Patent Description:
A conventional fitting assembly for a top-hung window may comprise a first bracket that is attached to an upper end of a sash frame and a second bracket that is attached to an upper end of the window frame. A connector between the first and second brackets may permit the first bracket to pivot relative to the second bracket, so that the window may be opened by pivoting the sash. A support arm may be provided between the sash frame and the window frame, and a locking means may be provided to retain the sash in an open position relative to the frame. <CIT> dislcoses an example of a hinge assembly.

Difficulties arise in fitting conventional windows in that it may be difficult to attach the sash to the frame and remove the sash from the frame in situ, after the frame has been attached to a building.

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge assembly as set forth in the appended claims.

According to an aspect, there is provided a hinge assembly for mounting a sash in a window frame in a top hung arrangement, the hinge assembly comprising a top bracket assembly and a support arm assembly, wherein the top bracket assembly comprises a frame bracket for attaching to a frame and a sash bracket for attaching to a sash, the frame bracket and the sash bracket being releasably connectable, and wherein the support arm assembly comprises a frame mounting part for attaching to the frame and a sash mounting part for attaching to the sash, the sash mounting part comprising a pivotable support arm and a friction connector, wherein the pivotable support arm is configured to be releasably connected to the frame mounting part, and wherein the pivoting of the support arm is restricted by the friction connector.

The hinge assembly may allow a sash to be easily mounted and removed from a window frame, without specialist tools, by the releasable connection between the frame bracket and sash bracket of the top bracket assembly, and the releasable connection between the support arm and the frame mounting part.

The friction connector may permit the support arm to pivot when sufficient force is applied, when opening or closing a window, but may retain the support arm in a fixed position when the sufficient force is not applied, thereby allowing the window to remain in a desired open configuration.

The friction connector comprises a friction ring and a friction cone. The friction ring and the friction cone are provided coaxially. The friction cone is provided within the friction ring. The friction cone is prevented from rotating relative to the support arm and is configured to rotate relative to the friction ring when the support arm is pivoted. A surface of the friction cone contacts a first friction surface of the friction ring. Friction is generated between the surface of the friction cone and the first friction surface, which restricts rotation between the friction cone and the friction ring, thereby restricting the pivoting of the support arm. The first friction surface may be the inner surface of the friction ring. The surface of the friction cone which contacts the first friction surface may be an outer surface of the friction cone.

The friction connector may comprise a tap screw. The tap screw may be configured to adjust an axial position of the friction cone relative to the friction ring. This may adjust the friction between the friction ring and the friction cone.

The inner surface of the friction ring may each be cone-shaped. This may increase the surface area of contact between the friction cone and the friction ring, which may increase the friction between the friction cone and the friction ring.

The friction ring may comprise a second friction surface. The second friction surface may be configured to contact a surface of the support arm, and pivoting of the support arm relative to the friction ring may be restricted by friction generated between the surface of the support arm and the second friction surface. The second friction surface may be provided on an upper lip of the friction ring, on which the support arm may be provided.

The frame mounting part may comprise a height adjustment means for adjusting a height of the support arm relative to the frame mounting part when the support arm is connected to the frame mounting part. This may allow a fine adjustment of the positioning of the support arm, which may improve the fit between the sash and the window.

The frame mounting part may comprise a connector for coupling to the support arm and a base plate for attaching to a frame. The connector may be configured to move relative to the base plate to adjust the height of the connector, which may allow the height of the support arm to be adjusted relative to the frame mounting part.

The frame mounting part may comprise a slidable plate which may be configured to slide relative to the base plate. The connector may be fixed to the slidable plate.

The frame mounting part may comprise an eccentric screw for moving the slidable plate relative to the base plate. Rotation of the eccentric screw may cause the slidable plate to slide relative to the base plate.

The height adjustment means may comprise a scale and marker, which may provide a visual indicator to the operator of the height adjustment of the slidable plate relative to the base plate. The marker may be provided on the eccentric screw, and the scale portion may comprise markers provided around the periphery of the head of the eccentric screw.

The base plate may comprise an indicating portion. The indicating portion may be visible to the operator when the frame mounting part is mounted to a window frame and may indicates the direction that the height adjusting screw should be rotated, in order to move the slidable plate upwards or downwards.

The connector may be a tap screw. The tap screw may be configured to project from the base plate. The base plate may comprise an opening, and the tap screw may be configured to project through the opening from the slidable plate. The opening may be elongate. A length of the opening may be greater than a length of a head of the tap screw. This may allow the tap screw to move along the length of the opening, when the height of the tap screw is adjusted.

