When shopping for hinges, you may come across stop hinges. Like all hinges, they are used to connect two objects, such as an access panel and enclosure, while simultaneously providing a pivot point.
After installing a set of hinges, you can pull or push open the connected object. An access panel, for instance, will open by pivoting from the enclosure. Stop hinges offer this same pivoting function, but they don’t rotate freely in 360 degrees.
The Basics of Stop Hinges
Stop hinges are characterized by a limited angle of rotation. They essentially control how far the connected object can open. Whether it’s a door, access panel, lid or any other object, you won’t be able to open it all the way. Stop hinges will limit its angle of rotation to a specific point, such as 90 or 130 degrees. Upon reaching this point, the connected object will stop.
Common materials in which stop hinges are made include the following:
- Brass
- Stainless steel
- Carbon steel
- Titanium
- Aluminum
Inside vs Outside Stop Hinges
While they all have a limited angle of rotation, stop hinges are available in different styles. There are inside stop hinges, and there are outside stop hinges.
Inside stop hinges are designed so that the object stops towards the inside of the opening movement, whereas outside stop hinges are designed so that the object stops on the outside of the opening movement. Hinges need to match the opening movement of the object with which they are used. So, if you’re planning to use stop hinges, you should consider this movement to determine whether an inside or outside style is right for the application.
How Stop Hinges Work
Most stop hinges work via formed surfaces to limit their angle of rotation. They typically look like most other hinges and feature two leafs and a knuckle. Stop hinges, though, contain a formed surface, such as a deformed strip or tab.
You can open objects connected with stop hinges by pushing or pulling them open — but only to a specific point. The formed surface is responsible for setting this limit. It prevents the hinge from rotating beyond this limit.
In Conclusion
For applications where a door, lid or access panel needs to open only to a controlled point, look no further than stop hinges. They limit the angle to which the connected object can open. Whether you choose an inside stop or outside stop design, the key is selecting a hinge that matches the direction of movement of the application.