FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to hinge, particularly, but not exclusively a security-type
hinge for a door or window.
[0002] Hinges for doors and windows are typically made of two sections, a first section
being a sash section for attachment to a sash element (a door or window) and a second
section for attachment to a frame of the window/door. The two sections are hinged
together, typically by means of a pin which allows for relative rotation of the sash
section and the frame section of the hinge.
[0003] Recent developments in doors have resulted in the edge section becoming more complex
due to the profiles that are used, for example in UPVC constructed doors/windows.
The response to the increasing complexity of the edges of doors/windows has been to
move the attachment point of the sash section to the door or window further from the
edge thereof. This movement has created challenges in the design of hinges.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to address the above mentioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set
forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from
the dependent claims, and the description which follows.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge having
a sash section adapted to be secured to a sash and a frame section adapted to be secured
to a frame, the sash and hinge section being mounted for hinged movement, wherein
the sash section has lateral adjustment means operable to allow adjustment of the
sash section laterally with respect to the frame section, and wherein the lateral
adjustment means are operated from a front, major face of the sash section.
[0007] The front, major face may be a face substantially parallel to a major face of a sash
to which the sash section is to be fitted.
[0008] The lateral adjustment is preferably in a direction perpendicular to a pivot axis
of the hinge and parallel to a plane of the sash on which the hinge is to be mounted.
[0009] The sash may be adapted to fit in or to the frame.
[0010] The hinge may include vertical adjustment means, which may be operable from the frame
section, preferably an upper part thereof with respect to a frame to which the sash
is fitted.
[0011] The sash section may include an attachment section, or datum section, adapted to
be fixed relative to the sash. The sash section may include a hinge plate, which may
be laterally fixed in position relative to the frame section. The attachment section
and the hinge plate may be mounted for relative adjustment, preferably relative sliding
adjustment. The lateral adjustment means may include a rack and pinion adjustment.
A rack may be provided on the hinge plate, preferably in an opening, or slot, therein.
A pinion may be provided on the attachment section.
[0012] The attachment section may, in use, bear against the sash. At least one projection
of the attachment section may extend through the hinge plate, preferably through an
opening, or slot therein. The at least one projection may extend from a body of the
attachment section. The at least one projection may be adapted to receive a fixing
for securing the attachment section to the sash. The at least one projection may be
a boss, the at least one projection may include at least one opening for at least
one fixing, preferably three openings. The attachment section and the hinge plate
may, preferably additionally, be adapted to be locked relative to one another, preferably
after relative adjustment, which locking may be with locking means. The locking means
may include cooperating friction plates, which may be ridged plates, which may be
adapted to deter lateral movement. The locking means may include a lock-off element
that preferably extends through an opening, or slot, in the hinge plate. A head section
of the lock-off element preferably engages a periphery of the opening in the hinge
plate in a locked configuration to prevent relative movement of the attachment section
and the hinge plate. The head section of the lock-off element is preferably free to
move relative to the opening in the hinge plate in an unlocked configuration to allow
relative movement of the attachment section and the hinge plate.
[0013] The attachment section is preferably adapted to support the hinge plate in position,
preferably both in locked and unlocked configurations of the locking means.
[0014] The hinge plate is preferably adapted to be retained between the body of the attachment
section and the sash. The hinge plate may be adjustably retained in the unlocked configuration,
in other words the weight of the sash is supported but movement for adjustment is
possible, or may be fixedly retained, in other words the weight of the sash is supported
but movement for adjustment is not possible.
[0015] The attachment section may include an adjustment element, which may be the pinion,
accessible on a front face of the attachment section that is preferably parallel to
a plane of the sash and preferably perpendicular to a hinge axis. The adjustment element
is preferably accessible in a direction perpendicular to the front face.
[0016] The locking means is preferably accessible at the front face. The locking means is
preferably accessible in a direction perpendicular to the front face.
[0017] The attachment section and the hinge plate may be held in proximity to one another
by a housing section. The housing section may bias the attachment section and the
hinge plate into contact with each other. The housing section may comprise opening
corresponding to openings in the hinge plate, which openings may include openings
to receive the at least one attachment section projection and/or the lock-off element.
The attachment section and the hinge plate are preferably operable to move laterally
with respect to one another when held in proximity by the housing section.
[0018] The sash section may include cover section, which may be adapted to be locked in
position with cover locking means. The cover locking means may include openings in
the cover section and hinge plate that are adapted to align when the cover section
is in a covering configuration over the attachment section and hinge plate. The aligned
openings are preferably adapted to receive a fixing to lock the cover section in position.
The cover locking means may be obscured by the hinge section when the hinge is in
a closed configuration. The cover locking means may be accessible when the hinge is
in an open configuration.
