EP0464878B1 - Hinge system for panels and application to sectional doors - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge system for two panels, of the type comprising a flexible hinge (4) and panel edge sections (1, 2; 3) shaped so as to retain said flexible hinge. According to the invention, the flexible hinge (4) is composed of a central bulge (13) arranged in the vicinity of the mid-plane of the panels and of two wings (14, 15) designed to snap into the edge sections; the latter have receptacles (L1, L2) allowing this snapping and guide surfaces (Sx, Sc; Sax, Sac, AL) arranged on either side of the mid-plane of the panels, for the purpose of guiding their pivoting about an axis of rotation passing through the central bulge of the flexible hinge. The invention can be used particularly for the production of sectional doors. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a panel articulation system according to the preamble of the first claim and its application to sectional doors.

Sectional doors (garage doors, factory doors, warehouses and other similar closures) are composed of a plurality of horizontally extending panels, which are hinged together to be able to slide vertically and fold at the top of the opening to extend horizontally in the upper part of the room.

The traditional systems of articulation of these sectional doors are constituted by rigid hinges fixed from place to place in front between the pairs of panels. However, these systems have serious drawbacks: lack of tightness at the joints between panels, long and unsightly mounting of the hinges, risk for users (in particular danger of pinching fingers between panels when they close).

Furthermore, there are flexible hinge systems, in which a blade of flexible material is fixed along the edge edges of two panels so that these are connected by a flexible thickness which acts as an articulation by the set its deformation, for example patent FR 2,421,332, U.S. patent 3,527,283 corresponding to the preamble of the 1 ^st claim. Such systems lead to improved sealing but nevertheless have the serious defects of being fragile, of short life and of achieving very imprecise positioning of the panels; in particular, when the joint plays, all the efforts are concentrated at the level of a relatively thin flexible thickness to allow good docking of the panels; this thickness sometimes deforms asymmetrically in the event of poorly balanced loads and undergoes premature aging. These faults prohibit in practice the use of such flexible hinge systems for sectional doors which, because of their dimensions, can be subjected to high loads. In addition, these systems do not eliminate the danger of pinching fingers between panels.

The present invention proposes to provide a new articulation system of the type comprising, on the one hand, a hinge in the form of a flexible profile disposed between panels over the width thereof, on the other hand, edge profiles of panels shaped to keep said flexible hinge.

An objective of the invention is to provide a system which combines excellent sealing qualities with great robustness allowing in particular to apply it to sectional doors.

Another objective is to guarantee a precise positioning of the panels with respect to each other, positioning of precision comparable to that provided by rigid hinges.

Another objective is to considerably reduce the risks for users, in particular the risk of pinching fingers between panels.

• (a) la charnière flexible comprend un boudin central agencé au voisinage du plan médian des panneaux et deux ailes rattachées à des portions opposées dudit boudin central et pourvues de têtes d'encliquetage,
• (b) les profilés de bordure de panneaux comprennent :
  • . des logements s'ouvrant sur chant au voisinage du plan médian des panneaux et présentant des formes adaptées pour retenir les têtes d'encliquetage des ailes de charnière,
  • . des surfaces de guidage en rotatation, agencées de part et d'autre du plan médian des panneaux de sorte que les surfaces de guidage d'un profilé de bordure viennent en regard des surfaces de guidage de l'autre profilé de bordure en vue de guider le pivotement des panneaux autour d'un axe de rotation passant par le boudin central de la charnière flexible ou à proximité de celui-ci.

To this end, the articulation system according to the invention is characterized in that:

• (a) the flexible hinge comprises a central rod arranged in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels and two wings attached to opposite portions of said central rod and provided with latching heads,
• (b) panel edge profiles include:
  • . housings opening on edge in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels and having shapes suitable for retaining the latching heads of the hinge wings,
  • . guide surfaces in rotation, arranged on either side of the median plane of the panels so that the guide surfaces of one edge profile come opposite the guide surfaces of the other edge profile in order to guide the pivoting of the panels around an axis of rotation passing through or near the central flange of the flexible hinge.

The flexible hinge can be made of an elastomeric material, its central flange being able to be solid or hollow; closure plugs can in the latter case be arranged at its two ends in order to trap air in said tube and to combine a pneumatic effect with the elasticity of the material.

