A HINGE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 A hinge assembly having a frame mountable portion (3) and a sash mountable portion (not shown) which are in slidable engagement with each other. The hinge assembly further comprising a braking arrangement (1) for applying a braking force between the sash mountable portion (not shown) and the frame mountable portion (3) of the hinge assembly during at least a portion of the slidable movement therebetween. At least one arrangement for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking arrangement (1) is operably engagable with the braking means.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge assembly and in particular to a hinge assembly with a braking arrangement for controlling the relative motion of parts of the hinge assembly in use.

[0002] Roof windows having a frame located in a roof structure and a sash rotatably mounted within the frame by means of a hinge are well disclosed in the prior art. It is also known that a braking element can be incorporated into the hinge between the frame mounted portion of the hinge and the sash mounted portion of the hinge such that rotation of the sash is carried out in a more controlled manner. These braking elements often take the form of leaf springs which impart a frictional force between the portion of the hinge attached to the frame and the portion of the hinge attached to the sash, thus impeding movement between the two so as to result in a desirable level of braking. Typically, the leaf springs in question are calibrated and positioned to provide the ideal level of friction ensuring control can be gained over the motion of the sash but difficulty is not encountered during the motion.

[0003] While these braking elements function satisfactorily, a degradation in their function can be experienced over time as, through repeated loading and unloading of the spring, the spring loses some of its resistance and with that some ability to impart the required level of friction in a consistent way throughout the range of motion of the hinge. A lack of control over the range of motion of the sash can cause the sash to move in an uneven way which provides uncomfortable haptic feedback to the operator. This type of uncontrolled hinge movement could also lead to damage of other components of the hinge or latch.

[0004] One solution is to replace the degraded spring thus restoring the intended function of the window. However, this is often impractical as end users often do not have the expertise to dis-assemble the window and install a new spring. Moreover, the location of many roof windows makes major repair work undesirable due to the difficulty in accessing the product to safely carry out the repair work. Finally, the expense of purchasing a new spring and the complexity and time to install same would most likely outweigh the perceived benefit in the eyes of the end user. This leaves them disgruntled as a result of a product which has deteriorated over time.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the problem of maintaining the required braking force between the hinge components of the sash and the frame of a roof window once resistance of the braking means therebetween has functionally degraded by repeated use over time so as to avoid disassembly of the roof window hinge or replacement of components thereof.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a hinge assembly having a frame mountable portion and a sash mountable portion which are in slidable engagement with each other, the hinge assembly further comprising a braking means for applying a braking force between the sash mountable portion and the frame mountable portion of the hinge assembly during at least a portion of the slidable movement therebetween, wherein at least one means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is operably engagable with the braking means.

[0007] Preferably, the sash mountable portion is in slidable engagement with the frame mountable portion of the hinge assembly.

[0008] Ideally, the at least one means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is operably engagable with the braking means directly or indirectly.

[0009] Preferably, the hinge assembly further comprising a braking means for applying a frictional force between the sash mountable portion and the frame mountable portion of the hinge assembly.

[0010] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a means for adjustably tensioning at least a portion of the braking means.

[0011] Preferably, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a means for adjustably stiffening or reinforcing at least a portion of the braking means.

[0012] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a means for adjustably deforming, altering, or modifying the braking means.

[0013] Advantageously, should the braking means become significantly diminished or ineffective over time due to a decrease in tension or stiffness, the at least one means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means can be employed to return the braking means to a state wherein it is sufficiently tensioned or stiff in order to effect the intended braking force.

[0014] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is readily accessible to an operator, most preferably by simply opening the window.

[0015] Further advantageously, the braking force applied by the braking means can be adjustably controlled without the requirement to dismantle the window or hinge in any way.

[0016] Ideally, the braking means comprises a spring.

[0017] Preferably, the spring is a leaf spring.

[0018] Ideally, the braking means is mountable on at least one brake mounting means.

[0019] Preferably, the brake mounting means is at least one spring mounting means.

[0020] Ideally, the spring is mountable between two spring mounting means locatable at first and second ends of the spring.

[0021] Optionally, the at least one spring mounting means holds the spring in an initially tensioned state.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one spring mounting means is formed integrally of the frame mounted portion of the hinge.

[0023] Preferably, the braking means is locatable on the frame mounted portion.

