Improvements in or relating to door / window assemblies

Abstract

A concealed hinge for an over-rebated door / window assembly comprising a swing arm 4. Preferably the swing arm 4 mounted to edge of a door / window is coupled to a housing 5 to be mounted to the frame b

Description

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to door or window assemblies and is more particularly concerned with a concealed hinge for door / window assemblies of a type referred to in the art as ‘over-rebated’ door / window assemblies. In concealed hinge door / window assemblies, when the door / window assembly is closed, the hinge or hinges for the opening door / window (sash) are usually concealed or completely hidden from view from either side (e.g. inside or outside) of the door or window; the door / window being pivotally mounted in a surrounding frame about an axis provided by the hinge or hinges. In the closed position of such a door / window assembly, the concealed hinge or hinges have parts mounted on the inside of the edge of a doorjamb or frame and on the inside of the edge of the door / window, which parts are obscured from view by the overlap of the door / window with the jamb / frame. Of course, once the door / window is swung fully opened or partially opened, the hinge or hinges will normally be visible at least from one side (inside) of the adjacent edges of the jamb / frame and window / door. Concealed hinges have been developed which are generally suitable or fit for purpose for some applications of plastics orPVC (polyvinyl chloride) door / window assemblies and aluminium door / window assemblies. However, to the Applicant’s knowledge any proposals for a concealed hinge suitable for over-rebated plastics or aluminium door / window assemblies tend to have significant disadvantages for various reasons but owing primarily to overcoming the practical geometrical constraints to allow suitable, reliable functioning of the hinge mechanism, when mounted on the door / window assembly fitted into a wall of a building, during opening and closing of the door / window. An over-rebated door / window assembly is an assembly in which the rebate or groove between the door / window and the adjacent jamb or frame is covered by the hinged side edge (e.g. outside edge) of the door / window itself. Previous proposals for hinges for over-rebated plastics / aluminium door / window assemblies, while not discussed in detail in the present patent application, have tended to have one or more of the following disadvantages when mounted / mountable in the assembly:- 1. Clash and binding of the side edge of the door / window on the jamb / frame when swinging open the door / window, 2. Engaging or fouling with the pl aster / surface treatment necessarily detailed around the (outer) installed edge of the door jamb / frame when the assembly is fitted into the wall of a building, and the door / window is fully opened (at 90° to the jamb / frame), 3. Incorrect compression of the seals between the door / window and door j amb / frame and thus incorrect over-rebate cover of the hinged edge of the door / window when the door / window is closed in an optimum adjusted position. 4. Lack of adjustability (in vertical and / or horizontal / lateral directions) of the hinge mechanism when connected to the assembly, and 5. Inconvenience or unsuitability in the manner of attachment of the hinge to the (standard) edge of the door or window (sash). Accordingly, the Applicant believes that the development of a concealed hinge suitable in all respects for an ‘over-rebated’ plastics or aluminium (metal) door / window assembly (or other multi-glazed design assembly) is long overdue and highly desired in the industry, owing to the improved aesthetics of such an assembly employing one or more such hinges, and could, owing to practical difficulties, even be described as amounting to a ‘holy grail’ development. It is an object of the present invention to at least alleviate one or more of the aforementioned, or other disadvantages, associated with door / window hinges or to provide a window / door assembly or a hinge which is improved in at least some respect. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge for an overrebated door or window assembly, the hinge being suitable for concealment within the assembly when the door or window is closed, said hinge comprising a housing mountable in an edge of a door / window jamb or frame of the assembly and a swing arm mountable to an edge of a door or window of the assembly lying adjacent the jamb or frame edge in use, said swing arm being connected in use to the housing via a linkage allowing pivoting of said arm in and out of the housing on a curved non circular path on closing and opening of the door / window, thereby allowing overrebate movement of the edge of the door / window without binding or clashing on the door / window frame or jamb. It is envisaged that the hinge will usually be suitable for application with plastics (PVC) or aluminium (double / multi -glazed) door / window assemblies. Preferably, in use, the pivoting of the arm provided by the linkage is along a continuous, stable, curved or arced path, in use, lifting the edge of the door / window away from binding / clashing on the door / window jamb or frame when being moved to the open position. Preferably, in use, in the closed position of door / window assembly the linkage and swing arm are arranged to provide correct compression of a seal / sealing means between the door / window and jamb / frame. The linkage may effectively hold the seal / sealing means in the compressed position (usually about 3 mm at the overrebated window / door edge), with an over rebate cover preferably of about 8mm. Furthermore, in use, in the open position, the linkage and swing arm may effectively hold the door away from engaging or fouling an associated plaster line where the frame of the door / window assembly is installed into the wall of a building. In one embodiment of the hinge, the linkage comprises a first link pivotally connected at one end to one end of the swing arm and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the housing. The linkage preferably comprises a second link pivotally connected at one end to the swing arm at a location spaced from said one end of swing arm (preferably mid-way along the swing arm) and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the housing. Where two links are provided as afore-mentioned, the links will preferably be pivotally connected to the housing at (closely) spaced locations, preferably with the pivotal connection of the second link to the housing being located more outwardly of the frame / jamb and towards an inside edge of the housing. Preferably, and advantageously, to allow for various tolerances or assembly variations, the position of the swing arm is adjustable along the housing, and thus accordingly adjustable along the door / window frame or jamb, in use. Where the position of the swing arm is adjustable as aforesaid, the swing arm may be connected to a sleeve slidable within and along the housing, said sleeve being releasably lockable to the housing in a variety of positions e.g. by means of any suitable fastening means such as locking screws receivable in fixing holes in the housing passing through open-sided slots in the sleeve. Preferably, and advantageously, also to allow for various tolerances or assembly variations, the assembly position of the swing arm is adjustable in the housing, and thus accordingly adjustable laterally of the door / window frame, in use. Where the assembly position of the swing arm in the housing is adjustable as aforesaid, the swing arm may be connected to a carriage that can be elevated or lowered in the housing to a variety of releasably lockable positions. Locking may be by any suitable fastening means such as threaded adjustment screws. Preferably, in order to provide for adjustment of the swing arm both along the housing and lateral adjustment positioning of the swing arm relative to the door / window frame in use, the swing arm is connected via said linkage to a, or the, carriage which is turn connected to a, or the sleeve, which is in turn connected to the housing, such that the carriage and sleeve can be adjusted together (as a subassembly) along the housing and / or elevated or lowered to releasably lockable positions relative to the housing. Where two (identical) links are provided as aforesaid, each link preferably has a main (tapered) part pivotally connected to the housing and a secondary part (tapered in an opposite sense) of shorter length pivotally connected to an associated recess in the swing arm. Tapered surfaces of the links may, advantageously, be arranged to cooperate with associated inclined surfaces on said recess to provide a smooth stable action of the swing arm. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, advantageously, the swing arm is provided with means to clip the swing arm onto the door / window edge (rather than being provided with a connection requiring sliding along, and fixing in position on, a groove of the door / window profile edge - euro groove). The clip-on means may be in the form of a grooved lip extending along one side of a fixing plate of the swing arm, said fixing plate being attached to the edge of the door / window, preferably, by fixing screws. In use, advantageously, it is envisaged that the grooved lip will engage and clip onto one longitudinal edge of the euro groove allowing the fixing plate to be secured to the door / window frame edge in a non-traditional manner. Further according to the present invention there is provided a door or window assembly comprising at least one hinge as described in the statement of invention bridging pages 3 and 4 of this patent specification. Further according to the present invention there is provided a wall, room or confined space or building having at least one door or window assembly as described in the immediately preceding paragraph. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an overrebated door or window assembly having a hinge concealed within the assembly when the door or window is closed, said hinge comprising a housing mounted in an edge of a door / window jamb or frame of the assembly and a swing arm mounted to an edge of a door or window of the assembly lying adjacent the jamb or frame edge, said swing arm being connected to the housing via a linkage allowing pivoting of said arm in and out of the housing (preferably on a curved non-circular path on closing and opening of the door / window or about a plurality of pivot axes) from a first, closed position to a second, open position in which a rebate between the door / window and jamb or frame is covered by the edge of the door / window. Over-rebate movement of the edge of the door / window may be effected without binding or clashing on the door / window frame or jamb. Preferably, movement of the swing arm is effected solely by pivoting. Further according to the present invention there is provided a hinge or window / door assembly having any feature or combination of features as described herein or having one or more of the following features:- a) A (concealed) hinge for an over- rebated door / window assembly having a linkage or other means alleviating binding or clashing of the door / window on a door / window jamb or frame b) A (concealed) hinge for an over-rebated door / window assembly having means for a sash to be swung relative to a jamb / frame in an arced (non-circular) path or in a smooth continuous motion avoiding binding / fouling on the frame / jamb c) A (concealed) hinge for an over-rebated door / window assembly having longitudinal (vertical) adjustment means and / or lateral (horizontal) adjustment means d) A (concealed) hinge for an over-rebated door assembly having means preventing or alleviating fouling / clashing of the plaster line e) A (concealed) hinge for providing correct compression, preferably by a linkage holding or locking a door / window in a closed position f) A (concealed) hinge having a swing arm pivotally connected via a linkage to a carriage preferably adjustably connected to a sleeve which is preferably adjustably connected to a housing, g) A linkage providing four pivot points, h) A linkage having a swing arm connected to two, preferably identical, links i) Means to clip the hinge onto the inside edge of a door / window j) A swing arm movable (simultaneously) about a plurality of pivot axes, k) A sash movable about a plurality of pivot axes, and 1) Stop means preventing overswing of the door / window in use, preferably provided by engagement of a (tapered) surface on a link with an (inclined) surface on a swing arm. Still further according to the present invention there is provided a hinge for an overrebated door or window assembly comprising a swing arm pivotable, in use, simultaneously about a plurality of pivot axes. Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings. An embodiment of a concealed hinge for an over-rebated door or window assembly in accordance with the present invention, and a door or window assembly including at least one such hinge, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying, diagrammatic drawings, in which : FIGURE 1 shows a much-simplified front elevational view of an over-rebated door assembly, in a closed position.; F.IGURE 2 shows an enlarged detail view of a ringed part R horizontally taken or cut out of the door and door jamb / frame member shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 shows a view drawn to an enlarged scale taken on arrow A of FIGURE 2 with no glazing being shown in the door; FIGURE 4 shows a view similar to FIGURE 3 but with the door in an open position relative to the door jamb / frame member; FIGURE 5 shows an isometric view of the door and door jamb / frame member with the door in an open position looking generally in the direction of arrow B in FIGURE 4 with FIGURE 4 rotated through 90°; FIGURE 6 shows a view similar to FIGURE 3 but is a sectional view taken through hinge axis x-x, y-y and z-z of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but with the door in a partially or half-open position relative to the door jamb / frame member; FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 but with the door in a fully open position relative to the door jamb / frame member also