[0019] The frame section may include hinge pin adjustment means, adapted to adjust a position
of a locking pin of the hinge. The hinge pin adjustment means may include adjustable
bushes, which may have an off-centre opening to receive the hinge pin. The adjustable
bushes may be adapted to move the hinge pin towards or away from a frame to which
the frame section is to be fitted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same
may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the
accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a hinge according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view from above of the hinge;
Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the hinge;
Figure 4 is a schematic view from below of the hinge;
Figure 5 is a schematic end view of the hinge;
Figure 5a is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hinge through the line A-A' in
Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a schematic rear view of the hinge;
Figure 7 is a schematic exploded view of the hinge; and
Figure 8a to 8d show schematic views of a cover section of the hinge.
[0021] For a door which incorporates a double rebate, as is often the case with doors of
UPVC construction, a larger chamfer/curve between an end face of the door adjacent
the frame in which it sits and the front face of the door becomes larger. This requires
a sash section of a hinge to extend further from the frame, or further from a pivoting
axis of the hinge, to allow for the sash section to be fitted flush to the front face
of the door in order to avoid rebate features of the door and inner parts of the door
moulding that might interfere unnecessarily with fixings used to secure the hinge
to the sash.
[0022] Figure 1 shows a sash section of a hinge secured a frame section 22 of the hinge.
The sash section 20 is secured to a front face of the sash (door/window) and the hinge
section 22 is secured to the frame.
[0023] Figure 7 shows the individual elements of the sash section 20 and frame section 22
in more detail.
[0024] The sash section 20 comprises a hinge plate 10. The hinge plate 10 is made of mild
steel plate and incorporates two fixing slots 10a, an adjustment slot 10b and a locking
opening 10c. In addition, a section of the hinge plate 10 is curled back on itself
to create a channel 10d to receive a hinge pin 7, described below. The channel 10d
incorporates a break 10e part way along to allow a cover plate 15 of the sash section
20 to be locked in position, as described below.
[0025] The adjustment slot 10b incorporates rack elements which cooperate with a lateral
adjustment pinion 12 received in the adjustment slot 10b.
[0026] A sash datum 11 is held flush against the hinge plate 10 and receives the lateral
adjustment pinion 12 in an opening 11a. The sash datum 11 is laterally adjustable
with respect to the hinge plate 10 by means of the lateral adjustment pinion 12 moving
with respect to the adjustment slot 10b. The lateral adjustment pinion 12 has a recessed
hexagonal head section for a receipt of a hexagonal tool to achieve adjustment of
the lateral adjustment pinion 12 and thereby the sash datum 11.
[0027] The sash datum 11 and hinge plate 10 are held in proximity for sliding engagement
with each other by means of a plastic inner housing 14, which incorporates openings
therein corresponding the fixing slots 10a, adjustment slot 10b and locking opening
10c of the hinge plate 10.
[0028] The adjustment of the sash datum 11 allows for movement of approximately 5mm in either
direction from a central position to allow for lateral adjustment of a sash part to
which the sash section 20 is secured.
[0029] The sash datum 11 incorporates a tapped opening 11 b for receiving a lock off screw
13 which secures the sash datum 11 with a respect to the hinge plate 10 upon tightening
of the lock off screw 13.
[0030] The sash datum 11 also incorporates two rows of three openings 11c extending therethrough
to allow receipt of optional temporary fixings 18 which are pushed through the sash
datum 11, through the fixing slot 10a and driven into the sash (with e.g. a screwdriver
engaged in the head of the fixing 18) to temporarily secure the sash datum 11 and
hinge plate10 to the sash until self-tapping screws can be inserted in the remaining
openings 11c to properly secure the sash datum 11 and hinge plate10 to the sash The
optional temporary fixings 18 are not essential though, because the sash and frame
are typically clamped together for installation of the hinge. This means that the
sash does not need predrilled holes for the sash part, because the sash part and frame
part are supplied as one assembly to a fabricator for attachment of the hinge to the
sash and frame.
[0031] A sash part cover 15 is provided to cover the sash datum 11 and the hinge plate 10
to prevent unauthorised removal of the hinge from the door from an exterior side.
The sash part cover 15 clips onto the hinge pin 7 at snap-fit sections 15c at upper
and lower ends of the cover. Cutouts 15d engage with tabs 16c on sash part bushes
16 (see below) to locate the cover in position and to hold the bushes in position.
The sash part cover 15 is rotatable about the hinge pin 7 independently of the hinge
plate 10 and sash datum 11 to allow for installation of the hinge to the sash and
then to allow for the hinge plate 10 and sash datum 11 to be covered as described
above after installation. The sash part cover 15 is fixed by means of a fixing which
extends into the opening 10f in the hinge plate 10 into a tapped opening 15a in a
protrusion 15b on the inside of the sash part cover 15.
