Hinge, adapter, cover and assembly

Abstract

The invention discloses a hinge, an adapter, a cover and a hinge assembly. In one aspect, a hinge is provided that includes a first blade assembly hingedly coupled to a second blade assembly about a hinge axis for movement between an open position and a closed position; the first blade assembly includes a blade structure having: a first pair of holes for receiving a first pair of fasteners configured to attach the blade structure to at least one of the one or more structures; a second pair of holes for receiving a second pair of fasteners, the second pair of fasteners configured to attach the blade structure to at least one structure of the one or more structures; and a third pair of holes for receiving a third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners configured to attach the blade structure to at least one structure of the one or more structures; wherein the third pair of holes laterally adjoins the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes on either side.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Application No. 2022902500 filed on August 31, 2022 and Australian Provisional Application No. 2023900502 filed on February 27, 2023, the entire contents of both applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a hinge, an adapter, a cover for the hinge and a hinge assembly. Background Art

[0004] The applicant has developed a soft closing hinge disclosed in PCT / AU2017 / 050133, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The hinge is biased from an open position to a closed position using a torsion spring, and includes one or more dampers located within an insert to slow the movement of the hinge toward the closed position. The insert is positioned within a special hole cut into the panel to which the hinge will be secured. The hinge is particularly advantageous for glass panels (such as sink doors and shower doors), where specialized "mouse ear" type holes are provided in the edge of the panel to which the insert will be located. The damper is effectively located between the faces of the glass panel within the insert, thereby reducing the overall packaging size of the hinge. In addition, the damping force is coplanar with the glass, which means that vibration forces can be reduced when the hinge is closed, thereby extending the life of the hinge.

[0005] Although the hinge disclosed in PCT / AU2017 / 050133 has been successful in the market, as mentioned above, this type of hinge generally requires the panel to have a special "mouse ear" type hole set in the edge of the panel. In many cases where undamped hinges have been installed, these types of hinges are generally fixed to the panel via a pair of holes that allow a pair of bolts to pass therethrough to clamp the panel. Replacing such undamped hinges with the hinge disclosed in PCT / AU2017 / 050133 is difficult to achieve because there are no "mouse ear" type holes to receive the insert. Therefore, special "mouse ear" type holes need to be cut into the panel, or a new panel needs to be installed. Both options are less than ideal.

[0006] The applicant has also developed a soft closing hinge disclosed in PCT / AU2021 / 051056, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. A torsion spring is also used to bias the hinge from an open position to a closed position. The front hinge member and the rear hinge member are clamped to the panel using fasteners, wherein one or more dampers are located behind the panel to which they are attached and between the hinge axis and the panel face (i.e., coplanar with the panel). In this way, the hinge can be mounted to a panel having one or more pairs of spaced apart mounting holes without the need to replace the panel or arrange to cut "mouse ear" type holes in the edge of the panel. Therefore, PCT / AU2021 / 051056 can be used to replace a common non-damped hinge with spaced apart hole attachment sites so as to retrofit a soft closing function to the panel.

[0007] While these hinges have been successful in the market, they are less suitable for use with doors and fences other than panels, such as those involving frames or metal tubular fences. This is particularly true when various holes are already provided in such structures, which prevent the hinges from being installed in a safe and secure manner. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to meet this need or to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements, or to at least provide the consumer with an alternative choice.

[0009] In a first aspect, a hinge is provided, which includes a first leaf assembly, which is hingedly connected to a second leaf assembly about a hinge axis for moving between an open position and a closed position; the first leaf assembly includes a leaf structure, which has: a first pair of holes for receiving a first pair of fasteners, the first pair of fasteners being configured to attach the leaf structure to at least one of one or more structures; a second pair of holes for receiving a second pair of fasteners, the second pair of fasteners being configured to attach the leaf structure to at least one of one or more structures; and a third pair of holes for receiving a third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners being configured to attach the first structure to at least one of the one or more structures; wherein the third pair of holes is flanked on either side by the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes.

[0010] In certain embodiments, each aperture of the first pair of apertures is aligned parallel to the hinge axis.

[0011] In certain embodiments, each aperture of the second pair of apertures is aligned parallel to the hinge axis.

[0012] In certain embodiments, each aperture of the third pair of apertures is aligned parallel to the hinge axis.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the individual holes in the third pair of holes are more closely spaced than the individual holes in the first pair of holes.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the individual holes in the third pair of holes are more closely spaced than the individual holes in the second pair of holes.

[0015] In certain embodiments, each individual hole in the first pair of holes is positioned closer to at least one edge periphery of the blade structure than at least one individual hole in the third pair of holes.

[0016] In certain embodiments, each individual hole in the first pair of holes is located closer to two edge peripheries of the blade structure than at least one individual hole in the third pair of holes.

[0017] In certain embodiments, each individual hole in the first pair of holes is positioned closer to its nearest corner perimeter than any individual hole in the third pair of holes.

[0018] In certain embodiments, each individual hole in the second pair of holes is positioned closer to at least one edge periphery of the blade structure than at least one individual hole in the third pair of holes.

[0019] In certain embodiments, each individual hole in the second pair of holes is located closer to two edge peripheries of the blade structure than at least one individual hole in the third pair of holes.

[0020] In certain embodiments, each individual hole in the second pair of holes is positioned closer to their nearest corner perimeter than any individual hole in the third pair of holes.

[0021] In certain embodiments, one or both of the first pair of apertures are sized to provide clearance at least partially around a fastener of the first pair of fasteners received by the one or both apertures.

[0022] In certain embodiments, one or both of the second pair of apertures are sized to provide clearance at least partially around a fastener of the second pair of fasteners received by the one or both apertures.

[0023] In certain embodiments, one or both of the third pair of apertures are sized to provide clearance at least partially around a fastener of the third pair of fasteners received by the one or both apertures.

[0024] In certain embodiments, one or both of the third pair of holes are adapted to receive fasteners of a third pair of fasteners configured to perform load bearing duties independent of the second pair of fasteners.

[0025] In certain embodiments, one or both of the third pair of holes are adapted to receive fasteners of a third pair of fasteners configured to perform load bearing duties independent of the second pair of fasteners.

[0026] In certain embodiments, one or both of the third pair of apertures are adapted to receive a fastener of a third pair of fasteners that is configured to be larger than one or both of the first pair of fasteners.

[0027] In certain embodiments, one or both of the third pair of apertures are adapted to receive a fastener of a third pair of fasteners that is configured to be larger than one or both of the second pair of fasteners.

[0028] In certain embodiments, one or both holes in the third pair of holes are larger than one or both holes in the first pair of holes.

[0029] In certain embodiments, one or both holes in the third pair of holes are larger than one or both holes in the second pair of holes.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the second leaf assembly includes a mounting structure to mount the second leaf assembly to a mounting structure separate from the hinge.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the hinge further includes a spring coupled to the first leaf assembly and the second leaf assembly to bias the first leaf assembly and the second leaf assembly to move from the open position to the closed position.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the first leaf assembly and the second leaf assembly include a plurality of joints defining a cylinder that accommodates a spring, wherein the longitudinal axis of the spring is coaxial with the hinge axis, wherein the hinge further includes: a cylinder cover having an inner neck and an outer neck, wherein the outer neck has a first engagement surface, and the cylinder cover is received within one end of the cylinder; and a torsion adjustment structure located within a gap defined by the inner neck, the torsion adjustment structure being coupled to the first end of the spring, the torsion adjustment structure having a second engagement surface, the second engagement surface engaging with the first engagement surface to limit rotational movement of the torsion adjustment structure relative to the cylinder cover under the bias of the spring; wherein sufficient rotational force applied to the torsion adjustment structure causes rotational movement of the torsion adjustment structure relative to the cylinder cover to increase the potential energy stored by the spring.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface have corresponding sawtooth profiles.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the spring includes a diametrically extending tail portion that together with at least some of the coils of the spring define a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein a torsional adjustment structure includes a pair of protrusions that are received within the respective first and second cavities so that a rotational force applied to the torsional adjustment structure can be transferred to the spring, thereby adjusting the potential energy stored by the spring.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the spring includes another diametrically extending tail portion capable of being received within an aperture in a wall of the leaf structure, the wall having a protrusion extending therefrom that is capable of being received within a cavity defined by at least some of the coils of the spring and the other diametrically extending tail portion to couple the spring to the first leaf structure.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the hinge further comprises a damper for resisting movement of the first hinge and the second hinge into the closed position.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the damper has a longitudinal axis that is offset from the hinge axis.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the damper does not intersect the hinge axis during any portion of the movement between the open position and the closed position.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the longitudinal axis is located between the hinge axis and a mounting surface of the first leaf assembly, the mounting surface being configured to abut against at least one of the one or more structures to which the first leaf assembly is attached.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the hinge includes a plurality of dampers located within a damper housing mounted to the first leaf assembly, wherein ends of the plurality of dampers protrude from the housing when the hinge is in an open position such that when the hinge moves into a closed position, the protruding damper ends interact with an impact surface associated with the second leaf assembly.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the hinge further includes a cover member covering the protruding end of the damper, the cover member being configured to move together with the damper.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the cover member is constrained to perform linear reciprocating movement relative to the damper housing along the damper longitudinal axis.

[0043] In certain embodiments, the second leaf assembly includes another leaf structure having: a first pair of holes for receiving a first pair of fasteners, the first pair of fasteners being configured to attach the other leaf structure to at least one additional structure of the one or more additional structures; a second pair of holes for receiving a second pair of fasteners, the second pair of fasteners being configured to attach the other leaf structure to at least one additional structure of the one or more additional structures; and a third pair of holes for receiving a third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners being configured to attach the other leaf structure to at least one additional structure of the one or more additional structures; wherein,

[0044] The third pair of holes flanks the first and second pairs of holes on either side.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the first, second and third pairs of holes of the further blade structure have equivalent properties to the first, second and third pairs of holes of the blade structure according to the above embodiments.

[0046] In a second aspect, a hinge is provided, comprising: a first blade assembly and a damping assembly, the first blade assembly being hingedly connected to the second blade assembly about a hinge axis for moving between an open position and a closed position, wherein a biasing structure biases the movement into the closed position, the damping assembly being configured to slow down the movement into the closed position, the damping assembly comprising a damper housing and a cover member, the damper housing and the cover member cooperating to contain one or more dampers, the cover member being configured to reciprocate relative to the housing so as to transmit a reciprocating force to the one or more dampers.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the hinge axis is offset from the damper axis.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the damper axis does not intersect the hinge axis during any portion of the movement between the open position and the closed position.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the hinge further comprises a strike structure on the blade assembly opposite the damper housing, a strike surface of the strike structure contacting the cover member during movement of the hinge into the closed position.

[0050] In a third aspect, an adapter for installing a hinge according to the first aspect or the second aspect and / or an embodiment thereof is provided, the adapter having a channel portion for receiving a frame member of a frame structure, and a screw block suitable for receiving at least one of the first pair of fasteners, the second pair of fasteners and / or the third pair of fasteners.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, an adapter for connecting a hinge to a frame is provided, the adapter comprising a channel for receiving the frame, and a screw block configured to provide an extended surface that provides an additional site for connection with the hinge.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, a cover for a leaf structure of a hinge is provided, the cover comprising: a main cover body having a lip extending partially around its periphery, the lip defining a mouth for receiving the leaf structure of the hinge; and a first clip and a second clip protruding outward from opposite sides of the mouth, the first clip and the second clip being elastic and angled inwardly toward each other to elastically engage the leaf structure when the leaf structure is received in the mouth.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the first clip portion and the second clip portion are angled inwardly at an angular offset relative to a hinge axis of the hinge, wherein the angular offset is between approximately 92° and 100° relative to the hinge axis.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the angular offset is between approximately 93° and 97° relative to the hinge axis.

[0055] In certain embodiments, the angular offset is between approximately 95° and 96° relative to the hinge axis.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the first and second clip portions include first and second ridges, wherein the first and second ridges extend orthogonally to each other along a perimeter of the respective clip portions, wherein each ridge resiliently engages an edge of the blade structure.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the cover is made of plastic.

[0058] In certain embodiments, the cover is made of metal.

[0059] In certain embodiments, the metal is stainless steel.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the mouth includes a recessed mid-portion to accommodate a portion of the barrel of the hinge.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the mouth includes a tongue-shaped intermediate portion to protrude between the cylinder and blade structures of the hinge.

