Window hinge

Details Window hinge Window hinge

2000-09-01

2001-11-20

Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)

Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,

Hinge

Comprising nested open curved portions attached to hinged...

C016S362000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06317929

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to hinges and in particular to friction hinges for windows,
A common friction hinge for aluminium or UPVC windows comprises a linkage having a track for fitting to the fixed window frame, a vent arm for fitting to the movable window vent, a slider slideable 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 from the adjacent fixed frame member has the effect of reducing the size of the main window opening in order to provide a narrow opening to the other side of the vent frame member for access to the outer surface of the vent.
For safety reasons, government regulations may specify minimum dimensions for the access aperture provided by a window when in a fully 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.
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 kind described above 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 full 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 slideable 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 slideable 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 curved, e.g. it may be part-circular. The link may frictionally engage the track so as to provide some frictional restraint to opening and closing of the window vent, in use, provided that the link can slide smoothly and without jamming. Preferably the link is formed from metal, but it might also be formed from resilient material, such as a resilient plastics. However, for greater strength a metal link is preferred.
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 part of the link is slideably 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 from the base plate.


REFERENCES:
patent: 47092 (1865-04-01), Dailey
patent: 375394 (1887-12-01), Strachan
patent: 819098 (1906-05-01), Underhill
patent: 1648781 (1927-11-01), Pepin
patent: 2056805 (1936-10-01), Reichard
patent: 2770834 (1956-11-01), Jannace
patent: 3027592 (1962-04-01), Schnur
patent: 5061023 (1991-10-01), Soubliere
patent: 5946774 (1999-09-01), Ramsey et al.

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