Abstract:
An Adjustable Reinforcing Hinge is disclosed. Also disclosed isa hinge that replaces a broken or otherwise damaged door hinge. The reinforcing hinge is easily adjusted once installed in order to achieve superior alignment between the door and door jam. The hinge is further dimensioned so as to simplify the initial locating and mounting of the hinge on the door and door frame. The process for installing the reinforcing hinge includes the use of the specially-dimensioned elements of the hinge to also act as alignment guides during the location and installation of the reinforcing hinge.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to doors and hardware related thereto and, more specifically, to an Adjustable Reinforcing Hinge 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Steel-framed doors are widely used in commercial construction. In particular, the hotel industry uses expensive, high-strength steel frames coupled with heavy duty doors in order to provide superior security as well as long-term durability. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional hinged door assembly  10  used in hotels and other commercial buildings. The major components of the assembly  10  are a heavy-duty door  12 , a heavy-duty steel door frame  14 , and a door hinge  16  interconnecting the two via a hinge pin  18 . 
     The problem with the conventional assembly  10  is that when the assembly  10  is subjected to extreme conditions, such as repetitive door  12  slamming or if the door  12  is struck by maintenance (or other) equipment, it is not uncommon for misalignments to occur in the hinge  16 . In particular, the hinge  16  can become partially detached from either the door  12  or frame  14 , or both. Once the hinge  16  begins to separate from either of these elements, the door  12  will no longer open and close properly. In fact, it is very common for the door  12  to no longer provide a fume-tight seal when closed; this can create a problem in satisfying fire code requirements. If we turn to FIG. 2, we can examine one version of a device that seeks to repair or protect the hinges of a door such as depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art “shock pivot hinge”  20  as described in Gwozdz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,561. The Gwozdz pivot hinge  20  consists of a door leaf  22  attached to the door  12  via a plurality of mounting screws  26 , and a upper jam leaf  24  attached to the door frame  14  via a plurality of mounting screws  26 . The leafs  22  and  24  are interconnected by a pivot pin  28 ; the pivot hinge  20  is installed such that the axis of the pivot pin  28  is the same axis as the hinge pin  18  (when the door  12  is closed). After installed, the pivot hinge  20  is intended to prevent the door  12  from sagging when opened due to damaged components in the hinge  16 . 
     While the Gwozdz device meets its goal when the hinge  18  dimensions are of the type for which the pivot hinge  20  is designed. If, however, a hinge  16  is encountered that is not typical (or at least one for which the pivot hinge  20  is designed to work with), then the leafs  22  and  24  and pivot pin  28  might not be functional. For example, if the gap between the top or side of the door  12  and frame  14  is particularly large, the upper jam leaf  24  might not be able to be securely mounted to the frame  14 , because the frame cannot be reached (due to the fixed length of the pivot pin  28 ). Furthermore, if there are persistent misalignments between the door  12  and frame  14 , the Gwozdz device cannot be adjusted to compensate for them; the relationship between the pivot pin  28  and the leafs  22  and  24  is fixed, and there can be no adjustment. If we now turn to FIG. 3, we can examine yet another attempt at solving the problem of broken hinges. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another prior art reinforcing hinge, namely the “non-handed shock arrestor door pivot”  30  disclosed by Colamussi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,193. The Colamussi device  30  consists of a frame member  32  attached to the frame  14  by mounting screws  26 , and a door member  34  attached to the door  12  by mounting screws  26 . The members  32  and  34  each have first and second pivot apertures  36 A and  36 B, respectively, formed therethrough for accepting a pivot member  38  therein (i.e. a hinge pin). While the Colamussi device  30  does provide the user with the flexibility of installing the device  30  on either a right-handed or left-handed door  12  (i.e. doors with its hinges mounted on either the right or left side of the door), it does not solve the problems discussed above in connection with the Gwozdz device. Specifically, the pivot member  38  is inserted into the apertures  36 A or  36 B, and then screwed into place; this prevents the vertical distance between the frame member  32  and the door member  34  from being adjusted. Furthermore, as with the Gwozdz device, there is no way to adjust the orientation between the members  32  and  34  and the axis of the pivot member  38 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an Adjustable Reinforcing Hinge. The hinge of the present invention should act to replace an broken or otherwise damaged door hinge. The reinforcing hinge should be easily adjustable once installed in order to achieve superior alignment between the door and door jam. The hinge should be dimensioned so as to simplify the initial locating and mounting of the hinge on the door and door frame. The process for installing the reinforcing hinge should include the use of the specially-dimensioned elements of the hinge to also act as alignment guides during the location and installation of the reinforcing hinge. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional hinge door assembly; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art “shock pivot hinge;” 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another prior art reinforcing hinge; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable reinforcing hinge of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a plurality of views of the top hinge block of the embodiment of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a plurality of views of the bottom hinge block of the embodiment of FIG. 4; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B are an exploded front view of the top hinge block/top plate combination and side view of the top plate embodiments, respectively of the invention of FIGS. 4-6; and 
     FIGS. 8A through 8H are perspective views depicting the locating jig functionality of the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 4-7. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide an Adjustable Reinforcing Hinge. 
