WO2004109043A1

WO2004109043A1 - Hinge mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2004109043A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002467
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rodger Flude
Original assignee: Rodger Flude
Priority date: 2003-06-11
Filing date: 2004-06-11
Publication date: 2004-12-16
Also published as: GB0313478D0; EP1636449A1

Abstract

A hinge mechanism for adapting a tubular metal column to raise and lower the column, comprising an upper and lower body portions (10) which are hinged together and locking means to prevent the column form folding when in use in which the interlocking parts (12, 16) of the body portions (10) have substantially the same shape.

Description

Hinge Mechanism

The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism for converting rigid poles, such as lampposts, into hinged poles, and a method of manufacture thereof .

Lampposts commonly comprise rigid columns that support a lamp at the top. Replacement or maintenance of the lamp requires access to the lamp at the top of the column. Where there is access by road, a sky lift can be used but in confined spaces it is necessary for a person to climb up a ladder to replace the lamp. The Health and Safety Executive in the United Kingdom has cautioned against the use of ladders for servicing lampposts due to there having been numerous accidents when a person leans a ladder against a lamppost which turns out to be corroded and collapses.

To avoid the need for resting a ladder against a post, a construction of post known as the raise-and-lower (R&L) has been developed. This post has a hinge part way up which is accessible from the ground so that the main body of the column may be tilted down to ground level allowing access to the top. This construction of post currently on the market is expensive and usually requires a heavy awkward lever or winch to operate the tilt. The hinged posts are also vulnerable to vandalism, especially if they are in areas such as parks. It is also important to have the correct hinge direction and the direction should ideally be independent of the location of any service doors positioned in the column, with existing hinge posts this is not possible.

A hinge that has addressed some of these problems is proposed in WO 03/029581. However, the manufacture of this construction of hinge is expensive. The castings require detailed fettling in order that the two sleeve parts interlock accurately and their surfaces are relatively rough and require a notable amount of grinding and/or polishing. It is also especially important with such hinges that there is minimum play between the respective points of the axle and back bolt especially because the axle and lock bolt holes are set closely together only separated by a gap of 2/10mm, as any slight play between these parts amplifies along the length of the column. The respective holes, axle shaft and lock bolt must be precisely engineered whilst ensuring that the pairing body portion will close together. This process is difficult and costly. It is preferred that street lighting hardware is surface treated with hot dipped galvanize to British and European Standards. , The construction of hinge described in WO 03/029581 is not suitable for this process due to the undulations and pockets that trap the liquid, and the method of manufacture prevents such treatment prior to machining. This construction of hinge is also unsuitable for use with certain types of lighting columns, length of column and quality control on the hinge in manufacture is difficult.

This hinge design has the main spring pointing down in the recipient column. There exists the danger that if the main spring is over adjusted before the column shaft is lowered then the spring may close solid before the column shaft reaches the ground. The operator may then be tempted to force the shaft down. Over the remaining distance thereby possibly causing either the pull chain or its linkages to fail. This would result in the spring being shot down in the base of the column under extreme force, which could impact on the live electrical service making the column live. Furthermore this hinge is normally offered with a standard main spring but because the hinge only offers limited adjustment it. is often necessary to replace this spring by one more suitable.

It is an aim" of the present invention to provide a hinge mechanism for use with columns such as lampposts which is cheap and easy to manufacture . It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a column hinging device and method of utilisation which will enable a hinge to be fitted to a column with its main spring uppermost and offer ample adjustment of the spring with out the need to replace the spring.

Accordingly a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a hinge mechanism for adapting a tubular metal column to raise and lower the column, comprising an upper and lower body portions which are hinged together and locking means to prevent the column from folding when in use in which the interlocking parts of the body portions have substantially the same shape. This provides the advantage that both the upper and lower portion can be produced identically or by the same process thus reducing the numbers of different parts to be used if identical or the number of manufacturing processes if the inter engaging parts are substantially the same.

Accordingly a second aspect of the present invention is directed to a hinge mechanism for adapting a tubular metal column to a raise^* and lower column comprising an upper and a lower portion which are hinged together and locking means to prevent the column from folding in use, in which the hinge mechanism and the locking mechanism are on opposite sides of the body portions to each other. This provides the advantage of greater stability to the hinge by preventing and/or reducing movement of the parts of the column above and below the hinge mechanism.

Preferably, the body portion comprises a tubular section for securing to the column which expands to an extended substantially straight edged first part on the one side and a shorter substantially straight edged second part on the other side parallel to each other. This provides the advantage that the structure can be easily galvanized to British and European Standards because there are no voids or pockets .

