McKinney Products Co. began producing hinges in Hamilton Ohio in 1864. In 1903 they moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to be closer to the steel industry, the main material used for hinge production. Then, in 1964, 100 years after our beginning, the company moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania until June, 2007 when the company moved to Berlin CT. Over the years, the products produced have changed from primarily a consumer and residential line of hardware to an almost exclusive line of commercial hinges and some select residential hinges. Hinges produced here are designed for use in hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, office buildings, schools and any other structure that would require a high grade hinge.

Our product is sold through contract hardware and aftermarket distributors in 50 states and throughout the world in cities and countries as far away as Singapore, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

McKinney Hinges are manufactured in sizes from 3½x3½ (inches) (88.90mmx88.90mm) to 8x8(inches)(203.2mmx203.2mm) in height and from .099 inches to 203.2 inches thick. They also are made in a number of styles depending upon the application. The most common hinge is a 5-knuckle butt (full mortise) hinge. Knuckles refer to the number of joints the hinge has. McKinney hinge styles also include 2-Knuckle and 3-Knuckle hinges, single and double acting spring hinges, aluminum and stainless steel continuous hinges. The operations involved in manufacturing hinges are fairly common to all types. The higher the volume of a hinge type produced, the more sophisticated the tooling and equipment is in its production.

Some of the most common styles of hinges are Butt (Full Mortise), half mortise, and half surface and swing clear. A butt hinge is mortised (set-in-pocket) in the door and jamb. Where door or jamb conditions do not permit mortising, one of the other hinge types is used. Swing Clear hinges are used primarily in hospitals to provide a clear door opening for free movements or beds or in other areas where a barrier free opening is required.

Depending upon the weight of the door and frequency of use, hinges are made with plain or bearing joints. Heavy high frequency doors require hinge leaves of thicker material and more bearings than lightweight low frequency doors. All hinges are tested to meet or exceed ANSI/BHMA (American National Standard Institute / Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, Inc.) requirements. McKinney utilizes 3 different bearing styles which all meet or exceed the recommendations of ANSI 156.1, and when used in conjunction with steel or stainless steel hinges meet the Builders Hardware requirements of the NFPA-80 (National Fire Protection Association) for labeled (fire door) application. All of our electric hinges, single acting spring hinges, continuous hinges and pocket pivot hinges are UL listed in both the United States and Canada.

Hinges are made from a variety of materials including steel, stainless steel or brass. Non-ferrous materials such as brass and stainless steel should be used in exterior applications and corrosive environments. Hinges for labeled doors must be manufactured of steel or stainless steel and must have bearings. McKINNEY is a proven leader in the Builders Hardware manufacturing industry.