EP2872717A1

EP2872717A1 - Hinge for rotatably moving a door, in particular a reinforced door

Info

Publication number: EP2872717A1
Application number: EP13765469.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Bacchetti
Original assignee: In and Tec SRL
Current assignee: In and Tec SRL
Priority date: 2012-07-04
Filing date: 2013-07-04
Publication date: 2015-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-04
Also published as: EA026436B9; EA026436B1; WO2014006586A1; EP2872717B1; EA201590154A1

Abstract

A concealed hinge for the rotatable movement of a door (D), in particular a reinforced door. The hinge comprises a fixed element (10) and a movable element (20), the latter being rotatably coupled with the fixed element (10) to rotate between an open position and a closed position about a first longitudinal axis (X). The fixed element (10) includes a box-shaped hinge body (11), while the movable element (20) includes a connecting plate (21) fixable to the door (D). The box-shaped hinge body (11) includes a pair of end seats (12, 12') defining the first axis (X), the connecting plate (21) including a first central portion (22) susceptible to be operatively connected with the door (D) and a pair of second end portions (23, 23') mutually faced and operatively connected with the end seats (12, 12') of the box-shaped body (11).

Description

HINGE FOR ROTATABLY MOVING A DOOR, IN PARTICULAR A REINFORCED DOOR

DESCRIPTION

Field of invention

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of the closing or damping/control hi nges, and particularly relates to a concealed hinge for the contolled rotatable movement of a door, in particular a reinforced door, connected to a tubular support structure which includes a rear counterframe anchored to a wall or a similar support and a front frame anchored to the counterframe.

Background of the invention

As known, the closing or damping hinges generally include a movable member, usually fixed to a door, a shutter or the like, pivoted onto a fixed member, usually fixed to the support frame thereof, or to a wall and/or to the plate.

More particularly, the fixed member of the concealed hinges for reinforced doors or the like is inserted into a tubular support structure that includes a rear counterframe anchored to a wall or a similar support and a front frame anchored to the counterframe.

The movable member generally further includes a connecting plate fixable to the door susceptible to extend from the tubular support structure in the open position and to completly retract within the tubular support structure in the closed position.

Generally, such hinges are merely of the mechanical type, and do not allow any kind of adjustment of the opening angle of the door or in any case no control of the movement of the same door.

The absence of any control makes such hinges extremely dangerous, since due to the considerable mass of the reinforced door there is the danger of unhinging of the same door or the bending of the tubular support structure to which the hinge is anchored.

Still due to the considerable mass of the door the hinge further tends to lose the initial position and/or to became misaligned.

The adjustment of the position of the door is further difficult and complicated. Moreover, in order to do so, at least two operators are needed.

Another recognized drawback of these hinges is in the high friction between the fixed and movable member, which leads to premature wear and frequent breakages, thus resulting in the need for continuous maintainance.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome at least partly the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a hinge high functionality, simple construction and low cost. Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge which allows controlling the movement of the door upon its opening and/or its closing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strong and reliable hinge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge having extremely small dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge which ensures the automatic closing of the door from the open door position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that can support very heavy doors and shutters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that has a minimum number of constituent parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge suitable to maintain the exact closing position during time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that is safe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that is easy to install.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that simplifies the operations of maintenance and/or replacement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge which allows a simple adjustment of the door to which it is connected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge that is reversible, i.e. to be used straight or upside down without changing its behavior.

Such purposes, as well as others that will appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved by a hinge having one or more of the features described and / or claimed and / or shown.

These objects, as well as other which will appear clearer hereafter, are fulfilled by a hinge having one or more of the features herein disclosed, claimed and/or shown.

Essentially, the hinge may include a fixed member and a movable member, the latter being rotatably coupled with the fixed member to rotate between an open position and a closed position about a first longitudinal axis.

The fixed member may include a box-shaped hinge body concealedly insertable within a tubular support structure consisting of a frame and a counterframe.

The movable member may include a connecting plate anchorable to the door susceptible to extend from the tubular support structure in the open position and to retract, preferably completely, within the tubular support structure in the closed position.

Suitably, the box-shaped hinge body may include a pair of end seats defining the first axis. The connecting plate may include a first central portion susceptible to being operatively connected with the door and a pair of reciprocally faced second end portions operatively connected with the end seats of the box-shaped body.

Advantageously, the first central portion of the connecting plate may include a first plate- shaped element defining a first plane substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The second end portions may include a pair of second plate-shaped elements defining respective second planes substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first plane.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the first central portion and the second end portions of the connecting plate may be monolithic, i.e. made of one piece.

In order to minimize friction between the fixed and the movable member, the second end portions of the connecting plate may include respective operative surfaces susceptible to remain faced to the end seats during use. Suitably, at least one of the latter may include an annular housing susceptible to house a respective anti-friction element, such as a bearing.

The annular housing and the respective anti-friction element may be mutually configured so that the corresponding operative surface of the second end portion of the connecting plate connected with the respective end seat comes in contact engage with the anti-friction element and remains spaced apart from the box-shaped body.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, both the end seats of the box-shaped hinge body may include a respective annular housing for a corresponding anti-friction bearing. In this case, the housings and the annular anti-friction elements may be mutually configured so that both the operative surfaces of the second end portions of the connecting plate comes in contact engage with the respective anti-friction elements and remain spaced apart from both box-shaped body.

In order to allow the hinge to support very heavy doors and shutters without changing its behavior, the box-shaped hinge body may include a longitudinal passing-through bore defining the end seats thereof within which a shaft may be inserted with minimum clearance, the shaft having the opposite ends mutually connected with the second end portions of the connecting plate.

In a particularly preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the height of the shaft may be slightly greater than the distance between the anti-friction elements, so that when one of the operating surfaces of the second end portions of the connecting plate comes in contact engage with the respective anti-friction element the other operating surface remains spaced apart from the respective anti-friction element.

In order to allow the adjustment of the opening angle of the connecting plate, at least one of the second end portions of the connecting plate, and preferably both the second end portions thereof, may include a respective projection axially directed towards the inner side of the connecting plate. The hinge body may include at least one end portion, respectively a pair of end portions, comprising a respective adjustable stop set screw, respectively comprising a pair of respective adjustable stop set screws.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the movable member may further include a mounting bracket having a first plate-shaped portion operatively connectable to the door and a second plate-shaped portion operatively connectable to the first central portion of the connecting plate. Advantageously, the first and the second plate-shaped portion of the mounting bracket may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

The second plate-shaped portion of the mounting bracket may be movably mounted on the first-shaped plate of the connecting plate to slide along a second axis substantially parallel to the first rotation axis of the fixed and movable members and along a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Suitably, the hinge may further include first means for adjusting the position of the mounting bracket along the second axis and second means for adjusting the position thereof along the third axis.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the first and second adjustment means may be selectively operateable by a user to allow the independent adjustment of the position of the door when anchored to the mounting bracket.

