Patent Description:
Window sashes or doors made of plastic normally have a frame surrounding the sash or door panel and a jamb in which the frame fits. The frames of the window sashes and doors, as well as the frames that surround them are generally made of hollow plastic profiles, such as PVC, which may be reinforced with an internal metal hollow profile.

In most instances, it is desirable to form the parts that connect the hinge to be fastened to the door panel or window sash so that they are visible only as little as possible at the hinge knuckle where the hinge parts pivot relative to one another. This is typically accomplished with a recessed assembly of the hinge parts except for the hinge knuckle into the door panel or window sash as well as the surrounding frame. The hinge must allow for adjustment in all <NUM> directions in a simple and convenient manner such that a precise side-to-side and up-and-down alignment of the door panel or sash parallel to the corresponding frame can be achieved for proper positioning as well as an in-and-out adjustment for proper sealing.

<CIT> discloses a hinge that offers a plurality of adjustment options in different directions. To allow an adjustment of the hinge perpendicular to the plate-like portion and perpendicular to the hinge axis, an adjusting screw is provided, the screw head of which is arranged between the plate-like portion and an intermediate piece, which in turn is connected to a retaining piece. In order to hold the plate-like portion and the intermediate piece together, screws are provided which pass through holes in the plate-like portion and are screwed into threads of the intermediate piece or into threaded sleeves formed on the intermediate piece.

<CIT> discloses one known arrangement for a hinge for doors and windows that is particularly adapted for plastic doors and windows. However, there are certain drawbacks to this known hinge related to the safety features to prevent unauthorized disassembly of the hinge.

<CIT> discloses an adjustable hinge by the Applicant. Here, a retaining piece that is insertable into a groove of a door or a window, is part of a first hinge part that has a plate-like portion, an intermediate piece, and a retaining part and a plurality of mounting and adjusting elements therebetween. The plate-like portion and the intermediate piece are held together by a clamping bolt, onto which a sleeve is mounted. The clamping bolt and the sleeve together form a clamping device. The intermediate piece and the plate-like portion are designed to hold a head of an adjustment screw that is screwed into the retaining part, and this head is received between the intermediate piece and the plate-like portion with as little play as possible, or with no play at all. The plate-like portion has longitudinal hole-like adjustment holes, through which the head of the adjustment screw is accessible using a tool, and turning the adjustment screw results in a corresponding lateral adjustment of the hinge corresponding to the thread pitch of the adjustment screw and the number of turns. While this has proved useful in many applications, it has proved more difficult for limited space constructions where the depth of the retaining piece and the amount the adjustment screw can extend into or through the base of the retaining part and into the groove is limited. <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a hinge with a dual threaded grub screw for adjustment.

It would be desirable to provide hinge of the above-noted type that provides enhanced stability and adjustment features in a reduced space envelope.

A hinge for mounting a door-panel or window sash to a frame is provided that addresses the issues noted above. The hinge includes first and second hinge parts which are operatively connected to one another by an adjustment bolt so as to be rotatable about a common hinge axis. The first hinge part has a plate-shaped portion which is configured to interact in a fixedly and releasably connectable manner with a retaining piece configured for connection to the door or window sash or the frame, and in a preferred embodiment to the door or the window sash, and the second hinge part is configured for connection to the other of the door or window sash or the frame, and in a preferred embodiment to the frame. The plate-shaped portion is oriented in a first plane running parallel to the hinge axis and is adjustable in a second plane running at a right angle to the first plane of the plate-shaped portion. A dual threaded grub screw is provided having a first thread section screwed into a threaded bore of the retaining piece and a second thread section, having an opposite thread direction than the first thread section, screwed into a threaded opening of an intermediate piece, with an axis of the dual threaded grub screw extending perpendicular to the plate-shaped portion. A clamping device having a clamping bolt and a sleeve is arranged such that the plate-shaped portion and the intermediate piece are held together from one side with said clamping bolt and from the other side with said sleeve fitted onto the clamping bolt, and the intermediate piece and the plate-shaped portion are displaceable relative to each other by an eccentric on the clamping bolt. The dual threaded grub screw has an inner head engagement portion that is accessible via an adjustment opening in the plate-shaped portion allowing a lateral adjustment of the first hinge part relative to the second hinge part.

With this arrangement there is a positive connection of the retaining piece and the intermediate piece by the dual threaded grub screw engaging in the respective threaded bore and threaded opening. The prior art adjustment screw relied on a "trapped" adjustment screw head, and the adjustment screw was only engaged in the retaining piece. Further, based on the opposite orientation of the first and second thread sections, the amount of adjustment provided per turn of the grub screw is doubled in comparison to the prior art while at the same time using less space.

