1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an adjustable hinge and more particularly to an adjustable hinge that is adjustable in the vertical and/or horizontal direction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of different adjustable hinges have been used to adjust doors relative to the frames in which the doors are mounted. This allows the doors to be level and fit well within the frame. These adjustable hinges may be of the standard variety or a snap-in variety. Adjustable hinges are often more complex and are of greater difficulty to install than non-adjustable hinges. In addition, the adjustable hinges are often time-consuming and somewhat difficult to adjust in manipulating the adjustment mechanisms.
The present invention addresses issues in the prior art and provides for a novel hinge with new features that may be utilized for adjustable hinges of the standard variety as well as of the snap-in variety.
In one embodiment the invention is an adjustable hinge for pivotally mounting a door to a frame. The adjustable hinge includes a first leaf adapted and configured to be mounted on one of a frame and a door. An adjustable mounting assembly is adapted and configured to be mounted on the other of the frame and door. The adjustable mounting assembly includes a housing defining an inner cavity. A slideable carriage is positioned in the inner cavity. The carriage generally is contained in the inner cavity by the housing. A second leaf has a first end operatively connected to the first leaf and is rotatably connected thereto. The second leaf has a second end operatively connected to the adjustable mounting assembly.
In another embodiment the invention is an adjustable hinge for pivotally mounting a door to a frame. A first leaf is adapted and configured to be mounted on one of a frame and a door. An adjustable mounting assembly is adapted and configured to be mounted on the other of the frame and the door. The adjustable mounting assembly includes a housing defining a receptor cavity. A latch is positioned in the mounting assembly, the latch is biased to a latch position. The latch is moveable between the latch position and an unlatched position. A second leaf has a first end operatively connected to the first leaf and is rotatably connected thereto. The second leaf has a second end operatively connected to the adjustable mounting assembly with a snap-in connection. A second leaf has a leading edge, a top edge and a bottom edge. One of the top edge and bottom edge having a latch-receiving opening, wherein the latch engages the second leaf along one of the top and the bottom edges.
In another embodiment the invention is an adjustable hinge for pivotally mounting a door to a frame. A first leaf is adapted and configured to be mounted on one of a frame and a door. An adjustable mounting assembly is adapted and configured to be mounted on the other of the frame and door. The adjustable mounting assembly includes a housing defining a receptor cavity. A latch is positioned in the mounting assembly, the latch biased to a latch position. The latch is moveable between the latch position and an unlatched position. A second leaf has a first end operatively connected to the first leaf and rotatably connected thereto. The second leaf has a second end operatively connected to the adjustable mounting assembly with a snap-in connection. The second leaf has a latch receiving opening, wherein the latch engages the second leaf. The second leaf has an inside surface and an outside surface and a threaded bore extending between the surfaces. The threaded bore is proximate the leading edge. A screw is rotatably mounted in the threaded bore and there is a first access opening in the housing to allow for rotating the screw, thereby pivoting the second leaf and horizontally adjusting the hinge.
In another embodiment the invention has an adjustable hinge for pivotally mounting a door to a frame. A first leaf is adapted and configured to be mounted on one of a frame and a door. An adjustable mounting assembly is adapted and configured to be mounted on the other of the door and frame. The adjustable mounting assembly includes a housing defining an inner cavity. A slideable carriage is positioned in the inner cavity, the carriage generally constrained in the inner cavity by the housing. A second leaf has a first end operatively connected to the first leaf and rotatably connected to thereto. The second leaf has a second end operatively connected to the slideable carriage. A first bevel gear is positioned in the housing, the housing having a second access opening allowing for rotation of the first bevel gear. The second bevel gear is coupled to the first bevel gear. A rod has a threaded end. The rod is rotated by the second bevel gear. A threaded member is operatively connected to the carriage, the threaded member positioned on the threaded end of the rod, wherein rotation of the first bevel gear rotates the rod within the threaded member and thereby moves the carriage vertically.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, there is generally disclosed at 10 an adjustable hinge. The adjustable hinge 10 includes a frame leaf 11 having a plurality of mounting holes 11 a formed therein. The mounting holes are used to secure the frame leaf 11 to a frame (not shown). The frame leaf 11 is generally planar and suitable mounting screws or other mounting mechanisms may be utilized. The frame leaf 11 has two spaced knuckles 12 that are operatively connected to the frame leaf 11. The spaced knuckles 12 mate with a knuckle 13 on door leaf 14. End caps 12a may be provided to provide a finished look to the knuckles 12. The end caps 12a are optionally threaded so that they may be screwed into the knuckles 12. The end caps 12a have a slot 12b into which a tool is inserted to install and remove the end caps 12a. A threaded bore extends through the knuckles 12 and 13 and the leaves 11 and 14 are engaged together with a pivot pin 15 which enables the leaves 11, 14 to pivot with respect to each other. The door leaf 14 has a base member 14a that is operatively connected to the knuckle 13. Operatively