EA042195B1 - SMALL HINGE - Google Patents

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention generally relates to the art of hinges for doors, sashes or the like, and in particular relates to a small-sized hinge.

State of the art

As is known, hinges generally comprise a movable element, usually attached to a door, leaf or the like, hung on a fixed element, usually attached to the support frame of the latter.

In particular, hinges, which are commonly used in cold stores or doors, are bulky, aesthetically unattractive and do not function well.

In addition, hinges are known in the art in which the return of the leaf to the closed position is not opposed. Therefore, there is a risk of a strong abutment on the base frame, resulting in damage. In addition, such hinges usually contain closing means to return the sash to the closed position, thereby increasing the risk of damage to the sash.

To this end, therefore, mechanisms for closing a door are known, comprising hydraulic cushioning means which counteract the action of the closing means. Such prior art devices have extremely large overall dimensions and therefore must necessarily be mounted on the floor. It is therefore understood that such door closing mechanisms are unsuitable for installation in a fixed support structure or in a cold store door.

Italian Patent 102015000015573 on behalf of the Applicant discloses a hinge provided with closing means and hydraulic damping means. In particular, the loop contains a slider that interacts with the rotary element and slides when the latter rotates, and a fixed support shaft.

Such a loop, although relatively thin, has large overall dimensions, in particular length, which adversely affects the use of the loop in certain contexts where minimal overall dimensions are required, such as the refrigeration industry.

The essence of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above disadvantages by providing a hinge that is highly functional, easy to manufacture and inexpensive.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a loop having extremely small overall dimensions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loop having a particularly short length.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that can be installed between the door and the frame of the fixed support structure of the cold store.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge capable of ensuring automatic closing of a door from an open state of the door.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge capable of guaranteeing controlled movement of the door to which it is attached, both during opening and closing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge capable of supporting windows, doors and sashes, even very heavy ones.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a loop containing a minimum number of components.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an extremely secure hinge that does not resist closing in the event of a sudden tug.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that is very easy to install.

These and other goals, which will become more apparent later in this document, achieve through the loop, which is described, illustrated and/or claimed in this document.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are defined in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of graphic materials

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of hinge 1, illustrated by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

in fig. 1A-1C are schematic views of hinge 1 connected to support structure S and sash A;

in fig. 2A and 3A are axonometric views of the hinge 1, respectively, with leaf A closed and leaf A open at 90°, FIG. 2B and 3B are side views of FIG. 2A and 3A;

- 1 042195 in FIG. 4A and 4B are exploded views of left and right embodiments of the hinge 1 containing the elastic means 51;

in fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of some components of loop 1;

in fig. 6 and 7 are axial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the hinge of FIG. 4A, respectively, with leaf A closed and open at 90°;

in fig. 8 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the hinge 1 containing the cushioning means 70;

in fig. 9A and 10A are axial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of hinge 1 of FIG. 8, respectively, with the leaf A closed and open in the 90° position, in FIG. 9B and 10B are enlarged views of some details of FIG. 9A-10A;

in fig. 11 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the hinge 1 containing the damping means 60;

in fig. 12A and 13A are axial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of hinge 1 of FIG. 11, respectively, with the leaf A closed and open in the 90° position, in FIG. 12B and 13B are enlarged views of some details of FIG. 12A-13A;

in fig. 14 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the hinge 1 containing the cushioning means 80;

in fig. 15A and 16A are axial cross-sectional views of an embodiment of hinge 1 of FIG. 11, respectively, with the leaf A closed and open in the 90° position, in FIG. 15B and 16B are enlarged views of some details of FIG. 15A-16A;

in fig. 17A-19B show other embodiments of the hinge 1 without the resilient countermeasures 51, respectively, with leaf A closed and open at the 90° position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

With reference to the above drawings, the hinge according to the present invention, indicated throughout the document with reference numeral 1, may have small overall dimensions, and therefore it can be preferably used in applications in which the space for inserting the hinge is limited or where it is desirable for aesthetic purposes to use loop with minimum overall dimensions. In particular, loop 1 can have a particularly short length LU.

In general, the hinge 1 may be suitable for pivotally engaging a stationary support structure, such as a tubular frame S, and a closing element, such as a sash A, pivotally movable between opening and closing positions about an axis of rotation X.

It will be appreciated that even if reference is made hereinafter to frame S and sash A, hinge 1 can be applied to any fixed support structure and to any closure without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

For example, hinge 1 can be installed on cold stores or it can be built into their tubular frame. In yet another example, the hinge 1 can be installed on glass doors A, such as, for example, doors of a glass showcase, or for glass doors A, or for doors of refrigerators.

When assembled, the hinge 1 will have the form of a parallelepiped-shaped element, which can possibly be inserted into the tubular frame of the sash A or into the supporting structure S.

Accordingly, the hinge 1 may comprise a hinge body 10 having an elongated shape along the Y-axis and a pivot member 20 defining the X-axis of rotation. The latter may be substantially perpendicular to the Y axis.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the hinge body 10 may have a small thickness, and thus be substantially plate-like, defining the main plane i. Preferably, the loop 1 may have a relatively low height H.

The hinge body 10 may be attached to the sash A and the pivot 20 to the frame S. In such a case, the fixed member will comprise the pivot member 20 while the movable member may comprise the hinge body 10.

On the other hand, the hinge body 10 can be attached to the frame S, while the pivot element 20 can be attached to the sash A without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this case, the fixed element will comprise a hinge body 10, while the movable element may comprise a pivot element 20.

Advantageously, the hinge body 10 and the pivot element 20 can be mutually articulated with each other for pivoting about the X axis between the open and closed positions of the leaf A.

Hereinafter, reference will only be made to rotation of the pivot member 20, in particular, reference will be made to a configuration in which leaf A rotates between a closed position, in which the pivot member 20 is aligned along the Y axis, and an open position, in which the pivot member 20 rotates about the same axis by 90°.