In one embodiment, the first thread section has a left-hand thread, and the second thread section has a right-hand thread.

In one embodiment, the clamping bolt includes a bolt-shaped shaft which is pressed into the sleeve and is displaceable in an axial direction of the sleeve in a hole in the retaining piece.

In a preferred arrangement, the clamping bolt and the eccentric are integrally formed.

In one embodiment, the second hinge part comprises hinge barrels that receive the adjustment bolt which is aligned and adjustable in a direction of the hinge axis, and is rigidly connected to the plate-shaped portion.

Preferably, the adjustment bolt is held at one axial end of an axially acting screw, and a position of the adjustment bolt is adjustable by turning the axially acting screw. Optionally, an axially acting screw can be screwed into both ends of the second hinge part.

In order to provide a compact arrangement, the dual threaded grub screw preferably extends no more than <NUM> from a back surface of the retaining piece. This allows for installation of the hinge in a door or window sash frame with a potentially shallower recess for the insert part and/or allows for the elimination of further clearance bores in the door or sash part, and in particular eliminates the need to produce access bores that might have to extend into or through steel reinforcements typically inserted into the hollow plastic profiles that form the frame of the window sash or door at the hinge locations.

In one embodiment, a projecting portion extends from a back surface of the retaining piece, and the threaded bore of the retaining piece is formed in the projecting portion.

In a preferred arrangement, there are two of the dual threaded grub screws and the retaining piece has two of the threaded bores, the first thread sections of the two dual threaded grub screws are screwed into respective ones of the threaded bores, and the intermediate piece has two of the threaded openings, and the second thread sections are screwed into respective ones of the two threaded openings of the intermediate piece.

For all of the arrangements contemplated, a same tool engagement recess is preferably located in the head of the adjustment screws and locking screws. This same tool engagement recess can be, for example, a cross-slot, a Phillips®, hex, Torx® drive, a square drive, or any other suitable tool engagement recess.

The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description will be best understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. In the drawings:.

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. "Axially" refers to a direction along the axis of the hinge pin or adjustment bolt. A reference to a list of items that are cited as "at least one of a, b, or c" (where a, b, and c represent the items being listed) means any single one of the items a, b, or c, or combinations thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Referring to <FIG>, a hinge <NUM> for mounting a door or window sash <NUM> to a frame <NUM> is shown. The door or window sash <NUM> as well as the frame <NUM> are shown in <FIG> in detail, and the door or window sash <NUM> is formed as a hollow plastic profile in which a metal reinforcement <NUM>, which can be a hollow metal profile, is inserted at least in an area where the hinge <NUM> is connected. The frame <NUM> is similarly formed as a hollow plastic profile and a metal reinforcement <NUM>, which can be a hollow metal profile, is inserted into this hollow profile of the frame <NUM> at least in an area where the hinge <NUM> is connected. In order to provide for proper alignment of the door or window sash <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM>, the hinge <NUM> must be adjustable laterally, inwardly/outwardly (in order to properly form a seal at the seals <NUM> shown in <FIG>, as well as up/down. It can be seen in <FIG> that the first hinge part <NUM> is received in a recess <NUM> of the hollow profile that forms the door or window sash <NUM>. While fasteners (not shown) that are installed through mounting holes <NUM> in the first hinge part are adapted to extend through the hollow profile and into the metal reinforcement <NUM>, it is undesired to have other components related to the adjustability features for the hinge <NUM> extend into an area where the metal reinforcement <NUM> is located.

Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, the hinge <NUM> includes first and second hinge parts <NUM>, <NUM>, which are operatively connected to one another by an adjustment bolt <NUM> that extends through hinge barrels <NUM> on the second hinge part <NUM> located on either side of the hinge barrel <NUM> of the first hinge part <NUM> such that the first and second hinge parts <NUM>, <NUM> are rotatable about a common hinge axis Z. The first hinge part <NUM> has a plate-shaped portion <NUM> which is configured to interact in a fixedly and releasably connectable manner with a retaining piece <NUM> that is configured for connection to the door or window sash <NUM> or the frame <NUM>. In the preferred embodiment, the retaining piece <NUM> is configured for connection to the door or window sash <NUM> and is received in the recess <NUM>. The hinge part <NUM> is configured for connection to the other of the door or window sash <NUM> or the frame <NUM>, and in the preferred embodiment, is connected to the frame <NUM>.

The plate-shaped portion <NUM> is oriented in a first plane (XZ - see <FIG>) that extends parallel to the hinge axis Z and is adjustable in a second plane (YZ - See <FIG>) running at a right angle to the first plane of the plate-shape portion <NUM> via the features described herein on the first hinge part <NUM>.

