GB2514559A

GB2514559A - Improvements in or relating to hinge assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2514559A
Application number: GB201309494A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Daryl Fradley
Original assignee: HL Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Liniar Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-28
Filing date: 2013-05-28
Publication date: 2014-12-03
Also published as: GB201309494D0

Abstract

Disclosed is a hinge assembly 10 comprising a first hinge assembly portion 12 and a second hinge assembly portion 14. The first hinge assembly portion 12 includes a first elongate reinforcing member 16 that is securable in use to one of a frame or a sash and which includes a plurality of arcuate guide members 30. The second hinge assembly portion 14 includes a second elongate reinforcing member 42 that is securable in use to the other of a frame or a sash and which includes a plurality of arcuate arm members 44. Each arcuate guide member 30 of the first hinge assembly portion 12 cooperates with a corresponding arcuate arm member 44 of the second hinge assembly portion 14 to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 are rotatable relative to one another.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HINGE ASSEMBLIES

This invention relates to first and second hinge assembly portions, a hinge assembly including such first and second hinge assembly portions, and a door assembly including such a hinge assembly.

Conventional leaf hinges, as are often used in door and window assemblies within a building, include a knuckle which often protrudes beyond each of the associated door or window frame and the associated door or window sash. Such exposure of the knuckle creates a security risk since this means they typically are accessible to burglars, and it also creates downstream finishing difficulties, e.g. when attempting to plaster around the door or window assembly.

As a result there is a need for an improved hinge assembly which obviates the is aforementioned difficulties.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a first hinge assembly portion, for use in a door or window assembly of a building, the first hinge assembly portion comprising a first elongate reinforcing member securable in use to one of a frame or a sash, the first reinforcing member including a plurality of arcuate guide members, each arcuate guide member cooperating in use with a corresponding arcuate arm member of a second hinge assembly portion to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.

The provision of arcuate guide members which are cooperable with corresponding arcuate arm members of a second hinge assembly portion permits the resulting hinge assembly to be completely concealed within any door or window assembly in which it is incorporated, at least while the door or window assembly is in a closed configuration, and so avoids the security and finishing difficulties mentioned above.

In addition, having a first elongate reinforcing member which includes a plurality of the said arcuate guide members both reinforces the frame or sash to which it is secured in use and, advantageously, additionally reduces the time taken to fabricate and install a given door or window assembly by helping to ensure that the arcuate guide members are positioned correctly so as to cooperate as desired with the corresponding arcuate arm members of an associated second hinge assembly portion.

Preferably each arcuate guide member defines a hollow arcuate guide chamber, each hollow arcuate guide chamber receiving in use a corresponding arcuate insert member of the second hinge assembly portion.

Having each arcuate guide member define a hollow arcuate guide chamber helps to reduce the degree of unwanted lateral movement between corresponding arcuate guide and arcuate arm members, and so helps to ensure that any door or window panel held within a resulting door or window assembly remains correctly positioned relative to the associated frame throughout its range of movement between open and closed positions.

Optionally the plurality of arcuate guide members are arranged symmetrically along the first elongate reinforcing member.

Having the arcuate guide members arranged in this manner permits the interchangeable use of a single first hinge assembly portion in each of a left-or right-opening, or an inward or outward opening, door or window assembly. In this manner such an arrangement avoids the need for a multitude of differently configured first hinge assembly portions in order to accommodate the various aforementioned different possible door or window assembly opening configurations.

The plurality of arcuate guide members may be arranged symmetrically about a mid-point of the first elongate reinforcing member.

Such an arrangement assists in accurately positioning the first hinge assembly portion relative to an associated frame or sash in each of the various possible door or window assembly opening configurations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention each arcuate guide member is separately formed from the first elongate reinforcing member.

Forming each of the arcuate guide members separately from the first elongate reinforcing member allows for an optimisation of the manufacturing process utilised for each of the said components, e.g. rolling for the first elongate reinforcing member and moulding or casting for each arcuate guide member.

Preferably at least one arcuate guide member is formed from first and second guide member portions.

Forming at least one arcuate guide member from first and second guide member portions permits ready fabrication of, e.g. a hollow arcuate guide chamber, which, as set out above, has desirable characteristics.

