Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCES 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/134,230, filed Mar. 17, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This application relates generally to hinges and, more specifically, to a hinge arrangement that provides for adjustment for purpose of alignment and/or in the event of sag over time (e.g., as can be experienced in the case of heavy doors or gates such as large, outdoor gates). 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the case of gate hinge systems, gates may be prone to sag due to the size and weight of the gate and/or the materials used for gate construction. Moreover, when installing gate hinge systems achieving desired alignment, uniformity of gaps and proper latch engagement can be difficult. Attempt have been made in the past to address these concerns by providing adjustable hinge assemblies. However, such adjustable hinge assemblies tend to be overly complicated and/or require special tools for adjustment and/or do not adequately account for the impact of weather on threaded components and/or have not incorporated other desirable features for gate hinges. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a gate hinge arrangement that is capable of adjustment to compensate for gate sag over time and/or that facilitates alignment and/or installation, while at the same time addressing one or more problems encountered with prior art adjustable hinges. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Gate hinge arrangements permit adjustment for gate sag over time and may include a stabilizing feature. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, a hinge arrangement includes a first hinge plate assembly including a pivot housing thereon movable about a pivot axis, the pivot housing including a threaded adjustment pin extending in a direction transverse to the pivot axis away from the pivot housing. A second hinge plate assembly includes an adjustment housing thereon, the adjustment housing including a threaded portion. The threaded adjustment pin is threaded into the adjustment housing to connect the first hinge plate assembly to the second hinge plate assembly. Relative rotation between the threaded adjustment pin and the threaded portion of the adjustment housing causes the second hinge plate assembly to move along a length of the threaded adjustment pin thereby altering a spacing between a mount plate portion of the first hinge plate assembly and a mount plate portion of the second hinge plate assembly. A portion of the threaded adjustment pin extending between the pivot housing and the adjustment housing is unthreaded and the adjustment housing substantially surrounds a threaded portion of the threaded adjustment pin to protect the threaded portion against weather related corrosion. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a hinge arrangement includes a first hinge plate assembly including a pivot housing thereon movable about a pivot axis, the pivot housing including a threaded adjustment pin extending in a direction transverse to the pivot axis away from the pivot housing. A second hinge plate assembly includes an adjustment housing thereon, the adjustment housing including a threaded portion. The threaded adjustment pin is threaded into the adjustment housing to connect the first hinge plate assembly to the second hinge plate assembly. Relative rotation between the threaded adjustment pin and the threaded portion of the adjustment housing causes the second hinge plate assembly to move along a length of the threaded adjustment pin thereby altering a spacing between a mount plate portion of the first hinge plate assembly and a mount plate portion of the second hinge plate assembly. A connection between the pivot housing and the first hinge plate assembly includes a gravity hinge feature. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect, a hinge arrangement includes a first hinge plate assembly including a pivot housing thereon movable about a pivot axis, the pivot housing including a threaded adjustment pin extending in a direction transverse to the pivot axis away from the pivot housing. A second hinge plate assembly includes an adjustment housing thereon, the adjustment housing including a threaded portion. The threaded adjustment pin is threaded into the adjustment housing to connect the first hinge plate assembly to the second hinge plate assembly. Relative rotation between the threaded adjustment pin and the threaded portion of the adjustment housing causes the second hinge plate assembly to move along a length of the threaded adjustment pin thereby altering a spacing between a mount plate portion of the first hinge plate assembly and a mount plate portion of the second hinge plate assembly. The pivot housing includes upper and lower support structures that extend respectively along upper and lower portions of the adjustment housing. 
         [0009]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective front view of one embodiment of a hinge arrangement; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows the elevation view of  FIG. 3  with the adjustment nut housing portion removed; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one hinge plate assembly of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 1  with pivot housing removed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top elevation view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 1  mounted on a post and gate; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective front view of another embodiment of a hinge arrangement in a gate/door closed orientation; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 8  in one gate/door open orientation; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 8  in another gate/door open orientation; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 8  in yet another gate/door open orientation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 8  with the adjustment nut housing portion removed; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of one hinge plate assembly of the hinge arrangement of  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0023]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show front and side views respectively of a pair of hinge arrangements attached to a gate and post; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  shows an enlarged side view of one hinge arrangement of  FIG. 15 ; and 
           [0025]      FIGS. 17-21  show another embodiment of a hinge arrangement with a spring bias feature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a hinge arrangement  200  is shown and includes a hinge plate assembly  202  and a hinge plate assembly  204 . Hinge plate assembly  202  includes a mount plate portion  206  and a pivot housing  208  thereon movable about a pivot axis  210 . The pivot housing  208  includes a cylindrical body  209  aligned about the axis  210  and an externally threaded adjustment pin  212  extending in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the pivot axis  210 . The cylindrical body  209  is positioned between end hinge bodies  211  (e.g., hinge barrels) that are integral with or fixed to plate portion  206 , with the openings in end hinge bodies  211  and cylindrical body  209  aligned for receipt of a vertical hinge pin (not shown). The adjustment pin  212  is movable with the pivot housing  208  as the pivot housing rotates about the axis  210 , but the adjustment pin  212  does not rotate relative to the pivot housing (e.g., the threaded adjustment pin  212  has an elongated axis  219  about which the threaded adjustment pin  212  does not rotate). Thus, the pin  212  and pivot housing  208  may be formed as a single component or part, although formation as multiple components that are interconnected is also possible. 
