A hinge is a type of bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. A bearing is a device to permit constrained relative motion between two parts typically rotation or linear movement A rotation is a movement of an object in a circular motion A two- Dimensional object rotates around a center (or point) of rotation Hinges may be made of flexible material or of moving components. In biology, many joints function as hinges. Foundations of modern biology There are five unifying principles A joint is the location at which two or more Bones make contact 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. A movable bridge is a Bridge that moves to allow passage for (usually boats or barges

Door hinges

Ancient pivot hinges, found in the dry stone buildings. Dry stone is a building method by which structures are constructed from stones without any mortar to bind them together

A flushed 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.

Door in furniture with spring to lock door in closed and totally open position. And it hides nicely behind the door.

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. The Dakin Building is an architectural award winning class A office building on the San Francisco Bay in Brisbane California. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Bay mud consists of thick deposits of soft unconsolidated Silty Clay, which is saturated with Water; these soil layers are situated at the bottom of 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.

See also

• Carpentier joint
• Door safety
• Floating hinge
• Living hinge

External links

• How to Install and choose the hinges you need. A carpentier joint is a Hinge consisting of several thin metal strips of curved Cross-section. Door safety relates to prevention of Door -related Accidents Such accidents take place in various forms and in a number of locations ranging from car doors A floating hinge is a Hinge that while able to behave as a normal hinge enables one of the objects to move away from the other - hence float A living hinge is a thin flexible Hinge ( Flexure bearing) made from Plastic (rather than Cloth, Leather, or some other substance
• Illustrated glossary