corresponding generally to a sectional view taken lines X-X through FIGURE 5 when rotated through 90°; FIGURE 9 shows an isometric view of the hinge shown in FIGURES 3 to 8 prior to fitting into the door assembly; FIGURE 10 shows a plan view of the hinge shown in FIGURE 9; FIGURE 11 shows a partially exploded view of the hinge shown in FIGURE 9 split into an upper sub assembly of a swing arm pivotally connected to, and in an open position on, a lateral adjustment carriage, and a lower sub assembly consisting of a housing with internal longitudinal adjustment sleeve; FIGURE 12 shows an exploded view of the lower sub assembly shown in FIGURE H; FIGURE 13 shows an exploded view of the upper sub assembly shown in FIGURE 11 and FIGURE 13a shows an end view of a link of the upper sub assembly ; FIGURE 14 shows views of the upper sub assembly of FIGURE 11, in the closed position, FIGURE 14a shows a sectional view similar to the sectional view shown in FIGURE 14 but with the hinge in the open position, FIGURE 15 shows views of the swing arm, FIGURES 16 and 17 show different perspective views of fully exploded parts of the hinge, and FIGURE 18 shows a view illustrating how the swing arm is clipped into the edge of the door prior to being secured thereto by fixing screws. Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 1 shows an over-rebated, closed, plastics (PVC), door assembly 100 including a glazed, swing door 101 hinged to doorjamb 102a of frame 102 by three, vertically equidistantly spaced hinges 1 (see FIGURE 9 in particular) concealed from view in FIGURE 1 but the location of which is schematically represented by the horizontal dashed lines. FIGURE 2 shows a front view of a portion of the of doorjamb 102a and door 101 (without glazing panel) cut out horizontally from within the ringed detail R for the purpose of further illustration explaining the internal structure of the door 101 and doorjamb 102a and mounting of concealed hinges 1 thereto. FIGURE 2 shows a vertical edge 101a of door 101, advantageously without showing any exposed hinges, concealing or extending over the rebate (represented by vertical dashed line 104) between the doorjamb 102a and door 101. FIGURE 3 shows a view of the internal structure of the doorjamb 102a and door 101 with hinge 1 mounted therein, taken in direction of arrow A in FIGURE 2. In FIGURE 3, in the closed position, advantageously, the required correct compression of seal SI at about 3mm is achieved with the required correct over-rebate cover of about 8mm in the optimum pre-adjustment state. FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but now shows the door 101 fully swung through 90° relative to the doorjamb 102a to the open position. Importantly, and advantageously, in the open position as shown, the edge 101a of door 101 is arranged at an adequate plaster line clearance distance P to avoid any engagement or fouling with plaster / surface treatment (not shown) necessarily detailed around the edge 102b of the doorjamb when installed in the wall of a building (not shown). Accordingly, FIGURE 5 shows an isometric view looking generally in the direction of arrow B in FIGURE 4 turned through 90°. The doorjamb 102a and door 101 are of a known traditional profile with known internal compartmentalised webbed configuration including euro groove g provided along the internal inside edge 101b of door 101. FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but is a sectional view taken through any one of the three hinge axes x-x, y-y or z-z as shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 6 shows the hinge 1 including a linkage having two identical, pivotable links 2,3 each connected to swing arm 4 of the hinge 1 and to housing 5 of the hinge (which housing is generally of open cuboid shape and located within a purpose-made opening cut into the doorjamb 102a). The swing arm 4 is mounted to the internal edge 101b of the door 101. Furthermore, advantageously, the correct compression of seal SI in the closed position is provided by the motion of the swing arm 4 and linkage 2,3. FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 where the door 101 has been moved to a partially or half open position relative to the doorjamb 102a. FIGURE 8 shows a view similar to FIGURES 6 and 7 but with the door 101 in a fully open position relative to the doorjamb 102a and also corresponds to sectional view taken on lines X-X of FIGURE 5 when rotated through 90°. Advantageously, on opening the door 101, the motion of the swing arm 4 and swing motion of door provided by the linkage 2,3 (evident from a comparison in particular from FIGURES 6, 7 and 8) provides a continuous, stable, curved or arced (noncircular) pivoting motion lifting the edge 101a away from clashing or binding on the doorjamb 102a while