CLIAMS:CLAIMS
1. A door assembly with an integrated and modular hinge, comprising: at least two multi-profiled pillars, each of the two multi-profiled pillar being identical and used in a mirror formation, the multi-profiled pillar having a plurality of flap gasket slots, a hinge barrel having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a panel gasket slot;
at least two integrated and modular hinges, each of the integrated and modular hinges having a plurality of segments of the hinge barrel of a first multi-profiled pillar engaged with a plurality of complementary segments one of the hinge barrel of a second multi-profiled pillar in a mirror formation, using a hinge pin, a plurality of bushes and a plurality of nuts, along with a requisite number of thrust washers;
a provision for mounting one or more or gaskets into the plurality of flap gasket slots and the panel gasket slots provided on the multi-profiled pillar;
a provision for mounting one or more commensurate handle around any one of a plurality of segments of a multi-profiled pillar or a plurality of complementary segments of a multi-profiled pillar;
a different size and number of the integrated and modular hinge carved out of the multi-profiled pillars, by slicing the hinge barrel and preparing the plurality of segments and the plurality of complementary segments on the multi-profiled pillars; and
the door assembly with integrated and modular hinge operates with reduced energy to open and close due to reduced frictional losses.
2. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said commensurate handle has tubular ends and a span dimension, an outer diameter of the tubular ends is substantially same as the outer diameter of the hinge barrel and an inner diameter of the tubular ends is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the hinge barrel.
3. A door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge having an assembly of a gasket on a multi-profiled pillar comprises: a plurality of first legs and a plurality of second legs of the gasket, each have an entry radius, so as to fit in a flap gasket slot and a panel gasket slot provided in the multi-profiled pillar.
4. A door assembly with an integrated and modular hinge, the integrated and modular hinge assembly comprising:
at least two multi-profiled pillars, each of the two multi-profiled pillars being identical and used in a mirror formation, a hinge barrel having an inner diameter and an outer diameter,
at least two integrated and modular hinges, each of the integrated and modular hinges having a plurality of segments of the hinge barrel of a first multi-profiled pillar engaged with a plurality of complementary segments one of the hinge barrel of a second multi-profiled pillar in a mirror formation, using a hinge pin, a plurality of bushes and a plurality of nuts, along with a requisite number of thrust washers;
a different size and number of the integrated and modular hinge carved out of the multi-profiled pillars, by slicing the hinge barrel and preparing the plurality of segments and the plurality of complementary segments on the multi-profiled pillars; and
the door assembly with integrated and modular hinge operates with reduced energy to open and close due to reduced frictional losses.
5. The integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein said multi-profiled pillar has a commensurate handle having tubular ends and a span dimension, an outer diameter of the tubular ends is substantially same as the outer diameter of the hinge barrel and an inner diameter of the tubular ends is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the hinge barrel.

6. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said hinge barrel is an open circular cross-section, having an opening of a predetermined width.
7. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said hinge barrel of the multi-profiled pillar is sliced such that in the mirror formation, the plurality of segments and the plurality of complementary segments of the hinge barrels are alternately present.
8. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said bush is a hollow cylindrical structure having a mouth region and a tail region and a channel runs centrally between the mouth region and the tail region, an outer diameter of the mouth region equals to the outer diameter of the hinge barrel, an outer diameter of the tail region is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the hinge barrel, a region on an outer surface, along a length of the channel, protrudes outwardly to form a ridge, the ridge fits into the opening provided in the hinge barrel of the multi-profiled pillar, a thickness of the ridge is slightly less than a thickness that of the hinge barrel, a width of the ridge is slightly less than a width of the opening of the hinge barrel.
9. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said bush is made of bronze, brass; or any other metal or non-metal, coated with a lubricating material.
10. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said hinge pin is a cylinder with external threads at both ends of the hinge pin, the external threads emerge out of both sides of the plurality of segments and the plurality of complementary segments.
11. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said hinge pin has a diameter of a cylinder such that the hinge pin can be slid through the plurality of bushes.
12. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said plurality of nuts has a plurality of first nuts having threads to fit with the external threads of the hinge pin and a plurality of second nuts having threads to fit on each of the plurality of first nuts as a check nut.
13. The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinges as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein said door assembly can form a single door, a bi-folded door, a tri-folded door or a multi-folded door.
14. A door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge wherein an assembly of said integrated and modular hinge comprises the steps of:
Providing a bush at both ends of each segment of a plurality of segments such that a ridge of the bush sits in an opening of a hinge barrel;
Providing a bush at both ends of each complementary segment of a plurality of complementary segments such that the ridge of the bush sits in the opening of the hinge barrel;
Aligning an axis of the hinge barrel of a first multi-profiled pillar with an axis of the hinge barrel of a second multi-profiled pillar such that the plurality of segments and the plurality of complementary segment, along with the plurality of bushes at their respective ends of the hinge barrel, occupy alternate position with respect to one another;
Sliding a hinge pin through the plurality of bushes provided on the plurality of the segments and the plurality of the complementary segments;
Providing a plurality of first nuts on an external thread of the hinge pin;.
Providing a plurality of second nuts on each first nut as a check nut, such that threads of the first nut and threads of the second nut push each other away; and.
Inserting a requisite numbers of thrust washers in a gap between a mouth region of the adjacent bushes of any segment and corresponding complementary segment.
15. A door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge having an assembly of a gasket on a multi-profiled pillar, wherein the assembly of the gasket comprises the steps of:
Pushing a first leg of the gasket in a flap gasket slot and
Pushing a second leg of the gasket down so that the second leg enters the flap gasket slot due to an entry radius on the second leg of the gasket.
16. A door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge having an assembly of a commensurate handle , wherein the assembly of the commensurate handle comprises the steps of:
Placing the commensurate handle around any one of a plurality of segments of a first multi-profiled pillar or a plurality of complementary segments of a second multi-profiled pillar which is used for forming the integrated and modular hinge and having a length slightly less than a span dimension of the commensurate handle;
Sliding a bolt of a diameter less than an inner diameter of the commensurate handle and
Providing a corresponding nut on the bolt.
,TagSPECI:Form 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules 2003
Complete Specification
(See section 10 and rule 13)

Title of the Invention:
DOOR ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED AND MODULAR HINGE.

Applicant: ROTEX Manufacturers and Engineers Private Limited
Nationality: Indian
Address: Manpada Road,
Dombivali (East) – 421204,
Maharashtra
INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] this invention relates to door assembly with integrated hinges. Particularly, the invention relates to door assembly with pillars integrated with hinge. More particularly this invention relates to door assembly with extruded pillars integrated with hinge which are modularly deployable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A hinge is a type of mechanical connection that connects two objects which are required to rotate with respect to each other for less than a complete rotation. Two objects connected by a hinge rotate relative to each other about a common axis of rotation. Patent No: US3813730 discloses a simple hinge. Piano hinge generally runs through the entire length of the door, panel, or box. Patent US2646636 discloses a piano hinge.

[0003] Hinges as well as objects which need to rotate are formed by forging, casting, machining, extrusion, et cetera. Patent US3317078 discloses a simple extruded profile, stand-alone slices of which are used as hinge. Patent US2752014 discloses another simple extrusion, sliced and machined to form bolted hinge. Patent US3380218 discloses yet another extrusion profile, sliced and bolted to form hinge, while the profile also has provision to fix panel. Patent US0163455 discloses another profile of hinge, obtained by extrusion, which needs a complementary profile to use this extruded hinge. The complementary profile in US0163455 also has provision to assemble a panel.

[0004] Patent no: US2880796 and US4852213 disclose hinge with complementary profile with respect to the object, engage-able easily and useful for rotation less than a quarter of a circle.

[0005] A door or a cover is known to also have extruded profiles. Patent US3866381 and EP2532819 disclose profile for merely holding panels or glass or for integrating door fastener. Patent EP1507060 discloses an extruded profile with integrated sealing.

[0006] Patent US082175 discloses extrusion with integrated hinge, along with provisions to also mount panel.

[0007] For selecting a hinge, it is important to calculate the load on the hinge so that the hinge does not fail prematurely. While two hinges at either end of the rotatable objects are theoretically adequate, additional numbers of butt hinges are deployed to divide the load. While Piano hinges can solve this problem, they result into too many screw joints vulnerable to failure in vibration and fatigue.