         [0027]    Hinge plate assembly  204  includes a mount plate portion  216  with an adjustment housing  218  thereon, at least a portion of which is threaded. In the illustrated example, an internally threaded central portion  220  of the adjustment housing  218  is rotatable about the elongated axis  219  (e.g., in either direction per arrow  221 ) for purpose of hinge adjustment (e.g., adjusting a lateral position of hinge plate assembly  204  relative to hinge plate assembly  202  per arrow  223 ). In particular, the threaded portion  220  of the adjustment housing may take the form of a nut-type component that is positioned in a space  222  ( FIG. 4 ) between adjacent fixed portions  224  and  226  of the adjustment housing  218 . The externally threaded end portion  212   a  ( FIG. 5 ) of the adjustment pin  212  extends from an initial unthreaded portion  212   b , with threaded end portion  212   a  engaging with the internal threads of the housing portion  220 . Thus, rotation of the housing portion  220  causes hinge plate assembly  204  to move toward or away from hinge plate assembly  202 , depending upon the rotation direction. In this regard, portion  220  may include slots  230  that can be engaged by a tool (e.g., a flat head screwdriver) to facilitate rotation. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality (e.g., 2 or more, such as 3 or more) of spaced apart slots are disposed around a periphery of the nut-type component  220 , thereby assuring access to at least one of the slots regardless of the rotation position of the component  220 . 
         [0028]    The plate portion  216  may include an opening  231  that allows the rotatable housing portion component  220  to sit low against the plate portion  216  as shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Fixed portions  224  and  226  of the adjustment housing need not have any internal threads, and have through openings (e.g.,  224   c  in  FIG. 6 ) that are sized to permit the adjustment pin to move along the passage in each portion during rotation of component  220 . 
         [0029]    Notably, housing portion  226  includes a slot  228  that enables viewing internal of the housing  226 . The slot is provided to enable a user to determine whether the end of the adjustment pin has passed fully through housing portion  220  as is desired to assure a stable and solid connection between the two hinge plate assemblies (e.g., see  FIG. 3  where the internal threaded portion of the adjustment pin  212  can be seen through the slot  228 ). As best reflected by the views of  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the adjustment housing  218  substantially surrounds the threaded portion of the threaded adjustment pin to protect the threaded portion against weather related corrosion. A substantial majority (e.g., 75% or more) of the unthreaded portion of the adjustment pin may also be contained within the adjustment housing  218 , creating a clean look, with a distal end of the threaded adjustment pin  212  terminating within the adjustment housing  226 . 
         [0030]    The pivot housing  208  may also include additional support structure such as upper and lower bracket parts  232  and  234  that run along the top and bottom portions of the fixed housing portion  224  (e.g., in contact or near contact). In the illustrated embodiment, each bracket part  232 ,  234  is of a planar plate configuration that tapers so as to have a reduced vertical dimension when moving away from the cylindrical body  209 . Each bracket part also includes a respective flats  232   a ,  234   a  ( FIG. 5 ) that face the adjustment pin  212  and thus, when the two plate assemblies are connected, the adjustment housing (not shown in  FIG. 5 ). The upper and lower portions of the adjustment housing include respective corresponding flats (e.g.,  224   a ,  224   b  and  226   a  in  FIG. 6 ) that face the flats  232   a  and  234   b . A close fit relationship may be provided so that the facing flats are in contact with each other, but variations with small gaps between the facing flats are also possible. The rear face of each bracket part  232 ,  234  faces the front face of plate portion  216 , with a small gap provided therebetween, as best seen in the top view of  FIG. 7  where rear face  232   b  is slightly spaced from front face  216   a . As best seen in  FIGS. 14-16 , this positioning of the brackets  232 ,  234  allows for some rotation of the hinge plate assembly  204  (relative to hinge plate assembly  202 ) during installation and assembly of the hinges on a post  244  and gate  246  structure. In particular, if an upper hinge arrangement  200   a  and lower hinge arrangement  200   b  are both attached to the post  244 , and the upper hinge arrangement  200   a  has also been attached to the gate  246 , the hinge plate assemblies  204  can pivot slightly (e.g., per pivot path  400  in  FIG. 16 ) to enable as necessary in the event of the gate bottom misaligning (e.g., moving forward or rearward relative to the post  244  for tilt compensation), without damage to the upper hinge arrangement  200   a , so as to enable the lower hinge arrangement  200   b  to be attached to the gate  246 . At the same time, the interaction between the brackets  232 ,  234  and the plate portion  216  will limit the amount of pivot, such as between an angle Φ of between about two degrees and about five degrees. Other support structure configurations are also possible as alternatives to the brackets  232 ,  234 . For example, the housing portion  224  could include upper and lower slots into which the bracket parts  232 ,  234  fit and slide during hinge adjustment. Likewise, the housing portion  224  could include protruding rails that fit into slots on the bracket parts  232  and  234 . 