As shown in detail in <FIG> and <FIG>, a dual threaded grub screw <NUM> is provided having a first thread section 30a that is screwed into a threaded bore <NUM> of the retaining piece <NUM> and a second thread section 30b, having an opposite thread direction and the first thread section 30a, that is screwed into a threaded opening <NUM> of an intermediate piece <NUM>. An axis of the dual threaded grub screw <NUM> extends perpendicular to the plate-shaped portion <NUM> in the Y direction - see <FIG>.

The dual threaded grub screw <NUM> has an inner head engagement portion 30c (indicated in <FIG>) that is accessible via an adjustment opening <NUM> in the plate-shaped portion <NUM>, allowing a lateral adjustment of the first hinge part <NUM> relative to the second hinge part <NUM>.

As shown in detail in <FIG>, a clamping device <NUM> that includes a clamping bolt <NUM> and a sleeve <NUM> is arranged through holes <NUM>, <NUM> in the plate-shaped portion <NUM> and the intermediate piece <NUM> such that the plate-shaped portion <NUM> and the intermediate piece <NUM> are held together from one side with the clamping bolt <NUM> and from the other side with the sleeve <NUM> which is fitted onto the clamping bolt <NUM>. The intermediate piece <NUM> and the plate-shaped portion <NUM> are displaceable relative to each other by an eccentric <NUM> on the clamping bolt <NUM> that is engaged in the hole <NUM> in the plate-shaped piece <NUM>. In a preferred arrangement, the clamping bolt <NUM> and the eccentric <NUM> are integrally formed as one piece.

In the preferred embodiment, the first thread section 30a has a left-hand thread, and the second thread section 30b has a right-hand thread. Accordingly, referring to <FIG>, tightening the dual threaded grub screw <NUM> in the clockwise direction results in movement of the plate-shaped portion <NUM> from the nominal position shown in <FIG> to the position shown in <FIG>, shifting the door or window sash <NUM> further away from the fixed position of the hinge axis Z with respect to the frame <NUM>. Conversely, turning the dual threaded grub screw <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction results in movement of the door or window sash <NUM> toward the hinge axis Z which is fixed relative to the frame <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping bolt <NUM> includes a bolt-shaped shaft 38a, shown in <FIG>, and once inserted through the corresponding openings <NUM>, <NUM> in the plate-shaped portion <NUM> and the intermediate piece <NUM>, it is pressed into the sleeve <NUM> and is displaceable in an axial direction with the sleeve <NUM> in a hole <NUM> in the retaining piece <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the second hinge part <NUM> includes the hinge barrels <NUM> that receive the adjustment bolt <NUM> which is aligned with and adjustable in a direction of the hinge axis Z (see <FIG>), and is rigidly connected to the plate-shaped portion <NUM> via a screw <NUM>. The adjustment bolt <NUM> is held at one axial end by an axially acting screw <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), and the adjustment bolt <NUM> is adjustable by turning the axially acting screw <NUM> in order to adjust the position of the door or window sash <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM> in the Z direction. It is also possible for the axially acting screw <NUM> to be provided at both ends of the second hinge part, and screwed into the respective hinge barrels <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dual threaded grub screw <NUM> preferably extends a distance D (indicated in <FIG>) of no more than <NUM>, and more preferably no more than <NUM> from a back surface 24b of the retaining piece <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the door or window sash <NUM> can include a further opening behind the recess <NUM> that receives the retaining piece <NUM> in order to accommodate the dual threaded grub screw <NUM>. By using the dual thread arrangement, this distance that the dual threaded grub screw <NUM> extends behind the back surface 24b of the retaining piece <NUM> is shorter than was previously known in the art and allows installation of the hinge <NUM> without the need for providing clearance openings, for example, in the metal reinforcement <NUM> that is located in the door or window sash <NUM> in the area of the hinge <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a projecting portion <NUM> can extend from a back surface 24b of the retaining piece <NUM>, and the threaded bore <NUM> of the retaining piece <NUM> is formed in this projecting portion <NUM>. This allows for a longer engagement area of the first thread section 30a (see <FIG>) with the threaded bore <NUM>. With this arrangement, there is a positive connection of the retaining piece <NUM> and the intermediate piece <NUM> by the dual threaded grub screw <NUM> engaging in the respective threaded bore <NUM> and threaded opening <NUM>.

