EP1826346A2

EP1826346A2 - Hinge for doors

Info

Publication number: EP1826346A2
Application number: EP06125172A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ruggero Ghidini
Original assignee: Stilopress SRL
Current assignee: Stilopress SRL
Priority date: 2006-02-28
Filing date: 2006-11-30
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-30
Also published as: ATE507364T1; EP1826346B1; DE602006021532D1; ITBS20060043A1; ES2365625T3; EP1826346A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge (10) comprising a first element (20) and a second element (30). The first element, to be fixed to a jamb (2), comprises a first appendix (22) coupled to a pin (40) that defines a hinge axis (X). The second element, to be fixed to a door (3), comprises at least a second appendix (32) coupled to the same pin. The two elements are mutually pivoted about the hinge axis. The two appendices define sliding surfaces (47) suitable for transmitting forces along the hinge axis. The second element further comprises a fairing (34) suitable for covering, in a front view of the closed hinge, the first appendix and the sliding surfaces. The invention also relates to a furnishing item comprising at least one hinge described above.

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge for doors, in particular an improved hinge for panel doors made of glass.
Connecting hinges have long been widely known in order to allow the placing of a mobile panel at the entrance of a room. Such hinges consist of a first element integral to a fixed portion (hereinafter referred to as jamb) and a second element integral to a mobile portion (hereinafter referred to as door). The first and the second element are pivoted to one another along an axis called "hinge".
The placing of the hinge axis relative to the jamb and door surfaces and the specific shape of the two hinge elements in the proximity of the hinge axis determine the possibilities of opening the door. To obtain a wide opening, close to 180°, it is known to place the hinge axis in a forward position and shape the two elements so that in the proximity of the hinge axis, they occupy different planes, so as to prevent any possible interference thereof.
While being simple and functional, such known hinges are not free from disadvantages.
The door relieves its weight on the jamb through the bearing of the mobile element on the fixed element. Such bearing occurs on one or more support surfaces for each hinge. During the door movement steps, the support surfaces of the hinge are a seat of sliding between the two elements.
The sliding added to the load due to the door weight unavoidably cause the wear of contact surfaces. Such wear may be partly reduced by the interposition of lubricants and/or special anti-friction washers.
All of this, and in particular the excess of lubricant and/or the material removed by wear creates deposits of dirt around the sliding surfaces.
Since the shape of known hinges must guarantee a wide door opening, such deposits of dirt are jutting and freely accessible from the exterior. Hence it is understood how the user in actual facts runs the risk of getting dirty when he/she approaches the door, for example for opening or closing it.
Moreover, the free and direct accessibility of the sliding surfaces of the known hinges implies the risk that textile fibres or even user's hair accidentally interpose between the two surfaces.
From the above description it is understood that known hinges are little comfortable and not much safe.
The problem at the basis of the present invention is to propose a hinge which should exhibit such structural and functional features as to overcome at least partly the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art.
Such problem is solved by a hinge in accordance with claim 1. The dependent claims relate to further aspects or embodiments of the hinge according to the present invention.
Further features and the advantages of the hinge according to the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the annexed figures, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hinge according to the invention in an open configuration;
figure 2 shows a perspective view of a hinge according to the invention in a closed configuration;
figure 3 shows a front view of a hinge according to the invention in a closed usage configuration;
figure 4 shows a section view along line IV-IV of figure 3;
figure 5 shows a view similar to that of figure 4 but in open configuration;
figure 6 shows a side view along direction VI-VI of figure 3.
With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 10 globally denotes a hinge according to the invention.
Hinge 10 comprises a first element 20 and a second element 30 pivoted to one another along a hinge axis X. For convenience of description, hereinafter it is conventionally considered that the first element 20 is suitable for being constrained to a jamb 2 (reference shall be made to figures 3, 4 or 5) whereas the second element is suitable for being constrained to a door 3.
It is clear to the man skilled in the art that the convention fixed above for convenience of description does not exclude that element 2 may be fixed to door 3 and, respectively, that element 3 may be fixed to jamb 2. Similarly, it is not excluded that jamb 2 itself may in turn be mobile relative to an external reference.
The first element 20 comprises a main body 21 from which an appendix 22 protrudes, suitable for coupling to a pin 40 that forms the hinge axis X.
