GB2570737A

GB2570737A - Adjustable hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2570737A
Application number: GB1804874.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chow Chung
Original assignee: Nga Ching Chow
Current assignee: Nga Ching Chow
Priority date: 2017-03-28
Filing date: 2018-03-27
Publication date: 2019-08-07
Also published as: CN108661473A; GB201704958D0; CN208430910U; GB201804874D0

Abstract

A hinge comprises a mount 1 including a mounting body 3 and a hinge leaf 14, 15 having a hinge body 17 rotatable relative to the mount about a hinge axis. An axial bore 4, 18 extends through the mounting body and the hinge body and houses a spindle 8, which includes one or more abutment surfaces 9. The radius of the bore is greater than a radius of the spindle. Screw clamps (5, 6, 7, Fig 4) on the mounting body or the hinge body, are moveable between engaged positions, in which they engage the abutment surfaces 9, and disengaged positions in which the spindle can be displaced from the axis of the bore to adjust its relative axial location parallel to the axis of the bore (Figs 4-7) or angular orientation (tilted, Figs 8-11). The spindle may have a central portion 9 including the abutment surfaces, which may be cylindrical (29, Fig. 16) or convex (19, 20; Fig. 17), and upper and lower cylindrical portions 10, 11. The bore may have an elongate cross-section (Figs 12-15). The spindle may include cam surfaces (12, 13; Fig. 3) to engage a damping mechanism. For use in mounting a glass door.

Description

ADJUSTABLE HINGE

This invention relates to a hinge for a door or other closure, particularly but not exclusively for a door which may be fitted to an existing frame, wall or other fixture. The hinge finds particular application in mounting of glass doors. Glass doors cannot be cut to size to accommodate irregularly shaped fixtures. While wooden doors may be planed to accommodate a frame which is not perfectly vertical, glass doors cannot be altered after manufacture, remote from the site of installation.

Previously known hinges have been provided with multiple sheets of packing material which may be selectively removed to adjust the angle of the hinge relative to a fixture or relative to a door engaged by the hinge. Such arrangements are cumbersome and inefficient since sufficiently fine adjustment of the hinge may not be possible. Sheets once removed cannot be replaced, making the installation haphazard.

• · · ’•*.15 * ί ’ * * ί A glass door is pivotally mounted in a door frame in two or more hinges. However

.... exact alignment of the glass panel with the door frame is important because the glass door • · · · . will not close completely when the panel is not precisely aligned with the frame. However accurately installing a glass panel in a door frame with hinges may be difficult because the ·* ·*£θ glass panel is generally bulky and is extremely heavy. Small adjustments may be needed to ··· align the glass panel exactly with the frame. Conventional hinges for glass doors are complex to assemble and cannot be adjusted to align the panel with the door frame after the panel has been mounted on the door frame. Therefore installation of a glass panel in a door frame with conventional hinges requires an experienced fitter or repeated assembly, 25 disassembly and reassembly to ensure exact alignment. This makes installation inconvenient, slow and costly.

Lateral movement of a hinge spindle relative to a mounting may be achieved using adjustable screws. However universal adjustability having several degrees of freedom by a 30 combination of lateral and pivotal movement may not be achieved using previously known hinges.

According to the present invention a hinge comprises a mounting structure, adapted to be secured to a fixture in use, the mounting structure having a mounting body;

