NL2027913B1 - A hinge and an assembly comprising the hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge and an assembly comprising said hinge, for pivotably connecting a movable barrier, preferably having plastic structural parts, such as a window or door, to a frame, such as a window frame or a door frame, said hinge comprising a first hinge part arranged for being fixated, in use, to said frame and a second hinge part arranged for being fixated, in use, to said movable barrier, said second hinge part comprising: - a first hinge element pivotably coupled to said first hinge part for pivoting said first hinge element about a pivot axis relative to said first hinge part; - a second hinge element; - a spacer arrangement removably connecting and spacing apart said second hinge element at a distance from said first hinge element; - a fixating element removably connected, via said second hinge element and said spacer arrangement, to said first hinge element and arranged for said fixating of said second hinge part to said movable barrier.

Description

Title: A hinge and an assembly comprising the hinge Description According to a first aspect the present disclosure relates to a hinge for pivotably connecting a movable barrier, such as a window or door, to a frame, such as a window frame or a door frame.

According to a second aspect the present disclosure relates to an assembly of a hinge according to the first aspect and a movable barrier, such as a window or a door.

Conventional hinges for pivotably connecting a rebated window or a rebated door to a respective window frame or door frame, have the disadvantage that the door or window part of the hinge is fixated to the outside of the respective door or window. This results in aesthetically unattractive assembly of hinge and door or window. Furthermore, respective hinge parts located at the outside are more prone to undesired tampering and vandalism.

Accordingly, there is a need for a hinge which overcomes the abovementioned disadvantage. It is therefore an objective of the present disclosure to provide an improved hinge without the abovementioned disadvantage.

In a first aspect, this objective is achieved by a hinge for pivotably connecting a movable barrier, such as a window or door, to a frame, such as a window frame or a door frame, said hinge comprising a first hinge part arranged for being fixated, in use, to said frame and a second hinge part arranged for being fixated, in use, to said movable barrier, said second hinge part comprising: - a first hinge element pivotably coupled to said first hinge part for pivoting said first hinge element about a pivot axis relative to said first hinge part; - a second hinge element; - a spacer arrangement removably connecting and spacing apart said second hinge element at a distance from said first hinge element;

- a fixating element removably connected, via said second hinge element and said spacer arrangement, to said first hinge element and arranged for said fixating of said second hinge part to said movable barrier.

It was the insight of the inventor, that the hinge according to the present disclosure may be provided at least partly inside the movable barrier and in a space between the movable barrier, such as a door or window, and the frame, such as a door frame or window frame. In use, the second hinge part is provided at least partly inside the movable barrier and fixated to the movable barrier at the inside side of the movable barrier and/or the first hinge part is being fixated to the frame at the inside side of the frame. The inside side of the movable barrier is defined as a side of the movable barrier perpendicular to a front side of the door. The inside side of the frame is defined as the side that in a closed position of the movable barrier faces the inside side of the movable barrier. A thickness of the movable barrier is defined as a dimension of the movable barrier in a direction perpendicular to the front side of the movable barrier.

Providing the hinge at least partly inside the movable barrier and in the space between the movable barrier and the frame is beneficial as it is aesthetically more attractive and/or ensures improved protection against undesired tampering and vandalism. Elements of the hinge that are most prone to tampering and vandalism are not accessible when the movable barrier is in a closed position. In particular the second hinge element, the fixating element and the spacer arrangement may be provided inside the movable barrier.

In use, the second hinge part is pivotably coupled to the first hinge part for pivoting the second hinge part about a pivot axis relative to the first hinge part, preferably by a hinge pin.

The present disclosure further relies at least partly on the insight that when applying conventional hinges for pivotably connecting a rebated window or a door, the position of the door or window relative to the frame may not be easily adjusted once mounted in its final position, for example when the door or window does not close praperly. In particular, these disadvantages are applicable to a rebated door or rebated window.

Elements of the hinge that enable adjustment of the position of the movable barrier are easy accessible when the movable barrier is in an open position, allowing simple and accurate positioning of the movable barrier relative to the frame, even after fixation of the movable barrier to frame, obviating the need of removing and/or reinstallation of the hinge and/or adaptation of the movable barrier and/or frame. The second hinge part, in particular the fixating element thereof, is arranged for being fixated inside the movable barrier at a distance from the front side of the movable barrier in a range of 20 % and 80 % of the total thickness of the movable barrier, even more preferably between 30 % and 70 % of the total thickness of the movable barrier, most preferably between 35 % and 65 % of the total thickness of the movable barrier, which is beneficial for the strength of fixation of the hinge to the movable barrier.

