Screw, system and method for fixing a hinge body to a profile

Abstract

 A screw for fixing a wing (5) of a body (2) of a hinge (6) to a profile (3) of a mobile or fixed frame of a door or a window comprises a head (7) and a shank (8), the shank (8) comprising, longitudinally, proceeding away from the head (7):
- a first portion (9) proximal to the head (7) and designed to be centred in a hole (12) in the wing (5) of the body (2);
- a second, intermediate portion (10) designed to be centred in a hole (13) made in the profile (3) in such a way as to allow a predetermined positioning of the wing (5) relative to the profile (3) ;
- a third portion (11) distal from the head (7) and designed for coupling with longitudinal contact means (23) for the screw (1) which are inserted in the profile (3) for locking the wing (5) relative to the profile (3).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a screw and a system for fixing a hinge body to a fixed or mobile frame of a door or window unit, in particular of a door or window unit of the medium or "heavy" type.

[0002] The expression medium or heavy door or window unit refers to those doors or windows having a considerable weight, in particular for exteriors. At present, in the sector of accessories for the above-mentioned door or window units, there are prior art hinges consisting of two hinge bodies which are connected to each other by a hinge pin housed in corresponding cylindrical cavities made in the two bodies.

[0003] Said two hinge bodies are fixed one to the fixed frame and the other to the mobile frame of the door or window unit.

[0004] The two bodies each comprise a wing for fixing to the respective door or window unit and a cylindrical portion in which the transit hole for the hinge pin is made, the hinge pin actually being housed in suitable adjusting bushings.

[0005] The wing of each body normally has a flat area in which through holes are made (usually two), in which respective screws for fixing to the fixed or mobile frame are inserted.

[0006] The wing of the hinge body may be fixed to the respective profile according to various methods, two of which are amongst the most widely used: the first uses a locking - contact plate positioned inside the tubular structure of the profile, while the second comprises direct working (drilling) of the profile and the use of a self-tapping screw. With reference to the first method of locking the wing of the hinge body to the respective profile, this is commonly used in single-chamber profiles. For this method, each hole present in the wing of the hinge body must be provided with a self-centring bushing having an external diameter coinciding with a hole made in the profile of the respective frame (fixed or mobile).

[0007] The self-centring bushing, when inserted in the hole in the profile, allows a unique position to be given to the wing of the hinge body relative to the profile.

[0008] Slidably inserted in the profile there is the above-mentioned contact plate provided with a respective threaded hole.

[0009] After the hinge body has been centred relative to the profile, a screw is inserted in such a way that it freely passes through the hole in the wing and through the bushing then engages by screwing in the threaded hole in the contact plate.

[0010] With reference to the second method of locking the wing of the hinge body to the respective profile, this is commonly used in multi-chamber profiles (that is to say, those in which there are two or more tubular chambers one after another). For this second type of locking, the steps are more simplified, since a hole is drilled in the profile in such a way as to pass through several chambers of the same profile.

[0011] The wing is fixed to the profile using a single self-tapping screw (of suitable length), which is passed through the hole in the wing and engages by screwing in the holes made in the profile (delimiting different chambers of the profile).

[0012] It should be noticed that said screw is of the self-tapping type, that is to say, it is able to cause a deformation of the walls of the holes of the profile - with which the screw engages - for guaranteeing stable locking of the wing to the profile.

[0013] It should also be noticed that the screw allows centring of the hinge body relative to the profile to be guaranteed, since it is sized so that it is centred radially in the hole in the wing of the hinge body.

[0014] Relative to the first method of locking the hinge body illustrated (of particular interest in this text), it is clear that the hinge body must comprise an additional element which is the self-centring bushing.

[0015] As well as adding to the cost, this element also necessitates sizing of the holes in the hinge body suitable for this purpose.

[0016] That fact makes it difficult to standardise the hinge body for other requirements, with related increases in storage costs.

[0017] Moreover, a need greatly felt by door and window unit fitters is, therefore, that of having more standardised hinge bodies, but keeping the system for locking the hinge body to the profile particularly simple and effective.

