EP2639390A1

EP2639390A1 - A hinge element and a hinge containing the hinge element

Info

Publication number: EP2639390A1
Application number: EP12159729.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Josip Kozul
Original assignee: Arrow AB
Current assignee: Arrow AB
Priority date: 2012-03-15
Filing date: 2012-03-15
Publication date: 2013-09-18

Abstract

A hinge element of a hinge (1) for a leaf (3), the hinge (1) comprising a leaf holder (2) to which the leaf (3) is attachable and a connecting part (4) to which the leaf holder (2) is pivotally connected. The hinge element comprises a pivot plug (6) and a guide element (7) for connection to the connecting part (4), the guide element (7) comprising a cavity (20) being in pivoting engagement with said pivot plug (6) comprising a recess (17) providing a cam surface. An elongated element (23, 23', 23'') is arranged in the guide element cavity (20) for sliding engagement with said pivot plug (6) so that a movement of the pivot plug (6) around a pivot axis A moves the pivot plug (6) in a direction along the pivot axis A. Also provided is a hinge that comprises the hinge element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hinge element of a hinge for a leaf being a door leaf, glass door leaf, window or the like. The invention also relates to hinge comprising the hinge element. There is also provided a shower partition comprising the hinge.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A shower partition is commonly used for enclosing a shower space and thereby preventing water entering the outside the shower partition and said shower space. Such a partition normally comprises a door, such as a glass door, that utilizes a hinge system for pivotally connecting the door to a profile for connection to a wall fixing part or to another section of the shower partition or the like. Known such doors frequently have a function which makes them rise somewhat from the bathroom floor when opened. The door may be a door in two parts opening to the shower, i.e. a shower partitioning with two movable door leaves mounted as a pair, of which both may be enclosing a shower space, or may be moved to positions where the outer end of the door leaves are moved towards the bathroom wall.
A shower partition is often installed in bathroom where the walls and floor of the bathroom are uneven and not perpendicular to each other. Thus, an installation of the partition often requires adjustments to provide proper pivotal function and a sealing of the door against the floor in use position for showering. This installation may be tedious, difficult and costly and the available partition systems are often expensive, as the manufacturing of manufacturing of such a partition is time-consuming and costly.
A known hinge system with a door lifting function is disclosed EP 1 746 921 B1 . The hinge disclosed therein is a hinge for a door leaf for a shower partition system. The hinge has a pin comprising a holder for the door leaf and a connecting part. The pin is pivotally connected to the connecting part via two guides, each of which is enclosing an end of the pin so as to allow and guide a pivoting motion in the connecting part for the pin on its longitudinal axis when the door leaf is rotated optionally to the right or to the left. One end of the pin and a first carrier plate placed in one of said guides engage each other by cam surfaces and the other end of the pin and a second carrier plate in a second of said guides also engage each other by cam surfaces. Means such as a screw are arranged to lock the respective carrier plates to the connecting part and unlock the respective carrier plates from the connecting part so as to allow a door lifting function for both a left- and a right-hung door leaf.
Although the mentioned prior art hinge system to some extent may alleviate the problems of providing hinge system that allows a door leaf lifting function for both a left- and a right-hung of a door leaf, there is still a great need for further improvements of the hinges, so as to provide a hinge system which is easy and safe to use, install and produce, while having the mentioned lifting function.

SUMMARY

In view of known hinge systems there is an object to provide an improved and/or alternative a hinge and a hinge element thereof having a lifting function, while being easy to use, install and produce, and being suitable for allowing a left-hung and right-hung of the same hinge and door leaf.
The object is wholly or partially achieved by hinge element according to appended claim 1, a hinge according to appended claim 12 and a shower partition according to claim 15. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge element of a hinge for a leaf being a door leaf, glass door leaf, window or the like., wherein the hinge comprises a leaf holder to which the leaf is attachable in a leaf holding part thereof, and a connecting part to which the leaf holder is pivotally connected. The hinge element comprises a pivot plug adapted to be arranged at an end of the leaf holder. The hinge element further comprises a guide element adapted to be connected to or part of the connecting part, wherein the guide element comprises a cavity being in pivoting engagement with said pivot plug, wherein the pivot plug comprises a recess providing a cam surface. An elongated element is arranged in the cavity of the guide element for sliding engagement with said pivot plug and cam surface so that a pivotal movement of the pivot plug around a pivot axis A moves the cam surface relative the elongated element, whereby the pivot plug moves along a direction that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis A.