         [0031]    In an exemplary installation, per  FIG. 7 , the mount plate portion  206  of hinge plate assembly  202  is connected to a gate post  244  and the mount plate portion  216  of the hinge plate assembly  204  is connected to a gate  246  (e.g., in each case by fasteners such as screws  260 ,  262 ), enabling the gate to swing relative to the post about pivot axis  210 . Typically, at least two instances of the hinge arrangement  200  would be installed in a vertically spaced apart manner to support the gate  246  on the post  244 , as per  FIG. 14 , enabling lateral adjustment of the position of the gate  246  relative to the post  244  at each hinge element per arrows  402  and  404  (e.g., as desired for aligning the free side of the gate with a latch system on another post, or for creating more uniform gaps between the sides of the gate and the posts). 
         [0032]    As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the plate portions  206  and  216  may include locating features (e.g., protruding rails  240  and  242 ) to align each plate with a respective corner edge of the post  244  or gate  246 . While the described embodiment focuses on outdoor gates attached to posts, it is recognized that the hinge arrangement could be used on other structures, such as indoor gates or interior or exterior doors (e.g., where structure  244  could be a door jamb and structure  246  a door) or doors on appliances, furniture, cabinetry etc. 
         [0033]    As best seen in  FIG. 3  the lateral perimeters  248  and  250  of the plate portions  206  and  208  may be made with curvature and or irregular (e.g., without any substantial linear up and down segments) to help mask any offset of the hinge plate portions from vertical. 
         [0034]    Frictional resistance may be added between components  212  and  220  to oppose undesired rotation/adjustment from vibration. For example, the thread configuration (e.g., conventional, square, tri-lobe) could provide for some interference or some additional structure could be added for interference. Other interference structure could also be used to inhibit vibratory rotation of housing nut portion  220 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8-13 , an alternative hinge arrangement  300  with many similarities to hinge plate assembly  200  above. In particular, hinge arrangement  300  includes a hinge plate assembly  302  and a hinge plate assembly  304 . Hinge plate assembly  302  includes a mount plate portion  306  and a pivot housing  308  thereon movable about a pivot axis  310 . The pivot housing  308  includes a cylindrical body  309  aligned about the axis  310  and an externally threaded adjustment pin  312  extending in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the pivot axis  310 . The cylindrical body  309  is positioned between end hinge bodies  311  that are integral with or fixed to plate portion  306 , with the openings in end hinge bodies  311  and cylindrical body  309  aligned for receipt of a vertical hinge pin  313 . The adjustment pin  312  is movable with the pivot housing  308  as the pivot housing rotates about the axis  310 , but the adjustment pin  312  does not rotate relative to the pivot housing (e.g., the threaded adjustment pin  312  has an elongated axis  319  about which the threaded adjustment pin  312  does not rotate). Thus, the pin  312  and pivot housing  308  may be formed as a single component or part, although formation as multiple components that are interconnected is also possible. 