It is clear that this configuration is not exclusive. In fact, essentially in the well-known

- 2 042195 way, the position of the rotary element 20 can correspond to different positions of the leaf A. For example, when the rotary element 20 is aligned along the Y axis, the leaf A can be in the open position, when the rotary element 20 rotates about the axis by 90°, the leaf A can be in closed position.

A slider 30 can also be provided that is slidable along the Y-axis between at least one stroke start position and one stroke end position. Accordingly, the rotary member 20 may have a cam member 21 integrally attached thereto cooperating with a corresponding cam push member 31 of the sliding member 30 so that the rotation of the former corresponds to the sliding of the latter and vice versa.

Preferably, the closed position of the leaf A may correspond to the position of the end of the stroke of the sliding element 30, while the open position of the leaf A may correspond to the position of the beginning of the stroke of the sliding element 30.

Such an embodiment is not exclusive. As such, it is known that, depending on the mutual configuration of the cam elements 21 and the cam follower 31, the closed position of the leaf A may correspond to the position of the beginning of the stroke of the sliding element 30, while the open position of the leaf A may correspond to the position of the end of the stroke of the sliding element 30. In other words, rotation of the pivot element 20 between the positions of the closed sash and the open sash can correspond to the sliding of the sliding element 30 between the positions of the beginning of the stroke and the end of the stroke.

Preferably, the cam elements 21 and the cam follower 31 can be configured in such a way that the sliding element 30 slides from the stroke end position, i.e. the position of the closed leaf, to the position of the start of the stroke, i.e. the position of the open sash, when rotating the rotary element 20 both clockwise and counterclockwise.

In addition, the pivot member 20 may be offset relative to the hinge body 10 and in particular relative to the width of the body 10, as shown in the accompanying drawings, or it may be in a central position. In other words, the X-axis of rotation may be offset from the midline of loop 1, or it may be along the midline of the loop and substantially perpendicular to the latter.

Loop 1 may be a mirror-symmetric loop.

The rotary member 20 may comprise a surface 22 forming the cam means 21, while the sliding member 30 may comprise a working surface 32 forming the cam push means 31.

According to a certain preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, the working surface 32 of the slider 30 may be substantially flat or slightly shaped, while the surface 22 of the rotary member may be substantially circular.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the surface 22 may be substantially symmetrical about the X-axis such that the working surface 32 slides along the Y-axis as the rotary member 20 is rotated in both the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

In any case, it is clear that this embodiment is not exclusive. In fact, the cam means 21 and the cam push means 31 may be essentially of any known type.

In fact, the amount of sliding of the sliding member 30 can be determined from the response to rotation of the rotary member 20 and vice versa depending on their configuration.

Possibly, in accordance with another embodiment not shown in the accompanying drawings, the rotary element 20 and the sliding element 30 may be connected by other systems, for example, a rack system of a substantially known type may be provided. Possibly, the rotary element 20 and the sliding element 30 can be connected as one.

Therefore, the loop 1 may contain a working chamber 11. The working chamber 11 may be essentially in the form of a parallelepiped. The working chamber 11 may be within the loop 1. The working chamber 11 may be defined by one or more side walls 116 and a pair of facing and opposite bottom walls 112, 113.

Preferably, the cam means 21 and the cam push means 31 may be located in the working chamber 11.

In more detail, the working chamber 11 may include a seat 18 for rotating the rotary member 20 and a seat 19 facing the seat 18 for sliding the sliding member 30, as will be better explained hereinafter.

In particular, the hinge body 10 may comprise a longitudinal portion 14 and a pair of mutually facing and spaced portions 12, 13 protruding from the longitudinal portion 14. Preferably, but not exclusively, the hinge body 10 may be substantially C-shaped. .

Part 13 may contain a seat 18 for the rotary element 20.

- 3 042195

The pivot element 20 can be inserted into the seat 18 in a manner known per se.

Preferably, but not exclusively, pivot member 20 may be inserted along the X-axis, and means 25 may be provided to prevent pivot member 20 from moving perpendicular to such X-axis when installed in seat 18.

On the other hand, as better explained later herein, the hinge body 10 may include one or more holes 118, 121 to allow the slider 30 to be inserted into the seat 19.

Accordingly, each of the parts 12, 13, 14 of the hinge body 10 may comprise a respective inner surface 120, 130, 140. In other words, the surfaces 120, 130, 140 may define the inner surface 10 of the hinge body 10 and they may define one or more walls 116 working chamber 11.

According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the loop 1 may comprise a loop body 10 and a sheath 100. Preferably, the latter may be interlockable and detachable.

Advantageously, to reduce the cost of the loop 1, the loop body 10 may be made of a polymeric material, while the sheath 100 may be made of a metallic material.

In a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, the sheath 100 may be an elongated box-like body into which the hinge body 10 can be slidably inserted. It will be understood that the hinge body 10 may also have a substantially parallelepiped shape.

Preferably, the sheath 100 and the hinge body 10 can be detachably connected by mutual sliding along the Y-axis or along an axis parallel to it.

In any case, means may be provided for interlocking the hinge body 10 and the sheath 100 in the working position, i.e. when they are connected. For example, one of the latter may comprise blocking protrusions or cavities that snap into the other from the hinge body 10 and sheath 100. Optionally, the blocking means may comprise a closing cap 102 to prevent axial sliding of sheath 100 and hinge body 10 along the Y axis.

When connected, the cover 102 can prevent axial sliding along the Y axis in one direction, while the protrusion can prevent axial sliding along the Y axis in the opposite direction. The protrusion may be in the seat 18 for the rotary element 20 or may be part of the rotary element 20.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, means 108 may be provided for attaching the shell 100 to the frame S. For example, the shell 100 may include a pair of through slots 109 allowing it to be screwed to the frame S in a manner known per se.

