Adjustable hinge assembly

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an adjustable hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member 6, a second hinge member 4, an intermediary element 5, and a hinge pin 1 substantially oriented in a first direction X and rotatably connecting said intermediary element 5 to said first hinge member 6. Said second hinge member 4 and said intermediary element 5 are joined by a coupling adjustable in a second direction Y substantially perpendicular to said first direction X. When the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position, said first hinge member 6 prevents access to said coupling. The present invention also relates to methods for assembling and disassembling such an adjustable hinge assembly.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable hinge assembly, as well as to methods for assembling and disassembling such an adjustable hinge assembly.

[0002] Hinges are used for rotatably connecting a hinged body, such as a door, gate or window, to a fixed support, such as a door or window frame or a pole. When the hinge is installed, the hinged body usually presents an offset with respect to the hinge pin around which it can rotate. It is frequently necessary to adjust this offset to compensate for building and/or manufacturing tolerances. It is also frequently necessary to adjust the position of the hinged body in the direction of the hinge pin. Moreover, it is often necessary to tilt the hinged body forwards or backwards to achieve a completely vertical position. For these purposes, a number of adjustable hinge assemblies have been proposed in the prior art.

[0003] US Patent 6,152,554 disclosed such a hinge assembly, adjustable in one direction perpendicularly to the direction of the hinge pin. However, as the hinged body is not locked in the direction of the hinge pin, the security offered by this hinge assembly is limited, since an unauthorised person may lift the hinged body away from the hinge pin, disassembling the hinge assembly and possibly winning access through the door, window or gate forming the hinged body.

[0004] European patent EP 1 528 202 B1 disclosed another hinge assembly, adjustable in three axes perpendicular to each other. While in this hinge assembly the hinged body cannot be directly lifted out of engagement with the hinge pin, the various screws and nuts holding the hinge assembly together remain accessible from outside even when the hinged body is in a closed position, thus also allowing disassembly by unauthorised persons.

[0005] International patent applications WO 2004/067888 and WO 2007/090487 also disclosed adjustable hinge assemblies. Both these hinge assemblies are adjustable in several perpendicular directions, and are inaccessible in a closed position of the hinged body, but they comprise curved cam surfaces and are quite complex which increases manufacturing costs.

[0006] A first object of the present invention is to provide a comparatively inexpensive yet secure adjustable hinge assembly.

[0007] In a particular embodiment, an adjustable hinge assembly according to the present invention comprises:

• a first hinge member;
• an intermediary element;
• a hinge pin substantially oriented in a first direction and rotatably connecting said intermediary element to said first hinge member; and
• a second hinge member which is joined to said intermediary element by a coupling adjustable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction,

wherein,
when the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position, said coupling is situated between the first hinge member and the intermediary element to prevent access to said adjustable coupling.

[0008] Since the first hinge member and/or the support to which it is fixed prevents access to the coupling between the second hinge member and the intermediary element when the hinged body is closed, unauthorised persons cannot gain access to it. The adjustable hinge assembly thus remains secure.

[0009] Advantageously, said hinge pin may presents at least one shoulder for engaging a stop for preventing movement of the hinge pin in said first direction. Disassembly of the hinge assembly by moving the hinge pin in the first direction is thus also prevented. Even more advantageously, said hinge pin may present at least two shoulders opposite to each other. The hinge pin is thus securely locked in both senses in that first direction.

[0010] Advantageously, said coupling comprises at least one screw oriented in a third direction substantially perpendicular to both said first and second directions and presenting a screw drive which, when the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position, faces the first hinge member. This provides a particularly simple coupling between the second hinge member and the intermediary element, which however, cannot be accessed when the adjustable hinge assembly is in its closed position. Even more advantageously, said stop may be formed by an end of said screw opposite to said screw drive. Since the screw is inaccessible when the hinge assembly is in a closed position, this further enhances the security of the hinge. Also more advantageously, the coupling may comprise at least two parallel screws joining said second hinge member and said intermediary element. It is thus prevented that the second hinge member and the intermediary element may rotate with respect to each other in the plane perpendicular to the screws.

[0011] Advantageously, said second hinge member and/or said intermediary element present at least one orifice elongated in said second direction for said coupling, so as to allow for the relative adjustment in said second direction.

[0012] Advantageously, said second hinge member and said intermediary element may present serrated contact surfaces in engagement so as to prevent relative movement between said second hinge member and said intermediary element in said second direction. When the coupling pushes these contact surfaces against each other, the positive engagement of the serrated contact surfaces thus locks these two parts with respect to each other.