connected, and preferably integral with the base member 14a is an insertion member 14b. The insertion end 14b has a leading edge 14c, a top edge 14d and a bottom edge 14e. A latch receiving opening 14f is formed in the top edge 14d. The latch receiving opening 14f has an end wall 14g that is generally parallel to the pin 15. An angled side wall 14h is generally at an angle to the end wall 14g. The door leaf 14 has a top surface 15 and a bottom surface 16. A threaded bore 18 extends from the top surface 15 to the bottom surface 16. A screw 17 is threaded into the threaded bore 18. The screw 17 has an opening 17a in which a tool, such as a screwdriver or Allen wrench, may be inserted to rotate the screw 17 in the threaded bore 18. The insert member 14b is generally flat. However, three coined areas are formed in the insertion member 14b. Two smaller rectangular-shaped coined protrusions 19 protrude from the bottom surface 16 and are formed with their corresponding depressions 19a on the top surface 15. Another coined protrusion 20 extends upward, as viewed in
Referring now, especially to
The slideable carriage 24 is generally a rectangular box, as best seen in
The top member 24b has a nut opening 30 and the bottom member 24a has a similar nut opening 31. A nut 32 is positioned, between the nut openings 30 and 31 such that it is captured in the openings 30, 31 and cannot rotate. A portion of the nut 32 extends into both of the openings 30 and 31. A second bevel gear 33 has a threaded rod 34 operatively connected thereto. The threaded rod 34 is threaded through the nut 32. A first bevel gear 35 is positioned to mesh with the second bevel gear 33, such that rotation of the first bevel gear 35 will cause rotation of the-second bevel gear 33, which is at 90 degrees thereto, although it is understood other angles may also be utilized. This will in turn cause rotation of the threaded rod within the nut 32. The first bevel gear 35 has an end cap 35a with a square opening that is adapted and configured to be rotated by a suitable means, such as an Allen wrench.
The adjustable mounting assembly 21 has a housing formed by the top member 22 and the bottom member 23. Referring now especially to
The top member 22 has a planar member 22a operatively connected to a wall 22b. The planar member 22a has two tapered holes 22c that positioned over bosses 23d and 23e. Two other holes 22d also have a tapered surface at the top but also have an additional cylindrical member 22e that depends below the bottom surface of the wall 22b. When the top member 22 is joined to the bottom member 23, the cylindrical members 22e are positioned in the holes of the bosses 23c and 23f and pinned to secure the top member 22 to the bottom member 23. The wall 22b has a rectangular opening 22f that is sized and configured to receive the door leaf 14. The rectangular opening 22f, when assembled, is over a corresponding opening 24f in the slideable carriage 24. A first access opening 22g is formed in the planar member 22a. The first access opening 22g allows access for a tool to be inserted into the end cap 35a of the first bevel gear 35. A second access opening 22h is formed in the planar member 22a. This provides an access opening to the opening 17a of the screw 17. Finally, a third access opening 22i is also formed in the planar member 22a. This provides for access to the release member 28b of the latch 28. This third access opening 22i is also an indicator opening as a plurality of linearly spaced markings 36 are imprinted or otherwise placed on the planar member 22a.
The top member 22 and bottom member 23 form the housing which has a cavity which is sized and configured to receive the slideable carriage 24. As can be best seen in
In operation, the leaf frame 11 is mounted to the frame of a door by screws through mounting holes 11a. Similarly, the adjustable mounting assembly 21 is mounted by suitable screws to a door through the holes 22c, 22d. It is preferred that the door be notched so that the adjustable mounting assembly 21 is more flush with the edge of the door. Such mountings are well known in the art and therefore are not shown in the drawings. Typically, three adjustable hinges 10 are used for each door. Further, it is recognized that the adjustable hinge 10, described thus far, has both a vertical and a horizontal adjustment. It is understood that either the horizontal or vertical features may be removed from the hinge, leaving a hinge that would not adjust both horizontally and vertically. Instead, a hinge could only adjust vertically or horizontally. In such a scenario, typically two horizontally adjustable hinges would be used, one at the top of the door and the other at the bottom of the door. A vertically adjustable hinge would then be used in the middle.
Once all of the adjustable hinges 10 that are to be used are mounted, the door is moved in position and the door leaf insertion member 14b, with the leading edge 14c in front, is moved into the slideable carriage 24 through the opening 24f. As the insertion member 14b moves into the slideable carriage 24, the top edge 14d will make contact with the latch member 28a and move the latch member 28a from a latched position to an unlatched position, compressing the spring. Then, as the insertion member 14b continues to be inserted into the slideable carriage 24, the latch member 28a will pass over the latch receiving opening 14f and the spring 29 will urge the latch member 28a to a latched position and catch on the latch receiving opening 14f. This will secure the door leaf 14 into the adjustable mounting assembly 21 and prevent removal unless the release member 28b is moved. It is appreciated that location of the end wall 14g on the insertion member 14b is determined so as to have a minimal amount of movement of the leaf 14 after the leaf 14 has been secured in position. It is appreciated the latch receiving opening may also be formed on the bottom edge 14e, in which case the latch mechanism would be moved to the other side also.
Referring now especially to
Referring now to
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080022491 A1 | Jan 2008 | US |