Suitably, the second plate-shaped portion of the mounting bracket may be operatively connectable to the first plate-shaped element of the connecting plate by a backplate. The second plate-shaped portion of the mounting bracket may be interposed between the first plate-shaped element of the connecting plate and the backplate. The latter may have an overall height slightly less than the distance between the second plate-shaped elements of the connecting plate.

The second plate-shaped portion of the mounting bracket may include a pair of third plate- shaped end elements spaced apart each other by predetermined distance, each of the same elements having a height and a predetermined thickness.

The backplate may have a pair of end portions and a central portion having a height substantially equal to the predetermined distance between the third plate-shaped elements and a thickness slightly greater than the one of the third plate-shaped elements. The central portion of the backplate may project with respect to the end portions so as to remain interposed during use between the third plate-shaped elements of the ends of the mounting bracket.

Suitably, the latter third plate-shaped elements will remain interposed during use between the first plate-shaped element of the connecting plate and the end portions of the backplate, so that the central portion of the backplate guides the sliding of the mounting bracket along the third axis. Each of the end portions of the backplate may include a passing-through opening having a predetermined height and length.

Advantageously, to guide the sliding of the mounting bracket along the second axis a pair of guide elements may be provided, each of them being inserted in a respective passing-through opening of the end portions of the backplate having a height less than the one of the passing-through openings and length substantially equal to the one of the latter.

Preferably, the first adjustment means may include a first passing-through opening made at the central projecting portion of the backplate and an actuating member susceptible to interact with the first passing-through opening to adjust the sliding of the mounting bracket along the second axis in response to the operation of the actuating member by a user.

In a first preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the actuating member may include a plurality of first peripheral shaped cogs, while the passing-through opening of the central projecting portion of the backplate may include a pair of side walls substantially parallel to the first and/or the second axis comprising a plurality of second cogs complementarily engaged with the first cogs.

On the other hand, alternatively, the actuating member may include an eccentric engaged with the passing-through opening of the central projecting portion of the backplate.

Preferably, the second adjustment means may include a pair of elongated shaped passing- through slots in correspondence of the third plate-shaped end elements of the mounting bracket, the slots having maximum length equal to the maximum possible offset of the mounting bracket along the third axis. The second adjustment means may further include a pair of second locking screws passing through the first plate of the connecting plate and through the elongated slots of the mounting bracket, the second locking screws being engageable in respective counterthreaded seats in correspondence of the guide elements.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the first central portion and the second end portions of the connecting plate may be monolithic. Moreover, the first and the second plate-shaped portion of the mounting bracket may preferably be monolithic.

Preferably, one of the second portions of the connecting plate of the hinge may include a curvilinear cam element rotating unitary with the connecting plate about the first axis.

Suitably, the box-shaped hinge body may further include at least one working chamber defining a fourth axis spaced apart from the first longitudinal axis and substantially parallel thereto.

The at least one working chamber may include a plunger element slidable along the fourth longitudinal axis and elastic means operatively connected to the plunger element.

The latter may include a front face facing the curvilinear cam element and interacting therewith so that the rotation of the cam about the first axis corresponds to the sliding of the plunger element along the fourth axis and vice-versa.

Advantageously, the plunger element may be slidable along the fourth longitudinal axis between a position proximal to the bottom wall of the at least one working chamber and a position distal therefrom, the elastic contrast means acting on the plunger element to move it back from the proximal position to the distal one.

Suitably, the curvilinear cam element may have a generally triangular shape with an operating surface having a predetermined inclination so that upon the opening of the door the plunger element moves from the distal position to the proximal one, respectively from the proximal position to the distal one.

Preferably, the front face of the plunger element may have a generally rounded shape to come in contact with the substantially flat operating surface of the curvilinear cam element.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the front face of the plunger element may be made of a first metal material that has a hardness greater than the one of the second metal material in which the operative surface of the cam element mat be made, so that the front face of the plunger element is susceptible to made during use a guide channel along the operatve surface of the cam element.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, the working chamber may further include a working fluid acting on the plunger element to hydraulically counteract its action.

The plunger element may separate the working chamber in at least one first and second variable volume compartments fluidically communicating each other and preferably adjacent. The elastic contrast means may be placed in the first compartment so that the at least one first and second compartments have respectively the maximum and minimum volume at the distal position of the plunger element and respectively minimum and maximum volume at the proximal position thereof.

Suitably, the plunger element may comprise one-way valve means for the control of the passage of the working fluid between the at least one first and second compartments upon the passage of the front face from one of the distal or proximal positions to the other of the proximal or distal positions. A hydraulic circuit may further be provided for the flow of the working fluid between the at least one first and second variable volume compartments upon the passage of the front face from the other of the distal or proximal positions to the one of the distal or proximal positions.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the plunger element may include a seat for the valve means fluidically connected with both the first and the second compartment. The valve means may include a control element sliding within the seat along the fourth axis to selectively open/close the fluid communication between the first and the second compartment. The selective opening of the valve means may allow fluid communication between the first and the second compartment. The selective closure of the valve means may prevent fluid communication between the first and the second compartment and may force the passage of the working fluid through the circuit.

Advantageously, the plunger element may include a tubular element with a front portion placed in the second compartment, a rear portion placed in the first compartment and a side wall facing the side wall of the working chamber. The front and rear portions may be in fluid communication each other and with the seat of the valve means.

The plunger element may further include a rod with a first end unitary coupled with the front portion of the tubular element and a second end which may include the front face faced to the curvilinear cam element.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, regardless of the fact that the hinge is a concealed hinge or not, the hydraulic circuit may be made internally to the box-shaped hinge body externally to the work chamber and may have at least one first inlet/outlet opening in the second compartment and a second and a third inlet/outlet opening both in the first compartment, the first opening being upstream of the second one.

In a first embodiment, the valve means may be configured to open upon the passage of the front face from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to allow the passage of the working fluid from the second compartment to the first one, and close upon the passage of the front face from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to force the working fluid to pass from the first compartment to the second compartment by entering the hydraulic circuit through the second and third opening and exiting therefrom through the first opening.

In this embodiment, the third opening may remain fluidically decoupled from the side wall of the tubular element throughout the stroke of the plunger element from the distal position to the proximal one, said second opening remaining fluidically decoupled from the side wall of the tubular element for a first starting part of the stroke of the plunger element and remaining fluidically coupled with the side wall of the tubular element for a second final part of the stroke thereof, so that the door has a first resistance to the movement upon closing/opening for a first angular portion of the rotation thereof about the first axis corresponding to said first starting part the stroke of the plunger element and a second resistance to the movement upon closing/opening of the door for a second angular portion of the rotation thereof about the first axis corresponding to second final part of the stroke.

Advantageously, the hinge may include first and second means for regulating the cross- sectional flow area of respectively the second and the third openings, so as to allow a user to independently adjust the first and/or the second resistance to the movement upon the closing/opening of the door.

Suitably, the elastic means may include a restoring spring, so that the hinge is a damping hinge for the control of the rotational motion of the door. It is understood that the term "restoring spring" means a spring whose size and/or configuration is sufficient to move back the plunger element from the proximal position to the distal one, but is not sufficient to automatically close the door once opened.