[0008] Door assemblies used in transport vehicles are exposed to vibrations and need hinge which can withstand fatigue caused due to road conditions.

[0009] Extruded known screw-less joints result into wear and lead to replacement of large components.

[0010] Thus there is a need in the known art to effectively address the above problems.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The objective is to invent a door assembly which has modular hinge.
[0012] Another objective is to invent a door assembly having hinge which are less prone to loosening due to vibration.
[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a door assembly with hinges having reduced wear and tear between the moving parts of the hinge.
[0014] Yet another objective is to invent a door assembly with an integrated hinge which is simple to extrude.
[0015] Yet another objective is to invent a door assembly having an extruded hinge which does not deform under load.
[0016] Yet another objective of the present invention is to have a door assembly with integral mounting of gaskets, panel and commensurate handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A door assembly with an integrated and modular hinge is disclosed. The door assembly can be a single door, a bi-folded door, a tri-folded door or a multi-folded door.
[0018] It has at least two multi-profiled pillars and each of the two multi-profiled pillars are identical and used in a mirror formation. The multi-profiled pillar has a plurality of flap gasket slots, a hinge barrel and panel gasket slot. Also, it has at least two integrated and modular hinges along with a provision for mounting one or more or gaskets; and a provision for mounting one or more commensurate handle.
[0019] The door assembly with the integrated and modular hinge is formed by engaging one or more segments of the hinge barrel of a first multi-profiled pillar with a plurality of complementary segments of the hinge barrel of the second multi-profiled pillar in the mirror formation, using a plurality of bushes followed by a requisite number of thrust washers and a hinge pin along with a plurality of nuts. Optionally commensurate handle and gaskets can be attached wherever required.
[0020] The integral and modular hinge can be made in different size and number by carving out of the multi-profiled pillars and by slicing the hinge barrel thus preparing a plurality of segments and the plurality of complementary segments on the multi-profiled pillars.
[0021] An integral and modular hinge is formed by engaging one or more segments of hinge barrels of the two multi-profiled pillars in mirror formation, using a hinge pin, a plurality of bushes and a plurality of nuts, along with thrust washers in required numbers.
[0022] The hinge barrel has an opening of a predetermined width. The hinge barrel is an open cross-section so that a thickness of the cross-section of the hinge barrel is uniformly obtainable by extrusion process.
[0023] The hinge pin is a cylinder with external threads at an either end of the hinge pin. The diameter of the cylinder is such that the hinge pin can be slid in the bush. The bush is a hollow cylindrical structure having a mouth region and a tail region and a channel runs centrally between the mouth region and the tail region, an outer diameter of the mouth region equals to an outer diameter of the hinge barrel, the outer diameter of the tail region is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the hinge barrel, a region on an outer surface, along a length of the channel, protrudes outwardly to form a ridge, the ridge fits into an opening provided in the hinge barrel of the multi-profiled pillar, a thickness of the ridge is slightly less than a thickness that of the hinge barrel, a width of the ridge is slightly less than the width of the opening of the hinge barrel. The length of the hinge pin is such that the external threads emerge from both sides of the sliced segments which are engaged to form a hinge.
[0024] A nut has internal threads corresponding to external threads on the hinge pin and is a known hardware in the category of temporary fastening. A plurality of first nuts has threads to fit with the external threads of the hinge pin and a plurality of second nuts having threads to fit on each of the plurality of first nuts as a check nut.
[0025] The bush used in the assembly is made of bronze, brass; or any other metal or non-metal, coated with lubricating material. This reduces wear and tear between the moving parts of the hinge. The bush ensures that excessive load on the open cross-section of the hinge barrel does not result into deformation and widening of the width of the opening of the hinge barrel, which could potentially result into the hinge pin getting dislodged.
[0026] A commensurate handle is provided which has tubular ends and a span dimension, an outer diameter of the tubular end is substantially same as the outer diameter of the hinge barrel and an inner diameter of the tubular ends is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the hinge barrel. The commensurate handle is placed around any one of the segments of a multi-profiled pillar or a plurality of complementary segments of a multi-profiled pillar which is used for forming integrated and modular hinge and having a length slightly less than a span dimension of the commensurate handle. This is done by sliding a bolt of diameter less than the inner diameter and providing a corresponding nut on the bolt.
[0027] An assembly of a gasket on a multi-profiled pillar has a plurality of first legs and a plurality of second legs of the gasket, each have an entry radius, so as to fit in the flap gasket slot. Fitting gaskets on a multi-profiled pillar includes steps of pushing a first leg of the gasket in the flap gasket slot and pushing a second leg down so that the second leg enters the flap gasket slot due to an entry radius on the second leg of the gasket.
[0028] This forms the door assembly with integrated and modular hinge.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art butt hinge.
[0030] Figure 2 is a sectional top view of a bi-folded door assembly having an integrated and modular hinge.

