Fence hinge

A hinge apparatus includes a first support member for attachment along a first surface of a vertical member such as a fence post. The first support member includes at least one flange angularly extending from the first support member for attachment along a second surface adjacent to the first surface of the vertical member. A hinge coupled to the first support member, and a second support member includes an extended element coupled to the hinge. The second support member attaches to a first surface of a swinging member, such as a fence gate, opposite the first support member. The second support member includes at least one flange angularly extending from the second support member for attachment along a second surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hinges, and more specifically, relates to a hinge assembly for a gate or door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is commonly used in the manufacture of fencing and fence components. For example, fence gates may be built by first cutting each end of two standard length PVC gate posts and two standard length PVC gate rails. The ends of the fence posts and rails are then welded together to form a rectangular gate structure. One problem that arises with the use of PVC fence gates is caused by welded connections being weak, and thus the welded connections can open and/or crack under normal usage. Additionally, another problem with PVC gates, for example, arises when the user or installer attempts to attach metallic parts directly to the PVC material. In many instances, there is a tendency for the screws to tear out of the PVC material.

In an attempt to strengthen PVC fences, support members are used and include bolting rail and post gate members to the PVC fence. However, if these support members are bolted too tightly, the gate rail and post members tend to cave in. In addition, the use of nuts and bolts results in a connection that is aesthetically unappealing.

Therefore, a need exists for a hinge apparatus which will remain sturdily attached to a PVC fence gate and post. Further, it would be desirable for the hinge apparatus to be aesthetically pleasing and easy to assemble.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect of the invention, a hinge apparatus includes a first support member for attachment along a first surface of a vertical member. The first support member includes at least one flange angularly extending from the first support member for attachment along a second surface adjacent to the first surface of the vertical member. A hinge is coupled to the first support member; and a second support member including an extended element is coupled to the hinge and coupled to the second support member. The second support member is attached to a first surface of a swinging member opposite the first support member. The second support member includes at least one flange angularly extending from the second support member for attachment along a second surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member. Alternatively, the flange may extend substantially perpendicular from the first support member. In one embodiment of the invention, the swinging member is a fence gate and the vertical member is a fence post. In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second support members each include a plurality of flanges in spaced relation to each other.

In a related aspect, the apparatus further includes another second support member flange angularly extending from the second support member for attachment to a third surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In a related aspect, a plurality of first support member flanges angular extending from the first support member for attachment to the second surface of the vertical element. The second support member flange angularly extending from the second support member for attachment to the second surface of the swinging member, and another second support member flange angularly extends from the second support member for attachment to a third surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In a related aspect, the first and second support members are attached to the first surface of the vertical member and the first surface of the swinging member, respectively, using screws. Alternatively, the screws may only penetrate the first surfaces.

In a related aspect, the vertical member is a door frame and the swinging member is a door. In one embodiment of the invention, the second support member includes an extended support arm for attachment to the first surface of the swinging member.

In a related aspect, the second support member is substantially vertical and coupled to a substantially horizontal extended support arm in an L-shape for mating with the first surface of the swinging member. Alternatively, the vertical member and the swinging member are polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In an alternative embodiment, the hinge includes a resilient member for resiliently returning the swinging member to a beginning position. In another alternative embodiment, the second surface of the swinging member is opposite the second surface of the vertical member.

