Patent Application
20070022571
(Not Applicable)
(Not Applicable)
The present invention relates to a hinge assembly and, more particularly, to a three-piece hinge assembly for supporting a two-panel window in a frame.
Window units in construction vehicles and the like have been configured with two panels supported in a door frame with a hinge between them. In a typical arrangement, one of the window panels can be opened completely by pivoting through about 180° and being held in the open position by a suitable latching mechanism, which is often connected through the other window panel. The second window panel may also be capable of opening but typically only pivoting through 10-30° to avoid interfering with the other window panel.
In order to form such a hinge, the hinge may include structure for attaching the hinge to the door frame as well as two pivoting components including glass channels to support the glass panels. An exemplary prior art hinge is shown in cross section in
The three-piece hinge assembly of the invention includes cooperable components that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture. The components do not require the considerable machining time required of the existing designs. One of the hinge members is pivotable through at least 180°, while a second hinge member may be limited according to desired functionality.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a three-piece hinge supports a two-panel window assembly in a frame. The hinge includes a base member securable to the frame and a first pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a first pivot joint. The first pivot member has a first glass channel. A second pivot member is pivotably coupled with the base member at a second pivot joint spaced from the first pivot joint. The second pivot member has a second glass channel. The base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member may be formed of an extruded material. An insert, which may be formed of a vinyl extrusion, is preferably secured in a pivoting path of the second pivot member to limit a pivot range of the second pivot member. In one embodiment, the pivot range of the second pivot member is limited to about 15°. A pivot range of the first pivot member is preferably about 180°.
The hinge may additionally include two end plates each affixed to an end of the base member to prevent the base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member from sliding longitudinally relative to one another. In this context, each end plate may include a tab that engages the base member when the end plates are affixed to the base member to prevent the end plates from rotating relative to the hinge. Preferably, each of the end plates is affixed to the base member via single screw.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a door includes a two-panel window assembly supported by the three-piece hinge of the invention.
In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a three-piece hinge includes a base member securable to the frame, where the base member has a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint. A first pivot member includes a connecting end engaging the first pivot joint and includes a first glass channel. The connecting end and the first pivot joint are configured such that the first pivot member is pivotable through at least 140°. A second pivot member is pivotably coupled with the base member at the second pivot joint spaced from the first pivot joint. The second pivot member includes a second glass channel. An insert is affixed to the base member in a pivoting path of the second pivot member to limit a pivot range of the second pivot member.
The base member preferably further includes an insert groove in which the insert is secured. An end plate may be affixed to each end of the base member, where each end plate has a tab that engages the insert groove of the base member when the end plates are affixed to the base member to prevent the end plates from rotating relative to the hinge.
In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of installing a two-panel window assembly in a frame using the three-piece hinge of the invention includes the steps of installing glass panels in the glass channels of the first and second pivot members, respectively; inserting the first member into the first pivot joint; securing the base member to the frame; inserting the second pivot member into the second pivot joint; and affixing the insert to the base member after inserting the second pivot member.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
A first pivot member 26 is pivotably coupled with the base member 12 at the first pivot joint 16. The first pivot member 26 also includes a glass channel 30 for receiving one of the window panels. The first pivot member 26 has a connecting end 28 that is shaped cooperatively with a first pivot joint 16 such that the first pivot member 26 is pivotable through at least 140° and preferably at least 180°. The size and shape of the connecting end 28 and the first pivot joint 16 may be defined in any suitable manner to effect the desired functionality. Similarly cooperative elements are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,667, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
A second pivot member 32 is pivotably coupled with the base member 12 at the second pivot joint 18. The second pivot member 32 also includes a glass channel 34 for receiving a second window panel. The second pivot member 32 has a connecting end 33 engaging the second pivot joint 18 for rotation therein. The connecting end 33 is shaped such that if the second pivot member 32 and corresponding glass panel can be installed with the base member 12 and first pivot member 26 in place.
In order to prevent the second pivot member 32 from rotating beyond a point at which the second pivot member 32 would release from the second pivot joint 18, an insert 36, preferably formed of extruded vinyl, may be snapped into or engaged with the insert groove 20 in the base member 12 via an engaging ridge 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the insert 36 is thus affixed to the base member 12 in a pivoting path of the second pivot member 32, thereby limiting a pivot range of the second pivot member 32. Preferably, the insert 36 is sized to limit the pivot range of the second pivot member 32 to less than 30° and preferably to about 15°.
As shown in
The base member, first pivot member and second pivot member are preferably formed of an extruded material such as aluminum. Extruded components are more economical to manufacture. Additionally, the components can be more easily manufactured within tolerances, and the assembled product contains fewer parts.
In manufacturing a two-panel window assembly using the three-piece hinge of the invention, the glass panels of the window assembly are first installed preferably with an adhesive in the glass channels 30, 34 of the first and second pivot members, respectively. The first pivot member 26 is then inserted into the first pivot joint 16, and the end plates 40 are affixed to the base member 12 via the single screw 42. The base member 12 is next secured to the frame via rivets or the like through the securing channel 14. The second pivot member 32 is inserted (rotated) into the second pivot joint 18, and the insert 36 is affixed to the base member 12. The second pivot member 32 covers the installation fasteners in the securing channel. Finally, the window opening hardware is installed.
The structure of the hinge assembly according to the invention eliminates most of the machining time required with the current hinge design. As a consequence, the hinge assembly can be manufactured faster and at a lower cost. The hinge is also easy to assemble and maintain.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