Accordingly, the pivot element 20 can then first be inserted into the seat 18 and the slider 30 into the seat 19 so that the latter together with the hinge body 10 form a complete hinge.

The loop assembly 2 can then be further interconnected with the sheath 100, preferably the former can be inserted into the latter.

For example, shell 100 can be attached to frame T, hinge body 10 with pivot 20 and slider 30 can be inserted into shell 100, and flap A can be connected to pivot 20. In addition, flap A can be detached from pivot. 20, the hinge body 10 with pivot 20 and slider 30 can be removed from the shell 100, the hinge body 10 and/or pivot 20 and/or slider 30 can be repaired or replaced and the slider can be inserted into the shell 100 and leaf A can be connected with swivel element 20.

In this way, replacement and maintenance operations can be carried out particularly simply and quickly.

Various types of mechanical and/or hydraulic control loop 1 will be better described later in this document.

The sheath 100 may be a covering element, a wall, a flat element, or preferably a box-shaped sheath, which can therefore completely enclose the hinge body 10.

The box-shaped shell 100 may include a plurality of internal surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 designed to remain facing or in contact with the hinge body 10.

Accordingly, one or more of the inner surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 of the box-shaped shell 100 may be in contact with the outer surface 10' of the hinge body 10 and/or may interact with the latter to cover the opening 118.

In general, the shell 100 can be configured such that, after being connected to the box-shaped body 10, the first one covers the opening 118. Thus, after the shell 100 is connected to the box-shaped body 10, the working chamber 11 can be substantially closed and can be limited many walls 116.

For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, at least one part of one or more

- 4 042195 internal surfaces 105,106,107 of the shell 100 in the form of a box may close the hole 118, thus forming one or more side walls 116 of the working chamber 11. For example, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the side walls 116 of the working chamber 11 may be formed by the surface

140 parts 14 and internal surfaces 105,106. 107 shells 100 in the form of a box.

It is understood that this embodiment is not exclusive. For example, the working chamber 11 may have a substantially parallelepiped shape, and it may contain one open side wall, which can be closed by a flat element, a pair of opposite open side walls, which can be closed by a pair of flat elements or a shell, or, as shown in the attached in the drawings, three open side walls which can be closed by means of a box-shaped shell 100.

In particular, in the latter case, given the accompanying drawings, the working chamber 11 may contain only one side wall 116, which may be any and not necessarily shown in the drawings. For example, it can be a wall near the pivot 20, i.e., in view of the attached drawings, the top wall, or the opposite wall, i.e., taking into account the attached drawings, the bottom wall.

Due to this characteristic, when the shell 100 is absent, the working chamber 11 may contain one or more holes 118, while after connecting the hinge body 10 to the box-shaped shell 100, such an opening 118 can be closed, so that the working chamber 11 is completely closed, as described above, and contains four side walls 116.

Essentially, the sliding element 30 may comprise a working head 33, which may comprise a working surface 32, a rod 41 and means 40' for their fastening after insertion into the seat 19 of the working chamber 11.

In particular, the hinge body 10 may therefore comprise an opening 118 to allow insertion of the working head 33 into the seat 19 and a through hole 121 to allow the insertion of the pin 41 into the seat 19.

Preferably, the rod 41 can be inserted coaxially with the Y axis, while the working head 33 can be inserted through the hole 118 perpendicular to the Y axis.

After the insertion of the rod 41 and the working head 33 into the seat 19, the latter can be connected by means of fasteners 40'.

Accordingly, the working head 33 and the stem 41 can be mutually connected to slide connected as one unit along the Y axis. . the slider 30 is able to slide as one unit along the Y axis.

Such a connection can be of different types, depending on the requirements. For example, the stem 41 may include an end 42 that can be inserted into the seat 33' of the working head 33. The seat 33' may be a blind hole.

In particular, the working head 33 and the end 42 may comprise a respective through hole 33, 42', while a pin or headless screw 40 may be provided passing through the through holes 33', 42' of the working head 33 and the rod 41 for interconnecting the latter. .

It is possible to thread the seat 33' and the end 42.

In any case, mutual sliding of the rod 41 with respect to the working head 33 can be avoided.

The stem 41 may be made of a first metal material, such as aluminum or a polymeric material, while the working head 33 may be made of a second metal material harder than the first, such as steel. This will allow only one piece substantially in contact with the camming member 21 to be made from a harder and more expensive material, while the rest of the slider 30 can be made from a cheaper material.

Therefore, the sliding member 30 can slide between the start-of-stroke operating position in which the operating head 33 is near the bottom wall 112 of the operating chamber 11, shown for example in FIG. 7, 10A, 13A, and 16A, and an end-of-stroke operating position in which the operating head 33 is spaced from bottom wall 112, shown by way of example in FIG. 6, 9A, 12A and 15A.

Accordingly, such stroke start and end positions may vary and may not necessarily correspond to the maximum far and/or near position that the working head 33 can occupy.

In addition, as mentioned above, they may not necessarily correspond to the position of the closed sash and the open sash. In fact, when the slider 30 is in the start position, leaf A can be opened or closed, preferably open, and when the slider 30 is in the end of travel position, leaf A can be closed or open, preferably closed.

Therefore, the working head 33 can slide in the working chamber 11, while the rod 41 can protrude from it, as is better explained later in this document.

According to a specific aspect of the present invention, suitable means 333, 341 may be provided for guiding sliding of the slider 30 along the Y axis. The guide means 333, 341 may be spaced apart along the Y axis. is directed to at least two areas spaced apart along the Y axis to avoid displacement of the sliding element 30.

Accordingly, as better explained later herein, the guide means 333 may operate on the operating head 33, while the guide means 341 may operate on the stem 41.