In a preferred embodiment, the cam element may be configured in such a manner that upon the opening of the door the plunger element moves from the distal position to the proximal one, the first and second adjustment means being adapted to adjust the first and the second resistance to the movement of the door along the first and the second angular portion upon its opening.

In another alternative embodiment, the cam element may be configured in such a manner that upon the opening of the door the plunger element moves from the proximal position to the distal one, the first and second adjustment means being adapted to adjust the first and the second resistance to the movement of the door along the first and the second angular portion upon its closure.

On the other hand, in a second embodiment, the valve means are configured to open upon the passage of said front face from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to allow the passage of the working fluid from the first to the second compartment, and to close upon the passage of said front face from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to force the working fluid to pass from the second compartment to the first compartment by entering in said hydraulic circuit through said first opening and exiting therefrom through said second and third openings.

In this embodiment, the third opening may remain fluidically decoupled from the side wall of the tubular element throughout the stroke of the plunger element from the proximal position to the distal one, so that the door has a third predetermined opening /closing speed, the second opening remaining fluidically coupled with the side wall of the tubular element for a first starting part of the stroke of the plunger element and remaining fluidically decoupled from the lateral wall of the tubular element for a second final part of the stroke thereof, so as to impart a opening/closing latch action to the door.

Suitably, the hinge may include third means for the regulation of the cross sectional flow area of the second opening, so as to allow a user to adjust the force by which the door latches toward the opening/closing position, fourth means being further provided for the regulation of the cross sectional flow area of said third opening, so as to allow a user to adjust the opening/closing speed of the door.

Suitably, the cam element may be configured in such a manner that upon the opening of the door the plunger element moves from the proximal position to the distal one, the elastic means including an actuating spring so that the hinge is a closing hinge, said third and fourth regulating means being susceptible to adjust the latching force of the door toward the closed position and the speed thereof upon its closure.

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

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more evident upon reading the detailed description of some preferred, non-exclusive embodiments of a hinge 1, which is described as non-limiting examples with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGs. la, lb and lc are respective exploded and assembled perspective views of a first embodiment of a fixing system of the hinge 1 to a frame F;

FIGs. 2a, 2b and 2c are respective exploded and assembled perspective views of a second embodiment of a fixing system of the hinge 1 to a subframe CF;

FIGs. 3a and 4a are perspective views of a hinge 1 connected to a reinforced door D during use, respectively in the open and the closed position;

FIGs. 3b and 4b are partially sectioned views of the hinge 1 of FIGS. 3a and 4a, respectively in the open and closed position;

FIGs. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are respective exploded, front and sectioned views of a first embodiment of the assembly connecting plate 21 - mounting bracket 30, the section being taken along a plane Vc - Vc and Vd - Vd;

FIGs. 6a, 6b and 6c are respective exploded and sectioned views of a second embodiment of the assembly connecting plate 21 - mounting bracket 30, the section being taken along respective planes equivalent to the Vc - Vc and Vd - Vd ones of FIG. 5b;

FIGs. 7a and 7b are respective exploded and partly cut assembled perspective views of a first embodiment of the hinge 1;

FIGs. 8a and 8b are respective top and perspective views of the embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIGS. 7a and 7b in the closed position;

FIGs. 9a and 9b are respective sectioned and perspective views of the embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIGS. 7a and 7b in the open position, the section being taken along a plane IX a - IX a;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the hinge 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting plate 21 and the cam element 60 of the second embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 10;

FIGs. 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d are respective partly cut perspective, sectioned along a plane X// b - XII b , axially sectioned and enlarged with detail of FIG. 12c views of the second embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG 10 in the closed position;

FIGs. 13a and 13b are respective axially sectioned and sectioned along a plane equivalent to the plane XII b - XII b of FIG. 12b views of the second embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 10 in a partially open position;

FIGs. 14a and 14b are respective axially sectioned and sectioned along a plane equivalent to the plane XII b - XII b of FIG. 12c views of the second embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 10 in the fully open position;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the hinge 1;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting plate 21 and the cam element 60 of the third embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 15;

FIGs. 17a and 17b are respective axially sectioned and sectioned along a plane equivalent to the plane XII b - XII b of FIG. 12c views of the third embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 15 in a partially open position;

FIGs. 18a, 18b and 18c are respective axially sectioned, sectioned along a plane equivalent to the plane XII b - XII b of FIG. 12c and enlarged with details of FIG. 18a views of the third embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 15 in fully open position;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the hinge 1;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting plate 21 and the cam element 60 of the fourth embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 19;

FIGs. 21a and 21b are respective in axially sectioned and sectioned along a plane equivalent to the plane XII b - XII b of FIG. 12c views of the fourth embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG 19 in a partially open position;

FIGs. 22a and 22b are respective axially sectioned, sectioned along a plane equivalent to the plane XII b - XII b of FIG. 12c views of the fourth embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG 19 in fully open position;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged and cut front view of the hinge 1 which shows the spatial relationship between the operating portion 27 of the end portion 23 of the connecting plate 21 and the box- shaped body 11;

FIG. 24 is an perspective view of a further embodiment of the hinge 1.

Detailed description of some preferrred embodiments

With reference to the above figures, the hinge 1 will be particularly useful for rotatably moving during opening and/or closing, possibly in a controlled manner, a closure element D, such as a door, which can be anchored to a stationary support structure W, such as a wall. In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, as shown in FIGs. la to 4b, the hinge 1 can be concealedly inserted in a tubular support structure, which may be formed in a per se known manner by a rear subframe CF, which can be anchored to the wall W or like support, and by a front frame F anchored to the subframe CF.

In particular, in a first embodiment shown in FIGs. la to lc, the hinge 1 may be anchored to the frame F by means of the plate Pi, maintained in the operative position by screw means Vi, V₂.

On the other hand, in a second embodiment shown in FIGs. 2a to 2c, the hinge 1 may be anchored to the subframe CF by the plate P₂, maintained in the operative position by screw means V₂.

On the other hand, in a further embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the hinge 1 can be anchored to the frame F by means of the plate P₃, maintained in the operative position by suitable screw means engageable in the openings A₁₍ A₂.

In all embodiments, the hinge 1 is concealedly insertable in the support structure formed by the tubular rear subframe CF and the front frame F through an opening 0 passing trough the latter.

Conveniently, the hinge 1 may comprise a fixed element 10, which can be fixed to the frame F or to the subframe CF, which is pivoted on a movable element 20 to rotate about a longitudinal axis X, which may be substantially vertical, between an open position, shown for example in FIGs. 4a and 4b, and a closed position, shown for example in FIGs. 3a and 3b.

As particularly shown in FIGs. 3a to 4b, the fixed element 10 may include a box-shaped hinge body 11 concealedly insertable within the support structure formed by the tubular rear subframe CF and the front frame F. On the other hand, the movable element 20 may include a connecting plate 21, which can be anchored to the door D, susceptible to extend from the tubular support structure in the open position, shown in FIGa. 4a and 4b, and retract within the same tubular support structure in the closed position, shown in FIGs. 3a and 3b.