By such a hinge element there is provided a way of having a lifting function for a leaf such as a glass door leaf, while the hinge is easy to use, install and produce. In particular, the hinge requires few easy manufactured parts for the hinge function.
The hinge element is suitable for replacing the corresponding hinge elements as described in US 5 613 276 and EP 1 746 921 B1 .
According to an embodiment, the elongated element may be a pin, preferably a cylinder pin, arranged in the cavity for engagement with the said cam surface of the pivot plug.
Such an elongated element is easy to produce and handle during use. It provides a safe and rigid hinge element with a lifting function.
According to an embodiment, the elongated element may be longitudinally elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A.
By this arrangement, there is provided a simple functional arrangement with a safe and rigid hinge element having a lifting function.
According to an embodiment, the recess of the pivot plug may be an open channel extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A, which channel faces the cavity and the elongated element.
Such a channel is suitable for interacting with the elongated element and provides at least a lifting function upon a pivotal movement in one direction, in particular in two directions.
According to an embodiment, the cavity may have a circular cup-like form with a cavity bottom from which a cavity side surface circularly surrounding the cavity extends towards a cavity opening facing the pivot plug, wherein the cavity side surface in form-fit manner match and engage a circular outer surface portion of the pivot plug for pivotally engagement around the axis A.
The cup-like formed cavity may preferably be in the form of a straight circular cylinder (bore); having an axis that substantially coincides with the pivot axis A. The bore is in pivotally engagement with the pivot plug, and thereby the holder is also guided in a vertical direction, when mounted, i.e. along and around the pivot axis.
According to an embodiment, the elongated element may be arranged at the cavity bottom, when the guide element is placed so that bottom is the vertically lowest part of the cavity. Said elongated element is then longitudinally elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A.
According to an embodiment, a guide pin may extend from the cavity bottom a direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis, said guide pin being arranged to be inserted into a transversal bore in the elongated element arranged in the cavity.
The guide pin and the bore may have longitudinal axes that substantially coincide with the pivot axis A, wherein means are provided for guiding the movement of the elongated member around the pivot axis A. The guide pin guides also secure a correct position of the elongated element for adjusting it or for the lifting function.
According to an embodiment, means may be arranged to lock the elongated element to the guide element or unlock the elongated element from the guide element, wherein the elongated element in the unlocked state is pivotally movable around the pivot axis A.
The locking means provide that the lifting function can be activated or deactivated. Furthermore, locking means also provide a possibility of adjusting an angle of door leaf relative wall, for example where the lower, non-raised position of the door leaf should be. The hinge element is then also suitable as a lower hinge element in a hinge providing a lifting function or as an upper hinge element for providing a pivotal movement, similar to the hinge elements as described in EP 1 746 921 B1 .
In this way there is provided a way of adjusting the position during installation depending on the inclination of the floor, and if the door contains a pair of door leaves, in particular with different leaf widths mounted, for example, in a corner for enclosing a shower space therein, the closing position of each door leaf must be pivotally adjusted so that door leaves close with door leaf edges towards each other.
According to an embodiment, the locking means may comprise a threaded pin that is screwed into a threaded hole of the elongated element, wherein an unscrewing or screwing movement of the threaded pin leads to lockably engagement of the elongated element and/or the threaded pin with at least one surface of the guide element and the guide pin.
This provides a safe way of locking the elongated element to the guide element.
The bore may have a larger diameter than the guide pin, providing a horizontal play between the bore and the pin, if need be thereof so as to allow the engagement.
According to an embodiment, the lockably engagement may be provided by engaging a head end of the threaded pin with an inner side surface of the cavity and by engaging an end of the elongated element with the inner side surface of the cavity.
By having two ends engaging the cavity side surface, the required forces acting on the guide element is lower than if only one end engage the guiding element, thereby providing safe and easy locking of the elongated element relative the guide element, thereby providing a safe and easy locking of the elongated element relative the guide element.