[0031] Figure 3 is a sectional view of an extruded multiple profiled pillar.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of two multiple-profiled pillars in mirror formation while Figure-4A is a sectional view of two multiple profiled pillars with the axis of the hinge barrel aligned.

[0033] Figure 5 is an exploded view of an integral and modular hinge.

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hinge pin, a nut and a thrust washer.

[0035] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a bush.

[0036] Figure 8 shows sectional views of various gaskets.

[0037] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a commensurate handle.

[0038] Figure 10 shows multi-profiled pillars with segments and complementary segments.

[0039] Figure 11 shows the steps of assembling a gasket in the flap gasket slot on the multi-profiled pillar.

[0040] Figure12 is an exploded view of the commensurate handle and multi-profiled pillars with a segment, along with hardware to assemble the commensurate handle.

[0041] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a possible potential failure of the hinge in absence of a bush.

[0042] Figure-14 is a general view of few of several types of integral and modular hinges possible as per present invention.

[0043] Figure-15 is a general view of a tri-folded door with integral and modular hinge as per present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0044] The preferred embodiment of present invention is described with the aid of the drawings. Several variations of present invention are possible and therefore the description of the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of this invention in any manner. The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example, not by way of limitation of the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what we presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention.
[0045] Figure 1 is a butt hinge (10) that is known in the art, described here beforehand for reference. The butt hinge (10) has a butt hinge pin (4), a plurality of knuckles (2, 3) continuing to form a rotatable wing (7) and a fixed wing (8) respectively. The joining pin (4) sits in a cavity present in the plurality of knuckles (2, 3). The butt hinge (10) has a plurality of countersunk drill holes (5 and 6) provided on the rotatable wing (7) and the fixed wing (8) respectively that assists in mounting of the butt hinge (10) on a suitable object, like a door. A wing connecting to a rotatable object, like a door is called the rotatable wing while a wing connected to a fixed structure, like frame of a door is called the fixed wing. The butt hinge utilizes screws or nuts and bolts for its fitment onto the object through the countersunk drill holes (5, 6).