[0032] The frame section 22 comprises a frame part 1 having a recess 1a therein which receives
the sash section 20. Bosses 1b of the frame part 1 receive the hinge pin 7 and have
openings which are coaxial with the channel 10d in the hinge plate 10 to allow for
journaling of the frame section 22. The openings 1c that receive the hinge pin 7 are
located in the respective bosses 1b.
[0033] The frame section 22 is secured to a door frame by means of a frame datum 9, which
is secured to the frame by means of fixings (not shown) which extend through openings
9a. The frame datum 9 is located on the frame by means of projections 9b which are
received in predrilled openings in the frame that have been predrilled in the correct
locations for the frame datum 9, preferably using a jig. The frame datum 9 is received
in a slot 1d (see figure 6) in a rear part of the frame part 1.
[0034] A further opening 1e at an upper part of the frame part 1 receives a threaded socket
head bolt 6. The opening 1e is correspondingly tapped to allow for it to receive the
bolt 6 and to bear against the frame datum 9. Rotation of the bolt 6 causes relevant
movement of the frame part 1 and the frame datum 9 for adjustment in a vertical sense.
[0035] Sash part bushes 16 are received in the upper and lower ends of the channel 10d respectively.
Necks 16a of the sash part bushes 16 extend into the channel 10d, with collars 16b
of the sash part bushes 16 sitting outside the channel 10d.
[0036] Top frame part bushes 2/4 are received in the upper opening 1c and bottom frame part
bushes 3/5 are received in the lower opening 1c in the frame part 1. Only one of the
top frame part bushes 2/4 is used at a time, but both are shown for clarity. The same
applies to the bottom frame part bushes 3/5. In figure 7 two top frame part bushes
are shown (reference numerals 2 and 4) these are two examples of the top frame part
bush that can be used. It will be noticed in figure 7 that a hexagonal recess for
receipt of a hexagonal section of the hinge pin 7 is offset from a centre line of
the top frame part bush 4. This allows for adjustment of the vertical axis of the
hinge pin 7 laterally with respect to the frame part 1 by rotation of the top frame
bush 4. The amount of adjustment is of the order of 1mm. Similar comments and ability
to adjust are present with the bottom frame part bushes 5.
[0037] The hinge pin 7 incorporates a central cut out section 7c in a position corresponding
to the break 10e in the hinge plate channel 10d, which facilitates locking of the
sash part cover 15 with respect to the hinge plate 10, as mentioned above.
[0038] Frame part cover caps 8 are located in recesses at top and bottom parts of the frame
part 1 in order to cover the openings 1c and 1 e.
[0039] In use during fabrication of the hinged sash on the frame, the hinge is provided
as a subassembly of the sash section 20 and the frame section 22, with the frame datum
9 removable from its slot in the frame part 1. During fabrication, a fabricator will
secure the frame datum 9 to the frame and the fitter slides the combined assembly
of the frame section 22 (minus the frame datum 9) and sash section 20 onto the frame
datum 9. The fabricator will then pivot the sash section 20 to the sash (window/door)
and secure it in position by means of the self tapping screws received in the openings
11c.
[0040] During fitting of the hinged sash and frame, a fitter will remove the sash and hinge
from the frame, leaving the frame datum 9 in position. The fitter fits the frame to
the building or structure. The fitter can then fit the sash in two ways.
[0041] Where there is room for vertical movement the fitter lifts the sash and offers it
to the frame datum 9 so that the frame part 1, in particular the slot 1d therein slides
over the frame datum 9. The sash part cover 15 is then locked in place with the screw
17, which is tightened to cause the tapped protrusion in the cover plate 15 to be
locked in the cut out section 7c in the hinge pin 7 and the channel break 10e in the
hinge plate 10 and thereby prevent the sash being lifted from the hinge.
[0042] Where there is insufficient room for vertical movement, the fitter can knock out
the hinge pin 7 from below before fitting the frame, which frees the sash and sash
section 20 from the frame section. The fitter then slides the remainder of the frame
section 22 on to the frame datum 9. The sash with sash section 20 fitted is then offered
to the frame section 22 and the hinge pin 7 is knocked back into position in a friction
fit. This method allows the sash to be fitted with minimal vertical movement of the
sash relative to the frame.
[0043] Thereafter, the lateral adjustment pinion 12 which engages with the rack in the slot
10b is adjusted laterally. When the correct lateral position is achieved, then the
lock off screw 15 is tightened in the locking opening 10c and the locking opening
11b in the sash datum to secure the sash datum with respect to the hinge plate 10.
