EP0897447B1 - Hinge with elastic ring return system - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR97/00798 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 30, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 30, 1998 PCT Filed May 6, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO97/43511 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 20, 1997The invention features a hinge or coupling two panels (P1, P2), one of which at least opens rotatably about an axis (X) parallel to the planes of the said panels, comprising a mobile fixing element (1) on the opening panel, a fixing element on the other panel and linking means (3) between the fixing elements co-operating with elastic return means of the panel opening to at least a stable angular equilibrium position, characterized in that the said return means consists of a ring (4) located in a cavity (10) of the mobile fixing element (1) and capable of being elastically deformed by the pressing action of a cam (30) rotating about a central shaft (5) parallel to the planes of the panels, being carried by the linking means (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge for articulation two panels between them.

More particularly, the invention applies to panels at least one of which opens by being movable in rotation around a axis parallel to the planes of said panels.

Known hinges generally include a first fastening element on the movable panel, a second fixing on the other fixed or mobile panel and a connecting member between said fastening elements, cooperating with return means elastic of the movable panel towards at least one angular position of stable equilibrium.

In this type of hinge, the return means are constituted springs or pistons which are complex and fragile parts tolerating, sometimes quite badly, repetitive efforts.

In addition, these hinges require lubrication (oils, fats ...) which can be a source of pollution.

In addition, their use is inappropriate or even impossible in certain applications where the surrounding environment is aggressive or is example likely to generate corrosion phenomena.

The object of the present invention is to solve the problems previous techniques or at least mitigate them.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a hinge to articulate two panels, at least one of which is opening by rotation about an axis parallel to the planes of said panels, of the type comprising a movable fastening element on the opening panel, a fastening element on the other panel and a connecting member between said fastening elements cooperating with return means elastic of the opening panel, towards at least one angular position of stable equilibrium, characterized in that said return means are consisting of a removable ring housed in a cavity of the element fixing mobile and capable of being elastically deformed by support of a rotary cam around a central shaft parallel to the planes of panels, being carried by the connecting member.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said cam is formed of the prismatic end of the connecting member ensuring, during the rotation of the panel, by its edges, on the one hand, elastic compression of the ring and by its lateral faces, on the other hand, stopping and maintaining said panel in as many angular positions of equilibrium.

According to a particular embodiment, the end prismatic of the connecting member has three lateral faces connected at 90 ° by curvilinear edges.

According to another characteristic, said ring includes lateral ears intended to immobilize it between said cam, on the one hand, and a stop integral with the movable fixing element, on the other hand.

According to yet another characteristic, said cam is retained in contact with the ring between two hollow cylinders, integral with the movable fixing element and receiving, on either side of said cam, the ends of the central shaft.

According to another embodiment, the first mobile element fixing consists of a bracket intended to be assembled with a substantially parallel flange so as to trap, on the one hand, in the central intermediate space, both, said ring and said cam and at on the other hand, ensuring the tightening of said element around the periphery of a notch made on the edge of said opening panel.

Preferably, the central intermediate space delimited between the stirrup and the flange of the movable fixing element is occupied by a shim surrounding the housing cavity of the ring.

In addition, it is expected that the bracket will be assembled with the flange at by means of a screw intended to be anchored in a bush forming a spacer integral with the stirrup or the flange and which projects into the cavity at the center of the ring.

According to other characteristics, said cam comprises a conduit internally traversed by the central shaft while providing a degree of freedom in rotation.

Furthermore, said connecting member is integral, on the opposite side to the cam, from a fastening element to a fixed panel.

According to a variant, said connecting member is connected to said fastening element via a 90 ° elbow.

In another particular embodiment, said member connection carries a cam at each of its ends and the elements fixing mobiles are fitted with elastically deformable rings so that the two panels are rotatable.

According to a first variant of the above embodiment, the connecting member is rectilinear to allow movement of the 360 ° panels.