In accordance with the embodiment shown, the shape of appendix 22 is such that the hinge axis X is in a shifted position with respect to the surface of jamb 2. In particular, the hinge axis is shifted in the direction of movement of the door during the initial opening step, indicated with arrow A in figure 4. The particular shape of appendix 22 further makes a gap 24 of thickness S remain between appendix 22 and jamb 2.
Moreover, in accordance with the embodiment shown, the shape of appendix 22 is such that the hinge axis X is in misaligned position relative to the juxtaposition line 48 between jamb 2 and door 3. In particular, the hinge axis X is shifted in the direction of jamb 2, as is clearly seen in the front view of figure 3.
Here and hereinafter, front direction means that of a user in front of the closed door and who is about to open it by pulling it towards him/her.
The main body 21 of the first element 20 comprises a jamb surface 23 suitable for resting on jamb 2. Such jamb surface comprises connecting means 41 suitable for fixing the first element 20 to jamb 2.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in the annexed figures, the connecting means comprise two screws 42 suitable for removably connecting the main body 21 to a plate 25.
Such embodiment is particularly suitable for fixing the first element 20 to a thin jamb, for example to a panel, on whose thickness it is not possible to directly obtain the threaded seats for the screws.
In particular, if the component panel of the jamb is fragile, for example glass, it is advisable to insert bushes 44 of soft material in the proximity of screws 42. Such bushes 44, that may also comprise end flanges, prevent the tightening of screws 42 or the transmission of forces from the first element 20 to jamb 2 from causing local fractures in the glass.
In accordance with other possible embodiments, the connecting means 41 may comprise screws suitable for setting into the jamb, or adhesives or other means as deemed suitable by the person skilled in the art for the specific requirements.
Similarly, the second element 30 comprises a main body 31 from which at least one appendix 32 protrudes, suitable for coupling to pin 40 that forms the hinge axis X.
The main body 31 of the second element 30 comprises a door surface 33 suitable for resting on door 3. Such door surface comprises connecting means 41 suitable for fixing the second element 30 to door 3.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in the annexed figures, the connecting means comprise two screws 42 suitable for removably connecting the main body 31 to a plate 35.
Such embodiment is particularly suitable for fixing the second element 30 to a thin door, for example to a panel, on whose thickness it is not possible to directly obtain the threaded seats for the screws.
In particular, if the component panel of the door is fragile, for example glass, it is advisable to insert bushes 44 of soft material in the proximity of screws 42. Such bushes 44, that may also comprise end flanges, prevent the tightening of screws 42 or the transmission of forces from door 3 to the second element 30 from causing local fractures in the glass.
In accordance with other possible embodiments, the connecting means 41 may comprise screws suitable for setting into the door, or adhesives or other means as deemed suitable by the person skilled in the art for the specific requirements.
The second element 30 must necessarily connect door 3 to pin 40 supported by the first element 20. In the shown embodiment, since axis X is away from the juxtaposition line 48 in the direction of jamb 2, the main body 31 and appendices 32 of the second element 30 cross the juxtaposition line 48.
Both the appendix 22 of the first element 20, and the at least one appendix 32 of the second element 30 couple to pin 40 so as to be mutually pivoted about axis X.
Moreover, in a manner known per se, appendices 22 and 32 form sliding surfaces 47 that allow transmitting the forces directed along axis X, in at least one of the two possible directions.
The second element 30 further comprises a fairing 34, preferably obtained integral with the main body 31. As can be easily appreciated in figure 3, in the front view of hinge 10 in closed configuration, fairing 34 completely covers appendix 22 of the first element 20 as well as the sliding surfaces 47 between the first element 20 and the second element 30.
As is easily appreciated from figures 4 and 5, fairing 34 does not represent a limit for the mobility of door 3. In fact, during the final opening steps, the tapered shape of fairing 34 is seated into gap 24 between appendix 22 and door 2.
Different configurations of fairing 34 (for example different tapers) and of gap 24 (for example different thicknesses S) may be adopted for meeting specific requirements.
As is clearly appreciated from figure 3, hinge 10 according to the invention allows obtaining a continuous and uninterrupted front surface 38. In fact, fairing 34 completely covers the sliding surfaces 47, so that they are not directly visible or reachable by a user that frontally approaches door 3.
According to a further aspect thereof, the invention also relates to a furnishing item comprising at least one hinge 10 described above. The furnishing element may for example be a wardrobe, a cupboard, a shower stall or a partition wall.
The features of the hinge according to the invention exemplified above with reference to different embodiments, may be freely recombined for meeting specific requirements.
A person skilled in the art may make several changes, adjustments and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent in the embodiments of the hinge described above in order to meet specific requirements, without however departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