[0062] In certain embodiments, the cover is configured to cover at least the leaf structure of the hinge configured according to the first aspect and / or embodiment.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, an adapter is provided for connecting a hinge to a post coupled to a chain-wire fence, wherein the adapter comprises a body having a coupling surface, the coupling surface comprising a first pair of coupling holes for coupling the hinge to the adapter via a first pair of fasteners and a second pair of fasteners; and a mounting surface having: a plurality of mounting protrusions that are positionable in a mounting position between one or more wires wrapped around the post; and one or more pairs of mounting holes for mounting the adapter to the post, wherein a third pair of fasteners mounts the hinge and the adapter to the post via the one or more pairs of mounting holes.

[0064] In certain embodiments, the post has a curved profile, wherein the mounting surface has a substantially curved profile corresponding to a segment of the curved profile of the post.

[0065] In certain embodiments, each mounting protrusion has a mounting face having a curved profile corresponding to another segment of the curved profile of the post such that each mounting face rests substantially flush against the post, wherein the other segment is smaller than the segment.

[0066] In certain embodiments, a majority of the mounting tabs have a cross-sectional profile that is an equilateral trapezoid.

[0067] In certain embodiments, the equilateral trapezoid is a rhombus.

[0068] In certain embodiments, the one or more wires are helically wrapped around the post wherein a portion of the one or more wires covered by the adapter in the installed position is located between adjacent mounting tabs of the adapter to allow mounting faces of the mounting tabs to rest substantially flush against the post.

[0069] In some embodiments, the one or more wires are a plurality of wire ties tied around a pole, wherein a portion of one of the wire ties covered by the adapter is located within a gap between an upper portion of the mounting protrusion of the adapter and a lower portion of the mounting protrusion to allow a mounting surface of the mounting protrusion to rest substantially flush against the pole.

[0070] In certain embodiments, one or more pairs of mounting holes include a first pair of mounting holes and a second pair of mounting holes, the first pair of mounting holes and the second pair of mounting holes extending from the connecting surface through to the mounting surface, wherein the second pair of mounting holes extend orthogonal to the first pair of mounting holes, wherein the first pair of mounting holes is configured to receive a third pair of fasteners to fasten a hinge connected to the adapter to the column, and wherein the second pair of mounting holes is configured to receive a fourth pair of fasteners to fasten the hinge connected to the adapter to the column.

[0071] In certain embodiments, another pair of mounting holes protrude through at least some of the plurality of mounting protrusions.

[0072] In certain embodiments, the first pair of coupling holes and the second pair of coupling holes are threaded holes.

[0073] In certain embodiments, at least one of the first pair of coupling holes and the second pair of coupling holes is a threaded blind hole.

[0074] In certain embodiments, the column is a steel tube, wherein the adapter is configured to mount to a steel tube having a tube size of 25 nominal pore size, 32 nominal pore size, or 40 nominal pore size.

[0075] In certain embodiments, the chain-wire fence includes diamond-shaped wire meshes, wherein some of the diamond-shaped wire meshes are located within channels defined between adjacent mounting tabs in the mounted position.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, a hinge assembly is provided, comprising a hinge constructed according to the first aspect or the second aspect and / or embodiments thereof; and a cover constructed according to the fifth aspect and / or embodiments thereof, wherein the cover is engaged with a leaf structure of the hinge.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, a hinge assembly is provided, comprising: a hinge constructed according to an embodiment of the first aspect, the hinge comprising another lead structure; a cover constructed according to the fifth aspect and / or its embodiments, wherein the cover is engaged with a leaf structure of the hinge; and another cover constructed according to the fifth aspect and / or its embodiments, wherein the cover is engaged with another leaf structure of the hinge.

[0078] In a ninth aspect, a hinge assembly is provided, comprising a hinge constructed according to the first aspect and / or embodiments thereof; and an adapter constructed according to the fourth aspect, wherein the hinge is connected to the adapter.

[0079] In a tenth aspect, a hinge assembly is provided, comprising a hinge constructed according to the first aspect and / or embodiments thereof; an adapter constructed according to the sixth aspect and / or embodiments of the present invention, wherein the adapter is connected to the hinge.

[0080] In certain embodiments, the hinge assembly further comprises a cover constructed according to the fifth aspect and / or embodiments thereof, wherein the cover engages with the leaf structure of the hinge.

[0081] In an eleventh aspect, a hinge assembly is provided, comprising a hinge constructed according to the first aspect and / or an embodiment thereof, the hinge comprising another blade structure; and an adapter constructed according to the sixth aspect and / or an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the adapter is connected to the hinge; a cover constructed according to the fifth aspect and / or an embodiment thereof, wherein the cover is engaged with the blade structure of the hinge; and another cover constructed according to the fifth aspect and / or an embodiment thereof, wherein the other cover is engaged with the other blade structure of the hinge.

[0082] Other aspects and embodiments will be appreciated from the detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] Exemplary embodiments should become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only, of at least one preferred but non-limiting embodiment described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0084] Figure 1 is an exploded parts view of an embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention.

[0085] Figure 2 Observed from another angle Figure 1 Exploded parts diagram of the hinge.

[0086] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Plan view of the hinge.

[0087] Figure 4 It is taken along line AA Figure 3 Cross-section of a hinge.

[0088] Figure 5 It was taken along line BB Figure 3 Cross-section view of the hinge.

[0089] Figure 6 It was intercepted along CC Figure 3 Cross-section view of the hinge.

[0090] Figure 7 It is an equidistant section with a complete torsion adjustment structure.

[0091] Figure 8 is an equidistant cross section of the torsion adjustment structure which is also shown in cross section.

[0092] Fig. 9 is a view of a hinge according to the present invention.

[0093] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0094] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0095] Fig.12 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0096] Fig.13 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0097] Fig.14 yes Fig. 9Alternative view of the hinge.

[0098] Fig.15 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0099] Fig.16 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0100] Fig.17 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0101] Fig.18 yes Fig. 9 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0102] Fig.19 is a view of a hinge according to the present invention without the front cover and fasteners.

[0103] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0104] Fig.21 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0105] Fig. 22 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0106] Fig.23 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0107] Fig.24 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0108] Fig.25 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0109] Fig.26 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0110] Fig. 27 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0111] Fig.28 yes Fig.19 Alternative view of the hinge.

[0112] Fig.29 A hinge with a damper assembly according to the invention is shown.

[0113] Fig.30 An alternative hinge having a damper assembly according to the present invention is shown.

[0114] Fig.31 An adaptor according to the invention for connecting a hinge to a narrow structure provided in the form of a panel is shown.

[0115] Fig.32 Shown separately Fig.31 Isometric view of the adapter.

[0116] Fig.33 A front view of an example of a first cover attached to a hinge is shown.

[0117] Fig.34 Shows Fig.33 Rear view of the first cover.

[0118] Fig.35 Shows Fig.33 Top and right side perspective view of the first cover.

[0119] Fig.36 Shows Fig.33 Bottom and right side perspective view of the first cover.

[0120] Fig.37 A front view showing an example of a second cover attached to a hinge.

[0121] Fig.38 Shows Fig.37 Rear view of the second cover.

[0122] Fig.39 Shows Fig.37 Top and left side perspective view of the second cover.

[0123] Fig.40 Shows Fig.37 Bottom and left side perspective view of the second cover.

[0124] Fig.41 is a schematic diagram of an example of a hinge assembly, including Figures 1 to 30 An example of a hinge and connected to an alternative adapter for attaching the hinge assembly to a column.

[0125] Fig.42 yes Fig.41 Another schematic diagram of the hinge assembly.

[0126] Fig.43 yes Fig.41 A top view of the hinge assembly.

[0127] Fig.44A yes Fig.41 An isometric view of a hinge assembly attached to a pair of posts with the wires helically wrapped around the posts.

[0128] Fig.44Bis connected to Fig.44A A top view of the hinge assembly of the pair of columns.

[0129] Fig.45A yes Fig.41 An isometric view of a hinge assembly attached to a pair of posts with a plurality of tie wires wrapped around the posts.

[0130] Fig.45B is connected to Fig.45A A top view of the hinge assembly of the pair of columns.

[0131] Fig.46A yes Fig.41 An isometric view of a hinge assembly attached to a pair of posts without wires wrapped around the posts.

[0132] Fig.46B is connected to Fig.46A A top view of the hinge assembly of the pair of columns.

[0133] Fig.47A is a schematic front view of a first example of an adapter for attaching a hinge to a column.

[0134] Fig.47B yes Fig.47A Schematic rear view of the adapter.

[0135] Fig.48A is a schematic front view of a second example of an adapter for attaching a hinge to a post.

[0136] Fig.48B yes Fig.48A Schematic rear view of the adapter.

[0137] Fig.49A is a schematic front view of a first example of an adapter for attaching a hinge to a column.

[0138] Fig.49B yes Fig.49A Schematic rear view of the adapter.

[0139] Fig.50 is a schematic diagram of an alternative example of a torsion adjustment structure.

[0140] Fig.51 yes Fig.50 Schematic diagram of the rotation of the torsion adjustment structure.

[0141] Fig.52 It is combined Fig.50 The torsion adjustment structure Fig.29 Cross-section of the hinge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0142] The following modes, which are given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more accurate understanding of the subject matter of one or more preferred embodiments.In the drawings, to illustrate the features of the exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to identify the same parts throughout the drawings.

[0143] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , shows an exemplary embodiment of a hinge 1 according to the present invention. The hinge 1 of this exemplary embodiment is a surface-mounted hinge with a soft closing function to cushion the closing force applied to the hinge 1.

[0144] The hinge includes a first blade assembly 100 hingedly connected to a second blade assembly 200 around a hinge axis 10. The first blade assembly 100 and the second blade assembly 200 are configured to move between an open position and a closed position around the hinge axis 10. In the depicted alternative embodiment, the travel range provided between the first blade assembly 100 and the second blade assembly 200 can extend beyond the approximately open position and the closed position. The hinge 1 also includes a damping assembly 500, which includes one or more dampers 501a, 501b. In one form, one or more dampers can be one or more linear dampers. As discussed below, the hinge can operate with a single damper, so the reference numeral 501 will be used to refer to a single damper, but is similarly applicable to multiple damper arrangements 501a, 501b. The hinge 1 also includes a biasing structure 400, such as a spring 401, which can be configured to bias the hinge 1 into a closed position.

[0145] The first leaf assembly 100 includes a leaf structure 101 for attaching to a portion of one or more structures, such as a first panel 1001 (not shown). For the purpose of clarity, as will become clear in the various examples, the leaf structure 101 will be referred to as the first leaf structure in this article. The first leaf structure 101 has a first pair of holes 104, each hole 104a, 104b in the first pair of holes is configured to receive one of the first pair of fasteners 105 for attaching the first leaf structure 101 to the panel 1001. In the depicted embodiment, the first pair of fasteners 105 are self-tapping screws that can be embedded in the panel without pre-formed holes or threads, however, other fasteners known in the art can be used. The first pair of holes 104 are vertically aligned. The first pair of holes 104 are aligned parallel to the hinge axis 10 and are arranged to be close to the inner edge perimeter 102a of the first leaf structure 101 closest to the spring 401. Each hole 104a, 104b in the first pair of holes 104 is spaced apart from each other so that each hole 104a, 104b is positioned adjacent to the adjacent corner perimeter 103 of the first blade structure 101. The adjacent corner perimeters 103 are the upper inner corner perimeter 103a and the lower inner corner perimeter 103b. One hole 104a in the first pair of holes is positioned close to the upper edge perimeter 102c, while the other hole 104b in the first pair of holes is positioned close to the lower edge perimeter 102d of the first blade structure 101. Each of the holes 104a, 104b in the first pair of holes 104 may be equally spaced apart from or close to the vertical midpoint of the first blade structure 101. Each of the holes 104a, 104b in the first pair of holes 104 may be equally spaced apart around the horizontal symmetry axis of the first blade structure 101.

[0146] The first leaf structure 101 also has a second pair of holes 106, each hole 106a, 106b in the second pair of holes is configured to receive one fastener 107a, 107b of the second pair of fasteners 107 for attaching the first leaf structure 101 to the panel 1001. In the depicted embodiment, the second pair of fasteners 107 are self-tapping screws that can be embedded in the panel without pre-formed holes or threads, but other fasteners can also be used. The second pair of holes 106 are vertically aligned. The second pair of holes 106 are aligned parallel to the hinge axis 10 and are arranged near the outer edge perimeter 102b of the first leaf structure 101 farthest from the spring 501. Each hole 106a, 106b in the second pair of holes 106 is spaced apart from each other so that each hole 106a, 106b is positioned adjacent to the adjacent corner perimeter 103 of the first leaf structure 101. The adjacent corner perimeters 103 are the upper outer corner perimeter 103c and the lower outer corner perimeter 103d. One hole 106a of the second pair of holes is located near the upper edge perimeter 102c, and the other hole 106b of the second pair of holes is located near the lower edge perimeter 102d of the first blade structure 101. Each of the holes 106a, 106b of the second pair of holes 106 may be equally spaced from or near the vertical midpoint of the first blade structure 101. Each of the holes 106a, 106b of the second pair of holes 106 may be equally spaced around the horizontal symmetry axis of the first blade structure 101.

