GB2579796A

GB2579796A - Hinges

Info

Publication number: GB2579796A
Application number: GB1820359.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Nigel; Ridgeway Nigel
Original assignee: SECURITY HARDWARE Ltd
Current assignee: SECURITY HARDWARE Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-13
Filing date: 2018-12-13
Publication date: 2020-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2038-12-13
Also published as: GB2579796B; GB201820359D0

Abstract

A reversible adjustable hinge 10 has a frame portion 6 and a sash portion 14 comprising a pair of lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 hingedly connected to the frame portion and laterally fixed relative to the frame portion and a sash attachment member 64 located between the lateral adjustment plates and fixed relative to a sash. A lateral adjustment mechanism 86, 88, 92 adjusts the position of the sash attachment member laterally relative to the lateral adjustment plates. The sash attachment member 64 can be secured to a sash with either one of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 located between the sash attachment member and the sash thus allowing the hinge to be mounted either left or right handed. A cover 18 may be provided over the plates. The adjustment plates 54 56 may be an integrally formed U shape or two separate plates connected to the hinge pin. The plates may have slots 78 for allowing the lateral adjustment of fixing screws of the hinge.

Description

Hinges

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hinges. The invention relates in particular to adjustable hinges which can be reversed for left or right handed mounting.

Background to the Invention

It is known to provide adjustable hinges for applications such as UPVC constructed doors and windows, which allows the same hinge to be used for a range of differently-dimensioned frames and door/window sashes. Typically, such adjustable hinges comprise a frame portion adapted to be fitted to a frame surrounding a sash opening and a sash portion adapted to be fitted to the door/window sash, the frame and hinge portions being hingedly connected, typically by a hinge pin. Generally these types of hinges are mounted to a frame along one side of the sash opening and it is known for the sash portion to incorporate a lateral adjustment arrangement which enables the position of the sash to be adjusted in a lateral direction (that is to say from side to side) relative to the frame. It is also known for the frame portion to include a mechanism for adjusting the position of the hinge pin and sash portion vertically relative to the frame, thus enabling vertical adjustment of the sash. Such hinges usually include a removable cover which encases the sash portion and the hinge pin. For security reasons, the cover can be removed to allow for fitting and adjustment only when the sash portion is in a sash open position.

EP2927407 describes such an adjustable hinge suitable for UPVC constructed doors/windows having a frame portion and a sash portion. The sash portion includes a sash datum for attachment to a sash. The sash datum is mounted to a hinge plate which locates between the sash datum and the sash. The hinge plate is pivotally connected to the frame portion so as to be fixed in a lateral direction relative to the frame portion. The position of the sash datum is adjustable laterally relative to the hinge plate by operation of a rack and pinion mechanism to enable lateral adjustment of the sash.

In the hinge described in EP2927407, the frame portion includes an arrangement for vertical adjustment which requires that the frame portion be attached to a door frame in a particular orientation. As a result, it is not possible to simply invert the hinge to enable left-or right-handed fitment. Rather, in order to convert the hinge from say a right-handed fitment to a left-handed fitment, the hinge pin and other internal components must be disassembled and reassembled in a different configuration. This is not an ideal solution, as it is complex, time-consuming and cumbersome.

Aspects of the invention are intended to address some or all of the shortcomings of the prior art.

It is an object of the invention to provide a hinge having a frame portion and a sash portion and a mechanism for laterally adjusting a sash relative to the frame portion which can be adapted for left-and right-handed fitting more easily than the prior art.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a reversible hinge comprising a hinge structure including a sash portion adapted to be secured to a sash and a frame portion adapted to be secured to a frame, the sash and hinge portions being hingedly connected, wherein the hinge has a lateral adjustment system, the lateral adjustment system comprising a pair of lateral adjustment plates hingedly connected to the frame portion and laterally fixed relative to the frame portion, a sash attachment member located between the lateral adjustment plates and adapted to be fixed relative to the sash, and a lateral adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the sash attachment member laterally relative to the lateral adjustment plates, wherein the hinge is configured such that the sash attachment member can he secured to a sash with either one of the lateral adjustment plates located between the sash attachment member and the sash.