[0046] The present invention is a door assembly with an integrated and modular hinge. This assembly is deployable wherever doors are needed, for example, in vehicles, residence, offices or restaurants, et cetera. The door assembly can be a single door, a bi-folded door, a tri-folded door as shown in Figure-15, or a multi-folded door.
[0047] Referring to Figure-2, the preferred embodiment is described with a bi-folded door assembly (200). The bi-folded door assembly (200) comprises of at least two multi-profiled pillars (100, 100m) in mirroring pair and at least two integrated and modular hinges. The bi-folded door assembly (200) also has a plurality of multi-profiled non-hinge pillars (150), gaskets (91, 94, 95, and 96) and commensurate handle (130).
[0048] Figure-03 shows a cross-section of the multi-profiled pillar (100). The multi-profiled pillar has following profiles:
- Flap Gasket slot (80) – a “C” cross-section to entrap and hold gasket profile having a plurality of legs
- Hinge barrel (81) - an open circular cross-section, which is sliced to create modular and integral hinge as shall be subsequently described.
- Panel Gasket slot (82) – A U-slot to entrap and hold a gasket profile having slot to engulf a panel.
[0049] The hinge barrel (81) has an opening (89) of a predetermined width (88). The hinge barrel (81) is an open cross-section so that a thickness (87) of the cross-section of the hinge barrel (81) is uniformly obtainable by extrusion process. Had the hinge barrel (81) been a close circular cross-section, the extrusion process would warrant a slender floating core, held precisely and firmly, well understood by person having ordinary skill of understanding of extrusion process, so that the pressure exerted by fluid raw material used for extrusion does not deflect the floating core, and which would otherwise make the invention non-workable.
[0050] Each of the two multi-profiled pillar (100, 100m) is actually the same multi-profile pillar (100) used in a mirror formation, as shown in Figure-4 and 4A. The hinge barrel (81) of the two multi-profiled pillars (100,100m) is sliced such that in the mirror formation, a plurality of segments of the hinge barrels of the two pillars is alternately present, analogous to a butt hinge formation as seen in Figure-1.
[0051] An integral and modular hinge (70), as shown in Figure-5, is formed by engaging one or more segments (101, 102, 101m, ….) of hinge barrels of the two multi-profiled pillars (100, 100m) in mirror formation, using a hinge pin (40), a plurality of bushes (30) and a plurality of nuts (50), along with thrust washers (60) in required numbers.
[0052] The hinge pin (40), referring to Figure 6, is a cylinder with external threads (42) at an either end of the hinge pin (40). The diameter (41) of the cylinder is such that the hinge pin (40) can be slid in the bush (30). The length (43) of the hinge pin (40) is such that the external threads (42) emerge from both sides of the sliced segments (101, 101m…..) which are engaged to form a hinge (70).
[0053] A nut (50), also shown in Figure 6, has internal threads corresponding to external threads on the hinge pin (40) and is a known hardware in the category of temporary fastening.
[0054] Figure-7 shows the bush (30). The bush (30) is made of bronze, brass; or any other metal or non-metal, coated with lubricating material. This reduces wear and tear between the moving parts of the hinge. The bush, by virtue of its material has friction co-efficient. The bush (30) is a hollow cylindrical structure having a mouth region (33) and a tail region (35) and a channel (31) runs centrally between the mouth region (33) and the tail region (35). An outer diameter (34) of the mouth region (33) equals to an outer diameter (85) of the hinge barrel (81); whereas the outer diameter (36) of the tail region (35) is substantially equal to the inner diameter (86) of the hinge barrel (81) show in Figure-3. A region on an outer surface, along a length of the channel (31), protrudes outwardly to form a ridge (32). The ridge (32) fits into an opening (89) provided in the hinge barrel (81) of the multi-profiled pillar (100). This fitment of the ridge (32) into the opening (89) of the hinge barrel (81) does not allow a rotation of the bush (30). A thickness (37) of the ridge (32) is slightly less than a thickness (87) that of the hinge barrel (81). A width (38) of the ridge (32) is slightly less than the width (88) of the opening (89) of the hinge barrel (81).
[0055] A thrust washer (60), shown in Figure-6, is a thin cylindrical disk, made of metal or non-metal of low coefficient of friction.
[0056] A Gasket is generally used and provided for achieving the function of preventing undesired exchange of fluid & light et cetera on either side of a door. Gaskets are made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber like neoprene and have distortable, flexible flaps for achieving the desired function and also have construction for fixation of gaskets. In the present invention, as shown in Figure-3, the flap gasket slot (80) and the panel gasket slot (82) are present in the multi-profiled pillar (100). Correspondingly, the flap gaskets (95, 96), shown in Figure-8, have a plurality of legs (92, 93); the legs (92, 93) having an entry radius (97).
[0057] Figure-9 shows a commensurate handle (116). The commensurate handle (116) has tubular ends (121, 122) and a span dimension (123). The outer diameter (124) of the tubular ends (121, 122) is substantially same as outer diameter (85) of the hinge barrel (81) and the inner diameter (126) of the tubular end (121, 122) is substantially the same as the inner diameter (86) of the hinge barrel (81). Figure-3.
[0058] Referring to Figure 10 and Figure 5 seen with Figure 3, prior to forming an integrated and modular hinge (70), a plurality of segments (101,102) are created on the first multi-profiled pillar (100) and a plurality of complementary segments (101m, 102m) are created on the second multi-profiled pillar (100m). As shown in exploded view in the Figure-5 and Figure-10, each segment and corresponding complementary segment (101, 101m, 102, 102m) is provided with the bush (30) at both ends of the segment ( 101, 102) and corresponding complementary segment (101m, 102m), such that the ridge (32) of the bush (30) sits in the opening (89) of the hinge barrel (81). Each complementary segment ( 101m, 102m) is provided with the bush (30) at both ends of the complementary segment ( 101m, 102m), such that the ridge (32) of the bush (30) sits in the opening (89) of the hinge barrel (81). The segments (101, 102….) on the first multi-profiled pillar (100) and the complementary segments (101, 102m….) on the second multi-profiled pillar (101m) are such that when an axis of the hinge barrel (81) of the first multi-profiled pillar (100) is aligned with an axis of the hinge barrel (81) of the second multi-profiled pillar (101m), the segments (101, 102) and complementary segments (101m, 102m), along with the bushes (30) at respective ends of the hinge barrel occupy alternate position with respect to one another, with minimum gap between the mouth region (33) of adjacent bushes (30) of the segments (101, 102) and the complementary segment (101m, 102m). The hinge pin (40) is slid through the bushes (30) provided on a plurality of the segments (101, 102) and a plurality of the complementary segment (101m, 102m). The hinge pin (40) is held in place by providing a plurality of first nuts (50) on the external threads (42) of the hinge pin (40). A second nut is provided on each first nut (50) as a check nut, such that the threads of the first nut (50) and the second nut push each other away and such arrangement is immune to loosening in vibrations.