[0147] The first leaf structure 101 also has a third pair of holes 108, each of which is configured to receive one fastener 109a, 109b of the third pair of fasteners 109 for attaching the first leaf structure 101 to the panel 1001. In the depicted embodiment, the third pair of fasteners 109 are self-tapping screws that can be embedded in the panel without pre-formed holes or threads, but other fasteners can be used as appropriate. The third pair of holes 108 are vertically aligned. The first pair of holes 108 are aligned parallel to the hinge axis 10 and are arranged near the outer edge perimeter 102b of the first leaf structure 101 closest to the spring 501. The third pair of holes 108 can be located within the footprint defined by the holes in the first pair of holes 104 and the second pair of holes 106. One side of the third pair of holes 108 is flanked by the first pair of holes 104 and the other side is flanked by the second pair of holes 106. The third pair of holes 108 can be centered along the horizontal range (i.e., the horizontal midpoint of the first leaf structure), or located close to the center. As depicted, the third pair of holes 108 may be spaced closer together than the first pair of holes 104 or the second pair of holes 106, but other arrangements are possible. Each of the holes 108a, 108b in the third pair of holes 108 may be equally spaced apart from or near a vertical midpoint of the first blade structure 101. Each of the holes 108a, 108b in the third pair of holes 108 may be equally spaced apart about a horizontal axis of symmetry of the first blade structure.

[0148] Any or all of the individual holes 104a, 104b, 106a, 106b, 108a, 108b of the first pair of holes 104, the second pair of holes 106, or the third pair of holes 108 may be sized to provide clearance for a corresponding fastener when the corresponding fastener is received therein. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the depicted embodiment, each hole 104a, 104b in the first pair of holes 104 is sized to provide clearance between the fasteners 105a, 105b in the first pair 105 received by the hole. Unless otherwise specified, the size of the hole 104a, 104b is designed to allow a certain degree of play between the fasteners 105a, 105b in the hole. With this arrangement of the first blade structure 101 in place against the panel 1001, the size of each hole 104a, 104b is designed to allow some slight variations in the position where the fasteners 105a, 105b are applied. Specifically, instead of matching the size of the holes 104a, 104b with the fasteners 105a, 105b with a close tolerance, so that the fasteners 105a, 105b must be positioned at a dead center or approximately dead center in the holes 104a, 104b, the fasteners 105a, 105b can be applied slightly eccentrically. This allows the installer of the hinge 1 to select to some extent the location of the fasteners 105a, 105b within the respective holes 104a, 104b of the first leaf structure 101 for any given position of the first leaf structure 101 relative to the panel 1001 to which it is attached.

[0149] Similarly, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, each hole 106a, 106b in the second pair of holes 106 is sized to provide clearance between the fasteners 107a, 107b in the second pair of fasteners 107 received by the hole 106a, 106b. In other words, the holes 106a, 106b are sized to allow a certain degree of play between the fasteners 107a, 107b in the holes 106a, 106b. With this arrangement of the first blade structure 101 in position against the panel 1001, the size of each hole 106a, 106b in the second pair of holes 106 is designed to allow for some slight variations in the location where the respective fasteners 107a, 107b are applied. Specifically, instead of matching the dimensions of the holes 106a, 106b and the fasteners 107a, 107b with close tolerances, so that the fasteners 107a, 107b must be positioned at or approximately at the dead center of the holes 106a, 106b, the fasteners 107a, 107b can be applied slightly off-center. This allows the installer of the hinge 1 to select to some extent the positioning position of the fasteners 107a, 107b within the corresponding holes 106a, 106b of the first leaf structure 101 for any given position of the first leaf structure 101 relative to the panel 1001.

[0150] Providing clearance between the holes in the first pair of holes 104 and the second pair of holes 106 and the fasteners 105 , 107 received thereby may facilitate some adjustability in the position of the hinge 1 , which may facilitate some adjustability of incorrectly placed fasteners 105 , 107 , or correcting incorrectly aligned panels 1001 .

[0151] For example, an installer attaching the first leaf structure 101 to the panel 1001 by screwing each of the first pair of self-tapping fasteners 105a, 105b through the center or approximately center position within its respective first hole 104a, 104b into the panel 1001 may notice that the hinge 1 is not properly aligned, such that the hinge axis is at a slight angle to its intended position (usually vertical). Such misalignment may result in the panel attached to the hinge having a slightly tilted orientation, i.e., it may sag downward or be angled upward, which may result in reduced functionality or poor aesthetics.

[0152] In such a scenario, it may be difficult to correct the hinge 1 orientation using the first pair of holes 104 because the fasteners 105 have already created holes in the panel 1001 within the footprint of the respective holes 104a, 104b to which they are applied. Removing and reinstalling the fasteners 105a, 105b in a position adjacent to the previously formed holes in the panel will reduce their grip in the panel 1001, which may immediately or eventually lead to failure. Therefore, the installer may be required to remove the hinge 1 from the panel 1001 to fill the holes caused by the first fasteners 105, thereby ensuring a slight repositioning of the fasteners 105 to correct the position of the hinge 1, thereby achieving a secure grip between the fasteners 105 and the panel 1001. Such operations may be time consuming in order to make slight angular adjustments to the hinge 1 position, and may result in the hinge 1 being incorrectly positioned a second time, resulting in further damage to the panel, which may also need to be filled or replaced.

[0153] Alternatively, and due to the clearance between the second fastener 107 and the second hole 106, the installer can select the position of the fastener 107 within the hole 106 to apply a turning torque to the hinge 1 when the fastener is driven into the panel, thereby adjusting the angular orientation of the hinge 1. Figure 1In the case of a hinge assembly 101, if the first hinge member 101 is attached to the panel 1001 (not shown) via the first fastener 105 received in the first pair of holes 104, so that the hinge 1 is tilted slightly counterclockwise (i.e., if the hinge axis 10 is angled to the left as shown), the second leaf structure 201 will "droop" or angle downwardly compared to the first leaf structure 101. As a result, one or more additional structures (e.g., the panel 1002) attached to the second leaf structure 201 may also tilt downwardly. To correct for this, the installer may select the position of the driving tip of either one of the second fasteners 107a, 107b or both fasteners at a lower position within the corresponding holes 106a, 106b. Then, when the fasteners 107a, 107b are driven into the panel 1001, they act on the lower walls of the holes 106a, 106b, thereby generating a turning moment on the hinge 1 that pulls the hinge axis 10 in the clockwise position back to its proper vertical orientation. In this example, the first pair of fasteners 105 will not prevent the hinge 1 from tilting due to the turning moment because the first pair of fasteners are applied approximately centrally in the corresponding holes of the first pair of fasteners, and therefore have sufficient clearance to prevent or reduce contact between the fasteners 105a, 105b and the periphery of the holes 104a, 104b.

[0154] In the previous example, the order of applying the first pair of fasteners 105 and the second pair of fasteners 107 can be reversed. Specifically, the installer can initially apply the second fasteners 106a, 106b in a generally centered position within their respective holes 107a, 107b. Subsequently, the position of the first fasteners 105a, 105b within the first holes 104a, 104b can be selected to correct the hinge 1 orientation so that the hinge axis 10 is properly aligned and the panels 1001, 1002 are properly aligned.

[0155] Once the hinge 1 is correctly oriented using the first pair of fasteners 105 and the second pair of fasteners 107, the installer may apply the third pair of fasteners 109 into the centrally located third pair of holes 108. In certain embodiments, the third pair of holes 108 may also be configured with a gap to allow the third pair of fasteners 109 to be used when adjusting the hinge orientation, but in other embodiments, the third pair of fasteners 109 more closely matches the dimensions of the third pair of holes 108 and is therefore only used to secure the hinge 1 to the panel 1001. If the third hole 108 has a gap, the third hole may provide a second opportunity to correct the position of the hinge 1 if the use of the first pair of fasteners 105 or the second pair of fasteners 107 is unsuccessful. For example, if an adjustment attempt is made using one of the first pair 105 or the second pair 107, the fasteners may be removed from that pair and the third pair 109, which is used to make an angular adjustment by selecting their position within their respective holes 108 in the same manner as described above.

[0156] In an embodiment, only the third pair of fasteners 109 is needed to provide load-bearing duties. In such embodiments, the first fasteners 105 and the second fasteners 107 do not necessarily need to provide load-bearing functions during the functional life of the hinge 1 and the panel 1001. Instead, they only need to support the weight of the corresponding panel 1001 during the installation process to allow the initial attachment of the hinge 1 to the panel 1001 and fine adjustment of the orientation, after which the third fasteners 109 are applied to provide structural, load-bearing strength. Therefore, the first pair of fasteners and the second pair of fasteners can have smaller dimensions than the third pair of fasteners.

[0157] Furthermore, if the initial attachment of the first hinge component 101 via either the first pair of fasteners 105 or the second pair of fasteners 107 results in the hinge 1 being properly aligned, then it may not be necessary to apply the other of the first pair of fasteners 105 or the second pair of fasteners 107. Alternatively, since there is no need to adjust the hinge 1 orientation, the installer may simply choose to apply the load-bearing third pair of fasteners 109. If so, hole covers (not shown) may be used to fill the unused pair of holes.

[0158] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As depicted, the hinge 1 may have a second leaf assembly 200 having another leaf structure 201. For the purpose of clarity, in all remaining embodiments, the other leaf structure will be referred to as the second leaf structure. The second leaf structure 201 may have the same arrangement of the first pair of holes 204, the second pair of holes 206, and the third pair of holes 208 discussed above with respect to the first leaf assembly 101, and thus may be used to fine-tune the orientation of the hinge 1 in an equivalent manner. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the depicted embodiment, the second blade structure 201 is an identical mirror image of the first blade structure 101 except for having complementary joints 210a, 210b, but other arrangements are possible. In the depicted embodiment, the first blade structure 101 has a single intermediate joint 110 located between the upper joint 210a and the lower joint 210b of the second blade structure 201.

[0159] The joints 110, 210a, 210b of the first and second leaf structures 101, 201 in the assembled state define a cylinder 405 that houses a spring 401 that forms part of a biasing structure 400. The spring 401 is operatively coupled to the first and second leaf assemblies 101, 201 to bias the first and second leaf assemblies 101, 201 to move from an open position to a closed position. Figures 3 to 5In the closed position, the first and second leaf structures 101, 201 are substantially aligned and coplanar with each other, so that the first and second panels 1010, 1020 (not shown) are substantially aligned and coplanar with each other. The spring 501 is preferably a torsion spring.

[0160] The first hinge member 101 and the second hinge member 201 have outer surfaces 111, 211 and side walls 102, 202 that at least partially define one or more interior spaces 112, 212. Figure 2 As can be best seen in the figure, the interior space 112, 212 of the depicted example embodiment is divided into three subspaces 112a, 112b, 112c, 212a, 212b, 212c by reinforcing walls 113, 213, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other suitable arrangements are possible. A damper housing 502 forming part of the damper assembly 500 is at least partially accommodated within the interior space 112, 212 of one of the first blade structure 101 or the second blade structure 201. An impact member 504 is at least partially accommodated within the interior space 112, 212 of the other of the first blade structure 101 or the second blade structure 202. Figure 2 In the depicted example embodiment, the damper housing 502 is mostly contained within the interior space 112 of the first blade structure 101, with a small portion protruding from the interior space 112 in a direction toward the second blade structure 201, the portion protruding through a slot 114 in an inner side wall 102a of the first blade structure 101 that partially defines the interior space 112. The slot 114 is adjacent to the hinge axis 10. As depicted, the damper housing 502 is adapted to reside in a middle subspace 112b of the interior space 112.

[0161] Similar to Figure 2 As depicted in FIG. 1 , the impact component 504 is mostly contained within the interior space 212 of the second blade structure 201, wherein a small portion protrudes from the interior space 212 toward the first blade structure, the portion protruding through the slit 214 in the side wall 202a of the second blade structure 201 that partially defines the interior space 212, the slit 214 being located adjacent to the hinge axis 10. As with the first hinge component 101, the interior space 112 may include a reinforcing wall 213. The reinforcing wall 213 may define a subspace in the interior space 212. The depicted embodiment includes three such subspaces: an upper subspace 212a, an intermediate subspace 212b, and a lower subspace 212c. The interior space 112 or a portion thereof may be shaped to receive the impact component 504 in an engaging manner. In the depicted example, the reinforcing wall 213 corresponds to at least a portion of the upper side wall and / or lower side wall of the impact component, so that it is received in the intermediate subspace 112b in an engaging manner.