Hinges according to the first aspect of the invention are able to be fitted to a frame right-handed or left-handed, without the need for inverting or disassembling and reassembling internal components of the hinge structure.

The sash portion may be pivotable through at least 180 degrees relative to the frame portion.

The sash portion may define a pair of major faces on opposite sides thereof, which major faces extend parallel to a major face of a sash to which the sash portion is to be secured in use, and wherein the sash portion can be secured to a sash with either one of the major faces proximal to the sash. The major faces may be substantially defined by the lateral adjustment plates.

The hinge may comprise a cover for encasing the sash portion, the cover being removably mountable over either one of the major faces of the sash portion. The cover may encase a portion of the frame portion. The cover may be formed from a polymeric material such as a plastics material.

In some embodiments, the cover is configured so that it can only be removed from or mounted to the hinge structure when the sash portion is in a sash open position relative to the frame portion. A "sash open position" is defined herein as any position of the sash portion relative to the frame portion which would not provide a closed sash in a frame (for example a closed door or window). This prevents the cover being removed from a fitted hinge when the sash is closed, providing additional security. The cover may be removably attached by means of a fastening which can be inserted or removed only when the sash portion is in said sash open position. In some embodiments, the fastening comprises a screw threaded fastener. In sonic embodiments, the hinge structure comprises a cover mounting member having a through bore through which the fastener, such as screw threaded fastener, passes to engage with the cover.

The cover mounting member may be located between the lateral adjustment plates and comprise a bush portion configured to be hingedly connected to the frame portion, such as to a hinge pin, and a flange portion which extends laterally therefrom along the sash portion between the lateral adjustment plates and is arranged to receive the fastening. In some embodiments, the cover has a fixing portion defining a bore in which the fastener engages to secure the cover to the sash portion. in preferred embodiments, the bore is inclined at an angle away from perpendicular to the plane of either lateral adjustment plate when the cover is mounted to the hinge structure. In this arrangement, the fastening is inserted at an angle to the planes of the lateral insertion plates and thus allows use of a fastening, such as a fastening screw, having a shaft which is longer than the separation between lateral adjustment plates. This provides for a more secure attachment of the cover for a given hinge size.

In some embodiments, the frame portion and the sash portion are pivotally interconnected by a hinge pin and the lateral adjustment plates are hingedly connected to the hinge pin.

The lateral adjustment plates may form a substantially U-shaped configuration The lateral adjustment plates may be integrally formed such that they form a single integral lateral adjustment plate member.

In other embodiments, the lateral adjustment plates are not integrally-formed and are separate components, each being hingedly connected to the frame portion, such as a hinge pin.

In such embodiments, each plate may fit/slot together upon hinge assembly, such as one or more hinge plate knuckles which slot together and are subsequently interconnected, for example by a hinge pin. In preferred embodiments where the lateral adjustment plates are not integrally-formed, the lateral adjustment plates are substantially identical, which provides the advantage that they can be manufactured by exactly the same process.

The sash attachment member may comprise a plurality of first sash mounting apertures for receiving fixing means for securing the sash attachment member to a sash.

Each of the lateral adjustment plates may comprise corresponding second sash mounting apertures which are aligned with respective first sash mounting apertures in the sash attachment member, in use. The arrangement being such that, in use, fixing means, such as screws, for securing the sash attachment member to a sash can be inserted though corresponding second sash mounting apertures in the lateral adjustment plates and a corresponding first sash mounting aperture in the sash attachment member for engagement with the sash.

In some embodiments, the hinge is configured such that in use fixing means can be inserted through respective first sash mounting apertures in the sash attachment member into a sash from either one of the major faces, passing through respective second sash mounting apertures in each of the lateral adjustment plates.