In a related aspect, the apparatus further includes a plurality of first support members attached in spaced relation to the first surface of the vertical member. Each of the first support members includes at least one flange angularly extending from the first support members for attachment along the second surface adjacent to the first surface of the vertical member. A plurality of hinges are coupled to the plurality of first support members. A plurality of second support members are each including extended elements coupled to respective hinges and first support members. Each of the second support members are for attachment to the first surface of the swinging member opposite respective first support members. The second support members each include at least one flange angularly extending from the second support members for attachment along the second surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In another aspect of the invention a hinge system includes a top first support member for attachment to an upper region of a first surface of a vertical member. A bottom first support member for attachment to a lower region of the first surface of the vertical member. The top and bottom first support members each include at least one flange angularly extending from the top and bottom first support members for attachment along a second surface adjacent to the first surface of the vertical member. Hinges are coupled to the top and bottom first support members. Top and bottom second support members each include extended elements coupled to respective hinges. The top and bottom second support members attach to a first surface of a swinging member opposite respective top and bottom first support members. The top and bottom second support members each include at least one flange angularly extending from the top and bottom second support members for attachment along a second surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In a related aspect, the system further includes another second support member flange angularly extending from the second support member for attachment to a third surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of attaching a hinge apparatus includes attaching a first support member along a first surface of a vertical member; attaching to a second surface of the vertical member adjacent to the first surface of the vertical member at least one flange angularly extending from the first support member; coupling a hinge to the first support member; coupling a second support member including an extended element to the hinge; attaching the second support member to a first surface of a swinging member opposite the first support member; and attaching another flange angularly extending from the second support member along a second surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In a related aspect, the method further comprises attaching another flange angularly extending from the second support member to a top surface of the swinging member adjacent to the first surface of the swinging member.

In a related aspect, the method further includes covering welds in a PVC vertical member and a PVC swinging gate by attaching the flanges over the welds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, wherein like elements have the same reference numerals, a hinge apparatus according to the invention is shown in the illustrative embodiments as upper and lower hinge apparatuses10a,10b. The upper and lower hinge apparatuses10a,10binclude top and bottom first support members14a,14b, respectively, for attachment along a first surface20of a vertical member embodied as a fence post18, shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, top and bottom first support members14a,14bcan be attached to a door frame or a first surface82of a wall80, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. Both the top and bottom first support members14a,14binclude two flanges16in spaced relation from each other, as best seen inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the flanges16extend from the first support members14a,14band are each bent at a ninety degree (90°) angle defining a first portion16acontiguous with the top and bottom first support members14a,14b, and a second portion16bat about a 90° angle from the top and bottom first support members14a,14b. The first portion16ais arcuate or bent so that the second portion16bextends at about a 90° angle from the top and bottom first support members14a,14b. The second portions16bof the flanges16are attached to a second surface22, of the post18adjacent to the first surface20of the post18using, for example, screws24a, nails or other securing means through a hole24in the second portion16bof the flange16. The second surface22is adjacent and generally at about a 90° angle from the first surface20of the post18. The top and bottom first support members14a,14bare also attached to the first surface20of the post18(FIGS. 1-3), or alternatively the first surface82of the wall80(FIGS. 4,5) using screws24aor other means through the holes24in the top and bottom first support members14a,14bas shown inFIGS. 1,4and5.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, a pivot cylinder30of the hinge assemblies10a,10brotates freely within a first frame33having ears34attached to the first support members14a,14b. The pivot cylinder30is positioned towards the top of the top first support member14ato provide an upper hinge assembly10a, and towards the bottom of the bottom first support member14bto provide a lower hinge assembly10b. The pivot cylinder30defines an axis of rotation32coincident with its longitudinal axis32.

Second frames43having ears44are coupled to top and bottom second support members50a,50b. Extended elements48have external threads for attachment to the ears44using bolts47and rotates freely within sleeves46. The support members50a,50bcan rotate about a second axis of rotation42coincident with the extended element's48longitudinal axis42. The extended elements48couple to the pivot cylinder30to attach together the first and second support members14a,14band50a,50b, respectively. Once coupled together, the upper and lower hinge assemblies10a,10bare adjustable, as, illustratively, the first support member14acan rotate about the axis32defined by the rotating/pivoting cylinder30, and about the axis42defined by the sleeve46by rotating on the threaded extended element48, before the first support member is screwed to the fence post18and the nuts47secured to the ears44locking the threaded extended element into position. Further, the second support member50acan rotate about the axis42defined by the sleeve46before the second support member50ais screwed to the first surface64of the fence60and the nuts47secured to the ears44locking the threaded extended element into position. Additionally, the proximity of the first and second support members14a,14band50a,50b, respectively, can be adjusted by threading the threaded extended element48through the ears44.

