GB2474655A

GB2474655A - Hinge assembly with a hook shaped member

Info

Publication number: GB2474655A
Application number: GB0918398A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jim Morgan
Original assignee: MNP Ltd
Current assignee: MNP Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-21
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Also published as: GB0918398D0

Abstract

A hinge assembly 10, especially for cladding panels in tunnels, comprises rod member 16 attachable or integral with a first component 12 and a hook shaped member 18 attachable or integral with a second component 14. The hook-shaped member is hingedly connected to the rod member by hooking around it. Preferably there is a locking member 20 to lock the hook shaped member in hinged connection with the rod member. The lock may be an L-shaped member attached to the hook shaped member or the second component and having a portion facing the rod member in use. There may be recess or aperture in the first component to space the rod member apart from the first component or there may a spacer at each end of the rod. Also claimed is an access panel assembly including the hinge and a method of installing the access panel.

Description

A HINGE ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting two components together. The present invention also relates to an access panel comprising a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting the access panel to an access panel frame or support. The present invention also relates to a method for installing a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting two components together, in particular for pivotally connecting an access panel to an access panel frame or support.

In pedestrian and vehicular tunnel systems it has become increasingly important to line the inside of the tunnel system with a number of cladding panels. The cladding panels act to conceal the utilities such as electrical cabling, fibre optic cabling, water pipes and the like from the view of the public using the tunnel system. The utilities need to be concealed from the public for a number of reasons including to prevent them from being tampered or interfered with by members of the public and to make the tunnel system look aesthetically pleasing. It is, however, important that easy access is provided for engineers and the like to the various utilities at strategic points along the length of the tunnel system. Access is generally provided by a number of access panels which are removable from the main cladding panels or are pivotally connected to the main cladding panels like doors. Generally if the access panels are hingedly connected to the main cladding panels like doors the hinge is provided at the top of the access panel. The problem occurs when installing the access panels as the access panels are quite large and heavy and traditional hinges require the hinge, as a single unit, to be first connected to the access panel and then for the access panel to be held in position whilst the hinge is then connected to the access panel frame or vice versa. This type of installation requires at least two people, one of them very strong in order to hold the access panel in position whilst the other person connects the hinge. There is therefore a need for an alternative system in which the access panels are hingedly connected to the access panel frames wherein a single individual could install the access panel.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a first component to a second component, the first or second component being mounted directly or indirectly to a wall or ceiling in use, the hinge assembly comprising: i) a rod member ii) a hook-shaped member wherein the rod member is attachable to or integral with the first component and wherein the hook-shaped member is attachable to or integral with the second component and wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member by hooking around the rod member.

Preferably the rod member is attachable to or integral with the first component separate from the hook-shaped member and wherein the hook-shaped member is attachable to or integral with the second component separate from the rod member and wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member after the rod member has been connected to the first component and after the hook-shaped member has been connected to the second component.

This is advantageous as the rod member and hook-shaped member can be attached separately from one another, either on or off site, on to each of the components that are desired to be hingedly connected together. This means that on site a single person can, once the rod member and hook-shaped member have been attached to the first an second components respectively, hingedly connect the hook-shaped member to the rod member by simply hooking the hook-shaped member over the rod member.

Preferably the rod member is fixedly connected to the first component in use.

Suitably, the rod member is fixed to the first component in use, such that the rod member cannot move relative to the first component.

Preferably the hook-shaped member is fixedly connected to the second component in use. Suitably, the rod member is fixed to the second component in use, such that the rod member cannot move relative to the first component.

Preferably the rod member is fixedly connected to the first component at the rod's first end and second end and wherein a mid-portion of the rod member between its first and second ends is spaced apart from the first component such that when the hook-shaped member is hingedly connected to the rod member, the hook-shaped member is free to pivot about the rod member. The term mid-portion' as used herein relates to any portion between the first and second ends of the rod member, and need not be symmetrically mid-way between the first and second ends.

