The invention relates to a hinge plate and a method of fitting a hinge plate.

Typically, hinges comprise a pair of brass or pressed steel plates which are joined together by, and pivot around, a hinge pin. Each plate has a number of holes formed in it for the passage of screws or the like for mounting the plate onto a supporting surface, and a folded edge region which forms a number of tube sections separated by discontinuities. The positioning of the discontinuities on one plate corresponds with the positioning of the tube sections on the other plate, such that the two plates may be interlinked by placing them side by side and pushing the pin through the tube sections to interlink the two plates. Relative pivotal movement of the plates around the hinge pin is then possible.

Hinges of this, and other types, have the disadvantage that in order for them to be flush mounted on. or recessed into, a surface, an area of that surface must be removed so as to account for the thickness of the hinge plate. As the hinge plate is usually of a rectangular shape, a rectangular recess is required. The production of this recess by routing or otherwise can be a lengthy process.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a hinge plate is provided comprising a mounting region for fitting the hinge plate to a surface, and a guide region, for enabling the hinge plate to be attached to a pivoting means, the mounting region having an outline at which part is circular.

Preferably, at least part of said outline corresponds to an outline formed by the cooperation of adjacent interlinked circles.

The hinge plate may include a number of fixing holes some or all of the fixing holes being provided at centre positions of some or all of the circles.

The hinge plate may be in the form of a strip of indeterminate length and may have weakened portions at predetermined intervals to facilitate breaking of the strip into smaller pieces. The weakened portions may be provided at points at which adjacent circles interlink.

Preferably, the guide region is situation along one edge of the hinge plate.

A pivoting means may comprise a further hinge plate and a hinge pin, the two hinge plates forming a pair having cooperating guide regions. The cooperating guide regions may form a substantially continuous guide tube into which the hinge pin is insertable. Hinge plates of said pair are preferably identical.

The invention includes hinges assembled from hinge plates in accordance with the first aspect.

The invention also provides a method of fitting a hinge plate to a surface, the method comprising the following steps :-

(a) marking out one or more centre positions for a number of circles onto the surface;

(b) forming one or more recesses by boring one or more holes of known radius or radii perpendicularly into the surface, using the or each marked centre position as a guide, the or each hole extending into the surface by a predetermined distance;

(c) positioning the hinge plate into the recess formed in step (b); and

(d) fixing the hinge plate onto the surface.

Preferably, step (a) comprises laying a template onto the surface, the template having markings or apertures formed therein so as to define the location of the or each centre position.

Preferably, the hinge plate is used as the template.

The hinge plate may have one or more fixing holes formed therein, for the passage of screws or the like. The position of the or each fixing hole is preferably defined by the location of the or each centre position.

Preferably, in step (b) when more than one hole is bored, the distance between the centre positions of the or each pair of adjacent holes is less than the sum of their respective radii, such that a single recess is formed by the co¬ operation of multiple holes.

Preferably, the hinge plate comprises a mounting region and a guide region, the mounting region having an outline whose shape corresponds to the shape of the single recess formed by the co-operation of the multiple holes.

As an alternative, the distance between the centre positions of the or each pair of adjacent holes may be greater than the sum of their respective radii such that multiple holes form multiple recesses. In this case, multiple hinge plates may be provided, each hinge plate comprising a mounting region and a guide section, each mounting region having an outline whose shape corresponds to the shape of one of the recesses. The hinge plates may be arranged such that their guide sections align with one another so as to form a single guide region.

Preferably, the guide region comprises a tube, which may be formed by folding material of the hinge plate. The tube is preferably discontinuous.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a hinge plate is provided comprising a mounting region, for fitting the hinge plate to a surface, and a guide region, for enabling the hinge plate to be attached to a pivoting means, the mounting region having an outline at least part of which corresponds to an outline formed by the co-operation of pairs of adjacent interlinked circles.

Preferably, the guide region comprises a tube. The tube may be formed by folding material of the hinge plate. The tube is preferably discontinuous.

Preferably, the guide region is situated along one edge of the hinge plate.