In more detail, the guide means 333 may comprise one or more surfaces, substantially flat and parallel to the Y axis, configured to engage with the head 33 to guide it as it slides along the Y axis.

Preferably, but not exclusively, one or more parts of one or more side walls 116 of the working chamber 11 can guide the sliding of the sliding element 30 and, in particular, said head 33.

In particular, the working head 33 may have longitudinal dimensions, i. e. in a plane substantially perpendicular to the Y axis, substantially equal to the dimensions of the working chamber 11, so that its side walls 116 direct the sliding of the working head 33 between positions proximal and distal to/from the bottom wall 112.

If there is a shell 100, one or more of the inner surfaces of the latter may form the walls 116 of the working chamber 11 and, as a result, they may interact with the head 33, directing its sliding.

As shown by way of example in the drawings, the means 333 may comprise pairs of opposite working surfaces 106, 107 and 105, 140, which can at least partially come into contact with the working head 33 to guide it during its sliding, and, as a result , slider 30.

Accordingly, the working head 33 may have a substantially T-shaped cross-section with an area 37 containing a working surface 32 facing the front wall 113 of the working chamber 11, and an area 38 containing a rear surface 34 facing the bottom wall 112 of the chamber 11.

In particular, region 38 may be substantially parallelepiped-shaped and may include a pair of side surfaces 35 and a pair of side surfaces 36 facing and preferably in contact with respective pairs of side walls 116 of chamber 11. Thus, side walls 116 can perform the function of the sliding guide area 38 of the working head 33 and, as a result, the sliding element 30.

In other words, the working head 33 may include a pair of upper and lower surfaces 35 and a pair of side surfaces 36, configured to come into contact with a pair of surfaces 105, 140, respectively, and a pair of surfaces 106, 107 after the shell 100 is connected to the loop body 10.

It will be understood that surfaces 35 may be parallel to each other, and the same applies to surfaces 36, while surfaces 35 and surfaces 36 may be perpendicular to each other.

Accordingly, the surfaces 35, 36 and possibly also the pair of surfaces 105, 140 and the pair of surfaces 106, 107 may be substantially planar.

With the aforementioned configuration, the guide walls 116 can guide the sliding of the working head 33 along the Y axis, and they can also prevent the working head 33 from rotating about the Y axis and, as a result, also from rotating the rod 41 about the Y axis.

On the other hand, the area 37 can interact with the part 13 of the body 10 of the loop. In particular, region 37 may have a substantially plate-like shape and substantially perpendicular to the X axis, while portion 13 may comprise a seat 132 for such region 37.

In more detail, region 37 may slide into seat 132 as sliding member 30 slides. For example, portion 13 may include a pair of facing walls 133 configured to interact, preferably in contact, with outer surfaces 37' of region 37.

It will be understood that the walls 133 and outer surfaces 37' may all be substantially perpendicular to the X axis.

Due to this characteristic, the facing walls 133 can direct longitudinal sliding along the Y-axis of the area 37 and, as a consequence, the head 33 of the slider 30.

It will be understood that the working head 33 may have different configurations and/or may be composed of several parts.

For example, even if not shown in the accompanying drawings, the working head 33 may include a substantially flat front region 37 perpendicular to the X axis, or, in accordance with another embodiment, the working head 33 may be substantially in the form of a parallelepiped.

The loop 1 may further comprise means 50, 60, 70, 80 for controlling the sliding of the sliding element 30 along at least one section of its sliding between the operating position of the beginning of the stroke and the operating position of the end of the stroke, and possibly means 90 for adjusting the action

- 6 042195 controls 50, 60, 70, 80.

It will be understood that loop 1 may be without control means 50, 60, 70, 80, or preferably it may contain one or more control means 50, 60, 70, 80.

Possibly, the controls 50, if any, may be located in the working chamber 11, while the controls 60, 70, 80 may preferably, but not exclusively, be located outside the working chamber 11.

The control means 50, 60, 70, 80 may be of a mechanical or hydraulic type. In particular, the controls 50, 60, 70 may be mechanical and the controls 80 may be hydraulic.

Accordingly, the insertion/extraction of the hinge body 10 into/from the sheath 100 may also correspond to the insertion/extraction of the control means 50, 60, 70, 80. In other words, the hinge assembly may include a hinge body 10, a rotary member 20, a slider 30, and one or more controls 50, 60, 70, 80.

Advantageously, if it becomes necessary to modify the type or degree of movement control of leaf A, it will be sufficient to remove the hinge assembly and modify or replace one or more of the control means 50, 60, 70, 80.

Possibly, a kit may be provided which may comprise a hinge body 10, a rotary member 20, a slider 30, possibly even one or more of the controls 50, 60, 70, 80. Possibly, the kit may contain a shell 100.

Accordingly, sheath 100 can be adapted to accommodate other hinge bodies 10 and/or pivots 20 and/or sliders 30 and/or control means 50, 60, 70, 80 to allow interchangeability of one or more parts of hinge 1 without removing the sheath from frames.

The mechanical hinge may be without hydraulic damping means, while the hydraulic hinge may include mechanical controls, such as controls 50.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8-13B, the hinge 1 may be of a mechanical type and may include mechanical cushioning means 60, 70 acting on the sliding member 30 in such a way as to mechanically suppress its sliding along the Y-axis, wherein, as shown in FIG. 14-16B, hinge 1 may include hydraulic cushioning means 80 acting on slider 30 to hydraulically dampen its sliding along the Y axis.

Examples of various controls 50, 60, 70, 80 are described later in this document.

Preferably, the control means 60, 70, 80, if any, may be alternative to each other, and the control means 50 may or may not be present, independent of the control means.

In particular, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4A-16B, the hinge 1 may comprise resilient counteracting means 51 acting on a slider 30 located in the working chamber 11 which may therefore define the control means 50, whereas in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 17A-19B, the loop 1 may be without the resilient counteracting means 51 located in the working chamber 11.