Preferably the first component is provided with a recess to space the mid-portion of the rod member apart from the first component. This is advantageous because it allows for the hook-shaped member to pivot about the rod member.

Preferably the first component is provided with an aperture to space the centre of the rod member apart from the first component. This is advantageous because it allows for the hook-shaped member to pivot about the rod member.

Preferably the rod member is provided with a first spacer member at the first end of the rod member and a second spacer member at the second end of the rod member to space the mid-portion of the rod member apart from the first component. This is advantageous because it allows for the hook-shaped member to pivot about the rod member.

Preferably the rod member is fixedly connected to the first component by welding.

Preferably the rod member is attached to the first component in use with the longitudinal axis of the rod member being substantially horizontal. Suitably, the hook-shaped member hooks over the rod member. Advantageously, the hook-shaped member is attached to the second component substantially at or near the top of the second component, such that at least a major portion of the second component can hang substantially below the hinge assembly in use, when the second component is in a closed position, and the hook-shaped member is held against the pin by gravity.

Preferably the hook-shaped member is fixedly connected to the second component by using nuts and bolts or screws.

Preferably the hinge assembly further comprises a locking member.

Preferably the locking member is adapted to lock the hook-shaped member in hinged connection with the rod member to prevent removal of the hook-shaped member from the rod member.

Preferably the locking member is generally L-shaped having first and second portion aligned substantially perpendicular to one another, the first portion being attached to the hook-shaped member in use and the second portion facing the rod member in use.

Preferably the locking member is adapted to be connected to the second component.

Preferably the locking member is adapted to be connected to the hook-shaped member.

Preferably the first component comprises a door support and the second component comprises a door leaf.

Preferably the door support comprises an access panel support and wherein the door leaf comprises an access panel.

Preferably the access panel is adapted to be connected to a ceiling or wall.

Preferably the ceiling or wall is curved.

Preferably the access panel is curved to conform with the curvature of the ceiling or wall.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an access panel assembly comprising: i) an access panel support having a rod member; ii) an access panel having a hook-shaped member; wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an access panel assembly comprising a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly comprising: i) a rod member ii) a hook-shaped member wherein the rod member is attachable to the first component and wherein the hook- shaped member is attachable to the second component and wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member by hooking over the rod member, wherein the first component comprises an access panel support and wherein the second component comprises an access panel.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing an access panel to an access panel support comprising the steps of: i) mounting an access panel support to a ceiling or wall; ii) attaching a rod member to the access panel support; iii) attaching a hook-shaped member to the access panel; iv) hooking the hook-shaped member of the access panel around the rod member of the access panel support, and wherein steps i), ii) and iii) are interchangeable.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures of which:-Figure 1 is a side cross-section of hinge assemblies in situ in use in closed configuration; Figure 2 is a side cross-section of hinge assemblies in situ in use in partial open configuration; Figure 3 is a magnified view of highlighted portion C of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a magnified view of highlighted portion D of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a top perspective view of a hook-shaped member; Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of a hook-shaped member; Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a locking member; Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of a locking member; Figure 9 is a front plan view of an access panel; Figure 10 is a magnified view of highlighted portion F of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of an access panel; Figure 12 is a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a front perspective view of access panel supports and rod member in situ in use; Figure 14 is a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a first access panel support; Figure 16 is a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a second access panel support; Figure 18 is a magnified view of highlighted portion B of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a rear exploded perspective view of hinge assemblies in situ in use; Figure 20 is a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 19; and Figure 21 is a front perspective view of hinge assemblies in situ in use.

Figure 1 illustrates hinge assemblies 10, lOa in situ in a side cross-sectional view hingedly connecting first components, being access panel supports 12, 12a, to second components, being access panels 14, 14a, in a closed configuration.

Figure 2 illustrates the hinge assemblies 10, lOa of Figure 1 in a side cross-sectional view wherein one of the hinge assemblies 10 is in an open configuration.

