=20. Strap Hinges.=—The common wrought hinges used to apply on the
surface, for hanging doors, etc., and generally used in connection
with rough work, such as bins, sheds, barns, etc., where a strong,
serviceable hinge that may be easily applied is required, are known
as =strap hinges=. They are constructed of wrought metal of various
weights, according to the size of the hinge, and are stamped or cut
from sheet metal, with _knuckles_, or sockets for the pins, formed on
the strap; the pins passing through the knuckles are well riveted.
There are two kinds of strap hinges; namely, _light-strap_ and
_heavy-strap hinges_.
The =light-strap hinge=, which is shown in Fig. 12 (_a_), is so termed
because of its light construction and narrow joint. This hinge is made
in inch sizes, varying from 3 to 16 inches in length. By inch size is
meant the longest dimension when the hinge is closed; thus, a 6-inch
strap hinge is 12 inches long from end to end when opened. They are
listed and sold by the pair.
[Illustration: FIG. 12]
The =heavy-strap hinge=, which is shown at (_b_), is similar to the
light hinge, but is made from heavier metal and has large dimensions
at the joints, or knuckles. This type of hinge is used where a strong,
substantial hinge is required. The heavy-strap hinge is made in inch
sizes, from 4 to 16 inches in length. The 4- and 5-inch sizes are
listed and sold by the pair, the 6-inch and larger sizes being listed
and sold by the pound; the larger the hinge the lower the price per
pound.
As shown at (_c_), the heavy-strap hinges are also made with corrugated
knuckles, which give additional strength where the construction is
weakest. These are termed =corrugated-strap hinges=.
All of the hinges described are also made in plain steel, japanned or
galvanized, and may have brass pins or rivets.
=21. T Hinges.=—As will be seen from Fig. 13, =T hinges= are so called
to distinguish them from the strap hinge, as well as because of their
construction, which is in the form of the letter =T=. The =T= hinge
is used for practically the same purpose as the strap hinge, but is
superior to it in strength, from the fact that its knuckle is wider
than that of the strap hinge. =T= hinges are made in light, heavy, and
extra-heavy grades, the former and latter types being shown in Fig. 13
(_a_) and (_b_). In arranging the sizes of =T= hinges, the measurements
are given for the length of the strap only; the leaf of the hinge
forming the =T= with the strap is not considered. Thus, a 6-inch =T=
hinge measures 6 inches from the pin to the end of the strap leaf. =T=
hinges may also be obtained in stamped metal, with corrugations, as
shown at (_c_). These hinges can be had in all finishes. The light and
heavy grades, as well as the 4- and 5-inch extra-heavy grades, are sold
by the pair, while the larger sizes of extra heavy are sold by weight.
[Illustration: FIG. 13]
=22. Hinge Butts.=—In the selection of hardware for building purposes,
no other article deserves more consideration, and probably receives
less, than the =hinge butt=. This type of hinge is used for the purpose
of hanging all of the exterior and interior doors of buildings, and is
usually secured to the edge of the door and to the hanging stile of
the frame with screws, the greater part of the appliance being thus
unobtrusive and partly hidden from view. The hinge butt supports the
entire weight of the door, and, ordinarily, is constantly in use, so
that it is subjected to excessive strain and considerable wear. It is
evident, therefore, that great care should be exercised in selecting
hinge butts, so that proper sizes and qualities suitable for the
purpose intended may be obtained.
[Illustration: FIG. 14]
=23. Cast-Iron Hinge Butts.=—Hinge butts made of cast-iron are used
extensively in the cheaper class of buildings built for speculative
purposes, in which cost is usually the controlling factor. An
ornamental type of the =cast-iron hinge butt= is shown in Fig. 14.
Butts of this type are not extensively used at present, but may be
obtained in various finishes to imitate bronze or brass, and may
likewise be obtained without ornamentation. As the genuine Bower-Barff
finishes are produced with equal facility on iron or steel, a large
number of the better grade of cast butts are finished in this manner.