The connecting plate 21 may have a substantially "C" shaped, with a central portion 22 adapted to be connected with the door D by means of the mounting bracket 30 and a pair of end portions 23, 23' mutually faced to each other and operatively connected with the box-shaped body 11.

Preferably, the central portion 22 and end portions 23, 23' may be monolithic to each other, with the central portion 22 which may consist of a plate-shaped element defining a first plane π substantially parallel to the axis X and the end portions 23, 23' which may be constituted by a pair of plate-shaped elements defining respective second plates π', π" substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first plane π.

Advantageously, the mounting bracket 30 may have a first plate-shaped portion 31 operatively anchored to the door D by suitable screws inserted into the holes 32, first plate-shaped portion 31 being monolithically coupled with a second plate-shaped portion 33, formed by the two end plate-shaped elements 34, 34'.

Preferably, the plate-shaped elements of the ends 34, 34' may be substantially perpendicular to the first plate-shaped portion 31, and may be operatively connected to the central portion 22 of the connecting plate 21 by means of the backplate 40, whose function will be better explained later.

Once operatively connected, the end plate-shaped elements 34, 34' will be interposed between the inside of the central portion 22 of the connecting plate 21 and the backplate 40.

In order to allow the coupling with the connecting plate 21, the box-shaped hinge body 11 may include a pair of end seats 12, 12' defining the axis X. In a particularly preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the box-shaped hinge body 11 may include a longitudinal passing-through hole 13 defining the axis X adapted to join together the end seats 12, 12'.

As particularly shown in FIG. 7b, within the passing-through hole 13 may be inserted with minimal clearance a shaft 24 having opposite ends 25, 25' mutually connected with the end portions 23, 23' of the connecting plate 21 by appropriate fastening screw means 26. In this way, the shaft 24 will be unitary movable with the connecting plate 21 between the opening and closing positions.

Suitably, the end portions 23, 23' of the connecting plate 21 may include respective operative surfaces 27, 27' susceptible to remain faced during use to the end seats 12, 12' of the box- shaped hinge body 11.

In correspondence of the latter end seats 12, 12' respective annular housings 14, 14' may be formed adapted to receive respective anti-friction elements 15, 15', for example bearings.

Advantageously, the annular housings 14, 14' and the respective bearings 15, 15' may be mutually configured so that the operative surfaces 27, 27' of the connecting plate 21 come into contact engage with the anti-friction bearings 15, 15' and remain spaced apart from the box-shaped body 11, as shown in FIG. 23. This will allow the movable element 20 to rotate about the axis X with minimum friction, so that the hinge 1 is able to support also very heavy doors D.

More particularly, while the inner diameter Di of the annular housings 14, 14' may be substantially equal to the outer diameter D₂ of the anti-friction bearings 15, 15', the height h₂ of the latter may be slightly higher than the one hi of the former, in the order of a few tenths of a millimeter.

On the other hand, the shaft 24 may have a height h₃ slightly greater than the distance di between the upper surfaces of the anti-friction bearings 15, 15', so that when one of the operating surfaces of the connecting plate 21, for example the upper one 27, come in contact engage with the respective anti-friction bearing 15, the other operating surface 27' remains spaced apart from the respective anti-friction bearing 15'.

Thanks to this feature, the antifriction effect is maximized. Moreover, the hinge 1 is reversible, i.e. it can be used in both directions, that is the one shown in the figures or upside down, without changing its behavior.

The shaft 24 may further have a diameter DS substantially coincident with the diameter DH of the passing-through hole 13. The difference between the two diameters DH and DS may be minimal, in the order of a few hundredths of a millimeter. Preferably, the shaft 24 may have a cylindrical shape and be made of metallic material, e.g. steel.

The passing-through hole 13 may further have a substantially cylindrical shape with a diameter DH constant throughout its length. In this manner, the shaft 24 has the peripheral wall 24' which is in contact engage with the inner surface 13' of the passing-through hole 13.

Thanks to this feature, the shaft 24 is laterally supported by the inner surface 13' of the passing-through hole 13 substantially along its entire height h₃, less the portions of a few mm projecting therefrom. This prevents any misalignment of the shaft 24 and, consequently, of the closing element D.

In this way, the hinge 1 can support even very heavy closing elements D without misalignments.

In fact, the anti-friction bearings 15, 15' support the whole weight of the closure element D through the operative surfaces 27, 27' of the connecting plate 21.

On the other hand, the minimum clearance between the shaft 24 and the passing-through hole 13 prevents any misalignment of the closure element D from the original position, usually the vertical one. This maximizes the duration of the hinge over time, and also minimizes the need of maintenance therefor.

In order to allow the stop of the hinge in the desired position, at least one of the end portions of the connecting plate 21, for example the lower one 23', may include a projection 28' axially directed towards the inner side of the same connecting plate 21, while the hinge body 11 may include at least one end portion, for example the bottom one 16', which may comprise a respective adjustable stop set screw 17'.

This way, it will be possible for a user to adjust the opening angle of the connecting plate 21, and then the one of the door D connected thereto.

In fact, the at least one projection 28', that rotates unitary with the connecting plate 21 around the axis X, abuts against the at least one stop set screw 17', and stops.

Suitably, the at least one stop set screw 17' may include a first end 170' susceptible to selectively interact with the projection 28' and a second end 171' operateable from the outside by a user to adjust the stroke of the same stop set screw 17' along a direction d substantially orthogonal to the first axis X.

Advantageously, the at least one stop set screw 17' may be screwed into the hinge body 11 in correspondence of the at least one end portion 16' thereof. Therefore, the user acting on the end 171' screws and unscews the at least one stop set screw 17' from its seat 160'.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the end portion 16' of the hinge body 11 may include curvilinear slot 18' defining the path of the projection 28' upon its rotation about the axis X. Appropriately, the curved slot 18' may be concentric with respect to the axis X.

In this way, the projection 28' moves within the curvilinear slot 18' throughout its angular rotation about the axis X.

Preferably, the passing-through seat 160' of the at least one stop set screw 17' can be made in correspondence of the curvilinear slot 18'.

In some embodiments, such as the ones shown in FIGs. from 7a to 9b, two blocking projections 28, 28' may be suitably provided arranged at both end portions 23, 23' of the connecting plate 21 and adapted to abut against the corresponding stop set screws 17, 17' which are at both end portions 16, 16' of the hinge body 11.

In a particularly preferred but not exclusive embodiment, both end portions 16, 16' of the hinge body 11 may include respective curvilinear slots 18, 18'.

Suitably, such as particularly shown in FIG. 9a, the latter may define means for guiding and centering the locking projections 28, 28' upon their rotation about the axis X.

As better explained later, the same curvilinear slots 18, 18' may further define means for guiding and centering the curvilinear cam element 60 in the embodiments that include this feature.

Preferably, the plate-shaped portion 33 of the mounting bracket 30 may be movably mounted on the central plate-shaped element 22 of the connecting plate 21 to slide along a substantially vertical axis X' parallel to the vertical axis X and along a substantially horizontal axis Z substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis X.

