Hinge with adjustable axis location and locking mechanism

An adjustable hinge assembly for connecting a moving part to a frame includes a first part secured to the frame and including an insert channel, and a second part secured to the moving part and including a shaft. An eccentric insert is positioned in the insert channel and is rotatable in the insert channel. The eccentric insert includes an offset channel at an end facing the second part, and the shaft of the second part is disposed in the offset channel. By rotating the eccentric part in the insert channel, a relative position of the moving part to the frame can be adjusted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hinge mount and, more particularly, to an adjustable hinge assembly for connecting a moving part to a frame.

Hinges are used in various constructions to secure a moving or pivotable part to a frame. Examples include doors, hatches and windows. When assembling the moving part in the frame, it is difficult to properly align the moving part with respect to the frame, and existing hinge assemblies are not easily adjustable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It would be desirable to provide an adjustable hinge assembly that can facilitate positioning and alignment of the moving part, such as a window or the like, relative to a frame. The described embodiments utilize an eccentric insert with an offset channel to facilitate positioning of the moving part relative to the frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, an adjustable hinge assembly for connecting a moving part to a frame includes a first part secured to the frame and including an insert channel, and a second part secured to the moving part and including a shaft. An eccentric insert is positioned in the insert channel and is rotatable in the insert channel. The eccentric insert includes an offset channel at an end facing the second part, and the shaft of the second part is disposed in the offset channel.

The eccentric insert may include a drive channel at an opposite end. The drive channel may be shaped to receive a tool. The eccentric insert may be cylindrical and further may include a wedge lock disposed in a lock channel provided in an exterior surface of the eccentric insert. In this context, the wedge lock may be displaceable relative to the exterior surface to lock the eccentric insert in the insert channel. The eccentric insert further may include a set screw engageable with the wedge lock to control a position of the wedge lock relative to the exterior surface of the eccentric insert.

In some embodiments, the moving part may be a window, and the frame may be a window frame.

In another exemplary embodiment, an adjustable hinge assembly for connecting a moving part to a frame includes a first part secured to the frame and including an insert channel, and a second part secured to the moving part and including a shaft. An eccentric insert is positioned in the insert channel. The eccentric insert is cylindrical and is rotatable in the insert channel. The eccentric insert includes an offset channel at an end facing the second part. A center of the offset channel is spaced from a rotating axis of the eccentric part. The shaft of the second part is disposed in the offset channel, and rotation of the eccentric part serves to displace the second part relative to the first part.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of adjusting the adjustable hinge may include the steps of (a) rotating the eccentric insert in the insert channel to displace the second part relative to the first part; (b) aligning the second part relative to the first part; and (c) locking a position of the eccentric insert in the insert channel when the second part is aligned with the first part. Step (a) may be practiced by inserting a tool into the drive channel and rotating the tool. Step (c) may be practiced by displacing the wedge lock relative to the exterior surface. Step (c) may be further practiced by engaging a set screw with the wedge lock to control a position of the wedge lock relative to the exterior surface of the eccentric insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows an application of the adjustable hinge assembly according to the described embodiments to a window or windshield mounted in a window frame. The adjustable hinge assembly, however, is applicable to any structure in which a moving part is mounted to a frame, and the invention is not meant to be limited to the exemplary application shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 1shows two hinge assemblies10for connecting a moving part12such as a window or windshield to a frame14. Each adjustable hinge assembly10includes a female or first part16secured to the frame14. The first part16includes an insert channel18. A male or second part20is securable to the moving part12and includes a shaft22.

An eccentric insert24, possibly in the form of a cylindrical canister or the like as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, is positioned in the insert channel18of the second part16and is rotatable in the insert channel18. The eccentric insert24includes an offset channel26at an end facing the second part20. As noted above, the eccentric insert24is cylindrical so that the eccentric insert24can be rotated in the insert channel18. A center of the offset channel26is spaced, i.e., offset, from a rotating axis of the cylindrical body of the eccentric insert24. The shaft22of the second part20is disposed in the offset channel26.

As shown inFIG. 2, the eccentric insert24may also include a drive channel28at an end opposite from the offset channel26. The drive channel28is shaped to receive a tool such as an Allen wrench or a screwdriver or the like.

A wedge lock30is disposed in a lock channel32provided in an exterior surface of the eccentric insert24. The wedge lock30is displaceable relative to the exterior surface to lock the eccentric insert24in the insert channel18. As shown inFIG. 2, a set screw channel34may receive a set screw that is engageable with the wedge lock30to control a position of the wedge lock30relative to the exterior surface of the eccentric insert24. For example, as the set screw is displaced in the set screw channel34, the wedge lock30is shifted in the lock channel32(to the right inFIG. 3). By virtue of the complementary angled surfaces of the wedge lock30and the lock channel32, displacement of the set screw causes the wedge lock30to be deflected outward and thereby lock the eccentric insert24in the insert channel18.

As shown, the eccentric insert24may be provided with a shoulder portion36that is larger than the opening of the insert channel18. The shoulder portion36can thus serve as a stop surface for inserting the eccentric insert24in the insert channel18. Alternatively, the insert channel18may be provided with an interior lip or shoulder to define an insert location for the eccentric insert24.

With reference toFIG. 4, in connecting the moving part12to the frame14, the shaft22of the second part20is positioned within the offset channel26of the eccentric insert24. The eccentric insert24is then rotated by a tool or the like in the insert channel18, which thereby shifts a position of the second part20relative to the first part16. The eccentric insert24is rotated until the moving part12is properly aligned in the frame14. The assembly can also ensure proper seal compression around the perimeter of the moving part (particularly in the exemplary application to a windshield). A similar alignment procedure is conducted with any additional hinge assemblies. Once the moving part12is properly aligned in the frame14, the set screw is tightened against the wedge lock30, which forces the wedge lock30against the inside of the insert channel18of the first part16, thereby locking the hinge assembly into proper alignment.

The adjustable hinge assembly of the described embodiments facilitates alignment and installation of a moving part such as a window or windshield relative to a frame such as a window frame. The assembly is inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily replaced if such replacement becomes necessary. Additionally, post-assembly adjustments can be readily made by simply releasing the wedge lock.