[0018] Document GB1250776 describes a system for fixing the hinge body to a profile comprising a fixing screw having a shank threaded for coupling with an element inside the profile.

[0019] This type of screw and fixing system does not allow a particularly accurate positioning of the hinge body relative to the profile and it is also particularly complicated.

[0020] Document EP1884668 describes a system for fixing the hinge body to a profile comprising a fixing screw with four portions, of the self-tapping type. The self-tapping screw has an end portion designed for perforating and screwing in the profile: the screw is screwed in the profile using screwing devices and the screwing may not be performed if the user does not have the screwing device. Document DE2700100 describes a fixing system having a screw with a single diameter, designed for inserting into a bushing designed to be centred in the profile.

[0021] This system is particularly complicated as it needs a plurality for elements for allowing the coupling of the hinge body to the profile and, in light of this, it is difficult to standardise.

[0022] The aim of this invention is to provide a screw for fixing a hinge body to a profile and a system for fixing the hinge body to a profile which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. Another aim of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a screw for fixing a hinge body to a profile and a fixing system which allow the hinge body to be fixed to a profile in a particularly quick and simple way. Accordingly, the invention achieves that aim with a fixing screw, system and method comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

[0023] The screw for fixing a hinge body to a profile of a door or window according to the invention comprises a head and a shank, and is characterised in that the shank comprises, longitudinally, proceeding away from the head:

• a first portion proximal to the head and designed to be centred, in use, in a hole in the wing of the hinge body;
• a second, intermediate portion designed to be centred, in use, in a hole made in the profile in such a way as to allow a predetermined positioning of the wing relative to the profile;
• a third portion distal from the head and designed for coupling, in use, with longitudinal contact means for the screw which are inserted in the profile for locking the wing relative to the profile.

[0024] It should be noticed that advantageously a screw according to the invention allows the hinge body to be stably fixed to a profile without the need to insert the self-centring bushing in the hole in the hinge body.

[0025] That is undoubtedly an advantage, since it reduces storage costs linked to the self-centring bushing and simplifies hinge installation.

[0026] Moreover, a further advantage of the screw according to the invention is that it allows unification of the structure of the hinge body in such a way as to allow use of the hinge body even on alternative fixing systems (for example, with self-tapping fixing screws). Therefore, without the need to perform further and special additional working on the hinge body.

[0027] This allows hinge bodies which are more standardised to be provided, with obvious advantages in terms the reduction of costs (of working and storage).

[0028] The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred non-limiting example embodiment of the invention and in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded cross-section of a hinge body in which the fixing screw according to the invention is used;
• Figure 2 is a cross-section of the hinge body of Figure 1 fixed to the profile of a door or window unit.

[0029] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a screw for fixing a hinge 6 body 2 to a profile 3 of a fixed or mobile frame of a door or window unit (not illustrated).

[0030] The numeral 6 denotes, in its entirety, a hinge for door or window units, in particular a hinge 6 for heavy door or window units.

[0031] It should be noticed that the hinge 6 comprises a pair of hinge bodies 2 (the accompanying drawings only show one of the bodies 2, the other being similar).

[0032] Each hinge body 2 is formed by a tubular portion 14 comprising a through hole 15 for housing a hinge pin (not illustrated) and by a wing 5 for fixing the body 2 to the profile 3 of the fixed or mobile frame of the door or window unit.

[0033] The fixing wing 5 comprises at least one hole 12, in particular and preferably a pair of holes 12.

[0034] It should be noticed that the holes 12 have an axis substantially at a right angle to the axis of the through hole 15 for housing the hinge pin.

[0035] With reference to one of the holes 12, these comprise (preferably but without limiting the scope of the invention) a first, upper portion 17 (upper with reference to Figure 1), a second, intermediate portion 18 and a third, lower portion 19 (lower with reference to Figure 1).

[0036] It should be noticed that the portions (17, 18, 19) are portions with a circular section.