A hinge (10) comprising a first element (20) and a second element (30);
said first element (20) being suitable for being fixed to a jamb (2) and comprising a first appendix (22), suitable for coupling to a pin (40) defining a hinge axis (X) ;
said second element (30) being suitable for being fixed to a door (3) and comprising a second appendix (32) suitable for coupling to said pin (40);
said first and second element (20, 30) being suitable for being mutually pivoted about the hinge axis (X); and
said appendices (22, 32) defining sliding surfaces suitable for transmitting forces along the hinge axis (X) ;
characterised in that said second element (30) further comprises a fairing (34) suitable for covering, in a front view of the closed hinge (10), said first appendix (22) and said sliding surfaces (47).
A hinge (10) according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the first appendix (22) is such that the hinge axis (X) is in a position shifted with respect to the surface of the jamb (2).
A hinge (10) according to the previous claim, wherein the hinge axis (X) is shifted in the direction (A) towards which the door (3) moves during the initial opening step.
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the shape of the appendix (22) determines the presence of a gap (24) between the appendix (22) of the first element (20) and the door (2).
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein the shape of the first appendix (22) is such that the hinge axis (X) is misaligned relative to the juxtaposition line (48) between the jamb (2) and the door (3).
A hinge (10) according to the previous claim, wherein the hinge axis (X) is misaligned relative to the juxtaposition line (48) in the direction of the jamb (2).
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein said first element (20) comprises a jamb surface (23) suitable for resting on the jamb (2).
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein said first element (20) comprises connecting means (41) suitable for fixing said first element (20) to the jamb (2).
A hinge (10) according to the previous claim, wherein the connecting means (41) comprise at least one screw (42) suitable for removably connecting the first element (20) to a plate (25).
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein said second element (30) comprises a door surface (33) suitable for resting on the door (3).
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein said second element (30) comprises connecting means (41) suitable for fixing said second element (30) to the door (3).
A hinge (10) according to the previous claim, wherein the connecting means (41) comprise at least one screw (42) suitable for removably connecting the second element (20) to a plate (35).
A hinge (10) according to claim 8, 9, 11 or 12 wherein said connecting means (41) comprise bushes (44) of a soft material.
A hinge (10) according to claim 6, wherein said second element (30), in usage in closed configuration, crosses the juxtaposition line (48) between the jamb (2) and the door (3).
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein said fairing (34) is obtained integral with the second element (30).
A hinge (10) according to claim 4, wherein said gap (24) seats said fairing (34) at the end of the opening step.
A hinge (10) according to any previous claim, wherein a continuous and uninterrupted surface (38) appears in a front view of the closed hinge (10).
A hinge (10) according to the previous claim, wherein said second element (30) comprises said continuous and uninterrupted surface (38).
A furnishing item comprising at least one hinge (10) according to any one of the previous claims.