WO1988000638A2

WO1988000638A2 - A hinge

Info

Publication number: WO1988000638A2
Application number: PCT/GB1987/000492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas John Wood
Original assignee: Thomas John Wood
Priority date: 1986-07-12
Filing date: 1987-07-13
Publication date: 1988-01-28
Also published as: GB8617043D0; AU7702187A; WO1988000638A3

Abstract

Hinge comprising a non-parallelogram quadrilateral pivoted linkage comprising: a first member (11) arranged to be rigidly secured to a fixed window frame; a second (stile) member (12) arranged to be rigidly secured to an opening edge (as defined) of a movable wing of the window; a short third link member (13) pivotally connected between the first and second members and movable between a closed position substantially aligned with both said first and second members and an open position substantially aligned with the second member only; and a longer fourth link member (14) pivotally connected between the first and second members and movable between a closed position substantially aligned with both said first and second members and an open position angled with respect to the other three members of the linkage; both the third and fourth link members (13, 14) opening in the same direction of rotation between the closed and open positions.

Description

A HINGE

This invention relates to a hinge.

The hinge has been devised particularly for use in casement windows of the type having a frame and a movable "wing" formed of hollow section and usually having a complete peripheral seal. For example, such windows may be aluminium or UPVC framed double glazed windows.

Although such casement windows are usually referred to as side or top hung "pivoting" windows they are not hung directly by hinges between one edge of the movable wing and an abutting edge of the frame as in a conventional timber window.

This is the case for various reasons. Firstly, such a hinge fixing would be insecure when attached to a hollow stile. Secondly, all edges of the wing must be allowed to separate cleanly from the abutting frame edges during opening, to prevent distortion and wear of the seal. Thirdly, it is desirable for the "hinged" edge of the wing to move to a position spaced from its associated frame edge to allow for cleaning of the outside face of the window through the intervening gap.

For convenience, the following description will refer to the "hinged edge" of the wing as that edge which remains close to and parallel with its associated frame edge; the "free edge" as the opposite edge of the wing which opens widely; and the "opening edges" as the remaining two edges. For a side hung casement, the opening edges will be horizontal and the hinged and free edges will be vertical. The opposite will be the case for a top hung casement. With the required features in view, it has become usual for top and side hung hollow stile casement windows to use a pair of hinges attached to the opening edges, incorporating a parallelogram linkage and at least one sliding block arranged to slide along a channel secured to the fixed window frame. In a typical, simple form, the parallelogram linkage has one long link rigidly secured along the opening edge of the wing and an extension of the opposite link pivoted to the sliding block. An extension of one of the short links of the parallelogram is pivotally secured to the fixed channel. In larger sized units it may be pivotally and slidably fixed. Finally, except in very small windows, a further link is pivotally connected between the sliding block and an extension of the first mentioned long link for added stability. Further links are provided in large scale hinges. The channel may have pressed out tongues or other abutments designed to restrict movement of the sliding block so as to prevent over-centering of the linkage, which would cause the window to jam open.

Thus, even in its simplest from, such known hinges have at least four or five movable links with associated pivots and also a sliding block moving in a channel.

Typically, no more than 60° opening movement is possible. When the linkage is folded, that is with the window fully closed, there are three thicknesses of the parallelogram linkage plus the thickness of the channel to be accommodated in the space between the frame and the stile of the opening edge of the wing.

Such hinges have proved to be unsatisfactory in certain ways and it is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simpler form of hinge for use in hollow stile casement windows which overcomes or reduces some or all of those disadvantages.

The first feature which is somewhat unsatisfactory is that the sliding block has to be housed in an open channel facing upwardly. The channel is fixed through its base and is prone to movement and distortion because the rigidifying effects of the channel edges are not fully utilised. When a window is hung on the hinge, the leverage due to the weight of the window when it is opened tends to twist and pull the channel off its fixing to the window frame, or open the channel enough to pull out the sliding block.

Since there are at least three thicknesses of the parallelogram linkage stays in the confined space between the fixed frame and movable stile, the linkage has to be made of thin" and hence relatively weak metal. As the linkage is extended, it tends to flex and this exerts extra forces on the channel and on the individual pivots of the linkage.

The sliding block of plastics material moving in the channel may be subjected to wear and tear and may jam or distort or even pull out of the channel after a period of use or in adverse conditions, for example, if it is caught by a gust of wind or accidentally slammed.