The lateral adjustment mechanism may be configured to be operated from either of the major faces of the sash portion (i.e. from either of the lateral adjustment plates). The lateral adjustment mechanism may comprise a rack and pinion mechanism comprising a pinion assembly mounted between the lateral adjustment plates and rotatable about its longitudinal axis and defining at least one tooth, the sash attachment member having a plurality of teeth defining a rack which is engaged by the at least one pinion assembly tooth, the mechanism being configured such that in use, rotation of the pinion assembly about its longitudinal axis in a first rotary direction drives the sash attachment member to slide relative to the lateral adjustment plates in a first direction, whilst rotation of the pinion assembly about its longitudinal axis in a second opposite rotary direction drives the sash attachment member to slide relative to the lateral adjustment plates in a second lateral direction opposite to the first lateral direction. In preferred embodiments, the pinion assembly comprises an annular pinion member located between the lateral adjustment plates and a drive shaft extending through the annular pinion member and rotatably engaged in corresponding apertures in each of the lateral adjustment plates. The drive shaft drivingly engages the annular pinion member and has driven formations at either end which can be actuated to rotate the annular pinion member and hence adjust the position of the sash attachment member relative to the lateral adjustment plates. The annular pinion member may have a polygonal (e.g. hexagonal) channel therethrough and the drive shaft corresponding a polygonal cross section. In an embodiment, the sash attachment member comprises a lateral adjustment aperture comprising a rack defined along one side thereof and the annular pinion member is located within the lateral adjustment aperture.

In some embodiments, the sash attachment member and the lateral adjustment plates are adapted to be locked relative to one another after lateral adjustment. In one embodiment, the sash attachment member has a locking bore and the lateral adjustment plates each have corresponding locking apertures through either of which a locking screw can be inserted to be engaged in the threaded locking bore.

The sash attachment member may be slidably retained and/or guided between the pair of lateral adjustment plates. The lateral adjustment plates and the sash attachment member may comprise inter-engaging formations which guide the sash attachment member for lateral movement between the lateral adjustment plates. The inter-engaging formations may also be configured to prevent rotation and/or dislodging of the sash attachment member. The inter-engaging formations may comprise one or more protrusions and corresponding recessed channels in the sash attachment member and lateral adjustment plates. Preferably, the lateral I5 adjustment plates comprise only protrusions, the protrusions being receivable by corresponding recessed channels in the sash attachment member, as this reduces the overall size of the hinge.

In preferred embodiments, the second sash mounting apertures and/or the locking apertures of the lateral adjustment plates are formed as part of a protrusion and/or recessed channel, as this allows for a well-secured sash attachment member, while not increasing the overall size of the hinge.

The hinge may comprise vertical adjustment means configured to allow for vertical adjustment of the hinge. The vertical adjustment means may comprise the frame portion having a frame portion mounting block securable to a frame and a main body slidably mountable to the mounting block to retain the main frame portion body on the frame. The main body may have a vertical adjustment screw at one end which engages with the mounting block and is configured to provide vertical adjustment of the main body relative to the mounting block. In this embodiment, the sash portion is hingedly attached to the main body, say by means of a hinge pin which is located in or through the main body.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of the first aspect of the invention, configured for right-handed fitment and in a sash closed position.

Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the hinge of Figure 1, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a front view of the hinge of Figure 1, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure 1, taken in the direction of arrow X in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of the hinge of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side view of the hinge of Figure 1, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure 1, taken in the direction of arrow Y in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a cross-section through the hinge of Figure 1, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure 1, taken along the line A-A in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a back view of the hinge of Figure 1, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure I, taken in the direction of arrow Z in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a cross-section through the hinge of Figure I, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure 1, taken along the line B-B in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a back view of the hinge of Figure 1, but with the hinge in an sash open position.

Figure 10 is a cross-section through the hinge of Figure I, taken along the line C-C in Figure 9.

Figure 1 I is a back view of the hinge of Figure 1 when configured for left-handed fitment and in the sash closed position.

Figure 12 is a cross-section through the hinge of Figure 1, in the same configuration and position as shown in Figure 11, taken along the line D-D in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the cover forming part of the hinge of Figure I. Figure 14 is a perspective view of a pair of separate lateral adjustment plates suitable for use in another embodiment of a hinge of the first aspect of the invention.

An embodiment of a reversible hinge I0 according to an aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 13.