[0162] The first pair of holes 104, 204, the second pair of holes 106, 206 and / or the third pair of holes 108, 208 may be partially defined by a boss 115, 215 within the interior space. In the depicted example embodiment, the boss 115, 215 is supported by a reinforcing wall 113, 213 that traverses a portion of the interior space 212 to increase the strength and / or stiffness of the blade structure 101, 201. The damper housing 502 and / or the impact member 504 may be shaped to correspond to a portion of the interior space 112, 212 to ensure proper positioning and resist movement due to opening and closing forces. Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment, the damper housing 502 and the impact component 504 both have scalloped portions formed in their upper and lower side walls that correspond to the screw bosses 115, 215 of the third pair of holes 108, 208, however any type of recesses, protrusions and engagement features may be used.

[0163] As depicted, placement of the damper housing 502 and / or impact member 504 within the interior space 112, 212 and positioning of the bosses 115, 215 of the third pair of holes 108, 208 within the scallop 505 ensures proper positioning of the damper housing 502 and / or impact member 504. When in this position, the fixing bosses / threaded tubes 116, 216 located in the interior space 112, 212 protrude into the corresponding apertures 506 of the damper housing 502 and / or impact member 504, thereby allowing the damper housing 502 and / or impact member 504 to be retained in their proper positions by applying screws 507 or the like through the apertures 506 and into the threaded tubes 116, 216.

[0164] The damper housing 502 is a part of the damper assembly 500, which may further include at least one damper 501. The damper housing 502 has at least one cavity 503 to receive the at least one damper 501. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a damper housing 502 having two chambers: an upper chamber 503a and a lower chamber 503b, each chamber receiving an upper damper 501a and a lower damper 501b, respectively. However, it should be understood that, depending on the amount of bias provided by the spring 174, a single damper 124 may be sufficient, in which case the damper assembly 131 may be selectively installed to include a single damper 124. In other exemplary embodiments, the housing 502 may have more than two chambers 503.

[0165] The damper 501 is configured to slow down the movement of the first leaf assembly 100 and the second leaf assembly 200 to the closed position. The first leaf assembly 100 and the second leaf assembly 200 are biased into the closed position by the spring 401 of the biasing structure 400. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, when approaching the closed position, the impact surface 508 of the impact member 504 contacts the dampers 501a, 501b in the extended position, wherein the dampers 501a, 501b slowly move to the retracted position while absorbing some of the momentum and force of the hinge 1 approaching the closed position. In a specific example, the longitudinal axes of the dampers 501a, 501b extend orthogonally to the hinge axis 10. In this arrangement, when the hinge 1 is in the non-closed position, at least a portion of the damper 501 protrudes outward from the damper housing 502 of the first hinge leaf assembly 100. As the hinge 1 approaches the closed position, the extended portion of the damper 501 contacts the impact surface 508 of the impact member 504 and slowly retracts within the damper housing 132 in a manner known as a soft close function. It will be appreciated that the dampers 501a, 501b are not in continuous contact with the opposing blade assembly / impact surface.

[0166] The longitudinal axis of the one or more dampers 501 is located between the hinge axis 10 and the first panel 1010, as disclosed in PCT / AU2021 / 051056. In a preferred form, the longitudinal axis of the damper 501 is located substantially equidistantly between the hinge axis 10 and the first panel 1010. This arrangement means that, unlike the soft closing hinge disclosed in PCT / AU2017 / 050133, in which the damper is located coplanar with the panel, the damper in the present hinge 1 is located behind the panel 1010 and between the hinge axis 10 and the face of the panel 1010.

[0167] The damper housing 502 may include one or more cavities 503 for accommodating one or more dampers 501. Each cavity 503 includes a longitudinal axis extending orthogonal to the hinge axis 10. The cross-section of each cavity 503 is generally cylindrical and is used to accommodate the generally cylindrical body of the damper 501. As disclosed in PCT / AU2021 / 051056, each damper 501 may include a first damper portion provided in the form of a pin, which extends and retracts within a second portion of the damper 501 provided in the form of a damper body or cylinder. Each damper 501 is typically provided in the form of a hydraulic damper, wherein the damper body contains a hydraulic fluid for providing a damping function. The damper body may include a spring or biasing mechanism and is operatively connected to the first damper portion to bias the first damper portion to extend from the second damper portion.

[0168] As disclosed in PCT / AU2021 / 051056, a portion of the damper 501 body extends from the cavity 530 when the hinge 1 moves from the open position to the closed position. As the hinge 1 moves towards the closed position, the end of the damper 501 body contacts the impact surface 508 of the impact member 504 to abut against and retract within the cavity 503 when the damper pin is received within the damper body under the bias of the spring 401 of the biasing structure 400. As disclosed in PCT / AU2021 / 051056, the end wall of each cavity 320 may include an aperture to receive and resiliently retain the tip of the damper pin, and therefore the damper 501. In one form, the aperture may be provided in the form of a pair of orthogonal slits having a generally cross-shaped profile provided in the end wall of the cavity 503, wherein the tip of the pin is resiliently received in the center of the cross-shaped aperture.

[0169] When the hinge 1 moves from the closed position to the open position, a portion of the damper 501 extends and protrudes outward from the damper housing 502. In the closed position, most of the damper body of the corresponding damper 501 is accommodated in the corresponding cavity 503, and when the hinge is moved to the open position, most of the damper body may be located outside the corresponding cavity 503. When the hinge 1 moves to the open position under the action of an external force (i.e., a user opens a hinged door including the hinge 1), a portion of the damper body may extend from the cavity 503 under the bias of a spring contained in the damper body.

[0170] The impact member 504 may have the same, substantially the same, or similar shape as the damper housing 502. The impact member 504 may be secured within the interior space 112 of the second blade structure 201 in a manner equivalent to the manner described above for securing the damper housing 502 within the interior space 212 of the first blade structure. A portion of the interior space 212 of the second blade structure 201 may be shaped to be embossed or otherwise correspond to the shape of the impact member 504 so as to receive the impact member 504 in its correct position within the interior space 212. As with the damper housing 502, the impact member 504 may be a scalloped portion 505 to receive a boss 215 protruding into the interior space 212, the boss partially defining one or more individual holes in the first pair of holes 204, the second pair of holes 206, or the third pair of holes 208. Another protruding threaded tube 216 may extend into the interior space 212 to be received by a corresponding aperture 506 in the body of the impact member 504 so that a screw 507 or the like may be used to securely fasten the impact member to the second blade structure.

[0171] The impact member 504 may be located between the hinge axis 10 and the second panel 1002. The impact member 504 may include an impact surface 508 that may be positioned in the closed position in an adjacent and opposing relationship to the protruding damper 501 end of the damper assembly 500. The impact surface 508 may include one or more notches 509, each of the one or more notches being configured to contact an end of the damper 501 body when moving toward the closed position.

[0172] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the damper housing 502 and the impact member 504 have similar shapes, although no cavity 320 is provided in the impact member 504, so that the damper housing 502 and the impact member 504 have substantially matching peripheral contours. This arrangement can be advantageous because portions of the tooling used to manufacture the damper member 132 and the impact member 134 can be replicated. If desired, the relative positions of the housing 502 and the impact member 504 in the first blade structure 101 and the second blade structure 201 can also be swapped.

[0173] The first blade assembly 100 and the second blade assembly 200 may each have a rear cover 117, 217. The damper housing 502 may be located between the first blade structure 101 and the first rear cover 117. The damper housing 502 may have a substantially flat rear surface that may be flush with the inner surface 118 of the first rear cover 117. Figure 1 As depicted, the inner surface 118 of the first rear cover 117 may have reinforcing walls 119 and / or ribs to reinforce the rear cover 117. When the hinge 1 is in its assembled state and the rear cover 117 at least partially covers the interior space 112, some or substantially all of these reinforcing walls 119 may be arranged opposite to the reinforcing walls 113 of the first leaf structure 101, which may increase the overall strength of the hinge 1. The inner surface 118 of the rear cover 117 may also have an interior space 120, which may correspond to at least a portion of the relief of the damper housing 502 or have a feature that engages in other ways to engageably receive the damper housing 502 when the hinge 1 is in its connected state. The portion of the rear cover 117 that is shaped as a portion of the relief of the damper housing 502 may cooperate with an equivalent portion of the interior space 112 of the first leaf structure 101 to define a cavity 121 for receiving the damper housing 504. The interior space 112 of the first blade structure and the interior space 120 of the rear cover 117 cooperate to define the cavity 121 .

[0174] Similarly, the impact member 504 may be located between the second blade structure 201 and the second rear cover 217. The impact member 504 may have a substantially flat rear surface that may be flush with the inner surface 218 of the second rear cover 218. Figure 1As depicted, the inner surface 218 of the second rear cover 217 may have reinforcing walls 219 and / or ribs to reinforce the rear cover 217. When the hinge 1 is in its assembled state and the rear cover 217 at least partially covers the interior space 212, some or substantially all of these reinforcing walls 219 may be arranged opposite to the reinforcing walls 213 of the second leaf structure 201, which may increase the overall strength of the hinge 1. The inner surface 218 of the rear cover 217 may also have an inner space 220, which may correspond to at least a portion of the relief of the impact component 504 or have a feature that is otherwise engaged so as to engageably receive the impact component 504 when the hinge 1 is in its connected state. The portion of the rear cover 217 that is shaped as a portion of the relief of the damper housing 504 may cooperate with an equivalent portion of the interior space 212 of the second leaf structure 201 to define a cavity 221 for receiving the impact component 504. The interior space 212 of the first blade structure and the interior space 220 of the rear cover 217 cooperate to define the cavity 221 .

[0175] The first back cover 117 and the second back cover 218 are both shaped to have the same profile as the first leaf structure 101 and the second leaf structure 201. By this arrangement, when the hinge 1 is in place with the back cover 117, 217 against the corresponding panel, the back cover 117, 217 and the leaf structure 101, 201 occupy the same or substantially the same footprint, so that the access to the back cover 117, 217 is blocked by the leaf structure 101, 201. In the depicted embodiment, the leaf structure 101, 201 and the back cover 117, 217 have a trapezoidal shape, specifically an isosceles trapezoid in this embodiment, but other arrangements are also possible. The back cover 117, 217 has a series of holes that match the first pair of holes 104, the second pair of holes 106 and the third pair of holes 108, so that the corresponding fasteners can pass through the holes of the back cover and enter the panel 1000. The rear cover 117 , 217 is also provided with holes for accessing the screws 507 for fixing the damper housing 502 and the impact component 504 .

[0176] Both the first leaf assembly 100 and the second leaf assembly 200 may also have a front cover 122, 222 for placement on the outside 111, 211 of the first hinge member 101 and the second hinge member 201. The front cover 122, 222 can help protect other components of the first hinge leaf assembly 100 and / or the second hinge leaf assembly 200. For example, the front cover 122, 222 can protect the fasteners 105, 205, 107, 207, 109, 209 from atmospheric conditions (such as rain) that may cause corrosion and failure. The front cover 112, 222 can also protect the first leaf structure 101 and the second leaf structure 201 from UV damage that may eventually cause failure. The inner surface 123, 223 of the front cover 112, 222 can substantially emboss to match the shape of the leaf structure 101, 201 to which it is attached. Small inwardly protruding clips may be provided on the inner edge periphery of the front cover 112, 222 so that it clamps in place over the blade structure 101, 201. The outer surface 125, 225 of the front cover 112, 212 may have an appearance that is the same or substantially similar to the outer surface 111 of the first blade structure 101 and the outer surface 211 of the second blade structure 201. In the depicted embodiment, the blade structure 101, 201 has a profile shaped as an isosceles trapezoid, wherein the upper edge 102c, 202c and the lower edge 102d, 202d are angled inwardly toward the outer edge 102b, 202b. The outer surface 125, 225 has a wide chamfer toward the side wall / edge periphery 102, 202, and the corner periphery 103, 203 of the side wall is chamfered.

[0177] Reference now Figures 3 to 8 , the second hinge leaf assembly 201 includes a plurality of joints 210, specifically a top joint 210a and a bottom joint 201b, and the first leaf assembly 101 includes another joint 110, specifically an intermediate joint 110. The joints 110, 210a, 210b are coaxially aligned along the hinge axis 10 to define a cylinder 410 that accommodates the spring 401. The intermediate joint 110 has a length corresponding to the spacing between the top joint 210a and the bottom joint 210b. The joints 110, 210 have a substantially annular profile. A bushing may be located between adjacent surfaces of the end joints 210 and the intermediate joints 110 to minimize friction between the first leaf assembly 101 and the second leaf assembly 201 during rotational movement around the hinge axis 10 when moving between the open position and the closed position.