Preferably, the hinge is arranged for pivotably connecting a movable barrier having plastic or aluminium structural parts. A movable barrier comprising plastic or aluminium structural parts may at least partly be formed by longitudinal profiles that are fabricated by extrusion. Such profiles may also be referred to as extrusion profiles and typically comprise grooves and recesses allowing to mutually attach these profiles via fastening arrangement or facilitate attachment of for instance a hinge or a lock to the profile. The dimensions of a groove and/or a recess in an extrusion profile for a movable barrier and/or a frame may be referred to under Euronut.

Preferably, the separate elements of the hinge are manufactured of a solid material, like steel, stainless steel, aluminium or any other metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof. More preferably, the separate elements of the hinge are manufactured from the same material, for efficient, cost efficient production and for minimalizing waste materials. Preferably, the hinge according to the present disclosure is arranged for manufacturing in different dimensions, such that the hinge is suitable for outside doors and/or windows in offices and homes.

Preferably, said spacer arrangement comprises a plurality of spacer elements each spacing apart said second hinge element at said distance from said first hinge element.

The spacer elements are manufactured in specific lengths and/or different lengths and are furthermore easily interchangeable, dependent of the desired distance between the first hinge element and the second hinge element. The spacer elements enable simple and accurate adjustment of the distance between the first hinge element and the second hinge element and thereby simple and accurate adjustment of the position of the movable barrier relative to the frame. In particular, the spacer elements enables simple and accurate adjustment of the movable barrier in the horizontal direction, at least substantial in the horizontal direction, relative to the frame.

Preferably, said hinge further comprises first fastening elements for said removably connecting of said first hinge element to said second hinge element.

More preferably, each of said first fastening elements extends through one of said plurality of spacer elements. This ensures strong fixation of the first hinge element to the second hinge element, while preserving the respective distance between the first hinge element to the second hinge element, wherein this distance is dependent on the length of the spacer elements. Preferably, the first fastening elements are arranged for connection by force. For example, the first fastening element is a screw or a bolt or the like.

The first fastening elements can be removed and/or replaced, preferably for matching with the plurality of spacer elements and/or for replacement of one or more of the plurality of spacer elements. This enables simple and accurate adjustment of the distance between the first hinge element and the second hinge element and thereby simple and accurate adjustment of the position of the movable barrier relative to the frame. In particular, this enables simple and accurate adjustment of the movable barrier in the horizontal direction, at least substantial in the horizontal direction, relative to the frame.

Preferably, said hinge further comprises second fastening elements for said removably connecting of said fixating element to said second hinge element. This ensures strong fixation of the second hinge element to the fixating element. Preferably, the second fastening elements are arranged for connection by force. For example, the 5 second fastening element is a screw or a bolt or the like.

Preferably, said second hinge element comprises through holes, preferably oval shaped through holes, arranged for receiving said second fastening elements and arranged for slidably connecting said second hinge element to said fixating element.

More preferably, the through holes are shaped such that the second hinge element is slidable in a longitudinal direction relative to the fixating element. This enables simple and accurate adjustment of the second hinge element relative to the fixating element in a, in use, vertical upward and/or vertical downward direction, at least substantial in a vertical upward and/or vertical downward direction, and thereby simple and accurate adjustment of the position of the movable barrier relative to the frame. In particular, this enables simple and accurate adjustment of the movable barrier in the vertical direction, at least substantial in the vertical direction, relative to the frame.

In a second aspect, the objective of the present disclosure is achieved by an assembly of a hinge according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and a movable barrier, such as a window or a door, said movable barrier comprising: - a first recess arranged for receiving said fixating element; - a second recess arranged for receiving said second hinge element; and - a first through hole arranged for receiving said spacer arrangement; wherein said fixating element is received in said first recess and fixated to said movable barrier, said spacer arrangement is at least partly received in said first through hole and said second hinge element is received in said second recess for fixating said hinge to said movable barrier.

Embodiments of the hinge according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented above are also applicable to the assembly according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

Effects of the hinge according to the first aspect of the present disclosure as presented above correspond to or are similar to effects of the assembly according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

Preferably, the first through holes are oval shaped. More preferably, the first through holes are shaped such that the spacer arrangement is at least partly slidable in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, in use, the spacer arrangement is at least partly slidable in a vertical direction, at least in a substantial vertical direction. This enables simple and accurate adjustment of the second hinge element relative to the movable barrier and/or the fixating element as presented above. In particular, this enables simple and accurate adjustment of the second hinge element relative to the movable barrier in a, in use, vertical upward and/or vertical downward direction, at least substantial in a vertical upward and/or vertical downward direction, and thereby simple and accurate adjustment of the position of the movable barrier relative to the frame. In particular, this enables simple and accurate adjustment of the movable barrier in the vertical direction, at least substantial in the vertical direction, relative to the frame. Preferably, the hinge further comprises third fastening elements for removably connecting the fixating element to the movable barrier. Preferably, the third fastening elements are arranged for connection by force. For example, the third fastening element is a screw or a bolt or the like. Preferably, the second hinge element comprises a recess and/or second through hole for accessing a third fastening element. This allows easy access to the third fastening elements, especially when the hinge is in use and/or when the second hinge element is fixated to the fixating element.