The tap screw may project at an oblique angle from the base plate and slidable plate. This may allow the tap screw to be easily connected to the support arm.

The tap screw may comprise a body portion. A diameter of the head may be greater diameterthan a diameter of the body portion. The body portion may be configured to be received in a bore in the support arm. The body portion may be rotatable within the bore, to allow the support arm to pivot relative to the frame mounting part.

The support arm may comprise a channel extending from an end of the support arm to the bore, for coupling and uncoupling the support arm from the tap screw. When connecting the support arm to the tap screw, the body of the tap screw may pass along the channel into the bore. This may allow the support arm to be connected and disconnected from the frame mounting part.

The head may comprise at least one projection. The at least one projection may project radially from the head. The head may comprise two projections, wherein each projection projects radially from the head and the first and second projections project from opposite sides of the head so they are collinear.

The support arm may comprise a recessed region around the bore and the channel. The width of the recessed region around the channel may correspond to the diameter of the head. The width of the recessed region around the bore may correspond to the width from one end of the projection to the other end of the projection. The tap screw may be rotatable between a first position, wherein the projections are substantially perpendicular to the channel, and a second position, wherein the projections align with the channel. When the tap screw is provided in the second position, the body portion of the tap screw may pass along the channel, with the head passing along the recessed portion around the channel. When the tap screw is received in the bore and provided in the first position, the projections on the head of the tap screw may retain the tap screw within the bore, because width between the ends of the two projections is greater than the width of the recessed region around the channel. The tap screw may thereby be releasably locked to the support arm.

The support arm assembly may comprise a cap that is configured to be applied over an end region of the support arm, around the bore and recessed region. The cap may be attachable to and detachable from the support arm. The cap may be configured to prevent the tap screw from rotating from the first position, when the cap is attached to the support arm and the tap screw is provided in the bore.

The frame bracket may comprise a rail and the sash bracket may comprise a sash mount attachable to a sash and a slider, the slider being pivotably connected to the sash mount and being receivable within the rail to slide along the rail.

The frame bracket may comprise a latch, wherein the latch is configured to releasably lock the slider within the rail. The latch may be movable between an open position and a locking position, wherein in the open position, a lower end of the rail is open, and in the locking position, the lower end of the rail is closed by the latch, to lock the slider in the rail. The slider being receivable within the rail and the latch being configured to releasably lock the slider within the rail may allow the sash bracket to be easily connected and disconnected to the frame bracket.

The latch may be biased to a locking position by a spring. This may allow the latch to easily lock the slider within the rail.

The rail may comprise a rear surface, and inner side wall and an outer side wall. The slider may be receivable in the rail, between the inner and outer side walls. The outer side wall may be provided at an acute angle relative to the rear surface of the rail, such that the outer side wall may not be parallel to the inner side wall. The slider may be correspondingly shaped. This may help to retain the slider within the rail.

An angle between the rear surface of the rail and the inner side wall may be obtuse. The rear surface of the rail may thereby be sloped. The slider may be correspondingly shaped. This may help to retain the slider within the rail.

According to another aspect, there is provided a top bracket assembly for a window comprising a frame bracket and a sash bracket, wherein the frame bracket comprises a rail and a latch and the sash bracket comprises a mounting part and a slider, the slider pivotably connected to the mounting part, wherein the slider is releasably receivable in the rail.

The top bracket assembly may include any or any combination of the features described above in relation to the top bracket assembly of the first aspect.

According to another aspect, there is provided a the support arm assembly for a window comprising a frame mounting part for attaching to the frame and a sash mounting part for attaching to a sash, the sash mounting part comprising a pivotable support arm and a friction connector, wherein the pivotable support arm is configured to be releasably connected to the frame mounting part, and wherein the pivoting of the support arm is restricted by the friction connector.

The support arm assembly may include any or any combination of the features described above in relation to the support arm assembly of the first aspect.

Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

A hinge assembly comprises a top bracket assembly and a support arm assembly. A first hinge assembly may be provided on one side of a top hung window and a second hinge assembly may be provided on a second side of the top hung window.

The top bracket assembly comprises a frame bracket <NUM> and a sash bracket <NUM>.