         [0036]    Hinge plate assembly  304  includes a mount plate portion  316  with an adjustment housing  318  thereon, at least a portion of which is threaded. In the illustrated example, an internally threaded central portion  320  of the adjustment housing  318  is rotatable about the elongated axis  319  (e.g., in either direction per arrow  321 ) for purpose of hinge adjustment (e.g., adjusting a lateral position of hinge plate assembly  304  relative to hinge plate assembly  302  per arrow  323 ). In particular, the threaded portion  320  of the adjustment housing may take the form of a nut-type component that is positioned in a space  322  ( FIG. 12 ) between adjacent fixed portions  324  and  326  of the adjustment housing  318 . The externally threaded end portion  312   a  ( FIG. 13 ) of the adjustment pin  312  extends from an initial unthreaded portion  312   b , with threaded end portion  312   a  engaging with the internal threads of the housing portion  320 . Thus, rotation of the housing portion  320  causes hinge plate assembly  304  to move toward or away from hinge plate assembly  302 , depending upon the rotation direction. In this regard, portion  320  may include slots  330  that can be engaged by a tool (e.g., a flat head screwdriver) to facilitate rotation. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality (e.g., 2 or more, such as 3 or more) of spaced apart slots are disposed around a periphery of the nut-type component  320 , thereby assuring access to at least one of the slots regardless of the rotation position of the component  320 . Housing portion  326  includes a slot  328  that enables viewing internal of the housing  326  (e.g., for use in verifying location of the adjustment pin). 
         [0037]    The pivot housing  308  also includes additional support structure such as upper and lower bracket parts  332  and  334  that run along the top and bottom portions of the fixed housing portion  324  (e.g., in contact or near contact). Bracket parts  332  and  334  may interact with housing portions  324  and  326  in a manner similar to that described above for bracket parts  232  and  234  and housing portions  224  and  226 . 
         [0038]    A primary difference between hinge arrangement  300  and hinge arrangement  200  is that in the hinge arrangement  300  a connection between the pivot housing  308  and the hinge plate assembly  304  includes a gravity hinge feature. In particular, as best seen in  FIG. 9  the lower portion of the cylindrical body  309  includes a downward part-cylindrical projection  370  that defines oppositely angles surfaces  372 ,  374 , and the upper portion of the lower end hinge body  311  includes a primary seating notch  376  with oppositely angled surfaces  378  and  380  ( FIG. 12 ). When the hinge is in the gate/door closed position (e.g.,  FIGS. 8 and 12 ) the projection  370  seats within the notch  376 , with the interacting surfaces  372 ,  374  and  378 ,  380  operating to provide some resistance against pivotal movement of the hinge plate assembly  304  out of the gate/door closed position. When the hinge plate assembly  304  is rotated toward a gate/door open position, the surfaces  372  and  378  interact in a cam action to lift the pivot housing  308  upward along the hinge pin  313  (e.g., thereby slightly raising any gate/door to which hinge plate assembly  304  is attached). When the hinge plate assembly  304  is again rotated toward the gate/door closed position, the surfaces  373  and  378  interact in a gravity induced cam action to force the hinge plate assembly  304  into the gate/door closed position. 
         [0039]    Notably, the upper portion of the lower end hinge body  311  also includes a plurality of detent notches into which the projection may seat to hold the hinge plate assembly  304  (and the gate/door to which it is attached) in an open position. As reflected in  FIGS. 9-11 , multiple detents  382   a ,  382   b  and  382   c  may be provided. In each detent position the force of gravity acting downward on hinge plate assembly  304  causes the projection  370  and detent to interact in a manner that tends to prevent the hinge plate assembly  304  from rotating unless sufficient force is applied to overcome the resistance created by the engaged projection and detent. 
         [0040]    The various hinge arrangements could be made of any suitable material or combinations of materials (e.g., entirely of metal or entirely of engineered resins/plastics). The adjustment pins and adjustment nuts may typically be formed of stainless steel or as steel inserts into plastic, but variations are possible. 
         [0041]    The hinge arrangements could also include torsion springs or other biasing means to bias the hinge arrangements toward open or closed conditions or to dampen hinge pivot (e.g., as an alternative to the gravity hinge arrangement and gravity detents described above). In this regard, reference is made to  FIGS. 17-21  showing a hinge arrangement  500  with many features similar to that of the above hinge arrangements. However, hinge arrangement  500  with hinge plate assemblies  502  and  504  includes a torsion spring arrangement to rotational urge hinge plate assembly  504  about hinge axis  510  in the direction of arrow  505  (e.g., in the gate/door closed direction). The torsion spring  515  is internal of the hinge components and a spring cap  525  covers the top of the spring. When the cap is partially raised, it can be used to rotate the upper end of the spring  515  in either direction to either increase or decrease the bias provided by the spring (e.g., where a free end of the wire forming the spring is carried in a slot  545  of the cap during the adjustment). When fully seated/lowered, the cap can engage with a rotation preventing tab  535  of the hinge plate assembly  502 . 
         [0042]    It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible. For example, the gravity feature could be combined with a spring feature (e.g., a compression spring that urges projection  370  into notch  376 , or a spring the tends to push projection  370  out of the notch  376 ). Moreover, while the gate post type structure is shown on the left side and the gate/door type structure is shown on the right side in the drawings above, it is recognized that the opposite orientation is possible.

Technology Category: 0