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(11) | EP 0 007 926 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Hinge and method for manufacturing said hinge |
| (57) A hinge comprises leaves (1) and a knuckle which includes tabs (5) extending from
the leaves and supporting hingeing pivot (3) means. At least one of the tabs (5) of
one leaf (1) supports at least one of the tabs (5) of another leaf (1) and the construction
also includes strengthening webs (6) extending from each tab (5) to the respective
leaf (1) and located on one side only, with respect to the hingeing pivot axis (3),
of each respective tab (5). |
[0002] According to the invention the knuckle comprises tabs extending from the leaves and supporting hingeing pivot means and at least one of the tabs of one leaf supports t least one of the tabs of another leaf and further includes strengthening webs extending from the respective tabs to the respective leaf and located on one side only, with respect to the hingeing pivot axis of each respective tab.
[0004] Preferably each tab is generally perpendicular to the hingeing pivot axis. However, for self-closing or -opening hinges or for rising hinges such as hinges for clearing carpet, the construction may be otherwise.
[0005] Preferably each web lies generally in the same plane as the leaf although for certain hinges this will not be so.
[0006] Hinges in accordance with this invention may be made in any convenient way. Among those ways may be mentioned extrusion, casting, moulding, fabrication, welding, forging or stamping. In one preferred method the hinges are made by moulding in synthetic plastics material.
[0007] A particularly preferred method of manufacture comprising stamping a strip of metal to form a hinge leaf having projections extending from a side thereof, bending one part of each projection to form a tab lying generally perpendicular to the plane of the leaf and such that the remaining part of each projection lies on one side only of the respective tab and extends as a strengthening web between the tab and the leaf. The method may include the step of forming a hole for pivot means in each tab. Preferably each web is substantially tangential to the hole in the respective tab.
[0008] The method preferably includes the step of forming two such leaves with such projections in one stamping operation from a single sheet of metal and wherein the metal is stamped in such a way that the projections on one leaf inter-fit with those on the other leaf.
[0009] Examples of hinges, all in accordance with the invention, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a number of different hinges;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a single hinge;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the hinge of Figure 2;
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are respectively plan, end and side views of another hinge;
Figures 7, 8 and 9 are respectively plan, end and side views of another hinge;
Figure 10 is a plan view of a strip of metal used to make a hinge;
Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a strip of metal which has been stamped;
Figure 12 is a fragmentary side view of the strip of Figure 11 after a bending operation;
Figure 13 is an end view of part of another hinge;
Figure 14 is an end view of part of another hinge;
Figures 15 and 16 are respectively plan and end views (both in partly closed condition) of another hinge;
Figure 17 is a fragmentary side view of another hinge;
Figures 18 and 19 are respectively fragmentary end and fragmentary side views of part of another hinge;
Figures 20, 21 and 22 are respectively a plan view (partly sectional), an end view (parts separated), a cross-sectional detail (parts assembled) of another hinge;
Figure 23 is a fragmentary side view of part of another hinge; and
Figure 24 is a fragmentary side view of part of another hinge.
[0010] Reference will firstly be made to Figures 2 and 3 which show a hinge comprised of leaves 1 and a knuckle comprised of a pivot pin 3 which passes through holes 4 in tabs 5 carried by each of the leaves. The tabs 5 provide bearing surfaces for one another and for the pin 3 and lie approximately at right angles to the plane of the leaves. Each tab 5 is strengthened by means of a web 6 extending from the respective leaf to the respective tab. The holes 4 are preferably, but not essentially, close to the angle or corner indicated by the line 7, which may be tangential to the respective hole.
[0011] The hinge shown in Figures 4 to 6 is similar to that of Figures 2 and 3 and like numerals denote like parts. However, in lieu of the pin 3 there are used two shorter pins or rivets 31.
[0012] The hinge of Figures 7 to 9 is similar to that of Figures 4 to 6 and like numerals denote like parts excepting that the webs 6 lie at angles to the planes of the leaves 1 so that the hinge will be closable to have the leaves 1 closely adjacent.
[0013] The hinges shown in Figure 1 are only a few examples of the many variants possible on the hinges shown in Figures 2 to 9. It should be noted in respect of Figure 1 that additional or enlarged strengthening webs which may be present are shown as dash-dot lines 61. In Figure 1 one leaf in any one hinge may be the same as or different from the other leaf of that hinge, as shown.
[0014] Hinges in accordance with this invention can be made in any convenient manner, such as by extrusion, casting, moulding, fabrication, welding, forging or stamping. They may be made of any suitable material such as synthetic plastics material or metal. Extruded stock may be cut to the forms shown in the representations.
[0015] One particularly preferred manner of formation at least for the hinges shown in Figure 6 is to form them by a process involving stamping a sheet of metal and bending the sheet of metal. This last is illustrated in Figure 10 which shows a sheet of metal which has been stamped to form six leaves 1 each with projecting fingers8 having holes 4 and the fingers on one leaf inter-fitting with those on an adjacent leaf. Each finger is subsequently or at least substantially simultaneously bent to form the tabs 5 (as shown by dash lines) and the webs. It should be noted that there is little material wastage in such a stamping operation. Any number of tabs may be provided for each leaf.
[0016] In a variant of the stamping process, shown in Figures 11 and 12, the fingers 8 are each formed with a slit 9 which will facilitate the bending operation. Further, it tends to reduce the likelihood of the holes 4 deforming out of round during the bending operation.
[0017] Figure 13 shows part of an alternative hinge in which the web 6 lies at an angle to the leaf 1.