While the above description refers to a single dual threaded grub screw <NUM>, those skilled in the art will recognize from the present disclosure that two or more of the dual threaded grub screws <NUM> may be utilized with the hinge <NUM>, and in the illustrated arrangement, there are two of the dual threaded grub screws <NUM>, and the retaining piece <NUM> has two of the threaded bores <NUM>, and the first thread sections 30a of the two dual threaded grub screws <NUM> are screwed into respective ones of the threaded bores <NUM>. Additionally, the intermediate piece <NUM> has two of the threaded openings <NUM>, and the second thread sections 30b are screwed into respective ones of these two threaded openings <NUM> of the intermediate piece <NUM>. This provides a more secure arrangement.

In order to adjust the hinge <NUM>, it is first necessary to loosen the central clamping screw <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, that passes through openings in the plate-shaped portion <NUM> and the intermediate piece <NUM> and engages in a threaded hole <NUM> in the retaining piece <NUM> prior to making the lateral or inward/outward adjustment. In order to make a lateral adjustment from the nominal position of the door or window sash <NUM> relative to the frame <NUM> in the Y direction, tightening the grub screw(s) <NUM> in the clockwise direction results in a movement of the door or window sash <NUM>, for example, from the nominal position in <FIG> toward or to the position ion <FIG>, toward the hinge axis which is fixed relative to the frame <NUM>. Movement of the grub screw(s) <NUM> in the counter-clockwise direction results in a movement of the door or window sash <NUM> in the Y direction, for example, from the nominal position shown in <FIG> toward or to the position shown in <FIG>, where the door or window sash <NUM> is moved further from the hinge axis which is fixed to the frame <NUM>.

Rotation of the clamping bolt(s) <NUM> results in an inward/outward movement of the door or window sash <NUM> relative to the frame in the X direction in order to apply the proper pressure against the door or window sash seals <NUM>. Once the proper positioning is achieved, the clamping screw <NUM> is tightened. In this arrangement, even if the clamping screw is removed, the plate-shaped portion <NUM>, the retaining piece <NUM>, as well as the intermediate piece <NUM> are held firmly together via the dual threaded grub screw(s) <NUM> engagement in the corresponding threaded bore <NUM> and threaded opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, adjustment of the axially acting screw <NUM> allows for adjustment of the first hinge part <NUM> relative to the second hinge part <NUM> in the Z (vertical) direction.

For all of the arrangements, a same tool engagement recess as 30c is preferably located in the head of all of the adjustment screw(s), axially acting screw(s), and clamping screw. This same tool engagement recess can be, for example, a cross-slot, a Phillips®, hex, Torx® drive, a square drive, or any other suitable tool engagement recess.

Claim 1:
A hinge (<NUM>) for mounting a door or window sash (<NUM>) to a frame (<NUM>), the hinge (<NUM>) comprising:
first (<NUM>) and second hinge parts (<NUM>) which are operatively connected to one another by an adjustment bolt (<NUM>) so as to be rotatable about a common hinge axis (Z);
the first hinge part (<NUM>) has a plate-shaped portion (<NUM>) which is configured to interact in a fixedly and releasably connectable manner with a retaining piece (<NUM>) configured for connection to the door or window sash (<NUM>) or in the frame (<NUM>), and the second hinge part (<NUM>) is configured for connection to the other of the door or window sash (<NUM>) or the frame (<NUM>);
the plate-shaped portion (<NUM>) is oriented in a first plane (XZ) running parallel to the hinge axis (Z) and is adjustable in a second plane (YZ) running at a right angle to the first plane (XZ) of the plate-shaped portion (<NUM>);
a dual threaded grub screw (<NUM>) having a first thread section (30a) screwed into a threaded bore (<NUM>) of the retaining piece (<NUM>) and a second thread section (30b), having an opposite thread direction than the first thread section (30a), screwed into a threaded opening (<NUM>) of an intermediate piece (<NUM>), an axis of the dual threaded grub screw (<NUM>) extending perpendicular to the plate-shaped portion (<NUM>);
a clamping device (<NUM>) comprising a clamping bolt (<NUM>) and a sleeve (<NUM>) arranged such that the plate-shaped portion (<NUM>) and the intermediate piece (<NUM>) are held together from one side with said clamping bolt (<NUM>) and from the other side with said sleeve (<NUM>) fitted onto the clamping bolt (<NUM>), and the intermediate piece (<NUM>) and the plate-shaped portion (<NUM>) are displaceable relative to each other by an eccentric (<NUM>) on the clamping bolt (<NUM>); and
the dual threaded grub screw (<NUM>) has an inner head engagement portion (30c) that is accessible via an adjustment opening (<NUM>) in the plate-shaped portion (<NUM>) allowing a lateral adjustment of the first hinge part (<NUM>) relative to the second hinge part (<NUM>).