pivoting, in addition to avoiding the edge extending over the plaster line P. Linkage 2.3 on swing arm 4 holds the door 101 in the open position restraining return motion. Referring more particularly to FIGURES 9 to 16 of the accompanying drawings, hinge 1 (see FIGURE 9 showing the fully assembled hinge in an open position) comprises an upper sub-assembly F (see FIGURES 11 and 13) and a lower sub assembly G (see FIGURES 11 and 12). The lower sub assembly G has a sleeve 6 (see FIGURE 12) of shorter length than the inside length 5a of the open top of housing 5, which sleeve 6 is snugly receivable in the housing, as shown, and slidably adjustable within the housing (see arrows 6b and 6c in FIGURES 11 and 12 indicating directions of longitudinal adjustment of the sleeve along the housing). The sleeve 6 has open-sided slots 6d and 6e that receive respective fastening means in the form of hexagonal Allen key head screws 6f,6g and washers w. The screws 6f, 6g are screwed into respective receiving holes 5b (only one shown in FIGURE 12) on associated raised step portions 5c (only one shown in FIGURE 12) to lock the desired longitudinally adjusted position of the sleeve 6 in housing 5 by the underside of the hexagonal heads 6g’engaging tightly on slot rims 6d’and 6e’. It should be evident that the sleeve 6 can be adjusted within the limits of the gaps j 1 and j2 at each end of the sleeve when being located in the housing 5. The screws 6g and 6f can be loosened and the longitudinal position of the sleeve 6 adjusted in the housing 5 and the screws 6f,6g re-tightened, as required. The longitudinal positioning adjustment of the sleeve 6 in housing 5 is important since, in use, the sleeve is connected to sub-assembly F which is in turn connected to the door 101; so that longitudinal adjustment of the sleeve in the housing allows the door to be adjusted vertically relative to the doorjamb 102a. Sleeve 6 is also provided with inner opposed open-sided slots 6h,6i below which are receiving holes 6j (only one shown in FIGURE 12) for threaded adjustment screws 6k,61 that provide (along with associated washers) fastening means for the adjustment of carriage 7 of sub-assembly F in and out of the housing (i.e. laterally of the door jamb, in use) in a manner to be described later. Each adjustment screw 6k,61 has an annular collar 6k’, 61’ that seats on associated step 6m (only one shown in FIGURE 12) and a plain shaft end 6k”,61” that passes through the associated hole 6j and rests on the associated open-sided slot surface 5d’. The housing 5 is provided with a generally rectangular flange 5 surrounding the open top and has four fixing holes h located at respective rounded comers of the flange, for attachment to the doorjamb 102a by appropriate screw fasteners (not shown). Sub assembly F is connected to sub assembly Gby means of carriage 7 being located snugly within sleeve 6. Carriage 7 has domed ends 7a, 7b located in the slots 6h, 6i which are of matching configuration thereto. The carriage is adjustably connected to the sleeve via threaded adjustment screws 6k,61 being located in the threaded receiving holes 7a’, 7b’ in the domed ends 7a, 7b. Rotation of the screws 6k,61 within the holes 7a.7b allows the carriage 7 to be adjusted in and out of the housing 5 and fixed in position thereto as indicated by the curved arrows 7c, 7d. The sleeve 6, as previously stated, is retained to the housing 5 via adjustment screws 6f,6g. Sub-assembly F will now be described with reference in particular to FIGURES 13, 13a, 14, and 14a. Sub-assembly F includes the curved swing arm 4 pivotally mounted in the housing 5 via pivotal linkage connection to the adjustment carriage 7 which is, in turn connected to the sleeve 6 which is, in turn adjustably connected to the housing 5. Hinge 1 is connected to the door 101 with the swing arm 4 being mounted by integral connection plate 4a to the inside edge 101b of the door 101. The shape of the swing arm 4 should be evident from FIGURE 15 which shows three views in first angle projection and an isometric view. Referring to FIGURE 13, link 2 has an upwardly tapered main part 2a which receives pivot pin pl which is passed firstly through receiving hole 7e, through a washer t and then through cylindrical hole 2a’ of link 2 and finally through hole 7f, pivotally connecting link 2 to the bottom of carriage 7. Upper part 2b of link 2 is of shorter length than main part 2a, is downwardly tapered and positioned centrally of the main part 2a. Part 2b is pivotally connected centrally in the open recess 4d (see FIGURE 15) via pivot pin p2 being passed through washer t and the aligned holes 4e,4f in the swing arm 4 with pin p2 passing through cylindrical hole 2b’. Link 3 is pivotally centrally located between holes 7h, 7g, with pivot pin p3 passing through