The frame bracket <NUM> is configured to be attached to a top portion of a window frame. The frame bracket <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, comprises a plate <NUM> which is configured to be attached to the window frame. The plate <NUM> comprises a rail <NUM> which runs from a bottom of the plate <NUM> to a top of the plate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the rail <NUM> is provided as a recessed portion of the plate <NUM>, with side walls <NUM>, <NUM>.

An upper end <NUM> of the rail <NUM> is open, whilst a lower end <NUM> of the rail <NUM> is closable by a latch <NUM>. The latch <NUM> is pivotably mounted to the plate <NUM>, towards a bottom end of the plate <NUM> by a rivet <NUM>. The frame bracket <NUM> comprises a spring <NUM> configured to bias the latch <NUM> to a closed position, wherein the latch <NUM> extends at least partially across the width of the rail <NUM>. Applying a force to the latch <NUM> in an upwards direction B allows the latch <NUM> to pivot to an open position, wherein the lower end <NUM> of the rail <NUM> is open.

The side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the rail <NUM> comprise a slot <NUM>, through which the latch <NUM> may extend across at least part of the width of the rail <NUM>. The slot <NUM> may allow the latch <NUM> to pivot between the closed position and the open position.

The plate <NUM> comprises openings <NUM> for attaching the frame bracket <NUM> to a window frame, for example by receiving screws to attach the plate <NUM> to the window frame.

The sash bracket <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, comprises a sash mount <NUM> and a slider unit <NUM>. The slider unit <NUM> is pivotably connected to the sash mount <NUM>.

The sash mount <NUM> is configured to be attached to a window sash. As shown in <FIG>, the sash mount <NUM> comprises a first plate portion <NUM> configured to be attached to an upper side of a window sash, and a second plate portion <NUM> extending substantially perpendicularly from the first plate portion and configured to be attached to a side of the window sash.

The slider unit <NUM> comprises a pivot post <NUM> and a slider <NUM>. The pivot post <NUM> extends through openings <NUM> in the sash mount <NUM> and is pivotably connected to the sash mount <NUM>.

The slider <NUM> is configured to lie adjacent the second plate portion <NUM> and pivot relative to the second plate portion <NUM> in a plane parallel to the second plate portion <NUM>.

The width of the slider <NUM> corresponds to the width of the rail <NUM>, so that the slider <NUM> can slide along the rail <NUM> as the window is opened and closed.

The sash bracket <NUM> comprises a spring <NUM> and spring clips <NUM>. The spring <NUM> and spring clips <NUM> are configured to retain the pivot post <NUM> to the sash mount <NUM>. The spring <NUM> allows some movement of the slider unit <NUM> in an axial direction C. When a sash bracket <NUM> is mounted to both sides of the sash, the spring <NUM> of each sash bracket <NUM> helps to maintain the sash centrally within the frame in the axial direction. The spring <NUM> and spring clips <NUM> can be easily fitted to the pivot post <NUM> and sash mount <NUM> by simply clicking into place through an opening in the sash mount <NUM>.

The method of connecting the sash bracket <NUM> to the frame bracket will now be described. Firstly, the sash bracket is positioned so that the slider <NUM> is aligned with the lower end of the rail <NUM>. In this position, the latch <NUM> is biased to the bottom position.

The sash is then lifted relative to the frame, which pushes the slider <NUM> against the latch <NUM>. The latch <NUM> pivots under the pushing force of the slider <NUM>, allowing the slider <NUM> to slide upwards on the rail <NUM>, past the latch <NUM>. When the slider <NUM> passes the latch <NUM>, the latch <NUM> returns to the bottom position under the bias of the spring <NUM>. The latch thereby retains the slider <NUM> on the rail <NUM>. As the latch <NUM> is biased back to the closed position, it may make a clicking sound, which may give an operator the indication that the slider <NUM> is now retained on the rail <NUM>.

To remove the sash bracket <NUM> from the frame bracket <NUM>, the sash bracket <NUM> is lifted so that the slider <NUM> is positioned above the latch <NUM>, and the latch <NUM> is then pivoted upwards to the open position by an operator, for example using a screwdriver. The slider <NUM> can then slide out from the lower end of the rail <NUM> so that the sash bracket <NUM> is separated from the frame bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of the sash bracket <NUM> The slider <NUM> is shaped to be provided within the rail <NUM>. The outer surface <NUM> of the slider <NUM> is sloped, such that its depth in the axial direction C increases from a front side of the slider <NUM> to a rear side <NUM> of the slider <NUM>. The rail <NUM> is correspondingly sloped, as shown in <FIG>. The sloped outer surface <NUM> of the slider <NUM> and the corresponding shape of the rail <NUM> may retain the slider <NUM> within the rail <NUM> by preventing the slider <NUM> from dropping out of the rail <NUM> in the direction D from the front of the slider <NUM> to the rear of the slider <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rear side <NUM> of the slider <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM>, such that a width of the slider <NUM> at the outer surface <NUM> is greater than the width of the slider <NUM> at an end towards the pivot post <NUM>. The outer side surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> is correspondingly shaped, with a hooked portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The hooked portion <NUM> may be receivable in the recess <NUM> and may prevent the slider from dropping out of the rail <NUM> in the axial direction C.

