GB2607607A

GB2607607A - Hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2607607A
Application number: GB2108166.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cooke Strafford; Robert Pearson Paul; Warren Keeling James
Original assignee: Heywood Williams Components Ltd
Current assignee: Heywood Williams Components Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-08
Filing date: 2021-06-08
Publication date: 2022-12-14
Also published as: WO2022258941A1; GB202108166D0; CN117480307A

Abstract

A hinge assembly 1 comprises a sash part 10 comprising a rail 12 and a perpendicular edge bracket 14 for mounting on a window. The assembly includes a frame part 50 comprising a frame bracket 52 and a sash arm 54; the sash arm slidably mounted within the rail until a biased plunger 20, 22 aligns with an aperture in the sash arm to secure the arm. The tip 58 of the sash arm may be narrowed and tapered to promote easy entry. The plunger is preferably spring biased, there may two plungers of different diameters to enter differently diameter apertures positioned along the sash arm such that one plunger can ride over a first smaller aperture to be received in a second larger aperture.

Description

Hinge Assembly [0001] The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for a window and a method for assembling a window.

[0002] A window hinge assembly typically comprises a portion for attaching to a sash, a portion for attaching to a frame, and a connection between the sash portion and the frame portion. Assembling a window can be time consuming, because it can be difficult to attach the frame portion and the sash portion in the correct relative positions on the frame and sash so that the sash fits correctly in the window frame. The assembly process usually requires two operators to fit. Typically, the frame portion is attached first, and then the sash portion is attached by visually lining up the sash portion to a position on the sash for attaching to the frame. When the sash portion is attached and the sash connected to the frame, re-adjustment of the position of the sash portion may then be required if the initial positioning is incorrect.

After some use of the window, there may be some slip of the sash relative to the frame, in which case it may be necessary to readjust the position of the sash portion.

[0003] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[0004] According to a first aspect, there is provided a hinge assembly for a window comprising a sash part and a frame part, the frame part comprising a frame bracket for fixing to the frame and a sash arm for connecting the frame part to the sash part, the sash part comprising a sash bracket for attaching to a first side of a sash and a rail for attaching to a second side of the sash, the sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the rail, wherein the rail comprises a channel for receiving the sash arm and at least one plunger biased to project into the channel, and wherein the sash arm is configured to slide along the channel and compress the plunger until a position of an opening in the sash arm aligns with the plunger and the plunger is received in the opening.

[0005] The sash bracket extending perpendicularly to the rail allows the sash part to be attached to a sash without the need of longitudinal adjustment of the rail relative to the second side of the sash, because the comer of the sash may fit into the corner provided between the sash bracket and the rail. This may allow the operator to position the sash part more accurately on the sash, thereby reducing the need for re-adjustment and so simplifying the process of fitting the sash part to the sash and saving time on assembly.

[0006] The rail comprising a channel and at least one plunger to be received in an opening in the sash arm allows the sash arm to be easily located in the desired position on the rail, without the need for readjustment of the relative positions of the sash arm and the rail. The hinge assembly may thereby simplify the process of fitting the sash part to the frame part, saving time on assembly.

[0007] An end of the sash arm may be configured to be inserted into the channel at the first end of the rail and an end region of the sash arm may be tapered in width to narrow towards the end of the sash arm.

[0008] The tapered end region of the sash arm may be configured to easily slide into the channel, so that the sash arm can be conveniently connected to the rail. This may reduce the number of operators required to fit the sash to the window frame.

[0009] The end region of the sash arm may extend from the sash arm at an oblique angle relative to the sash arm, such that the end region of the sash arm may be sloped. When the sash arm is inserted into the rail, the sloped end region may be configured to slope away from the rail, so that a distance between the rail and the sash arm increases towards the end of the sash arm. The sloped end region may be configured to compress the at least one plunger, so that the sash arm may slide over the at least one plunger.

[0010] The sash part may comprise two of the plungers configured to project into the channel, a first of the two plungers being closer to the first end of the rail than the second of the two plungers. The sash arm may comprise two of the openings for receiving the plungers, wherein a first of the openings, further from the tapered end of the sash arm may be configured to receive the first plunger and a second of the openings, closer to the second end of the sash, may be configured to receive the second plunger and not the first plunger.

[0011] Differently sized plungers on the rail and corresponding openings on the sash arm may prevent a plunger being received in an incorrect opening, so that the sash arm is only locked to the rail in the correct position. This may make the assembly of the window easier.