To this end, the backplate 40 may have an overall height h₄ slightly less than the distance d₂ between the operative surfaces 27, 27' of the end plate-shaped elements 23, 23' of the connecting plate 21, so that it can slide vertically internally to the central plate-shaped element 22 of the connecting plate 21.

The backplate 40 may have a pair of end portions 41, 4 and a central portion 42 outwardly protuding with respect to the latter.

The central portion 42 of the backplate 40 may have a height h₅ substantially equal to the distance d₃ between the plate-shaped elements 34, 34' of the mounting bracket 30 and a thickness Si slightly greater than the thickness S₂, S₃ of the latter, so that the mounting bracket 30 has a minimum clearance when sandwiched between the backplate 40 and the inner side of the central plate-shaped element 22 of the connecting plate 21.

In this manner, the upper surface 43 of the central protruding portion 42 of the backplate 40 guides the sliding of the mounting bracket along the horizontal axis Z.

On the other hand, a pair of guide elements 44, 44' may be provided each inserted in a respective opening 45, 45' passing through the end portions 41, 41' of the backplate 40.

Advantageously, the height h₆, h₇ of the guide elements 44, 44' may be less than the height h₈, h₉ of the passing-through openings 45, 45' of the backplate 40, while their length li, l₂ may be substantially equal to the one l₃, l₄ of the latter.

This way, the side surfaces 46, 46' of the guide elements 44, 44' guides the sliding of the mounting bracket 30 along the vertical axis X'.

Advantageously, first means for adjusting the position of the mounting bracket 30 along the substantially vertical axis X' and second means for adjusting the position of the mounting bracket 30 along the substantially horizontal axis Z may be provided, which may be selectively operateable by a user to allow the independent adjustment of the position of the door D in the vertical and/or the horizontal direction when anchored to the same mounting bracket 30.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the first means for adjusting the sliding of the door D along the horizontal axis Z may include an aperture 47 passing through the central protruding portion 42 of the backplate 40, an actuating member 48 and a first locking screw 50 passing through the plate-shaped element 22 of the connecting plate 21 and through the central protruding portion 42 of the backplate 40 to complementarily engage with a counterthreaded seat 50' in the actuating member 48.

By unscrewing the first locking screw 50 a user can leave free the actuating member 48 to interact with the passing-through opening 42 to adjust the sliding of the mounting bracket 30 along the vertical axis X, for example by rotating around its axis by means of a suitable wrench. Once reached the desired position, the user can tighten the first screw 50.

In a first embodiment, shown for example in FIGs. 5a to 5d, the actuating member 48 may include a plurality of first peripheral shaped cogs 49 engaged with second countershaped cogs 49' in correspondence of the side walls 47', 47" of the passing-through opening 47.

In a second alternative embodiment, shown for example in FIGs. 6a to 6c, the actuating member 48 may include an eccentric member 48' engaged with the passing-through opening 47.

Suitably, the second means for adjusting the sliding of the door D along the vertical axis X' may include a pair of elongated slots shaped 35, 35' passing through the end plate-shaped elements 34, 34' of the mounting bracket 30 and a pair of second locking screws 51, 52 passing through the plate-shaped element 22 of the connecting plate 21 and through the elongated slots 35, 35' to engage with respective counterthreaded seats 51', 52' of the guide elements 44, 44'.

By unscrewing the second locking screws 51, 52 a user can leave the end plate-shaped elements 34, 34' of the mounting bracket 30 and the relative shaped elongated slots 35, 35' free to move horizontally along the axis Z guided by the upper surface 43 of the central protruding portion 42 of the backplate 40. Once reached the desired position, the user can tighten the second locking screws 51, 52.

Suitably, the shaped elongated slots 35, 35' can present maximum length l₅, l₆ equal to the maximum possible offset of the mounting bracket 30 along the horizontal axis Z.

The hinge 1 can assume various configurations. For example, it may be purely mechanical, such as the embodiment shown in FIGs. 7a to 9b, or may be mechanical with a closing mechanism of the door from the open position, or may be hydraulic, such as the embodiments shown in FIGs. 10 to 22b.

More particularly, the hydraulic hinge may be a closing hinge, such as the embodiment shown in FIGs. 10 to 14b, or a hinge for controlling the rotatable motion of the door both upon opening, such as the embodiment shown in FIGs. 15 to 18b, or closing, such as the embodiment shown in FIGs. 19 to 22b.

Therefore, one of the end portions of the connecting plate 21, for example the upper one 23, may advantageously include a generally triangular curved cam element 60 rotating unitary with the same connecting plate 21 about the axis X. The curved cam element 60 may be attached to its end portion 23 in a removable or unremovable manner.

In this case, the cam element 60 may be guided and centered in its rotation around the axis X by the curvilinear slot 18.

Conveniently, the box-shaped hinge body 11 may further include a working chamber 70 with a bottom wall 71. The working chamber 70 may have elongated shape to define a longitudinal axis Y spaced apart from the first axis X, and substantially parallel thereto.

A plunger member 80 and elastic means 90, for example a compression spring, may be inserted within the working chamber 70 for mutually interacting, thus promoting the sliding along the axis Y between a position proximal to the bottom wall 71 and a position distal therefrom.

To this end, the plunger member 80 may include a front face 81 having a generally rounded shape susceptible to come into contact with an substantially flat operative surface 61 of the curved cam element 60 so that the rotation of the latter around the axis X corresponds to the sliding of the plunger 80 along the axis Y and vice-versa. To allow the reciprocal action of the plunger member 80 onto the cam element 60, the elastic means 90 may act on the former to move it back from the proximal position to the distal one. To this end, the elastic means 90 may be placed in the working chamber 70 so that their position of maximum elongation corresponds to the distal position of the plunger 80, while the one of minimum elongation corresponds to the proximal position of the latter.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, the elastic means may be placed in the working chamber 70 so that their position of maximum elongation corresponds to the proximal position of the plunger 80, while the one of minimum elongation corresponds to the distal position of the latter. In this case, the plunger member 80 and the cam one 60 may be mechanically connected each other.

Depending on the configuration and/or the size of the elastic means 90, in this way it will be possible to automatically close the door D from the open position or simply return the plunger member 80 to the distal position so that it interacts with the cam element 60 upon the opening or closing of the door.

This action depends on the configuration of the cam element 60, and more particularly by the inclination of its operative surface 61. In fact, depending on the latter upon opening of the door D the plunger member 80 may move from the distal position to the proximal one, such as in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 10 to 18b, or from the proximal to the distal position, such as in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 19 to 22b.

Advantageously, the front face 81 of the plunger member 80 may be made of a metallic material, for example steel, which may be harder than the metal material in which the working surface 61 of the cam element 60 is made. In this way, the front face 81 will create a guide channel along the operative surface 61 during use.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the working chamber may further include a working fluid, such as oil, acting on the plunger member 80 to hydraulically counteract the action thereof. In this case, the plunger member 80 may separate the working chamber 70 in a first and a second variable volume compartment 72, 73, fluidically communicating and adjacent each other.