	a hinge leaf adapted to be secured to a door or other closure in use, the hinge leaf having a hinge body; the hinge leaf and body being rotatable relative to the mounting structure about a hinge axis;
5	an bore extending through the mounting body and hinge body, the bore being coaxial with the hinge axis; a spindle having a spindle axis, the spindle being located within the bore and having a pivot location on the spindle axis; wherein a radial dimension of the bore is greater than a corresponding radial
10	dimension of the spindle so that the spindle may be displaced from the axis within the bore to adjust one or both the location and orientation of the spindle relative to the mounting body; the spindle having one or more abutment surfaces;
• ·· •.*a5	the hinge body or the mounting body including a multiplicity of clamping means moveable between engaged and disengaged positions wherein in a disengaged
• • ·	position the location of the spindle may be adjusted and in the engaged position the
·· · · • · ·· · · • • ·	clamping means engage the one or more abutment surfaces so that the spindle is clamped and immovable relative to the hinge body or mounting body respectively; wherein the displacement from the axis of the bore may be angular, parallel
·· · : · 2θ • • · · •	to the axis of the bore or both; wherein the pivot location is located within the bore of the mounting body; and wherein the clamping means comprises a plurality of screws or other threaded members.
25	In use of the hinge the mounting structure may be secured to a wall, door frame or other fixture, for example using bolts or screws and the door engaged and clamped by the hinge leaf. Alternatively the mounting structure may be adapted to engage the edge of an adjacent panel, for example it may include a clamp for securing to the edge of a glass panel. The orientation of the door may be adjusted and when the correct orientation has been
30	obtained the clamping means may be engaged to prevent further movement of the spindle relative to the mounting. The weight of the door is supported during this adjustment, making installation of the door easier, quicker and more precise than with prior hinge arrangements.

The displacement of the spindle from the axis of the bore may be angular, lateral or parallel the axis of the bore or both. Rotation of the spindle about the spindle axis or about the hinge axis provide angular displacement. This angular displacement may adjust the initial, resting position or closed position of the hinge leaf relative to the mounting structure.

This enables adjustment to a correct orientation when the wall or door frame is not perpendicular to the desired, closed position of the door.

Displacement in a radial direction from the axis of the bore may provide lateral adjustment.

Hinges in accordance with this invention may provide advantages which are not given by previously available hinges.

• · · •.‘.15 ······ • · • · · · • · • · · · • · • · 20 • · • ··

The location or orientation of the spindle relative to the movable hinge plate or hinge leaf may be adjusted in two or more directions or degrees of freedom, selected from the following:

1. Lateral motion in one or more directions parallel to the hinge axis, for example a direction perpendicular or parallel to the hinge leaf or both perpendicular and parallel to the hinge leaf.

2. Pivotal motion relative to a pivot point on the spindle axis, for example at mid-point of the spindle, the pivotal motion being in a direction having components which are selected from: towards the movable leaf, away from the movable leaf, sideways relative to the movable leaf or a universal motion in any direction in between. The pivotal motion may be about a mid-point of the spindle or any other pivot point selected along the length between the ends of the spindle.

3. Rotation of the spindle about the spindle axis in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, or

4. Rotation of the rest position of the spindle relative to the mounting structure, about the spindle axis in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

5. A combination of all 4 of the above.

Two or more, for example three or four degrees of freedom may be achieved during installation of the hinge or a pair of hinges.

In advantageous embodiments the location of the spindle may be adjusted in two or more of the lateral and pivotal orientations of the spindles of two or more hinges during installation or subsequent adjustment of the hinges on which a door is mounted. Pivotal adjustment of a first hinge may make it necessary for a second hinge for the same door to be 5 moved both laterally and pivotally so that both hinges retain a common hinge axis.

The pivotal movement may tilt the spindle axis parallel or perpendicular or at any intermediate angle relative to the hinge axis and therefore the leaf, door or door frame or mounting.

In preferred embodiments the pivot location is within the bore of the mounting body.

The clamping means may comprise a plurality of screws or bolts or other threaded members. Preferably three or more screws are employed, the screws being arranged with the • · · • · · • ·>5 screw axes intersecting the spindle axis at or adjacent the pivot location.

• · .···· The screw axes may be located equatorially about the pivot location equidistantly ·· · · • spaced around the pivot location, for example at a mid-point of the spindle and, for example • · may be displaced from adjacent screws at angles of 90° to 120° in order to apply an efficient • · · · ’ #) and evenly distributed movement preventing, clamping force to the spindle from all ·;· directions.

A cylindrical abutment surface may have an axis coincident with or parallel to the spindle axis so that the surface faces outwardly from the spindle axis in a direction away from 25 the mounting structure, for example in a direction parallel to the plane of a door in the closed position of the hinge. In an embodiment, two convex abutment surfaces may face outwardly of the spindle between the axis and the mounting structure or outwardly of the spindle perpendicular to the plane of the door in the closed position. Preferably two convex surfaces and one cylindrical surface are employed.