[0024] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is movably mounted on the hinge.

[0025] Preferably, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is pivotably mounted on the hinge.

[0026] Preferably, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is movably mounted on the frame mounted portion.

[0027] Preferably, there is one means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

[0028] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means has braking means engagement means for engagement with at least a portion of the braking means.

[0029] Preferably, the braking means engagement means comprises a cantilever beam.

[0030] Ideally, the length of the cantilever beam in contact with the braking means is adjustable thereby adjusting the resistance to bending experienced by the braking means as a result of contact with the length adjustable cantilever beam. Advantageously, as the length of the cantilever beam engaging the braking means is shortened, the flexural rigidity of the cantilever beam is increased thereby increasing the resistance to bending experienced by the braking means.

[0031] Ideally, a cantilever beam length adjustment means comprises a drum rotatably mounted on the hinge assembly in contact with the cantilever beam, the length adjustment means further comprising a rack and pinion acting between the drum and the hinge assembly to allow movement of the drum along the cantilever beam for shortening the active length of the beam for increasing the flexural rigidity of the beam thereby increasing the resistance to bending of the braking means.

[0032] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means comprises a user operating means for allowing user interaction with the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

[0033] Preferably, the user operating means for allowing user interaction with the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is operably engagable with a user actuation means.

[0034] Ideally, the user actuation means is a screwdriver, allen key, or other such tool which may be used to adjust the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

[0035] Preferably, the user operating means for allowing user interaction with the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a screw driver receiving head, a head for receiving an allen key, or a head having any features compatible with any suitable user actuation means.

[0036] Preferably, the user actuation means can be used to selectively bring the braking means engagement means into engagement with the braking means.

[0037] Ideally, once in engagement with the braking means the braking means engagement means can be manipulated further via the user actuation means to increase the level of engagement between the braking means and the braking means engagement means such that the level of flexural rigidity in at least a portion of the braking means can be adjusted.

[0038] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a compressible tensioning apparatus.

[0039] Preferably, the compressible tensioning apparatus comprises a compressible tensioning means which is compressible such that it expands in at least one dimension towards and into contact with the braking means.

[0040] Ideally, the compressible tensioning apparatus comprises means for compressing the compressible tensioning means.

[0041] Preferably, the means for compressing the compressible tensioning means comprises a first compressing surface and a second compressing surface between which the compressible tensioning means is compressed.

[0042] Ideally, the first and/or second compressing surface is a movable compressing surface.

[0043] Preferable, the first compressing surface is a movable compressing surface and the second compressing surface is a fixed compressing surface.

[0044] Ideally, the movable compressing surface is movable towards the fixed compressing surface by a surface moving means.

[0045] Preferably, the surface moving means is in operable engagement with the means for manipulating the means for means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

[0046] Ideally, the surface moving means is a compressing screw.

[0047] Preferably, the movable compressing surface is a nut or other such means for receiving the compressing screw.

[0048] Ideally, the compressible tensioning means is locatable between a head of the compressing screw and the nut when the nut is threaded onto the compressing screw.

[0049] Preferably, the fixed compressing surface is locatable between the head of the compressing screw and the compressible tensioning means.

[0050] Ideally, the fixed compressing surface is a flat plate which extends across all or part of the at least one spring mounting means.

[0051] Preferably, the fixed compressing surface comprises a throughbore through which the compressing screw is threaded.

[0052] Ideally, the head of the compressing screw is of a diameter greater than the throughbore of the fixed compressing surface.

[0053] Ideally, the movable compressing surface is movable in the axial direction of the compressing screw but is prevented from rotational movement.

[0054] Preferably, the movable compressing surface is rotationally constrained by a constraining feature locatable on the frame mounted portion of the hinge.

[0055] Ideally the at least one spring mounting means has a well formed therein for receiving the movable compressing surface and constraining the movable compressing surface rotationally.

[0056] Advantageously, as the compressing screw is rotated, the movable compressible surface travels along the thread towards the head of the screw as a result of its inability to rotate in unison with the screw, the movable compressing surface compressing the compressible tensioning means between the movable compressing surface and the fixed compressing surface and forcing the compressible tensioning means to expand towards and into contact with the braking means tensioning the braking means as a result.

[0057] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is rotatable.

[0058] Preferably, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is rotatably mountable to the frame portion of the hinge.