[0059] If there is an excessive gap between the mouth regions (33) of the adjacent bushes (30) of any segment (101, 102) and the corresponding bushes (30) of the complementary segment (101m, 102m), then the requisite numbers of thrust washers (60) are inserted so as to reduce the gap to minimum. In absence of the thrust washer (60), any manufacturing variation, resulting into excessive gap between the mouth regions (33) of the bushes (30) would cause non-uniform distribution of load on different modular and integral hinges (70).
[0060] The gasket (91) is mounted on the multi-profiled pillar (100) as shown in the Figure-11, by virtue of the flap gasket slot (80) on the multi-profiled pillar (100). The first leg (92) on the gasket (91) is pushed in the flap gasket slot (80) and the second leg (93) is pushed down, which enters the slot (80) consequent to the entry radius (97). The assembly is much more convenient as compared to pushing in the gasket (91) from one end all along the length of the multi-profiled pillar (100). The gaskets (94, 95 and 96) are also likewise mounted.
[0061] As shown in Figure-12, the present invention has provision to assemble the commensurate handle (116) around any one of the segments (101, 102….) of a multi-profiled pillar (100) or any one of the complementary segments (101m, 102m….) of a multi-profiled pillar (100m) which is not used for forming integrated and modular hinge (70) and having a length slightly less than the span dimension (123) of the commensurate handle (116). A bolt (118) of diameter less than the inner diameter (126) of the tubular end (121, 122), are usable to fasten the commensurate handle (116) with the bi-folded door assembly (200). More than one commensurate handle (116) can be provided.
[0062] As shown in Figure-14, depending on the weight of the door, the level of vibration, the life expectancy et cetera, integral and modular hinges (70) in desired size and number can be carved out of the multi-profiled pillars (100,100m), by slicing the hinge barrel (81) suitably. This explains the rationale of terming the hinge as the integral and modular hinge.
[0063] Referring to Figure-5, 6 and 7, the bush (30) prevents rubbing of an outer surface of the hinge pin (40) with the inner surface of the segments of the multi-profiled pillar (100) and the inner surface of the complementary segments of the second multi-profiled pillar (100m). The ridge (32) of the bush (30) prevents the bush (30) from rotating along with the hinge pin (40) when the bi-folded door assembly (200) is rotating. Therefore, there is no wear on the inner surface of the segments of the multi-profiled pillar (100) and the complementary segments of the second multi-profiled pillar (100m).
[0064] Due to reduced frictional losses, less energy is needed to open and close, that is, to operate the door assembly.
[0065] Referring to Figure-13 along with Figure-3 and Figure-7, the bush (30) , importantly, ensure that excessive load on the open cross-section of the hinge barrel (81)does not result into deformation and widening of the width (88) of the opening (89) of the hinge barrel (81), which could potentially result into the hinge pin (40) getting dislodged. In our hinge assembly, the hinge pin is retained in position by the nut and the check nut at its ends. In the unlikely situation of the nuts loosening and falling off, the hinge pin stays put at its place, thus continuing to hold the door in position and prevent the door from coming out of the assembly.

[0066] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of the invention.