[0012] The plungers may be cylindrical and a diameter of the first plunger may be larger than a diameter of the second plunger. A diameter of the first opening may be larger than a diameter of the second opening.

[0013] The diameter of the second opening may be smaller than the diameter of the first plunger, so that when the sash arm slides along the channel, the sash arm slides over the first compressed plunger without the plunger being received in the second opening. The sash arm may thereby only be locked to the rail in the correct position.

[0014] The at least one plunger may be provided in a housing that may extend from a rear surface of the rail. The at least one plunger housing may be configured to fit in a groove on the second side of the sash. Typically, sashes have grooves of a standard size of width 12 mm and depth 9 mm, such a groove is known as a Eurogroove. The plunger housing may be configured to fit in a Eurogroove, by limiting the diameter and depth of the plunger housing so that the diameter of the plunger housing is less than or equal to 12 mm and the depth of the plunger housing is less than or equal to 9 mm.

[0015] The rail may comprise a first fixing aperture having a tapered wall for receiving a countersunk fixing for attaching the sash part to a sash.

[0016] The tapered wall of the aperture may receive the countersunk fixing such that the head of the countersunk fixing does not project into the channel. The sash part may thereby be attached to the sash without obstructing the sash arm from sliding along the channel.

[0017] The rail may comprise a second fixing aperture and the sash arm may comprise a corresponding fixing opening, for receiving a secondary fixing to attach the hinge assembly to the sash when the sash arm is received and locked in the channel. The secondary fixing aperture and fixing opening on the sash arm may be configured to receive a flat-headed fixing.

[0018] A flat-headed fixing may provide a stronger attachment than a counter-sunk fixing, and so the second fixing aperture and the fixing opening in the sash arm being configured to receive a flat-headed fixing may allow the strength of the attachment of the sash part to the sash, after the frame part has been connected to the sash part, to be improved.

[0019] The frame bracket may comprise an end cap configured to receive a packer for adjusting the length of the frame bracket. The end cap and packer may be provided at an end of the frame bracket. The packer may be attachable to the end cap with a dove-tail fitting. In use, the packer may abut against a side of the frame perpendicular to the side to which the frame bracket is attached. The packer may be replaceable by another packer having a different size, to adjust the length of the frame bracket. By replacing a packer with a packer having a smaller thickness, the length of the frame bracket may be reduced, whilst replacing a packer with a packer having a greater thickness may increase the length of the frame bracket. This may allow the position of the frame bracket relative to the frame to be adjusted in both positive and negative longitudinal directions of the frame. The packer may thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the frame bracket on the side of the frame. This may allow the operator to position the frame bracket more accurately on the frame, reducing the need for readjustment.

[0020] The packer may comprise a hook for enabling removal of the packer. For example, an 35 operator may insert a tool such as a screwdriver in the hook and pull the packer from the end cap. The hook may enable the operator to easily remove the packer, for example while the frame bracket is fixed to the frame.

[0021] The frame bracket may comprise a slot for receiving a fitting to fix the frame bracket to the window frame. The slot may allow adjustment of the frame bracket in the longitudinal direction of the window frame, for example when removing the packer or replacing the packer with a thicker or thinner packer. This may allow the frame bracket to be easily adjusted relative to the frame, so that the position of the window in the frame can be easily adjusted. The longitudinal position of the sash bracket relative to the sash may not be adjustable, and so the slot being provided on the frame bracket may allow adjustment of the window fitting on the frame.

[0022] In an example, the packer may have a thickness of 1 mm. In another example, the packer may have a thickness of 2 mm. In another example, the packer may have a thickness of 3 mm.

[0023] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a window comprising: attaching a sash part to a sash, the sash part comprising a rail and a sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the sash bracket, wherein attaching the sash part to the sash comprises fixing the sash bracket to a first side of the sash and the rail to a second side of the sash perpendicular to the first side; attaching a frame part to a frame, the frame part comprising a frame bracket and a sash arm, wherein attaching the frame part to the frame comprises attaching the frame bracket to a side of the frame; and connecting the sash to the frame by inserting the sash arm into a channel of the rail and sliding the sash arm along the channel until at least one spring-loaded plunger on the rail is received in at least one opening in the sash arm.

[0024] The method may provide a simplified process of assembling a window, without requiring re-adjustment of the sash part and the frame part relative to the sash and frame, thereby saving time on assembly.