Preferably, the movable barrier comprises two or more hinges according to the present disclosure, dependent of the size and/or weight of the movable barrier. For example, one or more hinges can be provided in a upper part and a lower part of the movable barriers. This allows for separate and accurate position of the upper part of the movable barrier relative to the frame and/or the lower part of the movable barrier relative to the frame.

Preferably one of said movable barrier and said frame is provided with a sealing element arranged for sealing, in a closed position of said movable barrier, a remaining opening between said movable barrier and said frame, wherein said first through hole is provided at a side of said sealing element facing away from said frame.

It was the insight of the inventor, that the hinge according to the first aspect of the present disclosure and/or the assembly according to the second aspect of the present disclosure enables sealing of the full periphery of the movable barrier. The sealing is applied continuously to the movable barrier and/or to the frame, which means that the sealing is not interrupted anywhere. For example an uninterrupted sealing strip or draught strip is applied to the full periphery of the movable barrier or frame, at least to the full periphery where the movable barrier is facing the frame, in a closed position of the movable barrier.

This ensures excellent sealing, preferably excellent airtight sealing, of the remaining opening between the movable barrier and the frame, in a closed position of said movable barrier. As a result, this enables the assembly according to the present disclosure to comply with modern and strict requirements and/or demands applied for energy efficiency and insulation.

Preferably, said movable barrier is a rebated door or a rebated window, wherein a lip of said movable barrier overlaps, in a closed position of said movable barrier, said frame.

More preferably, said first through hole is provided at least partly in said lip.

When using a conventional hinge, presence of the lip may negatively affect strong fixation of the hinge to the movable barrier, in particular strong fixation of the hinge to the inside side of the movable barrier. The hinge according to the present disclosure enables strong fixation of the second hinge part, in particular the fixating element, since the second hinge part is fixated inside the movable barrier.

Preferably, said sealing element is provided, in said closed position of said movable barrier, between said lip and said frame.

This ensures excellent sealing, preferably excellent airtight sealing, of the remaining opening between the movable barrier and the frame, in a closed position of said movable barrier. As a result, this enables the assembly according to the present disclosure to comply with modern and strict requirements and/or demands applied for energy efficiency and insulation. Furthermore, this is beneficial for the lifetime of the sealing element, as the sealing element is less prone for damage and deterioration.

Preferably, said assembly comprises a further sealing element provided in said first through hole for sealing an opening between said spacer arrangement and said movable barrier. This is advantageous for advanced sealing. Preferably, the sealing is flexible such that the sealing is maintained during adjustment of the movable barrier relative to the frame. This ensures extremely airtight sealing of the opening between the movable barrier and the frame. As a result, this enables the assembly according to the present disclosure to comply with modern and strict requirements and/or demands applied for energy efficiency and insulation.

Preferably, said frame comprises an insert for increasing a stiffness of said frame, wherein said first hinge part is fixated to said insert and/or wherein said movable barrier comprises a further insert for increasing a stiffness of said movable barrier, wherein said fixating element is fixated to said further insert. This is advantageous for the strength of the fixation of the hinge to the movable barrier and/or the frame. Furthermore, this is advantageous to the total strength of the assembly according to the present disclosure.

Preferably, the insert for increasing a stiffness of the frame and/or the further insert for increasing a stiffness of the movable barrier is manufactured of a solid material, like steel, stainless steel, aluminium or any other metal, an alloy, or combinations thereof.

Preferably, said movable barrier is a door having plastic or aluminium structural parts.

Plastic or aluminium structural parts may negatively affect strong fixation of a conventional hinge to the movable barrier, in particular strong fixation of a hinge to the inside side of the movable barrier. The hinge according to the present disclosure enables strong fixation of the first hinge part, in particular by providing the fixating element thereof inside the movable barrier.

Preferably, said hinge is not mounted onto an outer side of said movable barrier that, in a closed position of said movable barrier, is facing away from said frame.