While the cast-iron hinge butt is not so durable as the steel butt,
being more easily broken when subjected to excessive stresses, it
wears somewhat better at the joints, or knuckles, than the ordinary
steel butt. Therefore, the extra-heavy types of cast-iron are becoming
more popular for entrance doors, etc., where a good wearing butt is
required, and where economy is the essential feature. The heavier
grades of cast-iron butts can be procured with steel bushings inserted
into the joints.
[Illustration: FIG. 15]
[Illustration: FIG. 16]
[Illustration: FIG. 17]
=24. Steel Hinge Butts.=—In recent years, the =steel hinge butt=, which
is shown in Fig. 15, has been substituted for the cheaper cast-iron
butts. The better grades are made with ball tips, as indicated in the
figure, and these are now almost universally used for medium-class work
and for the better class of interior work. Owing to the fact that they
are made up with smooth surfaces, the steel hinge butts are adapted
to the various buildings and finishings without grinding or buffing.
These butts are stamped and formed by machinery, so that their cost
is reduced to a minimum; they can be sold for less than cast-iron
butts, and also possess the advantage over the latter in that they
are practically unbreakable. The ordinary grades are not suitable for
large and heavy entrance doors that are constantly in use, for they are
made of soft steel and wear readily at the joints. Thus, in time, they
will allow the door to sag and thereby necessitate readjustment, or the
planing of the door at the sill. For such class of work, steel hinge
butts should be used that are provided with ball bearings, as shown
in Fig. 16, or with hardened-steel washers inserted at the joints, as
shown in Fig. 17.
These steel butts are also made in smaller sizes, and for bookcases,
cupboard doors, and light work of this kind in ordinary building
operations, they are used almost exclusively, having practically forced
the small cast butts for this class of work out of the market.
[Illustration: FIG. 18]
=25. Cast-Bronze and Brass Butts.=—All types of =brass= and =bronze
butts= are made in several grades and qualities, and it is difficult
to determine the grade after they have been placed in position. It is
therefore advisable for the architect or building superintendent to
make a careful inspection of this hardware, to determine whether it is
furnished according to specification. Brass and bronze butts are made
in light, or commercial, heavy, and extra-heavy grades, and in all
cases should be steel-bushed, self-lubricating, and provided with five
knuckles. The high-grade butts are now manufactured with ball bearings
at the wearing joints. The construction of a solid bronze, ball-bearing
hinge butt is shown in Fig. 18. In this figure, the hardened-steel
balls are shown at _a_, and the cones, which are also of hardened
steel, at _b_. Bronze hinges constructed in this manner can be obtained
at a slight additional cost above the ordinary steel-bushed hinge.
Where hinge butts are exposed to the weather, as when used for exterior
doors, bronze or brass butts should always be employed; and for
extra-heavy doors that are in constant use, only the extra-heavy types
should be used if permanency and durability are desired. There are a
number of cheap grades of bronze, steel-bushed hinges on the market
that are made of wrought or sheet metal. This kind of hinge has no
merit, and should not be used on work of any quality.
=26. Sizes of Hinge Butts.=—The standard hinge butts are always square,
but they may be procured in irregular sizes, at additional cost. In
indicating the size of irregular hinge butts—that is, the butts that
are not square, and that are consequently not standard—two dimensions
must always be given. The first dimension stated should indicate the
height of the butt, and the second the width of the butt when it is
open. Thus, a 6" × 5" butt is 6 inches high and 5 inches wide when
opened. This rule for indicating the size of hinge butts is easy to
remember, from the fact that it is the reverse of that ordinarily
employed by builders when indicating the sizes of doors and windows,
for here it is customary to give the horizontal dimension first and the
height of the opening last.