[0025] Attaching the rail to the second side of the sash may comprise inserting a fixing through an aperture of the rail into the sash. The fixing may be a countersunk fixing and the aperture may comprise a complementary tapered wall, so that when the fixing is inserted in the aperture, a head of the countersunk fixing does not protrude into the channel.

[0026] Attaching the rail to the second side of the sash may comprise inserting a base of the at least one plunger into a groove in the second side of the sash.

[0027] Attaching the frame part to the frame may comprise adjusting the longitudinal position of the frame part relative to a side of the frame by inserting a packer between an end cap of the frame part and an edge of the frame perpendicular to the side of the frame.

[0028] Connecting the sash to the frame may further comprise inserting a fixing through a fixing opening in the sash arm and a fixing aperture in the rail to attach the sash arm and rail to the second side of the sash. The fixing may be a flat-headed safety screw, which may increase the strength of the attachment of the sash part, with the connected sash arm, to the sash.

[0029] Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

[0030] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: [0031] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an example hinge assembly; [0032] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the hinge assembly; [0033] Figure 3 shows a plan view of the hinge assembly; and [0034] Figure 4 shows another perspective view of the hinge assembly.

[0035] As shown in figures 1 to 4, a hinge assembly 1 comprises a sash part 10 and a frame part 50 [0036] The sash part 10 comprises a rail 12 for attaching to a first side of a window sash and a sash bracket 14 for attaching to a second side of the window sash. The sash bracket 14 extends substantially perpendicularly from a first end 16 of the rail 12. When the sash part is attached to a sash, a corner of the sash will be positioned in the corner of the sash part 10 where the rail 12 and the sash bracket 14 meet.

[0037] The frame part 50 comprises a frame bracket 52 for fixing the frame part 50 to a frame of the window and a sash arm 54 for connecting the frame part 50 to the sash part 10. The sash arm has a first end 56 and a second end 58. The sash arm 54 is connected to the frame bracket 52 to form a hinge, by top link arm 60, middle link arm 62, lower link arm 64 and track arm 66. The lower link arm 64 is pivotably connected to the frame bracket 52, while the track arm 66 and top link arm 60 are pivotably connected to a slider 68, shown in figure 3, which is configured to slide along the frame bracket 52.

[0038] The sash arm 54 is configured to connect to the rail 12, to connect the frame to the sash. The rail 12 comprises a channel for receiving the sash arm 54. The second end 58 of the sash arm 54 is configured to slide into the channel at the first end of the rail 16 and to slide along the channel towards a second end 18 of the rail 12. An end region 59 of the sash arm 54 is tapered to narrow in width towards the second end 58 of the sash arm.

[0039] The sash part 10 comprises a first plunger 19 and a second plunger 21. In other examples, the sash part may comprise a single plunger or more than two plungers. The plungers 19, 21 are housed in a plunger housing 20, 22. The plungers 19, 21 are spring loaded and are biased to project into the channel of the rail 12. The plungers 19,21 can be compressed into the plunger housing 20, 22 when a sufficient force is applied, so that the sash arm can slide along the channel without being obstructed by the plungers 19, 21.

[0040] The end region 59 of the sash arm 54 is sloped. When the sash arm 54 is inserted into the channel of the rail 12, the end region 59 slopes away from the rail 12, so that a height between the rail 12 and the sloped end region 59 increases towards the second end 58 of the sash arm. The height of the sash arm 54 at the second end 58 relative to the rail 12 is greater than the height of the plungers 19, 21. As the sash arm 54 slides along the channel of the rail 12, the second end 58 of the sash arm 54 moves over the plungers 19, 21, and the sloped end region 59 compresses the plungers into the plunger housing 20, 22.

[0041] The sash arm 54 comprises a first opening 70 and a second opening 72 provided along the length of the sash arm 54. The first opening 70 is positioned closer to the first end 56 of the sash arm 54 than the second opening 72. The second opening 72 is configured to receive the second plunger 21, but not the first plunger 19. The first opening 70 is configured to receive the first plunger 19. The diameter of the first plunger 19 is larger than the diameter of the second plunger 21, and the diameter of the first opening 70 is larger than the diameter of the second opening 72.