     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of FIG.  4 . FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable reinforcing hinge  40  of the present invention. As shown, the hinge  40  comprises a bottom plate  42  attached to the door  12  via two or more mounting screws  26 . The bottom plate  42  is further defined by a fin  43  protruding outwardly from the bottom plate  42  substantially at a right angle. Although not depicted, the fin  43  is further defined by two or more slotted apertures, each for accepting a bottom adjustment bolt  46  therethrough. The bottom adjustment bolts  46 , after passing through the slotted apertures (not shown), threadedly engage a pair of corresponding threaded bores formed in a bottom hinge block  44 . More detail regarding these features is provided below in connection with FIG.  6 . As should be appreciated, the slotted apertures (not shown) are slotted (i.e. rather than circular) in order to provide sliding adjustability between the bottom plate  42  and the bottom hinge block  44 . The bottom hinge block  44  is not directly attached to the door  12  or frame  14 ; its only attachment is to the bottom plate  42  (and to the pivot pin  54 , of course). 
     The hinge  40  further comprises a top plate  48  attached to the door frame  14  by two or more mounting screws. Extending generally at a right angle from the top plate  48  is a fin  49 , which also has at least a pair of slotted apertures formed therein (not shown). Similar to the bottom plate  42 /bottom hinge block  44  assembly, the top hinge block  50  attaches to the top plate by two or more top adjustment bolts  52  passing through the slotted apertures (not shown) and engaging a corresponding pair of threaded bores (not shown) formed in the top hinge block  50 . 
     Another unique aspect of the hinge  40  of the present invention relates to the pivot pin  54 . The pivot pin  54  is inserted into a pin bore  56  formed in the top hinge block  50 , and further into a corresponding pin bore  60  (see FIG. 6) formed in the bottom hinge block  44 . There is a critical difference between the top pin bore  56  and the bottom pin bore  60  (see FIG.  6 ), namely, that the top pin bore  56  is of a consistent diameter for its entire length, whereas the bottom pin bore  60  is closed on its bottom side (see FIG.  6 ). This design permits the pivot pin  54  to slideably engage both the top and bottom pin bores  56  and  60 , and then rest on the closed bottom end of the bottom pin bore  60 . This unique design permits the horizontal distance between the top hinge block  50  and the bottom hinge block  44  to be easily adapted (i.e. adjusted) for the particular door/frame arrangement; in fact, the pivot pin  54  might even be exchanged with a pin chosen from a group of pins of differing lengths. In order to permit lubrication and/or the expulsion of liquid contaminants, the bottom pin bore  60  (see FIG. 6) may further be provided with a drain aperture  57 ; this aperture  57  would have a diameter smaller than that of the bottom and top pin bores  56  and  60 . 
     When installing the hinge  40 , the user need simply attach the top and bottom plates  48  and  42  to the frame  14  and door  12 , respectively, after which the top and bottom hinge blocks  50  and  44  are adjusted (via the top and bottom adjustment bolts  52  and  46 ) until the axis of the pivot pin  54  is aligned properly with the hinge pin of the door hinge  16 . Further detail regarding the uniquely simple installation process is provided below in connection with FIGS. 8A and 8B, below. Now turning to FIG. 5, we can review the specific details regarding the top hinge block  50 . 
     FIG. 5 is a plurality of views of the top hinge block  50  of the embodiment of FIG.  4 . Depicted, we see a front view (V F ), a right side view (V RS ), a top view (V T ), a left side view (V LS ), and a bottom view (V B ). On the right face (F R ), we can see a pair of threaded bores  58  for accepting the top adjustment bolts (see FIG.  4 ). In other configurations, a different number of bores  58  may be provided, for example, to cooperate with more or fewer adjustment bolts (see FIG.  4 ). As is further shown, the diameter of the top pin bore  56  is the same on the top face (F T ), as it is on the bottom face (F B ); this ensures that the pivot pin (see FIG. 4) can slide through the top hinge block  50  smoothly. The top hinge block  50  is generally constructed from a solid piece of strong material, such as steel, however, other materials and construction designs might be feasible. Now turning to FIG. 6, we can review the specific details regarding the bottom hinge block  44 . 