The hinge 10 has a main hinge structure 12 including a sash portion 14 for attachment to a sash (such as a door or window) and a frame portion 16 for attachment to a frame. The hinge 10 also includes a cover 18 which is removably mountable to the main hinge structure 12 to encase the sash portion 14 and part of the frame portion 16.

As best seen in Figure 4, the frame portion 16 includes a mounting block 20 and a main body 22 which is slidably mountable to the mounting block 20. In use, the mounting block 20 is attached to a frame using mounting block fixing screws 24. Frame mounting pins 26 arc also provided on mounting block for engagement in holes in the frame to facilitate easier mounting of the hinge 10 to a frame. Usually the hinge 10 is used at a side of the sash and the mounting block 20 is attached to the frame on one side of a sash opening in a vertical orientation. The mounting block 20 has grooves 28 along either side. The main body 22 includes a base 30 and a pair of outwardly projecting knuckles 32, one at either end. The base has side walls 34 which define a channel 36 for receiving the mounting block 20. Elongate ribs 38 are provided on the inner surfaces of the side walls 34 which engage in the grooves 28 on the mounting block 20. As can be seen in Figure 6, the channel 36 in the main body 22 is closed at an upper end by a wall 40. A vertical adjustment screw 42 is mounted in a threaded aperture 44 in the wall 40.

The arrangement is such that when the main body 22 is located on the mounting block 20, the adjustment screw 42 engages an upper end of the mounting block 20. The vertical adjustment screw 42 can be used to adjust the position of the main body 22 vertically relative to the mounting block 20 to allow for vertical adjustment of the sash in a known manner.

The frame portion 16 includes a hinge pin 46 which is mounted between the knuckles 32 on the frame portion main body 22. Ends of the hinge pin 46 are located in the knuckles 32 by means of bushes 48 which are received in apertures 50 in the knuckles 32. At least one of the bushes 48 is eccentric to allow for compression adjustment of a mounted sash in a known manner. The frame portion 16 has end covers 52 which are removably mountable to the ends of the main body 22 to cover the channel 36 and the knuckle apertures 50.

The sash portion 14 includes a pair of lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 which are aligned parallel to one another but spaced apart. in this embodiment, the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 are formed as part of a single integral lateral adjustment plate member 58 which is a generally U-shaped component in which the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 are interconnected at one side by an arcuate bridging portion 60. In the assembled hinge 10, the bridging portion 60 locates about the hinge pin 46 between the knuckles 32 so that the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 can pivot about the axis of the hinge pin 46 whilst being fixed in a lateral direction relative to the hinge pin 46 and hence the frame portion 16. The lateral adjustment plate member 58 defines a narrow neck region 62 between the inner side edges of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 and the arcuate bridging portion 60 to locate the lateral adjustment plate member 58 about the hinge pin 46. The lateral adjustment plate member 58 can be made of any suitable material, which may be a metallic material such as steel.

The outer surfaces of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 define oppositely directed major faces of the sash portion 14 which are aligned parallel to a major face of a sash to which the sash portion 14 is mounted when in use. As described in more detail below, the sash portion 14 can be attached to a sash with either of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 adjacent the sash, depending on whether the hinge 10 is mounted to the left-hand side of the sash opening or the right.

The sash portion 14 also includes a sash attachment member 64 which locates between the two lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. The sash attachment member 64 can be made of any suitable material, which may be a metallic material such as steel.

The sash attachment member 64 has a number of first sash mounting apertures 66 and a central lateral adjustment aperture 68. in this embodiment, the first sash mounting apertures 66 are arranged in two rows of three, above and below the lateral adjustment aperture 68. The first sash mounting apertures 66 arc plain holes that extend through the sash attachment member 64. Screw threaded sash fasteners 70 are inserted through four of the first sash mounting apertures 66 to secure the sash attachment member 64 to a major face of a sash, whilst sash mounting pins 72 are inserted through the other two. The sash attachment member 64 also has a threaded locking bore 74 for receiving a locking screw 76. The locking bore 74 extends all the way through the sash attachment member 64 so that the locking screw 76 can be engaged in the locking bore 74 from either side.