The top and bottom second support members50a,50bare connected to horizontal arms52a,52b, respectively forming an L-shape. The horizontal arms52a,52bare attached towards the top of the top second support member50a, and towards the bottom of the bottom second support member50b. The horizontal arms52a,52bare attached to a first surface64of the fence gate60, shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the horizontal arms52a,52bare attached to a first surface72of a door70, shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The horizontal arms52a,52bmay be of various lengths differing from the proportions shown inFIGS. 1-5. The horizontal arms52a,52bare advantageous for securing the top and bottom second support members50a,50b, respectively, and thereby the hinge assemblies10a,10b, respectively, to a PVC fence gate by securing the hinge assembly over a greater surface area to reduce the probability of the hinge assembly tearing away from the fence.

The top and bottom second support members50a,50beach include a flange16facing the top and bottom first support members14a,14b, respectively. Additionally the top and bottom second support members50a,50b, have a top and bottom flange16, respectively. The top flange16of the top second support member50amates with a top surface68of the fence gate60, and the bottom flange16of the bottom second support member50bmates with a bottom surface69of the fence gate60, as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the top flange of the top second support member50amates with a top surface74of the door70, and the bottom flange16of the bottom second support member50bmates with a bottom surface78of the door70, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The flanges16are each bent at ninety degree (90°) angles defining the first portion16acontiguous with the second support members50a,50b, and a second portion16bat about a 90° angle from the second support members50a,50b, as with the flanges16on the first support members14a,14b. The second portions16bof the flanges16are attached to the top and bottom surfaces68,69, respectively, of the fence gate60, or alternatively the top and bottom surfaces74,78, respectively, of the door70using, for example, screws24a, nails or other securing means through the holes24in the second portions16bof the flanges16, as shown inFIGS. 1,4and5. Alternatively, the second portions16bof the flanges16of the top and bottom second support members50a,50bare similarly attached to the top and bottom surfaces68,69, respectively, of the gate60, and the top and bottom surfaces74,78, respectively, of the door70using, for example, screws24a, nails, or other securing means through the hole24in the second portion16bof the flange16.

Thus, the hinge assembly may be secured to PVC fencing without tearing the PVC material. As the gate60or the door70are open and shut, the pivot cylinder30allows the swinging motion of the gate60or door70. The vibration associated with the closing or slamming shut of the gate60or door70does not tear or loosen the hinge assemblies10a,10bfrom the fence or door because the flanges16and first and second top and bottom support members14a,14b,50a,50b, respectively, and arms52a,52bare screwed into the fence post18and fence gate60, or alternatively, the wall80and door70. The thus secured hinge assemblies10a,10bare better able to resist the wear and tear, e.g., vibrational forces, resulting from opening and closing the gate or door, and rotational and shear forces resulting from the weight of the gate, because of the extra support and distribution of forces provided by the flanges16and support members14a,14b,50a,50b, and horizontal arms52a,52b.

Further, flanges16of the hinge assemblies10a,10baccording to the present invention cover any corner welds19of the PVC fencing as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4. Thus, the welds19are less likely to separate from the forces and vibration of the gate opening and closing because the flanges16cover the corner weld19area and secure to the adjacent flat surface to strengthen the PVC fencing at the attachment area of the hinge assemblies10a,10b. In the present invention, the use of the flanges occurs on both the post side and the gate side of the fence using surface screws to secure the hinge assemblies10a,10b, which are aesthetically pleasing, faster to implement, and less invasive to the fence than other types of securing means, such as, bolting or screwing a hinge assembly through the fence gate and/or post.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in forms and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated herein, but falls within the scope of the appended claims.