Depending on the configuration, the resilient countermeasure 51 may be a compression or recovery means.

In case the resilient counteracting means is a compression means, its force should be such as to automatically return the flap A from the open or closed position it reaches when the slider 30 is in the proximate position, towards the other from the open or closed position which it reaches when the sliding element 30 is in the position of the end of the stroke.

In this case, depending on whether the position reached by the leaf A when the sliding member 30 is in the start-of-stroke position is open or closed, the hinge 1 may be an opening hinge or a closing hinge.

In the case of an elastic counteracting recovery means, its strength may be such that it is impossible to push the leaf A from the open or closed position, which it reaches when the sliding element 30 is in the position of the start of travel, in the direction of another from the open or closed position, which it reaches when the slider 30 is in the position of the end of the stroke. In this case, leaf A must be moved manually or still using an external drive relative to hinge 1, such as a motor.

However, the force of the resilient recovery means must be such as to return the sliding member 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position.

In any case, the resilient countermeasure 51 may be configured to help slide the slider 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position and counteract its sliding from the stroke end position to the stroke start position.

The elastic countermeasure 51 may be located between the working head 33 and the bottom wall 120 of the working chamber 11.

In more detail, the working head 33 may include abutment surface 34 facing

- 7 042195 bottom wall 120. Therefore, the area 38 of the working head 33 may contain side surfaces 35, and abutment surface 34, essentially perpendicular to the latter.

On the other hand, the resilient countermeasures 51 may comprise, and suitably consist of, a coil spring 52 fixed to the stem 41 and positioned between the bottom wall 120 and the abutment surface 34 to facilitate the passage from the proximate position to the distal position of the operating head 33 and to counteract its passage from far position to near position.

Thus, the stem 41 may act as a guide for the spring 52. It will be understood that the spring 52 may have an internal diameter substantially equal to or slightly larger than the stem 41 to which it is attached.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, in addition to the spring 52, the resilient countermeasures 51 may comprise one or more springs located between the bottom wall 120 and the abutment surface 34.

In particular, the springs 52 can be positioned adjacent to define respective axes coinciding with or parallel to the Y-axis. For example, a spring 52 and a pair of springs located above and below the spring 52 may be provided. The springs 52 may all be identical to each other.

It is possible that the side walls 116 of the working chamber 11 can guide the springs 52 during the sliding of the slider 30 so that they remain in their position in the working chamber 11.

According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the section 12 may contain a seat for the rod 41 so that the latter can slide in it.

Preferably, such a seat may be a longitudinal seat 121 coaxial with the Y axis, and may be, for example, an opening passing through the section 12.

Accordingly, the through hole 121 may have a substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the rod 41, or slightly larger. Similarly, the through hole 121 can guide the sliding of the rod 41 and consequently the slider 30 along the Y axis, thus forming the guide means 341.

In other words, the guide means 333 may include side walls 116 of the working chamber 11 suitable for interacting with the working head 33 to guide it, and the guide means 341 may include a through hole 121 suitable for interacting with the rod 41 to guide it along the Y axis.

Thus, the slider 30 can be guided in two areas spaced apart along the Y axis, i. e. near the head 33 and near the shaft 41, preferably at the end 43 of the shaft 41, to preferably maintain the alignment of the slider 30 along the Y axis.

From a functional point of view, the head 33 can thus be inserted into the hole 118, while the shaft 41 can be inserted through the through hole 121. Accordingly, the head 33 and the shaft 41 can be mutually connected through the pin 40, as described above. If there is to be a spring 52, it must be inserted through the hole 118, as well as the working head 33.

In particular, the working head 33 and the spring 52 can first be inserted between the head 33 and the bottom surface 120, and then the rod 41 can be inserted so that it passes through the spring 52, and so that the end 42 is inserted into the seat 33' of the working head 33 .

In other words, the springs 52 may also remain in the seat 19.

The hinge 1 may have very limited vertical, horizontal and, in particular, longitudinal overall dimensions.

The spring 51 may have an outer diameter equal to or slightly larger than the height H of the hinge body 10. On the other hand, the working head 33 may have a width substantially equal to the height H of the hinge body 10 .

Accordingly, such a height H may be substantially equal to or slightly greater than the height of the slider 31. For example, such a height H may be less than 30 mm, preferably less than 25 mm, and even more preferably less than 20 mm.

In addition, according to a specific embodiment, the sliding element 30 may be of such a length that when the latter is in the start position, the rod 41 is substantially flush with the hinge body 10. In particular, the rod 41 may have one end 43 opposite the end 42, while the section 12 of the hinge body 10 may have an outer wall 122 opposite the surface 120.

Accordingly, when the slider 30 is in the start position, the end 43 may be substantially flush with the outer wall 122 (FIG. 10A).

Furthermore, the through hole 121 may have a length substantially equal to or greater than the stroke of the slider 30. Thus, the loop 10 may contain a working chamber 11 of maximum length and a section 12 of minimum length, ensuring the direction of the rod 41 at its end 43.

Due to this feature, the overall dimensions and in particular the length LU of the hinge body 10 can be significantly reduced, which can be less than 110 mm, preferably less than 80 mm.

- 8 042195

As described above, loop 1 may only contain controls 50 as shown in FIG. 4A and 4B, or it may comprise one of damping means 70 (FIG. 17A), 60 (FIG. 18A), and 80 (FIG. 19A), or it may comprise control means 50 and one of damping means 70 (FIG. 8). ), (Fig. 11) and 80 (Fig. 13).

According to a particular embodiment of loop 1 shown in FIG. 8 or in FIG. 17A and 17B, cam elements 71 and a cam follower 72 may be provided to dampen sliding of the sliding element 30 from the stroke end position to the stroke start position, thus defining mechanical control means 70, which may therefore be mechanical damping means 70.