[0019] The hinge shown in Figures 15 and 16 is similar to those previously described excepting that a locking pin 101 engages with pins 32 to hinder disengagement of the leaves 1. Each pin 32 may be integrally formed with a respective tab 5 such as by moulding, casting or stamping or may be a separate integer. Alternatively, the pins 32 may be inserted in the holes 4 of the tabs 5 which support them. Only one pin 101 need be provided per hinge. In lieu of the pin 101 a C-shaped circlip may be used.
[0020] The hinge shown in Figure 17 is similar to those previously described and like numerals denote like integers. However, in this instance one tab 5 carries a pin 33 as an inserted part or as an integral part thereof. The other tab has an integral part thereof or an insert 102 in the hole for receiving the pin 33. Alternatively, the pin 33 may be of such size as to be a close fit in the hole 4 without the need for the insert or the pin 33 may carry a bearing member 103 for being received into the hole 4. The insert 102 and bearing member 103 are preferably of synthetic plastics material.
[0021] The hinge shown in Figures 18 and 19 is similar to that of Figure 17 and like numerals denote like parts. However, in this instance the insert 102 and member 103 are absent and in lieu a pin 34 carried by one of the tabs 5 is received in the hole 4 in the other of the tabs 5. The pin 34 has a deformable abutment 104 which can be deformed to allow release of the pin 34 from the hole 4 or which can move to a resiled condition to engage that one of the tabs 5 having the hole 14 to restrict against disassembly of the hinge.
[0022] The hinge shown in Figures 20, 21 and 22 is similar to those previously described and like numerals denote like parts. However, in this instance the leaves 1 include cranked portions 21. Further, a pin 35 is provided having an egg-shaped head 106 which is receivable in a socket 107 carried by a pin 36. If desired a locking pin 101 and dust-excluding cap 108 may be utilised. The holes shown in the leaves 1 are normally used for screws to mount the hinge; those holes may be counter-sunk on one or both sides of each leaf.
[0023] The hinge shown in Figure 23 is similar to those previously described and like numerals denote like parts. However, the tab 5 is thickened at 5a as compared to the thickness of the leaf 1. The material for that thickening is conveniently provided out of material which would otherwise be waste in a stamping operation to form the hinge. In this respect, the otherwise waste material, at least some of which may come from hole 4, can be forged, swaged, extruded, formed or otherwise displaced to the correct location for the thickening either before or after a bending of the tabs.
[0024] As it is usually desirable for the planes of the leaves 1 to be generally tangential to the holes 4, the hinges, if formed by bending, must have the tabs 5 bent closely adjacent to the holes 4 if those holes have been previously formed. This may cause distortion of the shape of the holes 4. To reduce the likelihood of such distortion the tab may be bent as at 5b in Figure 24 so that the hole 4 is away from the bending line but nevertheless remains substantially tangential to the plane of the leaf. The shape of Figure 24 may be applied also to hinges moulded in synthetic plastics material.
[0025] Figures 25 and 26 are side elevation and end views of a bi-fold hinge embodying this invention. In this instance there are tabs 5, webs 6, pivot pins 3 and leaves la, lb, lc and Id.
[0026] Advantages which can accrue from the use of this invention may include manufacturing savings in hinge formation, avoidance of the need to curl metal, strength without substantial weight, easy installation and maintenance, reduced friction as compared to some curl and other hinges and material saving. Still further, a very large variety of hinges may be made in accordance with this invention. Examples of suchhinges include T-hinges, strap hinges, parliament hinges, concealed hinges, cranked hinges, such as for cabinets, shutter hinges and hinges for automobile doors, boots and hoods. Simple modifications give other variations.
[0027] Still further, the use of spaced apart tabs can easily provide room for insertion of a spring for the purpose of opening or closing the hinge. An illustration of this is that a helical torsion spring could be easily mounted on the hinge pin of the hinge on the extreme right in the bottom row of Figure 1. That spring could bear at one end on one leaf and, at the other end, on the other leaf. This provision of room between tabs also makes it particularly easy to construct a hinge having more than two leaves.
[0028] Washers or bushes may be interposed between the pin 3 or equivalent and the tabs 5 and may be located in the holes 4. Such washers or bushes may reduce friction or be used to lubricate.
1. A hinge comprising leaves and a knuckle, characterised in that the knuckle comprises
tabs extending from the leaves and supporting hingeing pivot means and at least one
of the tabs of one leaf supports at least one of the tabs of another leaf and further
including strengthening webs extending from the respective tabs to the respective
leaf and located on one side only, with respect to the hingeing pivot axis, of each
respective tab.
2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein each web is a triangular gusset.
3. A hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each of the tabs is generally
perpendicular to the hingeing pivot axis.
4. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each web lies generally
in the same plane as the respective leaf.
5. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and manufactured by casting,
moulding or stamping in metal or synthetic plastics material.
6. A hinge substantially as described and as illustrated with reference to any one
of the examples shown in the accompanying drawings.
7. A method of manufacturing a hinge comprising stamping a strip of metal to form
a hinge leaf having projections extending from a side thereof, bending one part of
each projection to form a tab lying generally perpendicular to the plane of the leaf
and such that the remaining part of each projection lies on one side only of the respective
tab and extends as a strengthening web between the tab and the leaf.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, including the step of forming a hole for pivot
means in each tab.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein each web is substantially tangential to
the hole in the respective tab.
10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, including forming two such leaves
with such projections in one stamping operation from a single sheet of metal and wherein
the metal is stamped in such a way that the projections on one leaf inter-fit with
those on the other leaf.
11. A hinge whenever made by the method of any one of claims 7 to 10.