Advantageously,, on either side of the second part are outwardly projecting members each with a hole.

Preferably, the hole in the first part is separated from the holes in the second part by a gap greater than 3mm. This provides the advantage of imparting a greater degree of stability to the hinge.

In a preferred embodiment this gap between these holes is of a distance of approximately between 100/150mm, this provides the advantage of substantially increasing the hinge stability and minimising any play that would cause the column above the body portion to move or wobble.

In a preferred embodiment the tubular section on the first part is a tube .

Preferably this tube is a scroll. This has the advantage that it can easily be created by rolling the sheet of metal from which the body portion is made.

Preferably within the tube is second tube of equal width and length as the first tube. This provides the advantage that this part can be machined accurately and added later in manufacture .

Preferably, strengthening gussets may >be attached to the body portion supporting the tube. This provides the advantage of aiding the scroll to resist unwanted movement.

Advantageously, a hinge axle or a lock mechanism can be accommodated in the tube. Advantageously a lock mechanism or a hinge axle may be held by the holes in the outwardly projecting members of the lower portion of the body portions .

Preferably the hinge axle comprises rivets .

Preferably the hinge axle comprises two rivets .

Preferably the hinge axle comprises two domed head rivets .

Preferably when in position the rivets have a tight fit to the scroll tube, alternatively the rivets can advantageously be counter sunk in the outwardly projecting members. This provides the advantage that they are resistant to attempts to vandalise the hinge .

Preferably the lock mechanism comprises two spring biased bolts locking members, which are advantageously bolts.

Preferably the locking members are situated within a housing, this provides that advantage that even when the hinge is open the locking members are both retained within the housing. Preferably the housing comprises two parts .

Preferably the housing is a tight fit with the scroll tube, this provided the advantage of being resistant to vandalism and provides stability to the hinge when in use.

Preferably the edges of the locking members protrude through the holes of the outwardly projecting members. This provides the advantage that the lock may be accessed easily when «. the hinge is in place.

Preferably the edges of the locking members are tapered. This provides an advantage that the lock may be compressed without large amounts of friction via the inside of the holes in the outwardly projecting members.

This provides a further advantage that when the tapered edges of the lock members are engaged within the holes in the outwardly projecting members any wear or gap between these parts is adjusted/closed automatically by the taper of the edges of the lock members ^"to prevent any play between there points to cause the column to wobble above the body position. Preferably the locking mechanism is retained within the body portion when the hinge is in an open position or a closed position.

Preferably the tapered edges of the locking mechanism are held flush with the edged of the housing when the hinge is opened.

Advantageously the hinge mechanism can be used with a hinge control assembly. This provides the advantage that the movement of the hinge may be controlled.

Preferably the hinge control assembly comprises a pull rod passing through a first securing means, a spring device, a means for moving the spring device and a second securing means .

Preferably the securing means comprise washers .

Preferably the first securing means further comprises a lock nut.

Preferably the second securing means is fixed to/within the body portion. Preferably the means for moving the spring comprises a gear.

Preferably there is a washer situated between the second securing means and the means for moving the spring to reduce drag.

Preferably movement of the means to move the spring will cause the spring to contract or relax.

Preferably movement of the spring will cause the first securing means to move relative to the second securing means .

Advantageously a hole may be made in the accommodating body portion to access the means to move the spring from outside the body portion. >

Advantageously rod chain anchors can be fixed to the body portions under the scroll, this provides the advantage that the working of the hinge control assembly can be aided and the extra stability given to the position of the scroll under increased forces . Preferably a chain block can be fixed below the rod chain anchors on the scroll, this provides that advantage of accommodating smoother movement of the rod chain in the hinge control assembly.

Advantageously the rod chain can be passed round a pulley attached to an adjustable member beyond the scroll. This provides the advantage that a pulley action can be used to lessen the force required to adjust the tension of the spring. Preferably the scroll or axle has a cam extension over which the rod chain passes. This enables a smoother transition of the column from the erect position to the collapsed position.

Accordingly a third aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a body portion for such a hinge mechanism, a body portion is cut as, a single piece of material, the body portion is bent and welded to form the cylindrical part of the body portion, other edges are then pressed and/or welded to form the tube and interengaging portions. This provides the advantage that the body portions are consistently accurate, cheaper and easier to produce.