[0059] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a spring mounting means.

[0060] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means has an axis of rotation which extends from a front face of the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means towards a rear face of the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means, the rear face being proximal the hinge of the roof window.

[0061] Preferably, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means has a braking means engagement surface which extends between the front face and the rear face.

[0062] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a cam.

[0063] Ideally, means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a gear wheel with teeth.

[0064] Preferably, the braking means engagement means are tooth like formations locatable on the braking means engagement surface of the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

[0065] Ideally, the tooth like formations are engagable with an end of the braking means such that the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is held in position once rotated.

[0066] Ideally, the tooth like formations are back swept in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

[0067] Alternatively, the tooth like formations are engagable with corresponding formations on the braking means or spring mounting means for ensuring that the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is held in position once rotated.

[0068] Ideally, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means and the braking means act as a ratchet type mechanism to ensure that the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is held in position once rotated.

[0069] Preferably, there are two means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means, one locatable proximal each end of the braking means.

[0070] Preferably, the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is an abutting means which is selectably extendible from the brake mounting means towards the braking means.

[0071] Advantageously, the abutting means can be extended towards the brake means and act upon the brake means in order to increase the flexural rigidity in at least a part thereof.

[0072] Ideally, the abutting means is an abutment screw which is movably housed and extendable through a throughbore formed in the spring mounting means.

[0073] Preferably, the abutment screw and throughbore of the braking means mounting means have corresponding threaded surfaces.

[0074] Ideally, the abutment screw has an abutment portion at a first end for abutment with the braking means.

[0075] Preferably, the abutment screw has the means for manipulating the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means at a second end distal the first end.

[0076] Ideally, upon rotation of the abutment screw via the means for manipulating the means for adjustably controlling the frictional force applied by the braking means, the abutting portion of the abutment screw travels along the thread of the throughbore of the braking means mounting means, towards the braking means.

[0077] Advantageously, upon contact of the abutment portion with the braking means, further rotation of the abutment screw causes movement of the portion of the braking means in abutment therewith and subsequent tensioning of the braking means.

[0078] Accordingly, the present invention provides a roof window comprising a frame and a sash rotatably mountable within the frame via the hinge assembly.

[0079] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example four embodiments of a hinge assembly in accordance with the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force in an uncompressed state;

Figure 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force in a compressed state;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force located in a hinge of a roof window;

Figure 4 is a top view of a first embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force located in a hinge of a roof window;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force and associated hinge of a roof window;

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force showing a toothed cam located in the hinge of a roof window;

Figure 8 is a close-up perspective view of figure 7 showing a toothed cam locatable in the hinge of a roof window;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force showing an abutment means located in the hinge of a roof window; and

Figure 10 is a sectional view of figure 9 showing the corresponding thread of the abutment means and the portion of the hinge insertable thereinto.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a part of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force;

Figure 12 is a second perspective view of the fourth embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force;

Figure 13 is an elevation view of the fourth embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force in a maximum position;

Figure 14 is an elevation view of the fourth embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force in an intermediate position;

Figure 15 is an elevation view of the fourth embodiment of an assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force in a minimum position; and

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the user operating member.

[0080] In the drawings, there is shown a tensioning apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 comprising a spring 2 for applying a frictional force between a sash mounted portion (not shown) of a roof window hinge and a frame mounted portion 3 of the hinge during at least a portion of the sliding movement therebetween. A tensioning arrangement 5 is provided which is operably engagable with the spring 2 to adjustably tension the spring 2. Should the spring 2 become significantly diminished or ineffective over time due to a decrease in tension, the tensioning arrangement 5 can be employed to return the spring 2 to a state wherein it is sufficiently tensioned in order to effect the intended braking force. The tensioning arrangement 5 is readily accessible to an operator by simply opening the window and can be adjusted without the requirement to dismantle the window or hinge in any way.