A hydraulic circuit 100 may further be provided for the flow of the working fluid between the first and the second variable volume compartment 72, 73 upon the passage of the front face 81 from the other of the distal or proximal positions to the initial one.

Advantageously, the plunger member 80 may include one-way valve means for controlling the passage of the working fluid between the first and the second compartment 72, 73 upon the passage of the front face 81 from one of the distal or proximal positions to the other of the proximal or distal positions.

Suitably, the valve means may include a control element, such as a stopper 82, sliding in a seat 83 unitary movable with the plunger member 80. The stopper 82 slides along the axis Y for selectively stopping/release a first inlet/outlet port 84 of the seat 83, so as to selectively open/close the fluid connection between the first and the second compartment 72, 73.

In particular, the seat 83 may include, besides the first inlet/outlet port 84, a second inlet/outlet port 85, which may have a flow section greater than the one of the first inlet/outlet port 84. Suitably, the seat 83 may be dimensioned to allow the sliding of the stopper 82 along the axis Y.

The stopper 82, the first inlet/outlet port 84 and the second inlet/outlet port 85 may be dimensioned so that when the stopper 82 frees the first inlet/outlet port 84, the working fluid leaks through the second inlet/outlet port 85 to put in fluid communication the first and the second compartment 72, 73, and when the stopper 82 stops the first inlet/outlet port 84, the working fluid is forced to pass through the circuit 100.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the plunger member 80 may include a tubular element 86 with a front portion 87 placed in the second compartment 73, a rear portion 88 placed in the first compartment 72 and a side wall 89 facing the side wall 74 of the working chamber 70.

The front and rear portions 87, 88 of the tubular element 86 may be in fluid communication to each other and with the seat 83 of the valve means. To this end, the tubular element 86 may include a disk-shaped element 88' interposed between the rear portion 88 thereof and the elastic means 90 which may include the seat 83, the stopper 82, the first inlet/outlet port 84 and the second inlet/outlet port 85.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the plunger member 80 may further include a stem 110 with a first end 111 unitary coupled with the front portion 87 of the tubular element 86 and a second end 112 that includes the front face 81.

More particularly, the stem 110 may include a longitudinal passing-through hole 113 with a first inlet/outlet opening 114 and a pair of second inlet/outlet openings 115, 115'.

The stem 110 may be inserted through the front portion 87 of the tubular element 86 so that the opening 114 is put in fluid communication with the first and second inlet/outlet port 84, 85 of the seat 83 of the valve means and so that the second inlet/outlet openings 115, 115' are put n fluid communication with the second compartment 73.

In this manner, the first and the second compartment 72, 73 are put in fluid communication through the passing-through hole 113 of the stem 110, which may be connected with the tubular element 86 by means of the pin 116.

Advantageously, the hydraulic circuit 100 may be made within the box-shaped hinge body 11 externally to the working chamber 70 and may have a first inlet/outlet opening 101 in the second compartment 73 and a second and a third inlet/outlet opening 102, 103 in the first compartment 72. In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, shown for example in FIGs. 15 to 22b, the valve means may be configured to close upon the passage of the front face 81 of the plunger member 80 from the distal position to the proximal one, so as to force the working fluid to pass from the first compartment 72 to the second compartment 73 by entering in the hydraulic circuit 100 through the second and third opening 102, 103 and exiting therefrom through the first opening 101.

In this case, the valve means may open upon the passage of the front face 81 from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to allow the passage of the working fluid from the second compartment 73 to the first compartment 72 therethrough. To this end, the second inlet/outlet port 85 of the seat 83 may be faced to the first compartment 72, while the first inlet/outlet port 84 may be faced to the second compartment 73.

In such embodiments, the third opening 103 may remain fluidly decoupled from the side wall 89 of the tubular element 86 over the entire stroke of the plunger member 80 from the distal position to the proximal one.

On the other hand, the second opening 102 may remain fluidly decoupled from the side wall 89 of the tubular element 86 for a first starting part of the stroke of the plunger member 80, shown in FIGs. 17a and 21a, and may be fluidly coupled with the side wall 89 for a second final part of said stroke, shown in FIGs. 18a and 22a.

This way, the door D will have a first resistance to the closing/opening movement for a first angular portion cti of the rotation thereof around the axis X corresponding to the first starting part of the stroke of the plunger member 80, and a second resistance to the closing/opening movement of the door D for a second angular portion ct₂ of the rotation thereof around the axis X corresponding to the second final part of the stroke of the same plunger member 80.

Suitably, first and second means 120, 121 may be provided for the regulation of the flow section respectively of the second and the third opening 102, 103, for example respective screws.

Thanks to this features, it will be possible for a user to independently adjust the first and the second resistance to the opening/closing movement of the door D.

In such embodiments, the elastic means 90 may include a restoring spring, i.e. a spring whose size and/or configuration is sufficient to move the plunger member from the proximal position to the distal one but not to ensure the automatic closing of door D from the open position.

The hinge so configured is a control hinge for controlling the rotatable movement of the door

D.

In particular, in the embodiments in which the cam element 60 is configured in such a manner that upon opening of the door D the plunger member moves from the proximal position to the distal one, such as in the embodiments shown in FIGs. 15 to 18b, the hinge 1 is designed to control the rotatable movement of the door D upon its opening.

On the other hand, in the embodiments in which the cam element 60 is configured in such a manner that upon opening of the door D the plunger member moves from the proximal position to the distal one, such as in the embodiments shown in FIGs. 19 to 22b, the hinge 1 is designed to control the rotatable movement of the door D upon its closure.

In an alternative embodiment, shown for example in FIGs. 10 to 14b, said valve means may be configured to open upon the passage of the front face 81 of the plunger member 80 from the distal position to the proximal one, so as to allow the passage of the working fluid from the first compartment 72 to the second one 73, and to close upon the passage thereof from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to force the working fluid to pass from the second compartment 73 to the first compartment 72 by entering the hydraulic circuit 100 through the first opening 101 and by exiting therefrom through the second and the third openings 102, 103.

To this end, the second inlet/outlet port 85 of the seat 83 may face the second compartment 73, while the first inlet/outlet port 84 may face the first compartment 72.

In this embodiment, the third opening 103 of the circuit 100 may remain fluidly decoupled from the side wall 89 of the tubular element 86 over the entire stroke of the plunger member 80 from the proximal position to the distal one, so that the door D has a third predetermined closing speed.

On the other hand, the second opening 102 of the circuit 100 may be fluidly coupled with the side wall 89 of the tubular element 86 for a first starting part of the stroke of the plunger member 80, shown for example in FIG. 14a, so that the door D has a predetermined closing speed.

The second opening 102 may remain fluidly decoupled from the side wall 89 of the tubular element 86 for a second final part of the stroke of the plunger member 80, shown for example in FIG. 13a, so as to impart to the door D a latch action towards the closed position.

