GB2571098A

GB2571098A - Hinge for shower doors

Info

Publication number: GB2571098A
Application number: GB1802482.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yan Yue Siu; Chow Chung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-15
Filing date: 2018-02-15
Publication date: 2019-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-15
Also published as: CN213953316U; TWM592900U; GB2571098B; WO2019158122A1; GB201802482D0

Abstract

A hinge for a glass shower door, comprising a mounting 1 for securing to a fixture, an arm 2 connected to the mounting with a collar 3 at the other end, a spindle 7 located on a hinge axis and rotatably mounted in a bore 5 in the collar; a leaf or hinge body 4 including one or more housings 6, the or each housing including a bore to receive the spindle and the leaf further comprising a clamping member 14 such that the door panel is clamped between the housing and clamping member, and the housing and collar forming a knuckle which is located, at least partially within an aperture 13 of the door panel. The aperture may be a slot (Fig 9) located at the edge of the door. The arm may be set to one side of the contact surface (where the side of the panel engages the mount) and the collar may be laterally offset on the arm such that it extends into the aperture. A sealing strip 11 may be attached to the edge of the door panel and engages with the contact surface 8 which may be a concave groove. A damping or self-closing mechanism may also be used on the spindle.

Description

'This invention relates to a hinge of the kind which may provide a leak-proof seal for a door or other closure. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to 5 a hinge for a shower door or other door which provides a waterproof or draftproof seal. The hinge may also be used for a door for a sauna or steam room.

Previously known watertight hinges have been provided with flexible polymeric strips which! overlie the gap between the moveable parts of the hinge or 10 overly the gap between the door and frame. Draft excluders are a common example.

Other arrangements in which the knuckle extends outwardly from the hinge may have an unsightly appearance and may permit ingress of dirt.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a hinge comprises a mounting adapted to be secured to a fixture;

an arm connected at a first, end to the mounting;

a collar mounted on a second end of the arm;

a spindle located on a hinge axis and rotatably mounted in the collar;

a leaf including one or more housings, the or each housing including a bore to receive the spindle to permit rotation of the leaf about the axis in use;

the leaf further comprising a clamping member configured so that a door panel may be securely engaged to the hinge body by the clamping member;

wherein the collar and one or more housings comprise a. hinge knuckle; and wherein the hinge body and clamping member are arranged so that when a door panel having an aperture communicating between opposite sides thereof with the aperture being located at or adjacent an edge of the panel, the panel may be engaged between the hinge body and clamping member with the knuckle wholly or partially located within the aperture.

The hinge may further comprise a sealing strip configured to receive and engage a vertical edge of a door panel proximate the mounting in a closed position of the hinge;

wherein the mounting has a contact surface extending parallel to the hinge axis

In an alternative embodiment a sealing strip may be integral with or securable

The sealing strip may be provided as an integral component or as a separate component, for example as an elongate portion which may be cut to size during

The sealing strip may comprise an elongate receiving portion configured to receive an edge of the panel and, further comprising a sealing surface.

The mounting may comprise a mounting plate adapted to be secured to a door lite mounting plate may comprise a clamping arrangement panel, extending either parallel or at an angle to the door panel in the closed position of the hinge.

The collar may comprise one or more tubular or annular structures having an axial bore extending axially through the collar and configured io receive

The spindle may be allowed to rotate axially in use as the lunge moves between open and closed positions. Alternatively the spindle may be clamped by the collar preventing spindle axis. Alternatively two or more annular collar members may be located on the

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spmdle axis, as is known from construction of conventional door hinges.

The collar may be integral with, the arm or may be releasably secured to the arm.

The hinge body may further comprise one or more housings to receive the spindle, for ex a the collar and mounting in se. Upper and lower housings may support upper and lower ί

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The combination of the spindle, the collar and upper and lower housings may

The panel receiving portion may be a socket or rectangular rebate adapted to

TO be secured to the door panel as a friction fit or by use of an adhesive.

The spindle may comprise a simple pin, for example a cylindrical rod or alternatively may be an elongate member having one or more cam surfaces airanged to cooperate with spring actuated pistons to provide a self-closing and/or damping function.

The hinge body and clamping member may be secured together by fixing means, for example two or more bolts, screws or clips arranged to pass through one or more apertures in a door panel in use. The fixing means may be adjusted between a loosened configuration in which the door panel may be moved relative to the binge body, towards or <tway from the mounting plate and a tightened configuration in which

C^!' the door panel is secured, preventing movement relative to the hinge body.