[0081] The spring 2 is mounted on a spring mounting member 6 which holds the spring 2 in an initially tensioned state. The spring mounting member 6 is formed integrally of the frame mounted portion 3 of the hinge. The tensioning arrangement 5 is movably mounted on the hinge and has a spring engagement member 7 for engagement with at least a portion of the spring 2. The tensioning arrangement 5 also has a set 8 for manipulating the spring engagement member 7, the set 8 being operably engagable with a tool such as a screwdriver, allen key, or other such tool which may be used to rotate the set 8 for manipulating the spring engagement member 7 in order to selectively bring the spring engagement member 7 into engagement with the spring 2. Once in engagement with the spring 2 the set 8 for manipulating the spring engagement member 7 can be manipulated further via the tool to increase the level of engagement between the spring 2 and the spring engagement member 7 such that the level of tension in the spring 2 can be adjusted.

[0082] In the first embodiment as shown in figures 1 to 6, the tensioning arrangement 5 is a compressible tensioning arrangement having a compressible spring engagement member 9 which is compressible such that it expands in at least one dimension towards and into contact with the spring 2. The set 8 for manipulating the spring engagement member 7 comprises a first compressing surface in the form of a nut 10 and a second compressing surface 11 formed by the underside of a screw head 12.

[0083] The nut 10 is threaded onto the screw 13 and is movable towards the surface 11 of the screw head 12 by rotation of the screw 13, therefore compressing the compressible spring engagement member 9 which is located between the nut 10 and the surface 11 formed by the underside of a screw head 12. A plate 14 is located between the head of the screw 13 and the compressible spring engagement member 9, the screw 13 passing through a throughbore 15 in the plate, through a throughbore 16 in the compressible spring engagement member 9, and into the thread of the nut 10. The nut 10 is movable in the axial direction of the screw 13 but is prevented from rotational movement due to its location in a well 17 formed in the spring mounting member 6, the walls of which prevent rotational movement by the nut 10. As the screw 13 is rotated, the nut 10 travels along the thread of the screw 18 towards the head of the screw 12 as a result of its inability to rotate in unison with the screw 13. The nut 10 compresses the compressible spring engagement member 9 between the nut 10 and the plate 14, forcing the compressible spring engagement member 9 to expand towards and into contact with the spring 2, tensioning the spring 2 as a result.

[0084] In a second embodiment as shown in figures 7 and 8, the tensioning apparatus 1 comprises a cam 20 rotatably mounted to the frame portion 3 of the hinge, the cam 20 acting as a spring mounting member 21 at one end of the spring 22. The cam 20 has teeth 23 for engaging with the spring 2, the teeth 23 being back swept in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cam 20. The teeth 23 are engagable with an end of the spring 2 such that the cam 20 is held in position once rotated. The cam 20 and the spring act as a ratchet type mechanism to ensure that the cam 20 is held in position once rotated. Each time the cam 20 is rotated, the tooth 24 (see figure 8) directly behind the tooth 25 which is acting upon the end 26 of the spring 2, is rotated into a position wherein it becomes the tooth acting on the end 26 of the spring 2, and as a result, increases the tension in the spring 2.

[0085] In a third embodiment as shown in figures 9 and 10, the tensioning apparatus 1 comprises abutting screw 30 which is selectably extendible from the spring mounting member 31 towards the spring 2. The abutting screw 30 can be extended towards the spring 2 and act upon the spring 2 in order to increase the tension of the spring 2. The abutting screw 30 is threaded through a throughbore 32 formed in the spring mounting member 31, the abutting screw 30 and throughbore 32 having corresponding threaded surfaces.

[0086] The abutting screw 30 has an abutment end 33 for abutment with the spring 2, and a screw head 34 operable by a user at the opposing end. Upon rotation of the abutting screw 30 via the screw head 34, the abutting end 33 of the abutting screw 30 travels along the thread of the throughbore 32, towards and eventually into contact with the spring 2. Upon contact with the spring, further rotation of the abutting screw 30 causes tensioning of the spring 2.