In use, when the sash bracket <NUM> is coupled to the frame bracket, opening or closing a window causes the slider unit <NUM> to pivot relative to the sash mount <NUM>, and the slider <NUM> moves up or down in the rail.

The support arm assembly comprises a frame mounting part <NUM> and a sash mounting part <NUM>.

The frame mounting part <NUM>, shown in <FIG> comprises a base plate <NUM> and a tap screw <NUM> for pivotably connecting to an arm <NUM> of the sash mounting part <NUM>. The base plate <NUM> is configured to be attached to the window frame, and the tap screw <NUM> is configured to project from a surface of the base plate <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the tap screw <NUM> is configured to project from the surface of the base plate <NUM> at an oblique angle relative to the surface of the base plate <NUM>.

The tap screw <NUM> comprises a head <NUM> and a body portion <NUM>, the head <NUM> having a greater diameter than the body portion <NUM>. The head <NUM> comprises two projections <NUM>, <NUM>, for releasably locking the support arm <NUM> to the frame mounting part <NUM>. The first and second projections <NUM>, <NUM> project substantially perpendicularly from opposite sides of the tap screw head <NUM>, so that the projections are on the same longitudinal axis.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the support arm <NUM> comprises a first end <NUM> pivotably connected to a sash mounting plate <NUM>. Towards a second end <NUM> of the support arm <NUM> there is provided a bore <NUM> extending through the support arm <NUM> from a front surface of the support arm to a rear surface of the support arm <NUM>. A channel <NUM> extends from the bore <NUM> to the second end <NUM> of the support arm <NUM>, forming two prong-shaped end portions at the second end <NUM> of the support arm <NUM> on either side of the channel <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate how the support arm <NUM> is connected to the frame mounting part <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the second end <NUM> of the support arm <NUM> is positioned adjacent the tap screw <NUM>, and the tap screw <NUM> is rotated, so that the projections <NUM>, <NUM> are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the support arm <NUM>.

The support arm <NUM> is then positioned onto the tap screw <NUM> by inserting the support arm <NUM> onto the tap screw <NUM> so that the body <NUM> of the tap screw passes through the channel <NUM> and into the bore <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The support arm <NUM> comprises a recessed region <NUM> in the front surface of the support arm <NUM>, around the channel <NUM> and the bore <NUM>. As the tap screw <NUM> passes through the channel <NUM>, the head <NUM> of the tap screw <NUM> passes along the recessed region <NUM> around the channel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the recessed region <NUM> around the bore <NUM> comprises a larger diameter region and a smaller diameter region. In the smaller diameter region, the width of the recessed region <NUM> corresponds to the diameter of the tap screw <NUM>. In the larger diameter region, the width of the recessed region <NUM> corresponds to the width between the distal ends of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> of the tap screw <NUM>.

The shape of the recessed region <NUM> limits the rotation of the tap screw <NUM> relative to the support arm <NUM>. The tap screw <NUM> can be rotated in a first rotation direction from the position in which the projections <NUM>, <NUM> align with the longitudinal axis of the support arm <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, to a position in which the projections <NUM>, <NUM> abut an edge of the recessed region <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

When the tap screw <NUM> is rotated into the position in which the projections <NUM>, <NUM> abut edges of the recessed region <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the projections <NUM>, <NUM> prevent the arm <NUM> from being removed from the frame mounting part <NUM>. The projections <NUM>, <NUM> thereby provide a primary locking means for locking the support arm <NUM> to the frame mounting part <NUM>.