According to another variant, the connecting member is profiled so to define between the two end cams an angle between 90 ° and 180 ° depending on the relative orientation of the panels.

According to yet another embodiment, said member for connection is connected at its opposite end to the cam, to a plate of fixing on a wall.

Another object of the invention lies in the specific use of the previous hinge to articulate glass panels.

The hinge of the invention allows flexible travel and panels adjustable up to 360 °, adapting the connecting member and the elements of fixing to each situation. It also applies to panels of different thicknesses and different natures.

The hinge of the invention can be made entirely in plastic, which eliminates any corrosion problem.

In addition, the simplicity of this hinge, especially with the removable ring, allows an easy and fast assembly as well as a easy maintenance.

In addition, the hinge of the invention is always clean because it does not requiring no lubrication.

In addition, it can offer the panels several positions of intermediate equilibrium, which makes it possible to break down the panel movements and limits, especially for panels of glass, the risk of violent impact at the end of the stroke, which could cause ruptures.

• les figures 1a et 1b représentent des vues en coupe partielle respectivement de face et de dessus d'un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 1c représente une vue de profil du mode de réalisation des figures 1a et 1b;
• les figures 2a et 2b représentent respectivement une vue de face de l'anneau de la charnière et une vue de dessus en coupe partielle de la charnière en fonctionnement ;
• la figure 2c représente une vue d'ensemble en perspective de deux panneaux articulés au moyen de la charnière de l'invention ;
• la figure 3a, 3b et 3c représentent des vues de l'étrier du premier élément de fixation, respectivement de face, de profil et de dessus en coupe partielle ;
• la figure 4a, 4b et 4c représentent des vues de la bride du premier élément de fixation, respectivement de face, de profil et de dessus en coupe partielle ;
• les figures 5a et 5b représentent des vues en coupe partielle, respectivement de face et de de dessus, d'un second mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 6a et 6b représentent des vues en coupe partielle, respectivement de face et de dessus d'un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 7a et 7b représentent des vues en coupe partielle respectivement de face et de dessus d'un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, accompanied by the drawings in which:

• Figures 1a and 1b show views in partial section respectively from the front and from above of a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 1c shows a side view of the embodiment of Figures 1a and 1b;
• Figures 2a and 2b respectively show a front view of the ring of the hinge and a top view in partial section of the hinge in operation;
• FIG. 2c represents an overall perspective view of two panels hinged by means of the hinge of the invention;
• FIG. 3a, 3b and 3c show views of the stirrup of the first fixing element, respectively from the front, from the profile and from above in partial section;
• FIG. 4a, 4b and 4c show views of the flange of the first fastening element, respectively from the front, from the profile and from above in partial section;
• Figures 5a and 5b show views in partial section, respectively from the front and from above, of a second embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 6a and 6b show views in partial section, respectively from the front and from above of a third embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 7a and 7b show partial sectional views respectively from the front and from above of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figure 2c, the hinge C of the invention is intended to articulate two panels P1, P2 of dimensions and any shape, at least one of which P1 is rotatable about an axis X parallel to the planes of said panels.

Before mounting the hinge C, a notch E is made on the side edge of the opening panel (s).

The notch E is intended to receive the movable element 1 of fixing, that is to say the fixing element of the hinge C on the opening panel P1, as described below with reference to FIGS. 3a at 4c.

Of course, the articulation of the panels P1, P2 is ensured, preferably by several hinges C mounted at a distance on the edges side panels.

In the embodiment of Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, the hinge C comprises a movable element 1 for fixing to the opening panel P1, a fastening element 2 on the fixed panel P2 which can also be a wall or wall partition (Figures 5a, 5b) and a connecting member 3 between elements 1, 2. The connecting member 3 cooperates with means of elastic return of the opening panel P1, to at least one position angular stable balance.

According to the invention, the return means consist of a removable ring 4, housed in a cavity 10 of the movable element 1 of fixation.