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge comprising a non-parallelogram quadrilateral pivoted linkage comprising:

a first fixed member adapted to be rigidly secured to a fixed window frame;

a second (stile) member adapted to be rigidly secured to an opening edge (as defined) of a movable wing of the window;

a short third link member pivotally connected between the first and ssecond members and movable between a closed position substantially aligned with both and an open position substantially aligned with the second member only;

and a longer fourth link member pivotally connected between the first and second members and movable between a close position substantially aligned with both and an open position angled with respect to the other three members of the linkage;

both the third and fourth link members opening in the same direction of rotation between the closed and open positions.

_*

Preferably, the pivotal connection between the short third link and the second (stile) member is laterally offset from the centre line of these members on which their respective pivotal connections with the first fixed member and longer fourth link member lie.

A stop may be provided to restrict opening movement of the third and/or fourth members of the linkage. Preferably, two stops are provided, one on the first fixed member acting on the short third link member and one on the second (stile) member acting on the longer fourth link member.

Latch means may be provided between the first and second members to ensure the correct opening and closing sequence of the hinge.

A hinge embodying the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in Fig.l is a general assembly drawing of the hinge in the closed condition.

Fig.2 is a similar drawing showing initial opening of the hinge.

Fig.3 is a similar drawing showing a further stage of opening of the hinge.

Fig.4 is a similar drawing showing the hinge in the fully opened condition.

Fig.5 is a sectional view of the hinge in the closed condition shown in Fig.l.

Fig 6 is a side view of an alternative hinge in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the hinge shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side view of an alternative first member for use in a hinge in accodance with the invention.

Referring firstly to Fig.3 of the drawings, a hinge generally indicated at 10 comprises a non-parallelogram quadrilateral linkage formed from a first fixed member 11, a second (stile) member 12, a short link member 13 and a longer link member 14.

The first fixed member 11 is secured by suitable fastenings such as three screws to a fixed frame (not shown) of a casement window. The hinge is intended to be secured at the opening edges (as defined) of the window and a hinge of opposite hand is secured to the other opening edge. In the following description it will be assumed that the window is side hung, that is that it opens about a generally vertical axis. However the hinge can be used equally well for other types of window such as top hung windows.

The first fixed member 11 is therefore secured horizontally to the fixed frame at the tope or bottom of the window. An openable wing of the window is secured, by means of screws for example, to the second (stile) member 12. The member 12 is pivotally connected at 15 to the short third link member 13 and at 16 to the longer link member 14. It will be seen from close inspection of the drawings that the pivot point 16 lies on the central longitudinal axis 17 of the second stil member 12 whereas the pivot point 15 is laterally * offset outboard of the centre line 17 on the line 18. Looking at the shorter link, it will be seen that its main pivot 19, by which it is attached to the first fixed member -11 again lies on a centre line 20. However the pivot point 15 is laterally spaced on a line 21 which is inboard of the centre line 20. The final pivot point 22, linking the first fixed link and the longer fourth link is also on the centre line of both of those members.

Each of the pivot points 15, 16, 19, 22 is a fixed pivot formed for example by a rivet. It will be noted that none of the pivot points is slidably mounted in relation to any of the linkage members. Thus, a source of wear and damage potentially present in the currently used hinges has been avoided.

The first fixed member 11 is formed from a rigid channel section, preferably of stainless steel. However, the channel is disposed with its side walls 23 facing towards the fixed frame 'of the window, rather than being mounted so as to present its open face upwardly. Thus, the strength and rigidity of the channel is used fully when it is frame .

The sequence of opening of the window will now be described with reference to Figs.l to 4.

In Fig.l of the drawings, the window is fully closed and the wing (not shown) attached to the second stile member 12 is within the fixed frame (not shown) of the window. . All the members of the quadrilateral linkage are aligned.

It will be seen that the end of the fixed stile member has a V-shaped nose 24, a notch 25 and an abutment 26. In the fully closed condition, these parts are engaged with an upstanding tongue 27 which is secured to the first fixed member 11 or which could be formed integrally with the fixed member if desired.

The tongue and the corresponding parts on the second stile member co-operate to form a latch controlling the order of initial opening and final closing of the window. This latch operates to ensure that the window closes fully and that the window seals (not shown) are not distorted or torn by repeated opening and closing of the window. It is essential that the seals part cleanly and without relative sliding or rubbing movement.

Turning to Fig.2 of the drawings, initial opening of the window through a few degrees takes place by relative pivoting of the second stile member and the longer fourth link member at the pivot point 16. It will be recalled that this pivot point is aligned with the centre lines of the associated linkage members. The offset of the pivot point 15 allows a small amount of dwell time before movement takes place at the pivot point 15. This enables the window effectively to pivot during the initial sta es of o enin rather than to start se arating outwardly at the hinged edge.