[0178] Hinge 1 may include a top cylinder cover 411a and a bottom cylinder cover 411b to substantially enclose the cylinder 410 of hinge 1. End joints 210a, 210b include holes 226a, 226b extending through the annular wall of the joint. Top cylinder cover 411a and top cylinder cover 411b also include holes 412a, 412b in outer necks 413a, 413b, which align with holes 412a, 412b in top joint 210a and bottom joint 210b. Fasteners such as countersunk screws 414a, 414b can be received through the aligned holes 412 in joint 210 and holes 412 in cylinder cover 411, so that cylinder cover 411 is coupled to second hinge leaf assembly 201. Therefore, with countersunk screws 414 in place, cylinder cover 411 will not rotate relative to second hinge leaf assembly 201.

[0179] The top cylindrical cover 411a includes an outer neck 413a and an inner neck 415a, wherein the inner neck 415a has a gap 416 for accommodating a neck portion 418 of a torsion adjustment structure 408. The upper surface of the upper cover 411a includes a plurality of markings 419 indicating the direction and torque level of the spring 401. The bottom edge of the neck of the top cylindrical cover 411a includes a first engagement surface 420 provided in the form of a sawtooth profile. The torsion adjustment structure 408 cooperates with the top cylindrical cover 411a. The torsion adjustment structure 408 is located in the inner neck 415a of the top cylindrical cover 411a. The torsion adjustment structure 408 has a neck 418 extending from a shoulder 417. The upper surface of the shoulder 417 has a second engagement surface 421, which is cooperatively engaged with the first engagement surface 420 of the neck of the top cylindrical cover 411a to limit the rotational movement of the torsion adjustment structure 408 relative to the top cylindrical cover 411a.

[0180] A torsion adjustment structure 408 is coupled to a first end of the spring 401. In particular, the spring 401 includes a tail portion 404 extending along a diameter that defines a first cavity 406 and a second cavity 407 with the coil of the spring 402. In an embodiment similar to the depicted embodiment, the first cavity 406 and the second cavity 407 are combined to become a single space within the spring as defined by the coil 402. The torsion adjustment structure 408 includes a pair of protrusions 422a, 422b that are received within the respective first cavity 406 and second cavity 407 of the spring 401 so that a rotational force applied to the torsion adjustment structure 408 can be transmitted to the spring 401, thereby adjusting the torsion of the spring 401. The protrusion 422 has a "D-shaped" cross-sectional profile. The spring 401 includes another diametrically extending tail portion 423 that is received within an aperture 126 in a wall that extends across the middle joint 110 of a cylinder 410 that is part of the first hinge leaf assembly 101. The wall that extends across the lower end of the middle joint 110 may include an upwardly extending tab that is received within a corresponding cavity defined by the coil 402 of the spring 401 and the other diametrically extending tail portion 423 to couple the spring 401 to the cylinder 410. The upper end of the neck of the torsion adjustment structure 408 includes a tool hole 424 to allow an operator to apply a rotational force to the torsion adjustment structure 408 to adjust the torque applied by the spring 401.

[0181] In use, a user applies a rotational force to the torsion adjustment structure 408 via a tool such as an Allen key, but other arrangements that allow adjustment without additional tools are equally possible, such as tabs, etc. When a rotational force is applied, the trailing edge slides over the leading edge to allow rotational movement of the torsion adjustment structure 408 relative to the top cylindrical cover 411a, which in turn increases the torsion force applied by the spring 401. Each tooth of the first engagement surface 420 has a substantially vertical trailing edge that mates with a substantially vertical leading edge of a corresponding tooth of the second engagement surface 421. These vertical edges abut against each other and limit rotational movement of the top cylindrical cover 411a relative to the cover 408, which is biased from the spring 401. When the user transmits a downward force along the hinge axis 10 to compress the spring 401 within the cylinder 410 to disengage the first engagement surface 420 from the second engagement surface 421 , the torque can be reduced because the torsion adjustment structure 408 can rotate relative to the top cylinder cover 411 a under the bias from the spring 401 .

[0182] The torsion adjustment structure 408 may be adjusted accordingly to ensure that the hinge 1 returns to the closed position under the appropriate bias from the spring 401 of the biasing structure 400 while being sufficiently damped by the damping assembly 500 .

[0183] The following is about Figure 50 to Figure 52 An alternative embodiment of a torsion adjustment structure 408 is disclosed that is configured to limit adjustment of the storage of potential energy by the spring 401 beyond a predetermined limit.

[0184] Reference now Figures 9 to 18 , showing various views of the hinge 1 in an assembled state. In particular, referring to Fig.13 , showing the hinge 1 in place on a structure 1001, 1002, such as a first panel 1001 and a second panel 1002. The panels may be formed of any suitable material, such as glass, wood or metal. One of the panels may be fixed in place so that the other of the panels has a door-like function, wherein the open and closed positions of the hinge allow the panels to be similarly opened and closed. Figures 19 to 28 repeat Figures 9 to 18 , with the hinge without the front cover and fasteners.

[0185] Reference now Fig.29 and Fig.30 , shows an embodiment of the hinge 1, wherein the damper assembly 500 comprises a cover member 510 covering the damper 501. The cover member 510 is fitted over the end of the damper 501, which normally protrudes from the damper housing 502 when the hinge 1 is in the open position as described above. The cover member 510 thus acts as an intermediary between the impact surface 508 of the impact component 504 and the damper 501.

[0186] The cover member 510 has an outer surface 511 for contacting the impact surface 508. The cover member 511 has a side wall 512 that cooperates with the outer surface 511 to define an interior space (not shown) that can accommodate the end of the damper 501 protruding from the damper housing 502. With this arrangement, the cover member 510 covers the end of the damper 5014 and closes or at least partially closes the cavity 503, so that the damper 501 is contained within the housing 504, cooperating with the cover member 510. This in turn can limit access to the damper 501. This arrangement can be advantageous in protecting the damper 501 from atmospheric conditions and debris ingress. In embodiments where the damper housing 502 is adapted to receive a plurality of dampers 501 to allow the installer to select the number of dampers 501 used as described above, the cover member 501 may visually block the observer's attention to the unused space, which may give the impression that the damper 501 is missing and the hinge 1 is not properly installed. For example, if the damper housing 502 has multiple cavities 503 for respectively receiving multiple dampers 501, and the installer determines that a certain amount of dampers 501 less than a maximum is needed to offset the biasing structure 400, the cover member 510 may prevent an observer from noticing the presence of an empty cavity 503, which they may interpret as meaning that the hinge 1 is incorrectly installed. Such an empty cavity 503 may also be subject to the ingress of debris, complicating the addition of additional dampers 501 at some other time, and may also serve as a space to house unwanted pests such as spiders.

[0187] The cover member 510 is adapted to move together with the plunger 501. In the open position of the hinge 1 as shown, the cover member 510 protrudes significantly from the damper housing 502, as does the end of the damper 501 contained in the cover member 50. When the hinge 1 enters the closed position and the cover member 510 contacts the impact surface 508, the cover member 510 is pushed into the damper housing 502, transferring the force to the dampers 501, which are also pushed into the damper housing 502, as described above. In an embodiment, the sidewalls 512 of the cover member 510 may extend into the damper housing 502, even when protruding from it in the open position shown. In another embodiment, the cover member 510 may have "legs" extending into the damper housing, rather than continuous sidewalls. The engagement features (not shown) within the interior space of the cover member 510 can be releasably attached to the damper 501 for easy movement together. For example, the engagement features may facilitate a press fit between the damper 501 and the cover member 510 such that the cover member 510 may be pulled to disengage from the damper 501, thereby allowing access to the damper 501 for reconfiguration or replacement, after which the cover member 510 may be simply pushed back into position in the damper housing 502.

[0188] The cover member 510 may be adapted to be constrained to travel along a single axis. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the portion of the damper housing 502 that receives the leg or extended sidewall may be sized to match the shape of the leg or extended sidewall so that movement of the cover member 510 is constrained into and out of the damper housing 502, i.e., movement of the cover member 510 is constrained to linear movement along the longitudinal axis of the damper 501. Thus, the force transmitted by the cover member 510 to the damper 501 is linear along the longitudinal axis. Since the damper assembly 500 is offset from the hinge axis 10, i.e., when the hinge 1 moves toward the closed position, the inner portion of the damper 501 that is not covered and is closest to the hinge axis 10 will contact the impact member 508 before the outer portion, this arrangement can be used to prevent or reduce side load forces applied to the damper 501, thereby generating side loads that can damage the damper 501 over time.

[0189] Fig.29 and Fig.30 The example embodiment of shows a clamping hinge 10 similar to that described in PCT / AU2021 / 051056, however, it will be appreciated that Figures 1 to 28 The face mounted hinge can use the cover member in the same manner.

[0190] Reference now Fig.31 and Fig.32 , shows an adapter 600 that facilitates connecting the hinge 1 to a panel 1000 that is not of sufficient size to accommodate the footprint of the first leaf assembly 100 or the second leaf assembly 200. Fig.31 In the exemplary embodiment of the second leaf assembly 200 is mounted to a structure, such as a panel 1002 provided in the form of an elongated column having sufficient width to accommodate the second leaf assembly 200. However, the first leaf assembly 100 will be mounted to a panel 1001 in the form of a metal door having an outer frame 1003 that is not wide enough to accommodate the first leaf structure 101, so that some of the fasteners 105a, 105b, 107a, 107b, 109a, 109b cannot be applied to the panel 1001.

[0191] Fig.32 The adapter 600 shown in FIG. 1 has a channel 601 shaped to receive a portion of a panel frame 1003. The adapter 600 also has a screw block 602 that provides additional space to receive fasteners when the adapter 600 is in place and the channel 601 receives the frame 1003.

[0192] In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter 600 has a profile shaped to correspond to the footprint of the hinge 1. A generally U-shaped channel 601 is formed in the adapter 600, which is sized to receive the frame 1003. The dimensions of the channel 601 are designed to match the dimensions of the frame 1003 with a close or substantially close tolerance. In use, the walls defining the channel 601 will surround three sides of the frame 1003, wherein the fourth side is in contact with the mounting surface of the first leaf assembly 601, so that a portion of the frame 1003 is constrained by the adapter 600 cooperating with the first leaf assembly 100.

[0193] Partially defining the channel 601 is an inner side wall 603. The inner side wall 603 may have a depth equivalent to the depth of the side of the frame 1003 to which it is attached. An aperture 604 may be formed in the inner wall 603 to facilitate attachment of the adapter 600 to the frame 1003 using screws or the like (not shown). Using the inner wall 603 opposite the other wall to attach the adapter 600 to the frame 1003 may be advantageous because when the hinge 1 is in Fig.31 In the closed position of the frame 1003, fasteners applied therethrough will engage the outside of the frame 1003 and thus be visually blocked by the posts 1002. The inner wall 603 may also have reinforcing ribs 605 as shown.

[0194] Opposite the inner side wall 603 is an outer wall 606 that also partially defines the channel 601. As depicted, the outer wall 606 is part of the screw block 602. The depth of the outer wall 606 is equivalent to the depth of the frame 1003 side to which it is attached, which is the same depth as the inner wall 603 in the depicted embodiment. A rear wall 607 connects the inner wall 603 and the outer wall 606 to define the channel 601.

[0195] When the adapter 600 is attached to the frame 1003 of the panel 1001 and the frame portion is received in the channel 601, the screw block 602 is used to extend the surface of the frame 1003, thereby providing additional space to receive the fasteners 105a, 105b, 107a, 107b, 109a, 109b. In the depicted embodiment, the frame 1003 is of sufficient size to receive the first pair of fasteners 105 and the third pair of fasteners 109, but not the second pair of fasteners 107. Apertures 608 can be provided in the screw block 602 to receive the second fasteners 107. Fig.32 In the depicted embodiment, the screw block 602 is not solid, but has a mesh structure with intersecting reinforcing walls 609. The aperture 608 is in the form of a threaded tube supported by the reinforcing walls 609 for added strength.

[0196] refer to Figures 33 to 40, shows a schematic diagram of a first front cover 122 and a second front cover isolated from the hinge, for placement on the corresponding outer faces 111 , 211 of the first hinge component 101 and the second hinge component 201 .

[0197] Each cover 122, 222 includes a main cover body 702, 780 having a lip 704, 706 extending partially around its periphery. The end of the lip 704, 706 defines a mouth 710, 754 for receiving the leaf structure 101, 201 of the hinge. A first clip 712, 750 and a second clip 714, 752 protrude outwardly from opposite sides of the mouth 710, 754. The first clip 712, 750 and the second clip 714, 752 are resiliently biased and angled inwardly toward each other to resiliently engage the leaf structures 101, 201 when they are received in the mouth 710, 754.

