GB2569776A

GB2569776A - Improved hinge mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2569776A
Application number: GB1717645.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johnson Greg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-10-26
Filing date: 2017-10-26
Publication date: 2019-07-03
Also published as: GB201717645D0

Abstract

A concealed hinge mechanism comprises a first hinge section 210 extending away from a door mounting plate 202 and connecting to a frame mounted holding plate 220. The first hinge section 210 comprises a hinge arm 212; a first attachment means 214 securing the hinge arm 212 to the holding plate 220 and may also engage the cabinet; an adjustment means 216, e.g. screw, camming against the holding plate 220, to adjust a stand-off distance between the hinge arm and the holding plate; and a second attachment means 230 locking the hinge section 210 to the holding plate 220. This allows alignment of the hinge to be adjusted after the mounting and holding plates are mounted. The second attachment means 230 may be a locking screw 230, a clip or bar brace (231, fig.3), or a nut and bolt (232, fig.5). The second screw 230 may not engage the cabinet.

Description

IMPROVED HINGE MECHANISM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved hinge mechanism for doors and cabinets, more specifically an improved concealed, two-part hinge mechanism.

BACKGROUND

One of the more common hinges for cabinets and doors is the “cup hinge” (also known as “Euro-hinge” or “concealed hinge”). This style of hinge allows for adjustment of the standoff distance of the hinge, and, as the name suggests, is concealed when in use. There are a variety of different hinges within this category, varying in terms of degrees of openness (commonly 90 degrees, and 180 degrees) and geometry of the hinge arm (straight or bent) depending on whether the hinge is to be mounted to a face frame or frameless cabinet.

However, concealed hinges (and hinges generally) can be subject to small movements on opening and closing the door. This leads to increased wear on the mechanism attaching the mounting plate and hinge arm through oscillating torsional loading. This attachment mechanism is commonly a single screw, which can fail under consistent torsional loading conditions and wear. Failure of the holding screw would lead to failure of the hinge.

A solution to the above mentioned problem is desirable.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a concealed hinge mechanism for a cabinet, comprising a mounting plate for attaching to a cabinet door; and a first hinge section. The first hinge section extends away from the mounting plate, and connects to a holding plate. The holding plate is mounted to a cabinet frame. The first hinge section comprises a hinge arm extending away from the mounting plate; a first attachment means for securing the hinge arm to the holding plate; an adjustment means for camming against the holding plate, and a second attachment means for locking the hinge section to the holding plate.

The adjustment means allows adjustment of a stand-off distance between the hinge arm and the holding plate. This allows for the alignment of the hinge to be adjusted after the mounting and holding plates are mounted, preventing the need for repeated removal and remounting to ensure the alignment of the cabinet door and body is correct.

The second attachment means, or locking means, prevents further movement (or oscillation) of the hinge section and holding plate. This reduces the torsional loading on the first attachment means, which in turn increases the lifetime of the hinge.

Optionally, the second attachments means may be displaced along the length of the hinge arm from the first attachment means. The two separate points of attachment for the holding plate and the hinge arm further reduces the torsional load the first attachment means is subject to.

The mounting plate may be a “cup” which sits in a bore in the cabinet door. The mounting plate may be secured to the cabinet door with one or more screws.

The second attachment means may be a screw for threadingly engaging with a tapped hole in the holding plate (referred to as “locking screw”). Optionally, a washer may be used to distribute the pressure of the locking screw evenly across the hinge arm surface, and to ensure the locking screw is pressed against a smooth surface.

The locking screw locks the hinge section and holding plate together. The screw may not be load-bearing and may not engage with the cabinet door, i.e. the screw is not another means for mounting the hinge to the door and may be considered to be mechanically isolated from the cabinet.

Alternatively, the second attachment means may be a nut and bolt combination. The bolt may extend through a hole in the holding plate aligned with a hole in the hinge arm, onto which a nut can be threaded.

Alternatively, the second attachment means may be a clip or bar brace. This allows for the user to easily lock the two components once adjustment is finished.

The clip (or bar brace) may extend perpendicularly to the hinge arm, such that it reaches over the hinge arm and mounting plate to secure the two together.

The adjustment means may be a screw. Tightening the screw would increase the standoff distance between the hinge and the cabinet. Adjustment would need to occur before the hinge arm and mounting plate were locked together.

The first attachment means may be a screw (“holding screw”). This is common for concealed hinges - the hinge arm slides onto the holding plate, and is held in place by a screw. Another common alternative is that the attachment means is a clip mechanism - the hinge arm clips onto the holding plate.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a concealed hinge mechanism for a cabinet door, comprising mounting a holding plate to a cabinet interior; mounting a mounting plate to a cabinet door; attaching a hinge arm to the holding plate, wherein the hinge arm is part of a first hinge section extending away from the mounting plate and locking the first hinge section and holding plate together.

The method may further comprise adjusting a stand-off distance of the hinge against the cabinet door. This step would be performed before locking the first hinge section and holding plate together.

The step of locking the hinge section and holding plate together may comprise threadingly engaging a screw with a tapped hole in the holding plate.

Alternatively, locking the hinge section and holding plate together may comprise clipping the two together with a clip or bar brace or alternative holding means.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts for assembling the hinge mechanism in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a prior art concealed hinge mechanism;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment showing a front view of the hinge when open;

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the same embodiment showing a top down view of the hinge when open;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment showing a front view of the hinge when open;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of another alternative embodiment showing a front view of the hinge when open;

Figure 6 is a view of an assembled hinge mechanism in use, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of clarity and conciseness, the invention is illustrated only as a straight hinge, suitable for use with frameless cabinets. The invention is equally applicable to hinges for use with face frame cabinets.