More preferably, said first hinge part and said first hinge element are at least partly provided in a space between said movable barrier and said frame.

Even more preferably, said movable barrier encloses said second hinge element and said fixating element.

This is advantageous as it is aesthetically more attractive and/or ensures improved protection against undesired tampering and vandalism. Elements of the hinge that are most prone to tampering and vandalism are not accessible when the movable barrier is in a closed position.

Preferably, in an assembly according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, said first through hole has an elongated shape, preferably an oval shape, for allowing an adjustment of said spacer arrangement relative to said movable barrier. This is beneficial for allowing a relative easy and accurate adjustment of the position the position of the movable barrier relative to the frame.

Preferably, in an assembly according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, said second hinge element comprises through holes arranged for receiving said second fastening elements, wherein said through holes have an elongated shape, preferably an oval shape, for allowing an adjustment of a position of said second hinge element relative to said fixating element. This is beneficial for allowing a relative easy and accurate adjustment of the position the position of the movable barrier relative to the frame.

The present disclosure will now be explained by means of a description of an embodiment of a hinge in accordance to the first aspect, and an assembly in accordance to the second aspect, in which reference is made to the following figures, in which: Fig. 1 discloses an exploded view of elements of an assembly according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, including elements of a hinge according to the first aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 discloses an upper cross-sectional view of an assembly comprising elements shown in Fig. 1 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

The expanded view of Fig. 1 discloses elements of the assembly 101 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, Fig. 1 discloses a part of movable barrier 3, a part of frame 5, as well as elements of the hinge 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 gives a clear overview of the separate elements of the hinge 1 and the assembly 101. An example of such a final operation state is disclosed in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, wherein the movable barrier 3 is in a closed position relative to the frame 5.

In this embodiment the movable barrier 3 is a rebated door having plastic structural parts. The hinge 1 pivotably connects the door 3 to the door frame 5. The rebated door 3 comprises a lip 33 overlapping the frame 5 in a closed position of the door 3.

The assembly 101 from Fig. 2 comprises the hinge 1 and the movable barrier 3. The hinge 1 comprises a first hinge part 7 that is fixated to the frame 5 and a second hinge part 9 that is fixated to the movable barrier 3. The second hinge part 9 comprises a first hinge element 11, a second hinge element 13, a spacer arrangement 15 and a fixating element 17. The first hinge element 11 is pivotably coupled to the first hinge part 7 via hinge pin 41, for pivoting the first hinge element 11 about a pivot axis P relative to the first hinge part 7.

The movable barrier 3 comprises first through holes 29 provided in the lip 33, a first recess 25 and a second recess 27.

The second hinge element 13 is received in the second recess 27. The second hinge element 13 is positioned in a predetermined position in the second recess 27, and the first hinge element 11 is connected to the second hinge element 13, via the spacer arrangement 15, by means of the first fastening elements 21. The spacer arrangement 15 comprises a plurality of spacer elements 19, each spacing apart the second hinge element 13 at a distance from the first hinge element 11. Each of the first fastening elements 21 extends through one of the spacer elements 19. The spacer elements 19 are received in the first oval shaped through holes 29. In this way, a part of the lip 33 of the movable barrier 3 encloses the spacer elements 19.

The fixating element 17 is received in the first recess 25 and fixated to the movable barrier 3 by means of third fastening elements 39. The resulting fixated part of the second hinge part 9 comprising the first hinge element 11, the second hinge element 13 and the spacer arrangement 15, is connected to the fixating element 17 by means of second fastening elements 23. This ensures a solid fixation of the second hinge part to the movable barrier 3.

When the movable barrier 3 is in an open position, the first fastening elements 21 and second fastening elements 23 are easily accessible. The third fastening elements 39 are easily accessible by corresponding second through holes in the second hinge element 13. This ensures easy access to the fastening elements by an appropriate tool. Furthermore, the first through holes 29 in the movable barrier 3 and the through holes in the second hinge element 13 are oval shaped, thereby enabling easy and accurate adjustment of the position the position of the movable barrier 3 relative to the frame 5.

When the movable barrier 3 is in a closed position, none of the fastening elements are accessible for safety reasons.