Preferably a further tube of equal width and length as the scroll is placed inside the scroll. Accordingly a fourth aspect of the present invention is directed to means of adjusting the hinge main spring from the opposing end of the hinge to which the main spring is mounted comprising a second pull rod for transmitting tension adjustment to the main spring

Examples of a hinge mechanism made in accordance with the present invention will now be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a common body portion of a hinge mechanism according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of two body portions shown in Figure 1 placed together;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a modified body portion; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a modified and an unmodified body portion placed together in an open position; Figure 5 shows a cross section of a lock bolt assembly; Figure 6 shows a cross section of a hinge assembly; Figure 7 shows a plan view of. an internal washer support; Figure 8 shows an exploded sectional view of a hinge control assembly; Figure 9A shows a side perspective view of a lamp post fitted with a prior art hinge mechanism. Figure 9B shows a side perspective view of a lamp post fitted with a hinge mechanism according to the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a side semi-sectional view of a modified hinge mechanism; Figure 11A shows the side semi-sectional view of the hinge mechanism shown in Figure 10 in greater detail; Figure 11B shows the side semi-sectional view of the hinge mechanism shown in Figure 11A with the column partially lowered; Figure 11C shows a modified version of the hinge mechanism shown in Figure 11A; Figure 12A shows the side semi-sectional view of pullrod shown in Figures 10 and 11 in greater detail; and Figure 12B shows side semi-sectional view of a modified version of the pullrod shown in Figure 11A. Figure 1 shows a body portion 10 formed from a single press form using a press tool. Two edges have been welded together along a seam 9 to -form a tubular section of the body portion 10 for joining to the column. On the opposite side to the seam 9 is a substantially straight edged first part with a scroll 16. Inside this scroll is a tube 18 of equal width and length as the scroll 16. Strengthening gussets 20 are fixed on either side under the scroll 16 and adjacent to the inner sides of the body portion 10. Above the seam 9 and on the opposite side to the scroll 16 is a straight edged second part 11 and to either side are outwardly projecting members 13 with an outer side 12 and an inner side 14 and a hole 28. An internal support washer 22 can be fixed to the inside of the body portion 10 as shown.

Figure 2 show how a body portion 10 can be paired with another body portion 10 in opposite orientations.

Figure 3 shows a body portion 10 with two pull rod chain anchors 24, each with holes 25, a small distance from each other and between the two strengthening gussets 20 fixed to the substantially straight first part^' of the body portion and the scroll 16. A chain block 26 is attached to and on top of the chain anchors 24 and is situated on top of the scroll 16.

Figure 4 shows a modified body portion 10 complete with rod chain anchors 24, chain block 26 and support gussets 20, which is in turn aligned with an unmodified body portion 10.

Figure 5 shows a lock mechanism showing two bolts 30 connected by a spring 32 and tapered at their ends 34 to form a tapered spigot or shoulder. The bolts 30 are held within a housing 36 shown here in two parts. The outer surface ^• of the bolts 38 is adjacent to the inner side of the housing 40. The tapered end of the bolts 34 protrudes through holes 42 in the housing 36 and holes 28 in the body portion 10 to sit beyond the outer side 12 of the outwardly projecting members 13. The tapered shoulders 34 when depressed sit flush with housing 36 will cause the lock mechanism to disengage and the hinge to open. Shoulders 44 capture bolts 30 to prevent their escape in either position. The lock mechanism can be secured in the tube 18 by epoxy resin thus avoiding extensive machinery.

Figure 6 shows two rivets 46 placed in the holes 28 in the body portion 10 on either side ■ and into the scroll tube 18 held inside scroll 16 to create an axle about which the hinge rotates. The fit being such that it prevents vandalism of the hinge resulting from their unwanted removal . It is preferable if the outside of the hole 28 is counter sunk.

Figure 7 show a view of the internal support washers 22.