The articulation system according to the invention, which extends over the entire width of the panels, forms a very effective tight barrier which prevents any infiltration. Such a system is very robust because the deformation of the flexible hinge is effected at the level of a flange which essentially undergoes compression or tensile stresses (and not bending stresses as is the case in known flexible hinges ). In addition, these constraints are limited by the rotating guide surfaces, which reduce the amplitude of the deformations of the flexible hinge. In addition, the above-mentioned structure of said hinge and the presence of these guide surfaces guarantee precise positioning of the panels over the entire angular range of pivoting. As will be better understood below, the system according to the invention benefits from rapid assembly carried out by simple snap-fastening.

It should be noted that the pivoting of one panel with respect to another takes place around a point close to the median plane of the panels; in many applications, and in particular in the application to sectional doors, this arrangement simplifies the design of the means for guiding and driving the panels and allows better balancing of the moving masses.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the edge profiles advantageously comprise tensile retaining surfaces, arranged so that the retaining surfaces of one edge profile come opposite the retaining surfaces of the other profile. edge in order to withstand the spacing forces between panels. In this way, the tensile stresses exerted on the flexible hinge are also limited, whatever the loads applied to the system.

Furthermore, according to another preferred embodiment, one of the edge profiles comprises two profiles snap-fit one on the other: on the one hand, a main profile forming an incomplete housing for the latching head of the flexible hinge, on the other hand, a clip capable of snapping onto this main profit and comprising a heel for locking the aforementioned housing.

Such an embodiment facilitates assembly of the system, while leading to profiles of simplified structures, which are easy to extrude.

In particular, the above-mentioned clip is adapted to snap onto the main profit by three clipping zones: a central zone located on the side of the aforementioned housing, an intermediate zone and an extreme zone situated at the end of a wing that has the clip opposite its locking heel. This gives a good connection of this clip on the main profile.

The articulation system according to the invention can be applied to articulate two by two the sectional door panels in order to obtain watertight, robust, well balanced doors, benefiting from reliable operation.

• la figure 1 est une coupe transversale des éléments constitutifs du système d'articulation conforme à l'invention, à l'état démonté,
• les figures 2, 3 et 4 sont des coupes transversales montrant ce système monté dans trois positions correspondant respectivement à la position d'alignement des panneaux, à une position de pivotement intermédiaire et à la position de pivotement maximal,
• les figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 et 10 schématisent le montage du système,
• la figure 11 montre en coupe transversale partielle des panneaux de porte sectionnelle articulés au moyen du système,
• la figure 12 schématise le cas d'un panneau équipé d'une menuiserie de baie.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, which present by way of nonlimiting example one embodiment; on these drawings which form an integral part of this description:

• FIG. 1 is a cross section of the constituent elements of the articulation system according to the invention, in the disassembled state,
• FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are cross sections showing this system mounted in three positions corresponding respectively to the position of alignment of the panels, to an intermediate pivoting position and to the maximum pivoting position,
• Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 schematize the mounting the system,
• FIG. 11 shows in partial cross section of the sectional door panels articulated by means of the system,
• Figure 12 shows schematically the case of a panel equipped with a bay joinery.

The articulation system presented in the disassembled state in FIG. 1 essentially consists of a first edge profile consisting of two profiles which can be snapped onto each other (a main profile 1 and a clip 2), a second edge profile 3 and a flexible hinge profile 4.

Profiles 1 and 2 and profile 3 are in particular made of extruded light alloy (aluminum), while the flexible profile 4 is made of elastomer. Thereafter, we will speak indifferently of "profiled" or "profit" to designate these elements.

These profiles are called to extend over the entire width of the two panels symbolized in P₁ and P₂ in Figure 1, the profile 1 being secured to the edge of one of the panels and the profile 3 secured to the edge of the other panel. To ensure this fixing, the profiles 1 and 3 comprise in the first place structures, such as 5 or 6, adapted for the clipping of a joinery in particular of bay window; in addition, each of these sections is provided, on the one hand, with a groove 7 or 8 for inserting the edge of a sheet metal called to form the front face of the panel, on the other hand, with a wing 16 or 17 for holding the edge of a sheet metal called to form the rear face of the panel; in the example, the groove 7 of the profile 1 extends in a horizontal plane, the sheet coming into it after folding at 90 °, and the groove 8 of the profile 2 extends in a vertical plane, the sheet coming insert it after folding 180 ° (the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" refer to a position of the panels in a vertical plane, their border extending horizontally). Profiles 1 and 3 are thus of universal use and may be subject to the edges of panels of different types.