[0042] When the sash arm 54 is inserted into the channel, the second end of the sash arm 58 is configured to compress the plungers 19, 21. As the sash arm 54 slides along the channel, the second opening 72 slides over the first plunger 19, because the diameter of the second opening 72 is too small for the second opening 72 to receive the first plunger 19. As the sash arm 54 slides further along the channel, the plungers 19, 21 remain compressed until the first opening 70 aligns with the first plunger 19 and the second opening 72 aligns with the second plunger 21. The second plunger 21 is received in the second opening 72 and the first plunger 19 is received in the first opening 70, thereby preventing the sash arm 54 from sliding along the channel and locking the sash part 10 to the frame part 50. As shown in figure 2, the plungers 19,21 extend fully through the openings 70,72 in the sash arm.

[0043] The plunger housings 20, 22 project from a rear surface of the rail 12. The plunger housings 20,22 are substantially cylindrical. When the sash part 10 is attached to a sash, the plunger housings 20,22 are configured to fit in a groove of the side of the sash. Typically, the groove in the side of the sash is a standard size of 12 mm in width and 9 mm in depth, known as a Eurogroove. The plunger housings 20,22 are configured to fit in a Eurogroove of a sash. A diameter of the portion of the plunger housing 20, 22 that extends into the groove of the sash is less than or equal to 12 mm, and the depth of the portion of the plunger housing 20,22 is less than or equal to 11 mm.

[0044] The rail comprises a first aperture 24 having a tapered profile. The first aperture 24 is configured to receive a countersunk fixing to attach the sash part 10 to the sash. When the countersunk fixing is received in the aperture 24, the head of the fixing does not project into the channel, so that the rail may be attached to the sash without obstructing the sash arm from sliding along the channel. The rail comprises a further tapered aperture 25 for receiving a countersunk fixing. In other examples, the rail may comprise only one tapered aperture, or may comprise more than two tapered apertures. The number of tapered apertures for receiving countersunk fixings may vary according to a length of the rail.

[0045] The rail comprises a second aperture 26 and the sash arm comprises a corresponding third opening 74. The third opening 74 is positioned to align with the second aperture 26 when the sash is locked in position to the rail, with the first plunger 19 received in the first opening 70 and the second plunger 21 received in the second opening 72. The second aperture 26 and third opening 74 are configured to receive a fixing to fix the assembled hinge assembly to a sash. The third opening 74 and second aperture 26 are configured to receive a flat-headed fixing.

[0046] The frame part 50 comprises an end cap 76 provided at an end of the frame bracket 52. The end cap 76 is configured to abut against a first side of the frame perpendicular to the second side to which the frame bracket 52 is attached. The end cap 76 is configured to receive a packer 78 for adjusting a length of the frame part 50, as shown in figure 4. The packer 78 is attachable to the end cap 76 by a dove-tail fitting. When the packer 78 is provided at the end of the end cap 76, the packer is configured to about against the side of the frame perpendicular to the side to which the frame bracket attached. The packer is thereby configured to adjust the length of the frame bracket and so adjust the position of the frame bracket 52 in the longitudinal direction of the second side of the frame. Different sized packers may be inserted onto the end cap to adjust the longitudinal position of the frame bracket 52.

B

For example, a first packer may have a thickness of 1mm, a second packer may have a thickness of 2 mm and a third packer may have a thickness of 3mm.

[0047] The packer comprises a hook 79 for enabling removal of the packer 78. In use, an operator may insert a tool such as a screwdriver into the hook 78 and pull the packer to detach the packer 78 from the end cap 76 [0048] The frame bracket comprises a slot 80 for receiving a fitting to fix the frame bracket 52 to the window frame. In use, the slot 80 allows adjustment of the longitudinal position of the frame bracket 52 relative to the frame. The position of the frame bracket relative to the frame can thereby be adjusted when adding or removing packers of different thicknesses, so that the sash can be fitted in the correct position relative to the frame.

[0049] A method of assembling a window comprises attaching the sash part 10 to a sash so that the sash bracket 14 is attached to a first side of the sash and the rail 12 is attached to a second side of the sash perpendicular to the first side. The method further comprises attaching the frame part 50 to a frame by attaching the frame bracket 52 to a side of the frame.

The method further comprising connecting the sash to the frame by inserting the second end 58 of the sash arm 54 into the channel of the rail 12 and sliding the sash arm 54 along the channel until the first and second spring loaded plungers 19, 21 are received in respective first and second openings 70, 72 of the sash arm 52.

[0050] Attaching the rail 14 to the second side of the sash comprises inserting the plunger housings 20, 22 into the groove in the sash.