The arm may be located at one side of the contact surface and the collar may be 'Vo ft the contact surface of the mounting, the hinge axis and the sealing strip are located in a common plane in a closed position of the hinge. The plane may be perpendicular to the mounting.

.· Λ*' r> VeAv below the spindle or pin. The fixing means may pass through the hinge axis above and below the ends of the spindle orpin.

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The collar and housings on the hinge body may form a knuckle arranged to be wholly or pari the hinge to be reduced. An outwardlv orotruding hinue knuckle mav be avoided.

by collision with a protruding knuckle when stepping into or out of a show er.

jwe· example a shower door, the panel having an aperture extending between opposite seals thereon adjacent or at an edge adjacent the mounting in use and dimensioned to receive the bolts, screws, clips or other fixing means and having a sufficient lateral or horizontal dimension to receive the knuckle with clearance to permit adjustment of the location of the panel and attached sealing strip relative to the contact surface of the mounting during installation or adjustment of the hinge

According to a second aspect of this invention a door assembly comprises a hinge in accordance with the first aspect in combination with a door panel having an aperture as disclosed above.

comprise a slot extending inwardly from the proximal edge of the panel, relative to the

Preferably the collar and housings tor the ends of the spindle are arranged to be located completely or partially within the aperture in the panel in use. so that the binge axis is located at or adjacent the centre of the thickness of the nanel. Preferably the .> .r «·· •’J ’..'V hinge axis extends within the body of the door pane

In preferred embodiments the knuckle is partially or completely received in the he contact surface of lire mounting may be generally concave cylindrical in horizontal cross sectional profile. The radius of the cylindrica profile may be generally equal to or slightly greater than the distance of the surface from the hinge axis, the contact surface of (he scaling strip having a corresponding radius to allow' close engagement to form a watertight seal in the closed position of the hinge.

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T he sealing strip may be generally U-shaped in cross section having a central portion with a generally cylindrical outw'ardly facing surface connecting two spaced part parallel side portions to define a channel to receive an edge of a door panel m use

The side portions may have distal edges facing away from the mounting. The hinge body and clamping member may have inwardly facing rebates or channels dimensioned to accurately receive and precisely locate the sides of the sealing strip.

•iv both of a self-closing or damping arrangemen for example as disclosed in UK

2472883, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this specification by reference for •’’'X Ο £> ·Χ bo?

all purposes.

The mounting may extend the full height of the door frame and may include two or more hinged units with a contact surface extending continuously from the bottom to the top of the door

The mountinu may be configured to extend oarallel to a wall or door frame, or

O V & A a panel, tor example glass panel, having holes to receive bolts or screws.

contact surfaces to form a continuous contact surface. Further strips may be provided above and below the upper and lower hinges respectively to completely seal the edge o tire door in use.

h this invention confers many advantages over previously disclosed, hinges. An efficient and waterproof seal is provided without need for a flexible elastomeric strip which may lose resilience upon prolonged use. The seating s tin mav extend Λ V without breaks tor the full height of the door, reducing <1 neat and unci .titered appearance.

during or

The provision of a osses due to escape of hot water or air currents.

The invention i

Figure 1 is a perspective view nf a first hinge in accordance with the invent on;

Figure

IS an exploded view of the hinge shown in Figure I;

Figure ·>

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IS an elevation of the hinge and door panel and a sectional view;

Figure is a perspective view of a second hinge in accordance with invention;

Figure is an exploded view of the hinge shown u Figure 1:

Figure

Figure a further hinge in accordance with this invention; and s an exploded view of a hinge similar to Figure in which the panel is provided with a slot.

The hinge shown in Figures 1 to 3 comprise a mounting which may be a mounting plate (1) and which may be provided with f xtures, for example limes through which bolts or screws may be inserted to secure the mounting plate to a door frame, mping arrangement for an adjacent panel. An arm (2) extends perpendicularly from the mounting plate (1). A first end of the arm (2) is secured to the mounting plate. A hinge spindle or pin (7) is rotatably received. A contact surface (8) extends vertically .e ami (2) is on the same across the surface of the mounting plate 11). parallel to the hinge axis. The located on one side of the contact surface (8) and the collar (3) is located side of the arm (2) so that the plane of doer panel (12) is located on or centre line of the contact surface (8) in the dosed position of the hinge.

arranged to

A hinge body (4) has upper and lower housings with bores (6) receive ends of the pin or spindle (7) so that the hinge body (4) may pivot relative to the mounting plate (1).