Although the construction of the linkage enables this to take place, it is the latching means which in fact cause it. The tongue 27 is engaged in the notch 25 and prevents swinging movement of the short linkage member 13 during the initial stages of opening.

As the wing moves from the slightly open condition shown in Fig.2 to the more fully open condition shown in Fig.3 of the drawings, the nose 26 on the second (stile) member clears the tongue 27 of the fixed member 11 and all of the pivot points can then operate freely.

Both the short link member 13 and the longer link member 14 swing through an arc about their respective- pivot points 19 and 22, both opening in the same sense of rotation. Because of the difference in their length, the shorter link 13 swings through a much widers angle than the long link 14. Eventually, a condition is reached in which the shorter link 13 is more or less aligned with the second stile member 12, and the window is fully open as shown in Fig.4. During movement from the Fig.3 to the Fig.4 condition, it will be seen that a gap opens up between the shorter link 13 and the end of the fixed member 11 which is sufficient to enable the wing of the window to have its outer face cleaned.

From the Fig.4 condition, any further swinging of the shorter link 13 would result in over centering. This is prevented by a double stop feature in which a first stop member 28 provided on the first fixed member 11 of the linkage comes into abutment with a side edge of the shorter link 13. Simultaneously, a tongue 29 formed on the edge of the second of the longer link member 14. Even if one of the stop members fails or is damaged, the other remains in operation to prevent over centering of the linkage.

Closing of the window is an exact reversal of the opening described. Just before final closing, the nose 24 comes into contact with the upstanding tongue 27 and the engagement of this latch brings the final pivoting movement into operation. The offset of the pivot 15 from the centre line of the short link 13 and stile member 12 means that final pivoting at this pivot point is automatically completed by the engagement of a nose 24 immediately before final closure of the window from the Fig.2 to the Fig.l condition takes place.

Reference to Fig.5 of the drawings will show that, at any point along the hinge in its folded, Fig.l condition, there are no more than three members of the quadrilateral linkage overlying the channel section fixed member 11. The short link 13 is cranked at 30 so that the longer link 14 can overlie it. It is also cut away at 31 to accommodate the stop 29 on the second (stile) member. The longer link 14 is cranked at 32 so as to clear the pivot point 19 and the shorter link 13 during closure. Finally, the extreme tip of the second (stile) member is cranked at 33 so as to ensure that the nose 24 strikes the fixed tongue 27 cleanly at a central position and cannot ride over it during closure of the window.

Hinges in accordance with the invention may include limiter means to permit limited opening of the window for example ventilate a room during the night.

Such limiter means are illustrated in Figs. 6 which shows an alternative hinge in accordance with the invention. The hinge 50 shown in Figs 6 and 7 comprises first member 52, second member 54 (two alternative designs of which are sindicated by the chain-dotted lines), third member 56 and third member 58 pivotally interconnected as previously described for hinge 10 of Figs. 1-5. A spring-loaded plunger 60 comprising pin 62 and spring 64 is carried by the second member 54 and is operable whereby the pin 62 can be urged by a user into an elongate aperture 66, defined by the first member 52, to restrict movement of the hinge. Preferably catch means are provided to releasibly retain the pin 62 within the aperture 66.

The first member 80 shown in Fig. 8 is an alternative design of first member and is formed from solid stainless steel.

A particularly advantageous method of forming the rivets which form the pivots for hinges in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 9,10 and 11.

First, a member 82 of the hinge, which has been predrilled to form aperture 84, is subjected to a simulataneous countersinking and stamping operation to create countersank region 86 and an annular ring 88 and groove 90 around and concentric with the aperture 84.

Second, a rivet 90 (e.g. of brass) is inserted through aperture 84 and an aligned aperture 92 formed by a second member 94. Simulataneously with the insertion of the rivet, a lubricant such as an oil or grease is injected into the toroidal space 94 defined by the ring 88, the rivet 90 and the opposed surfaces of the members 82 and 94.

Third, the rivet is stamped and is deformed as circumferential ridge 98.

The grain of the deformed rivet is illustrated in Fig. 11.

The riveted joint thus formed is advantageous in that it obviates the nylon washer used in prior rivetted joints and it may be sealed for life with lubricant. Furthermore, the wearing surface area of the joint is reduced.

The hinges described can be of very small dimensions both as to the thickness and as to width. The thickness is reduced by using a compact linkage having few individual links overlying each other. The width of the hinge can be kept to a minimum by the use of strong rigid metal such as stainless steel for the components.

