HINGE WITH EXTENDED PIVOT AXIS
This innovation pertains to a specialized hinge designed for doors and windows, specifically UPVC, aluminium and composite, enabling them to open at an angle of up to 180 degrees without contacting a vertical reveal. This unique hinge configuration permits doors and windows to swing completely against the adjoining walls, facilitating safer and more convenient access. Notably, for windows, this mechanism not only enhances emergency egress but also offers an expanded opening area.
BACKGROUND
In many buildings, windows and doors are often set back in a reveal for several practical reasons, such as weather protection, architectural aesthetics, structural considerations plus others. Frames are installed sub flush to the outer wall. In most cases the reveal depth is determined by the type of construction of the building. In most cases the reveal is 50-60mm.
Traditional hinges used in UPVC, aluminium, and composite doors and windows are constructed in a manner that frequently leads to contact with the reveal when opened beyond 90 degrees. This limitation arises due to the configuration of conventional hinges, where the pivot axis and fastenings exist within the same vertical plane.
The objective of this invention is to address this issue by altering the hinge axis in relation to the fixing plane. This change enables the door/window's trajectory to extend outward along a wider arc, preventing any contact with the surrounding reveal edges.
Hinges do exist that extend the pivot axis away from the door or window face, but these are not suitable for most UPVC, aluminium and composite products due to their construction. Commonly there are seal configurations that must remain intact to maintain weather resistance. Such hinge types would compromise these seal configurations.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a unique hinge system designed for doors and windows, featuring an extended pivot axis. Unlike conventional hinges that operate within a limited range due to vertical reveal obstructions that are present in most building designs, this innovative hinge incorporates an extended pivot axis mechanism, allowing doors and windows to open in a greater arc thus allowing a wider angle of up to 180 degrees avoiding contact with the surrounding structures. This extended pivot axis design enables doors and windows to swing open further without obstruction, offering increased accessibility, improved space utilization, and enhanced functionality for both residential and commercial applications.
The extended pivot axis is provided by the combination of two parts. Firstly, a fixed part that is attached to the frame and includes a vertical pivot axis which is positioned parallel to the vertical plane of the frame and at a distance from the face of the frame. The depth that the frame is set from the face of the wall determines the position of the pivot axis. Secondly, a moving part that has an axis that is aligned with the fixed part but also includes features to attach to a door. These features are positioned on a vertical plane at a distance from the pivot axis. Together this combination allows the attached door or window to follow a wider arc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described solely by the way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la shows a plan view of a conventional hinge fitted to a UPVC door and frame when closed. Attached to door using edge fixings, Figure lb shows a plan view of a conventional hinge fitted to a UPVC door and frame when open. Attached to door using edge fixings, Figure 2a shows a plan view of an example embodiment with a hinged arm connecting to the edge of a door, closed, Figure 2b shows a plan view of an example embodiment with a hinged arm connecting to the edge of a door, open, Figure 3a shows a plan view of an example embodiment with a hinged arm connecting to the face of a door, closed, Figure 3b shows a plan view of an example embodiment with a hinged arm connecting to the face of a door, open, Figure 4a shows an exploded view of an example embodiment with a hinged arm, edge mounted, Figure 4b shows an exploded view of an example embodiment with a hinged arm, face mounted, Figure 5 shows a side elevation cross section of an example embodiment with a hinged arm in the open position, Figure 6 shows a side elevation cross section of an example embodiment with a hinged arm in the closed position, Figure 7 is a front and plan view of an example embodiment in its closed position, Figure 8a is an orthographic view of an example embodiment in an open position, Figure 8b is an orthographic view of an example embodiment approaching its closed position, Figure 9a is an orthographic view which shows a conventional set of doors, Figure 9b is an orthographic view which shows an example of how a door can open when fitted with an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In Figure la, a door or window 1 is shown attached to an example of a conventional hinge 21 in the closed position. The hinge axis is indicated by the centre mark 2. 3 is the surrounding wall structure, 4 is the door frame. The hinge 21 is mounted to the frame 4 and connected to a door mounting plate 18. The distance between the frame 4 and the hinge axis 2 is determined by the position of the fixing method to the door 1. Door mounting plate 18 joins the hinge 21 with the door 1, the example shown is fixed to the edge of the door. Packing pieces (not shown) are sometimes fitted between the frame 4 and the hinge 21 to allow for varying door 1 thicknesses.
In Figure lb, a door or window 1 is shown attached to a conventional hinge 21 in the open position. This shows the opening angle of the door 1 is restricted by the wall 3.