[0198] As described above, the first front cover 122 and the second front cover 222 help protect other components of the first hinge leaf assembly 100 and the second hinge leaf assembly 200. For example, the first front cover 122 and the second front cover 222 can protect the fasteners 105, 205, 107, 207, 109, 209 from atmospheric conditions (such as rain) that may cause corrosion and failure. The front covers 112, 222 can also protect the first leaf structure 101 and the second leaf structure 201 from ultraviolet damage that may eventually cause failure.

[0199] As described above, the inner surface 123 of the first front cover 112 and the inner surface 223 of the second front cover 222 can be substantially embossed to accommodate the shape of the corresponding blade structure 101, 201 to which it is attached. In particular, the first front cover 112 and the second front cover 222 have a shell-like profile, wherein the openings 710, 754 face the joint / cylinder during installation for receiving the corresponding blade structure 112, 222.

[0200] When installed, the clips 712, 714, 750, 752 of the cover 122, 222 protrude inwardly relative to the hinge axis. The clips 712, 714, 750, 752 are located on the inner edge periphery of the front cover 112, 222 so that the corresponding cover clips are placed on the blade structure 101, 201 in a snap-fit ​​engagement because the protruding clips 712, 714, 750, 752 are resilient. Each cover 122, 222 is an integral single-piece component made of plastic or metal to provide snap-fit ​​resiliency. In an embodiment where the cover is made of metal, the cover can be made of stainless steel.

[0201] The first clip portion 712 and the second clip portion 714 of the first cover 122 are inclined inwardly toward each other. More specifically, as shown in FIG. Fig.33As shown, the upper surface of the first clip portion 3560 is angled inwardly and offset relative to the hinge axis by an angle α+90 degrees. Fig.33 As shown, the lower surface of the second clip portion 3630 is angled inwardly and offset relative to the hinge axis by an angle β+90 degrees. This inward angular offset of the clip portions 3560, 3650 combined with the elastic properties of the clip portions 3560, 3650 allows positive engagement of the first cover 122 with the first leaf structure 101. In one form, the angular offset is between about 92° and 100° relative to the hinge axis, and more preferably between about 93° and 97° relative to the hinge axis, and even more preferably between about 95° and 96° relative to the hinge axis.

[0202] The first clip portion 750 and the second clip portion 752 of the second cover 222 are inclined inwardly toward each other. More specifically, as shown in FIG. Fig.38 As shown, the upper surface of the first clip 750 is angled inwardly and offset relative to the hinge axis by an angle γ+90 degrees. Fig.38 As shown, the lower surface of the second clip portion 752 is angled inwardly and offset relative to the hinge axis by an angle δ+90 degrees. This inward angular offset of the clip portions 3710, 3720 combined with the elastic properties of the clip portions 3710, 3720 allows positive engagement of the second cover 222 with the second leaf structure 201. In one form, the angular offset is between about 92° and 100° relative to the hinge axis, and more preferably between about 93° and 97° relative to the hinge axis, and even more preferably between about 95° and 96° relative to the hinge axis.

[0203] Due to the snap fit engagement of each cover 122, 222 with the blade structure 101, 201, the covers 122, 222 can be quickly installed into engagement, which is advantageous over other designs that require screws to hold the covers in place. In addition, due to the resilient nature of the clip, the user can lift the clip from the surface of the hinge to disengage the clip, thereby allowing the cover to be disengaged from the blade structure 101, 201.

[0204] like Fig.35 and Fig.36 As shown, the first clamping portion 712 of the first cover 122 has a first clamping ridge 728 and a second clamping ridge 730. The clamping ridges 728, 730 are defined around the periphery of the first clamping portion 712. Similarly, the second clamping portion 714 of the first cover 122 has a first clamping ridge 726 and a second clamping ridge 724. The clamping ridges 726, 724 are defined around the periphery of the second clamping portion 714. The first clamping ridges 726, 728 extend substantially orthogonal to the second clamping ridges 724, 730 to help engage the blade structure in an orthogonal direction.

[0205] like Fig.39 and Fig.40As shown, the first clamping portion 750 of the second cover has a first clamping ridge 792 and a second clamping ridge 794. The clamping ridges 792, 794 are defined around the periphery of the first clamping portion 750. Similarly, the second clamping portion 752 of the second cover 222 has a first clamping ridge 798 and a second clamping ridge 796. The clamping ridges 796, 798 are defined around the periphery of the second clamping portion. The first clamping ridges 792, 798 extend substantially orthogonally to the second clamping ridges 794, 796 to help engage the blade structure 201 in an orthogonal direction.

[0206] The outer surface 125, 225 of the front cover 112, 212 has the same or substantially similar appearance as the outer surface 111 of the first blade structure 101 and the outer surface 211 of the second blade structure 201. In the depicted embodiment, the blade structure 101, 201 has a profile shaped as an isosceles trapezoid, wherein the upper edge 102c, 202c and the lower edge 102d, 202d are angled inwardly toward the outer edge 102b, 202b. The outer surface 125, 225 has a wide chamfer toward the side wall / edge perimeter 102, 202, and the corner perimeter 103, 203 of the side wall is chamfered.

[0207] like Figure 33 to Figure 36 As shown, the first front cover 122 includes a shallow cutout middle portion 732 to accommodate the central joint and its rotation during articulation movement. Figures 37 to 40 As shown, the second front cover 222 includes a shallow tongue-shaped middle portion 756 that extends partially below the rear of the center joint. The design of the middle portion 710 of the first cover and the middle portion 754 of the second cover helps reduce the ingress of moisture, dust, etc. into the hinge.

[0208] Each lip includes a pair of corner portions having a lip ridge 716, 718, 782, 784 extending therefrom, the lip ridge engaging the rear surface of the front hinge member. The lip ridge 716, 718, 782, 784 also facilitates positive engagement of the cover with the corresponding blade structure.

[0209] The inner surface of the first hinge cover includes recesses 720, 722 to accommodate a portion of a bolt head protruding from the first leaf structure 122. Similarly, the inner surface of the second hinge cover includes recesses 758, 760 to accommodate a portion of a bolt head protruding from the second leaf structure 222.

[0210] refer to FIG. 47A to FIG. 49B , an example of an adapter 600 for a hinge, such as the hinge 1 discussed above, is shown. In particular, the adapter 600 is configured to connect the hinge 1 to a post 4410, such as a pole coupled to a chain-wire fence (not shown). It should be understood that the adapter is universally configured and can be used to attach the hinge 1 to a post supporting a gate or the like (i.e., not supporting a chain-wire fence).

[0211] The adapter 600 includes a body 4101 having a coupling surface 4710 including a first pair of coupling holes 4110 and a second pair of coupling holes 4120 for coupling the hinge 1 to the adapter 600 via a first pair of fasteners 105a, 105b and a second pair of fasteners 107a, 107b, respectively. The adapter 600 also includes a mounting surface 4102 having a plurality of mounting protrusions 4105 positionable between one or more wires 4420 wound around the post 4410 in a mounted position, and one or more pairs of mounting holes 4130, 4140 for mounting the adapter 600 to the post 4410. At least a third pair of fasteners 109a, 109b mounts the hinge 1 and the adapter 600 to the post 4410 via at least one of the one or more pairs of mounting holes 4130, 4140.

[0212] like FIG. 44A to FIG. 46B As shown, the post 4410 is a rod having a curved outer profile that provides a generally circular cross-section. The mounting surface 4102 of the adapter 600 has a generally curved profile that corresponds to the covered segment of the curved profile of the post 4410. As can be seen in the relevant figures, the adapter 600 surrounds approximately one-quarter to one-third of the circumference of the post 4410. Advantageously, the channel defined between adjacent mounting tabs 4105 accommodates one or more wires 4420 wrapped around the post 4410 so that the plurality of mounting tabs 4105 can be substantially flush against the post 4410 to form a secure attachment between the hinge 1 and the post 4410.

[0213] Preferably, each mounting tab 4105 has a mounting face having a curved profile corresponding to another segment of the curved profile of the post 4410, so that each mounting face rests substantially flush against the post. Obviously, this other segment is smaller than the segment of the post 4410 covered by the adapter 600. Most of the mounting tabs 4105 have a cross-sectional profile that substantially corresponds to an equilateral trapezoid, such as a rhombus, corresponding to a spiral wrap of a wire around the post for certain mounting scenarios.

[0214] like Fig.44A As shown, one or more wires 4420 can be wound in a spiral manner around the post 4410. The spirally wound wire can secure the chain-wire fence to the post. A portion of the one or more wires covered by the adapter 600 in the installed position is located between adjacent mounting protrusions of the adapter to allow the mounting faces of the mounting protrusions to be substantially flush against the post. The wires are positioned in a channel that extends spirally along the mounting surface 4102 between diagonally adjacent protrusions 4105.

[0215] In such Fig.45AIn another example shown, the one or more wires may be a plurality of tie wires that are tied around a post to secure the chain link fence to the post. A portion of one of the tie wires covered by the adapter 600 is positioned within a gap between an upper portion of the mounting protrusion 4105 of the adapter 600 and a lower portion of the mounting protrusion 4105 to allow the mounting surface of the mounting protrusion 4105 to rest substantially flush against the post.

[0216] like Fig.46A As shown, adapter 600 can be used to attach hinge 1 to a post without requiring a wire to be wrapped around the post. FIG. 44A to FIG. 46A As shown, the adapter 600 is a universal adapter capable of receiving various installation situations of the hinge 1. The chain-wire fence supported by the post 4410 may include a diamond wire mesh. In the installed position, some of the diamond wire mesh may be positioned within a channel defined between adjacent mounting protrusions.

[0217] like FIG. 47A to FIG. 49B As shown, the body of the adapter 600 includes one or more mounting holes, which include a pair of mounting holes 4130 and another pair of mounting holes 4140, both of which extend from the coupling surface 4710 to the mounting surface 4102. Fig.44B , Fig.45B and Fig.46B As shown, another pair of mounting holes 4140 extends substantially orthogonal to the pair of mounting holes, so that the corresponding fasteners extend orthogonally within the column. The third pair of fasteners 109a, 109b fastens the hinge 1 coupled to the adapter 600 via the pair of mounting holes 4130. The fourth pair of fasteners 4450 fastens the hinge 1 coupled to the adapter 600 to the column 4410 via another pair of mounting holes 4140. Fig.47A , Fig.48A and Fig.49A As shown, another pair of mounting holes 4140 protrude through corresponding mounting protrusions 4105.

[0218] As discussed above, the adapter is coupled to the hinge via the coupling surface 4710, wherein the coupling surface includes a first pair of coupling holes 4110 and a second pair of coupling holes 4120. The first coupling holes 4110 and the second coupling holes 4120 are threaded holes capable of receiving the first pair of fasteners 105 and the second pair of fasteners 105 as threaded fasteners. Fig.47A and Fig.47B as well as Fig.48A and Fig.48B As shown, threaded holes 4110, 4120 are blind holes. Fig.49A and Fig.49B In the example of the adapter shown, the second pair of coupling holes are not configured as blind holes and therefore extend through the body when accommodating a larger tube. Fig.47B , Fig.48Band Fig.49B As shown, the coupling surface may include a cavity to reduce the amount of material of the body. Webs 4720 may extend between the walls defining the various coupling holes and mounting holes to provide strength to the adapter. The adapter is preferably made of a cast metal such as steel.

[0219] Various sizes of adapters 600 may be provided for columns of different sizes. For example, Fig.47A and Fig.47B The adapter 600 is configured to attach to 25 nominal bore tubing. In addition, Fig.48A and Fig.48B The adapter 600 shown in is configured to attach to a 32 nominal bore tube. Additionally, Fig.49A and Fig.49B The adapter 600 shown in FIG. 6 is configured to attach to a 40 nominal bore tube.

[0220] Figures 41 to 46B Various schematic diagrams of hinge assemblies are shown, wherein a first adapter 600 is coupled to a first leaf assembly 100 of a hinge 1 and a second adapter 600 is coupled to a second leaf assembly of a hinge 1. In these examples, the first adapter and the second adapter 600 are adapters of different sizes to attach the hinge to posts of different sizes. It should be understood that this is provided only as an example, and two adapters of the same size can be coupled to a hinge, or a single adapter can be coupled to a single leaf assembly. It should also be understood that the hinge assembly can have one or more covers attached as discussed above.

[0221] refer to Figure 50 to Figure 52 , discloses an alternative embodiment of a torsion adjustment structure 408 that can be used with any of the hinges 1 described herein and is suitable for limiting the increase in potential energy stored by the spring 401 to within predetermined limits.