A door panel (12) may be a glass or wooden panel., for example a glass shower door, having an aperture (13) to receive the collar (3) and housings of the bores (6) in use. A clamping member, for example a plate (14). is used to secure Hie panel (12) to the hinge body (4) using adjustable bolts (15). The bolts (15) pass through the aperture (13). A sealing strip (9) comprising a central portion (11) and sides (10) is received on the edge of the panel (12) to engage contact surface (8) of plate (1) in the closed position. The sealing strip may be formed from elastomeric polymeric material, for example a vinyl polymer. The central portion may have a part cylindrical or otherwise ved exterior with a radius generally equal to the radius from the hinge axis, to form a watertight seal with the contact surface (8). The contact surface (8) may have a part cylindrical concave configuration with a corresponding radius to receive the curved central portion (11) of the sealing strip (9).

al dimension of the aperture (13) is selected to permit the panel (12) and sealing strip (9) to be moved towards the contact surface (8) of the mounting plate (1) during installation while the knuckle is received completely or partially within the aperture. The radial distance is selected so that the central portion (11) contacts the contact surface (8) to form a waterproof and draft-proof seal in the closed position of tlie door. When the location of the panel has been adjusted the bolts (15) may be tightened to prevent further movement of the panel relative to the hinge. The location of the hinge knuckle comprising the collar (3) and housings for the bores (6). within lire

The rad· aperture (13) of the panel (12) provides a Hinge having a thin cross section with minima

Red.

.angular channels (1.6) are dimensioned to receive the side (.10) of the sealing movement during prolonged use.

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a second hinge in accordance with this invention. The addition of a self-closing mechanism.

Mounting plate (21) provided with screw or bolt holes. A first end of arm (22) is and a offset in relation to aim (22) so that the axis of spindle (27) at least partially overlies the contact surface (28) of the mounting plate (21). A hinge body (24) having bores (44) contained in housings (45) to receive the upper and lower ends of the spindle (27) to allow the hinge body (24) to rotate pivotally in relation to the mounting plate, arm and collar (21, 22,23}.

Door panel (32) having an aperture (33) is clamped to the hinge body (24) by clamping member (34) and bolts (35) passing through the ap· rture (33) for engagement (31) and side portions (30) is received on the proximal edge of the door panel (32). The side portions (30) of the sealing strip are engaged positively located by rectangular rebates (46, 47) in the clamping member (34) and hinge body (24) respectively. The collar (23) and upper and lower housings (45) form a hinge knuckle. The knuckle is received within the aperture (33) of the door panel (32) in use so that the hinge axis extends through the body of door panel (32), allowing the panel to be aligned closely to the pivot axis. The transverse or radial width of the aperture (33) is sufficient to allow the door panel (32) and sealing strip (29) to be moved away from or towards ‘die contact concave contact surface (28) to provide a watertig.

seal

The spindle (27) has upper and lower cam surfaces (48, -49) pistons (36, 38) are urged by springs (37, 39) pressing against a fixing p position by screws (40, 41,42). The action of the pistons (36, 38) on the cant surfaces (48, 49) e-f spindie (27) provides a restoring force to urge the door into a closed position.

Pistons (36, 38) are slidably mounted within cylindrical bores (25, 26) communicating with axial bore (90) in which the spindle (27) is rotatably mounted as shown in Figure x*7 /.

Figure 8 is an alternative embodiment in which mounting plate (50), arm (51) and collar (52) are configured as in the previous embodiments. A spindle housing (53) having upper and lower cylindrical sleeves (54, 55) and perpendicular bores (56, 57) to receive pistons (58, 59) is driven by springs {60, 61). The spindle housing is screwed to the reverse side of hinge body (62) using bolts (63). I he pistons (58, 59) and springs (60, 61.) are retained by fixing plate (64) and rets mng screws {65).

which a cylindrical plate (69) having a central aperture (70) is inserted. The plate (69) may be composed of material, for example polymeric material, rnetnl or toughened glass is received in the aperture (70) with sufficient lateral clearance provided to allow adjustment of the location of the panel (66) and plale (09) so that the sealing strip (74} contacts the contact surface (/5) of the mounting plate (50) when correctly installed.

In. an alternative arrangement one or both of the closing pistons (58, 59) may b application no 1-407351 the disclosures of which are incorporated into this specification all purposes. Alternatively separate lunges of a door arrangement may be provided with closing and damping piston arrangements respectively.