The bore may have a larger diameter than the guide pin, providing a horizontal play between the bore and the pin so as to allow the ends to lock against the cavity side surface, when the element is elongated by the screw.
According to an embodiment, the guide element may comprise a through-slot through a guide element cavity side forming a cavity side surface, said through-slot providing an opening for accessing the cavity interior from the outside.
In this way a user may with the aid of a tool screw the threaded pin located inside the cavity in different positions. There is also provided a way of passing the threaded pin through the slot and locking the screw head against an outer facings surface of the guide element.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a hinge for a leaf being a door leaf, glass door leaf, window or the like, the hinge comprising a leaf holder to which the leaf is attachable in a leaf holding part thereof, and a connecting part to which the leaf holder is pivotally connected. The hinge comprises a hinge element as mentioned above, wherein a pivotal movement of the pivot plug around a pivot axis A also provides a pivotal movement of the leaf holder around the pivot axis A and moves the pivot plug and leaf holder along a direction that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis A.
According to one embodiment, the leaf holder may be an elongated element to which the leaf is attachable in the leaf holding part longitudinally extending along the leaf holder, wherein the leaf holder has two opposing ends, each of which is connected to a hinge element as mentioned above.
The hinge provides the mentioned lifting function with all the advantages mentioned above, irrespectively whether or not the door leaf is left-hanged or right-hanged and/or turned upside down.
According to one embodiment, the hinge may comprise two leaf holders, each of which is connected to a hinge element as mentioned above.
This hinge with the two hinge elements provides the possibility of a left-hung or right-hung function, and to be turned upside down, with all the advantages mentioned above.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a shower partition comprising any one of the hinges as mentioned above.
A partition with such a hinge provides all the advantages mentioned above.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a hinge, wherein some elements at an upper end of the hinge have been removed for showing the internal elements of hinge element
Figure 2 shows a perspective view a pivot plug of a hinge.
Figures 3a-c are schematically top views/cross-sections of guide element embodiments for the hinge in figure 1.
Figure 4a-c illustrates different positions of a pivot plug relative an elongated element.
Figure 5a-d a lifting function for a leaf holder provided by a hinge element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to hinge for a door leaf, window or the like. In the following, the hinge will be exemplified by a glass door leaf for a shower partition. The glass door leaf may be a straight door leaf or curved in cross-section or any other form that is known to or appreciated by the person skilled in the art as suitable for a door leaf.
Figure 1 illustrates a hinge 1 comprising a leaf holder 2 (i.e. in this case a glass holder) to which leaf 3 in the form of a glass plate 3 is attached in a leaf holding part 2a thereof. The leaf holder 2 is shown as tubular formed elongated element extending along its longitudinal axis A. The hinge 1 further comprises a longitudinal extending connecting part 4 for connection to a wall fixing element 5 or to another section of the shower partition or the like. The connecting part 4 is pivotally connected (attached) to the leaf holder 2 by means of two hinge elements, wherein the glass door leaf 3 may be pivoted around the pivot axis A, also being the axis of the leaf holder 2.
Each hinge element comprises a pivot plug 6 adapted to be arranged at an end 8 of the leaf holder 2 and a guide element 7 adapted to be connected to or part of the connecting part 4. The guide element 7 and the pivot plug 6 is arranged to be in pivotally engagement with each other around the pivot axis A shown in figure 1.
The leaf holder 2 is at its each end 8 pivotally connected to a guide element 7 of the connecting part 4, wherein the pivoting mechanism is provided as well as a guiding of the leaf holder 2 in a vertical direction, when mounted. The shown leaf holder 2 contains a leaf holding part 2a in the form of a slot extending longitudinally along the leaf holder 2, into which slot the leaf 3 is attached by frictional, clamping force and/or by the use of an adhesive or the like.