In particular, the slider 30 may include cam members 72, while the hinge body 10 may include cam follower members 73, which may be slidable along the Z-axis substantially transverse to, and preferably perpendicular to, the Y-axis.

Possibly, similarly as shown in the accompanying drawings, a system of inclined planes 72, 73 may be provided to assist plane 73 to slide along the Z axis.

Accordingly, resilient countermeasures 71 can be provided to act on the member 73 to resist its sliding.

In more detail, the stem 41 may include a longitudinal slot 44 which may include a portion 44' with a surface 440 substantially coaxial with the Y axis and a portion 44 with a surface 441 substantially inclined with respect to the Y axis, i. extending from it, defining the Cam element 72.

On the other hand, a sliding element 74 along the Z-axis may be provided, such as a cylinder, containing an end 74' designed to engage with the section 44 of the groove 44 to define the elements 73.

Thus, sliding along the Y axis of section 44 may correspond to sliding along the Z axis of cylinder 74.

Accordingly, means may be provided for guiding the cylinder 74 to slide along the Z axis. For example, the hinge body 10 may comprise a circular seat 17 suitable for receiving the cylinder 74.

Preferably, such a seat 17 may be located on the section 12 of the body 10 of the loop.

On the other hand, the longitudinal slot 44 and the cylinder 74 can be mutually configured in such a way that for the sliding section of the sliding element 30, the end 74' can interact with the surface 440, and for the sliding section of the sliding element 30, the end 74' can interact with the surface 441.

Preferably, when slider 30 is in the stroke start position, end 74' may be in contact with surface 440, and when slider 30 is in stroke end position, end 74' may be in contact with surface 441.

The resilient reaction elements 71 may be a spring or, preferably, an elastomeric element, such as an elastomeric cylinder. As the cylinder 74 slides, the opposite end 74 at the end 74' of the cylinder 74 can exert pressure on the elastomeric cylinder 71 and this counteracts the sliding of the cylinder 74.

In other words, when the end 74' is in contact with the surface 440, the slider 30 can slide freely, and when the end 74' is in contact with the surface 441, the elastomeric cylinder 71 can counteract the sliding of the cylinder 74 and, as a result, dampen the sliding of the slider. thirty.

Accordingly, the circular seat 17 may be a through hole with the opening facing the sliding member 30 and the opening facing outward. In particular, a closure element 75 can be provided in this way, configured to close the through hole and comprising a surface 75' configured to act as an abutment for the elastomeric cylinder 71.

In other words, the elastomeric cylinder 71 can remain between the surface 75' of the closure 75 and the groove 44 of the stem 41 so that the sliding of the cylinder 74 corresponds to the pressure of the elastomeric cylinder 71.

According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the closure element 75 may be a headless screw that can be screwed into the seat 17 so as to change the distance between the shaft 41 and the surface 75'. Thus, screwing in/out of the grub screw 75 allows the pressure of the elastomeric cylinder 71 to be varied when the slider 30 is in the position of the start or end of the stroke.

In other words, the grub screw 75 may allow the sliding of the cylinder 74 to be adjusted and, as a result, the sliding of the sliding member 30 acting as means 90 for adjusting the sliding of the latter.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the elastomeric cylinder 71 may always be in contact with the surface 75' and surfaces 440 and 441 of the rod 41. On the other hand, the elastomeric cylinder 71 may be small, so that the cylinder 74 is free to slide for one section and blocked for another.

Furthermore, it will be understood that by changing the configuration of sections 44' and 44 and/or the slope of the surface 441, changing the configuration of the elastomeric cylinder 71 and/or the distance between the stem 41 and the surface 75' may allow a different damping action and/or a damping action to be obtained only for some sections of the course of the sliding element 30.

Although portion 44' is described herein as being inclined to promote pressure on elastomeric cylinder 71 as slider 30 passes from the end of stroke position to the start of stroke position, portion 44' may similarly be inclined in the opposite direction to promote pressure on elastomeric cylinder 71. of the cylinder 71 when the sliding member 30 passes from the stroke start position to the stroke end position.

Accordingly, the shells 100 may therefore have dimensions substantially equal to those of the hinge body 10, or slightly larger. In particular, the sheaths 100 may have a length substantially equal to the length LU of the hinge body 10. Therefore, the inner surfaces of the shells 101 can be in contact with the outer surface 10' of the hinge body 10.

In this case, the through hole 121 may have a length substantially equal to the stroke of the sliding element 30, so that when the latter is in the position of the beginning of the stroke, the end 43 may be substantially flush with the outer wall 122.

Thus, the loop 1 can have particularly small overall dimensions.

According to another embodiment shown in FIG. 11 or in FIG. 18A and 18B, the slider 30 may include at least one portion 30' which may remain outside the working chamber 11 while the slider 30 is sliding.

In particular, the rod 41 can be considerably longer than the working chamber 11, so that its section defines the outer section 30'. Accordingly, a rod 45 may be provided operatively associated with the rod 41 to slide with it along the Y axis. In this case, the rod 45 may define an outer portion 30' of the slider 30. Preferably, the rod 45 may be defined by a screw.

Possibly, the rod 41 could be of such a length that when the slider 30 is in the start position, the end 43 could in any case be substantially flush with the outer wall 122, while the rod or screw 45 could define the outer portion 30'.

In any case, it can be provided that the outer section 30' may comprise a circular protrusion 62 and elastic countermeasures 61 located between the outer wall 122 of the section 12 of the hinge body 10 and the circular protrusion 62. For example, such elastic countermeasures can be a spring 61. Preferably, the spring 61 can be fixed on the section 30'.

Thus, the passage of the slider 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position may correspond to the compression of the spring 61, while the passage from the stroke end position to the stroke start position may correspond to the extension of the spring 61, thus defining the mechanical controls 60.

