Electric hinge
A method for making an electric hinge comprising providing first and second hinge plates, each hinge plate having at least one knuckle and forming in each hinge plate an open slot extending from an edge distal from the knuckle and terminating at a mid-portion of the hinge plate to the knuckle. The open slot depth is less than the thickness of the hinge plate. The method includes drilling a hole from the terminus of each open slot to the knuckle of the hinge plate and passing a wire through the hole from the terminus of the open slot to the knuckle in the first hinge plate and from the knuckle of the second hinge plate to the corresponding terminus of the second hinge plate. The method includes mating the first and second hinge plates by inserting a hinge pin through the knuckle of each hinge plate to form the electric hinge.
1. A method of installing an electric hinge on a door or door frame comprising:
providing an electric hinge having first and second hinge plates each hinge plate having at least one knuckle, an open slot extending from an edge of the hinge plate distal from the at least one knuckle and terminating at a mid-portion of the hinge plate to the at least one knuckle, the open slot having a depth less than a thickness of the hinge plate, a hole from a terminus of the open slot within the thickness of the hinge plate to the at least one knuckle, the hole being sufficient in diameter to allow a wire to pass therethrough, the wire extending through the hole from the terminus of the open slot to the at least one knuckle; the second hinge plate having the at least one knuckle mated with the first hinge plate, the second hinge plate having a thickness; and a hinge pin disposed through the at least one knuckle of the first and second hinge plates to form the electric hinge;
providing a pair of elongated slot covers having a length and a width corresponding to length and width of the hinge plate slots, the slot covers having a cover opening within the length thereof;
passing the wire through the hole and the at least one knuckle of the first hinge plate and then through the at least one knuckle and the hole of the second hinge plate;
mating the knuckles of the first and second hinge plates;
installing the hinge pin through the mated knuckles of the first and second hinge plates;
passing each opposite end of the wire through the openings in one of the slot covers;
securing the slot covers in the slots of the first and second hinge plates;
passing opposite ends of the wire into openings under hinge mounting areas of the door and door frame, the openings being aligned with respective slot cover openings; and
mounting the first and second hinge plates on the hinge mounting areas of the door or door frame.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the elongated slot cover further includes a ferule over the cover opening, and including passing the wire ends through the ferule to the cover opening.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the elongated slot cover further includes opposite flanges contacting sides of the slot.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the slot is formed in the surface of the hinge plate to be placed against a door or door frame.