IE83936B1 - Improvements in or relating to hinges - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to hinges Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- IE83936B1 IE83936B1 IE1998/0159A IE980159A IE83936B1 IE 83936 B1 IE83936 B1 IE 83936B1 IE 1998/0159 A IE1998/0159 A IE 1998/0159A IE 980159 A IE980159 A IE 980159A IE 83936 B1 IE83936 B1 IE 83936B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- link
- guide
- window
- hinge according
- window hinge
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002708 enhancing Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000003414 Extremities Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 125000002777 acetyl group Chemical class [H]C([H])([H])C(*)=O 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained Effects 0.000 description 1
Description
"Improvements in or relating to hinges"
The invention relates to hinges and in particular to Friction hinges for windows.
A common fi-iction hinge for aluminium or UPVC windows comprises a linkage
having a track for fitting to the fixed window frame, a vent aim for fitting to the movable
window vent, a slider slidable along the track, a link pivotally connected at one end to
the slider and at its other end to the vent arm, and a control arm pivotally connected at
one end to the track and at its other end to the vent arm. The link arrangement is such
that the vent arm is movable between a closed position where it overlies the track and
an open position where it extends at an angle to the track, such movement being
accompanied by frictionally restrained movement of the slider along the track.
Normally, two such hinges are provided at opposite sides of the window and the
geometry of the hinges is such that as the window vent pivots on the hinges the effective
pivot axis of the vent is spaced from the fixed window frame. Accordingly, as the
window opens, the Frame member of the window vent which is nearest the hinge axis
moves inwardly, partly across the window opening, with respect to the adjacent fixed
frame member.
This arrangement has the advantage that, when the window is fully open, the
person inside the building has access to both sides of the vent for cleaning purposes.
However, the movement of the vent frame member partly across the window opening,
and away fi'om the adjacent fixed frame member has the efiect of reducing the size of the
main window opening in order to provide a narrow opening to the other side of the vent
flame member for access to the outer surface of the vent.
is
1
For safety reasons, government regulations may specify minimum dimensions for
the access aperture provided by a window when in a fillly opened condition. However,
aluminium and UPVC framed window assemblies are commonly provided in only a
comparatively limited number of dimensions, partly for aesthetic reasons, but mainly
because of the advantages provided by standardisation of window dimensions. Such
standardisation reduces costs and facilitates the installation of windows in new buildings
as well as their subsequent replacement. Standardisation also facilitates the manufacture
and supply of window accessories which may, again, be of a limited number of standard
dimensions. ii
The situation may, however, arise where a window assembly of a standard
dimension, and having friction hinges of the kind referred to above, may not provide an
access aperture, when fully open, which is sufficiently large to comply with prevailing
regulations. In order to meet this problem, manufacturers of friction link hinges of the
may supply a modified "access" hinge where certain links of the hinge may be
disengaged from one another to allow wider than normal opening of the window in an
emergency. However, such hinges are usually more complex in structure than the
standard hinges and more costly to manufacture. Also, in an emergency a person
wishing to increase the window opening in order to climb through it must be familiar
with the manner in which the hinges may be disengaged to increase the size of the
opening, and this may not always be the case. Also, there may be a risk of the hinges
becoming accidentally disengaged during normal use, which may be undesirable.
Theoretically, the problem could be solved by mounting the window vent to the
fixed frame by traditional butt hinges where the adjacent frame members of the vent and
fixed frame remain close to one another as the window is opened. However, it is not
practically possible to fit traditional butt hinges to aluminium and UPVC window
assemblies of the kinds now commonly in use, due to the configuration of the extruded
frame members which are used in such assemblies.
The present invention sets out to provide an improved form of window hinge
which may provide, when the window is fully opened, an access aperture through the
window which is equivalent to, or only slightly less than, the fiill size of the aperture in
the fixed window frame, such hinge being particularly suitable for use with aluminium
and UPVC framed window assemblies.
According to the invention there is provided a window hinge comprising a first
guide having means for attachment to a fixed window frame, a second guide having
means for attachment to a movable window vent, and a link which is engageable with
both said guides and is slidable relatively to each guide.
Preferably the link comprises a single substantially rigid element, but the
invention does not exclude arrangements where the link is formed in two or more
relatively movable parts so as to be extensible. For example, the parts may be
longitudinally slidable with respect to one another.
At least one of said guides, and preferably each said guide, comprises a track
along which the link slides. Preferably the orientation of the link relative to the guide
is determined by its position along said track.
The track may be arcuate, e.g. it may be part-circular. Preferably the link
fiictionally engages the track so as to provide frictional restraint to opening and closing
of the window vent, in use. The link may be formed from resilient material, such as a
resilient plastics, to enhance the fiictional engagement between the link and the guide or
guides.
Preferably stop means are provided between the link and the guide or guides to
limit the relative sliding movement between the link and the guide or guides in at least
one direction. Said means may comprise inter-engageable abutments on the link and
guide or guides.
