Hinge

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A hinge is a mechanical device that connects two solid objects, allowing rotation between them. Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components. In biology, many joints function as hinges. They are also known as shangles in old tudorian English (the large hinges on doors)

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1 Door hinges
2 Building access hinges
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Door hinges


Ancient pivot hinges, found in the dry stone buildings.

A bifold door hinge.

The old barrel hinge from cast iron.

The old two loop butt hinge from cast iron.

Increasing the number of loops to 3 allows the butt hinge axis to be fixed from both ends.

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

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 already in ancient dry stone buildings.
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 outswing doors are often made of brass or stainless steel base to prevent corrosion.
Continuous Hinges, which run the entire length of the door (also known as "Piano Hinges")
Concealed Hinges used for furniture doors (with or without self-closing feature, and with or without dampening systems). They are made of 2 parts: One part is the hinge cup and the arm; the other part is the mounting plate.
Butterfly 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 caskets. Many hinges of this type were exported to America to support the home trade's limited supply. They are still found to be both fairly cheap and decorative, especially on small items.

An interesting note is that door hinge rhymes with orange. Other types include:

Counterflap Hinge
Flush Hinge
Coach Hinge
Rising Butt Hinge
Double action spring hinge
Tee Hinge
Friction Hinge
Security Hinge
Cranked or 'Stormproof' Hinge
Lift-off Hinges
Self closing Hinges

[edit] Building access hinges

Since at least medieval times there have been hinges to drawbridges for defensive purposes for fortified buildings. Hinges are used in contemporary architecture where building settlement can be expected over the life of the building. For example, the Dakin Building, Brisbane, California was designed with its entrance ramp on a large hinge to allow settlement of the building built on piles over bay mud. This device has been effective.