Each of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 has a pair of spaced, elongate, second sash mounting apertures 78. The second sash mounting apertures 78 extend in a lateral direction and each is aligned with a corresponding one of the rows of first sash mounting apertures 66 of the sash attachment member 64 so that the sash mounting screws 70 and pins 72 can be inserted through the sash attachment member 64 into a sash from either side of the sash portion 14, each screw 70 and pin 72 passing through corresponding second sash mounting apertures 78 in both of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 and through a first sash mounting aperture 66 of the sash attachment member 64.

The inner surfaces of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 define ridges 80 surrounding the second sash mounting apertures 78 and the corresponding surfaces of the sash attachment member 64 have corresponding recesses 82 so that the ridges RO engage in the recesses 82 to act as guides for locating the sash attachment member 64 between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 whilst allowing the sash attachment member 64 to slide in a lateral direction between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. Each of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 also define an elongate locking aperture 84 that aligns with the locking bore 74 of the sash attachment member 64. In use the locking screw 76 can be inserted through the locking aperture 84 of either of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 to engage in the locking bore 74 and be tightened to lock the sash attachment member 64 relative to the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 after adjustment.

The hinge includes a lateral adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the sash attachment member 64 in a lateral direction relative to the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56, and which can be actuated from either major face of the sash portion 14. Lateral adjustment in this regard refers to movement of the sash attachment member towards or away from the frame portion (as indicated by arrow E in Figure 7) so as to adjust the lateral position of a sash to which the attachment member is fixed within a sash opening. The lateral adjustment mechanism is in the form of a rack and pinion mechanism. The lateral adjustment aperture 68 extends through the sash attachment member 64 and a number of teeth in the form of a rack 86 are defined along a lower edge of the lateral adjustment aperture 68. A pinion assembly for engagement with the rack 86 is rotatably mounted between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. The pinion assembly includes an annular pinion member 88 which locates within the lateral adjustment aperture 68. The annular pinion member 88 is generally cylindrical and has a toothed region 90 defined in the cylindrical surface which engages with the rack of teeth 68 on the sash attachment member 64. A drive shaft 92 extends through the annular pinion member 88 and each end of the drive shaft 92 is rotatably located in a corresponding aperture 94 in a respective one of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. The drive shaft 92 has a polygonal outer surface and the annular pinion member 88 has a correspondingly shaped central aperture 96 through which the drive shaft 92 extends to drivingly lock the shaft 92 to the annular pinion member 88. The drive shaft 92 and the aperture 96 in the annular pinion member 88 may be hexagonal or square or any other suitable shape so that the drive shaft 92 and the annular pinion member 88 are rotationally fast with one another. The drive shaft 92 and the annular pinion member 88 could alternatively have inter-engaging drive formations such as splines for example. The drive shaft 92 comprises a drive formation 98 at either end which can be engaged by a suitable tool to rotate the drive shaft 92 and hence the annular pinion member 88. The drive formation 98 may be a hexagonal socket for example. The arrangement is such that rotation of the pinion assembly in a first rotary direction causes the sash attachment member 64 to slide in a first direction laterally between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 and rotation of the pinion assembly in a second rotary direction opposite to the first causes the sash attachment member 64 to slide in the other direction laterally between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56.

As can best be seen in Figures 8 and 12, the cover 18 is mounted so as to enclose the sash portion 14 and the part of the frame portion 16 between the knuckles 32. The hinge 10 is arranged so that the cover 18 can be mounted from either side of the sash portion 14. The cover comprises a flange 100, a fixing portion 102 and two fixing clips 104. The hinge structure 12 includes a cover mounting member 106 shown in Figure 4. The cover mounting member 106 has an annular bush portion 108 mounted about the hinge pin 46 and a flange portion 110 which extends laterally away from the bush portion 108 inside the narrow neck region 62 of the lateral adjustment plate member 58. A threaded bore 112 extends through the flange portion 110, through which a cover fastening screw 114 is located for engagement in a corresponding bore 116 in the fixing portion 102 of the cover to secure the cover 18 to the hinge structure 12. The cover mounting member 106 is able to pivot about the hinge pin 46, so that its bore 112 can be aligned with the corresponding bore 116 in the fixing portion 102 of the cover 18 when the cover 18 is placed over the sash portion 14 from either side. Aligned cover fixing apertures 118 are provided in the neck region 62 of the lateral adjustment plate member 58 so that the cover fixing screw 114 can be inserted from either side of the sash portion 14. The fixing clips 104 are also clipped into the space between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 and the flange 100 extends over the hinge pin 46.