Preferably, the pivoting means comprises a further hinge plate and a hinge pin. The two hinge plates preferably form a pair having co-operating guide regions such that the discontinuous tube of a first hinge plate of the pair can be aligned with the discontinuous tube of a second hinge plate of the pair to form a substantially continuous tube. The two hinge plates are preferably identical. The substantially continuous tube is preferably adapted such that the hinge pin may be inserted into it to form a hinge.

Preferably, the hinge plate is provided with a number of fixing holes for the passage of screws or the like.

Preferably, some or all of the fixing holes are provided at the centre positions of some or all of the circles.

The hinge plate may be in the form of a strip of indeterminate length having weakened portions at predetermined intervals to facilitate breaking of the strip into smaller pieces.

The weakened portions may be provided between adjacent circles.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention a hinge plate is provided comprising a generally circular mounting region, for fitting the hinge plate to a surface, and a guide region, for enabling the hinge plate to be attached to a pivoting means.

Preferably, the guide region comprises a tube. The tube may be formed by folding material of the hinge plate.

Preferably, the guide region is situated along one edge of the hinge plate.

Preferably, the pivoting means comprises a further hinge plate and a hinge pin.

Preferably, the mounting region is provided with a substantially central fixing hole.

The invention includes hinges assembled from hinge plates according to the invention.

According to a still further aspect of the invention a drill bit is provided for forming a recess in a surface, the drill bit comprising ;

a central locating tip for locating the drill bit on the surface; and a cutting edge formed by at least one blade; wherein a number of grooves are provided along the cutting edge so as to facilitate rapid drilling of the recess.

Preferably, a plurality of grooves are provided along the cutting edge and give this edge a castellated appearance.

The grooves are preferably distributed along the cutting edge in a non symmetrical manner with respect to the central locating tip such that high points formed in the surface during the first half rotation of the drill bit are eliminated during a second half rotation.

The arrangement of grooves distributed across the cutting edge evens out the work load, such that the first and second blades wear evenly. This balanced arrangement also has the beneficial effects of reducing vibration, speeding-up the drilling operation and producing granular waster - rather than shavings which tend to cause clogging.

Preferably the drill bit has a depth stop such that holes of a required depth can be drilled.

Preferably, the depth stop is adjustable such that the drill bit may be used for drilling different depth recesses.

The depth stop may be adjustable by moving it up or down a central shank.

Preferably, the cutting edge is formed by at least first and second blades, one on either side of the central locating tip. The blades may be removable from the bit so as to facilitate their replacement.

Preferably, the locating tip is adjustable such that its degree of protrusion from the cutting edge may be varied. Such variation is desirable when drilling into different types or grades of material.

Alternatively, the locating tip and cutting edge may be integrally formed on a single blade.

The or each blade may be removable from the bit.

The or each blade may be embedded in a block of material which forms a depth stop and a shank of said drill bit.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figures 1 to 4 are plan views of first, second, third and fourth embodiments of hinges assembled from hinge plates according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a hinge pin;

Figures 6A to 6E show various arrangements of hinges and hinge plates according to a fifth embodiment; and

Figure 7 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 6A;

Figure 8 is a perspective view and Figure 9 is an exploded view of a drill bit for use with the apparatus of Figures 1 to 7;

Figure 10 shows a pair of blades for use with the drill bit of Figures 8 and 9;

Figure 1 1 A and Figure 11 B show respectively a part-sectional side view of an alternative arrangement of drill bit and a plan view of a cutting blade for use with the alternative drill bit of Figure 1 1 A; and

Figures 12A - 12C show an alternative embodiment of hinge.

Referring to Figure 1 , a hinge is shown comprising six identical hinge plates 1 and a hinge pin 2.

Each hinge plate 1 comprises a generally circular mounting region 3 having a central, countersunk, hole 4 for the passage of fixing screws (not shown) and a folded edge region 5 which forms a sleeve or guide through which the hinge pin 2 is inserted.

The hinge of Figure 1 is modular in construction and a hinge structure having any desired number of plates 1 can be built up.

For the hinge plates to co-operate with one another and form a substantially continuous sleeve, the dimension V, corresponding to the length of each edge region 5, must be at least half of the dimension 'y\ which corresponds to the diameter of the mounting region 3.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a hinge comprising two identical hinge plates 6 and a hinge pin 2.

Each hinge plate 6 of Figure 2 comprises a mounting region 7 and a folded edge region 8.