Ring 4 is susceptible to elastic deformation, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2a, by pressing a cam 30 rotatable around a central shaft 5 arranged along the axis X, parallel to the planes of the panels P1, P2, being carried by the connecting member 3.

If necessary, the dynamic connection between the cam 30 and the shaft 5 is provided by bearings 6. The ring 4 has ears lateral 41, 42 intended to immobilize it between the cam 30, on the one hand, and a stop 14, integral with the movable fixing element 1, on the other hand.

As shown in Figures 1a and 3a, the cam 30 is retained in contact with the ring 4, between two hollow cylinders 13a, 13b integral with element 1 and receiving, on either side of cam 30, the ends of the central shaft 5.

The cam 30 is formed from the prismatic end of the link 3 which includes here, in the embodiments shown, and in particular in detail FIG. 2b, three lateral faces 301, 302, 303.

The three lateral faces 301, 302, 303 ensure stopping and holding the opening panel P1 in as many angular positions of balance. In these positions, there is always contact between one lateral faces 301, 302 or 303 of the cam 30 and the ear 41 of the ring 4. Similarly, the hollow cylinders 13a, 13b have a section identical to that of cam 30.

The side faces 301, 302,303 are connected at 90 ° by edges whose sharp corner has been removed to form a curvilinear profile not aggressive towards the ring 4.

In the embodiment shown, the cam 30 has two edges 331, 332 which ensure, respectively, during rotation in one direction or the other, the elastic compression of the ring 4 by support on his ear 41.

This compression is accompanied by the presence of the stop 14, of a vertical elongation along the axis X of the ring 4 (see Figure 2a). The cam 30 has an internal conduit 35 through which the central shaft 5 while providing a degree of freedom in rotation. Through moreover, the connecting member 3 is integral, on the side opposite to the cam 30, of the fixing element 2 which is here formed of a clamp whose branches 21, 22 are intended to enclose the lateral edge of the fixed panel P2. The clamp 2 is provided with holes 20 for the installation of screws.

The movable element 1 for fixing to the opening panel P1 is consisting of a bracket 11 intended to be assembled with a flange 12 substantially parallel so as to trap in the central space interlayer, both, the ring 4 and the cam 30.

This assembly also ensures the tightening of the element mobile 1 around the notch E of the opening panel P1, at by means of a screw 7 (Figure 1b).

The screw 7 is intended to be anchored in a socket 15 forming spacer which is here integral with the stirrup 11 (see FIG. 3c) or in a variant not shown of the flange 12 and which projects in the center of the ring 4 in the cavity 10 of the fixing element 1.

The central intermediate space delimited between the stirrup 11 and the flange 12 is occupied around the housing cavity 10 of the ring 4, by a wedge 8 preferably made of a compressible material such as cork.

The flange 12 shown in Figures 4a to 4c is constituted of a symmetrical plate of the external wall of the stirrup 11 pierced with a central hole 17 for mounting the screw 7.

The internal face of the flange 12 has cavities 12a, 12b arranged opposite the hollow cylinders 13a, 13b during assembly with the bracket 11.

This internal face also includes a cavity 12c intended to come place itself opposite the stop 14 and a central cavity 12d intended to receive the end of the socket 15.

This arrangement ensures the support of the cylinders 13a, 13b, of the stop 14 and of the sleeve 15 whose projecting ends are received respectively in the cavities 12a, 12b, 12c, while reducing the intermediate space between the stirrup 11 and the flange 12.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5a and 5b, the member for link 3 is always secured on the side opposite the cam 30 to an element fixing 2 to a fixed panel.

But, the fixed panel is here a wall (not shown) and element 2 then consists of a plate pierced with two or three orifices 20 intended to receive screws for anchoring in the wall.

The connecting member 3 is connected here to the fixing plate 2 via a bend 23 at 90 ° (Figure 5b).

In the embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b, the hinge C is intended to articulate two opening panels by rotation (not shown) of the type of panel P1 described above.

The hinge C is therefore provided with two movable elements symmetrical 1a, 1b for fixing on the opening panels.