[0013] Advantageously, said second hinge member may also comprise a mounting surface substantially perpendicular to said second direction and adjustable in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to both said first and second directions, i.e. substantially in said third direction. The hinge assembly is thus also adjustable in said third direction. Even more advantageously, said mounting surface of said second hinge member may present at least one elongated orifice for allowing for this adjustment in said third direction.

[0014] Advantageously, said first hinge member may also comprise a mounting surface which is substantially parallel to the plane defined by said first and second directions when the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position and which is adjustable in said first direction. The hinge assembly is thus also adjustable in said first direction. Even more advantageously, said mounting surface of said second hinge member may present at least one elongated orifice for allowing for this adjustment in said first direction.

[0015] Advantageously, an embodiment of the adjustable hinge assembly according to the invention may also comprise a lid at least partially covering said first hinge member, and thus normally preventing access to its mounting.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of disassembling such an adjustable hinge assembly comprising the successive steps of moving said adjustable hinge assembly towards an open position, so as to enable access to said adjustable coupling, and releasing said coupling and removing said second hinge member from said intermediary element. By requiring the adjustable hinge assembly be moved to an open position before being able to separate the second hinge member from the intermediary element, this increases the security of the hinge assembly.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of assembling an adjustable hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member, a second hinge member, an intermediary element, and a hinge pin. For this purpose, this method may comprise the successive steps of rotatably connecting said intermediary element to said first hinge member with said hinge pin, oriented in a first direction; adjusting the position of said second hinge member with respect to said intermediary element in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction; and fixing said second hinge member to said intermediary element with a coupling accessible only when the adjustable hinge assembly is in an open position. With said coupling accessible only when the adjustable hinge is in an open position, the adjustable hinge assembly cannot be disassembled again starting from a closed position. This protects the adjustable hinge assembly from unauthorised disassembly and increases its security.

[0018] Advantageously, this method may further comprise, before the step of rotatably connecting the intermediary element to the first hinge member, the steps of mounting a surface of the first hinge member to a support; and at least partially covering the first hinge member with a lid. With the first hinge member at least partially covered, the security of the hinge assembly is further increased. Even more advantageously, the method may further comprise a step of adjusting the position of the first hinge member with respect to said support in said first direction prior to covering it. The hinge assembly can thus be adjusted in an additional direction, perpendicular to said second direction.

[0019] Advantageously, this method may further comprise the steps of mounting a surface of said second hinge member to a hinged body; and adjusting said second hinge member with respect to said hinged body in a third direction substantially perpendicular to both said first and second directions. The hinge assembly can thus be adjusted in yet another additional direction.

[0020] A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described in illustrative, but not restrictive manner, with reference to the following drawing:

Fig. 1a shows an exploded, perspective view of an adjustable hinge assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1b shows a perspective view of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 1 a;

Figs. 2a-4b are exploded detail views of the adjustable coupling between the second hinge member and the intermediary element of the hinge assembly of Fig. 1a;

Figs. 3a-3b are details views of the second hinge member joined to the intermediary element in two different relative positions;

Figs. 4a-4b are detail views illustrating the blocking of the hinge pin by means of the screws joining the second hinge member to the intermediary element;

Fig. 4c is a cross sectional view through the hinge assembly of Fig. 1 a fixed by means of screws to a support;

Figs. 5a-5c show detail views of the mounting of the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 1a to a fixed support;

Fig. 5d shows the adjustable hinge assembly of Fig. 1a rotatably connecting a gate to a support.

[0021] The components of an embodiment of an adjustable hinge assembly according to the invention are illustrated in Fig. 1a. The same adjustable hinge assembly is illustrated in a fully assembled state in Fig. 1 b. This adjustable hinge assembly comprises a first hinge member 6 with a mounting surface having elongated orifices B for adjustably mounting this first hinge member 6 to a support 8, a second hinge member 4 with another mounting surface having elongated orifices A for adjustably mounting this second hinge member 4 to a hinged body, and an intermediary element 5. The second hinge member 4 is fixed to this intermediary element 5 by a coupling formed by two parallel screws 3, the intermediary element 5 being rotatably connected to the first hinge member 6 by a hinge pin 1. When the adjustable hinge assembly is assembled, as shown in Fig. 1b, the second hinge member 4 can thus rotate around an axis with a first direction X. Since the mounting surface of the second hinge member 4 is perpendicular to a second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X and the elongated orifices A are elongated in a third direction Z perpendicular to both the first and second directions X, Y, the hinge assembly is adjustable in said third direction Z. Since in the illustrated closed position the mounting surface of the first hinge member 6 is, when the hinge assembly is in its closed position, perpendicular to said third direction Z, and the elongated orifices B in this mounting surface are elongated in said first direction X, the position of the hinge assembly may also be adjusted in said first direction X.