Figure 3 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion C of Figure 2 showing the hinge assembly 10 in more detail. The hinge assembly 10 has a rod member 16 which is attached to the access panel support 12. The rod member 16 is attached to the access panel support 12 by welding, or any other suitable attachment means.

The hinge assembly 10 also has a hook-shaped member 18 which is attached to the access panel 14. The hook-shaped member 18 is attached to the access panel 14 with nuts and bolts, or any other suitable attachment means. The hook-shaped member 18 hooks over the rod member 16 to form the hinge assembly 10. The hook-shaped member 18 is able to pivot about the rod member 16 to hingedly connect the access panel support 12 to the access panel 14. The hinge assembly also has a locking member 20. The locking member 20 is attached to the access panel 14 and hooked-shaped member 18. The locking member 20 is attached to the access panel 14 and hook-shaped member 18 with nuts and bolts, or any other suitable attachment means. The locking member 20 also abuts, or at the very least is arranged in close proximity to, the rod member 16 such that the hook-shaped member 18 cannot be unhooked from the rod member 16 whilst the locking member 20 is in position, but so that the hook-shaped member 18 can pivot about the rod member 16.

Figure 4 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion D of Figure 2 showing the hinge assembly lOa in more detail. The hinge assembly lOa has a rod member 16 which is attached to the access panel support 12a. The rod member 16a is attached to the access panel support 12a by welding, or any other suitable attachment means. The hinge assembly lOa also has a hook-shaped member 18a which is attached to the access panel 14a. The hook-shaped member 18a is attached to the access panel 14a with nuts and bolts, or any other suitable attachment means. The hook-shaped member 18a hooks over the rod member 16a to form the hinge assembly lOa. The hook-shaped member 18a is able to pivot about the rod member 16a to hingedly connect the access panel support 12a to the access panel 14a. The hinge assembly lOa also has a locking member 20a. The locking member 20a is attached to the access panel 14a and hook-shaped member 18a. The locking member 20a is attached to the access panel 14a and hook-shaped member 18a with nuts and bolts, or any other suitable attachment means.

The locking member 20a also abuts, or at the very least is arranged in close proximity to, the rod member 16 such that the hook-shaped member 18a cannot be unhooked from the rod member 16a whilst the locking member 20a is in position, but so that the hook-shaped member 18 can pivot about the rod member 16.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate perspective views of the hook-shaped member 18. The hook-shaped member 18 has a flat portion 22 and a curved portion 24. The flat portion 22 has a series of apertures 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 for retaining nuts and bolts used to attach the hook-shaped member to the access panel support 12. Initially the hook-shaped member is attached to the access panel 14 with nuts and bolts through apertures 26, 28, 32 and 34, leaving aperture 30 without a fixing. Aperture is used to attach the locking member 20 to the access panel 14 through the hook-shaped member 18. The curved portion 24 has the same curvature as the outer curvature of the cylindrical rod member 16 such that the curved portion 24 can pivot about the rod member 16.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate perspective views of the locking member 20. The locking member 20 has a small flat portion 48 perpendicular to a large flat portion 46. The large flat portion 46 has a series of apertures 36, 38, 42, 44 which correspond with the location of the apertures 26, 28, 32, 34 in the hook-shaped member 18. The apertures 36, 38, 42, 44 are larger than the apertures 26, 28, 32, 34 such that any nuts and bolts or other fixing means are not retainable by apertures 36, 38, 42,44.

The large flat portion 46 has a further aperture 40 which is the same size as aperture 30 in the hook-shaped member 18 such that aperture 40 is capable of retaining a nut and bolt. In use the locking member 20 is held in place by passing a single bolt through apertures 40 and 30 into the access panel 14 to retain the locking member 20 in position. The locking member 20 is installed in position after the hook-shaped member has been installed to the access panel and after the hook-shaped member has been hingedly connected to the rod member 16 in situ on the access panel support 12.

Figure 9 illustrates a front plan view of the access panel 14.

