GB2364095A - Parallel hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

A parallel hinge 10 comprises a first arm 11 and a second arm 12 pivotally connected intermediate their end, e.g. in the middle, by pivot 13 to allow scissor action when they move together and apart and arm 12 is split into portions 14, 15 which respectively lie above and below the arm 11. Pivot 13 may be formed from a part shaft projection on each arm portion 14, 15 and drivingly engage each other such that the portions 14, 15 are maintained in line.

Description

Cap 31 doc 2364095 Hinge This invention relates to a parallel hinge for

holding an opening member in a frame As is usual in this field, the term parallel hinge indicates one in which the opening member moves out of the frame in a manner in which it is maintained generally parallel to its closed position.

Known parallel hinges typically include a pair of arms pivoted together at their centres to form a scissor-like structure, each arm having one end connected to one of the frame or opening member and the other end connected to the other of the frame or opening member Typically one end of each arm is fixed and the other is movable The connections on the frame or the member are usually formed on a single track, with the movable connection being in the form of a slider, which can move along the track, bearing a pivot.

Such hinges can be used in a vertical or horizontal orientation If one considers them in the horizontal orientation, then it will be understood that one arm passes over the other, but each arm has a connection to each track The result'"is that on closing, the edges of the arms, somewhere along their length, interfere and the opening member cannot be moved sufficiently deeply into the frame fox the arms to overlie one another.

The present invention consists in a parallel hinge for Cap 321 doc holding an opening member in a frame, including a first arm connected between a fixed pivot mountable on one of the member and frame, and a movable pivot mountable on the other of the member and frame, and a second arm connected between the fixed pivot mountable on the other of the member and frame, and a movable pivot mountable on the one of the member and frame, the arms being pivotally connected intermediate their ends to allow a scissor action, wherein one of the arms has two portions, such that one portion lies above the other arm adjacent the intermediate pivot and the other portion lies below, such that on closing the arms can overlie one another.

It will be understood that the terms "above" and "below" refer to the parallel hinge being in a horizontal orientation, although in use the hinge may have any appropriate orientation.

Preferably the portions are interconnected by the intermediate pivot, which is conveniently at the centre of each arm The intermediate pivot may include a part shaft projection on each arm portion and the shaft portions may drivingly engage, such that the portions are maintained in line during opening and closing movement of the hinge The projections may be'rotatably retained in a sleeve, which passes through the other arm, and a retaining member may pass through the sleeve and projections.

The arms may be cranked such that for each arm the ends lie in a single plane.

Cap 31 doc In the preferred embodiment, the fixed pivot and the movable pivot are separately located on their respective frame or member, in contrast to having a continuous track.

This reduces both cost and weight and also prevents the intermediate pivot interfering with a track.

Although the invention has been defined above, it is to be understood that it includes any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge; Figure 2 is the corresponding view of an assembled hinge; Figure 3 is a plan view of the assembled hinge in its open position; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section through the hinge in its closed position; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the hinge shown in Figure when assembled.

A hinge, generally indicated at 10, includes arms 11 and 12, which are inter-connected by a pivot, generally indicated at 13, which passes through their centres, so that they can be moved together and apart in a scissor-like action For reasons that will be explained below in more Cap 31 doc detail, the arm 12 is split into portions 14, 15, which respectively lie above and below the arm 11, in the hinge orientation illustrated.

The arm 11 is connected between a fixed pivot 16 and a sliding or movable pivot 17, whilst correspondingly the arm 12 extends between a fixed pivot 18 and a slideable pivot 19 In use the pivots 17 and 18 will be attached to one of an opening member or frame (not illustrated), whereas the pivots 16 and 19 will be connected to the other of the window and frame.

As can be seen from the embodiment of Figure 1, the construction of the pivot 13 is quite particular.