In addition, in the targeted application (system for sectional doors), at least one of the profiles 1 or 3 (in the example the profile 1) is provided, in its axial plane X, with a circular bore 9 for the laterally positioning of axes of rollers. In addition, at least one of the edge profiles (in the example the profile 1) comprises, on one side, latching structures 10 of an inertia reinforcement (shown diagrammatically at R in FIG. 1) .

Furthermore, the sections 1, 2 and sections 3 form housings L₁ and L₂ opening on edge in the vicinity of the median planes X and X ′ with a view to snap-fitting the flexible hinge profit 4.

These housings have a generally triangular section as shown in Figure 1.

The housing L₂ is entirely delimited by the profile 3, while the profile 1 defines an incomplete housing 11a devoid of one of the lateral returns; this housing is completed to make the housing L₁ by a locking heel 11b carried by the clip 2.

• d'un côté des plans médians X, X′, par une surface convexe S_x située sur le profilé 1 et par une surface concave conjuguée S_v située sur le profilé 3, ces surfaces S_x et S_v venant en regard lorsque le système est monté,
• de l'autre côté des plans médians, par une aile circulaire A_L équipant le clip 2 et par deux surfaces circulaires conjugées, concave S_ac et convexe S_ax, agencées sur le profilé 3, de façon que l'aile A_L s'engage et pénètre entre celles-ci lorsque le système est monté et est amené à pivoter.

The sections 1 and 3 further comprise guide surfaces in rotation which are constituted:

• on one side of the median planes X, X ′, by a convex surface S _x located on the profile 1 and by a conjugate concave surface S _v located on the profile 3, these surfaces S _x and S _v coming opposite when the system has climbed,
• on the other side of the median planes, by a circular wing A _L equipping the clip 2 and by two conjugate circular surfaces, concave S _ac and convex S _ax , arranged on the profile 3, so that the wing A _L s' engages and enters between them when the system is mounted and is made to pivot.

The surfaces S _x , S _v have centered circular sections, when the system is mounted, near the center C of the flexible hinge, so as to guide the pivoting of the panels around an axis of rotation passing substantially through this center. It is the same for the circular wing A _L and the conjugate surfaces S _ax and S _ac which are centered near the center of the hinge.

The convex surface S _x of the profile 1 is interrupted by a groove 12 adapted to form a water receiver prohibiting upwelling of water along it by capillary action.

At the ends close to the median planes X, X ′ of the surfaces S _x and S _c , the sections 1 and 3 comprise bearing surfaces, formed by flats M₁ and M₂ substantially orthogonal to the median planes, which allow the sections to rest l one against the other in alignment position of the panels. These flats located in the immediate vicinity of the median planes ensure in this alignment position a balanced transmission of the compression loads between panels, avoiding excessive crushing of the flexible hinge. They are supplemented by positioning flats M₃ and M₄ parallel to the median planes which are applied against each other when the panels arrive in the alignment position, thus precisely defining this position.

• . de premières surfaces B₁, B₂ agencées sur les profilés 1 et 3 de façon à venir en regard et supporter les efforts d'écartement lorsque les panneaux se trouvent sensiblement dans l'alignement,
• . et de secondes surfaces qui, en l'exemple, coïncident avec la surface de guidage S_ax et la face interne f_i de l'aile de guidage A_L, agencées pour venir en regard et supporter les efforts d'écartement des panneaux lorsque ceux-ci forment un angle.

The sections 1, 2, 3 also include tensile retaining surfaces which are arranged to support the spacing forces between panels. These retaining surfaces are of two types:

• . first surfaces B₁, B₂ arranged on the sections 1 and 3 so as to come opposite and withstand the spacing forces when the panels are substantially in alignment,
• . and second surfaces which, in the example, coincide with the guide surface S _ax and the internal face f _i of the guide wing A _L , arranged to come opposite and withstand the spacing forces of the panels when those -these form an angle.

The first retaining surfaces B₁, B₂ are constituted by oblique flats (in particular at 45 ° with respect to the median planes) which cooperate when the profiles arrive in the alignment position and a spacing force is exerted on these. This arrangement prevents the flexible hinge from undergoing excessive tensile forces, while guaranteeing freedom of rotation of the joint even under high tensile force.