The mounting region 7 has an outline generally in the form of three adjacent and overlapping circles 9, 10.11, of equal radii each of which have a centrally positioned, countersunk, hole 4. The holes 4 of the mounting region 7 are all in line.

The edge region 8 is discontinuous such that the edge regions of the plates 6 co-operate with one another to form a continuous sleeve into which the hinge pin 2 can be inserted.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a hinge. In this embodiment, the hinge comprises identical hinge plates 12 and a hinge pin 2. The hinge plate 12, in similar fashion to the embodiment of Figure 2, have a mounting region 13 having an outline generally in the form of overlapping circles and an edge region 19. However, in this case there are five 'circles' 14 to 18 only three of which 14,15 and 18 have a centrally positioned hole 4.

The "circles" 14 to 18 are overlapped to a greater degree than those shown in Figure 2 and in this manner the resulting hinge plates 12 approximate to a rectangle. This approximation can have manufacturing advantages if the hinge plates are to be formed by stamping metal sheets.

The edge regions 19 are similar to the edge regions 8 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a hinge. In this embodiment, the hinge comprises identical hinge plates 20. and a hinge pin 2. The hinge plates are similar to those of Figure 2 except that the middle "circle" 21 is not in line with the outer circles 22, 23 and, as a consequence, the centrally positioned holes 4 of the circles 21.22,23 are not in line with one another. This reduces the risk that screws driven through the holes will cause splitting of the wood to which the hinge is being secured.

Figure 5 shows a typical hinge pin 2 for use with the various embodiments of the invention. The pin shown is a press fit pin for linking

hinge plates together. As an alternative to using such a pin, a nut and bolt type arrangement can be used, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figure 6A shows an elongate hinge plate strip 24 comprising a number of generally circular abutting regions 25 to 36, each of which has a folded edge region 37 capable of receiving a hinge pin. The hinge plate 24 has weakened portions 38 between each of the generally circular regions. The weakened portions 38 allow the strip 24 to be broken into smaller strips such that hinges of any desired size may be easily obtained. Figures 6B to 6E show examples of hinges which can be constructed from the hinge strip 24.

Figure 7 is a side view of the hinge plate strip 24 of Figures 6A to 6E. The figure shows the edge region 37 in more detail. This edge region forms the guide or sleeve through which a hinge pin 2 may be passed.

Although Figure 7 is an end view of Figure 6 A, it will be appreciated that each of the hinge plates of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 would present a similar view if looked at end-on.

The edge regions of the hinge plates of Figures 1 to 4 and 6A to 6E are formed by folding. In other embodiments this may however be formed by any suitable process, for instance they may be cast or, if the hinges are made from a plastics material, they may be moulded.

It should be noted that, in each of the embodiments shown in Figures

1 to 4 and 6, the assembled hinges are made up by joining pairs of identical hinge plates together. There is therefore only one pressing required for each type of hinge.

The various embodiments of hinge plate described may all be fitted in a similar fashion. A method of fitting the hinge plates to a cupboard and cupboard door will now be described. Such a method may comprise the following general steps :-

1. Selecting the desired position for a first hinge plate at the edge of the cupboard door.

2. Marking the centre point for each of the circles.

3. Using a drill bit of a suitable size and type to drill the holes to the required depth.

4. Positioning the first hinge plate into the recess formed in the cupboard door by step 3.

5. Screwing the hinge plate into position.

6-10. Repeat steps 1 to 5 to mount the second hinge plate of the pair on the cupboard.

11. Hold the cupboard door against the cupboard to align the two plates.

12. Link the first and second hinge plates together by means of the hinge pin 2.

Because the hinge plates are mainly composed of circular shapes, forming the recess is greatly simplified. All that is required is for an

appropriately sized drill to be selected and holes drilled to conform to the outline of the plate.

A special drill bit has been designed which is particularly effective in forming the recesses, such a drill bit will now be described by referring to Figures 8 and 9. The bit shown generally at 40, is provided with a locating tip 41 , cutting edge 42 formed by blades 50 and 51, and a "stop" 44 which is set at a height above the cutting edge corresponding to the required depth of the recess. The stop 44 forms the end portion of a shroud 45 which is moveable along shank 46 so as to set the required depth. This depth can be chosen to be equal to or greater than the thickness of the hinge plate, for flush mounting or recessed mounting respectively.