The movable barrier 3 is provided with a sealing element 31, providing a seal, in a closed position of the movable barrier 3, of a remaining opening between the movable barrier 3 and the frame 5. The sealing element 31 is provided at the inner side of the lip 33 without any interruptions of fastening elements or any other element of the hinge 1. The assembly includes a further sealing element (not shown) provided in the first through holes 29 for sealing an opening between the spacer elements 19 and the movable barrier 3. The further sealing element is flexible such that sealing is maintained during adjustment of the spacer elements 19 relative to the movable barrier

3. This ensures an improved sealing of the assembly 101. The frame 5 comprises an insert 35 for increasing a stiffness of the frame 5, wherein the first hinge part 7 of the hinge 1 is fixated to the insert 35. Also the movable barrier 3 comprises a further insert 37 for increasing a stiffness of the movable barrier 3, wherein the fixating element 17 of the second hinge part 9 of the hinge 1 is fixated to the further insert 37 by the third fastening elements 39. Further elements of the first hinge part 11 are fixated to the fixating element 17, thereby realizing an extremely strong fixation of the movable barrier 3 to the frame 5.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article, “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (18)

CONCLUSIONS A hinge (1) for rotatably connecting a movable barrier (3), preferably to plastic construction parts, such as a window or door, to a frame (5), such as a window frame or a door frame, the hinge (1) comprising a first hinge part (7) adapted, in use, to be fixed to the frame (5) and a second hinge part (9) adapted, in use, to be fixed to the movable barrier (3), the second hinge part ( 9) comprising: - a first hinge element (11) rotatably coupled to the first hinge part (7) for pivoting the first hinge element (11) about an axis of rotation (P) relative to the first hinge part (7); - a second hinge element (13); - a spacer (15) which releasably connects the second hinge element (13) to and positions it at a distance from the first hinge element (11); - a fixing element (17) detachably connected, via the second hinge element (13) and the spacer device (15), to the first hinge element (11) and adapted for fixing the second hinge part (9) to the movable barrier (3). The hinge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spacer (15) comprises a plurality of spacers (19), each of which spaced the second hinge element (13) from the first hinge element (11). The hinge (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge (1) further comprises first fastening elements (21) for releasably connecting the first hinge element (11) to the second hinge element (13). The hinge (1) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein each of the first fastening elements (21) extends through one of the plurality of spacers (19). The hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge (1) further comprises second fastening elements (23) for releasably connecting the fixing element (17) to the second hinge element (13). An assembly (101) of a hinge {1} according to any one of the preceding claims and a movable barrier (3), such as a window or a door, the movable barrier (3) comprising: - a first recess (25) arranged for receiving the fixing element (17); - a second recess (27) designed to receive the second hinge element (13); and - a first through hole (29) adapted to receive the spacer (15); wherein the fixing element (17) is received in the first recess (25) and fixed to the movable barrier (3), the spacer (15) being at least partially received in the first through hole (29) and the second hinge element ( 13) is received in the second recess (27) for fixing the hinge (1) to the movable barrier (3). The assembly (101) according to claim 6, wherein one of the movable barrier (3) and the frame (5) is provided with a sealing element (31) adapted for closing the movable barrier (3) in a closed position. sealing a remaining gap between the movable barrier (3) and the frame (5), the first through hole (29) being provided on a side of the sealing element (31) remote from the frame (5). The assembly (101) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the movable barrier (3) is a rebated door or a rebated window, wherein a lip (33) of the movable barrier (3), in a closed position of the movable barrier ( 3), the frame (5) overlaps. The assembly (101) according to claim 8, wherein the first through hole (29) is provided at least partially in the lip {33). The assembly (101) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the sealing element (31), in the closed position of the movable barrier (3), is provided between the lip (33) and the frame (5). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the assembly (101) comprises a further sealing member provided in the first through hole (29) for sealing a gap between the spacer device {15) and the movable barrier (3). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the frame (5) comprises an insert (35) for increasing the rigidity of the frame (5), the first hinge part (7) is fixed to insert (35) and/or wherein the movable barrier (3) comprises a further insert (37) for increasing the rigidity of the movable barrier (3), wherein the fixing element (17) is fixed to the further insert ( 37). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the movable barrier (3) is a door with plastic or aluminum structural members. The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the hinge (1) is not mounted on an outer side of the movable barrier which, in a closed position of the movable barrier, faces away from the frame. (5). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the first hinge member (7) and the first hinge element (11) are provided at least partially in a space between the movable barrier (3) and the frame (5). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein the movable barrier (3) encloses the second hinge element (13) and the fixing element (17). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 16, wherein the first through hole (29) has an elongated shape, preferably an oval shape, to allow adjustment of the spacing device (15) relative to the movable barrier (3). The assembly (101) according to any one of claims 6 to 17, using a hinge (1) according to claim 5, wherein the second hinge element (13) comprises through holes adapted to receive the second fastening elements (23) wherein the through-holes have an elongated shape, preferably an oval shape, for allowing an adjustment of the second hinge element (13) relative to the fixing element (17).