[Illustration: FIG. 19]
=27. Single-Acting Hinges, or Butts.=—There is a large butt, or hinge,
in the market that has a coil spring either between the knuckles, or
enclosed between the leaves. This device is known as the =single-acting
hinge=, and is illustrated in Fig. 19. At (_a_) is shown the _Bommer
single-acting hinge_, which has a spiral spring enclosed within the
casing formed by one of the knuckles. The tension on this spring can
be increased by operating the collar at _a_ with a pin, or bar. At
(_b_) is shown a single-acting spring hinge known as the _Chicago
single-acting spring butt_. This hinge butt has a spiral spring that
is encased between two leaves. In operating, this spring always tends
to throw the door back to its closed position. These two kinds of
single-acting hinges are used more than any other hinge of the same
nature now in the market, but for doors of large size the liquid door
check is preferred, although it is more costly. Single-acting hinge
butts are used principally for hanging water-closet slat doors; and
they are also used for light doors that do not reach the full height
of the opening, and which have no jambs. The Bommer hinge, as shown in
Fig. 19 (_a_), has an advantage on account of the simple means provided
for adjusting the tension of the coil, or spring, by which the momentum
of the door in swinging to and fro can be reduced to a minimum, thus
shutting the door with little noise as it strikes the stop.
[Illustration: FIG. 20]
Two other types of the Bommer single-acting spring hinge are shown in
Fig. 20. At (_a_) are shown two types of single-acting, surface, spring
hinges that are used for lavatory doors, while at (_b_) is shown a
similar single-acting spring hinge arranged for securing to a marble or
slate stile or partition. These hinges are commonly supplied in highly
polished nickel plate, brass, or bronze. The clamp hinge illustrated at
(_b_) is made to secure to slabs of marble or slate from 1 to 2 inches
in thickness, advancing by quarter inches. This type of hinge is also
adjustable ⅛ inch over and under the stated sizes.
[Illustration: FIG. 21]
The Bommer yoke-spring hinge is also made as illustrated in Fig. 21.
This yoke hinge consists of two single-acting hinges hung right and
left of the same partition on one box flange, the yoke or box flange
being constructed as shown at _a_. As the box flange of this spring is
not adjustable, the exact thickness of the marble, or partition, and
the door must always be stated in ordering these hinges.
The single-acting spring hinges with clamps, as just described, are
fastened to the marble partitions separating water-closet compartments
by means of bolts having capnuts, as shown at _b_, Fig. 21, and are
thus secured firmly in position. Special single-acting hinges may be
obtained with a reverse spring that can be regulated to hold the door
partly open, instead of in a closed position.
=28. Double-Acting Hinges.=—The =double-acting hinge= is similar in
construction to a single-acting hinge, except that it is arranged so
that the door can swing both ways. These hinges are combined in one
piece of hardware, as illustrated in Fig. 22. Such hinges are much
heavier and more costly than the single-acting hinge, and they are
generally used for entrance doors of hotels and public buildings,
and for doors between kitchen and pantry or dining room in private
residences, where a door that will swing both ways and return to a
closed position is desirable. The double-acting hinge is usually
subjected to excessive wear and strain. Care should therefore be
exercised in selecting this type of hinge; also, in determining the
size, it is better to have a hinge slightly larger than required rather
than one that is too small. While double-acting spring hinges made
of cast-iron may be obtained, those of the latest manufacture are of
steel. They may also be procured in brass or bronze, and of any desired
finish to match the fixtures and other hardware.
[Illustration: FIG. 22]
[Illustration: FIG. 23]
In Fig. 23 is shown another type of double-acting spring hinge that is
not so compact as those illustrated in Fig. 22. This hinge, as shown,
is operated by a coil spring that fits into a rabbet formed in the two
leaves of the spring; thus, the coil is invisible when the door is
closed, or in its normal position. This hinge obtains a good purchase
on the door and jamb.
=29. Floor Hinges.=—A device is made for hanging single- and
double-acting doors by means of pivots, or trunnions, placed at the top
or the bottom. The top pivot is usually inactive; that is, it has no
spring or other device, and is simply a trunnion, or pivot, with the
necessary plate to engage it fastened to the edge of the door trim. The
bottom piece of hardware, on the other hand, is arranged with a pivot
and a coil spring, and has various mechanisms for operating the door
positively and silently.
In Fig. 24 is illustrated a =single-acting, checking-spring hinge=.