S

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a second hinge assembly portion, for use in a door or window assembly of a building, the second hinge assembly portion comprising a second elongate reinforcing member securable in use to one of a frame or a sash, the second reinforcing member including a plurality of arcuate arm members, each arcuate arm member cooperating in use with a corresponding arcuate guide member of a first hinge assembly to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.

The provision of arcuate arm members which are cooperable with corresponding arcuate guide members of a first hinge assembly portion permits the resulting hinge assembly to be completely concealed within any door or window assembly in which it is incorporated, at least while the door or window assembly is in a closed configuration, and so avoids the security and finishing difficulties mentioned above.

In addition, having a second elongate reinforcing member which includes a plurality of the said arcuate ami members both reinforces the frame or sash to which it is secured in use and1 advantageously, additionally reduces the time taken to fabricate and install a given door or window assembly by helping to ensure that the arcuate arm members are positioned correctly so as to cooperate as desired with the corresponding arcuate guide members of an associated first hinge assembly portion.

Optionally each arcuate arm member defines an arcuate insert member, each arcuate insert member being received in use within a corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber of the first hinge assembly portion.

Having each arcuate arm member define an arcuate insert member helps to reduce the degree of unwanted lateral movement between corresponding arcuate guide and arcuate arm members, and so helps to ensure that any door or window panel held within a resulting door or window assembly remains correctly positioned relative to the associated frame throughout its range of movement between open and closed positions.

The plurality of arcuate arm members may be arranged symmetrically along the second elongate reinforcing member.

Having the arcuate arm members arranged in this manner permits the interchangeable use of a single second hinge assembly portion in each of a left-or right-opening, or an inward or outward opening, door or window assembly.

Preferably the plurality of arcuate arm members are arranged symmetrically about a mid-point of the second elongate reinforcing member.

Such an arrangement assists in accurately positioning the second hinge assembly portion relative to an associated frame or sash in each of the various possible door or window assembly opening configurations.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention at least one arcuate insert member includes a self-lubricating sleeve arranged in use to lie between the arcuate insert member and a corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber.

The inclusion of at least one such self-lubricating sleeve helps to ensure the continued smooth and ready sliding of the arcuate insert member within the corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber.

At least one arcuate insert member may include a tapered distal end.

The inclusion of at least one such tapered distal end, i.e. the end lying furthest from the associated second elongate reinforcing member, assists an installation operative in inserting the insert member into a corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber, e.g. during installation of an associated door or window assembly.

Preferably each arcuate arm member is separately formed from the second elongate reinforcing member.

Forming each of the arcuate arm members separately from the second elongate reinforcing member allows for an optimisation of the manufacturing process utilised for each of the said components, e.g. rolling for the second elongate reinforcing member and moulding, casting or machining of each arcuate arm member.

Optionally at least one arcuate arm member is interconnected with the second elongate reinforcing member by a fixing member.

The inclusion of such a feature continues to simplify the manufacture of the arcuate insert member while at the same time facilitating ready fabrication of the second hinge assembly portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a hinge assembly, for use in a door or window assembly of a building, comprising a first hinge assembly portion as described hereinabove and a second hinge assembly portion as described hereinabove, each arcuate guide member of the first hinge assembly portion cooperating with a corresponding arcuate arm member of the second hinge assembly portion to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.

The provision of arcuate guide members which cooperate with corresponding arcuate arm members permits the hinge assembly to be completely concealed within any door or window assembly in which it is incorporated, at least while the door or window assembly is in a closed configuration, and so avoids the security and finishing difficulties mentioned above.

In addition, having respective first and second elongate reinforcing members, each of which includes a plurality of the said arcuate guide or arcuate arm members, reinforces the frame or sash to which it is secured in use. Moreover they additionally reduce the time taken to fabricate and install a given door or window assembly by helping to ensure that both the arcuate guide members and the arcuate arm members are positioned correctly so as to cooperate as desired with one another.

so In a further preferred embodiment of the invention each arcuate guide member defines a hollow arcuate guide chamber, each arcuate arm member defines an arcuate insert member, and each hollow arcuate guide chamber receives a corresponding arcuate insert member to define the said hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.