washer t, hole 7g, cylindrical hole 3a’ of main part 3a, and hole 7h. Part 3b of link 3 is pivotally connected in recess 4g of swing arm 4 via pivot pin p 4 passing through washer t, aligned holes 4h and 4i and cylindrical hole 3b’, in a manner which should be evident. The cross sections of recesses 4d, 4g are generally trapezoidal (albeit having one inwardly curved edge) in order to allow for the required pivotal motion of the links 2,3 in said recesses between the open and closed positions of the door 101. To aid further understanding of the sub assembly F, FIGURE 14 shows three views of the sub-assembly F in the closed position with a sectional view on the line B of the plan view, and an isometric view. Furthermore, advantageously, as will be apparent from FIGURE 14a, in the fully open position the inclined surface 4g’ of trapezoidal opening 4g is shaped to snugly engage tapered surface 3c of link 3 acting as a stop means to prevent or restrain further or unnecessary swinging motion of the door 101 helping to ensure no fouling of plaster line P. It is believed that the linkage 2,3 is advantageous because the links 2,3 are identical and only two links are required in co-operation with the swing arm 4 to provide the required motion of the swing arm and stable swing of the door 101. Thus, conveniently, relatively few components are required in order to effect the required motion of the door 101 rather than a complex linkage requiring more than two links. Even so, the Applicant has spent many months in realising an effective, reliable and efficient design fit for purpose. Difficulty in overcoming geometrical constraints to allow suitable functioning is compounded once adequate adjustability of the hinge is provided in vertical and horizontal (longitudinal and lateral) dimensions e.g. as herein described in relation to hinge 1. Connection plate 4a has 4 holes to connect the swing arm 4 to the inside edge 101b of the door (in a non-traditional location). To aid explanation of the hinge 1 assembly, FIGURES 16 and 17 show fully exploded views of the hinge 1 drawn from different perspectives. Applicant’s terminology for the various parts as shown is as follows:- Housing 5 - Frame Outer Housing; Carriage 7 - Frame Adjuster Housing; Swing Arm 4 - Sash Leaf Casting; Sleeve 6 - Frame Inner Housing; Links 2,3 - Frame Link Arms; Pivot Pins p2,p4 - Top head pivot pins; Pivot Pins p3, p4 - Top head pivot pins long; washers t - plastics spacer washers; washers w - stainless steel washers; screws 6k,61 - frame adjuster screws, and screws 6f,6g - M6 x 18mm Cap Hex Head screws. The various parts may be fabricated from metal such as zinc alloy or stainless steel. The Applicant believes the manner in which the swing arm plate portion 4a is connected to the door edge 101b is advantageous and inventive. Accordingly, FIGURE 18 shows a view of the hinge 1 connecting to the inside edge of door 101 by being clipped onto euro groove g prior to being screwed onto said edge by fixing screws located in holes. Usual connection of a hinge to the door edge would be by sliding a connection part of the hinge along euro groove g. This tends to be disadvantageous in assembly and the Applicant believes providing clip -on of such a connection part (i.e plate 4a) is an improvement since it avoids such a sliding action being required. Instead, connection plate 4a of the swing arm 4 is provided with a grooved lip 4m which seats on a lower raised rib gl of the euro groove. The plate 4a also has an upper inside configuration including ledge 4n to seat snugly up against rib g2 of the euro groove g. The inside surface 4o of the plate 4 can readily be screwed via holes 4j onto the flat surface g3 of the door edge 101b in a manner which should be readily envisaged. By using such a clip-on method screw fixings can be positioned in a non-traditional position. Whilst the present invention as herein described relates to a concealed hinge for an over-rebated door / window it is possible that the hinge or aspects thereof may be used in other applications. It is possible that the concept of the linkage and swing arm (geometrical design) may be used in other applications. It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent of generic term. For example, the term, 'door' could be replaced by ‘sash’ or ‘ panel'; ‘door assembly' may be replaced by 'closure'. The terms, 'top', and horizontal', 'inside, and / or 'inward’ and outward’ may be used to explain possible relative positions of various components of the door assembly, in use, and need not necessarily be limiting. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the hinge, door / window assembly or parts thereof (e.g. linkage) might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa. Any range mentioned or apparent herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub-range within that range or of any particular value of the variable / parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range. Where no range is mentioned for a variable parameter a reasonable tolerance should be assumed unless otherwise indicated or apparent. 30 10 24

