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(11) | EP 1 624 145 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A hinge for door or window frames |
| (57) A hinge for metal door or window frames consists of two hinge bodies (2, 3), each
with a first through hole (6, 7) and a flap (8, 9) for securing it to a mobile frame
or fixed frame (10, 11), and a hinge pin (18) inserted coaxially in the first holes
(6, 7) to allow the hinge bodies (2, 3) to turn relative to each other about a central
axis (19) of the pin (18); at least one of the flaps (8, 9) having an interchangeable
portion (23) in which there is at least a second through hole (12, 15) in which an
element (14, 17) for securing the flap (8, 9) to the mobile frame or the fixed frame
(10, 11) can pass.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge for door or window frames, in particular for metal door or window frames.
[0002] A hinge made according to the present invention is particularly suitable for heavy or security door or window units, such as, for example, outside doors, gates and the like.
[0003] Prior art hinges for such door or window units normally comprise two hinge bodies, usually made of extruded aluminium, and a steel hinge pin inserted into respective through holes in the hinge bodies with centring bushings inserted between the bodies and the pin.
[0004] One of the hinge bodies is designed to be attached to the mobile frame of the door or window unit, and the other to the fixed frame, and each of them has a flap by which it is secured to the respective door or window frame.
[0005] The flap normally has two through holes, crossed, perpendicularly to the hinge pin, by securing screws whose heads are normally accommodated in respective truncated-cone shaped or countersunk seats made in the hinge flaps themselves around the through holes.
[0006] The centre-to-centre distance between the two through holes in the flap and the axis of rotation of the hinge pin may vary depending on various factors, such as the type and/or brand of the door or window frames (therefore the type of profile used to make the fixed frame) or the characteristics of the fixed load-bearing structure on which a mobile frame can be mounted directly.
[0007] Therefore, correct assembly requires a variety of hinge bodies corresponding to the number of centre-to-centre distances on the market, even to assemble or substitute a different type of door or window frame (or even just the hinge) on an existing structure.
[0008] This results in high production, management and storage costs, above all considering that the hinges for so-called heavy or security door or window frames are particularly bulky and expensive. The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantage by providing a hinge which is modular and can rapidly be adapted for assembly on door or window frames, maintaining a high level of quality and safety in the end product. Accordingly, the present invention provides a hinge for door or window frames comprising two hinge bodies, each having a first through hole and a flap by which it is secured to a mobile frame or fixed frame, and a hinge pin that can be inserted coaxially into the first holes to allow the bodies to turn relative to each other about a central axis of the pin itself; at least one of the flaps having an interchangeable portion in which there is at least a second through hole, in which an element for securing the flap to the mobile frame or fixed frame may engage.
[0009] The claims dependent on claim 1 describe preferred, advantageous embodiments of the invention.
[0010] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a hinge made according to the present invention;
- Figure 2 is an exploded view of a hinge body belonging to the hinge illustrated in Figure 1;
- Figures 3 and 4 are respective perspective views of the hinge body illustrated in Figure 2.
[0011] With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular Figure 1, the numeral 1 denotes as a whole a hinge for door or window frames, in particular, but without limiting the scope of the invention, for metal door or window frames.
[0012] The hinge 1 is designed in particular for so-called heavy or security door or window frames, such as, for example, those of outside doors, gates and the like, and comprises two hinge bodies 2 (Figure 1) and 3 (Figures 1 - 4) both preferably made of extruded aluminium and each having a substantially cylindrical tubular portion 4, 5 with a respective central through hole 6, 7, and a flap 8, 9 by which it is secured to a door or window frame 10, 11.
[0013] The door or window frame 10 to which the hinge body 2 is secured is a fixed frame, whilst the door or window frame 11 to which the hinge body 3 is secured is mobile.
[0014] According to an embodiment not illustrated, the fixed frame 10 may be absent and the hinge body 2 may be fixed directly to a load-bearing wall structure which in this case serves the same purpose as the fixed frame.