The hinge 10 is configured so that the hinge cover 18 can only be assembled to or removed from the hinge structure 12 when the sash portion 14 is in a sash open position relative to the frame portion 16, as shown in Figure 10. This prevents removal of the cover 18 when a sash to which the hinge 10 is mounted is closed for added security.

It is an advantageous feature of the reversible hinge 10 in accordance with an aspect of the invention that the sash portion 14 can be mounted to a major face of a sash with either of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 in abutment, or at least proximal, to the sash major face and that lateral adjustment can be carried out from either major face. The hinge 10 can therefore be used for either left-handed or right-handed fitting, without the hinge structure 12 needing to be disassembled and reassembled. Figures 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 show the hinge configured to be attached to the frame on the right-hand side of a sash opening (as viewed from the front) whereas in Figures 11 and 12, the hinge 10 has been put into a second configuration for mounting to the frame on the left-hand side of a sash opening simply by pivoting the sash portion 14 through 180 degrees about the frame portion 16 and relocating the cover 18 onto the opposite lateral adjustment plate 56. The locking screw 76 has also been removed and replaced in the opposite orientation. It can therefore be seen that the hinge 10 can be switched between configurations very easily, which is a big advantage over prior art hinges, as it means that the hinge can be supplied to a consumer in a ready-for-use configuration such that the consumer can use the hinge 10 for right-or left-handed fitment out of the box, without having to disassemble the hinge structure 12.

In order to fit the hinge 10, the cover 18 is first removed (if necessary) and the frame mounting block 20 is fixed to the frame along an appropriate side of the sash opening. The frame portion main body 22, with the sash portion 14 attached, is then mounted on the mounting block 20. The sash portion 14 is pivoted to bring one of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 (lateral adjustment plate 56 in the first configuration illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 5-10) into abutment with a major face of the sash. The sash portion 14 is secured to the sash by inserting the sash mounting screws 70 and the sash mounting pins 72 through the second sash mounting aperture 78 in the outermost lateral adjustment plate 54, 56 (lateral adjustment plate 54 in the first configuration), the corresponding first sash mounting apertures 66 in the sash attachment member 64, and the corresponding second sash mounting aperture 78 in the innermost lateral adjustment plate 54, 56 (lateral adjustment plate 56 in the first configuration) and into the sash. The sash mounting screws 70 are tightened sufficiently to hold the sash attachment member 64 firmly to the sash whilst still allowing the sash attachment member 64 to slide laterally relative to the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. The sash mounting pins 72 enable the sash attachment member 64 to remain fixed relative to the sash prior to the sash mounting screws 70 being fully tightened. Lateral adjustment of the sash/hinge can then be carried out using the lateral adjustment mechanism by rotating the pinion assembly via a drive formation 96 of the drive shaft 92. Once correctly adjusted, the locking screw 76 is inserted through the locking aperture 84 in the outermost of the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56 (lateral adjustment plate 54 in the first configuration) into the locking bore 74 in the sash attachment member 64 and tightened to fix the sash attachment member 64 laterally relative to the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. The sash mounting screws 70 are then fully tightened. The locking screw 116 could be inserted but not tightened prior to carrying out lateral adjustment. If necessary, the frame portion covers 52 can be removed to carry out vertical and compression adjustment of the hinge 10, and then replaced. The hinge 10 is then placed in a sash open position and the cover 18 is placed over the sash portion 14 and the part of the frame portion 16 between the knuckles 32 and the clips 104 clipped in-between the lateral adjustment plates 54, 56. The cover 18 is then secured to the hinge structure 12 by inserting the cover fixing screw 114 through the aperture 118 on an inner side of the lateral adjustment plate member 58, through the bore 112 of the cover mounting member 106 and into the bore 1 16 of the fixing portion 102 of the cover 18, such that a portion of the cover fixing screw I 14 is located through the aperture I 18 in the outermost side of the lateral adjustment plate member 58. The cover fixing screw 114 is then tightened and the fitting of the hinge 10 is complete.