Claims

1. A hinge for an over-rebated door or window assembly, the hinge being suitable for concealment within the assembly when the door or window is closed, said hinge comprising a housing mountable in an edge of a door / window jamb or frame of the assembly and a swing arm mountable to an edge of a door or window of the assembly lying adjacent the jamb or frame edge in use, said swing arm being connected in use to the housing via a linkage allowing pivoting of said arm in and out of the housing on a curved non-circular path on closing and opening of the door / window, thereby allowing over-rebate movement of the edge of the door / window without binding or clashing on the door / window frame or jamb.

2. A hinge as claimed in Claim 1 in which, in use, the pivoting of the arm provided by the linkage is along a continuous, stable, curved or arced path, in use, lifting the edge of the door / window away from binding / clashing on the door / window jamb or frame when being moved to the open position.

3. A hinge as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which, in use, in the closed position of the door / window assembly the linkage and swing arm are arranged to provide correct compression of a seal / sealing means between the door / window and jamb / frame and, preferably, the linkage holds the seal / sealing means in the compressed position (usually about 3 mm at the over-rebated window / door edge), with an over rebate cover preferably of about 8mm.21 05 254. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which, in use, in the open position, the linkage and swing arm hold the door / window away from engaging or fouling an associated plaster line where the frame of the door / window assembly is installed into the wall of a building.

5. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the linkage comprises a first link pivotally connected at one end to one end of the swing arm and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the housing.

6. A hinge as claimed in Claim 5 in which the linkage comprises a second link pivotally connected at one end to the swing arm at a location spaced from said one end of swing arm (preferably mid-way along the swing arm) and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the housing.7 A hinge as claimed in Claim 6 in which the first and second links are pivotally connected to the housing at (closely) spaced locations, preferably with the pivotal connection of the second link to the housing being located more outwardly of the frame / jamb, in use, and towards an inside edge of the housing.8 A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the position of the swing arm is adjustable along the housing, and thus accordingly adjustable along the door / window frame or jamb, in use.9 A hinge as claimed in claim 8 in which the swing arm is connected to a sleeve slidable within and along the housing, said sleeve being releasably lockable to the21 05 25housing in a variety of positions e.g. by means of any suitable fastening means such as locking screws receivable in fixing holes in the housing passing through opensided slots in the sleeve.10 A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the assembly position of the swing arm is adjustable in the housing, and thus adjustable laterally of the door / window frame, in use.11 A hinge as claimed in Claim 10 in which the swing arm is connected to a carriage that can be elevated or lowered in the housing to a variety of releasably lockable positions e.g.by any suitable fastening means such as threaded adjustment screws.12 A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which, in order to provide for adjustment of the swing arm both along the housing and lateral adjustment positioning of the swing arm relative to the door / window frame in use, the swing arm is connected via said linkage to a, or the, carriage which is turn connected to a, or the sleeve, which is in turn connected to the housing, such that the carriage and sleeve can be adjusted together (as a sub-assembly) along the housing and / or elevated or lowered to releasably lockable positions relative to the housing.13 A hinge as claimed in claim 6 or any claim dependent therefrom in which each of the first and second links has a main (preferably tapered) part pivotally connected to the housing and a secondary part (preferably tapered in an opposite sense) of shorter length pivotally connected to an associated recess in the swing arm and, preferably