     FIG. 6 is a plurality of views of the bottom hinge block  44  of the embodiment of FIG.  4 . Similar to the top hinge block (see FIG.  5 ), the bottom hinge block  44  has about two threaded bores  58  on its right face (F R ), for accepting the bottom adjustment bolts (see FIG. 4) therein. In contrast to the top hinge block (see FIG.  5 ), however, the pin bore  60  does not have a consistent diameter through the entire block  44 ; as shown, the bore  60  on the top face (F T ) is a diameter adequate to accept the pivot pin (see FIG.  4 ), however, the bottom face (F B ) has a drain aperture  57  that is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the pivot pin (see FIG.  4 ). such that the pivot pin (see FIG. 4) will rest in the reservoir created by the substantially closed-ended bore  60 . Now turning to FIGS. 7A and 7B, we can examine the hinge invention of the present invention in more detail. 
     FIG. 7A is an exploded front view of the top hinge block  50 /top plate  48  combination embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 4-6. As shown, the top adjustment bolts  52  pass through slotted apertures formed in the fin of the top plate  48  and into the top hinge block  50 . What is also shown here is an optional shim member  62  sandwiched between the top plate  48  and the top hinge block  50 ; one or more of these shim members  62  might be added to the assembly in order to provide additional vertical dimensional adjustment to the assembly. Also depicted is the slidable pivot pin  54 , as it might be inserted into the top bore (not shown) in the top hinge block  50 . 
     FIG. 7B depicts a right side view of the top plate of the embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 4-6. As shown, the slotted apertures  64  are arranged for cooperation with the threaded bores (see FIG.  5 ). Further shown is that in some designs, an adhesive strip  66  is applied to the frame-side of the top plate  48 . The adhesive strip  66  can be a conventional double-sided adhesive tape; it is provided to assist the installer in attaching the top plate  48  to the door frame (not shown). In use, it is a simple matter of removing the protective backing from the adhesive strip  66 , and then sticking the top plate  48  to the door frame; after being stuck in place, it is a simple matter to drill and screw in the necessary mounting screws (see FIG.  4 ). 
     It should be understood that the top hinge block  50 /top plate  48  combination is essentially identical in its component arrangement as the bottom hinge block/bottom plate combination (see FIG.  4 ). With regard to left- versus right-handed doors, it should be understood further that the threaded bores previously discussed in connection with FIGS. 5-7 would be located on opposite side face of the respective hinge block. Now turning to FIGS. 8A and 8B, we can examine yet another unique aspect of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 8A through 8H are perspective views depicting the locating jig functionality of the embodiment of the invention of FIGS. 4-7. Step  1 , depicted by FIG. 8A, involves marking a frame edge layout line  70  on the top of the door frame  14 , in alignment with the hinge side of the door  12 . Next, as depicted in FIG. 8B, the bottom hinge block  44  is aligned to the frame layout line  70  (with the left or right face against the door frame  14 ), and a top plate layout line  72  (see FIG. 8C) is marked on the side of the block  44  that is opposite the frame edge layout line  70 . Turning to FIG. 8D, next, the top plate  48  is temporarily attached to the door frame  14  in alignment with the top plate layout line  72  by operation of the adhesive strip located on the back side of the top plate (see FIG.  7 B). 
     As in FIG. 8E, next the top hinge block  50  is attached to the top plate  72  by the top adjusting bolts  52 . The pivot pin  54  is then inserted into the top pin bore  56 . As shown in FIG. 8F, next the bottom hinge block  44  is slipped onto the pivot pin  54  (see FIG. 8E) and aligned to the edge of the door and frame. Next, as shown in FIG. 8G, the bottom plate  42  is loosely attached to the bottom hinge block  44  by bottom adjusting bolts  46  (and shim members, if necessary). The bottom plate  42  is then temporarily attached (using the adhesive strip on its back side) to the door and the adjusting bolts  46  are tightened. Finally, as depicted in FIG. 8H, the bottom plate  42  is permanently attached to the door  12  by mounting screws  26 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.