Advantageously, third means 122 may be provided for the regulation of the flow section of the second opening 102, for example a suitable screw, so as to allow a user to adjust the force by which the door D latches towards the closed position.

fourth means 123 may further be provided for the regulation of the flow section of the third opening 103, so as to allow a user to adjust the closing speed of the door D.

In this embodiment, the cam element 60 may be configured so that upon opening of the door D the plunger member 80 moves from the proximal position to the distal one.

Suitably, the elastic means 90 may include an actuating spring, i.e. a spring whose size and/or configuration is sufficient to ensure the automatic closing of the door D from the open position. The hinge so configured will be a closing hinge for the automatic closing of the door D from the open position.

From the above description, it is apparent that the invention fulfils the intended objects.

The invention is susceptible to many changes and variants. All particulars may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to the needs, without exceeding the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A concealed hinge for rotatable moving a door (D), in particular a reinforced door, connected to a tubular support structure (F, CF) which includes a rear counterframe (CF) anchored to a wall (W) or a similar support and a front frame (F) anchored to the counterframe (CF), the hinge comprising a fixed member (10) and a movable member (20) being rotatably coupled thereto for rotating about a first longitudinal axis (X) between an open position and a closed position;

wherein said fixed member (10) includes a hinge body (11) to be concealed within the tubular support structure (F, CF), said movable member (20) including a connecting plate (21) anchorable to the door (D) susceptible to extend from the tubular support structure (F, CF) in said open position and to concealedly retract within the tubular support structure (F, CF) in said closed position;

wherein said hinge body (11) includes a pair of end seats (12, 12') defining said first axis (X), said connecting plate (21) including a first central portion (22) susceptible to be operatively connected with the door (D) and a pair of second end portions (23, 23') faced each other and reciprocally operatively connected with the end seats (12, 12') of said hinge body (11).

2. Hinge according to claim 1, wherein said first central portion (22) of said connecting plate (21) includes a first plate-shaped member defining a first plane (π) substantially parallel to said first longitudinal axis (X), said second end portions (23, 23') including a pair of second plate-shaped members defining respective second planes (π', π") substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to said first plane (π).

3. Hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) includes at least one projection (28, 28') axially inwardly extending towards the other of said second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21), said hinge body (11) including at least one end portion (16, 16') which comprises at least one stop set screw (17, 17') susceptible to impact against said at least one projection (28, 28'), said at least one stop set screw (17, 17') being adjustable so as to adjust the opening angle of said connecting plate (21).

4. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one stop set screw (17, 17') includes a first end (170, 170') susceptible to selectively interact with said at least one projection (28, 28') and a second end (171, 171') operateable from the outside by a user to adjust the stroke of the same at least one stop set screw (17, 17') along a direction (d) substantially orthogonal to said first axis (X).

5. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one stop set screw (17, 17') is screwed with said hinge body (11) in correspondence of said at least one end portion (16, 16') thereof.

6. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said hinge body (11) has a box-shape.

7. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one projection (28, 28') unitary rotates with said connecting plate (21) around said first axis (X).

8. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one end portion (16, 16') of said hinge body (11) includes a curvilinear slot (18, 18') defining the path of said at least one projection (28, 28') upon its rotation around said first axis (X).

9. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one projection (28, 28') moves within said curvilinear slot (18, 18') throughout its angular rotation about said first axis (X).

10. Hinge according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said at least one end portion (16, 16') of said hinge body (11) includes a passing-through seat (160, 160') for said at least one stop set screw (17, 17') in correspondence of said curvilinear slot (18, 18').

11. Hinge according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein said curvilinear slot (18, 18') is concentric with respect to said first axis (X).

12. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second plate- shaped member of said at least one of said second end portions (23, 23') includes said at least one projection (28, 28').

13. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each of the second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) includes a respective projection (28, 28') axially inwardly extending towards the other of the second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21), said hinge body (11) including a pair of end portions (16, 16') each comprising a respective stop set screw (17, 17') susceptible to impact against the respective projection (28, 28'), both said stop set screws (17, 17') being adjustable so as to adjust the opening angle of said connecting plate (21).

14. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein both the end portions (16, 16') of said hinge body (11) include a respective curvilinear slot (18, 18').

15. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first central portion (22) and said second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) are monolithic to each other.

16. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) include respective operative surfaces (27, 27') susceptible to remain faced to said end seats (12, 12') during use, at least one of the latter (12, 12') including an annular housing (14, 14') susceptible to house a respective anti-friction element (15, 15'), said annular housing (14, 14') and the respective anti-friction element (15, 15') being mutually configured so that the corresponding operating surface (27, 27') of the second end portion (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) faced to the respective end seats (12, 12') of said body (11) is susceptible to come in contact engage with said anti-friction element (15, 15') and to remain spaced apart from said box-shaped body (11).

17. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein both the end seats (12, 12') of said hinge body (11) include a respective annular housing (14, 14') for a corresponding anti-friction element (15, 15'), said annular housings (14, 14') and anti-friction elements (15, 15') being mutually configured so that both the operative surfaces (27, 27') of the second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) are susceptible to come in contact engage with the respective friction element (15, 15') and to remain spaced apart from said body (11).

18. Hinge according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the annular housing (14, 14') of said at least one end seat (12, 12'), respectively the annular housings (14, 14') of both said end seats (12, 12'), of said body (11) has, respectively have, a first predetermined inner diameter (Di) and a first predetermined height (hi), the corresponding anti-friction element (15, 15'), respectively the corresponding anti-friction elements (15, 15'), having a generally annular shape with a second predetermined outer diameter (D₂) and a second predetermined height (h₂), said first inner diameter (Di) being substantially equal to said second outer diameter (D₂), said second height (h₂) being slightly greater than said predetermined first height (hi).

19. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said hinge body (11) includes a longitudinal passing-through bore (13) defining said first longitudinal axis (X) to mutually connect said end seats (12, 12'), said movable member (20) further including a substantially cylindrical shaft (24) inserted into said passing-through bore (13) having the opposite ends (25, 25') mutually connected with said second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) to unitary rotate with the latter.

20. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said shaft (24) is inserted with m inimum clearance into said passing-through bore (13) so that the latter (13) laterally supports the former (24).

21. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said shaft (24) has a diameter (DS) substantially coincident with the diameter (DH) of said passing-through bore (13).

22. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said shaft (24) has a peripheral wall (24') substantially in contact engage with the inner surface (13') of said passing-through bore (13).

23. Hinge according to one or more of claims 17 to 22, wherein said shaft (24) has a third height (h₃) slightly greater than the distance (di) between the upper faces of said anti-friction elements (15, 15') so that when one of the operative surfaces (27, 27') of the second end portions (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) come in contact engage with the respective anti-friction element (15, 15') the other operating surface (27, 27') remains spaced apart from the respective friction element (15, 15').

24. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable member

(20) further includes a mounting bracket (30) having a first plate-shaped portion (31) operatively fixable to the door (D) and a second plate-shaped portion (33) operatively connected to said first central portion (22) of said connecting plate (21).

25. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said first and second plate-shaped portions (31, 33) of said mounting bracket (30) are substantially perpendicular to each other.