in which the first and second links are identical.21 05 2514 A hinge as claimed in claim 13 in which the links have tapered surfaces arranged to cooperate with associated inclined surfaces on said recess.15 A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the swing arm is provided with means to clip the swing arm onto a door / window edge, in use.16 A hinge as claimed in claim 15 in which the clip-on means is in the form of a grooved lip extending along one side of a fixing plate of the swing arm, said fixing plate being attached to the edge of the door / window, in use, preferably, by fixing screws.17 A door or window assembly comprising at least one hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.18 An assembly as claimed in claim 17 which is a plastics (PVC) or aluminium (double / multi -glazed) door / window assembly.19 A wall, room or confined space or building having at least one door or window assembly as claimed in claim 17 or 18.20 An over-rebated door or window assembly having a hinge concealed within the assembly when the door or window is closed, said hinge comprising a housing mounted in an edge of a door / window jamb or frame of the assembly and a swing arm mounted to an edge of a door or window of the assembly lying adjacent the21 05 25jamb or frame edge, said swing arm being connected to the housing via a linkage allowing pivoting of said arm in and out of the housing (preferably on a curved non-circular path on closing and opening of the door / window or about a plurality of pivot axes) from a first, closed position to a second, open position in which a rebate between the door / window and jamb or frame is covered by the edge of the door / window.21 A hinge as claimed in claim 20 in which movement of the swing arm is effected solely by pivoting.

22. A hinge or window / door assembly having any feature or combination of features as described herein or having one or more of the following features:-a) A (concealed) hinge for an over- rebated door / window assembly having a linkage or other means alleviating binding or clashing of the door / window on a door / window jamb or frameb) A (concealed) hinge for an over-rebated door / window assembly having means for a sash to be swung relative to a jamb / frame in an arced (non-circular) path or in a smooth continuous motion avoiding binding / fouling on the frame / jambc) A (concealed) hinge for an over-rebated door / window assembly having longitudinal (vertical) adjustment means and / or lateral (horizontal) adjustment meansd) A (concealed) hinge for an over-rebated door assembly having means preventing or alleviating fouling / clashing of the plaster line21 05 25e) A (concealed) hinge for providing correct compression, preferably by a linkage holding or locking a door / window in a closed positionf) A (concealed) hinge having a swing arm pivotally connected via a linkage to a carriage preferably adjustably connected to a sleeve which is preferably adjustably connected to a housing,g) A linkage providing four pivot points,h) A linkage having a swing arm connected to two, preferably identical, linksi) Means to clip the hinge onto the inside edge of a door / windowj) A swing arm movable (simultaneously) about a plurality of pivot axes,k) A sash movable about a plurality of pivot axes, and1) Stop means preventing overswing of the door / window in use, preferably provided by engagement of a (tapered) surface on a link with an (inclined) surface on a swing arm.

23. A hinge for an over-rebated door or window assembly comprising a swing arm pivotable, in use, simultaneously about a plurality of pivot axes.

24. A hinge for an over-rebated door or window assembly, the hinge being suitable for concealment within the assembly when the door or window is closed, said hinge comprising a housing mountable in an edge of a door / window jamb or frame of the assembly and a swing arm mountable to an edge of a door or window of the assembly lying adjacent the jamb or frame edge in use, said swing arm being connected in use to the housing via a linkage allowing pivoting of said arm in and out of the housing on a curved non-circular path on closing and opening of the door / window, therebyallowing over-rebate movement of the edge of the door / window without binding or clashing on the door / window frame or jamb, and in which the linkage comprises a first link pivotally connected at one end to, and received within a recess in, one end of the swing arm and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the housing and in which the linkage comprises a second link pivotally connected at one end to, and received within a second recess in, the swing arm at a location spaced from said one end of swing arm and pivotally connected at an opposite end to the housing.21 05 25

Images