Such an arrangement helps to reduce the degree of unwanted lateral movement between corresponding arcuate guide and arcuate arm members, and so helps to ensure that any door or window panel held within a resulting door or window assembly remains correctly positioned relative to the associated frame throughout its range of movement between open and closed positions.

Preferably each of the first and second hinge assembly portions includes a first mutually cooperable coupling formation, the first mutually cooperable coupling formations cooperating with one another to at least limit the extent to which the first and second hinge assembly portions are able to rotate away from one another and thereby define an open configuration of the hinge assembly.

The inclusion of such first mutually cooperable coupling formations, and their defining of a maximum angle between, e.g. an associated door sash and a door frame, helps to prevent the sash damaging or being damaged by the frame or an adjacent support surface.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention the first mutually cooperable coupling formations include an arcuate slot and a corresponding pin member.

Such an arrangement provides the desired limit in rotation between the first and second hinge assembly portions in a manner that is readily manufacturable.

Optionally the pin member is selectively removable from the arcuate slot to permit separation of the corresponding arcuate guide and arcuate arm members.

The ability selectively to remove the pin member facilitates installation and assembly of the hinge assembly, e.g. insertion of each arcuate insert member into the corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber, in an on-site building environment.

One of the first or the second hinge assembly portions may include a damping assembly cooperable with the other of the first or second hinge assembly portions to reduce the speed at which the first and second hinge assembly portions rotate towards one another as the hinge assembly approaches a closed configuration in which the first and second hinge assembly portions lie adjacent to one another.

The inclusion of such a damping assembly provides an associated door or window assembly within which the hinge assembly is incorporated with a so-called "soft close" functionality. This reduces the impact that inadvertently slamming closed the door or window may have on the associated frame and/or adjacent support surface, and so reduces the likelihood of the frame or support surface being dislodged or damaged.

Preferably the damping assembly is or includes a resiliently deformable member.

Such a feature may be readily incorporated within one or other of the first and second hinge assembly portions in order to provide the desired damping functionality.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention each of the first and second hinge assembly portions includes at least one mutually cooperable retention formation to selectively retain the first and second hinge assembly portions at a desired angle relative to one another.

The inclusion of one or more such mutually cooperable retention formations provides is additional user functionality to any door or window assembly in which the hinge assembly is incorporated by allowing a user to, selectively, retain the door or window in, e.g. a desired open, half open, or almost closed configuration.

Optionally each of the first and second hinge assembly portions includes a second mutually cooperable coupling formation which inhibits separation of the first and second hinge assembly portions from one another independently of any coupling between respective arcuate guide and arcuate arm members thereof.

Having second mutually cooperable coupling formations provides an additional degree of security in terms of inhibiting tampering with hinge assembly, and more particularly separation of the first and second hinge assembly portions, e.g. by an individual attempting to gain unauthorised access to a building.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a door assembly comprising a hinge assembly as described hereinabove.

The door assembly of the invention shares the advantages of the corresponding features of the hinge assembly of the invention.

as There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hinge assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2(a) shows a perspective view of an upper portion of a door assembly incorporating the hinge assembly shown in Figure 1; S Figure 2(b) shows a perspective view of a lower portion of a door assembly incorporating the hinge assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3(a) shows a perspective view of cooperating arcuate guide and arcuate arm members, which form pad of the hinge assembly shown in Figure 1, in an open position; to Figure 3(b) shows a perspective view of cooperating arcuate guide and arcuate arm members, which form part of the hinge assembly shown in Figure 1, in a closed position; Figure 4 shows a perspective, exploded view of first and second guide member portions which form part of the arcuate guide member shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b); Figure 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the hinge assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a partially exploded view of the cooperating arcuate guide and arcuate arm members shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b); and Figure 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of another portion of the hinge assembly shown in Figure 1.

A hinge assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by reference numeral 10, as illustrated in Figure 1. The hinge assembly 10 includes a first hinge assembly portion 12 and a second hinge assembly portion 14.