Once the depth has been chosen the shroud 45 can be secured to the shank 46 by means of alien screw 47. As shown in Figure 9, the blades 50, 51 and locating tip 41 of circular cross-section are fixed to a body portion 48 of the drill bit by means of grub screws 49. Fixing them in this manner facilitates their replacement if and when required and allows the degree of protrusion of the locating tip to be adjusted. This adjustment allows adjustment to accommodate different grades and textures of wood.

Figure 10 shows an alternative pair of blades for use with the drill bit of Figures 8 and 9. Like features of the blades of Figure 10 are designated with like numerals to those of Figures 8 and 9.

In use, the assembled drill bit of Figure 8 is positioned such that the tip 41 is located at one of the marked centre points and drilling commenced. The tip 41 separates the fibres of the wood and forms a conical bearing in that

material in which it will maintain station and help to alleviate vibration. Drilling proceeds until the stop 44 abuts the surface of the material which is being drilled into. This abutment arrests the progress of the drill bit into the drilled surface and, as the stop is arranged to be effectively perpendicular to the drilling direction, such abutment also ensures that the drilled hole sinks perpendicularly into the material with respect to its surface.

Grooves 43 formed on each cutting edge 42 speed up the drilling operation as they effectively reduce the length of the cutting edge, drilling is also made easier by the fact that the groove formation produces a granular waste material which does not clog up the drilling operation. The grooves on one blade are out of step with those of the other, such that operation of the drill bit does not give rise to high spots within the recess formed i.e. high spots left by passage of the first blade are removed by the second blade. The grooves also help in ensuring that both edges actually do the cutting and tend to balance the operation of the drill causing less vibration. Without such a formation, the "leading" edge tends to do all the work, causing uneven wear of the edges.

The arrangement of multiple grooves shown in Figure 10 has been found to be particularly effective. Providing a number of grooves in the "castellated" manner shown produces a smooth, fast and balanced operation, forms neat recesses and gives manageable waste.

Although the drill bit 40 is particularly useful for forming the recesses for hinges, it may also be used in any application in which the formation of circular recesses of a specific depth is required.

Referring now to Figures 11 A and 1 IB, an alternative arrangement of drill bit is shown.

In Figure 11 A, a drill bit having a non-adjustable depth stop is shown. The drill bit comprises a combined single blade and centre point 52, which blade has castellated regions 53, 54 similar to those of the blades 50, 51 of

Figure 10, and a central locating tip 55. The blade 52 is embedded in a plastics material which forms an integral preset depth stop 56 and shank 7.

The depth stop 56 is set for a predetermined depth, such as will be required for drilling the recesses for hinges of the types described earlier.

Of course, it should be born in mind that drill bit may be used for alternative applications and is not limited in its use to that of forming recesses for hinge plates.

The drill bit shown in Figure 11 A may be of a disposable type, which could be supplied together with one or more hinge plates.

Of course, it is not essential that the specially designed drill bit be used for forming the recesses and other types of drill bit could be employed.

When marking the centre points of the circles on a door or door frame prior to drilling, a special template may be used having the hinge outline and the centre points marked.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 6, the central fixing holes 4 of the hinge plates themselves are in a position which corresponds to the centre points of the circles. A template is therefore not necessary.

In other embodiments, for instance, the embodiment of Figure 3, it may be desirable to use a template. However, the centre points could also be judged relatively easily by eye.

Although the hinge plates described have sleeves or guides for hinge pins 2 positioned along one edge of the mounting region, other variations may be envisaged. For instance, an upwardly extending post may be provided positioned upon the mounting region and the top of this post may be provided with a sleeve or guide for allowing attachment of the hinge to another member.

Hinges and hinge plates of the types described herein may be made of any suitable material, but are preferably made of a plastics material.

Figures 12A to 12C show an alternative embodiment of hinge assembly.

The hinges of the Figures are very similar to those shown in Figure 4 and like features are designated by like numerals.

Referring to Figures 12C, the hinge plates 20 feature on their underside recessed portions 60. These recessed portions help to save material and also help with heat dissipation during manufacture.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.