[0037] Preferably the first portion 17 has a diameter greater than that of the second portion 18 and the third portion 19 has a diameter greater than that of the second portion 18.

[0038] The profile 3 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is a single-chamber type profile, that is to say, it is provided with a single chamber 16.

[0039] Indeed, it should be noticed that the walls of the profile 3 form a single chamber 16.

[0040] There is a hole 13 made in the profile 3 at the wall 20. The hole 13 is made and used for fixing the body 2 to the profile 3, as described in more detail below.

[0041] It should be noticed that when the body 2 is fixed to the profile 3 the lower portion 19 of the hole 12 is proximal to the wall 20 of the profile 3 in which the hole 13 is made, while the upper portion 17 of the hole 12 is distal from the wall 20 of the profile 3.

[0042] It should be noticed that the hole 13 puts the chamber 16 in communication with the outside.

[0043] Hereinafter the term fixing system 21 is used. It should be noticed that said term refers to all of the elements necessary for fixing the body 2 of the hinge 6 to the profile 3, which are part of the invention.

[0044] The fixing system 21 is itself also part of the invention.

[0045] With regard to that, the screw 1, the hole 12 in the body 2 and the hole 13 made in the profile 3 are part of the fixing system 21.

[0046] The fixing system 21 also comprises a small plate 4, hereinafter also indicated as the plate 4.

[0047] It should be noticed that the plate 4 is shaped in such a way that it can be inserted in the chamber 16 of the profile 3.

[0048] In particular, the plate 4 is provided with a threaded hole 22.

[0049] According to the invention, the plate 4 forms longitudinal locking (contact) means 23 for the screw 1.

[0050] The screw 1 which forms the subject matter of this invention is described below.

[0051] The screw 1 comprises a head 7 and a shank 8.

[0052] The screw 1 extends longitudinally in a direction X. The screw 1 is preferably axially symmetric.

[0053] The head 7 of the screw 1 is shaped in such a way that it allows contact with operating means for rotating the screw 1 (Allen keys, etc.) for tightening the screw.

[0054] In particular, the head 7 comprises a recess shaped to engage with a tool such as an Allen key.

[0055] The shank 8 comprises, longitudinally, proceeding away from the head 7:

• a first portion 9 (proximal to the head 7) and designed to be centred, in use, in a hole 12 in the wing 5 of the body 2;
• a second (intermediate) portion 10 designed to be centred, in use, in a hole 13 made in the profile 3 in such a way as to allow a predetermined positioning of the wing 5 relative to the profile 3;
• a third portion 11 (distal from the head 7) which is threaded and designed to engage by screwing with the plate 4 (in particular, designed to engage by screwing in the threaded hole 22 of the plate 4). In this invention, the term "centring" refers to making the centre of one circle correspond with another and, more generally, eliminating two degrees of freedom from the translation between two different elements which are subjected to the centring.

[0056] The expression "predetermined positioning of the wing 5 relative to the profile 3" refers to the fact that coupling of the second portion 10 in the hole 13 allows the hinge body 2 to be positioned at a predetermined position on the profile 3 (determined by the manufacturer by suitably drilling holes in the profile).

[0057] Preferably, the first portion 9 is cylindrical and smooth (that is to say, it does not comprise projections or threads).

[0058] Moreover, preferably, the second portion 10 is cylindrical and smooth.

[0059] It should be noticed that the first portion 9 has a diameter D1, the second portion 10 has a diameter D2 and the third portion 11 has a diameter D3. Preferably, the diameter D1 is greater than the diameter D2.

[0060] Moreover, preferably, but without limiting the scope of the invention, the diameter D2 is greater than the diameter D3.

[0061] It should be noticed that the diameter D2' of the hole 13 in the profile 3 is equal to the diameter D2 of the second portion 10 of the shank 8 of the screw 1.

[0062] It should also be noticed that the first portion 17 of the hole 12 has a diameter D4', equal to the diameter D4 of the head 7.

[0063] The second portion 18 of the hole 12 has a diameter D1' equal to the diameter D1 of the first portion 9 of the shank 8 of the screw 1.