Each hinge element provides the mechanism for lifting the door leaf 3 from a lowest position towards a raised position, when the door leaf 3 is pivoted starting from the lowest position. The lifting mechanism is arranged in a respective hinge element. The lifting mechanism of each hinge element can be activated or deactivated, so that the lifting mechanism is provided by the lower hinge element, when mounted, even though the upper hinge element may also contain all the necessary parts for providing the lifting mechanism. In this way it is made possible to turn the glass door leaf 3 upside-down so that previous lower parts are located at the upper end of the hinge 1. For the lifting function, it is in the upper placed hinge element that the lifting mechanism is deactivated, while the lower hinge element has the lifting mechanism activated and providing the lifting function. This arrangement provides a possibility of using identical hinges 1 for a left-hung or right-hung door leaf 3. The mechanism and the parts providing it will be described in more detail below.
Each hinge element is provided with a pivot plug 6 arranged at one end 8 of the leaf holder 2. The pivot plug 6 may be formed as an integrated part of the leaf holder 2 or as a separate part adapted to be attached to the leaf holder 2.
As illustrated in figure 1, the pivot plug is formed as a separate part, which at a side facing a leaf holder end 8, when mounted, comprises protruding portions 9, 10 extending in the longitudinal direction of the leaf holder 2, when mounted thereto. The protruding portions 9, 10 are in a form-fit manner inserted into openings 11, 12 of the leaf holder end 8. Furthermore, the plug comprises an annular flange 13 having substantially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the leaf holder 2 and providing a stop surface to be in contact with edges at the leaf holder end 8, when the plug is inserted therein. The plug may be further fixated by using screws passing through holes 14, 15 as seen in figure 2 into fixation points in the leaf holder 2 (not shown). At the side to be faced away from the leaf holder 2, the pivot plug comprises a protruding part 16 comprising a recess 17 for providing the pivotally lifting connection to the guide element 7, that will be discussed in more detail herein below,
Figures 3a-c show schematic views of embodiments of the guide element 7 seen from above in direction of the pivot axis A in figure 1. The guide element 7 comprises part 18 for connection to the connecting part 4. Said part 18 has a rectangular transversal cross-section that in form largely match the corresponding form of the connecting part 4 to which the guide element part is attached. The width of the connecting part 4 and said guide element part should be adapted for insertion into the U-shaped wall fixing element 5 as seen in figure 1. The guide element 7 may be part of the connecting part 4 or a separate unit which is mounted to the connecting part 4 by means of screws through holes on the guide element 7 in fixation points of the connecting part 4 (not shown).
The guide element 7 also comprises a circular cup-like sleeve part 19 forming a guide element portion with a cavity 20. In the embodiments illustrated in figures 3a-c, the cavity 20 adopts the form of a straight circular cylinder, having an axis that intended to substantially coincide with the pivot axis A in a mounted hinge element and hinge 1.
The cavity 20 is arranged to be in pivotally engagement with the pivot plug 6 and the protruding part 16 thereof comprising the recess 17, wherein the cavity side surface 21, wholly or partly, in form-fit manner matches and engages a circular outer surface portion 22 (see figure 2) at the protruding part 16 of the pivot plug 6 inserted in the cavity 20 for pivotally engagement around the axis A.
Two hinge elements pivotally connecting a leaf holder 2 to the connecting part 4 will then guide the leaf holder 2 in a vertical direction, i.e. along and around the pivot axis A.
An elongated element 23, 23', 23" is arranged in the cavity 20 of the guide element 7 for sliding engagement with said pivot plug 6 inserted into the cavity 20. Figures 3a-c illustrate the guide elements 7 provided with different embodiments of the elongated elements 23, 23', 23", all shown as cylinder pins arranged close to a bottom 24 of the cavity 20. The shown cylinder pins have substantially circular transversal cross-sections and each pin is longitudinally elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A. At least one end 25 of the cylinder pin may be curved to follow the curved shape of the side surface 21 of the cavity 20. This provides the possibility of an effective locking of the pin relative the guide element 7 as well as securing the rotational movement of the pin, when unlocked. Thus curved end 25 may also present in other embodiments of the elongated element 23, 23', 23" described herein.
Furthermore, each cylinder pin has a transversal bore 26 into which a guide pin 27 extending from the bottom 24 of the cavity 20 is inserted. The guide pin 27 extends from the cavity bottom 24 in a direction substantially parallel with the pivot axis A, and as shown in the figures 3a-c the guide pin 27 and the bore 26 have longitudinal axes that substantially coincide with the pivot axis A. In this way, means are provided for guiding a movement of the elongated member around the pivot axis A.
