Two bar hinge assembly for casement windows

Abstract

A hinge assembly for retaining two linkage members in a rotational relationship for casement windows and the like. A hinge stud has its proximal end secured against rotation in an aperture of a first linkage and the hinge stud is provided with a projecting pivot and the pin portion of the stud extending through a second aperture in the second linkage for rotation between the two members. The pin is retained from dislodging by a circular snap ring received in an annular groove in the distal end of the pin. The snap ring is retained in fixed axial position and alignment relative to the second aperture in a tubular housing which is secured to the second linkage. This prevents the snap ring from ever engaging and breaching the finish provided on the second linkage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following description and claims. The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplification, without limiting the present invention or the appended claims, certain practical embodiments of the present invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in mid cross section of the hinge assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the circular retainer clip ring and its housing for the hinge assembly of the present invention with a front quarter section of the housing removed for viewing the interior parts;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the hinge assembly of the present invention connecting two hardware linkage members; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the reverse side of the hinge assembly of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The hinge assembly 10 of the present invention retains at least two hardware linkage members 11 and 12, here respectively shown in the form of an operator stud bracket and a linkage or operator arm, in rotational relation to one another. The first linkage member 11 is provided with a first aperture 13 and the second hardware linkage member 12 is provided with a second aperture 14 at one end 15.

A stud 16 having a proximal end 17 and a distal end 18 is provided wherein the proximal end 17 provides a base portion 20 secured against rotation in first aperture 13 of first linkage member 11. Stud 16 is provided with a cylindrical projecting pivot pin portion 21 for protrusion through the second aperture 14 of second linkage member 12. Pin portion 21 is provided with an annular groove 22 in a position which is exposed on the distal end 18 beyond exterior face 23 of linkage member 12 when pin portion 21 has been fully inserted into aperture 14.

Circular snap retaining ring 24 is a metal continuous ring which is seamless for 360 and is dimensioned to be expandably force fit over the distal end 18 of projecting pivot pin portion 21 of the stud 16 and thereafter received in retaining groove 22 for retaining the stud 16 or pin portion 21 from withdrawal through second aperture 14. Snap ring housing 25 is provided with a tubular base portion 26 which is secured in the second cylindrical aperture 14 by having its proximal end 27 peaned over or crimped over as best indicated in FIG. 1 into counter bore or annular recess 28 provided on back surface 29 of linkage member 12. The tubular base portion 26 axially receives projecting pivot pin portion 21 therethrough in a guided pivotal relationship.

A tubular projecting portion 30 of snap ring housing 25 retains snap ring 24 therein in a fixed axial position for axial alignment with the distal end 18 of projecting pin portion 21 of stud 16 for axial engagement with the distal end 18 of the stud 16 whereby the linkage members 1I and 12 can be pivotally joined and disconnected with a snap fit.

The snap ring housing 25 is illustrated in FIG. I as being assembled of one piece. However, it may also be assembled in two parts as illustrated in FIG. 2. The snap ring 24 is pre-installed inside the snap ring housing 25. The housing 25 is not shown in FIG. 4 for clarity.

Claims

1. A hinge assembly for retaining at least two linkages in rotational relation to one another, the hinge assembly comprising: a first linkage with a first aperture;a second linkage with a second aperture;a hinge stud having a proximal end secured against rotation in said first aperture of said first linkage, and a distal end defining a projecting cylindrical pin;said pin extending through said second aperture in said second linkage for rotation therein and retained from dislodging therefrom by a circular snap ring received in an annular groove in said distal end at a location beyond an exterior surface of said second linkage; andsaid snap ring retained in fixed axial position and alignment relative to said second aperture in a tubular housing secured to said second linkage.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second linkages are part of a casement window two bar hinge assembly, and said linkages are steel with a powder coating finish.

3. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein said snap ring is seamless.

4. A hinge assembly for a casement window, the hinge assembly comprising; a first hardware linkage member with a first aperture;a second hardware linkage member with a second aperture at one end;a stud having a proximal end a distal end, said proximal end providing a base portion secured against rotation in said first aperture of said first linkage member, and a cylindrical projecting pivot pin portion for protrusion through said second aperture of said second linkage member with an annular groove in an exposed position of said distal end;a circular snap retaining ring dimensioned to be expandably force fit over said distal end of said projecting pivot pin portion of said stud and thereafter received in said groove for retaining said stud from withdrawal through said second aperture; anda snap ring housing having a tubular base portion secured in said second cylindrical aperture of said second linkage member for axially receiving said stud projecting pivot pin portion therethrough in a guided pivotal relationship, and a tubular projecting portion retaining said snap ring therein in a fixed axial position for axial engagement with said distal end of said stud whereby said linkage members can be pivotally joined and disconnected with a snap fit.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 4, wherein said snap ring is seamless.

6. The hinge assembly of claim 4, wherein said linkage members are part of a casement window two bar hinge assembly, and said linkage members are steel with a powder coating finish.