[0064] In contrast, the threaded hole 22 in the plate 4 has a diameter D3' equal to the diameter D3 of the third portion 11 of the shank 8 of the screw 1.

[0065] With reference to the length of extension of the screw 1 in the direction X, it should be noticed that preferably the second portion 10 is sized in such a way that, when the screw 1 is housed in the hole 12 in the body 2 and centred in the hole 13, said second portion 10 does not make contact with the wall 20 of the profile 3.

[0066] Indeed, it should be noticed that the angled connecting wall between the head 7 and the first portion 9 of the screw 1 abuts a corresponding angled connecting wall between the portion 17 of the hole 12 and the portion 18 of the hole 12. Preferably, the head 7 of the screw is completely housed in the hole 12 in the hinge body 2.

[0067] The use of the fixing system 21 and the screw 1 are described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The plate 4 is inserted in the chamber 16 of the profile 3 (it is made to slide into the chamber 16).

[0068] The body 2 is drawn near the wall 20 of the profile 3 in which the hole 13 is made, in such a way that the hole 12 is opposite the hole 13 (if the body 2 has two holes 12, both of the holes 12 are positioned opposite the respective holes 13).

[0069] It should be noticed that the holes 13 are made in a predetermined position on the profile 3 of the fixed or mobile frame, that position having been determined during the design or construction step.

[0070] In that configuration, the screw 1 is inserted in such a way that it passes through the hole 12 and the hole 13 until it engages with the threaded hole 22 in the plate 4.

[0071] It should be noticed that the threaded third portion 11 engages in the threaded hole 22 in the plate 4. Screwing of the screw 1 into the hole 22 in the plate 4 causes relative clamping between the body 2, the profile 3 and the plate 4. That is to say, it causes the body 2 to be locked relative to the profile 3.

[0072] Figure 2 clearly shows the configuration in which the body 2 is locked relative to the profile 3. It should be noticed that the first portion 9 of the screw 1 makes contact with (is centred in) the intermediate portion 18 of the hole 12 in the wing 5 and that the second portion 10 of the screw 1 makes contact with (is centred in) lateral walls of the hole 13.

[0073] The centring of the second portion 10 of the screw 1 in the hole 13 prevents translation of the screw 1 in a plane parallel with the wall 20 of the profile 3 in which the hole 13 is made, while the centring of the first portion 9 of the screw 1 in the hole 12 in the body 2 prevents translation of the body 2 relative to the screw 1 in the same plane parallel with the wall 20 of the profile 3 in which the hole 13 is made. Therefore, translation of the body 2 is prevented in the plane of the wall 20 of the profile 3.

[0074] In light of this, it should be noticed that the above-mentioned centring operations, performed using a pair of holes 12, allow the body 2 to be locked relative to the profile 3 in a pre-selected and unique position.

[0075] It should be noticed that the screw 1 may be substituted, in particular in profiles of the multi-chamber type, with a conventional self-tapping screw without that involving any modification of the hinge body.

[0076] In this case, the self-tapping screw is inserted in the hole 12 and is screwed into the holes 13 made in the profile (subject to plastic deformation of the walls of said holes).

[0077] In that case, the plate 4 is not used.

[0078] Therefore, an advantage of the screw 1 according to this invention is that it can also be substituted with a prior art screw without necessitating any adaptation of the hinge body 2 or the profile 3. Advantageously, that allows greater standardisation of the hinge body 2 (with obvious reductions in costs in terms of storage and working).

[0079] The invention described above is susceptible of industrial application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A screw for fixing a wing (5) of a body (2) of a hinge (6) to a profile (3) of a mobile or fixed frame of a door or a window, comprising a head (7) and a shank (8), the shank (8) being characterised in that it comprises, longitudinally, proceeding away from the head (7):

- a first portion (9) having a first diameter (D1) and proximal to the head (7) and designed to be centred, in use, in a hole (12) in the wing (5) of the body (2);

- a second, intermediate portion (10) having a second diameter (D2) and designed to be centred, in use, in a hole (13) made in the profile (3) in such a way as to allow a predetermined positioning of the wing (5) relative to the profile (3);

- a third portion (11) having a third diameter (D3) and distal from the head (7) and designed for coupling, in use, with longitudinal contact means (23) for the screw (1) which are inserted in the profile (3) for locking the wing (5) relative to the profile (3), wherein the diameters (D1, D2, D3) of the first, second and third portions (9, 10, 11) are decreasing proceeding away from the head (7).