An illustrative damped hinge may comprise: a spindle mounted on an axis and rotatable with respect to a housing; the Itousing including a damping piston engaging the spindle, the spindle having a cam surface; the damping piston being moveable within a bore, the bore extending radially with respect to the spindie; the damping 5 piston having a follower surface or cam follower surface, the follower surface being urged by a spring into engagement with the cam surface of the spindle; the cam surface being configured to urge the damping piston away from the spindle axis as the hinge moves to die closed position; die damping arrangement further including a circuit for hydraulic· fluid arranged so that movement of the damping piston from a closed position 10 causes a free flew of fluid within the circuit and further arranged so that movement of the damping piston from an open position to a closed position causes a restricted flow of fluid to damp the closing of movement; wherein the earn follower surface is perpendicular to the piston axis and has a raised follower head located centrally of the piston: and wherein the configuration of the cam surface and follower surface are 15 selected so that, displacement of the damping piston caused by incremental angular rotation of the spindle is at a maximum value as the closed position is approached.

Figure 9 shows an alternative arrangement in which the hinge is as disclosed and illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and in which the door panel (76) has a slot instead of an 20 aperture to receive the knuckle of tire hinge. The slot comprises upper and lower edges (77, 78), an inner side (79) and an opening (80), This arrangement facilitates assembly of the door.

Claims

1. A hinge comprising a mounting adapted to be secured to a fixture;

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VO). Κ3Λ έί spind ocated on a hinge axis and rotatably mounted in the collar leaf including one or more housings. the or each housing including a bore io

1.-- ».z <../ £.· receive the spindle to permit rotation of the leaf about the axis in use;

wherein the collar and one or more housings comprise a hinge knuckle·, and wherein the lunge body and damping member are arranged so that a door panel having an aperture communicating between opposite sides thereof. the aperture being locatec clamping member with the knuckle wholly or partially located within the aperture

A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mm is located at one side of the contact surface and the collar is laterally displaced from the arm.

A hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the contact surface of the mounting, the hinge osed position of the hinge.

A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two fixing means are >w the spindle respectively.

5. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collar and housing of the hinge body form a knuckle arranged to be wholly or partly received in the aperture mounting is generally concave and part cyhndrica m a horizontal cross sectional

8.

equal

A binge as claimed in claim 7, wherein the radios of the cylindrical profile is or greater than the distance of the contact surface from the hinge axis

A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the scaling strip is I an edge of a door panel in use.

0. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge body and clamping member have inwardly facing rebates or channels dimensioned to receive the sides of the sealing strip.

11. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a sealing strip configured to receive and engage a vertical edge of a door panel proximate the mounting in a closed position of the hinge;

20 wherein the mounting has a contact surface extending parallel to the hinge axis and adapted to form a waterproof seal with the sealing strip when the hinge is in the dosed position.

2.

A hinge as claimed in claims 1 to 10, further comprising a sealing strip

2^ integral with or securable to the mounting

A hinge as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sealing strip includes .ale receiving ponton configured to receive an edge of a panel and further comprising a sealing surface.

14. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collar comprises one or more tubular or annular structures having an axial bore extending axially through the

15. A hinge as ci comprises one oi more housings adapted to receive the spindle so that the binge body may to late x and mounting in use.

16. A hinge as claimed in claim 15, wherein upper and lower housings are arranged to support upper and lower ends of the spindle respectively.

18. A hinge as cl med in claim 17, wherein the knuckle is detachable from the arm.

19. A binge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel receiving portion of the searing strip is a socket or rectangular rebate adapted to be received on an edge or corner of a door panel in use.

20. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the spindle comprises an elongate member having one or more cam surfaces arranged to cooperate with spring arr?

actuated pistons to provide a self-closing or damping, function.

21. A binge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hinge body and clamping member may be secured together by fixing means arranged to pass through one or more apertures in a door panel with the aperture having a sufficient horizontal dimension to receive the knuckle with clearance to permit, adjustment of the location of the panel and attached sealing strip relative to the contact surface of the mounting during installation or adjustment of the h nge wherein the clamping member is adjacent to or overlapping the strip.

23< A door assembly comprising a hinge as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a door panel having an aperture as disclosed in any preceding claim.

24. A door assembly as claimed in claim 23, an aperture is located adjacent a

25. A door assembly as claimed in claim 23. wherein the aperture comprises a slot extending inwardly from a proximal edge of the panel.

26, A door assembly as claimed in any of claims 2.3 to 25. wherein the collar and housings are located completely or partially within the aperture in use so that the lunge axis is located at or adjacent the centre of the thickness of the panel