[0044] The hinge plate 10 and sash datum 11 are seated together by means of inter-engaging
ridges shown around the periphery of the locking opening 10c. Corresponding ridges
are present on the rear face of the sash datum 11, not shown in figure 7. The provision
of the ridges allows for good seating of the hinge plate 10 with the respect of the
sash datum 11.
[0045] When the lateral adjustment has been completed vertical adjustment of the frame part
1 on the frame datum 9 is achieved by means of the head bolt 6 as mentioned above.
[0046] When all the adjustment has been completed then the sash part cover 15 can be locked
into position over the hinge plate 10 and sash datum 11 by tightening of the pan head
screw 17 into the tapped opening on the inside face or the sash part cover 15 as mentioned
above.
[0047] Significant advantages result from the hinge described herein in that the sash datum
and hinge plate 10 are held together but allowed to be loose relative to one of each
other by means of the inner housing 14. In addition, the location of the lateral adjustment
pinion 12 on a front face of the sash datum allows for easy adjustment of the sash
datum and hinge plate 10 relative to each other, instead of adjustment of those two
parts relative to each other from the end section thereof.
[0048] In addition, the provision of three main elements (sash section 20, frame section
22 and hinge 7) with which a fitter works provides considerable advantage in the parts
that are not loose with respect to one another and do not have to be assembled on
site. This is achieved by adding the bushes 16 with a friction fit in the channel
10d in the hinge plate 10, as well as a friction fit bushes 2/4 and 3/5 in the respective
openings in the frame part 1. Also, the fitter has the option of fitting in either
of the two ways mentioned above. Furthermore, the fabricator does not need to use
a complicated jig to mark the location of the sash section 20 on the sash. Instead,
the location is dictated by the sash section 20 being provided attached to the hinge
section 22, so the sash section can simply be folded onto the sash during fabrication.
With the sash in position in the frame the sash is effectively held in the correct
location without further measurement.
[0049] The hinge offers the advantageous feature of allowing adjustment by removal of the
hinge pin
[0050] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with
or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are
open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers
and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
[0051] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,
abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed,
may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such
features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[0052] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,
abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent
or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated
otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent
or similar features.
[0053] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The
invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed
in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings),
or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process
so disclosed.
1. A hinge comprises a sash section (20) adapted to be secured to a sash and a frame
section (22) adapted to be secured to a frame, the sash and hinge sections (20,22)
being mounted for hinged movement, wherein the sash section (20) has lateral adjustment
means (10,11,12) operable to allow adjustment of the sash section (20) laterally with
respect to the frame section (22), and wherein the lateral adjustment means (10,11,12)
are operated from a front, major face of the sash section.
2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, in which the front, major face is a face substantially
parallel to a major face of a sash to which the sash section is to be fitted.
3. A hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the hinge includes vertical adjustment
means operable from the frame section.
4. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, in which
the sash section includes an attachment section, adapted to be fixed relative to the
sash,
a hinge plate, which is laterally adjustable relative to the sash and which is laterally
fixed in position, or unable to translate, relative to the frame section, and
in which the attachment section and the hinge plate are mounted for relative adjustment
with lateral adjustment means.
5. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, in which attachment section, in use, bears
against the sash and at least one projection of the attachment section extends through
the hinge plate.
6. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 or 5 , in which the attachment section and
the hinge plate are adapted to be locked relative to one another, after relative adjustment,
with locking means.
7. A hinge as claimed in claim 6, in which the locking means include a lock-off element
that extends through an opening in the hinge plate, wherein a head section of the
lock-off element engages a periphery of the opening in the hinge plate in a locked
configuration to prevent relative movement of the attachment section and the hinge
plate.
8. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, in which the locking means include
cooperating friction plates, which are adapted to deter relative lateral movement
of the attachment section and the hinge plate.
9. A hinge as claimed in in in any one of claims 4 to 8, in which the attachment section
is adapted to support the hinge plate in position, both in locked and unlocked configurations
of the locking means.
10. A hinge as claimed in in any one of claims 4 to 9, in which the hinge plate is adapted
to be retained between a body of the attachment section and the sash, the hinge plate
being adjustably retained in the unlocked configuration.
11. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, in which the attachment section and
the hinge plate are held in proximity to one another by a housing section.
12. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the sash section includes a cover
section adapted to be locked in position with cover locking means.
13. A hinge as claimed in claim 12, in which the cover locking means include openings
in the cover section and hinge plate that are adapted to align when the cover section
is in a covering configuration over the attachment section and hinge plate.
14. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the frame section includes hinge
pin adjustment means, adapted to adjust a position of a hinge pin of the hinge.
15. A hinge as claimed in claim 14, in which the hinge pin adjustment means include adjustable
bushes, which optionally include off-centre openings to receive the hinge pin.