If resilient means 51 are also provided, the springs 52 and 61 can therefore be opposite, so that the compression of one corresponds to the tension of the other and vice versa.

Therefore, it is understood that the mechanical control means 50, 60 may be of the compression, recovery or damping type, depending on the mutual configuration of the countermeasures 51, 61.

Preferably, the mechanical means 60 may be shock-absorbing means, i.e., capable of resisting the slider 30 during sliding from the stroke end position to the stroke start position.

The stem 45 may include an end 46 which may be internally screwed to the end 43 of the stem 41, while a round protrusion 62 may be located on the end 47 of the stem 45 opposite the end 46.

It will be understood that when the shaft 45 is a screw, the end 47 may be a screw head.

The spring 61 can then be attached to the stem 45 so that it is between and rests on the abutment surface 63 of the round boss 62 and the abutment surface 123 of the wall 122.

It will be understood that it may be provided that the head 47 of the stem 45 may define a circular protrusion 62 or, as shown in the accompanying drawings, a circular element 64 comprising abutment surface 63.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, means may also be provided for changing the distance d between the abutment surface 63 and 123 when the slider 30 is in the start or stop position.

In other words, the mutual approach/removal of the round protrusion 62 and the wall 122 can change the preload of the spring 61 and, as a result, the degree of damping.

For example, screwing in/out of the rod 45 in the rod 41 can decrease/increase the distance d and thereby increase/decrease the preload of the spring 61, so that

- 10 042195 define the means 90 for adjusting the damping of the sliding element 30.

It is possible that the cushioning means 60 may act on the sliding element 30 during its entire stroke, preferably progressively, or only along a section, for example, when the sliding element is close to the stroke start position.

For example, the distance d when the slider 30 is in the stroke start position may be substantially greater than the length of the spring 61. Thus, for the slide section from the stroke start position to the stroke end position, the slider 30 can slide freely while it counteraction can be provided near the position of the end of the stroke.

Perhaps such configurations can be obtained or avoided by changing the spring 61 or simply unscrewing/screwing in the stem 45.

Accordingly, the end 47 of the rod 45 can be made with the ability to control the operator, so that the latter can vary depending on the distance d.

The shell 100 may be slightly longer than the hinge body 10 in order to define the working chamber 65 intended to reduce the outer portion 30' of the slider 30.

Even in this case, the assembly of loop 1 can be particularly simple and fast. In fact, after the rod 41 is installed, the spring 61 can be attached to the rod 45 and the latter can be screwed to the rod 41.

According to a further embodiment shown in FIG. 14 or in FIG. 19A and 19B, there may be means 80 for hydraulic damping of the sliding member 30.

Such hydraulic damping means 80 may be of any type and may include a movable part 82 and a fixed part 81. chamber 81, dividing the latter into first and second sections 83, 83' with variable volume.

Accordingly, the piston 82 and the working chamber 81 can be mutually configured in such a way that one slides relative to the other. For example, piston 82 may slide between a position where section 83 has minimum volume and section 83' has maximum volume and a position where section 83 has maximum volume and section 83' has minimum volume.

To ensure the passage of the working fluid between the sections 83, 83', at least one hydraulic circuit can be provided to communicate the sections 83, 83' in fluid. Such a circuit may be of a substantially known type and may be provided within the piston 82 and/or within the hinge body 10.

Preferably, the hinge body 10 may comprise a working chamber 81 located essentially parallel to the Y-axis and spaced from the latter. In other words, the piston 82 can therefore slide parallel to the sliding element 30.

Thanks to this characteristic, the dimensions of the loop 1 can be particularly small.

In any case, the piston 82 can be operatively connected to the sliding element 30 so that the movement of the latter corresponds to the movement of the former and vice versa.

The hydraulic circuit may also contain flow control means such as valve means, calibrated passages or the like of a type known per se.

Thus, it is understood that, depending on the configuration of the hydraulic circuit, the sections 83, 83', and the hydraulic means 80 in general, the latter can control and/or dampen the sliding of the piston 82 and, as a result, the sliding element 30 for at least one section. his move.

In particular, depending on the configuration, the hydraulic means 80 may oppose the slider 30 when the slider 30 travels from the stroke end position to the stroke start position and/or when the slider 30 travels from the stroke start position to the stroke end position and/or only during the time of some sections of the stroke of the sliding element 30.

In addition, in an equally known manner, captive screws or pins can be provided for adjusting the flow of fluid fluid passing through the hydraulic circuit, thus defining adjustment means 90 .

According to a specific aspect of the present invention, the screw element 48 can be located outside the working chamber 11 and can be screwed onto the end 43 of the rod 41, which in the position of the start of the stroke of the sliding element 30 can be provided outside the working chamber 11 to define the outer portion 30' of the sliding element 30 .

Correspondingly, a connecting plate 49 can be provided for the functional connection of the piston 82 and the sliding element 30. As a result, the latter can also be located outside the working chamber 11.

In more detail, therefore, the connecting plate 49 can be connected to the rod 41 to slide with it, and, as a result, to the sliding element 30, and it can be connected to the movable part of the hydraulic means 80, such as the piston 82.

In the present text, the resilient reaction elements 51 are described as restoring elements, while the mechanical means 60, 70 and the hydraulic means 80 may act in the opposite manner, for example, performing a cushioning action, i.e. counteracting the sliding of the sliding element 30.

On the other hand, it is clear that if there were no counteracting elements 51, the mechanical means 60 could act as restoring or counteracting elements, depending on their configuration. For example, if there were only mechanical means 60, depending on the configuration of the spring 62 and the distance d, the mechanical means 60 could perform a function substantially similar to the means 50, thus acting as a compression or recovery means, or they could perform a damping function. .

In view of the foregoing, it is understood that the loop according to the present invention achieves the predetermined goals.