This spring hinge is known as the _Bardsley_, and its mechanism, which
is enclosed in a cast-iron box, is shown at (_a_). This box, or case,
is set into the floor, the top plate being made flush with the top of
the floor, as shown at (_b_). The operating bar, or pivot, of the hinge
has a square end, as shown at _a_, that engages with the plate secured
to the bottom edge of the door, and is connected to the mechanism by
means of a crank and connecting link, as at _b_. After being set into
the floor, the cast-iron box, or case, containing the spring, piston
cylinder, etc. is filled with oil or other non-freezing liquid, and
sealed by means of the top plate _c_. The action of the door in opening
compresses the spring and operates the piston in the cylinder. The
spring operating to close the door also moves the piston and forces the
oil in the cylinder out through a by-pass, the flow being regulated
by the adjusting screws _d_, which are on a level with the top plate.
In this manner, the door is closed surely but gently, from which the
hinge derives its name of checking-spring hinge. Hinges of this type
can be used without any modification of the door or frame, but are
not extensively used on account of their high price and the cost of
application.
[Illustration: FIG. 24]
For pivoting the door at the top, there is provided a top pivot and
plate, as illustrated at (_c_). This pivot is applied to the edge of
the door stile. Both the top pivot and bottom hinge plates on the door
are offset.
[Illustration: FIG. 25]
Double-acting floor hinges are rapidly displacing double-acting
spring hinges. This is due to the fact that when the former hinges
are employed the door is pivoted at the top and bottom and the weight
of the door is not carried by the coils of the spring, as in the
double-acting spring hinge. The floor type of double-acting hinge
carries the weight of the door on a ball bearing in the box, or case,
let into the floor, as shown at _a_, Fig. 25, the coil performing only
the function of closing the door. The hinge illustrated is not only a
double-acting hinge, but is also a checking hinge, and for this reason
is known as a =double-acting, checking-spring hinge=. In operating,
this spring hinge not only closes the door, but prevents it, when
closing, from oscillating after the door has reached its neutral, or
closed, position.
There are numerous double-acting floor hinges in the market that are
not of the checking type. Some of these are the _Atlas_ and _Simplex_,
made by Bardsley, the _Bommer_, made by Bommer Brothers, together with
the _Chicago_, _New Idea_, _Matchless_, _Chief_, and _Columbia_, made
by various manufacturers. All of these hinges embody practically the
same principle, but differ somewhat in mechanism.
=30. Outside Blind and Shutter Hinges.=—The outside shutter, or blind,
is still much used in the construction of dwelling houses, and a great
variety of hardware is made to use in conjunction with hanging these
devices. Only the most common of the many available types of this kind
of hardware, however, will be treated here.
The hinge illustrated in Fig. 26 may be classed among the oldest types
of shutter hinge. This hinge is made of cast-iron and is formed with
a gravity-locking device intended to hold the shutter in position
when opened against the building. It is known as the _Lull and Porter
hinge_, and is made in various sizes that are designed to throw the
shutter from 1½ to 6½ inches away from the casing, so as to clear all
obstructions consequent to the various constructions. A sill catch must
be used in conjunction with this hinge, in order to hold the shutter in
place when closed and to prevent it from blowing open.
[Illustration: FIG. 26]
[Illustration: FIG. 27]
A similar type of hinge, known as the _Clark hinge_, is illustrated in
Fig. 27. This hinge is made of cast-iron, and in three sizes, which are
arranged to throw the blind 1¼, 3¼, or 4¼ inches from the casing. The
hinge with the largest throw is used on brick buildings. With this
hinge, as with the one just described, a sill catch must be used to
keep the shutter closed.
[Illustration: FIG. 28]
In specifying cast-iron hinges of the types just considered, it is well
to mention that they shall be extra heavy, from the fact that there are
so many in the market of such light construction as to be practically
worthless.
A type of the =gravity-locking hinge=, which is better than the
cast-iron hinge, is illustrated in Fig. 28. This hinge is made entirely
of steel, and is known as the _Stanley gravity blind hinge_. There is
only one size of this hinge manufactured, and it is used for frame
buildings. All of the parts of this hinge are interchangeable and
reversible, so that it may be used for either right- or left-hand
blinds.