Specifically there is a connector or clip 20 for each arm portion 14, 15 The clip 20 comprises a base 21, a semi- circular stub axle projection 22 and an anti-rotation pin 23 The stub axles are dimensioned to pass through aligned apertures 24, 25, 26 in 14, 11 and 15 respectively, so that the stub axles 22 form a complete cylindrical axle A sleeve 27 is provided to surround this axle, whilst washers 28, 29 lie between respective arm portions 14, 15 and the arm 11 When the axle is fully assembled, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the pins 23 locate in respective apertures provided in the portions 14, 15 so that the clips 21 are held against rotation The clips 21 can also be riveted to their respective arm portions through aligned apertures 31, 32 Finally, a rivet 33 passes down through the middle of the stub axle to hold the arms 11 and 12 together whilst Cap 31 doc allowing a pivoting action.

It will be understood that the arrangement of the stub axles 22 is such that a rotary movement imposed upon arm portion 14, 15 is transmitted to the other arm portion, so that the arm portions 14, 15 are maintained in line.

As has already been touched upon, the portions 14, 15 lie above and below the arm 11 This transforms the construction of the parallel hinge, because now the arms 11, 12 can be moved into a position in which they are in line, and this is illustrated in Figure 4 Further, by suitably cranking the arms 11 and 12, the ends of each respective arm can be located in a single horizontal (in this orientation) plain so that, in the closed position, the pivots 16 and 18, and 19 and 17, are effectively touching This means that the opening member can be fully and tightly closed within the frame, providing both increased security and a particularly pleasing aesthetic arrangement.

It will be seen that the pivots 16 and 18 are split from the pivots 17 and 19, rather than using a single track This enables there to be sufficient room for the somewhat enlarged pivot arrangement at 13 The pivots 17 and 19 are constructed as sliding pivots in the conventional manner, which is well-known in the art Any alternative movable pivot arrangement which provides suitable linear movement could be used and, indeed, all the pivots may be slideable.

Cap 31 doc As shown in Figures 5 and 6, according to a further embodiment, the pivot 13 can be of a simpler arrangement than shown in Figure 1 Rather than using a clip, base, stub axle and anti rotation pin, the pivot comprises an axle rivet 40, a washer 41 and holding washer 42 The axle rivet 40 has a head region 40 a and elongate shaft 40 b The shaft 40 b is preferably of a square cross section, although other cross sections, such as hexagonal or triangular cross sections can be used What is important is that the cross section allows for driving linkage of the arms 14, 15 and 11 The shaft passes through an aperture in split arm 14 and then through aligned washer 41 which has an aperture shaped to accommodate the cross section of the shaft 40 b.

The head of the axle rivet maintains the rivet in position.

The axle rivet shaft turn passes through alignment aperture in the arm 11 and then through aligned holding washer 42 Again, the holding washer has an aperture which is dimensioned to receive the cross section of the shaft 40 b.

The arm 11 is joined to split arms 15 via the axle rivet shaft which passes through aperture 43 b in arm 13 The axle rivet is crimped, to produce a roll rivet to secure in place the components that make up pivot arrangement 13, as shown in figure 6 ' Cap 31 doc

Claims (9)

Claims

1 A parallel hinge for holding an opening member in a frame, including a first arm connected between a fixed pivot mountable on one of the member and frame and a movable pivot mountable on the other of member and frame, and a second arm connected between a fixed pivot mountable on the other of the member and frame and a movable pivot mountable on the one of the member and frame, the arms being pivotally connected intermediate their ends to allow a scissor action, wherein one of the arms has two portions such that one portion lies above the other arm at the intermediate pivot and the other portion lies below, such that on closing the arms can overlie one another.

2 A hinge as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portions are interconnected by the intermediate pivot.

3 A hinge as claimed in claim 2 wherein the intermediate pivot includes a part shaft projection on each arm portion and the shaft portions drivingly engage such that the portions are maintained in line.

4 A hinge as claimed in claim 3 wherein the projections are rotatably retained in a sleeve which passes through the other arm.

A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arms are cranked such that for each arm the Cap 31 doc ends lie in a single plane.

6 A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixed pivot and the movable pivot are separately located on their respective frame or member.

7 A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the arms are secured by an interconnecting pivot forming a driving linkage between the arms.

8 A parallel hinge for holding an opening member in a frame substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9 A pivot for connecting two elongate elements including a part shaft projection on each element, the projections being formed to inter-engage such that the elements are maintained in line when a pivoting force is applied to one or both of them.