The hinge according to the present invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the spirit of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. All parts may be replaced by other technically equivalent items and materials may vary according to technical needs without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Even if the hinge has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the reference numbers used in the description and in the claims are intended to improve the clarity of the present invention and therefore do not in any way limit the claimed scope of legal protection.

Claims (10)

1. A small-sized hinge for closing a closing element (A) attached to a stationary support structure (S), such as a wall, frame or floor, and the hinge is able to move between the opening and closing positions, containing the body (10) of the hinge, made with the possibility of attachment to one of the closing element (A) and the stationary support structure (S), said hinge body (10) contains inside a longitudinal working chamber (11) defining the first axis (Y), said working chamber (11) contains a bottom wall (112) ; a rotary element (20) configured to be attached to another of the closing element (A) and a stationary support structure (S), defining a second axis (X) substantially perpendicular to said first axis (Y), wherein said rotary element (20) and said body (10) of the hinge is mutually connected to each other for rotation about said second axis (X) between the opening and closing positions of the closing element (A); a slider (30) sliding in said working chamber (11) along the first axis (Y), wherein said slider (30) contains at least one first rod (41) defining said first axis (Y), and at least one working head (33), co-operating with the specified rotary element (20); wherein said rotary element (20) additionally contains a cam element (21) configured to rotate with it as a whole, the working head (33) of said slider (30) contains a working surface (32) interacting with said cam element (21 ) so that when opening or closing the closing element (A) the rotation of the first (20) around the specified second axis (X) corresponds to the sliding of the latter (30) along the specified first axis (Y) between at least one position of the beginning of the stroke and one position of the end move; the specified working chamber (11) contains the first seat (18) of rotation for the specified rotary element (20) and the second seat (19), mutually facing the said first seat (18), for sliding the specified slider (30), the specified housing (10) the loop contains the first hole (118) for insertion - perpendicular to the specified first axis (Y) - of the specified working head (33) into the specified second seat (19), and the second through hole (121) for insertion - coaxially with the specified first axis (Y) - the specified at least one first rod (41) in the specified second seat (19); the loop additionally contains means (40') for mutual fixation of the specified at least one first rod (41) and the specified working head (33) after insertion into the specified second seat (19) in such a way as to form an autonomous unit, sliding connected as one an integer along the specified first axis (Y); characterized in that the loop additionally comprises first means (50) and second means (60, 70) for mechanically controlling the sliding of said slider (30) from one of the said positions of the start and end of the stroke to the other of the specified positions of the start and end of the stroke and vice versa; wherein said first control means (50) comprise first resilient countermeasures (51) located inside said working chamber (11) suitable for facilitating said slider (30) sliding from said stroke end position to said stroke start position, and for counteracting sliding of said slider (30) from said stroke start position to said stroke end position, wherein said first resilient countermeasures (51) are located between said working head (33) of said slider (30) and said lower wall (112) ; the specified slider (30) passes through the specified second through hole (121) so that at least one of its sections (30') is outside the specified working chamber (11), the specified at least one outer section (30') of the specified slider ( 30) contains a round protrusion (62), said hinge body (10) contains an outer wall (122) facing said round protrusion (62) and located at a distance from it, said second control means (60, 70) contain second elastic counteracting means (61) positioned between said outer wall (122) and said round protrusion (62). 2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains first and second guide means (333, 341) acting on the specified slider (30) in such a way as to lead it to slide along the specified first axis (Y), and the specified first and the second guide means (333, 341) are spaced apart along said first axis (Y). 3. The loop according to claim 2, characterized in that said first guide means (333) act on said working head (33) of said slider (30) and said second guide means (341) act on said at least one rod (41 ). 4. The loop according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains the first adjustment means (90) acting on said second mechanical means (60, 70) of control, in order to adjust the damping of the slider (30), wherein said first adjustment means (90) made with the possibility of operator control. 5. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said first resilient countermeasures (51) comprise at least a first spring (52) attached to said at least first rod (41) of said slider (30) , the specified working head (33) of the specified slider (30) contains the first thrust surface (34), the specified lower wall (112) of the specified working chamber (11) contains the second thrust surface (120), the specified at least one first spring (52) rests on the first and second thrust surfaces (34, 120). 6. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said second elastic countermeasures (61) comprise at least one second spring (61) coaxial to said at least one outer section (30') of said slider (30), said the outer wall (122) of the said body (10) of the hinge contains the third thrust surface (123), and the said round protrusion (62) contains the fourth thrust surface (63), wherein the said at least one second spring (61) is located between the said third and fourth thrust surfaces (123, 63). 7. The hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that it contains means for changing the distance (d) between said third and fourth bearing surfaces (123, 63) when said slider (30) is in the position of the beginning or end of the stroke. 8. The loop according to claim 7, characterized in that it contains at least one second rod (45) functionally connected to said at least one first rod (41), so that it slides along said first axis (Y), moreover, the specified at least one second rod (45) is connected to or contains the specified third support surface (163), and the specified at least one first rod (41) and the specified at least one second rod (45) are made with the possibility of mutual screwing , so that the mutual screwing/unscrewing reduces/increases the specified distance (d) for adjusting the preload of said second elastic reaction means (61). 9. The hinge according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one second rod (45) defines said outer portion (30') of said slider (30). 10. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one first rod (41) contains a first section (44) of a certain shape with a first working surface (441), said body (10) of the hinge contains a sliding element (74) along the third axis (Z), essentially transversely with respect to the specified first axis (Y), the specified sliding element (74) contains the second working surface (74'), made with the possibility of interaction with the specified first section (44) of a certain shape, so that the sliding of the said slider (30) corresponds to the sliding of the said sliding element (74) along the said third axis (Z), and the third elastic countermeasures (71) are also provided, acting on the said sliding element (74), counteracting its sliding.