Figure 8 shows a hinge control assembly. There can be seen an internal spring support washer 22 which can be welded to the inside of a body portion 10 as shown in Figure 1, above which is a washer 46 to reduce drag against the internal support washer 22, above the washer 46 is a gear 48 for turning a spring 50 below which it is situated and to which it is welded, a washer 52 is situated above the spring 50 to which the spring is also welded. A lock nut 54 is situated above the washer 52 and welded thereto. A pull rod 56 is threaded through the lock nut 54 and top washer 52, down through the spring 50, the gear 48, the washer 46 and the internal spring support washer 22. A chain or cable 57 is attached to one end of pull rod 56 and passes over the chain block 26 on the other body part and is secured to the chain anchors 24. An electrical cable 72 for the lamp runs through the pull rod 56. An opening or hole may be made through the side of the top body portion 10 to be in alignment with the gear 48. Through this hole there may be connected means to rotate the gear 48 and thus cause top washer 52, by way of the spring 50, to rotate. In Figure 8, and by way of example only, this is shown as a crank handle 58 connected to a primary drive gear 60, which is in turn connected to secondary gear 62 and both are held in position by a gear linkage 64. Gear 62 may be placed in contact with gear 48. The gear 62 which can rotate the gear 48 is held in place at the hole in the body portion 10 and in contact with the gear 48 by mountings 66 and retaining bolts 68. When the hole is not being used, a cover plate 70 may be placed over the top and secured, again to prevent vandalism. For a better understanding of the effects of the gap between the axle and the lock bolt position on a hinge device reference is now made to Figure 9A which shown a column 1, adapted by hinge 2, according to WO 03/029581, the axle 3, is separated for the lock bolt 4, by a gap 5, and how play is amplified to cause a wobble arc 6, also shown in a geometric view. Figure 9B shows a column adapted using a hinge 7 according to the present invention, and shows the effects of increasing the gap 8 reducing the wobble to the arc 9.

Figure 10 shows a modified hinge 100. The hinge 100 has a hinge lock 102 and a hinge axle 104. The hinge axle 104 has a semi circular cam extension 105 increasing its radius. A pullrod 106 extends downwards into the hinge 100 and has a collar 108 to secure one end of a spring 110 to the other .end being secured to the hinge body. A pull chain 112 is attached to the pullrod 106 and passes round a pulley 114 which is at the end of a second pullrod 116. The second pullrod 116 is mounted inside a pullrod tube 118 and the position of the pulley 114 can be adjusted via a nut and washer 120- mounted on a thread section of the pullrod 116 resting on the opposite end of the pullrod tube 118. The pullrod tub 118 is preferably square to stop the pullrod 116 rotating in the column. The end of the pull chain 112 which goes round the pulley 114 is secured to fixing means such as an eye bolt 122. The pull chain 112 passes over the cam extension 105 of the axle 104. This modified design uses a simple pulley system comprising the pull chain 112, the pulley 114 halving the force necessary compress adjust the spring. This provides the advantage that the power of the spring can be significantly increased or decreased to enable one standard spring to cope with various column loads, thus removing the requirement to interchange springs . Furthermore the length of travel by which the adjusting nut 120 is moved along the pull rod 118 in order to compress the spring, is only half that required to compress the spring. Furthermore the hinge can be positioned on a column whereby the spring is uppermost and the adjustment mechanism is in the lower part of the column. Mechanism is in the lower part of the column.

Figure 11A shows the workings of the hinge mechanism 100 in greater detail. In this case the axle 104 has a semi-circular cam extension 105 which completely surrounds it inside the hinge. The pull chain 112 is attached to the pull rod 106. A spring and shaft support washer 124 can be seen on top of one of the column part 126. The pull chain 112 goes round the pulley 114 and attaches to an eye bolt 122. As can be seen the pull chain 112 is held under tension by the second pullrod 116. This pullrod 116 is held in the upper part of the hinge mechanism via legs 126. The tension of the pull chain 112 and hence the load on the spring is adjusted by the pullrod 160 through the washer and nut 120 which is mounted on the end of the pullrod tube 118 which is furthest from the hinge.

Figure 11B shows the column partially lowered as can be seen from the Figure the hinge lock 102 has be disengaged and the column has swivelled around the axle 104. As can be seen the pull chain 112 goes round a quarter of the radius of the cam extension. This has pulled the pullrod 106 up against the force of the spring.

Figure 11C shows the hinge mechanism of Figure 11A with an additional cam extension 128 which is over the normal cam extension 105 and the axle 102 this enables the pull chain 112 to be held under an additional degree of tension when the column is in the upright position.

Figures 12A and 12B shows two construction of the second pullrod mechanism the second pullrod is equipped at one end with its pulley 114 for attaching to the chain pull . At its other end it has a threaded section 130. The threaded section 130 engages with the locking nut and washer 120. Using the locking nut 120 the tension of the pul-1 chain 112 can be adjusted. In both examples the pullrod tube 118 is square in section and inside this tube the pullrod 116 is equipped with a square washer 132 to stop the pullrod rotating. The fixing of the pullrod tube 118 inside the column or hinge is effected in different methods depending between the two Figures. In Figure 12A and numbers of legs 126 are used to fix the pullrod tube. In Figure 12B a washer 132 which is attached to the top of the pullrod tube 118 is welded or attached by another method into the column or hinge . The importance of this pullrod is that it has enabled the tension of the spring to be adjusted using the nut 120 which due the action of pulley 114 needs far less force to enable this to occur.