Figure 10 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion F of Figure 9 showing vents 50 in more detail. The vents 50 allow for circulation of air inside the space covered by the access panel 14 in use and create a noise dampening effect in conjunction with noise dampening material located inside the access panel. Figure 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of the access panel 14. Figure 12 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 11 showing the installed location of hook-shaped member 18 in more detail. In use, typically two hook-shaped members 18 are installed to the rear of each access panel 14. In an alternative embodiment, any number of hook-shaped members 18 may be installed to the rear of the access panel 14, from one or more depending on the length of the access panel 14 and the length of the hook-shaped members 18, the amount of support required and/or the weight of the access panel.

Figure 13 illustrates access panel supports 12, 12a installed in position between cladding panels 52, 54. The cladding panels 52, 54 are installed in position to a ceiling or wall with fixing bracket assemblies 56, 58 attached to Unistruts ® 62, 64.

Figure 14 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 13 showing the connection between access panel support 12a and cladding panel 54.

Figure 15 illustrates a perspective view of access panel support 12, and Figure 16 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion A of Figure 15. The access panel support 12 has a cut-out portion 60 in the vicinity of the mid-portion of the rod member 16. The rod member 16 is fixedly attached by welding or any other suitable means to the access panel support 12, at the first and second ends of the rod members 16. The cut-out portion 60 is provided such that when the hook-shaped member 18 is installed in hinged connection with the rod member 16, the hook-shaped member 18 is free to pivot about the rod member 16 without being stopped or hindered from moving by the access panel support 12. In an alternative embodiment, there may not be a cut-out portion, but instead the access panel support 12 is provided with a recess in the same location of the cut-out portion 60 described above; or in a further alternative embodiment the rod member 16 may be provided with spacer elements at both ends of the rod member 16 to space the rod member 16 away from the access panel support 12. The end result in any event being to provide space around the mid-portion of the rod member 16 about which the hook-shaped member 18 can pivot. In use, typically, two rod members 16 are installed to each of the access panel supports 12. In an alternative embodiment any number of rod members 16 may be installed to the access panel support 12, from one or more depending on the length of the access panel support 12, the length of the rod members 16 and the number and length of the hook-shaped members 18 installed to the access panel 14.

Figure 17 illustrates a perspective view of access panel support 12a and Figure 18 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion B of Figure 17. The access panel support 12a has a cut-out portion 60a in the vicinity of the mid-portion of the rod member 16a. The rod member 16a is fixedly attached by welding or any other suitable means to the access panel support 12a, at the first and second ends of the rod member 16a. The cut-out portion 60a is provided such that when the hook-shaped member 18a is installed in hinged connection with the rod member 16a the hook-shaped member 18a is free to pivot about the rod member 16a without being stopped or hindered from moving by the access panel support 12a. In an alternative embodiment there may not be a cut-out portion, but instead the access panel support 12a is provided with a recess in the same location of the cut-out portion 60a described above or in a further alternative the rod member 16a may be provided with spacer elements at both ends of the rod member 1 6a to space the rod member 16a away from the access panel support 12a. The end result in any event being to provide space around the mid-portion of the rod member 16a about which the hook-shaped member 18a can pivot. In use, typically, two rod members 16a are installed to each of the access panel supports 12a. In an alternative embodiment any number of rod members 16a may be installed to the access panel support 12a, from one or more depending on the length of the access panel support 12a, the length of the rod member 16a and the number and length of the hook-shaped members 18a installed to the access panel 14a.

Access panel supports 12, 12a are formed from folded sheet metal. The sheet metal is folded such that a channel is provided into which the top edge of the respective access panels 14, 14a is received when the access panel 14, 14a is in an open position (see Figure 3). The hook-shaped members 18, 18a are shown as being attached to the access panels 14, 14a near, but not at the top edge of the access panels 14, 14a.