[0022] Turning now to Figs. 2a and 2b, the screws 3 joining the second hinge member 4 to the intermediate element 5 go, in said third direction Z, through parallel elongated orifices C in the second hinge member 4 and engage screw threads in orifices C' in the intermediary element 5. The orifices C are elongated in the second direction Y. The adjustable hinge assembly is thus also adjustable in this second direction Y by a distance L, as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b. However, the opposite contact surfaces of the second hinge member 4 and the intermediary element 5 are serrated, so that, when the screws 3 are tightened, the positive engagement between them locks the relative movement of the second hinge member 4 and the intermediary element 5.

[0023] Turning now to Figs. 4a and 4b, an end 3' of each screw 3 opposite to the screw drive 3" reaches into the opening in the intermediary element 5 where the hinge pin 1 is received, and engages a shoulder in the hinge pin 1, restricting its movement in the direction X. As long as the screws 3 stay in position, the hinge pin 1 is thus locked in place.

[0024] When the adjustable hinge assembly is in its closed position, as shown in Fig. 4c, the screw drives 3" of the screws 3 face the first hinge member 6, and are thus inaccessible. Both the connection of the intermediary element 5 to the second hinge member 4, and its connection to the first hinge member 6 are thus secure.

[0025] Turning now to Figs. 5a and 5b, to prevent the unauthorised dismounting of the first hinge member 6 from its support, the adjustable hinge assembly also comprises a lid 2 to cover the screws 9 joining them. As illustrated in Fig 5c, this lid 2, which is clicked onto the first hinge member 6, cannot be removed without first removing the hinge pin 5. The mounting of the first hinge member 6 is thus also secure.

[0026] Finally, as shown in Fig. 5d, since the mounting surface of the second hinge member 4 is perpendicular to the second direction Y when the adjustable hinge assembly is in its closed position, in this position the screw drives of the screws 10 joining the second hinge member 4 to the hinged body face a lateral of the support 8 of the hinge assembly behind the first hinge member 6, which prevents the removal. All connections of the adjustable hinge assembly are thus secure in the closed position.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, a method for assembling this adjustable hinge assembly comprises the following steps:

Firstly, the first hinge member 6 is mounted with its mounting surface against the support 8 using screws 9 going through the elongated orifices B. The position of the first hinge member 6 is then adjusted in the first direction X before tightening the screws 9 and clicking the lid 2 over these screws 9.

[0028] After this, the intermediary element 5 is rotatably connected to the first hinge member 6 using the hinge pin 1, which simultaneously blocks the removal of the lid 2. The second hinge member 4 is then connected to the intermediary element 5 using screws 3 going through elongated orifices C before engaging threaded orifices C', and their relative positions in the second direction Y are adjusted before tightening the screws, fixing the second hinge member 4 to the intermediary element 5, and simultaneously, as the extremities 3' engage the shoulders in the hinge pin 1, locking the hinge pin 1 in the first direction X

[0029] Finally, the second hinge member 6 is mounted to the hinged body with its mounting surface against the hinged body 11 using screws 10 going through elongated orifices A. The position of the second hinge member 4 with respect to the hinged body is then adjusted in the third direction Z before tightening the screws 10. When the hinged body is then rotated towards a closed position, all connections of the adjustable hinge assembly are then secure.

[0030] The hereabove described mounting steps do not necessarily have to be carried out in this order. In practice, the second hinge members 6 will for example be mounted first onto the hinged body 11, and the intermediary elements 5 will be fixed to these second hinge members 6, without tightening the screws 3 completely so that the hinge pins 1 can still be inserted into the intermediary elements 5. The hinged body 11 is then suspended to the first hinge members 6, which have already been mounted to the support, by means of the hinge pins 1. The position of the hinged body 11 can then be adjusted by means of the elongated orifices A and C in the second hinge member 4. It is also possible to suspend the hinged body 11 first to the first hinge members 6 without applying the lid 2 so that the vertical position of the first hinge members 6 can first be adjusted with the hinged body suspended thereto. The hinged body can then be removed, the lids 2 applied over the first hinge members and the hinged body suspended again on the first hinge members 6. Adjustment of the hinged body in the second and third directions Y and Z remains always possible in the open position of the hinged body.