The track may comprise two generally parallel spaced guide surfaces between
which at least a pan of the link is slidably received. For example, the guide surfaces may
comprise spaced grooves directed inwardly towards one another and engageable
respectively with spaced outwardly directed flanges formed on the link.
In the case where a track comprising spaced flanges is formed on each guide, the
link may be formed, at each side thereof, with a pair of spaced parallel outwardly
directed flanges for engagement within the track grooves of the first and second guides
respectively.
Each guide may comprise a base plate, each groove on the guide being provided
by a generally L-sectioned rail upstanding fiom the base plate.
The following is a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view from above of a friction hinge in accordance
with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view from above of the frame plate of the hinge,
Figure 3 is a section along the Line 3-3 of Figure 2,
Figure 4 is a section along the Line 4-4 of Figure 2,
Figure 5 is a section through the link along the Line 5-5 of Figure 7,
Figure 6 is a view of the curved link of the hinge from below,
Figure 7 is a view of the curved link of the hinge from above, and
Figure 8 is a view of the hinge, from below, in the same position as in Figure 1.
Referring to Figure 1, two hinges 10 according to the present invention mount
a rectangular window vent I 1 to the side of a corresponding rectangular fixed window
frame 12. The vent is side hung, that is to say is supported by upper and lower hinges
disposed at the upper and lower ends of a vertical side frame member 13 of the fixed
window fi'ame 12, although the hinges may also be used in top hung arrangements.
Figure 1 is a view from above of the lower hinge 14 with the vent 11 in the fully 90°
open position.
The frame plate 15 of the lower hinge 14 is screwed to the horizontal bottom
flame member 16 of the fixed frame 12 adjacent the corner between the bottom fiame
member 16 and the vertical side frame member 13.
The frame plate 15, which may be die cast from suitable metal, is formed with
two parallel part-circular flanges 17. As best seen in Figure 4 the flanges 17 are of
inverted L-shape in cross-section so as to provide inwardly facing grooves 18 between
the flanges 17 and the frame plate 15.
A curved link 19, which may be moulded from acetal plastics slidably engages
the flanges 17. The flanges 7 and the link 19 are of the same radius of curvature. As
may be seen from Figure 5, in cross-section the link 19 has a central longitudinal web
the opposite side edges of which are integrally formed with C—sectioncd formations
to provide upper outwardly projecting flanges 21 and spaced parallel lower flanges 22.
The lower flanges 22 of the link 19 are slidably received in the grooves 18 on the frame
plate 15.
In order to limit the outward sliding movement of the link 19 along the flanges
17, an end portion of the groove 23 in the underside of the link 19 is filled, as indicated
at 24 in Figures 1 and 6, so as to provide an end abutment surface 25 to the groove
which engages with an upstanding projection 26 (see Figures 2 and 3) integrally formed
on the flame plate 15 between the outer extremities of the flanges 17.
In use, the link 19 is slid into engagement with the flanges 17 on the frame plate
before the tirame plate is secured to the fixed window fi'ame. Once the frame plate
is in position on the window frame sliding movement of the link 19 along the flanges 17
beyond the position shown in Figure 1 is prevented by engagement of the end wall 15
on the underside of the link with the abutment 26 on the frame plate 15.
The link 19 also slidably engages guide flanges on the underside of a die cast
metal vent plate 27 which is screwed to the underside of the lower horizontal rail of the
vent frame 11. The construction of the vent plate 27 is best seen in Figure 8 which
shows the underside of the vent plate 27.
As may be seen from Figure 8, the underside of the vent plate 27 is integrally
formed with spaced curved L-sectioned flanges 28 which are of similar cross.9ection to
the flanges 17 shown in Figure 4. In this case the upper side flanges 21 of the link 29
(see Figure 5) engage within the inwardly facing grooves provided by the flanges 28 on
the vent plate 27. Again, as may best be seen from Figures 7 and 3, one end of the
upper groove 29 in the link 19 is blocked as indicated at 30 in Figure 7 to provide an end
wall 31 which engages an abutment 32 on the vent plate 27, between the flanges 28, to
limit the sliding movement of the link 19 with respect to the vent plate 27 and prevent
it becoming detached from the vent plate.
Referring again to Figure 1, the window vent 11 is supported by the curved
sliding links 19 of the lower and upper hinges while permitting the vent 11 to swing
outwardly fiom the fixed frame 12 to the open position shown in Figure 1, The effective
pivot axis of the hinge, indicated at 33 in Figure 1, is defined by the common centre of
curvature of the flanges 17, the link 19 and the flanges 28.
As may be seen from Figure 1 the geometry of the hinges is such that the vent
11 barely projects into the aperture defined by the frame members 13 of the fixed frame
when the window vent is in the fully open position, thus providing an access aperture
which is virtually of the same dimensions as the aperture in the fixed frame 12. This
enables the access aperture required by regulations to be achieved with standard sizes
of fixed window frame. When the window is in the closed position with the vent 11
lying within the fixed frame 12, the sash plate 27 overlies the frame plate 15 with the link
19 between them.