The sash mounting part <NUM> comprises a removable cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may be applied to the top surface of the arm <NUM>, over the bore <NUM> and the tap screw <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The cap <NUM> is configured to retain the tap screw <NUM> in the locking position shown in <FIG>. The cap <NUM> thereby provides a secondary locking means for locking the support arm <NUM> to the frame mounting part <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is configured to prevent the tap screw <NUM> from rotating relative to the arm <NUM>, so that when the arm <NUM> pivots, the tap screw <NUM> rotates with the arm <NUM>. The arm <NUM> may thereby pivot relative to the base plate <NUM> of the frame mounting part <NUM> by the rotation of the tap screw <NUM>.

The frame mounting part <NUM> comprises a height adjustment means. As shown in <FIG>, the frame mounting part <NUM> comprises a slidable plate <NUM> provided behind the base plate <NUM>. The slidable plate <NUM> lies in a plane substantially parallel to the base plate <NUM> and is configured to slide up and down relative to the base plate <NUM> within the plane parallel to the base plate <NUM>.

The tap screw <NUM> extends through an aperture <NUM> in the base plate <NUM> and is fixed relative to the slidable plate <NUM> so that movement of the slidable plate <NUM> relative to the base plate <NUM> causes the tap screw <NUM> to move relative to the base plate <NUM>, thereby adjusting the height of the support arm. The aperture <NUM> in the base plate <NUM> is elongate relative to the diameter of the body <NUM> of the tap screw <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, to permit the tap screw <NUM> to move relative to the base plate <NUM>.

The height adjustment means is configured to move the tap screw <NUM> up and down relative to the base plate over a range of approximately <NUM>. In other examples, the height adjustment means may be configured to move the tap screw <NUM> up and down over other ranges, up to for example <NUM>. The height adjustment means may improve the fit of the support arm assembly <NUM> on a window, because it may allow a fine adjustment of the relative positions of the tap screw <NUM> that releasably connects to the support arm <NUM>, and the sash mounting plate <NUM> to which the support arm is attached.

The height adjustment means comprises a height adjusting screw <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The height adjustment screw <NUM> is an eccentric tap screw which is received in a height adjustment tap <NUM>. The height adjustment screw <NUM> extends through the base plate <NUM> and is connected to the slidable plate <NUM> such that rotation of the height adjustment screw in a first direction causes the height of the slidable plate <NUM> to slide upwards relative to the base plate <NUM>. Rotation of the height adjustment screw <NUM> in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the slidable plate <NUM> to slide downwards relative to the base plate <NUM>.

The height adjustment screw comprises a head <NUM> having a marker <NUM>, and the base plate <NUM> comprises a scale portion <NUM>. The scale portion <NUM> comprises markers that are provided around the periphery of the head <NUM> of the height adjustment screw <NUM>. When the frame mounting part <NUM> is mounted to a window frame, the marker <NUM> and scale portion <NUM> will be visible to an operator and so the frame mounting part <NUM> can provide a visual indicator to the operator of the height adjustment.

In addition, the base plate <NUM> comprises an indicating portion <NUM>. The indicating portion <NUM> is visible to the operator when the frame mounting part is mounted to a window frame. The indicating portion <NUM> indicates the direction that the height adjusting screw <NUM> should be rotated, in order to move the slidable plate <NUM> upwards or downwards.

The sash mounting part <NUM> comprises the support arm <NUM> and a sash mounting plate <NUM>. The sash mounting plate <NUM> is configured to be fitted to a sash. The sash mounting plate <NUM> comprises openings <NUM> for receiving fixings to attach the sash mounting plate <NUM> to the sash. The first end <NUM> of the support arm <NUM> is pivotably connected to the sash mounting pate <NUM>.

The support arm <NUM> is pivotably connected to the plate by a friction connector <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. The friction connector <NUM> comprises a friction tap screw <NUM>, an outer ring <NUM>, a friction ring <NUM>, an inner ring <NUM> and a friction cone <NUM>. The friction tap screw <NUM> is provided within the inner ring <NUM>, the friction cone is provided around the inner ring <NUM>, the friction ring <NUM> is provided around the friction cone <NUM>, and the outer ring <NUM> is provided around the friction ring <NUM>, such that the friction tap screw <NUM>, inner ring <NUM>, friction cone <NUM>, friction ring <NUM> and outer ring <NUM> are coaxial. The outer ring <NUM> and friction ring <NUM> are fixed relative to the sash mounting plate <NUM>, whilst the inner ring <NUM> and friction cone are prevented from rotating relative to the support arm <NUM>, so that when the support arm <NUM> pivots, the inner ring <NUM> and friction cone <NUM> are rotated relative to the friction ring <NUM>. The friction cone <NUM> is cone-shaped and received in a bottom end of the friction ring <NUM>. The interior of the friction ring <NUM> is correspondingly shaped. The bore in the friction ring <NUM> may increase in radius from a top of the friction ring towards a lower end of the friction ring, so that the inner surface of the friction ring is cone-shaped. The friction cone is configured to push against the interior surface of the friction ring <NUM>, thereby creating friction between the friction cone and the friction ring.