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism for adapting a tubular metal column to raise and lower the column, comprising an upper and lower body portions which are hinged together and locking means to prevent the column from folding when in use in which the interlocking parts of the body portions have substantially the same shape.

2. A hinge mechanism for adapting a tubular metal column to a raise and lower column comprising an upper and a lower portion which are hinged together and locking means to prevent the column from folding in use, in which the hinge mechanism and the locking mechanism are on opposite sides of the body portions to each other.

3. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 , in which the body portion comprises a tubular section for securing to the column which expands to an extended substantially straight edged first part on the one side and a shorter substantially straight edged second part on the other side parallel to each other.

4. A hinge mechanism according, to Claim 4, wherein on either side of the second part are outwardly projecting members each with a hole.

5. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which the hole in the first part is separated from the holes in the second part by a gap greater than 10mm.

6. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 5, in which the gap between the holes is of a distance of approximately 100mm.

7. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claim 3 to 6, in which the tubular section on the first part is a tube.

8. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 7, in which the tube is a scroll .

9. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein within the tube is second tube of equal width and length as the first tube.

10. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claim 7 to 9, in which strengthening gussets may be attached to the body portion supporting the tube.

11. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, in which a hinge axle or a lock mechanism can be accommodated in the tube .

12. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 11, in which a lock mechanism or a hinge axle may be held by the holes in the outwardly projecting members of the lower portion of the body portions .

13. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 12, in which the hinge axle comprises rivets .

14. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, in which the hinge axle comprises two rivets .

15. A hinge mechanism according to any one ,of Claims 12 to 14, in which the hinge axle comprises two domed head rivets .

16. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 13 to 15, wherein position the rivets have a tight fit to the scroll tube.

17. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 13 to 15, in which the rivets can be counter sunk in the outwardly projecting members.

18. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 17, in which the lock mechanism comprises two spring biased bolts locking members .

19. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 18, in which the locking members are bolts .

20. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, in which locking members are situated within a housing.

22. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 21, in which the housing comprises two parts.

23. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 21 or Claim 22, in which the housing is a tight fit with the scroll tube.

24. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 23, in which the edges of the locking members protrude through the holes of the outwardly projecting members.

25'. A hinge mechanism according Claim 24, in which the edges of the locking members are tapered.

26. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 11 to 25, in which the locking mechanism is retained within the body portion when the hinge is in an open position or a closed position.

27. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 25, in which the tapered edges of the locking mechanism are held flush with the edged of the housing when the hinge is opened.

28. A hinge mechanism according to any preceding Claim in which the hinge mechanism can be used with a hinge control assembly.

29. A hinge mechanism according Claim 28, in which the hinge control assembly comprises a pull rod passing through a first securing means, a spring device, a means for moving the spring device and a second securing means .

30. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 29, in which the securing means comprise washers .

31. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 29 or Claim 30, in which the first securing means further comprises a lock nut.

32. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 29 to 31, in which the second securing means is fixed to/within the body portion.

33. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 29 to 32, in which the means for moving the spring comprises a gear.

34. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 29 to

33, in which there is a washer situated between the second searching means and the means for moving the spring to reduce drag.

35. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 29 to 34, in which movement of the means to move the spring will cause the spring to contract or relax.

36. A hinge mechanism according to 35, in which movement of the spring will cause the first securing means to move relative to the second securing means .

37. A hinge mechanism according to any one of Claims 29 to 36, in which a hole may be made in the accommodating body portion to access the means to move the spring from outside the body portion.

38. A hinge mechanism according to any preceding claim, in which the rod chain anchors can be fixed to the body portions under the scroll.

39. A hinge mechanism according to Claim 38, in which a chain block can be fixed below the rod chain anchors on the scroll .

40. A hinge mechanism according to claim 39, in which the rod chain can be passed round a pulley attached to an adjustable member beyond the scroll.

41. A hinge mechanism according to, claim 40, in which the scroll or axle has a cam extension over which the rod chain passes.

42. A method of manufacturing a body portion for such a hinge mechanism, a body portion is cut: as a single piece of material, the body portion is bent and welded to form the cylindrical part of the body portion, other edges are then pressed and/or welded to form the tube and interengaging portions .