There is a wrought-steel hinge, known as the _Stanley blind hinge_,
which has not the gravity-locking device, but which obtains a greater
purchase on the shutter. This hinge is illustrated in Fig. 29; the
hinge shown at (_a_) is for frame buildings, while that shown at (_b_)
is arranged for brick walls.
[Illustration: FIG. 29]
Another type of hinge made entirely of wrought steel, and known as the
_New York blind hinge_, is shown in Fig. 30. This type of hinge has a
long strap that extends on the top and the bottom rail of the shutter
and thus tends to prevent the blind from drooping. This strap also
strengthens the shutter by relieving the mortise and tenon of the rail
and stile from the strain. The New York blind hinges are made in two
styles. The hinge shown at (_a_) is intended for frame buildings, while
that at (_b_) is made with an offset to throw the shutter clear of a
brick jamb. These hinges are ordinarily used with blind adjusters, or
fasteners, and for very high blinds, a center, or auxiliary, hinge is
used.
[Illustration: FIG. 30]
[Illustration: FIG. 31]
There is another type of strap hinge similar to those just described,
the butt of which consists of a pin and staple, as shown in Fig. 31.
This staple is secured by driving it into wooden blocking in the brick
joints. Hinges of this type are used extensively in localities where
brick buildings are numerous.
=31. Inside Blind, or Shutter, Hinges.=—The use of inside blinds, or
shutters, is general with the better class of domestic buildings, and
for hanging these shutters, three kinds of hinges are used, depending
on the number of folds in the shutter and the manner in which they
fold back on each other. Usually, the _butt_ and the _back flap_, as
shown in Fig. 32 (_a_) and (_b_), are used. Where the shutter has three
folds, however, a _knuckle butt_, as shown at (_c_), is employed. The
purpose of the knuckle butt is to cause the folds to take such relative
positions as will enable them, when open, to close properly into a
pocket, or recess, formed in the window frame.
[Illustration: FIG. 32]
[Illustration: FIG. 33]
[Illustration: FIG. 34]
[Illustration: FIG. 35]
=32. Invisible Butts, or Hinges.=—A =secret=, or =invisible, hinge=,
known as the _Soss hinge_, has recently been placed on the market.
This hinge, which is illustrated in Fig. 33 (_a_), consists of a
semicircular plate, which is attached rigidly to the door section,
and a movable semicircular plate on the jamb leaf, which telescopes
the section on the door in closing. These hinges are invisible when
the door is closed. The disadvantage in the use of these hinges is
due to the fact that they have only one wearing joint; they are also
somewhat complicated and expensive. As shown in Fig. 33 (_b_), they
have no throw, or offset, and consequently the door does not clear the
baseboard, or trim, in opening. The larger size of hinge has a throw
of 1 inch, which is not ordinarily sufficient for doors. These hinges,
however, have their use for such mill work as seats, secret jambs,
drop, or folding, leaves, etc., and for this class of work are the best
in the market.
=33. Strap and Corner Hinge Plates.=—Medieval hardware was the product
of the blacksmith and the whitesmith, the former working with forge
and hammer, and the latter with chisel and file, the material being
wrought iron. The butt hinge was unknown, while the strap, or surface,
hinge was in universal use; and, as this was wholly in sight, it
naturally became the subject of decoration, chiefly in outline, but
occasionally in surface ornament also. With the adoption of the butt
hinge for general use, the opportunity of utilizing the hinge to
decorate the surface of the door disappeared, but with the modern
revival of decorative art the use of constructive metal work as a
feature of surface decoration for important doors was restored. This
was accomplished by combining with the modern butt a surface plate that
represents the strap hinge. Obviously, the width of the butt of a hinge
plate should correspond with the height of the butt hinge with which
it is to be used, and both should be of the same metal and finish. The
other dimensions are governed by the size of the door and by taste,
as is true also in the case of corner plates. A varied and artistic
selection of typical strap hinges and corner plates is given in the
groups of designs shown in Figs. 34 and 35.