It should be noted that the wing A _L of the clip 2 is provided so that its internal face f _i comes opposite the surface S _ax from the alignment position, so that the first and second retaining surfaces have a common angular working range; this avoids that, for certain angles, the tensile forces are not taken up and are exerted on the flexible hinge.

• . une zone dite centrale située sur le côté du logement L₁ au voisinage du plan médian X, le clip étant doté dans cette zone d'une structure d'encliquetage 2a appelée à coopérer avec une structure conjuguée la que comporte le profilé 1,
• . une zone intermédiaire située à la base de l'aile circulaire A_L, le clip étant doté dans cette zone d'une structure d'encliquetage 2b appelée à coopérer avec une ailette conjuguée 1b que comporte le profilé 1,
• . une zone extrême située à l'extrémité d'une ailette A_e que comporte le clip à l'opposé de son talon 11b, cette ailette portant une structure d'encliquetage 2c appelée à coopérer avec une structure conjuguée 1c que comporte le profilé 1.

The clip 2 which carries the heel 11b for locking the housing L₁ has the essential function of allowing easy assembly of the system. It is suitable for snapping onto main profit 1 by three clipping zones:

• . a so-called central zone situated on the side of the housing L₁ in the vicinity of the median plane X, the clip being provided in this zone with a snap-in structure 2a called to cooperate with a conjugate structure la that comprises the profile 1,
• . an intermediate zone situated at the base of the circular wing A _L , the clip being provided in this zone with a latching structure 2b called to cooperate with a conjugate fin 1b which comprises the profile 1,
• . an end zone situated at the end of a fin A _e that the clip comprises opposite its heel 11b, this fin carrying a latching structure 2c called to cooperate with a conjugate structure 1c that comprises the section 1.

These provisions guarantee a secure attachment of the clip 2 to the profit 1, while allowing great ease of installation or removal by an operator. It should be noted that, between the heel 11b and the latching area 2b, the clip 2 has a convex shape which is intended to form an additional fulcrum by pressing against the external wall of the bore 9 of profile 1.

Furthermore, the flexible hinge 4 is constituted by a hollow central tube 13 and by two wings 14 and 15 which are attached to opposite portions of this tube and provided with latching heads 14a and 15a.

When the system is in the normal mounted position, the central flange pushes the profiles 1, 2 and 3 in opposite directions by coming to bear against bearing surfaces such as A₁ and A₂ that these profiles have in the vicinity of the housings L₁ and L₂ , on each side of the opening of these. The elasticity effect of the tube 13 (due to its shape and to the nature of the material which constitutes it) can, if necessary, be reinforced by a pneumatic effect by sealingly sealing the tube at each of its ends.

The wings 14 and 15 of the flexible hinge 4 are attached to the flange, so as to form between them, at rest, an angle between 140 ° and 160 °, in particular of the order of 150 ° as shown in Figure 1 The flexible hinge is thus able to undergo, from this rest position, opposite deformations when the panels pivot to their alignment position or to their extreme angular position; thus reducing the amplitude of the deformations it undergoes, it causes the hinge to work in better conditions and it increases its service life.

The snap heads 14a and 15a are generally approximately triangular in shape, adapted to enter their housing by the play of their elasticity and to be housed therein without risk of tearing when the system is mounted.

For this purpose, each head has, at its base; two shoulders which are retained by the front returns of the housing L₁ or L₂ as well as biased front faces which allow the passage of the head in the opening of the housing during assembly.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the system according to the invention respectively in the position corresponding to the alignment of the panels (Figure 2), in an intermediate pivoting position corresponding to the rest state of the flexible hinge 4 ( figure 3) and in the extreme pivoting position (figure 4).

In the alignment position of the panels, the profiles 1, 2 and 3 are in a generally rectangular shape, the central flange 13 of the flexible hinge being located in the center of said rectangle when the assembly is mounted (latching heads 14a and 15a in place in their housing L₁ or L₂; housing L₁ closed by the locking heel 11b of the clip). When the panels are in compression against each other, the flats M₁ and M₂ of profiles 1 and 2 are supported and support most of the load. The panels are precisely positioned with respect to one another by the set of conjugate surfaces capable of coming to bear (guide surfaces S _c and S _x , guide and retaining surfaces f _i and S _ax ; retaining surfaces B₁ and B₂).