The screws or bolts may have pointed or flattened ends to provide an efficient friction grip on the respective abutment surface.

In an embodiment a single mounting body is located centrally along the axis of the hinge between two hinge bodies. The hinge bodies may be located above and below the mounting body along the axis in use.

Bearings may be provided to facilitate rotation of the hinge body relative to the spindle.

The spindle may be provided with cam surfaces to engage a closing mechanism for example as disclosed in WO2011/020630, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this 10 specification by reference for all purposes.

The closing mechanism may comprise one or more spring driven pistons located in the hinge body which is moveable relative to the spindle, the cam surface engaging the piston or pistons to urge the hinge into a closed position.

• ·· • · · • ·>5 ·* *· In an embodiment the spindle may have a central portion including the abutment ,·*··* surfaces and upper and lower cylindrical portions located above and below the central portion ···· • respectively.

• · ·· · · ί · 20 Alternatively the spindle may have a central cylindrical portion and upper and lower ·;· portions each having abutment surfaces. In this embodiment upper and lower clamping means are provided. This may give more secure clamping, for example of a heavy door. The central portion may include one or two closing or clamping cam surfaces.

The spindle may be tiltable or rotatable in a plane parallel to the plane of the door in the closed position to enable upper and lower edges of the door to be tilted or moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the floor surface as required. The spindle may be tiltable perpendicular to the plane of the closed door in order to tilt the top or bottom edges of the door inwardly or outwardly with respect to the closed position.

A screw in the mounting body parallel to the plane of the closed door may permit adjustment of the lateral location of the spindle. Angular location may be adjusted and the screws tightened onto the convex abutment surfaces to hold the spindle at a desired angle with respect to the vertical direction in a plane parallel to the plane of the closed door and fixture to which it is attached in use.

A bore may be cylindrical, being circular in plan view. Alternatively the bore may be elongate, for example having a greater dimension in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the closed door in comparison to the dimension parallel to the plane of the closed door. Above which is elliptical or ovoid in plan view may be employed to provide a greater degree of forward or backward tilting movement. In such an arrangement the degree of possible movement is greatest in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the closed door. This enables the angle of a door mounted on the hinge to be tilted forwardly or backwardly during installation.

Use of a hinge in accordance with the present invention confers numerous advantages. The orientation of the hinge and a door to which it is attached can be adjusted • ·· • ·>5 after installation, for example if the frame settles or moves under the weight of the door after

• prolonged use. Infinitely fine adjustment is possible, in contrast to an arrangement in which ·· · · • · ·· · · sheets of packing material are selective removed.

degrees of adjustment are possible.

• Contact with a floor is avoided, so that an adjustable floor plate is not required. Installation is ·· ·· quick and easy. Precise alignment may be obtained without the need to employ an experienced fitter or to manipulate a heavy and easily damaged door.

• ··

The invention is further described by means of example, but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinge in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hinge;

Figure 3 shows the mounting structure and an alternative spindle;

Figure 4 is a series of views of the hinge in a first spindle orientation;

Figure 5 is a series of views of the hinge in a second spindle orientation;

Figure 6 is a series of views of the hinge in a third spindle orientation;

Figure 7 is a series of views of the hinge in a fourth spindle orientation;

Figure 8 is a series of views of the hinge in a fifth spindle orientation

Figure 9 is a series of views of the hinge in a sixth spindle orientation;

Figure 10 is a series of Mews of the hinge in a seventh spindle orientation;

Figure 11 is a series of views of the hinge in a eighth spindle orientation;

Figure 12 is a series of views of the hinge in a ninth spindle orientation;

Figure 13 is a series of views of the hinge in a tenth spindle orientation;

Figure 14 is a series of views of the hinge in a eleventh spindle orientation;

Figure 15 is a series of views of the hinge in a twelfth spindle orientation.