Figure 1 illustrates a common concealed hinge 100. The concealed hinge mechanism comprises a mounting plate 102 for attaching to a cabinet door and a first hinge section 110. The mounting plate 102 is mounted with screws 104, and is shaped as a “cup” to sit within a bore in the cabinet door. The first hinge section 110 extends away from the mounting plate 102, and connects to a holding plate 120. The holding plate 120 is mounted to a cabinet frame (not shown) with screws 122. The first hinge section 110 comprises a hinge arm 112 extending away from the mounting plate 102, a first attachment means 114 for securing the hinge arm 112 to the holding plate 120 and an adjustment means 116 for camming against the holding plate 120. In this example, the first attachment means 114 is a holding screw 114, although an alternative option is a clip mechanism. In the example shown the screw 114 also engages with the cabinet.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention (front view and topdown view respectively). In common with Figure 1, the concealed hinge mechanism comprises a mounting plate 202 for attaching to a cabinet door and a first hinge section 210.

As shown, the mounting plate 202 is again mounted with screws 204, and is shaped as a “cup” to sit within a bore in the cabinet door. The first hinge section 210 extends away from the mounting plate 202, and connects to a holding plate 220. The holding plate 220 is mounted to a cabinet frame (not shown) with screws 222. The first hinge section 210 comprises a hinge arm 212, which forms the main element of the hinge section that extends away from the mounting plate 202. Additionally,, a first attachment means 214 for securing the hinge arm 212 to the holding plate 220 and an adjustment means 216 for camming against the holding plate 220 are provided.

In this example, the first attachment means 214 is a holding screw 214. As described above, in the example shown the holding screw 214 also engages with the cabinet. The embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 further includes a second attachment means 230 for locking the hinge section 210 to the holding plate 220. In this example, the second attachment means is a locking screw 230. Unlike holding screw 214, locking screw 230 is not load-bearing and does not engage with the cabinet. The locking screw

230 is able to be displaced along the length of the hinge arm 212 in a direction away from the first attachment means 214.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention, differing from Figures 2 and 3 in that the second attachment means is a clip or brace 231. The brace

231 shown extends perpendicularly to the hinge arm 212, such that it reaches over the hinge arm 212 and mounting plate 220 to secure the two together.

Figure 5 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the present invention, differing from Figures 2 to 4 in that the second attachment means is a nut and bolt combination 232. It can be appreciated that this embodiment is functionally similar to the embodiments described above.

Figure 6 is an example of an assembled example hinge mechanism 300 whilst in use. In common with Figure 1, the concealed hinge mechanism comprises a mounting plate 302 for attaching to a cabinet door 340 and a first hinge section 310. The mounting plate 302 is again mounted with screws 304, and shaped as a “cup” to sit within a bore in the cabinet door 340. The first hinge section 310 extends away from the mounting plate 302, and connects to a holding plate 320. The holding plate 320 is mounted to a cabinet frame 350 with screws 322. The first hinge section 310 comprises a hinge arm 312 extending away from the mounting plate 302, a first attachment means 314 for securing the hinge arm 312 to the holding plate 320 and an adjustment means 316 for camming against the holding plate 320. In this example, the first attachment means 314 is holding screw 314. Holding screw 314 also engages with the cabinet 350.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 further includes a second attachment means 330 for locking the hinge section 310 to the holding plate 220. In this example, the second attachment means is a locking screw 330. Unlike holding screw 314, locking screw 330 is not load-bearing and does not engage with the cabinet. The locking screw 330 is displaced along the length of the hinge arm 312 away from the first attachment means 314.

Although specific embodiments have been described, these are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which should be determined with reference to the accompanying claims. A number of modifications and variations are possible, which are intentionally within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A concealed hinge mechanism for a cabinet comprising:

a mounting plate for attaching to a cabinet door; and a first hinge section extending away from the mounting plate for connecting to a mounted holding plate, the first hinge section comprising:

a hinge arm extending away from the mounting plate;

a first attachment means for securing the hinge arm to the holding plate;

an adjustment means for camming against the holding plate, to allow adjustment of a stand-off distance between the hinge arm and the holding plate; and a second attachment means for locking the hinge section to the holding plate.

2. The concealed hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second attachment means is a locking screw for threadingly engaging with a tapped hole in the holding plate.

3. The concealed hinge mechanism of claim 2, wherein the locking screw is not load-bearing.

4. The concealed hinge mechanism of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the locking screw does not engage with the cabinet.

5. The concealed hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second attachment means is a clip or bar brace.

6. The concealed hinge mechanism of claim 5, wherein the clip/brace extends perpendicularly to the hinge arm, and reaches over the hinge arm and mounting plate to secure the hinge arm and mounting plate.

7. The concealed hinge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second attachment means is a nut and bolt combination.

8. The concealed hinge mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment means is a screw and tightening the screw increases the standoff distance between the hinge and the cabinet.

9. The concealed hinge mechanism of any preceding claim, wherein the first attachment means is a holding screw.

10. The concealed hinge mechanism of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first attachment means is a clip mechanism.

11. A method of assembling a concealed hinge mechanism for a cabinet door, comprising:

mounting a holding plate to a cabinet interior;

mounting a mounting plate to a cabinet door;

attaching a hinge arm to the holding plate, wherein the hinge arm is part of a first hinge section extending away from the mounting plate;

locking the first hinge section and holding plate together.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

adjusting a stand-off distance of the hinge against the cabinet door, before locking the first hinge section and holding plate together.

13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein locking the hinge section and holding plate together comprises threadingly engaging a screw with a tapped hole in the holding plate.

14. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein locking the hinge section and holding plate together comprises clipping the two together with a bar brace or alternative holding means.

15. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein locking the hinge section and holding plate together comprises threading a bolt through the two, and securing with a nut.

16. A kit of parts for assembling the hinge mechanism of any of claims 1 to 10.