Hinges - Types of Hinges and Hinges Terminology

Hinges – Types of Hinges and Hinges Terminology

What is Hinge :

A hinge is a mechanical bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. Two objects connected by an ideal hinge rotate relative to each other about a fixed axis of rotation: all other translations or rotations are prevented, and thus a hinge has one degree of freedom. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components. In biology, many joints function as hinges like the elbow joint.

See More: – Types Of Hinges -Selection Guide

Types Of Hinges :

There are many types of door hinges. The main types include:

Spring hinge: a spring-loaded hinge made to provide assistance in the closing or the opening of the hinge leaves. A spring is a component of a hinge, that applies force to secure a hinge closed or keep a hinge opened.
Barrel hinge: a sectional barrel secured by a pivot. A barrel is a component of a hinge, that has a hollow cylinder shaped section where the rotational bearing force is applied to the pivot, and may also have a screw shaped section for fastening and/or driving the pivot.
Pivot hinges: which pivot in openings in the floor and the top of the door frame. Also referred to as a double-acting floor hinge. This type is found in ancient dry stone buildings and rarely in old wooden buildings. These are also called haar-hung doors. They are a low cost alternative for use with light weight doors.

Butt/Mortise hinges: usually in threes or fours, which are inset (mortised) into the door and frame. Most residential hinges found in the U.S. are made of steel, although mortise hinges for exterior doors are often made of brass or stainless steel to prevent corrosion.

Case hinges: Case hinges are similar to a butt hinge however usually more of a decorative nature most commonly used in suitcases, briefcases and the like.

Continuous hinges, or piano hinges: This type of hinge is also known as a piano hinge. It runs the entire length of the door, panel, or box. Continuous hinges are manufactured with or without holes. These hinges also come in various thicknesses, pin diameters, and knuckle lengths.

Concealed hinges: Used for furniture doors (with or without self-closing feature, and with or without damping systems). They are made of two parts: One part is the hinge cup and the arm, the other part is the mounting plate.

Butterfly hinges, or Parliament (UK) Hinges: These were known as dovetail hinges from the 17th century onwards and can be found on old desks and cabinets from about 1670 until the 18th century. The form of these hinges varied slightly between manufacturers, and their size ranged from the very large for heavy doors to the tiniest decorative hinge for use on jewellery boxes.

Flag hinges: A flag hinge can be taken apart with a fixed pin on one leaf. Flag hinges can also swivel a full 360 degrees around the pin. Flag hinges are manufactured as a right hand and a left hand configuration.

Strap hinges

An early hinge and used on many kinds of interior and exterior doors and cabinets.

H hinges: Shaped like an H and used on flush-mounted doors. Small H hinges (3–4 in or 76–102 mm) tend to be used for cabinets hinges, while larger hinges (6–7 in or 150–180 mm) are for passage doors or closet doors.
HL hinges: Large HL hinges were common for passage doors, room doors and closet doors in the 17th, 18th and even 19th centuries. On taller doors H hinges were occasionally used in the middle along with the HL hinges.

Other types include:

Counterflap hinge
Flush hinge
Coach hinge
Rising Butt hinge
Double action spring hinge
Double action non-spring
Tee hinge
Friction hinge
Security hinge
Cranked hinge or stormproof hinge
Lift-off hinge
Self closing hinge

Hinge terminology

Pin
The rod that holds the leaves together, inside the knuckle.

Knuckle
The hollow—typically circular—portion creating the joint of the hinge through which the pin is set. The knuckles of either leaf typically alternate and interlock with the pin passing through all of them. (aka. loop, joint, node or curl)

Leaf
The portions (typically two) that extend laterally from the knuckle and typically revolve around the pin.

Characteristics

End Play
Axial movement between the leaves along the axis of the pin. This motion allows the leaves to rotate without binding and is determined by the typical distance between knuckles (knuckle gap) when both edges of the leaves are aligned.

Gauge
Thickness of the leaves.

Hinge Width
Length from the outer edge of one leaf to the outer edge of the other leaf, perpendicularly across the pin (aka open width).

Hinge Length
The length of the leaves parallel to the pin.

Knuckle Length
The typical length of an individual knuckle parallel to the pin.

Leaf Width
Length from the center of the pin to the outer edge of the leaf.

Pitch
Distance from the end of a knuckle to the same edge of its adjacent knuckle on the same leaf.

Slop
A colloquialism referring to loose angular movement of the leaves relative to the pin.