When the panels pivot relative to each other (FIG. 3), the wing A _L of the clip comes opposite the guide surface S _ac which provides complementary guidance.

At the end of pivoting (Figure 4), the extreme part of the return which carries the surface S _ac , comes to bear against the wing A _L of the clip forming an end of stroke stop. The hinge 4 has deformed in the opposite direction relative to the alignment position.

Such a system combines great qualities of robustness with perfect sealing whatever the position, while the panels are always guided precisely relative to each other. In addition, in the pivoting position, the convex surface S _x closes the opening angle and considerably reduces the risks for users (risk of pinching fingers or a foreign body).

Figures 5 to 10 show the system mounting process.

The flexible hinge 4 is first snapped onto the profile 3 by the play of the elasticity of its snap-on head 15a and the panels are presented opposite one another in an angular position as illustrated in Figure 5.

The latching head 14a is inserted into the incomplete housing L₁ of the profile 1 (FIG. 6).

The panels are then straightened to arrange them in alignment position for the snap-on of clip 2. The latter is presented as shown in FIG. 7, at the rear of profiles 1 and 3. It is introduced into the free space with its snap structure 2c engaged with the conjugate structure 1c of the profile 1 (Figure 8).

The clip is then snapped onto profile 1 by inserting its snap structures 2a and 2b onto the conjugate structures 1a and 1b of profile 1 (Figure 9).

The mounted system is then ready to operate (Figure 10). We understand the great simplicity of mounting the system which eliminates all drilling and screwing operations.

Figure 11 shows, in partial section, a sectional door equipped with articulation systems according to the invention. The panels are articulated two by two by means of these systems, with the lateral edge of the insertion of axes of rollers in the bores 9; the position of these rollers (in the median plane of each panel) considerably improve the kinematics of the sectional door (compared to known doors whose rollers are necessarily offset relative to the median plane of the panels).

In the example of FIG. 11, each panel is constituted by a rear plate 18 bearing against the retaining wings 16 and 17 of the profiles of two neighboring systems, by a layer 19 of a filling material such as polyurethane foam and by a front plate 20 whose edges are folded at 90 ° or 180 ° to fit into the grooves 7 and 8 of the profiles of the two neighboring systems. A stiffener R can be snapped into the structure 10 provided for this purpose. This stiffener forms a gutter which is expanded from place to place by "pop" r ′ rivets in order to form a block with the profile.

FIG. 12 shows the box of a panel fitted with a window carpentry 21; the latter is fixed in a manner known per se to the profiles of the articulation systems by virtue of the structures 5 and 6 provided for this purpose.

Claims (19)

1. Hinge system for two panels of the type comprising, on the one hand, a hinge (4) having the shape of a flexible section situated between panels along the width of the latter, and on the other hand panel edge sections (1, 2; 3) so designed as to retain said flexible hinge (4), characterised in that :

   (a) flexible hinge (4) comprises a centre ring (13) arranged close to median plane (X, X′) of the panels and two wings (14, 15) attached to opposite parts of said centre ring and provided with engagement heads (14a, 15a),

   (b) panel edge sections (1, 2; 3) comprise :

   . seats (L₁, L₁) opening edgewise in the vicinity of the median plane of the panels and so shaped as to be capable of retaining engagement heads (14a, 14b) of the hinge wings,

   . rotary guiding surfaces (S_x, S_c; S_ax, S_ac, A_L) arranged at either side of the median pane of the panels in such a manner that the guiding surfaces of an edge section come to be located opposite the guiding surfaces of the other edge section with a view to guiding the pivotal movement of the panels about an axis of rotation passing through centre ring (13) of the flexible hinge or in the proximity of said ring.
2. Hinge system according to claim 1, characterised in that the edge sections comprise surfaces for tractional retention (B₁, B₂; S_ax, f_i), so arranged that the retaining surfaces of an edge section come to be located opposite the retaining surfaces of the other edge section with a view to taking the panel separating forces.
3. Hinge system according to claim 2, characterised in that the surfaces for tractional retention comprise :

   . first retaining surfaces (B₁, B₂) so arranged as to come to be located opposite one another and take the panel separating forces when said panels are substantially aligned with one another,