Figure 16 is a series of views of the hinge in a series of views of a spindle;

Figure 17 is a series of views of an alternative spindle;

Figure 18 is an exploded view of a self-closing hinge in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 19 is an alternative view of an alternative self-closing hinge in accordance 10 with the present invention; and

Figure 20 is an exploded view of an alternative self-closing hinge in accordance with this invention.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the invention. The hinge comprises a • ·· *· * »15 mounting structure (1) having screw holes (2) to permit securing of the plate to a door frame, *?·**; wall or other fixture using screws or bolts. A mounting body (3) extends from the mounting ···· structure (1). The mounting body (3) has a vertically extending cylindrical bore (4). Three ·· ·· , grub screws (5, 6, 7) are received in threaded bores arranged at 90°, 180° and 270° to the • · plane of the mounting structure respectively. The spindle comprises upper and lower •*·’^) cylindrical portions (10, 11) and a central abutment portion (9) comprising two planar ··· surfaces and cylindrical ends as shown in Figure 16.

Figure 3 shows a hinge body with an alternative spindle. The spindle (8) comprises a generally cylindrical body having a central cylindrical portion (9) and upper and lower 25 cylindrical portions (10, 11). The upper and lower portions have planar cam surfaces (12,13) facing away from the hinge leaves and arranged to engage spring driven closing and/or damping pistons as disclosed in WO2011/020630, the disclosure of which is incorporated into this specification by reference for all purposes.

Two hinge leaves (14, 15) cooperate to form a parallel sided channel (16) dimensioned to receive and engage glass or other door panel (not shown).

Hinge body (17) integral with hinge leaf (14) has upper (18) and lower (not visible) bores, aligned coaxially with the bore (4) of the mounting body. The bores have respective δ

diameters greater than the diameter or radial dimension of the spindle (8), so that the spindle may move laterally, parallel to the axis or may incline about a pivot location to a limited extent within the bore. The pivot location is located at the mid-point of the spindle along the spindle axis and is located centrally of the mounting body in use. The pivot location may lie 5 in a plane perpendicular to the spindle axis in which plane the axis of the screws (5, 6, and 7) extend.

A pair of opposed convex surfaces (19, 20) (see Figure 17) are arranged to engage the screws (5, 7). The radii of the convex surfaces may be equal to the distance of the surfaces (19, 20) from the pivot location so that the surfaces are always perpendicular to the screws (5, 7) independent of the angle at which the spindle is tilted. This ensures secure engagement of the spindle by the screws when the spindle is installed at a desired orientation.

Roller bearings (21, 22) permit the top and bottom of the spindle to rotate within the • ·· upper and lower bores (18) as the hinge pivots in use, preventing wear of the moving parts on prolonged use.

···· • · ···· . Figures 4 to 15 illustrate various orientations of the spindle (8) relative to the ······ mounting structure (1). The views in each of these Figures comprise front side elevations and an isometric view of the assembly and plan views of the mounting body with and without the • · · spindle located in the bore.

In Figure 4 the spindle is aligned with the vertical axis and is located at a maximum distance from the mounting structure so that a door mounted on the hinge extends vertically a 25 maximum distance from the hinge. This configuration is obtained by retracting screw (6) and extending screws (5 and 7) into the bore followed by tightening screws (6) to secure the spindle.

Figure 5 shows the spindle also in a vertical orientation but at a minimum distance 30 from the mounting structure. This configuration is obtained by extending screw (6) into the bore until the spindle contacts the opposite surface of the bore, followed by tightening of screws (5 and 7).

Figure 6 shows the spindle arranged vertically on the right hand side (as shown) of the bore. This arrangement is achieved by tightening screws (6 and 7) followed by tightening screw (5).

Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 6 with the spindle located on the left hand side of the bore.

Figure 8 shows the spindle rotated in a clockwise direction perpendicular to the plane of the door in the closed position. This arrangement is achieved by tilting the spindle 10 and then securely tightening screws (7) (6) and then (5).

Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 8 with the spindle tilted in an anticlockwise direction as shown.

• · · *· * 45 Figure 10 shows the upper part of the spindle tilted to the rear.

······ • · . · · · Figure 11 shows the upper part of the spindle tilted forwardly.