2. The screw according to claim 1, wherein the third portion (11) is threaded and the contact means (23) comprise a plate (4) provided with a threaded hole (22) designed to receive the third portion (11) and to lock the wing (5) relative to the profile (3).

3. The screw according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first portion (9) is formed by a smooth cylindrical stretch.

4. The screw according to any of the claims from 1 to 3, wherein the second portion (10) is formed by a smooth cylindrical stretch.

5. A system (21) for fixing a wing (5) of a hinge body (2) to a profile (3), characterised in that it comprises:

- a fixing screw (1), according to any of the foregoing claims;

- a hole (12) made in the wing (5) of the hinge body (2) and designed to house and centre the first portion (9) of the shank (8) of the screw (1);

- a hole (13) made in the profile (3) and designed to house and centre the second portion (10) of the shank (8) of the screw (1) in such a way as to allow a predetermined positioning of the hinge body (2) relative to the profile (3);

- longitudinal contact means (23) for the screw (1), which are insertable in the profile (3) for coupling with the third portion (11) of the screw (1).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the contact means (23) comprise a fixing plate (4), insertable in the profile (3) and provided with a threaded hole (22) for receiving, by screwing, the threaded third portion (11) of the shank (8) of the screw (1).

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the hole (12) in the wing (5) comprises a first portion (17) which is distal from the profile (3) and a second portion (18) which is proximal to the profile (3), the first portion (17) being designed to house the head (7) and the second portion (18) being designed to centre the first portion (9) of the shank (8).

8. A hinge of a door or a window, characterised in that it comprises:

- a pair of bodies (2), each formed by a tubular portion (14) comprising a through hole (15) for housing a hinge pin, and a wing (5) for fixing to a respective profile (3) of a fixed or mobile frame of a door or a window, the fixing wing (5) comprising at least one hole (12) which is at a right angle to the housing hole (15);

- a hinge pin inserted coaxially in the through holes (15), thus allowing the bodies (2) to rotate relative to each other;

- means for fixing each body (2) to the profile (3), the hinge being characterised in that the fixing means comprise, in combination:

- a screw (1) according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 4, insertable in the hole (12) in the body (2) and in a hole (13) in the profile (3);

- a plate (4), insertable in the profile (3) and provided with a threaded hole (22) designed for engaging with the third portion (11) of the screw (1).

9. A method for fixing a hinge body (2) to a profile (3) of a mobile or fixed frame of a door or a window, comprising the following steps:

- making a hole (13) in the profile (3);

- making a hole (12) in a hinge body (2) fixing wing (5);
characterised in that it comprises the following steps:

- preparing a screw (1) comprising a head (7) and a shank (8), the shank (8) comprising, longitudinally, proceeding away from the head (7):

- a first portion (9) designed to be centred in the hole (12) in the wing (5) of the body (2) and having a first diameter (D1);

- a second portion (10) designed to be centred in the hole (13) in the profile (3) and having a second diameter (D2);

- a third portion (11) having a third diameter (D3), wherein the diameters (D1, D2, D3) of the first, second and third portions (9, 10, 11) are decreasing proceeding away from the head (7);

- preparing a fixing plate (4) and inserting said plate (4) in the profile (3);

- inserting the screw (1) through the hole (12) in the wing (5) of the body (2) and through the hole (13) in the profile (3), thus allowing a predetermined positioning of the wing (5) relative to the profile (3);

- screwing the screw (1) onto the plate (4) to stably lock the body (2) relative to the profile (3) .

10. A method according to the foregoing claim, wherein the third portion (11) is threaded.

Drawing