Locking means are arranged to lock the cylinder pin to the guide element 7 or unlock the elongated element 23, 23', 23" from the guide element 7, wherein the elongated element 23, 23', 23" in the unlocked state is pivotally movable around the pivot axis A, and in the locked stated fixed in the cavity 20 being immovable around the pivot axis A.
According to one embodiment as illustrated in figure 3a, the locking means comprise a threaded pin 28, such as a screw or the like, that is screwed into a threaded hole 29 at one end of the cylinder pin 23, the threaded hole 29 extending along the axis of cylinder pin from an hole opening at one end of the cylinder pin 23 to an point between the end with opening and the bore 26 for the guide pin 27.
The cylinder pin 23 and the threaded pin 28 attached thereto presents two opposing ends 25, 31 turned outwards towards the inner side surface 21 of the cavity 20. Thus, the locking of the cylinder pin 23 may be accomplished by loosening the threaded pin 28 so that the cylinder pin 23 together with the threaded pin 28 extends in a longitudinal direction to a longitudinal length, wherein both opposing ends 25, 31 are engaging the cavity side surface 21 and thereby locking the cylinder pin. The bore 26 may as seen in, for example figure 3a, have a larger diameter than the guide pin 27, providing a horizontal play between the bore 26 and the guide pin 27 so as to allow both opposing ends 25, 31 to lock against the side when the element 23, 31 is elongated by the threaded pin 28. The end 25 of the cylinder pin that is not provided by the threaded head is curved to follow the curved shape of the side surface 21 of the cavity 20.
According to another embodiment, the threaded pin 28 may be loosened so that the end 31 provided by the threaded pin 28 lockably contact the cavity side surface 21 and a surface of the cylinder pin bore 26 may lockably contact the guide pin 27, thereby locking the cylinder pin 23 to the guide element 7
For access of the cavity interior to a user, such as a fitter, there is provided a through-slot 32 through the guide element side running along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis A around the perimeter of the cup-like sleeve part 19 from a first portion close to the guide element part 18 for connection to the connecting part 4 around the cup-like sleeve part 19 to a second portion close to the guide element part 18 for connection to the connecting part 4 that is placed on an opposite side of the guide element 7 than the first portion (see figure 1). The through-slot 32 is arranged at distance from the bottom 24 surface of the cavity 20 so that the through-slot 32 extension center plane is aligned with axis of the cylinder pin, when the cylinder pin 23 is placed at the bottom 24 of the cavity 20 (see figure 5a). Said through-slot 32 provides an opening for access of the cavity interior to a user by a tool for screwing the threaded pin 28 for locking or unlocking of the elongated element 23. The width of the through-slot 32 is smaller than the diameter of the threaded pin 28 head so that the threaded pin 28 is allowed to be in contact with the inner side surface 21 of the cavity 20, and thereby locking the cylinder pin 23 relative the guide element 7.
In figure 3b, another embodiment of the locking means is illustrated, wherein the threaded hole 29' in a cylinder pin 23' extends along the axis of the cylinder pin 23' from a hole opening at one end of the cylinder to the bore 26 for the guide pin 27. In this way, the locking of the cylinder pin 23' relative the guide element 7 may be provided as describe for the embodiments above, or by screwing a threaded pin 28' into the bore 26 and in contact with the guide pin 27, wherein the guide pin 27 lockably engages the threaded pin 28' and the bore surface. A through-slot 32 may also be provided in the guide element 7 as described above.
In figure 3c, yet another embodiment of the locking means is illustrated. In this embodiment, a threaded pin 28" is passing through the through-slot 32' into a threaded hole 29" extending along the axis of cylinder pin 23" from an hole opening at one end of the cylinder pin 23" to an point in the cylinder pin 23", e.g. a point between the end with opening and the bore 26 for the guide pin 27. The locking is accomplished by screwing the threaded pin 28" to a position, wherein the screw head having a diameter that is larger than the width of the through-slot 32', lockably engages an outer facing surface 33 of the cup-like sleeve part 19 close to the through-slot 32'. The cylinder pin 23" may also have a larger diameter than the width of the through-slot 32'. Thus, according to one embodiment, the cylinder pin 23" end edges surrounding the threaded hole 29" opening may in addition to the locking by the threaded pin 28" head also lockably engage the inner side surface 21 of the cavity 20 close to the through-slot 32', when the cylinder pin 23" is locked relative the guide element 7. The inner surface of the bore 26 may together with threaded pin 28" head engagement, and alternatively with the mentioned cylinder pin 23" end engagement, also be in lockably engagement with the guide pin 27, when the cylinder pin 23" is locked relative the guide element 7.