[0015] The flap 8 extends laterally from the tubular portion 4 and has two through holes 12, aligned along a direction D1 parallel with the axis of the hole 6. There are corresponding through holes 13 in the fixed frame 10 so that it can be connected to the flap 8 using two screws 14 at a right angle to the direction of alignment D1.
[0016] Similarly, the flap 9 extends laterally from the tubular portion 5 and has two through holes 15, aligned along a direction D2 parallel with the axis of the hole 7. There are corresponding through holes 16 in the mobile frame 11 so that it can be connected to the flap 9 using two screws 17 at a right angle to the direction of alignment D2.
[0017] In alternative embodiments, not illustrated, the flaps 8 and 9 and the respective frames 10 and 11 have a number of through holes other than two.
[0018] Rotation of the hinge bodies 2 and 3 relative to each other is allowed by a hinge 1 pin 18. The pin 18 is preferably made of steel and is inserted coaxially in the holes 6 and 7 so that the hinge body 3 can turn relative to the hinge body 2 about a pin 18 central axis 19. In particular, the pin 18 is inserted in the holes 6 and 7 by inserting two centring bushings 20 between the bodies and the pin.
[0019] The flap 9, illustrated in more detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4, by way of example as regards the geometric shape, is laterally delimited by an end face 21, located on the opposite side of the tubular portion 5 and parallel with the axis of the hole 7, and by two sides 22, both at right angles to the wall 21.
[0020] As is clearly illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the holes 15 in the flap 9 are made in a block 23 which forms an interchangeable portion of the flap 9. In other words, the flap 9 has a modular structure in which the block 23 may be applied in two different positions, separated by 180° (see arrow F in Figure 2) to allow selection of two different positions for the holes 15, or selection from amongst a range of interchangeable modules as explained below.
[0021] The block 23 is accommodated, in a fixed predetermined position, that is to say without play and in a predetermined position, in a seat 24 formed by a lowered portion of the flap 9. In particular, the seat 24 is made in a larger face 31 of the flap 9 and is positioned adjacent to the face 21, as well as extending from one side 22 to the other.
[0022] The block 23 is firmly attached to the seat 24 by the screws 17 and is hidden from view, like the entire flap 9, by a tamperproof covering plate of the customary type and not illustrated.
[0023] The block 23 and the seat 24 have respective walls 25 and 26 shaped to match each other, so that the block 23 can be accommodated without play in the seat 24 joining the walls 25 and 26 together. In particular, the block 23 has a pair of walls 25 laterally delimiting respective extended projections 27 designed to be inserted in close contact in corresponding seat 24 slots 28 positioned side-by-side.
[0024] The slots 28 are separated from one another by a separator 29, they are laterally delimited by walls 26 and they extend in a direction parallel with the sides 22, that is to say, transversal to the direction of alignment D2.
[0025] Preferably, but without limiting the scope of the invention, the contact surfaces 23a, 29 of the block 23 and the seat 24 of each flap 8, 9 may have a rough profile allowing a matching connection between them for improved stability and correct connection.
[0026] Each hole 15 is made in the block 23 at a projection 27 and the centre-to-centre distance A (Figure 1) between the axis 19 and the direction of alignment D2 of the holes 15 depends both on the position of the holes 15 along the projections 27 and on the orientation of the block 23 relative to the seat 24. In particular, in the embodiment illustrated, in which the holes 15 are off centre relative to the projections 27, a block 23 horizontal rotation through 180° corresponds to a variation of the centre-to-centre distance A.
[0027] In other words, the slots 28, through which the screws 17 pass from one side to the other, cover all of the commercial centre-to-centre distances between a minimum value and a maximum value and the centre-to-centre distance A is defined by inserting a specific block 23 in the seat 24 in one of its two possible positions. The block 23 is selected from a range of interchangeable modules, each characterised by a respective predetermined position of the holes 15 in the module, in particular, in the embodiment illustrated, along the projections 27.
[0028] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the projections 27 pass through the slots 28 and have, protruding on the other side of the latter, collars 30 surrounding the holes 15.
