GB2055954A

GB2055954A - Hinge

Info

Publication number: GB2055954A
Application number: GB7925250A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: AJC Johnson Controls Ltd
Current assignee: AJC Johnson Controls Ltd
Priority date: 1979-07-19
Filing date: 1979-07-19
Publication date: 1981-03-11
Also published as: GB2055954B

Abstract

A combined hinge and hold-open device of the type used for motor vehicle doors has a flap (3) forming one leaf of the hinge, pivotally mounted in a bracket (1) forming the second leaf of the hinge. A spring- loaded arm (5) is pivotally mounted on the bracket and has a cam section (6, 7 and 8) which engages a roller (10) on the flap. For simplicity of manufacture, the flap is formed from two or more identically-shaped components across the width thereof, for example laminae stamped or pressed from sheet metal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hinge This invention relates to a hinge of the type used for motor car doors and including hold-open means, and to a method of manufacturing such a hinge.

A known type of combined hinge and holdopen device used for motor car doors has a flap pivotally mounted in a bracket and carrying a roller which engages a spring-loaded cam arm, also pivotally mounted in the bracket. The bracket is secured to the car body and the flap to the door, the cam arm providing one or more hold-open positions, at which additional force is required to move the door. The flap may include a toe which engages the bracket when the door is fully open, preventing further opening movement. An example of a device of this type is described hereinafter with reference to Figure 1.

A disadvantage with this type of device is that the flap is of complex shape and requires accurate machining. The flaps are formed from hot-rolled steel bar and contribute a high proportion of the material costs of each such device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a combined hinge and hold-open device comprising a flap forming one leaf of the hinge and pivotally mounted in a bracket forming the second leaf of the hinge, the bracket also mounting a control member bearing a cam section engageable by a control surface of the flap, the cam section and the control surface being relatively movable, and biasing means being provided to maintain the cam section and control surface in contact with each other, the cam section having at least one recess in which the control surface may locate, providing a hold-open position for the hinge, wherein the flap comprises two or more identical components.

Preferably the identical components are shaped laminae. The control surface of the flap may be the surface of a roller mounted on the flap. The control member may be a spring-loaded arm pivotally mounted on the bracket.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a combined hinge and hold-open device comprising a flap forming one leaf of the hinge and pivotally mounted in a bracket forming the second leaf of the hinge, the bracket also mounting a control member bearing a cam section engageable by a control surface of the flap, the cam section and the control surface being relatively movable, and biasing means being provided to maintain the cam section and control surface in contact with each other, the cam section having at least one recess in which the control surface may locate, providing a hold-open position for the hinge, the method comprising forming the flap with two or more identical components.

Preferabiy the method includes forming the identical components by stamping or punching sheet material to produce shaped laminae. The laminae may be held together by dowels passing through holes punched therethrough.

The flap may also include components, especially laminae, of different shape, thus giving rise to cut-outs or slots, for example, in the flap.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view cf a combined hinge and hold-open device of the type described; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the flap of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a flap for a hinge according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a flap for a hinge according to a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a flap for a hinge according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device has a bracket 1 forming one leaf of the hinge and securable to a door pillar of a motor car by means of studs 2. A flap 3 is pivotally mounted in the bracket 1 by means of a pivot pin 4 which passes through the side walls 1 a of the bracket. The flap forms the other leaf of the hinge and is securable to the car door. A control arm 5 is pivotally mounted in the bracket 1 about a pivot at the opposite end from the pivot pin 4. The control arm 5 is centrally mounted in the bracket 1 and is biased outwardly of the bracket by a compression spring (not shown). The arm has a cam surface 6 on its outwardly facing edge. The cam surface 6 includes two recesses 7 and 8 which control two hold-open positions of the hinge.

The flap 3 has a slot 9 in the one end thereof (Figure 2). The slot 9 has a narrow portion 9a, in which is mounted a roller 10 which engages the cam surface 6, and a wider mouth portion 9b to allow for location of the helical compression spring which biases the control arm 5. The flap 3 also has at the one end feet portions 11 arranged to engage a tab 12 turned up from the base of the bracket 1 so as to provide a stop to limit opening of the hinge.

It will be seen from Figure 2 that the manufacture of the flap 3 requires a number of accurately controlled steps. The starting material is hot rolled steel bar having a cross-section generally as shown in Figure 1. The bar has to be cut to length, the holes for locating the roller pin and the pivot pin 4 drilled and where appropriate countersunk, and the two portions 9a and 9b of the slot 9 milled out separately.

Referring now to Figure 3, the flap comprises a pair of identical portions 30 cut from the same bar as is used to make the flap shown in Figures 1 and 2. The roller 31 is mounted on a step roller pin 32, the steps 33 serving to space the two portions 30 sufficiently to leave room for the helical compression spring biasing the control arm 5. The number of manufacturing steps is thus reduced, simple cross-cutting, drilling and, where necessary, countersinking, being the only steps required.

A further simplication is illustrated by Figure 4.

The flap is made up of two sets of three identical shaped laminae 40 produced by stamping from metal sheet. A stepped roller, as described with reference to Figure 3, is again used, the roller pin and pivot pin 4 being sufficient to hold the laminae together.

Figure 5 shows an alternative form of flap which more closely follows the solid, integral flap shown in Figures 1 and 2, and avoids the need for a stepped roller pin. Two sets of four shaped laminae 50, which are formed of thinner sheet than those described with reference to Figure 4, are used in conjunction with additional, differently shaped spacer laminae 51 and 52 to provide the two portions of the slot 9. The laminae 50, 51 and 52 have holes 53 therethrough, into which dowels 54 may be driven to hold the laminae together. A plain roller pin 55 may then be used in conjunction with the roller 56.

The hinges according to the invention are cheaper and simpler to manufacture than those having a solid integrally formed flap.

Claims

1. A combined hinge and hold-open device comprising a flap forming one leaf of the hinge and pivotally mounted in a bracket forming the second leaf of the hinge, the bracket also mounting a control member bearing a cam section engageable by a control surface of the flap, the cam section and the control surface relatively movable, and biasing means being provided to maintain the cam section and control surface in contact with each other, the cam section having at least one recess in which the control surface may locate, providing a hold-open position for the hinge, wherein the flap comprises two or more identical components.

2. A combined hinge and hold-open device according to Claim 1, wherein the identical components are shaped laminae.

3. A combined hinge and hold-open device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control surface of the flap is the rolling surface of a roller mounted on or in the flap.

4. A combined hinge and hold-open device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the control member is a spring-loaded arm pivotally mounted on the bracket.

5. A combined hinge and hold-open device, substantially as described with reference to or as shown in Figures 1 and 3, Figures 1 and 4, or Figures 1 and 5, of the drawings.

6. A method of manufacturing a combined hinge and hold-open device comprising a flap forming one leaf of the hinge and pivotally mounted in a bracket forming the second leaf of the hinge, the bracket also mounting a control member bearing a cam section engageable by a control surface of the flap, the cam section and the control surface being relatively movable, and biasing means being provided to maintain the cam section and control surface in contact with each other, the cam section having at least one recess in which the control surface may locate, providing a hold-open position for the hinge, the method comprising forming the flap with two or more identical components.

7. A method according to Claim 6, wherein the identical components are formed by stamping or punching sheet material to produce shaped laminae.

8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein the laminae are secured by dowels passing through holes formed therethrough.

9. A method according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, whrein other components, of different shape to the said identical components are incorporated in the flap to form cut-outs or slots therein.

10. A method of manufacturing a combined hinge and hold-open device, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 3, 4 or 5, of the drawings.