[0087] In a fourth embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 to 16, there is illustrated a frame mounted hinge component 41 having an arcuate guide passageway 42 formed by a pair of spaced apart mutually opposing concave and convex surfaces 43, 44 of two projections 45, 46 respectively protruding orthogonally from one planar surface 47 of a plate 48, the opposite surface of the plate 48 being formed for sitting flush on a portion of a roof window frame. The arcuate guide passageway 42 is formed for receiving an arcuate finger 49 which forms part of a sash mounted hinge component (not further illustrated in this embodiment). A braking member comprising a leaf spring 51 is mounted between two spring mounting portions 52, 53 locatable at first and second ends of the concave surface 43 of projection 45. The projection 45 has an engagement member recess 55 for receiving an engagement member 56. The projection 45 has a user operating member recess 57 for receiving the user operating member 58. Both the engagement member recess 55 and the user operating member recess 57 are elongate recesses opening into the arcuate guide passageway 42 through the concave surface 43 into a space behind the spring 51. The engagement member 56 comprises an L-shaped beam 56 with one end having the L-shape for anchoring the beam 56 in the correspondingly shaped engagement member recess 55 of projection 45 and a slightly cranked end 61 for engaging the opposing surface of the spring 51 engaged by the arcuate finger 49. The user operating member recess 57 has a rack 63 formed for engaging a pinion wheel 64 on the user operating member 58. The user operating member 58 comprises a central drum 65 with a user interaction member 66 on the opposite end of the drum 65 to the pinion wheel 64. The engagement member recess 55 has a flat planar surface for supporting a part of the length of the beam 56, the flat planar surface being opposite to the rack 63 and the drum 65 supports the other side of the beam against the flat planar surface. The diameter of the drum 65 is predetermined to support the beam 56 against the flat planar surface.

[0088] In use, the user operating member 58 starts its life in the position shown in Figure 15 as the spring 51 is new and is sufficiently stiff and resilient to provide a continuous braking force to the arcuate finger 49 as it slides through the arcuate guide passageway 42. In this positon the drum 65 sits in the left hand side of the recess 57 and the beam 56 has its greatest length, thus being the most flexible and providing minimal resistance to bending of the spring 51 as it encounters the arcuate finger 49. The user experiences an uneven braking force acting on the sash throughout the range of motion of opening and closing as the life of the product extends, because the resilience and the stiffness of the spring 51 is diminishing as a result of continuous loading and unloading causing a reduction in flexural rigidity of the spring 51.The operator places an alan key in the protruding end of the user interaction member 66 and turns the key causing the pinion wheel 63 to engage with the rack 63 driving the drum 65 from the left hand side along the recess 57 into the position shown in Figure 14. This has significantly shortened the beam 56 increasing the flexural rigidity of the beam 56. The shortened beam 56 provides a greater resistance to bending of the spring 51 via the cranked end engaging the back of the spring 51. As the user continues to experience deterioration of the operation of the hinge assembly the user can continue to adjust the drum 65 to the right of the recess 57 further shortening the beam 56 and increasing the resistance to bending experienced by the spring 51 at the point of contact with the beam 56 via the cranked end. This provides the user with a simply accessible mechanical assembly for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking member 51. The user can get access to the adjustable controlling assembly by simply opening the sash until the part of the hinge is exposed. This is a lot simpler than removing the spring or servicing/replacing the hinge.

[0089] In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

[0090] In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value.

[0091] The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly having a frame mountable portion and a sash mountable portion which are in slidable engagement with each other, the hinge assembly further comprising a braking means for applying a braking force between the sash mountable portion and the frame mountable portion of the hinge assembly during at least a portion of the slidable movement therebetween, wherein at least one means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is operably engagable with the braking means.

2. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a means for adjustably tensioning at least a portion of the braking means.

3. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a means for adjustably stiffening at least a portion of the braking means.

4. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is a means for adjustably deforming, altering, or modifying the braking means.

5. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is readily accessible to an operator by opening a sash.

6. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the braking means is locatable on the frame mountable portion or on the sash mountable portion of the hinge assembly.

7. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is movably mounted on the hinge assembly.

8. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is movably mounted on the frame mountable portion or the sash mountable portion of the hinge assembly.

9. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means has braking means engagement means for engagement with at least a portion of the braking means.

10. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the braking means engagement means comprises a cantilever beam.

11. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the length of the cantilever beam in contact with the braking means is adjustable thereby adjusting the resistance to bending experienced by the braking means as a result of contact with the length adjustable cantilever beam.

12. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means comprises user operating means for allowing user interaction with the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means.

13. A hinge assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user operating means for allowing user interaction with the means for adjustably controlling the braking force applied by the braking means is operably engagable with a user actuation means.

14. A hinge assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the braking means comprises a spring mounted between or integrally formed with two spring mounting means of the hinge assembly at first and second ends of the spring.

15. A roof window comprising a frame and a sash rotatably mountable within the frame via a hinge assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.

Drawing