Figure 19 illustrates hook-shaped members 18, 18a and rod members 16, 16a of hinge assembly 10, lOa expanded in situ in a rear perspective view connecting access panels 14, 14a to access panel supports 12, 12a. Figure 20 illustrates a magnified view of highlighted portion B of Figure 19 showing the hook-shaped member 18 in more detail.

Figure 21 illustrates a front view of access panels 14, 14a in hinged connection with access panel supports 12, 12a (not shown) using hinge assemblies 10, lOa (not shown).

The access panels 14, 14a, access panel supports 12, 12a, hook-shaped members 18, 18a, rod members 16, 16a and locking members 20, 20a are all formed from a metal material, preferably steel, and are rigid.

It will be understood that the access panel supports 12, 12a can be mounted to a wall or ceiling directly, or indirectly by means of further fixings.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hinge assembly for hingedly connecting a first component to a second component, the first or second component being mounted directly or indirectly to a wall or ceiling in use, the hinge assembly comprising: i) a rod member ii) a hook-shaped member wherein the rod member is attachable to or integral with the first component and wherein the hook-shaped member is attachable to or integral with the second component and wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member by hooking around the rod member.
2. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the rod member is attachable to or integral with the first component separate from the hook-shaped member and wherein the hook-shaped member is attachable to or integral with the second component separate from the rod member and wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member after the rod member has been connected to the first component and after the hook-shaped member has been connected to the second component.
3. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the rod member is fixedly connected to the first component in use.
4. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hook-shaped member is fixedly connected to the second component in use.
5. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rod member is fixedly connected to the first component at the rod's first end and second end and wherein a mid-portion of the rod member between its first and second ends is spaced apart from the first component such that when the hook-shaped member is hingedly connected to the rod member, the hook-shaped member is free to pivot about the rod member.
6. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first component is provided with a recess to space the mid-portion of the rod member apart from the first component.
7. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first component is provided with an aperture to space the centre of the rod member apart from the first component.
8. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the rod member is provided with a first spacer member at the first end of the rod member and a second spacer member at the second end of the rod member to space the mid-portion of the rod member apart from the first component.
9. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rod member is fixedly connected to the first component by welding.
10. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rod member is attached to the first component in use with the longitudinal axis of the rod member being substantially horizontal.
11. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hook-shaped member is fixedly connected to the second component by using nuts and bolts or screws.
12. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a locking member.
13. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the locking member is adapted to lock the hook-shaped member in hinged connection with the rod member to prevent removal of the hook-shaped member from the rod member.
14. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the locking member is generally L-shaped having first and second portions aligned substantially perpendicular to one another, the first portion being attached to the hook-shaped member in use and the second portion facing the rod member in use.
15. A hinge assembly as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the locking member is adapted to be connected to the second component.
16. A hinge assembly as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the locking member is adapted to be connected to the hook-shaped member.
17. A hinge assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first component comprises a door support and the second component comprises a door leaf.
18. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the door support comprises an access panel support and wherein the door leaf comprises an access panel.
19. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the access panel is adapted to be connected to a ceiling or wall.
20. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the ceiling or wall is curved.
21. A hinge assembly as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the access panel is curved to conform with the curvature of the ceiling or wall.
22. An access panel assembly comprising: i) an access panel support having a rod member; ii) an access panel having a hook-shaped member; wherein the hook-shaped member is adapted to be hingedly connected to the rod member.
23. An access panel assembly comprising a hinge assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the first component comprises an access panel support and wherein the second component comprises an access panel
24. A method of installing an access panel to an access panel support comprising the steps of: i) mounting an access panel support to a ceiling or wall; ii) attaching a rod member to the access panel support; iii) attaching a hook-shaped member to the access panel; iv) hooking the hook-shaped member of the access panel around the rod member of the access panel support, and wherein steps i), ii) and iii) are interchangeable.
25. A hinge assembly, an access panel assembly and a method of installing an access panel in an access panel support as hereinbefore substantially described with reference to the accompanying Figures.