Three-piece hinge
View Patent ↗A three-piece hinge supports a two-panel window assembly in a frame. The hinge includes a base member securable to the frame, a first pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a first pivot joint, and a second pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a second pivot joint spaced from the first pivot joint. The first and second pivot members each have a glass channel for supporting a panel of the two-panel window assembly. In one arrangement, an insert is secured in a pivoting path of the second pivot member to thereby limit a pivot range of the second pivot member. The hinge eliminates the significant machining time required for prior hinge designs, thereby resulting in a simpler less expensive hinge.
1. A three-piece hinge for supporting a two-panel window assembly in a frame, the three-piece hinge comprising:
a base member securable to the frame;
a first pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a first pivot joint, the first pivot member having a first glass channel; and
a second pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a second pivot joint spaced from the first pivot joint, the second pivot member having a second glass channel,
the base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member defining the three-piece hinge without a hinge pin, wherein the first pivot member comprises a connecting end that is shaped cooperatively with the first pivot joint such that a pivot range of the first pivot member is at least 180° relative to the base member.
2. A hinge according to claim 1 , further comprising an insert secured in a pivoting path of the second pivot member, the insert limiting a pivot range of the second pivot member.
3. A hinge according to claim 2 , wherein the pivot range of the second pivot member is limited to about 15°.
4. A hinge according to claim 2 , wherein the insert comprises a vinyl extrusion.
5. A hinge according to claim 1 , wherein the base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member are formed of an extruded material.
6. A hinge according to claim 1 , further comprising two end plates each affixed to an end of the base member, the end plates preventing the base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.
7. A hinge according to claim 6 , wherein each end plate comprises a tab that engages the base member when the end plates are affixed to the base member, the tab preventing the end plates from rotating relative to the hinge.
8. A hinge according to claim 6 , wherein each of the end plates is affixed to the base member via single screw.
9. A door including a two-panel window assembly, the door comprising:
a door frame; and
a three-piece hinge affixed to the door frame and supporting the two-panel window assembly, the three-piece hinge including:
a base member secured to the door frame,
a first pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a first pivot joint, the first pivot member having a first glass channel, and
a second pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at a second pivot joint spaced from the first pivot joint, the second pivot member having a second glass channel,
the base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member defining the three-piece hinge without a hinge pin, wherein the first pivot member comprises a connecting end that is shaped cooperatively with the first pivot joint such that a pivot range of the first pivot member is at least 180° relative to the base member.
10. A three-piece hinge for supporting a two-panel window assembly in a frame, the three-piece hinge comprising:
a base member securable to the frame, the base member including a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint;
a first pivot member having a connecting end engaging the first pivot joint, the first pivot member having a first glass channel, wherein the connecting end is shaped cooperatively with the first pivot joint such that the first pivot member is pivotable through at least 180° relative to the base member;
a second pivot member pivotably coupled with the base member at the second pivot joint spaced from the first pivot joint, the second pivot member having a second glass channel; and
an insert affixed to the base member in a pivoting path of the second pivot member and separate from the second pivot member, the insert limiting a pivot range of the second pivot member,
the base member, the first pivot member and the second pivot member defining the three-piece hinge without a hinge pin.
11. A hinge according to claim 10 , wherein the pivot range of the second pivot member is limited to about 15°.
12. A hinge according to claim 10 , wherein the base member further comprises an insert groove, and wherein the insert is secured to the base member in the insert groove.
13. A hinge according to claim 12 , further comprising two end plates each affixed to an end of the base member, the end plates preventing the base member, the first pivot member, the second pivot member, and the insert from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.
14. A hinge according to claim 13 , wherein each end plate comprises a tab that engages the insert groove of the base member when the end plates are affixed to the base member, the tab preventing the end plates from rotating relative to the hinge.
15. A hinge according to claim 13 , wherein each of the end plates is affixed to the base member via single screw.
16. A method of installing a two-panel window assembly in a frame using the three-piece hinge of claim 10 , the method comprising:
installing glass panels in the glass channels of the first and second pivot members, respectively;
inserting the first member into the first pivot joint;
securing the base member to the frame;
inserting the second pivot member into the second pivot joint; and
affixing the insert to the base member after inserting the second pivot member.
17. A method according to claim 16 , further comprising securing an end plate to opposite ends of the base member to prevent the base member, the first pivot member, the second pivot member, and the insert from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.