The friction between the friction cone <NUM> and the friction ring <NUM> can be increased or decreased by sliding the friction cone <NUM> up or down relative to the friction ring <NUM>. This may adjust the area of the friction cone <NUM> in contact with the inner surface of the friction ring <NUM> and may adjust the amount by which the friction cone <NUM> pushes against the inner surface of the friction ring <NUM>. When the friction tap screw <NUM> is rotated in a first direction, the friction ring <NUM> rotates and slides the friction cone <NUM> upwards, towards the mounting plate <NUM>, to increase the friction between the friction cone <NUM> and the friction ring <NUM>.

The friction cone <NUM> pushes against friction ring <NUM>, creating friction between the friction cone <NUM> and the friction ring <NUM>. The friction ring <NUM> is fixed relative to the plate, and so rotation of the arm <NUM> relative to the plate will be limited by the friction between the friction cone <NUM> and the friction ring <NUM>.

The friction ring <NUM> comprises an upper lip <NUM>. The upper lip <NUM> projects around the periphery of the upper end of the friction ring <NUM>. The support arm <NUM> is configured to rest on a surface of the upper lip <NUM>. Friction is created between the support arm <NUM> and the surface of the upper lip <NUM>. Rotation of the arm <NUM> relative to the sash mounting plate <NUM> is therefore limited by the friction between the support arm and the upper lip of the friction ring.

The friction connector <NUM> can limit the pivoting motion of the arm <NUM> relative to the sash mounting plate <NUM>, so that in use, the friction connector <NUM> can retain the arm <NUM> at a desired position, thereby maintaining the window in a desired open position.

The complementary shapes of the inner surface of the friction ring <NUM> and the outer surface of the friction cone <NUM> may increase the contact area between the friction ring <NUM> and the friction cone <NUM>, thereby increasing the friction between these components.

As shown in <FIG>, the friction ring <NUM>, inner ring <NUM>, outer ring <NUM> and friction cone <NUM> extend behind the sash mounting plate <NUM>, such that when the sash mounting plate <NUM> is mounted to a sash, these parts of the friction connector <NUM> are not visible to the operator. Any dust generated by the friction connector <NUM> may therefore not be visible on the sash throughout the lifetime of the hinge assembly.

The hinge assembly may be used for a variety of windows having differing widths and heights, with the length of the support arm being set accordingly. The other components of the hinge assembly may remain the same for use with windows of different sizes, with only the length of the arm being different. This may provide the advantage of improving manufacture. In addition, the hinge assembly may be suitable for use with low height windows, for example those with an external dimension of the frame of <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A hinge assembly for mounting a sash in a window frame in a top hung arrangement, the hinge assembly comprising a top bracket assembly and a support arm assembly,
wherein the top bracket assembly comprises a frame bracket (<NUM>) for attaching to a frame and a sash bracket (<NUM>) for attaching to a sash, the frame bracket (<NUM>) and the sash bracket (<NUM>) being releasably connectable, and
wherein the support arm assembly comprises a frame mounting part (<NUM>) for attaching to the frame and a sash mounting part (<NUM>) for attaching to the sash, the sash mounting part (<NUM>) comprising a pivotable support arm (<NUM>) and a friction connector (<NUM>),
characterised in that the pivotable support arm (<NUM>) is configured to be releasably connected to the frame mounting part (<NUM>), and wherein the pivoting of the support arm (<NUM>) is restricted by the friction connector (<NUM>),
wherein the friction connector (<NUM>) comprises a friction ring (<NUM>) and a friction cone (<NUM>), wherein the friction cone (<NUM>) is provided coaxially with the friction ring (<NUM>) and wherein the friction cone (<NUM>) is configured to rotate relative to the friction ring (<NUM>) when the support arm (<NUM>) is pivoted, wherein a surface of the friction cone (<NUM>) contacts a first friction surface of the friction ring (<NUM>), and wherein the contact between the friction cone (<NUM>) and the first friction surface generates friction to restrict the pivoting of the support arm (<NUM>).