[0031] To disassemble the adjustable hinge assembly, the hinged body must first be rotated back into an open position, uncovering the screw drives 3" of the screws 3. When these screws 3 are subsequently at least partially unscrewed, the hinge pin 1 may be removed in said first direction Y, releasing the connection between the hinged body and the support 8. The rest of the adjustable hinge assembly may then be disassembled, releasing the lid 2, and unscrewing screws 3, 9 and 10.

[0032] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. Adjustable hinge assembly comprising:

- a first hinge member (6);

- an intermediary element (5);

- a hinge pin (1) substantially oriented in a first direction (X) and rotatably connecting said intermediary element (5) to said first hinge member (6); and

- a second hinge member (4) which is joined to said intermediary element (5) by a coupling adjustable in a second direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to said first direction (X),

characterised in that,
when the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position, said coupling is situated between the first hinge member (6) and the intermediary element (5) to prevent access to said adjustable coupling.

2. Adjustable hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hinge pin (1) presents at least one shoulder for engaging a stop for preventing movement of the hinge pin in said first direction (X).

3. Adjustable hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein said coupling comprises at least one screw (3) oriented in a third direction (Z) substantially perpendicular to both said first and second directions (X, Y) and presenting a screw drive (3") which, when the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position, faces the first hinge member (6).

4. Adjustable hinge assembly according to claim 3, wherein said hinge pin (1) presents at least one shoulder and an end (3') of said screw (3) opposite to said screw drive (3") forms a stop engaging said shoulder for preventing movement of the hinge pin in said first direction (X).

5. Adjustable hinge assembly according to claims 3 or 4, wherein said coupling comprises at least two parallel screws (3) joining said second hinge member (4) and said intermediary element (5).

6. Adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said second hinge member (4) and/or said intermediary element (5) present at least one orifice (C) elongated in said second direction (Y) for said coupling.

7. Adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said second hinge member (4) and said intermediary element (5) present serrated contact surfaces in engagement so as to prevent relative movement between said second hinge member (4) and said intermediary element (5) in said second direction (Y) after their coupling has been adjusted.

8. Adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said second hinge member (4) also comprises a mounting surface substantially perpendicular to said second direction (Y) and adjustable in a direction (Z) which is substantially perpendicular to both said first and second directions (X, Y).

9. Adjustable hinge assembly according to claim 8, wherein said mounting surface of said second hinge member (4) presents at least one elongated orifice (A).

10. Adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said first hinge member (6) also comprises a mounting surface which is substantially parallel to the plane defined by said first and second directions (X, Y) when the adjustable hinge assembly is in a closed position and which is adjustable in said first direction (X).

11. Adjustable hinge assembly according to claim 10, wherein said mounting surface of said first hinge member (6) presents at least one elongated orifice (B).

12. Adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a lid (2) for said first hinge member (6).

13. A method of assembling an adjustable hinge assembly comprising a first hinge member (6), a second hinge member (4), an intermediary element (5), and a hinge pin (1); said method comprising the successive steps of:

- rotatably connecting said intermediary element (5) to said first hinge member (6) with said hinge pin (1), oriented in a first direction (X);

- adjusting the position of said second hinge member (4) with respect to said intermediary element (5) in a second direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to said first direction (X);

- fixing said second hinge member (4) to said intermediary element (5) with a coupling accessible only when the adjustable hinge assembly is in an open position.

14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising, before the step of rotatably connecting the intermediary element (5) to the first hinge member (6), the following steps:

- mounting a surface of the first hinge member (6) to a support (8); and

- covering said first hinge member (6) at least partially with a lid (2).

15. Method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of adjusting said mounting surface of the first hinge member (6) in said first direction (X) prior to covering the first hinge member (6).

16. Method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising the steps of:

- mounting a surface of said second hinge member (4) to a hinged body (11); and

- adjusting said mounting surface of the second hinge member (4) in a direction (Z) substantially perpendicular to both said first and second directions (X, Y).

17. Method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, also comprising a step of locking said hinge shaft (1) with respect to said intermediary element (5) in said first direction (X).

18. Method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein said adjustable hinge assembly is an adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

19. Method of disassembling an adjustable hinge assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the successive steps of:

- moving said adjustable hinge assembly towards an open position, so as to enable access to said adjustable coupling; and

- releasing said coupling and removing said second hinge member (4) from said intermediary element (5).

Drawing