In order to increase the ‘frictional engagement between the link 19 and the flanges
and 28, the link 19 may be moulded with a slight longitudinal twist. Bumps may also
be formed in the surface of the link. Alternatively or additionally, there may be received
in the web 20 of the link 29 a grub screw which bears against a small rectangular fiiction
pad which is received in a rectangular recess on one side of the web 20 so that by
turning the grub screw the pressure on the friction pad against the adjacent surface of
the frame plate 15 or vent plate 27 may be adjusted.
In order to facilitate the assembly of the three parts 15, 19, 17 of each hinge,
each face of the link 19 may be integrally formed with a small spring leg which snaps
over a small abutment on the frame plate or vent plate as the link is first introduced into
the flanges on the plate. The link 19 is thereby retained in engagement with the frame
plate and vent plate so that its sliding movement is limited to movement between the
abutments 26 and 32 and the small abutments with which the sprung legs engage.
Instead of the link being moulded and the two plates 15 and 27 being die cast,
as described above, the link might be die cast and the two plates injection moulded.
However, the invention is not limited to the components being formed from any
particular material or manufactured by any particular process.
The hinge construction in accordance with the present invention and as described
T above may not only be stronger than the rnulti-link friction hinges of the kind previously
described, but may also be cheaper to manufacture, comprising fewer parts and involving
much less assembly work.
Although the sample shown has only a single one—piece link connected between
the vent plate and frame plate, arrangements are also possible where the link comprises
two or more extensible parts, for example two or more parts which are in slidable
engagement with one another. Such axrangement may be advantageous where the space
available to receive the links when the window is in the closed position is limited.
Claims (16)
1. A window hinge comprising a first guide having means for attachment to a fixed window frame, a second guide having means for attachment to a movable window vent, and a link which is engageable with both said guides and is slidable relatively to each guide, characterised in that each guide is carried on a respective base plate which is substantially co-planar with the guide and extends laterally thereof, which base plates are substantially parallel to one another and move into overlapping relationship to one another when the hinge is brought to its closed position.
2. A window hinge according to Claim 1, wherein the link comprises a single substantially rigid element.
3. A window hinge according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein at least one of said guides, and preferably each said guide, comprises a track along which the link slides.
4. A window hinge according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each of said guides comprises a track along which the link slides.
5. A window hinge according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the orientation of the link relative to the or each guide is determined by its position along said track or tracks.
6. A window hinge according to any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the or each track is arcuate, e.g. it may be part-circular.
7. A window hinge according to Claim 6, wherein the or each track is part-circular.
8. A window hinge according to any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the link frictionally engages the or each track so as to provide frictional restraint to opening and closing of the window vent, in use. ll
9. A window hinge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the link and/or at least one of the guides is formed from resilient material, to enhance the frictional engagement between the link and the guide or guides.
10. A window hinge according to any of the preceding claims, wherein stop means are provided between the link and at least one of said guides to limit the relative sliding movement between the link and the guide in at least one direction.
11. A window hinge according to Claim 10, wherein said stop means comprise inter- engageable abutments on the link and guide.
12. A window hinge according to any of Claims 3 to 11, wherein the or each track comprises two generally parallel spaced guide surfaces between which at least a part of the link is slidably received.
13. A window hinge according to Claim 12, wherein the guide surfaces comprise spaced grooves directed inwardly towards one another and engageable respectively with spaced outwardly directed flanges formed on the link.
14. A window hinge according _to Claim 13, wherein the link is formed, at each side thereof with a pair of spaced parallel outwardly directed flanges for engagement within the track grooves of the first and second guides respectively.
15. A window hinge according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein each groove on the guide is provided by a generally L sectioned rail upstanding from the base plate.
16. A window hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (9)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IE1998/0159A IE83936B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | Improvements in or relating to hinges | |
GB9904635A GB2334999B (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-02 | Improvements in or relating to hinges |
EP99937963A EP1060316B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Improvements in or relating to hinges |
US09/623,354 US6317929B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Window hinge |
DK99937963T DK1060316T3 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Improvements at or in connection with hinges |
PCT/GB1999/000638 WO1999045222A1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Improvements in or relating to hinges |
AU32642/99A AU738182B2 (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Improvements in or relating to hinges |
CA002321693A CA2321693C (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Improvements in or relating to hinges |
NZ506265A NZ506265A (en) | 1998-03-05 | 1999-03-03 | Window hinge with link moving in guides of respective base plates to attach to window frame and window, with minimal restriction to aperture when window opened |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IE1998/0159A IE83936B1 (en) | 1998-03-05 | Improvements in or relating to hinges |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE980159A1 IE980159A1 (en) | 1999-09-08 |
IE83936B1 true IE83936B1 (en) | 2005-06-29 |
Family
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