• · ····

Figure 12 is an alternative configuration in which the bore is ovoid allowing greater •*•*^0 lateral movement of the spindle. The spindle is shown located on the right hand side of the •«· bore in plan view.

Figure 13, corresponds to the Figure 12 with the spindle located on the left hand side of the bore.

Figure 14 shows the arrangement in which the spindle is tilted anticlockwise.

Figure 15 shows an arrangement similar to Figure 14 in which the spindle is tilted clockwise.

Figure 16 shows a perspective view, elevation and cross sectional views of a spindle as shown in Figure 2. Two sectional views show the engagement with the screws (5, 6 and 7) through the central portion of the spindle (23). The cross sectional configuration of the central portion of the spindle comprises two parallel faces (28) with cylindrical ends (29).

The parallel faces (28) serve to engage the adjustable screws (5, 7) to secure the spindle in a desired angular and/or lateral orientation.

Figure 17 shows the spindle of the embodiment shown in Figure3 in which the upper and lower cylindrical portions have planar cam surfaces to engage closing pistons (30, 31) as shown in Figures 18 and 19.

Figure 18 is an exploded view of a hinge in accordance with the present invention, 10 the hinge including a self-closing arrangement. Upper and lower pistons (30, 31) driven by springs (32, 33) pressing against backing plate (34) engage the cam surfaces (12, 13) of the spindle (8). Pressure of the pistons (30, 31) against the cam surfaces causes the hingeto rotate into the closed position of the door providing a self-closing arrangement. Bearing rings (51, 52) are provided around the upper and lower ends of the mounting body (3).

······

I» ·

Figure 19 shows a similar self-closing hinge wherein ball race bearings (35, 36) are provided to improve free rotation of the hinge in use.

·· · · • · ···· .· ·

Figure 20 shows a perspective view of an alternative hinge in which the mounting body (3) has two bores (37, 38) extending towards a mounting structure (1). Pistons (39, 40) located in the bores are being urged by springs (41, 42) in contact with a planar cam surface • ·· (50) of the spindle. Abutment surfaces are provided at the upper and lower ends of the spindle. A cylindrical abutment surface (43) and two convex abutment surfaces (44) have a similar configuration as previously disclosed. The spindle is secured in a fixed location in a 25 bore in the hinge body by upper and lower screws (45, 46). The location and orientation of the spindle may be adjusted by corresponding adjustment of the screws. Tilting of the spindle, rotation of the spindle and lateral movement of the spindle may be achieved. The resting, closed position of the hinge may also be adjusted.

Claims

5 1. A hinge compring a mounting structure, adapted to be secured to a fixture in use, the mounting structure having a mounting body; a hinge leaf adapted to be secured to a door or other closure in use, the 10 hinge leaf having a hinge body; the hinge leaf and body being rotatable relative to the mounting structure about a hinge axis; an bore extending through the mounting body and hinge body, the bore being coaxial with the hinge axis; a spindle having a spindle axis, the spindle being located within the bore and having a pivot location on the spindle axis; wherein a radial dimension of the bore is greater than a corresponding radial . C.-L5 dimension of the spindle so that the spindle may be displaced from the axis within the bore to adjust one or both the location and orientation of the spindle relative to ther C '· O o c V 41 mounting body; e c c t <>»'«· c z c ·: c c c c e the spindle having one or more abutment surfaces; the hinge body or the mounting body including a multiplicity of clamping means moveable between engaged and disengaged positions wherein in a disengaged c'c°20 1» »J position the location of the spindle may be adjusted and in the engaged position the clamping means engage the one or more abutment surfaces so that the spindle is clamped and immovable relative to the hinge body or mounting body respectively; wherein the displacement from the axis of the bore may be angular, parallel to the axis of the bore or both; wherein the pivot location is located within the bore of 25 the mounting body; and wherein the clamping means comprises a plurality of screws or other threaded members. 30
2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of screws comprises three screws arranged with the screw axes intersecting with the spindle at or adjacent the pivot location.
3. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a cylindrical abutment surface faces outwardly from the spindle axis in a direction away from the mounting structure.

Intellectual Property Office