In the embodiment shown, the first hinge assembly portion 12 includes a first elongate reinforcing member 16 which, in use, is secured to a door frame 18, e.g. as illustrated in Figure 2(a), which shows an upper portion 20 of the door frame 18 and an associated support surface 22 (i.e. wall) to which the door frame 18 is secured, and in Figure 2(b) which shows a lower portion 24 of the door frame 18. A plurality of screws (not shown) or other fasteners may be used to effect the said securing of the first reinforcing member 16 to the door frame 18.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first reinforcing member 16 may be secured instead to a door sash 26, i.e. the moveable part of a door panel 28, or to one or other of a window frame or a window sash.

The first reinforcing member 16 includes three arcuate guide members 30, each of which is essentially identical. Each arcuate guide member 30 defines a hollow arcuate guide chamber 32, as illustrated in Figures 3(a) and 3(b).

The three arcuate guide members 30 are arranged symmetrically along the first reinforcing member 16 and, more particularly, are arranged symmetrically about a midpoint 34 of the first reinforcing member 16.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the first reinforcing member 16 may include fewer than or more than three arcuate guide members 30 and they need not be arranged symmetrically therealong.

Each arcuate guide member 30 is formed separately from the first reinforcing member 16, although each is made from a metal which, in the embodiment shown, is steel.

Moreover, each of the arcuate guide members 30 is formed from first and second guide member portions 36, 38, as shown in Figure 4. Each of the guide member portions 36, 38 is a mirror image of the other which simplifies their manufacture.

In other embodiments of the invention one or more of the arcuate guide members 30 may be formed as a single piece with a unitary construction. Such a component although more difficult to manufacture has the benefit of being easy to assemble.

The arcuate guide members 30 are fastened to the first reinforcing member 16 by a plurality of machine screws 40 (as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b)), although other types of fastener including an adhesive are also possible.

The second hinge assembly portion 14 includes a second elongate reinforcing member 42 which, in use, is secured to a door sash 26, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b). In other embodiments of the invention, e.g. those in which the first elongate reinforcing member 16 is secured to a door sash 26, the second reinforcing member 42 may instead be secured to a door frame 18. Similarly the second reinforcing member 42 may be secured to one or other of a window frame or a window sash.

s5 In still further embodiments of the invention the first or second reinforcing member 16, 42 when secured to a door frame 18 (or window frame) may be so secured via one or more mounting members (not shown). The or each such mounting member is fixedly secured to the frame 18 and the reinforcing member 16, 42 is adjustable laterally relative thereto, i.e. so as to permit the reinforcing member 16,42 to be moved further into or further out of, e.g. a building in which the frame 16 is located, according to the positioning requirements of a given installation.

The second reinforcing member 42 includes three arcuate arm members 44, each of which cooperates in use with a corresponding arcuate guide member 30 of the first hinge assembly portion 12. More particularly, each of the arcuate arm members 44 defines an arcuate insert member 46 which, in use, is received within the hollow arcuate guide chamber 32 of a corresponding arcuate guide member 30.

In the embodiment shown each of the hollow arcuate guide chambers 32 and the arcuate insert members 46 has a rectangular cross-sectional profile. They may, however, have a round, oval, triangular or other radial cross-sectional profile.

In addition, in other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the second reinforcing member 42 may include more than or fewer than three arcuate arm members 44. In all instances, however, the number of arcuate arm members 44 is usually chosen to correspond to the number of arcuate guide members 30 included in the first hinge assembly portion 12, and vice versa.

Given the cooperation between the arcuate guide and arcuate arm members 30, 44 in the embodiment shown, the three arcuate arm members 44 are similarly arranged symmetrically about a midpoint 48 of the second reinforcing member 42.

Each arcuate arm member 30 includes first and second self-lubricating sleeves 50, 52, as shown in Figure 3(a), each of which lies between a respective side of the arcuate insert member 46 and an adjacent side of a corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber 32. The self-lubricating sleeves 50, 52 are formed from a low-friction material so such as, for example, an acetal plastic.