All of the members of the hinge linkage are preferably made of stainless steel and can be made relatively thick compared with the prior art hinges because of the small number of individual parts which need to be accommodated in the gap between the fixed frame and the stile of the window wing. As illustrated in the drawings, parts of the members are also provided with longitudinal ribs for additional stiffening. Combined with the fixed rivted pivots, this means that the linkage is extremely strong and in particular resists forces acting perpendicular to the general plane of the linkage, for example, due to the weight of the wing acting downwardly on the linkage used for mounting a side hung window. Reference has previously been made to the use of the channel 11 fixed to the fixed frame of the window with its mouth concealed so as to gain the maximum strength from the channel section. However, this is not achievable with the prior art hinge in which the channel mouth needed to face outwardly so as to receive a sliding block. Because of the considerable strength of the hinge, it can be used for all types of windows including those having timber or steel frames as well as relatively lightweight aluminium and UPVC frames. Similarly, the hinge is particularly suitable for double and triple glazed windows which tend to be extremely heavy because of the extra layers of glazing. ^•

The all metal construction of the hinge makes it relatively resistant to wear and tear. A friction adjusting screw 34 can be provided in the third short link member adjacent the pivot 19, so as to be adjustable in case of loosening of the hinge on constant use.

The geometry of the linkage enables a substantial sized gap to be provided for access to the outer face-of the wing so that it can be. cleaned. This gap can be seen in Fig.4. Additionally, however, a very large opening angle is available, up to 87°. The maximum, opening angle achievable with the prior art hinge described above is approximately 60°. The improved opening angle is important both from the point of view of ventilation and from the point of view of safety, so that a person can climb through the window opening in the event of a fire for example. Finally, it will be noted that the latch operating on initial opening and final closing of the window is all metal and is not subject to extensive wear during the life of the hinge.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A hinge comprising a non-parallelogram quadrilateral pivoted linkage comprising; a first member arranged to be rigidly secured to a fixed window frame; a second (stile) member arranged to be rigidly secured to an opening edge (as defined) of a movable wing of the window; a short third link member pivotally connected between the first and second members and movable between a closed position substantially aligned with both said first and second members and an open position substantially aligned with the second member only; and a longer fourth link member pivotally connected between the first and second members and movable between a closed position substantially aligned with both said first and second members and an open position angled with respect to the other three members of the linkage: both the third and fourth link members opening in the same direction of rotation between the closed and open portions.

2. A hinge according to claim 1 in which the pivotal connection between the short third link member and the second (stile) member is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of those members on which their respective pivotal connections with the first fixed member and longer fourth link member lie.

3. A hinge according to any preceding claim in which the pivotal connections between the third link and the first member and the fourth member and the first member are on the longitudinal axis of the first member.

4. A hinge according to claim 1,2 or 3 in which a stop is provided to restrict movement of the third and/or fourth members of the linkage.

5. A hinge according to claim 4 in which a stop is provided on the first member to restrict movement of the third member.

6. A hinge according to claim 4 or 5 in which a stop is provided on the second member to restrict movement of the fourth member.

7. A hinge according to any preceding claim in which latch means are provided to control the relative movement of the members during opening of the hinge.

8. A hinge according to claim 8 in which the latch means comprises cooperaktLe surfaces of the first and second members.

9. A hinge according to claim 8, wherein the cooperable surfaces are located at corresponding ends of the first and second members.

10. A hinge according to claim 9 in which the latch means prevents substantial pivotal movement of the third member during the initial stages of the opening of the hinge.

11. A hinge according to claim 10, wherein the latch member comprises an angled end surface of the first member, and a corresponding angled end surface of the second member provided with a detent to engage an edge surface associated with said angled end surface of said first member.

12. A pivotable joint comprising two members having opposing surfaces, one of said surfaces being provided with a projection thereon which is in contact with the opposing surface of. the other member; a connecting element held in aligned apertures formed in the members and about which the members pivot; a portion of the said element being located between said opposed surfaces to space them apart.

13. A joint according to claim 9 in which the projection is an annular ridge on a said surface.

14. A joint according to claim 12 or 13 in which a lubricant is inserted into a space defined by the projection, the element and the opposed surfaces of the members.

15. A joint according to claim 12,13 or 14 in which the element is a metal rivet.

16. .A method of forming a pivotable joint between two members,, the method comprising: forming apertures in each member; deforming a member to produce a projection on a surface thereof, the said surface opposing an adjacent surface of the other element in use; placing a plastically deformable element in the two apertures; and deforming the element whereby a portion of the element is introduced between opposed surfaces of the elements.