Dictionary Definition
hinge
Noun
1 a joint that holds two parts together so that
one can swing relative to the other [syn: flexible
joint]
2 a circumstance upon which subsequent events
depend; "his absence is the hinge of our plan" v : attach with a
hinge
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Derived terms
Translations
device for the pivoting of a door
paper rectangle for affixing postage
stamps
translations to be checked
Verb
- To attach by, or equip with a hinge.
- To depend on something.
- archaeology The
breaking off of the distal end of a knapped stone flake whose presumed
course across the face of the stone core was truncated prematurely,
leaving not a feathered distal end but
instead the scar of a nearly perpendicular break.
- The flake hinged at an inclusion in the core.
Translations
to attach by
- Norwegian: hengsle
to depend on something
- Norwegian: avhenge
German
Verb form
hinge- first- and third-person singular subjunctive past of hängen
Extensive Definition
A hinge is a type of bearing
that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited
angle of 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). Hinge-like structures are employed in
many types of movable
bridges.
Door hinges
Ancient pivot hinges, found in the dry
stone buildings.
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.
- Strap hinge - Strap hinges are 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" to 4") tend to be used for cabinets hinges, while larger hinges (6" to 7") 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
- Tee Hinge
- Friction Hinge
- Security Hinge
- Cranked or 'Stormproof' Hinge
- Lift-off Hinges
- Self closing Hinges
- Butt Hinge
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, 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.
Other Hinges
- Butler Tray Hinge - Fold to 90 degrees and also snap flat. They are for tables that have a tray top for serving.
- Card Table Hinge - Mortised into edge of antique or reproduction card tables and allow the top to fold onto itself.
- Drop Leaf Table Hinge - Mounted under the surface of a table with leaves that drop down. They are most commonly used with rule joints.
External links
- How to Install and choose the hinges you need.
- Illustrated glossary
hinge in Aragonese: Aldaba
hinge in Czech: Pant
hinge in German: Scharnier
hinge in Spanish: Bisagra
hinge in Esperanto: Ĉarniro
hinge in French: Charnière (menuiserie)
hinge in Scottish Gaelic: Banntach
hinge in Italian: Cerniera (meccanica)
hinge in Luxembourgish: Jarnéier
hinge in Dutch: Scharnier
hinge in Japanese: 蝶番
hinge in Polish: Zawias
hinge in Portuguese: Dobradiça
hinge in Simple English: Hinge
hinge in Swedish: Gångjärn
hinge in Ukrainian: Шарнір
hinge in Chinese: 铰链
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
accrue from, ankle, arbor, arise from, articulate, articulation, axis, axle, axle bar, axle shaft, axle
spindle, axle-tree, batten, batten down, be based on,
be contingent on, be dependent on, be due to, be predicated on,
bolt, boundary, buckle, bud from, butt, button, cervix, clasp, cleat, climacteric, clinch, clip, closure, clutch, come from, come out of,
connecting link, connecting rod, connection, convergence of
events, coupling,
crisis, critical
juncture, critical point, crossroads, crucial period,
crunch, depend, depend on, derive from,
descend from, distaff,
dovetail, elbow, emanate from, embrace, emerge from, emergency, ensue from,
exigency, extremity, flow from, follow
from, fulcrum, germinate
from, gimbal, gliding
joint, grow from, grow out of, gudgeon, hang, hang on, hasp, hinge on, hinged joint,
hingle, hip, hitch, hook, hub, interface, issue from,
jam, join, joining, joint, juncture, knee, knuckle, latch, lie on, lie with, link, lock, mandrel, miter, mortise, nail, nave, neck, oarlock, originate in, pass, peg, pin, pinch, pintle, pivot, pivot joint, pole, proceed from, push, rabbet, radiant, rest, rest on, rest with, revolve
on, rivet, rowlock, rub, scarf, screw, seam, sew, shoulder, skewer, snap, spindle, spring from, sprout
from, stand on, staple,
stem from, stick, stitch, strait, suture, swivel, symphysis, tack, tie rod, toggle, toggle joint, trunnion, turn, turn on, turn upon, turning
point, union, wedge, weld, wrist, zipper