The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims. For example, Figure 14 illustrates an alternative arrangement in which the lateral adjustment plates 200, 202 are provided as separate components, each being pivotally mounted to the hinge pin. The separate lateral adjustment plates 200, 202 comprise knuckles 204 which I 0 slot together during hinge assembly, ready for the hinge pin to be passed through the apertures 206 which are formed therein. The separate lateral adjustment plates 200, 202 may be identical for ease of manufacture.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A reversible hinge comprising a hinge structure including a sash portion adapted to be secured to a sash and a frame portion adapted to be secured to a frame, the sash and frame portions being hingcdly connected, wherein the sash portion has a lateral adjustment system, the lateral adjustment system comprising a pair of lateral adjustment plates hingcdly connected to the frame portion and laterally fixed relative to the frame portion, a sash attachment member located between the lateral adjustment plates and adapted to be fixed relative to a sash, and a lateral adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of the sash attachment member laterally relative to the lateral adjustment plates, wherein the hinge is configured such that the sash attachment member can be secured to a sash with either one of the lateral adjustment plates located between the sash attachment member and the sash.
A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sash portion is pivotable through at least 180 degrees relative to the frame portion.
3. A hinge as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sash portion defines a pair of major faces on opposite sides thereof, which major faces extend parallel to a major face of a sash to which the sash portion is to be fitted in use, and wherein the sash portion can be attached to a sash with either one of the major faces proximal to the sash.
4. A hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge comprises a cover which encases the sash portion, the cover being removably mountable over either one of the major faces of the sash portion.
A hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cover is removably secured to the hinge structure by means of a fastening which can be inserted or removed only when the sash portion is in a sash open position relative to the frame portion.
6. A hinge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fastening comprises a screw threaded fastener, the hinge structure comprising a cover mounting member having a through bore through which the screw threaded fastener passes to engage with the cover.
7. A hinge as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frame portion and the sash portion are hingcdly connected by means of a hinge pin and the cover mounting member is pivotally mounted to the hinge pin for pivotal movement with the sash portion about the hinge pin.
A hinge as claimed in ally one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the frame portion and the sash portion are pivotally interconnected by a hinge pin and the lateral adjustment plates are hingedly connected to the hinge pin.
9. A hinge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral adjustment plates are integral with one another and form a substantially U-shaped configuration which is hingedly connected to the hinge pin.
10. A hinge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral adjustment plates are separate components, each being hingedly connected to the hinge pin.
11. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sash attachment member has a plurality of first sash mounting apertures for receiving fixing means for securing the sash attachment member to a sash.
12. A hinge as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the lateral adjustment plates have second sash mounting apertures through which fixing means for securing the sash attachment member to a sash can pass, in use, the second sash mounting apertures in each of the lateral adjustment plates being aligned with respective first sash mounting apertures in the sash attachment member.
13. A hinge as claimed in claim 12 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the hinge is configured such that in use, fixing means can be inserted through respective first sash mounting apertures in the sash attachment member into a sash from either one of the major faces, passing through respective second sash mounting apertures in each of the lateral adjustment plates.
14. A hinge as claimed in claim 3, or any one of claims 4 to 13 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the lateral adjustment system is configured to be operated from either of the major faces of the sash portion.
15. A hinge as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sash attachment member is slidably guided and/or retained between the pair of lateral adjustment plates.
16. A hinge as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lateral adjustment plates and the sash attachment member comprise inter-engaging formations which guide the sash attachment member for lateral movement between the lateral adjustment plates.
17. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sash attachment member and the lateral adjustment plates are adapted to be locked relative to one another after lateral adjustment. I5
18. A hinge as claimed in claim 17 when dependent on any one of claims 3 to 16, wherein the sash attachment member has a threaded locking bore and the lateral adjustment plates each comprise a locking aperture aligned with the locking bore, and a locking screw insertable through the locking aperture of either of the lateral adjustment plates for engagement in the locking bore.