodating a third portion of the fixing means; the second passageway comprising at least:

b. a fourth opening remote from the second opening.

26. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 21-25 wherein the second body is configured to be attachable to a third object, the second object being a third body of the hinge.

27. A hinge as claimed in claim 26 wherein the second body comprises an attachment surface configured to face and reside adjacent to the third body when the second body is attached to the third object.

28. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 21-27 wherein the second body comprises one or more attachment through holes in the attachment surface for allowing a second fixing means to attach the second body to the third object.

29. A hinge as claimed in claim 28 wherein the third body is configured to cover at least one of the said attachment through holes when the second body is attached to the third object.

30. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 27-29 wherein the second body and third body comprise complementary engaging means for allowing the third body to engage with the second body.

31. A hinge as claimed in claim 30 wherein the complementary engaging means are configured to allow the third body to slidably engage with the second body along a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the attachment surface.

32. A vehicle comprising the hinge as claimed in any of claims 21-31.

33. A kit comprising:

A) a first body as claimed in any of claims 21-31;

B) a second body as claimed in any of claims 21-31.

34. A kit as claimed in claim 33 further comprising a third body as claimed in claim 26.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

Claims

1. A hinge (102) for attaching to:

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i) a first object (105); and, ii) a further object (156);

5 the hinge (102) comprising:

I) a first body (104) for attaching to the first object (105); and,

II) a second body (106) for attaching to a third body (152) using a first fixing means (124); and,

III) a hinge pin (108) about which at least one of the first body (104) or second body (106)

10 rotates relative to the other of the first body (104) or second body (106); the hinge pin (108) comprising a through hole (110) for accommodating a first portion of the first fixing means (124);

the first body (104) configured to accommodate a first portion of the hinge pin (108);

the second body (106) configured to be attachable to the further object (156) and to accommodate 15 a second portion of the hinge pin (108); the second body (106) comprising:

A) a first wall (112) at least partially facing the second portion of the hinge pin (108);

B) a second wall (114) at least partially facing the third body (152);

C) a passageway (116) linking a first opening (117a) in the first wall (112) with a second opening (117b) in the second wall (114) and configured to accommodate a second portion of the first fixing means (124); and,

D) an attachment surface (158) configured to face and reside adjacent to the further object (156) when the second body (106) is attached to the further object (156); and,

E) one or more attachment through holes (160) in the attachment surface (158) for allowing a second fixing means (162) to attach the second body (106) to the further object (156).

2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1 and configured to be attached to the third body when the 30 through hole and first opening are aligned.

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3. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the passageway is a first passageway; the hinge further comprising a second passageway for accommodating a third portion of the first fixing means; the second passageway comprising at least:

a. a third opening in a wall at least partially facing the second portion of

5 the hinge pin; the third opening being remote from the first opening;

and,

b. a fourth opening remote from the second opening.

4. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim and configured such that:

10 I) when the first body is at a first rotational position relative to the second body, the first fixing means is insertable into the through hole and the passageway;

II) when the first body is at a second rotational position relative to the second body, the first fixing means is prevented from being inserted into the through hole and the first passageway; the first rotational position being different to the second rotational position.

5. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the third body is configured to cover at least one of the said attachment through holes when the second body is attached to the third body.

6. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second body and third body comprise 20 complementary engaging means for allowing the third body to engage with the second body.

7. A hinge as claimed in claim 6 wherein the complementary engaging means are configured to allow the third body to slidably engage with the second body along a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the attachment surface.

8. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first body comprises a cavity for accommodating the first portion of the hinge pin.

9. A hinge as claimed in claim 8 wherein the said cavity of the first body is a first cavity; the first body comprising a second cavity for accommodating a third portion of the hinge pin.

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10. A hinge as claimed in claim 9 wherein:

5 the second body comprises a cavity for accommodating the second portion of the hinge pin;

10 11. A hinge as claimed in claims 9 or 10 wherein the cavity of the second body comprises a through hole configured to allow the hinge pin to pass through the said through hole and into the first or second cavity of the first body.

12. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein any of the cavities of the first and second

15 body are cylindrical.

13. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising the first fixing means.

14. A hinge as claimed in claim 13 configured such that the first fixing means resides at least

20 partially in the passageway; and at least partially in the through hole of the hinge pin.

15. A vehicle comprising the hinge as claimed in any preceding claim.