In addition to the foregoing each arcuate arm member 441 i.e. each arcuate insert member 46, includes a tapered distal end 54, i.e. a tapered end which lies furthermost from the second reinforcing member 42. More particularly, in the embodiment shown each of the sides at the distal end 54 are rounded, although other tapered profiles are also possible.

Each arcuate arm member 44 is separately formed from the second reinforcing member 42 and, in the embodiment shown, is interconnected with the second reinforcing member 42 by a fixing member 56, as shown most clearly in Figure 5. The fixing member 56 is secured to each of the second reinforcing member 42 and a respective arcuate ami member 44 by machine screws (not shown), although other fastener types are also possible. Other embodiments of the invention may omit the fixing member 56 and instead include arcuate arm members (not shown) which include a fixing formation which may be fixed directly to the second reinforcing member 42.

Turning again to the hinge assembly 10 as a whole, each of the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 includes a first mutually cooperable coupling formation 58.

More particularly each arcuate guide member 30 of the first hinge assembly portion 12 includes a pair of opposed arcuate slots 60 and each arcuate arm member 44 includes a corresponding pin member 62.

Each pin member 62 is selectively removable from each of the slots 60 of the corresponding arcuate guide member 30 to permit separation of the arcuate guide and arcuate arm members 30, 44 from one another.

The first hinge assembly portion additionally includes a damping assembly 64 which in turn incorporates a resiliently deformable member 66, as shown in Figure 7.

Each of the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 also includes a plurality of mutually cooperable retention formations (not shown) which selectively retain the first and second hinge assembly portions at a desired angle relative to one another.

In addition each of the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 includes a second mutually cooperable coupling formation (not shown) which inhibits separation of the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 from one another independently of the coupling between such portions 12, 14, e.g. as may be provided by respective corresponding arcuate guide and arm members 30, 44.

In use the hinge assembly 10, and the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 included therein, are incorporated in a door assembly 68, such as the one partially illustrated in Figures 2(a) and 2(b).

Furthermore, in use each arcuate guide member 30 of the first hinge assembly portion 12 cooperates with a corresponding arcuate arm member 44 of the second hinge assembly portion 14, i.e. each hollow arcuate guide chamber 32 slidably receives the corresponding arcuate insert member 46, to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 are rotatable relative to one another.

In this manner the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 are able to rotate relative to one another such that a door sash 26 to which the second hinge assembly portion 14 is secured (and hence a door panel 28 associated therewith) is able to move between a closed position (in which each arcuate guide member 30 and corresponding arcuate arm member 44 lies in the configuration shown in Figure 3(b)) and an open position (in which each arcuate guide member 30 and corresponding arcuate arm member 44 lies in the configuration shown in Figure 3(a)) relative to an associated door frame 16.

The pair of arcuate slots 60 formed in each arcuate guide member 30 cooperate with the pin member 62 of the corresponding arcuate arm member 44 to limit the extent to which the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 are able to rotate away from one another, and in this way define the angle between the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 when the associated door panel 28 is in a fully open position. Such an angle is preferably 1100 so as to maximise egress through the open door assembly 68, although it may be as small as 900.

Meanwhile the damping assembly 64 and the resiliently deformable damping member 66 thereof cooperates with the second reinforcing member 46 to reduce the speed at which the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 rotate towards one another as the door panel 26 approaches its closed position, i.e. when the hinge assembly similarly approaches a closed configuration in which the first and second hinge assembly portions 12, 14 lie adjacent to one another.