   . second retaining surfaces (S_ax, f_i) so arranged as to be located opposite one another and take the panel separating forces when said panels form an angle.
4. Hinge system according to claim 3, characterised in that first retaining surfaces (B₁, B₂) and second retaining surfaces (S_ax, f_i) are so arranged as to present, from the position of alignment, a joined angular working range.
5. Hinge system according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that first retaining surfaces (B₁, B₂) comprise oblique flat parts provided on each of edge sections (1, 2) with a view to being capable of co-operating when the sections reach the position of alignment.
6. Hinge system according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterised in that :

   . centre ring (13) of the flexible hinge is made from elastomer capable of pushing back the edge sections in opposite directions,

   . edge sections (1, 2) comprise said centre ring abutting surfaces (A₁, A₂) located close to the openings of seats (L₁, L₂) which retain the engagement heads of the flexible hinge.
7. Hinge system according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the rotary guiding surfaces comprise:

   . on one side of medium plane (X, X′) of the panels a convex surface (S_x) situated on a section (1) and a matching concave surface (S_c) situated on the other section (3), said surfaces having circular cross- sections centred close to the centre of ring (13) of the flexible hinge,

   . on the other side of the median plane of the panels a circular wing (A_L) provided on a section (2) and two circular surfaces (S_ax, S_ac), one concave and one convex, arranged on the other section (3) so that circular wing (A_L) can engage the latter and penetrate between them, said wing and said circular surfaces being centred close to the centre of ring (13) of the flexible hinge.
8. Hinge system according to claim 7, characterised in that the convex circular surface (S_x) is interrupted by a groove (12) capable of preventing the rise of water due to capillarity.
9. Hinge system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that one of the edge sections comprises two sections capable of being engaged one with the other, i.e., on the one hand a main section (1) forming an incomplete seat for engagement head (14a) of the flexible hinge, and on the other hand a clip (2) capable of engaging said main section and comprising a blocking lug (11b) for blocking said seat.
10. Hinge system according to one of claims 7 and 9 jointly, characterised in that clip (2) comprises circular wing (A_L) which comes into engagement between circular surfaces (S_ac, S_ax) for rotary guiding.
11. Hinge system according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterised in that clip (2) is so designed as to engage main section (1) by three clamping zones, i.e. a central zone (2a) located on the side of said seat (L₁), an intermediate zone (2_b) located at the base of said circular wing (A_L) and an outer zone (2c) located at the end of a wing (A_e) provided on the clip and opposite its blocking lug (11b).
12. Hinge system according to one of claims 9, 10 or 11, characterised in that edge sections (1, 2, 3) are so designed as to fit, in the alignment position of the panels, into a generally rectangular form, whereby centre ring (13) of the flexible hinge is situated at the centre of said rectangle when engagement heads (14a, 15a) of said hinge are positioned within their seats (L₁, L₂).
13. Hinge system according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that edge sections (1, 3) comprise, near the two median planes (X, X′) of the panels, support surfaces (M₁, M₂) substantially at right angles to said median planes with a view to enabling the sections to rest one on the other, when the panels are in the alignment position.
14. Hinge system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that centre ring (13) of the flexible hinge is a hollow ring, the two ends of which can be provided with blocking plugs.
15. Hinge system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that wings (14, 15) of the flexible hinge are attached to opposite parts of centre ring (13) so as to form between them, in the position of rest, an angle (α) comprised between 140° and 160°, whereby the hinge is capable of undergoing, from said position of rest, opposite deformations when the panels pivot in the direction of their alignment position or in the direction of their outermost angle position.
16. Hinge system according to one of claims 1 to 15, applied to sectional doors comprising a plurality of panels hinged two and two by means of said systems, characterised in that one of edge profiles (1) is provided, in its axial plane (X), with a circular bore (9) with a view to laterally positioning roller spindles.
17. Hinge system according to claim 16, characterised in that each section (1, 3) is provided with structures (5, 6) suitable for clamping woodwork, in particular woodwork pertaining to a glass window.
18. Hinge system according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterised in that each section (1, 3) is endowed, on the one hand, with a groove (7, 8) for insertion of the edge of a metal sheet (20) constituting the front face of the panels, and on the other hand a wing (16, 17) for retaining the edge of a metal sheet (18) constituting the rear face of the panel.
19. Hinge system according to one of claims 16, 17 or 18, characterised in that at least one of edge sections (1) comprises, on one side, engagement structures (10) for an inertial reinforcement (R).

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