As shown in figure 3c, the through-slot 32' is on the outer side of the cup-like sleeve provided with a 32 34 running along the through-slot 32', which 32 34 provides a space for the threaded pin head 35. The 32 34 has a width that is larger than the threaded pin head 35 and the through-slot 32'. Thus, there is provided a space for the threaded pin head 35 and an outwardly facing surface in the 32 34 for lockably engagement with the threaded pin head 35.
The extension (length) of the through-slots (32, 32') described above may be made shorter, depending on the required angle pivotal angle required for the door leaf 3 for which the hinge element and hinge 1 containing that element is used. Purely as an example, the length may be so that a rotational movement the pin may be adjusted 90, 120 or 180 degrees.
The skilled person also appreciate that the threaded hole 29, 29', 29" arranged in the elongated element 23, 23', 23", may be located differently, e.g. if the threaded pin 28, 28', 28" is to lock against the guide pin 27, the threaded hole 29, 29', 29" may extend from portion of the elongated element 23, 23', 23" close the bore 26 towards the bore 26.
As described above, the pivot plug 6 comprises a recess 17. As best seen in figure 2, the recess 17 of the pivot plug 6 may be an open channel 17 extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the axis of the plug 6 (and pivot axis A in the hinge element). The illustrated channel 17 has a substantially u-shaped transverse cross-section. The channel 17 faces the cavity 20, when inserted therein, and the elongated element 23, 23', 23", e.g. the cylinder pin, may in one position be aligned along the channel 17 and in contact with the bottom thereof, as seen in figure 4a.
The channel 17 may have an hour-glass form as seen, when the channel 17 is viewed from the top along the axis of the pivot plug 6 (see figure 2). Each side surface 36, 37 of the channel 17 may present a convex surface portion, when viewed from the top or the side. Thus, the channel width increases with distance from the bottom of the recess 17 as well as from plug axis (also the pivot axis A) along the channel 17. This provides a smooth sliding engagement of the pivot plug 6 and the elongated element 23, 23', 23", e.g. the cylinder pin.
Figures 4a-c illustrates different positions that the pivot plug 6 and the cam surface therein in contact with a fixated cylinder pin 23, 23', 23" may have in different pivotal positions. Thus, it is clearly shown how the lifting function of the hinge element may be provided by a pivotal movement of the pivot plug 6. If the elongated element 23, 23', 23" is unlocked relative the guide element 7, the cylinder pin 23, 23', 23" will follow the pivoting movement of the pivot plug 6.
The skilled person appreciates that the illustrated symmetrically formed channel 17 provides a lifting function in two directions from the "zero" position, in which the cylinder pin 23, 23', 23" is in the position where it is aligned along the channel 17 and in contact with the bottom thereof as seen in figure 4a.
The skilled person appreciates that the dimensions and form of the elongated element 23, 23', 23" in the guide element, such as the diameter of the cylinder pin, and the channel dimensions and form may be varied decided on the basis of factors such as the height the door leaf 3 should be raised to and whether or not a rotational movement of a door leaf 3 should involve a direct lifting of door to the maximum raised height or of a smooth, gradual movement is required.
Figures 5a-d illustrates the lifting function of a hinge element for a leaf holder 2 in the form of elongated tubular element with a hinge element pivotally arranged at and enclosing each end 8 of the leaf holder 2. The glass door leaf holding part 2a is shown as a longitudinal extending checked section running between the ends 8 of the leaf holder 2.