The connecting member 3 carries a cam 30a, 30b at each of its ends and the movable elements 1a, 1b are each equipped with a ring 4a, 4b elastically deformable. The link member 3 is here straight to allow 360 ° panel travel. The hinge structure C is identical on each panel opening to the structure described with reference to the previous figures.

In the embodiment of Figures 7a and 7b, the two panels hinged by hinge C are always opening as in the embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b. But here the organ of link 3 is profiled so as to define between the two cams 30a, 30b a angle between 90 ° and 180 ° depending on the relative orientation of the panels, shown in Figure 7b at 135 °.

Claims (15)

1. Hinge for coupling two panels (P1, P2), of which at least one opens by rotation about an axis (X) parallel to the planes of said panels, of the type comprising a mobile fixing element (1) on the opening panel, a fixing element on the other panel and linking means (3) between said fixing elements, co-operating with elastic return means of the panel opening towards at least a stable angular equilibrium position; said return means being constituted by a removable ring (4) housed in a cavity (10) of the mobile fixing element (1) and capable of being elastically deformed by the pressing action of a cam (30) rotating about a central shaft (5) parallel to the planes of the panels, being carried by the linking means (3), characterised in that said cam (30) is formed by the prismatic end of the linking means (3) ensuring, upon rotation of the panel, by its edges, on the one hand, the elastic compression of the ring (4) and by its lateral faces, on the other hand, the stop and hold of said panel in as many angular positions of equilibrium.
2. Hinge according to Claim 1, characterised in that the prismatic end of the linking means (3) comprises three lateral faces (301, 302, 303) connected at 90° by curvilinear edges (331, 332).
3. Hinge according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said ring (4) comprises lateral ears (41, 42) intended to immobilise it between said cam (30), on the one hand, and a stop (14) fast with the mobile fixing element (1), on the other hand.
4. Hinge according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said cam (30) is retained in contact with the ring between two recessed cylinders (13a, 13b), fast with the mobile fixing element (1) and receiving, on either side of said cam, the ends of the central shaft (5).
5. Hinge according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the mobile fixing element (1) is constituted by a stirrup element (11) intended to be assembled with a substantially parallel flange (12) so as to imprison, on the one hand, in the central space, both said ring (4) and said cam (30) and to ensure, on the other hand, tightening of said element (1) on the periphery of a notch (E) made on the edge of said opening panel.
6. Hinge according to Claim 5, characterised in that the central space defined between the stirrup (11) and the flange (12) of the mobile fixing element (1) is occupied by a shim (8) surrounding the cavity (10) for housing the ring (4).
7. Hinge according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the stirrup (11) is assembled with the flange (12) by means of a screw (7) intended to be anchored in a bush (15) forming spacer member fast with the stirrup element (11) or the flange (12) and which projects in the cavity (10) at the centre of the ring (4).
8. Hinge according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said cam (30) comprises an inner conduit (35) traversed by the central shaft (5), arranging a degree of freedom in rotation.
9. Hinge according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said linking means (3) is fast, on the side opposite cam (30), with an element (2) for fixing to a fixed panel.
10. Hinge according to Claim 9, characterised in that said linking means (3) are connected to said fixing element (2) via a 90° bend (23).
11. Hinge according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said linking means (3) bear a cam (30a, 30b) at each end and the mobile fixing elements (1a, 1b) are equipped with elastically deformable rings (4a, 4b) so that the two panels open by rotation.
12. Hinge according to Claim 11, characterised in that the linking means (3) are rectilinear to allow a 360° clearance of the panels.
13. Hinge according to Claim 11, characterised in that the linking means (3) are profiled so as to define between the two end cams (30a, 30b) an angle included between 90° and 180°.
14. Hinge according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said linking means (3) are connected at their end opposite the cam (30) to a plate (2) for fixing on a mural wall.
15. Use of the hinge according to one of the preceding Claims for coupling glass panels.

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