Claims

CLAIMS: I A first hinge assembly portion, for use in a door or window assembly of a building, the first hinge assembly portion comprising a first elongate reinforcing member securable in use to one of a frame or a sash, the first reinforcing member including a plurality of arcuate guide members, each arcuate guide member cooperating in use with a corresponding arcuate arm member of a second hinge assembly portion to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.
2. A first hinge assembly portion according to Claim 1 wherein each arcuate guide member defines a hollow arcuate guide chamber, each hollow arcuate guide chamber receiving in use a corresponding arcuate insert member of the second hinge assembly portion.
3. A first hinge assembly portion according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the plurality of arcuate guide members are arranged symmetrically along the first elongate reinforcing member.
4. A first hinge assembly portion according to Claim 3 wherein the plurality of arcuate guide members are arranged symmetrically about a mid-point of the first elongate reinforcing member.
5. A first hinge assembly portion according to any preceding claim wherein each arcuate guide member is separately formed from the first elongate reinforcing member.
6. A first hinge assembly portion according to Claim 5 wherein at least one arcuate guide member is formed from first and second guide member portions.
7. A second hinge assembly portion, for use in a door or window assembly of a building, the second hinge assembly portion comprising a second elongate reinforcing member securable in use to one of a frame or a sash, the second reinforcing member including a plurality of arcuate arm members, each arcuate arm member cooperating in use with a corresponding arcuate guide member of a first hinge assembly to define a as hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.
8. A second hinge assembly portion according to Claim 7 wherein each arcuate arm member defines an arcuate insert member, each arcuate insert member being received in use within a corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber of the first hinge assembly portion.
9. A second hinge assembly portion according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the plurality of arcuate arm members are arranged symmetrically along the second elongate reinforcing member.

Ic
10. A second hinge assembly portion according to Claim 9 wherein the plurality of arcuate arm members are arranged symmetrically about a mid-point of the second elongate reinforcing member.
11. A second hinge assembly portion according to any of Claims B to 10 wherein at least one arcuate insert member includes a self-lubricating sleeve arranged in use to lie between the arcuate insert member and a corresponding hollow arcuate guide chamber.
12. A second hinge assembly portion according to any of Claims B to 11 wherein at least one arcuate insert member includes a tapered distal end.
13. A second hinge assembly portion according to any of Claims 7 to 12 wherein each arcuate arm member is separately formed from the second elongate reinforcing member.
14. A second hinge assembly portion according to Claim 13 wherein at least one arcuate arm member is interconnected with the second elongate reinforcing member by a fixing member.
15. A hinge assembly, for use in a door or window assembly of a building, comprising a first hinge assembly portion according to any of Claims I to 6 and a second hinge assembly portion according to any of Claims 7 to 14, each arcuate guide member of the first hinge assembly portion cooperating with a corresponding arcuate arm member of the second hinge assembly portion to define a hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.
16. A hinge assembly according to Claim 15 wherein each arcuate guide member defines a hollow arcuate guide chamber, each arcuate arm member defines an arcuate insert member, and each hollow arcuate guide chamber receives a corresponding arcuate insert member to define the said hinge axis about which the first and second hinge assembly portions are rotatable relative to one another.
17. A hinge assembly according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein each of the first and second hinge assembly portions includes a first mutually cooperable coupling formation, the first mutually cooperable coupling formations cooperating with one another to at least limit the extent to which the first and second hinge assembly portions are able to rotate away from one another and thereby define an open configuration of the hinge assembly.
15. A hinge assembly according to Claim 17 wherein the first mutually cooperable coupling formations include an arcuate slot and a corresponding pin member.
19. A hinge assembly according to Claim 18 wherein the pin member is selectively is removable from the arcuate slot to permit separation of the corresponding arcuate guide and arcuate arm members.
20. A hinge assembly according to any of Claims 15 to 19 wherein one of the first or the second hinge assembly portions includes a damping assembly cooperable with the other of the first or second hinge assembly portions to reduce the speed at which the first and second hinge assembly portions rotate towards one another as the hinge assembly approaches a closed configuration in which the first and second hinge assembly portions lie adjacent to one another.
21. A hinge assembly according to Claim 20 wherein the damping assembly is or includes a resiliently deformable member.
22. A hinge assembly according to any of Claims 15 to 21 wherein each of the first and second hinge assembly portions includes at least one mutually cooperable retention formation to selectively retain the first and second hinge assembly portions at a desired angle relative to one another.
23. A hinge assembly according to any of Claims 15 to 22 wherein each of the first and second hinge assembly portions includes a second mutually cooperable coupling formation which inhibits separation of the first and second hinge assembly portions from one another independently of any coupling between respective arcuate guide and arcuate arm members thereof.
24. A door assembly comprising a hinge assembly according to any of Claims 15 to 23.
25. A first hinge assembly portion generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
26. A second hinge assembly portion generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
27. A hinge assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.25. A door assembly generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.