[0029] In an embodiment not illustrated, the separator 29 is absent and the slots 28 are incorporated in a single seat 24 opening. In said case, the projections 27 can also be incorporated in a single projection, or may be absent, although the block 23 and the seat 24 still have respective walls with matching shapes, so that the block 23 can be accommodated without play in the seat 24, connecting the above-mentioned walls to each other. The same considerations on the modularity of the flap 9 also apply to the flap 8, whose block 23, which may have different dimensions (Figure 1) or may be identical to the block 23 of the flap 9, guarantees, with its interchangeability and with its range of sizes, the possibility of varying the centre-to-centre distance B between the axis 19 and the direction of alignment D1 of the holes 12. For the block 23 of the flap 8, and for the entire flap 8 and, in particular, for its seat which accommodates the block 23, the same reference numbers which in Figures 1 - 4 identify the block 23 of the flap 9 and the flap itself 9 apply.
[0030] It should be emphasised that, although in the embodiment described above both the flap 8 and the flap 9 are modular, in obvious alternative embodiments only the flap 8 or only the flap 9 may be modular.
[0031] Therefore, a hinge made in this way achieves the preset aims thanks to the possibility of changing a portion of the flap 8 and/or 9 with the specific centre-to-centre distance holes, always allowing optimum connection of the hinge to the mobile frame and to the fixed frame of the door or window unit.
[0032] This interchangeability allows the production of hinge bodies that are always the same, with a standard seat or slots which can be combined with the specific block on each occasions: this allows less expensive processing for the hinge body and a significant reduction in the dimensions and storage costs, consequently reducing the final cost of the hinge as a whole.
1. A hinge for door or window frames, the hinge being of the type comprising at least
two hinge bodies (2, 3), each with a first through hole (6, 7) and a flap (8, 9) for
securing it to a mobile frame or fixed frame (10, 11), and a hinge pin (18) inserted
coaxially in the first holes (6, 7) to allow the hinge bodies (2, 3) to turn relative
to each other about a central axis (19) of the pin (18); each flap (8, 9) having at
least a second through hole (12, 15) in which an element (14, 17) for securing the
flap (8, 9) to the mobile frame or the fixed frame (10, 11) can engage; the hinge
(1) being characterised in that at least a first flap (8, 9) of the flaps (8, 9) has an interchangeable portion (23)
with the second through hole (12, 15) made in it.
2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that the interchangeable portion (23) forms a module belonging to a range of interchangeable
modules, each characterised by a different predetermined position of the second through hole (12, 15) in the module.
3. The hinge according to claim 2, characterised in that the first flap (8, 9) has a seat (24) for accommodating the interchangeable portion
(23) in a fixed, stable and predetermined position.
4. The hinge according to claim 3, characterised in that the seat (24) is formed by a lowered portion of the first flap (8, 9).
5. The hinge according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the interchangeable portion (23) and the seat (24) have respective walls (25, 26)
with matching shapes which can be connected to each other.
6. The hinge according to any of the claims from 3 to 5, characterised in that, in each hinge body (2, 3), the flap (8, 9) has at least two second through holes
(12, 15), aligned with one another in a direction of alignment (D1, D2) parallel with
the axis of the first through hole (6, 7), the second through holes being made in
the interchangeable portion (23).
7. The hinge according to claim 6, characterised in that the seat (24) has at least two slots (28) extended in a direction transversal to
the direction of alignment (D1, D2) and in which the respective securing elements
(14, 17) can engage.
8. The hinge according to claim 7, characterised in that the interchangeable portion (23) has at least two extended projections (27) designed
to be inserted in close contact in the slots (28); the projections (27) and the holes
(28) being laterally delimited by respective walls (25, 26) with matching shapes which
can be connected to each other.
9. The hinge according to claim 8, characterised in that each second through hole (12, 15) is made at a respective projection (27).
10. The hinge according to claim 8, characterised in that the surfaces in contact with one another (23a, 29) belonging to the block (23) and
the seat (24) of the flap (8, 9) have a rough profile allowing a matching connection
between them.