As is evident from figure 5a, the length of the elongated tubular element forming the leaf holder 2 is arranged so that a vertical play is provided between the upper end pivot plug 6 and the upper guide element 7, when the lower end plug 6 is in it lowest position. This play provides a clearance space for the leaf holder 2 in the vertical direction and a lifting of the holder in the vertical direction, when pivoted around its axis. In the case of turning the hinge arrangement upside-down, the leaf holder 2 would slide vertically towards the guide element 7 now forming the lower one. This provides that the elongated element 23, 23', 23" in the upper hinge element is unlocked relative the guide element 7, wherein the cylinder pin 23, 23', 23" will follow the pivoting movement of the pivot plug 6.
To secure that the elongated element 23, 23', 23", in this case a cylinder pin, follows the pivotal movement, the guide pin 27 length in the axial direction may be larger than the diameter of the cylinder pin 23, 23', 23". Furthermore, the securing of the cylinder pin 23, 23', 23" following that pivotal movement in a flexible way may additionally be aided by providing a resilient element, such as a spring, between the cavity bottom 24 and the cylinder pin 23, 23', 23" (not shown). The spring may be provided as a coil spring arranged on the guide pin 27. Such an arrangement may is appreciated for all embodiments described herein.
When mounting the door leaf 3 with the hinge 1 as described herein, the upper elongated element 23, 23', 23" should be unlocked, upper placed hinge element should have the lifting mechanism is deactivated, while the lower hinge element should have the lifting mechanism activated and providing the lifting function. The
As mentioned above the locking means for the elongated element 23, 23', 23" may be involve a threaded pin 28, 28', 28", such as a screw, which may be unlocked with a tool such as screw driver or wrench. Similarly, the lower elongated element 23, 23', 23" should be locked in a desired position. The desired position may be adjusted by having both elongated elements 23, 23', 23" unlocked relative the guide elements 7, and then move the door leaf 3 and the leaf holder 2 pivotally around the pivot axis A to a desired position, wherein the elongated element 23, 23', 23" in the lower guide element 7 has followed the pivotal movement of the leaf holder 2. The elongated element 23, 23', 23" in the lower guide element 7 is then locked in the desired position as described herein above.
As illustrated in figures 5a-d, a pivotal movement of the leaf holder 2 will now cause the leaf holder 2 to raise gradually following the outline of the cam surface provided by the recess 17 in the lower pivot plug 6 being in sliding contact with the elongated element 23, 23', 23" in the lower guide element 7 until the guide element 7 is resting on upper plateaus 38, 39 of the lower pivot plug 6 (see figures 2 and 5d).
According tone embodiment and as illustrated in figure 1, the wall fixing element 5 may be provided with two horizontal through slots at one side of the fixing element 5 extending from the wall, when mounted thereto. The slots are arranged for fixing the connecting part 4 to the wall fixing element 5, wherein the connecting part 4 has been inserted into the u-shaped port of the fixing element 5. The slots further provide means for adjusting the angle of the connecting part 4 relative the wall to which the fixing element 5 is mounted. Thus, there are provided means for compensating an inclination of the wall and securing a properly mounting of the hinge 1 in a vertical position.
The skilled person also appreciate that a shower partition comprising the door leaf 3, hinges 1 and other part normally contains water sealing means, such as sealing strips at door leaves at their lower edges for connecting sealingly to the bathroom floor or at a vertical door edge for sealingly closing to another vertical door edge.
It will be realized that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather a person skilled in the art will recognise many alterations and modifications that can be performed within the frame of the scope of protection of the appended claims. For example, the recess 17 of the pivot plug 6 may according to some embodiments not be symmetrically formed channel 17. In this way, there may be arranged a way of providing a lifting function in only one pivotal direction. The elongated element 23, 23', 23" may also be shorter than the one described herein above, e.g. whereon one end of a cylinder pin contains the bore 26 for the guide pin 27, which extends from the bore 26 towards the side surface 21 of the cavity 20.