[0051] Attaching the rail 14 to the second side of the sash comprises inserting a countersunk fixing into the first aperture 24, so that the head of the countersunk fixing does not project into the channel.

[0052] Attaching the frame bracket 52 to the frame comprises adjusting a position of the frame bracket 52 in a longitudinal direction by inserting or removing a packer 78 between the end cap 76 and the side of the frame perpendicular to the side to which the frame bracket 52 is attachable. Attaching the frame bracket 52 to the frame comprises inserting a screw through the slot 80 on the frame bracket 52 and into the frame.

[0053] Connecting the sash to the frame further comprises inserting a fixing through the third opening 74 in the sash arm, through the second aperture 26 in the rail 12 and into the sash.

[0054] A second sash part is attached to a third side of the sash, opposite to the second side, and a second frame part is attached to a side of the frame opposite to the side to which the frame bracket 52 is attached. The second hinge assembly, formed of the second sash part and second frame part is a mirror image of the first hinge assembly. Attaching the sash to the window comprises inserting the sash arm of the second frame part into the rail of the second side at the same time as attaching the sash arm 54 into the rail 12 of the first hinge assembly 1.

[0055] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0057] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0058] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hinge assembly for a window comprising a sash part and a frame part, the frame part comprising a frame bracket for fixing to the frame and a sash arm for connecting the frame part to the sash part, the sash part comprising a rail for attaching to a first side of a sash and a sash bracket for attaching to a second side of the sash, the sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the rail, wherein the rail comprises a channel for receiving the sash arm and at least one plunger biased to project into the channel, wherein the sash arm is configured to slide along the channel and compress the plunger until a position of an opening in the sash arm aligns with the plunger and the plunger is received in the opening.
2. The hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein an end of the sash arm is configured to be inserted into the channel at the first end of the rail and the sash arm comprises an end region that is tapered in width to narrow towards the end of the sash arm.
3. The hinge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the end region is sloped so that when the sash arm is received in the channel, a distance between the end region of the sash arm and the rail increases towards the end of the sash arm, wherein the sloped end region is configured to compress the at least one plunger.
4. The hinge assembly according to any preceding claim 1, wherein the sash part comprises two of the plungers configured to project into the channel, a first of the two plungers being closer to the first end of the rail than the second of the two plungers, and wherein the sash arm comprises two of the openings for receiving the plungers, wherein a first of the openings, further from the end of the sash arm than the second opening, is configured to receive the first plunger and wherein a second of the openings, closer to the end of the sash arm, is configured to receive the second plunger and not the first plunger.
5. The hinge assembly according to claim, wherein the plungers are cylindrical and wherein a diameter of the first plunger is larger than a diameter of the second plunger, and wherein a diameter of the first opening is larger than a diameter of the second opening.
6. The hinge assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the rail comprises a fixing aperture, wherein the fixing aperture has tapered edges for receiving a countersunk fixing for attaching the sash part to a sash.
7. The hinge assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame bracket comprises an end cap configured to receive a packer for adjusting the length of the frame bracket.
8. A method of assembling a window comprising: attaching a sash part to a sash, the sash part comprising a rail and a sash bracket extending substantially perpendicularly from a first end of the sash bracket, wherein attaching the sash part to the sash comprises fixing the sash bracket to a first side of the sash and the rail to a second side of the sash perpendicular to the first side; attaching a frame part to a frame, the frame part comprising a frame bracket and a sash arm, wherein attaching the frame part to the frame comprises attaching the frame bracket to a side of the frame connecting the sash to the frame by inserting a first end of the sash arm into a channel of the rail and sliding the sash arm along the channel until at least one spring-loaded plunger on the rail is received in at least one opening in the sash arm.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein attaching the rail to the second side of the sash comprises inserting a fixing through an aperture of the rail into the sash, wherein the fixing is a countersunk fixing and the aperture has complementary tapered sides, so that when the fixing is inserted in the opening, a head of the countersunk fixing does not protrude into the channel.
10. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein attaching the rail to the second side of the sash comprises inserting a base of the at least one plunger into a groove in the second side of the sash.
11. The method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein attaching the frame part to the frame comprises adjusting the longitudinal position of the frame part relative to a side of the frame by inserting a packer between an end cap of the frame part and an edge of the frame perpendicular to the side of the frame.
12. The method according to any of claims 8 to 11, further comprising inserting a fixing through a hole in the sash arm and a hole in the rail to attach the sash arm and rail to the second side of the sash.