[0222] The neck portion 418 is configured with a groove 425. The groove 425 is formed tangentially to the hinge axis 10 in the outer surface of the neck portion 418. The groove 425 is formed circumferentially in the neck portion 418 and is configured to extend partially around the circumference of the neck portion 418. In the embodiment shown, the groove spans 270° around the circumference of the neck portion 418, but other values ​​may be selected.

[0223] The protrusion 427 is adapted to be positioned within the recess 425. Figure 50 to Figure 52In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 427 is fixed relative to the cylinder cover 411 within the gap 416 where the torsion adjustment structure 408 is located. As depicted, the hole 412a of the top cylinder cover 411a is a through hole, so that the distal tip of the upper countersunk screw 414a forms the protrusion 427. With this arrangement, as described above, when a rotational force is applied to the torsion adjustment structure 408, the protrusion 427 will travel within the groove 425 around the hinge axis 10. Since the groove 425 only partially extends around the circumference of the neck portion 418, the rotational movement between the torsion adjustment structure 408 and the cylinder cover 411a is limited due to the abutment of the protrusion 427 with the end wall 426 of the groove 425, thereby limiting the degree of torsion that can be applied to the spring. Therefore, by pre-configuring the circumferential extent of the groove relative to the hinge axis, the amount of torsion that can be applied to the spring 401 of the biasing structure 400 can be limited. For example, the circumferential extent of the groove 425 may be selected to limit possible torsional forces applied to the spring 401 to a safe limit to prevent the spring from failing or otherwise reducing the functionality of the hinge 1 .

[0224] It should be understood that one or more dampers may be in contact with one or more intermediate link members and / or connected to one or more intermediate link members during movement into the closed position so that the damper can be actuated by indirect contact with the relative hinge assembly via one or more link members. This arrangement thereby allows one or more dampers to be oriented in various orientations other than orthogonal relative to the hinge axis. For example, the longitudinal axis of the damper may be oriented parallel to the hinge axis, and a first link structure (such as a wedge structure connected to the damper) may contact a relative wedge structure provided by the relative hinge assembly when moving toward the closed position. The two wedge structures work together during movement toward the closed position to redirect and transfer the force applied by the relative hinge in a direction parallel to the hinge axis to the damper, so that the damper retracts in a direction parallel to the hinge axis, thereby inhibiting movement of the hinge toward the closed position.

[0225] Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0226] Parts List

[0227] 1 Hinge

[0228] 10 Hinge axis

[0229] 1000 Panel

[0230] 1001 First Panel

[0231] 1002 Second Panel

[0232] 1003 External door frame

[0233] 100 First blade assembly

[0234] 101 First blade structure

[0235] 102 Edge perimeter / side wall

[0236] 102a Inner edge perimeter

[0237] 102b Outer edge perimeter

[0238] 102c Upper edge perimeter

[0239] 102d Lower edge perimeter

[0240] 103 Corner Area

[0241] 103a includes a corner periphery between the inner edge periphery and the upper edge periphery 103b includes a corner periphery between the inner edge periphery and the lower edge periphery 103c includes a corner perimeter between the outer edge perimeter and the upper edge perimeter 103d includes the corner periphery between the outer edge periphery and the lower edge periphery 104 First pair of holes

[0242] 104a One hole in the first pair of holes

[0243] 104b The other hole in the first pair of holes

[0244] 105 First pair of fasteners

[0245] 105a One of the first pair of fasteners

[0246] 105b The other fastener of the first pair of fasteners

[0247] 106 Second pair of holes

[0248] 106a One hole in the second pair of holes

[0249] 106b The other hole in the second pair of holes

[0250] 107 Second pair of fasteners

[0251] 107a One of the second pair of fasteners

[0252] 107b The other fastener of the second pair of fasteners

[0253] 108 The third pair of holes

[0254] 108a One hole in the third pair of holes

[0255] 108b The other hole in the third pair of holes

[0256] 109 Third pair of fasteners

[0257] 109a One of the third pair of fasteners

[0258] 109b The other fastener of the third pair of fasteners

[0259] 110 Joints

[0260] 111 Outer surface of the first hinge member

[0261] 112 Interior Space

[0262] 112a Upper subspace of the inner space

[0263] 112b The middle subspace of the inner space

[0264] 112c Lower subspace of the inner space

[0265] 113 Reinforced wall

[0266] 114 Gap in inner wall

[0267] 115 Boss

[0268] 116 Threaded pipe / threaded rod

[0269] 117 Back cover

[0270] 118 Inner surface of rear cover

[0271] 119 Reinforced wall

[0272] 120 Interior Space

[0273] 121 Cavity for damper housing

[0274] 122 front cover

[0275] 123 Inner surface of front cover

[0276] 124 Clip

[0277] 125 External surface of front cover

[0278] 126 Orifices in joints

[0279] 200 Second blade assembly

[0280] 201 Second blade structure

[0281] 202 Edge perimeter / side wall

[0282] 202a Inner edge perimeter

[0283] 202b Outer edge perimeter

[0284] 202c Upper edge perimeter

[0285] 202d Lower edge perimeter

[0286] 203 Corner Area

[0287] 203a includes a corner periphery between the inner edge periphery and the upper edge periphery

[0288] 203b includes a corner periphery between the inner edge periphery and the lower edge periphery

[0289] 203c includes a corner perimeter between the outer edge perimeter and the upper edge perimeter

[0290] 203d includes the corner perimeter between the outer edge perimeter and the lower edge perimeter

[0291] 204 First pair of holes

[0292] 204a One hole in the first pair of holes

[0293] 204b The other hole in the first pair of holes

[0294] 205 First pair of fasteners

[0295] 205a One of the first pair of fasteners

[0296] 205b The other fastener of the first pair of fasteners

[0297] 206 Second pair of holes

[0298] 206a One hole in the second pair of holes

[0299] 206b The other hole in the second pair of holes

[0300] 207 Second pair of fasteners

[0301] 207a One of the second pair of fasteners

[0302] 207b The other fastener of the second pair of fasteners

[0303] 208 The third pair of holes

[0304] 208a One of the third pair of holes

[0305] 208b The other hole in the third pair of holes

[0306] 209 Third pair of fasteners

[0307] 209a One of the third pair of fasteners

[0308] 209b The other fastener of the third pair of fasteners

[0309] 210 Joints

[0310] 210a Upper joint

[0311] 210b Lower joint

[0312] 211 Outer surface of the second hinge member

[0313] 212 Interior Space

[0314] 212a Upper subspace of the inner space

[0315] 212b The middle subspace of the inner space

[0316] 212c Lower subspace of the inner space

[0317] 213 Reinforced wall

[0318] 214 Gap

[0319] 215 Boss

[0320] 216 Threaded pipe / threaded rod

[0321] 217 Back cover

[0322] 218 Inner surface of rear cover

[0323] 219 Reinforced Wall

[0324] 220 Interior Space

[0325] 221 Cavity for damper housing

[0326] 222 front cover

[0327] 223 Inner surface of front cover

[0328] 224 Clip

[0329] 225 External surface of front cover

[0330] 226 Holes in Joints

[0331] 226a Hole in top joint

[0332] 226b Hole in bottom joint

[0333] 400 offset structure

[0334] 401 Spring

[0335] 402 Coil

[0336] 403 First end of spring

[0337] 404 The diametrically extending tail of the spring

[0338] 405 Cylinder

[0339] 406 First Chamber

[0340] 407 Second Chamber

[0341] 408 Reversal and adjustment of structure

[0342] 409 A pair of protrusions

[0343] 409a One of the pair of protrusions

[0344] 409b The other protrusion of the pair of protrusions

[0345] 410 Cylinder

[0346] 411 Cylinder Cap

[0347] 411a Top cylinder cover

[0348] 411b Bottom cylinder cover

[0349] 412 Hole in cylinder cover

[0350] 412a Hole in upper cylinder cover

[0351] 412b Hole in bottom cylinder cover

[0352] 413 outer neck

[0353] 413a Outer neck of top cylinder cover

[0354] 413b Outer neck of bottom cylinder cover

[0355] 414 Countersunk Screws

[0356] 414a Countersunk screw

[0357] 414b Countersunk head screw

[0358] 415 Inner neck

[0359] 415a Inner neck of top cylinder cover

[0360] 415b Inner neck of bottom cylinder cover

[0361] 416 Gap

[0362] 417 Shoulder with torsion adjustment structure

[0363] 418 Neck part of the twist adjustment structure

[0364] 419 Mark

[0365] 420 first bonding surface

[0366] 421 Second bonding surface

[0367] 422 A pair of protrusions

[0368] 422a The first protrusion of the pair

[0369] 422b The second protrusion of the pair

[0370] 423 Another tail extending along the diameter

[0371] 424 Tool hole

[0372] 425 Groove in the neck portion of the torsion adjustment structure

[0373] 426 End wall of groove

[0374] 427 Protrusion

[0375] 500 Damper Assembly

[0376] 501 Damper

[0377] 501a Upper damper

[0378] 501b Lower damper

[0379] 502 Damper housing

[0380] 503 cavity

[0381] 503a upper chamber

[0382] 503b Lower chamber

[0383] 504 Impact parts

[0384] 505 sector / concave

[0385] 506 Orifice for threaded pipe

[0386] 507 Screws for threaded pipes

[0387] 508 Impact Surface

[0388] 509 Notch

[0389] 510 Cover member

[0390] 511 Outer surface of cover member

[0391] 512 Side wall of cover member

[0392] 600 Adapter

[0393] Channel 601

[0394] 602 Screw Block

[0395] 603 inner wall

[0396] 604 Orifice in inner wall

[0397] 605 Reinforcement Rib

[0398] 606 Outer wall

[0399] 607 rear side wall

[0400] 608 Screw Block Hole

[0401] 609 mesh wall

[0402] 702 Main body of the first cover

[0403] 704 Lip of the first cover

[0404] 710 The mouth of the first cover

[0405] 712 First clamping portion of first cover

[0406] 714 Second clamping portion of first cover

[0407] 716 First lip ridge of first lid

[0408] 718 Second lip ridge of the first lid

[0409] 720 First bolt head recess of first cover

[0410] 722 Second bolt head recess of first cover

[0411] 724 The first lower ridge of the first cover

[0412] 726 Lower second ridge of the first cover

[0413] 728 The second ridge on the first cover

[0414] 730 The first ridge of the first cover

[0415] 732 The concave middle portion of the first cover

[0416] 750 First clamping portion of second cover

[0417] 752 Second clamping portion of second cover

[0418] 754 The mouth of the second cover

[0419] 758 First bolt head recess of second cover

[0420] 760 Second bolt head recess of second cover

[0421] 780 Main body of the second cover

[0422] 782 Upper lip ridge of the second lid

[0423] 784 Lower lip ridge of the second lid

[0424] 786 Lip of the second cover

[0425] 792 The first lower ridge of the second cover

[0426] 794 The second lower ridge of the second cover

[0427] 796 The second upper ridge of the second cover

[0428] 798 The first ridge on the second cover

[0429] 4101 Main Body

[0430] 4102 Mounting surface

[0431] 4105 Mounting tab

[0432] 4110 First connection hole

[0433] 4120 Second connection hole

[0434] 4130 First mounting hole

[0435] 4140 Second mounting hole

[0436] 4410 rods

[0437] 4420 lines

[0438] 4710 Joint surfaces.

Claims

1. A hinge, the hinge include: a first leaf assembly hingedly coupled to the second leaf assembly about a hinge axis for movement between an open position and a closed position; The first blade assembly comprises a blade structure, wherein the blade structure has: a first pair of apertures for receiving a first pair of fasteners configured to attach the blade structure to at least one of the one or more structures; a second pair of holes for receiving a second pair of fasteners configured to attach the blade structure to at least one of the one or more structures; and a third pair of holes for receiving a third pair of fasteners configured to attach the first structure to at least one of the one or more structures; wherein, The third pair of holes is flanked on either side by the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes.

2. The hinge of claim 1, wherein each hole in the first pair of holes is aligned parallel to the hinge axis.

3. A hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each hole in the second pair of holes is aligned parallel to the hinge axis.

4. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each hole in the third pair of holes is aligned parallel to the hinge axis.

5. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual holes in the third pair of holes are more closely spaced than the individual holes in the first pair of holes.

6. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the individual holes in the third pair of holes are more closely spaced than the individual holes in the second pair of holes.

7. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each individual hole of the first pair of holes is located closer to at least one edge periphery of the blade structure than at least one individual hole of the third pair of holes.

8. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each individual hole of the first pair of holes is located closer to two edge peripheries of the leaf structure than at least one individual hole of the third pair of holes.

9. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each individual hole in the first pair of holes is located closer to their nearest corner periphery than any individual hole in the third pair of holes.

10. A hinge according to any preceding claim, wherein each individual hole of the second pair of holes is located closer to at least one edge periphery of the blade structure than at least one individual hole of the third pair of holes.

11. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each individual hole of the second pair of holes is located closer to two edge peripheries of the leaf structure than at least one individual hole of the third pair of holes.

12. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each individual hole in the second pair of holes is located closer to their nearest corner periphery than any individual hole in the third pair of holes.

13. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the first pair of apertures are sized to provide clearance at least partially around a fastener of the first pair of fasteners received by the one or both apertures.

14. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the second pair of apertures are sized to provide clearance at least partially around a fastener of the second pair of fasteners received by the one or both apertures.

15. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the third pair of apertures are sized to provide clearance at least partially around a fastener of the third pair of fasteners received by the one or both apertures.

16. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the third pair of holes are adapted to receive a fastener of the third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners being configured for load bearing duties independent of the second pair of fasteners.

17. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the third pair of holes are adapted to receive a fastener of the third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners being configured for load bearing duties independent of the second pair of fasteners.

18. The hinge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the third pair of apertures are adapted to receive a fastener of the third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners being configured to be larger than one or both of the first pair of fasteners.

19. The hinge of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both of the third pair of apertures are adapted to receive a fastener of the third pair of fasteners, the third pair of fasteners being configured to be larger than one or both of the second pair of fasteners.

20. A hinge according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the third pair of apertures are larger than one or both of the first pair of apertures.

21. A hinge according to any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the third pair of apertures are larger than one or both of the second pair of apertures.

22. A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the second leaf assembly comprises a mounting structure to mount the second leaf assembly to a mounting structure separate from the hinge.

23. The hinge of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a spring coupled to the first and second leaf assemblies to bias the first and second leaf assemblies to move from an open position to a closed position.

24. The hinge of claim 23, wherein the first leaf assembly and the second leaf assembly include a plurality of joints defining a cylinder housing the spring, wherein the longitudinal axis of the spring is coaxial with the hinge axis, wherein the hinge further include: a cylinder cap having an inner neck and an outer neck, wherein the outer neck has a first engagement surface, the cylinder cap being received within one end of the cylinder; and a torsion adjustment structure located in the gap defined by the inner neck, the torsion adjustment structure coupled to the first end of the spring, the torsion adjustment structure having a second engagement surface that engages with the first engagement surface to limit rotational movement of the torsion adjustment structure relative to the cylinder cover under the bias of the spring; Wherein a sufficient rotational force applied to the torsion adjustment structure causes the rotational movement of the torsion adjustment structure relative to the cylinder cover to increase the potential energy stored by the spring.

25. The hinge of claim 24, wherein the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface have corresponding sawtooth profiles.

26. A hinge according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the spring includes a tail portion extending along a diameter that together with at least some of the coils of the spring define a first cavity and a second cavity, wherein the torsion adjustment structure includes a pair of protrusions, which are received in the corresponding first cavity and the second cavity so that the rotational force applied to the torsion adjustment structure can be transmitted to the spring, thereby adjusting the potential energy stored by the spring.

27. A hinge according to claim 26, wherein the spring includes another diametrically extending tail portion capable of being received in an aperture located in a wall of the leaf structure, the wall having a protrusion extending therefrom, the protrusion capable of being received in a cavity defined by at least some of the coils of the spring and the other diametrically extending tail portion to connect the spring to the first leaf structure.

28. The hinge of any one of claims 1 to 27, further comprising a damper for resisting movement of the first hinge and the second hinge into the closed position.

29. The hinge of claim 28, wherein the damper has a longitudinal axis that is offset from the hinge axis.

30. The hinge of claim 29, wherein the longitudinal axis of the damper does not intersect the hinge axis during any portion of the movement between the open position and the closed position.

31. A hinge according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the longitudinal axis is located between the hinge axis and a mounting surface of the first leaf assembly, the mounting surface being configured to abut against at least one of the one or more structures to which the first leaf assembly is attached.

32. A hinge according to any one of claims 28 to 31, further comprising a plurality of dampers, wherein the plurality of dampers are located in a damper housing mounted to the first blade assembly, wherein when the hinge is in the open position, the ends of the plurality of dampers protrude from the housing so that when the hinge moves to the closed position, the protruding damper ends interact with an impact surface associated with the second blade assembly.

33. The hinge of claim 32, further comprising a cover member covering the protruding end of the damper, the cover member being configured to move together with the damper.

34. The hinge of claim 33, wherein the cover member is constrained to perform linear reciprocating movement relative to the damper housing along the damper longitudinal axis.

35. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second leaf component comprises a further leaf structure having: a first pair of apertures for receiving a first pair of fasteners configured to attach the other blade structure to at least one additional structure of the one or more additional structures; a second pair of apertures for receiving a second pair of fasteners configured to attach the other blade structure to at least one additional structure of the one or more additional structures; and a third pair of holes for receiving a third pair of fasteners configured to attach the other blade structure to at least one additional structure of the one or more additional structures; wherein, The third pair of holes is flanked on either side by the first pair of holes and the second pair of holes.

36. A hinge according to claim 35, wherein the first pair of holes, the second pair of holes and the third pair of holes of the other leaf structure have properties equivalent to the first pair of holes, the second pair of holes and the third pair of holes of the leaf structure according to any one of claims 2 to 22.

37. A hinge, the hinge include: A first blade assembly and a damper assembly, wherein the first blade assembly is hingedly connected to the second blade assembly about a hinge axis for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein a biasing structure biases movement into the closed position, and the damper assembly is configured to slow down movement into the closed position, and the damper assembly includes a damper housing and a cover member, wherein the damper housing and the cover member cooperate to contain one or more dampers, and the cover member is configured to reciprocate relative to the housing to transmit a reciprocating force to the one or more dampers.

38. A hinge according to claim 37, wherein the hinge axis is offset from the damper axis.

39. The hinge of claim 38, wherein the damper axis does not intersect the hinge axis during any portion of the movement between the open position and the closed position.

40. The hinge of claim 39, further comprising a strike structure on the blade assembly opposite the damper housing, a strike surface of the strike structure contacting the cover member during movement of the hinge into the closed position.

41. An adapter for installing a hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 36, the adapter having a channel portion for receiving a frame member of a frame structure, and a screw block suitable for receiving at least one of the first pair of fasteners, the second pair of fasteners and / or the third pair of fasteners.

42. An adapter for connecting a hinge to a frame, the adapter comprising a channel for receiving the frame, and a screw block configured to provide an extended surface that provides an additional site for connection with the hinge.

43. A cover for a leaf structure of a hinge, the cover include: a main cover having a lip extending partially around a periphery thereof, the lip defining a mouth for receiving the leaf structure of the hinge; as well as First and second clip portions project outwardly from opposite sides of the mouth, the first and second clip portions being resilient and angled inwardly toward each other to resiliently engage the blade structure when the blade structure is received in the mouth.

44. The cover of claim 43, wherein the first clip portion and the second clip portion are angled inwardly at an angular offset relative to a hinge axis of the hinge, wherein the angular offset is between approximately 92° and 100° relative to the hinge axis.

45. The cover of claim 44, wherein the angular offset is between approximately 93° and 97° relative to the hinge axis.

46. ​​The cover of claim 45, wherein the angular offset is between approximately 95° and 96° relative to the hinge axis.

47. A cover according to any one of claims 43 to 46, wherein the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion include a first ridge and a second ridge, wherein the first ridge and the second ridge extend orthogonally to each other along the periphery of the corresponding clamp portion, and wherein each ridge is elastically engaged on the edge of the blade structure.

48. A cover as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the cover is made of plastic.

49. A cover according to any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the cover is made of metal.

50. The cover of claim 49, wherein the metal is stainless steel.

51. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 50 wherein the mouth includes a recessed mid-portion to accommodate a portion of the barrel of the hinge.

52. A cap as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 50 wherein the mouth includes a tongue shaped intermediate portion to protrude between the cylinder of the hinge and the blade structure.

53. A cover according to any one of claims 43 to 52, wherein the cover is configured to cover at least the leaf structure of the hinge constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 40.

54. An adapter for connecting a hinge to a post connected to a chain-wire fence, wherein the adapter includes a body having a connecting surface, the connecting surface including a first pair of connecting holes for connecting the hinge to the adapter via a first pair of fasteners and a second pair of fasteners; and a mounting surface, the mounting surface having: a plurality of mounting protrusions, the plurality of mounting protrusions being positionable in a mounting position between one or more wires wrapped around the post; and one or more pairs of mounting holes, the one or more pairs of mounting holes being used to mount the adapter to the post, wherein a third pair of fasteners mounts the hinge and the adapter to the post via the one or more pairs of mounting holes.

55. The adapter of claim 54, wherein the post has a curved profile, wherein the mounting surface has a substantially curved profile corresponding to a segment of the curved profile of the post.

56. An adapter according to claim 55, wherein each mounting protrusion has a mounting surface having a curved profile corresponding to another segment of the curved profile of the column, so that each mounting surface is substantially flush against the column, wherein the other segment is smaller than the segment.

57. The adapter of claim 56, wherein a majority of the mounting protrusion has a cross-sectional profile that is an equilateral trapezoid.

58. The adapter of claim 57, wherein the equilateral quadrilateral is a rhombus.

59. An adapter according to any one of claims 54 to 58, wherein the one or more wires are spirally wound around the column, and wherein in the installed position a portion of the one or more wires covered by the adapter is located between adjacent mounting protrusions of the adapter to allow the mounting surfaces of the mounting protrusions to rest substantially flush against the column.

60. An adapter according to any one of claims 54 to 58, wherein the one or more wires are a plurality of wire ties tied around the column, wherein a portion of one of the wire ties covered by the adapter is located within a gap between an upper portion of the mounting protrusion of the adapter and a lower portion of the mounting protrusion to allow the mounting surface of the mounting protrusion to rest substantially flush against the column.

61. An adapter according to any one of claims 54 to 60, wherein the one or more pairs of mounting holes include a first pair of mounting holes and a second pair of mounting holes, the first mounting holes and the second mounting holes extending from the connecting surface through to the mounting surface, wherein the second pair of mounting holes extend orthogonal to the first pair of mounting holes, wherein the first pair of mounting holes is configured to receive the third pair of fasteners to fasten the hinge connected to the adapter to the column, and wherein the second pair of mounting holes is configured to receive a fourth pair of fasteners to fasten the hinge connected to the adapter to the column.

62. The adapter of claim 61, wherein another pair of mounting holes protrude through at least some of the plurality of mounting protrusions.

63. The adapter of any one of claims 54 to 62, wherein the first pair of coupling holes and the second pair of coupling holes are threaded holes.

64. The adapter of claim 63, wherein at least one of the first pair of coupling holes and the second pair of coupling holes is a threaded blind hole.

65. An adapter according to any one of claims 54 to 64, wherein the column is a steel pipe, wherein the adapter is configured to be mounted to the steel pipe having a pipe size of 25 nominal bore, 32 nominal bore, or 40 nominal bore.

66. The adapter of any one of claims 54 to 65, wherein the chain-wire fence comprises diamond-shaped wire meshes, wherein some of the diamond-shaped wire meshes are located within channels defined between adjacent mounting tabs in the mounted position.

67. A hinge assembly, the hinge assembly include: A hinge constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 36; and 54. A cover constructed as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 53 wherein the cover engages with the leaf formation of the hinge.

68. A hinge assembly, the hinge assembly include: A hinge constructed according to claim 35 or 36; A cover constructed according to any one of claims 43 to 53 wherein said cover engages said leaf structure of said hinge; and 54. A further cover constructed as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 53 wherein the cover engages with the further leaf formation of the hinge.

69. A hinge assembly, the hinge assembly include: A hinge constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 36; An adapter constructed as in claim 42 wherein said hinge is connected to said adapter.

70. A hinge assembly, the hinge assembly include: A hinge constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 36; and An adapter constructed as claimed in any one of claims 54 to 66 wherein the adapter is coupled to the hinge.

71. The hinge assembly of claim 70, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a cover constructed according to any one of claims 43 to 53, wherein the cover engages with the leaf structure of the hinge.

72. A hinge assembly, the hinge assembly include: A hinge constructed according to claim 35 or 36; An adapter constructed according to any one of claims 54 to 66, wherein the adapter is coupled to the hinge; A cover constructed according to any one of claims 43 to 53 wherein said cover engages said leaf structure of said hinge; and A further cover constructed as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 53 wherein the further cover engages with the further leaf formation of the hinge.

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