In figure 2a, an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the closed position. The mounting bracket 5 is fixed to the frame 4 using a similar method to conventional hinges, the fixings 14 are shown in fig 4a. The hinge axis 2 is extended from the door mounting plate 18, thus creating a distance between the axis 2 and the frame 4.
In figure 2b, an embodiment of the present invention is shown in the open position. The door or window 1 is attached to an extended hinge arm 6 using door mounting plate 18. The fixing point is extended from the hinge axis 2. The hinge arm 6 is assembled to the mounting bracket, refer to fig 4a. The combination of the extension of axis 2 from the frame and axis 2 to the fixing point on the door mounting plate 18 creates an enlarged arc which allows the door or window to avoid contact with the surrounding wall 3.
Figures 3a and 3b show an embodiment of the invention with an alternative method to attach the hinge arm 7 to the door. The hinge arm 7 is mounted to the face of the door 1 (fig 4b shows the fixing method) and fitted over is a decorative cover 24. The face of the hinge arm 7 that attaches to the door 1 is extended from the axis 2. The extension of the axis in both planes creates an enlarged arc as mentioned above.
Figure 4a. Shows the exploded assembly of the embodiment used for edge mounted door hinges. The mounting bracket 5 is attached to the door frame 4 using self-drilling screws 14. Location lugs are incorporated into the rear face of the mounting bracket 5 to locate and support on door frame 4, refer to figure 5. A packing piece 17 is used for decorative purposes and to provide spacing to match the door profile. Hinge arm 6 is mounted to mounting bracket 5 using hinge pins 9 and 16. Hinge pins 9 and 16 locate in bushes 12. Bushes 12 assemble into hinge arm 6 using a 2.5 degree taper fit, this secures the bush in position during assembly. Hinge arm 6 is a one-piece die cast Zinc alloy that include location pins which align with 2 openings in the door mounting plate 18. Adjuster screw 19 secures the hinge arm to door mounting plate 18 and allows adjustment to be carried out. Items 15 are security screws to prevent disassembly once hinges are fixed and set. Hinge pin 16 is used to adjust the vertical position of hinge arm 6.
Figure 4b. Shows the exploded assembly of the embodiment used for face mounted door hinges. The mounting bracket 5 is attached to the door frame 4 using self-drilling screws 14. Location lugs are incorporated into the rear face of the mounting bracket 5 to locate and support on door frame 4, refer to figure 5. A packing piece 17 is used for decorative purposes and to provide spacing to match the door profile. Hinge arm 7 is mounted to mounting bracket 5 using hinge pins 9 and 16. Hinge pins 9 and 16 locate in bushes 12. Bushes 12 assemble into hinge arm 7 using a 2,5 degree taper fit, this secures the bush in position during assembly. Hinge arm 7 is a one-piece die cast Zinc alloy that include a plate that fixes to the face of the door 1 using self-drilling screws 26. Decorative cover 24 is used over fixings.
In figure 5 a cross section shows the embodiment is an open position. The hinge arm 6 is at the 180 degrees open position. The door mounting plate 18 has been taken through a larger arc thus projecting the attached door 1(not shown for clarity) further from the face of the frame 4. The bushes 12 provide a bearing surface for the hinge pins 9 and 16. The bushes 12 have a tapered outside diameter which locks into the opposing taper bores in the hinge arm 6. The holes in the bushes 12 allow trapped air to vent during assembly to eliminate trapped air from ejecting the bushes.
In figure 6 a cross section shows the embodiment in a closed position. The hinge arm 6 is at the zero degrees closed position. In this position the hinge arm 6 is concealed within the mounting bracket 5. Fig 7 shows this clearly.
Figure 7. Shows the embodiment of the present invention in plan and front views. The hinge arm 6 is in the closed position and sits within the mounting bracket 5. A sleeve 13 conceals the hinge arm 6 and the hinge pins 9 and 16.
Figure 8a. Shows the embodiment of the present invention in orthographic view. This shows the hinge arm 6 in an open position.
Figure 8b. Shows the embodiment of the present invention in orthographic view. This shows the hinge arm 6 moved to a partially closed position. This representation is to show how the hinge arm 6 conceals the fixing screws on mounting bracket 5 when fully closed.
Figure 9a. Is a representation of a set of doors fitted with an embodiment of the present invention in an orthographic view. The door frame 4 is shown set back within the reveal of the surrounding brickwork, this is commonly the practice when fitting external French UPVC or composite doors.
Figure 9b. Is a representation of a set of doors fitted with an embodiment of the present invention in an orthographic view. In this figure one door is shown open to demonstrate the opening angle of the door. It shows how the door 1 is fully open without making contact with the surrounding wall 3.