Claims

A hinge element of a hinge (1) for a leaf (3) being a door leaf, glass door leaf (3), window or the like, the hinge (1) comprising a leaf holder (2) to which the leaf (3) is attachable in a leaf holding part (2a) thereof, and a connecting part (4) to which the leaf holder (2) is pivotally connected, wherein hinge element comprises a pivot plug (6) adapted to be arranged at an end (8) of the leaf holder (2) and wherein the hinge element further comprises a guide element (7) adapted to be connected to or part of the connecting part (4), wherein the guide element (7) comprises a cavity (20) being in pivoting engagement with said pivot plug (6), wherein the pivot plug (6) comprises a recess (17) providing a cam surface, characterized in that an elongated element (23, 23', 23") is arranged in the cavity (20) of the guide element (7) for sliding engagement with said pivot plug (6) so that a pivotal movement of the pivot plug (6) around a pivot axis A moves the cam surface relative the elongated element (23, 23', 23"), whereby the pivot plug (6) moves along a direction that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis A.
The hinge element according to claim 1, wherein the elongated element (23, 23', 23") is a pin, preferably a cylinder pin, arranged in the cavity (20) for engagement with the said cam surface of the pivot plug (6).
The hinge element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongated element (23, 23', 23") is longitudinally elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A.
The hinge element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the recess (17) of the pivot plug (6) is an open channel (17) extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A, which channel (17) faces the cavity (20) and the elongated element (23, 23', 23").
The hinge element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide element (7) comprises a circular cup-like sleeve part (19) forming the cavity (20) with a cavity bottom (24) from which a cavity side surface (21) circularly surrounding the cavity (20) extends towards a cavity opening facing the pivot plug (6), wherein the cavity side surface (21), wholly or partly, in form-fit manner matches and engages a circular outer surface portion (22) of the pivot plug (6) for pivotally engagement around the axis A.
The hinge element according to claim 5, wherein said elongated element (23, 23', 23") is longitudinally elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the pivot axis A and the elongated element (23, 23', 23") is arranged close to or at the cavity bottom (24), when the guide element is placed so that bottom (24) is the vertically lowest part of the cavity (20).
The hinge element according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a guide pin (27) extends from the cavity bottom (24) in a direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis, said guide pin (27) being arranged to be inserted into a transversal bore (26) in the elongated element (23, 23', 23") arranged in the cavity (20).
The hinge element according any one of the preceding claims, wherein locking means are arranged to lock the elongated element (23, 23', 23") to the guide element (7) or unlock the elongated element (23, 23', 23") from the guide element (7), wherein the elongated element (23, 23', 23") in the unlocked state is pivotally movable around the pivot axis A.
The hinge element according to claim 8, wherein the locking means comprises a threaded pin (28, 28', 28") that is screwed into a threaded hole (29, 29', 29") of the elongated element (23, 23', 23"), wherein an unscrewing or screwing movement of the threaded pin (28, 28', 28") leads to lockably engagement of the elongated element (23, 23', 23") and/or the threaded pin (28, 28', 28") with at least one surface of the guide element (7) and the guide pin (27).
The hinge element according to claim 9, wherein lockably engagement is provided by engaging a head end (31) of the threaded pin (28) with an inner side surface (21) of the cavity (20) and by engaging an end (25) of the elongated element (23') with the inner side surface (21) of the cavity (20).
The hinge element according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the guide element (7) comprises a through-slot (32, 32') through a guide element cavity side forming a cavity side surface (21), said through-slot (32, 32') providing an opening for accessing the cavity interior from the outside.
A hinge (1) for a leaf (3) being a door leaf, glass door leaf (3), window or the like, the hinge (1) comprising a leaf holder (2) to which the leaf (3) is attachable in a leaf holding part (2a) thereof, and a connecting part (4) to which the leaf holder (2) is pivotally connected, wherein the hinge (1) comprises a hinge element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a pivotal movement of the pivot plug (6) around a pivot axis A also provides a pivotal movement of the leaf holder (2) around the pivot axis A and moves the pivot plug (6) and leaf holder (2) along a direction that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis A.
The hinge (1) according to claim 12, wherein the leaf holder (2) is an elongated element to which the leaf (3) is attachable in the leaf holding part (2a) longitudinally extending along the leaf holder (2), wherein the leaf holder (2) has two opposing ends (8), each of which is connected to a hinge element according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The hinge (1) according to claim 12, wherein hinge (1) comprises two leaf holders (2), each of which is connected to a hinge element according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
A shower partition comprising a hinge (1) as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14.