26. Hinge according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said second plate-shaped portion (33) of said mounting bracket (30) is movably mounted on said first central portion (22) of said connecting plate

(21) to slide along a second axis (Χ') substantially parallel to said first axis (X) and along a third axis (Z) substantially perpendicular to said first axis (X).

27. Hinge according to the preceding claim, further comprising first means (47, 48, 50) for adjusting the position of said mounting bracket (30) along said second axis (Χ') and second means (35, 35', 51, 52) for adjusting the position of said mounting bracket (30) along said third axis (Z), said first and second adjustment means (47, 48, 50; 35, 35', 51, 52) being selectively operable by a user to allow the independent adjustment of the position of the door (D) along said second axis (Χ') and/or said third axis (Z).

28. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said second plate-shaped portion (33) of said mounting bracket (30) is operatively connectable to said first plate-shaped member (22) of said connecting plate (21) through a backplate (40), said plate-shaped second portion (33) of said mounting bracket (30) remaining interposed between said first plate-shaped member (22) of said connecting plate (21) and said backplate (40), the latter having an overall height (h₄) slightly lower than the distance (d₂) between the operative surfaces (27, 27') of said second plate-shaped members (23, 23') of said connecting plate (21) to allow the sliding thereof along said third axis (Z).

29. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said second plate-shaped portion (33) of said mounting bracket (30) includes a pair of third end plate-shaped elements (34, 34') spaced apart each other by a predetermined distance (d₃) and having a predetermined thickness (S₂, S₃), said backplate (40) having a pair of end portions (41, 41') and a central portion (42) having a height (h₅) substantially equal to said predetermined distance (d₃) between said third plate-shaped elements (34, 34') of said mounting bracket (30) and a thickness (Si) which is slightly greater than the one (S₂, S₃) of the latter (34, 34'), said central portion (42) of said backplate (40) being protruding with respect to the end portions (41, 41') so as to remain interposed during use between said third end plate-shaped elements (34, 34') of said mounting bracket (30), the latter remaining interposed during use between said first central plate-shaped member (22) of said connecting plate (21) and said end portions (41, 41') of said backplate (40), so that the upper surface (43) of the central portion (42) of said backplate (40) guides the sliding of said mounting bracket (30) along said third axis (Z).

30. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein each of the end portions (41, 41') of said backplate (40) includes a passing-through opening (45, 45') having predetermined height (h₈, h₉) and length (l₃, l₄), a pair of guide elements (44, 44') being provided each inserted in a respective passing-through opening (45, 45') of the end portions (41, 41') of the backplate (40) which has a height (h₆, h₇) lower than the one (h₈, h₉) of said passing-through openings (45, 45') and a length (li, l₂) substantially equal to the one (l₃, l₄) of the latter (45, 45') to guide the sliding of said mounting bracket (30) along said second axis (Χ').

31. Hinge according to claim 29 or 30, wherein said first adjustment means include:

- a first opening (47) passing through said protuding central portion (42) of said backplate

(40);

- an actuating member (48) operable by a user to interact with said first passing-through opening (47) by adjusting the sliding of the mounting bracket (30) along said second axis (X¹);

- a first locking screw (50) passing through said first plate-shaped member (22) of said connecting plate (21) and through said protuding central portion (42) of said backplate (40), said first locking screw (50) being engageable in a counterthreaded seat (50') of said actuating member (48) to lock the mounting bracket (30) in the desired position and being disengageable therefrom to allow the user to operate the actuating member (48).

32. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said actuating member (48) includes a plurality of first peripheral shaped cogs (49), said passing-through opening (47) including a pair of side walls substantially parallel to said first and/or second axis (X , X') comprising a plurality of second countershaped cogs (49') engaged with said first cogs (49) to promote the unitary sliding of said backplate (40) and of said mounting bracket (30) along said second axis (Χ' ) in response to the operation of the actuating member (48) by the user.

33. Hinge according to claim 31, wherein said actuating member (48) includes an eccentric element (48') engaged with said passing-through opening (47) to promote the unitary sliding of the backplate (40) and of said mounting bracket (30) along said second axis (Χ') in response to the operation of the actuating member (48) by the user.

34. Hinge according to any one of the claims 29 to 33, wherein said second adjustment means include:

- a pair of elongated slots (35, 35') passing through said third end plate-shaped elements (34, 34') of said mounting bracket (30), said slots (35, 35') having maximum length (l₅, l₆) substantially equal to the maximum possible stroke of the mounting bracket (30) along said third axis (Z);

- a pair of second locking screws (51, 52) passing through said first plate-shaped member (22) of said connecting plate (21) and through said elongated slots (35, 35') of said mounting bracket (30), said second locking screws (51, 52) being engageable with respective counterthreaded seats (51', 52') of said guide elements (45, 45') to lock the mounting bracket (30) in the desired position and being disengageable therefrom (51', 52') to allow the sliding of said mounting bracket (30) along said third axis (Z) guided by the upper surface (43) of the central projecting portion (42) of the backplate (40).

35. Hinge according to claims 31 and 34 or claims 32 and 34 or claims 30 and 31, wherein said first locking screw (50) is disengageable from the respective counterthreaded seat (50') when said second locking screws (51, 52) are engaged in the respective counterthreaded seats (51', 52') to allow the sliding of the mounting bracket (30) along said second axis (Χ') by preventing the sliding thereof along said third axis (Z), respectively said second locking screws (51, 52) are disengageable from the respective counterthreaded seats (51', 52') when said first locking screw (50) is engaged in the respective counterthreaded seat (50') to allow the sliding of the mounting bracket (30) along said third axis (Z) by preventing the sliding thereof along said second axis (Χ').

36. Hinge according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one of said second end portions (23, 23') includes a curved cam element (60) concentric with respect to said first axis (X) and unitary rotating with said connecting plate (21) about said first axis (X), said box-shaped hinge body (11) further including at least one working chamber (70) defining a second longitudinal axis (Y) spaced apart from said first axis (X) and substantially parallel thereto.

37. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one working chamber (70) includes a plunger element (80) sliding along said second longitudinal axis (Y) and elastic means (90) operatively connected with said plunger element (80), the latter including a front face (81) facing said curved cam element (60) and interacting therewith so that the rotation of the cam element (60) about the first axis (X) corresponds to the sliding of the plunger element (80) along the second axis (Y) and vice-versa.

38. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one working chamber (70) includes a bottom wall (71), said plunger element (80) being slidable along said second longitudinal axis (Y) between a position proximal to said bottom wall (71) and a position distal therefrom, said elastic means (90) acting on said plunger element (80) for returning thereof from the proximal position to the distal one.

39. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said curved cam element (60) has a generally triangular shape with an operative surface (61) having a predetermined inclination so that upon opening of the door (D) said plunger element (80) moves from the distal position to the proximal one, respectively from the proximal position to the distal one.

40. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein the front face (81) of said plunger element (80) has a generally rounded shape in order to come into contact engagement with the substantially flat operative surface (61) of said curved cam element (60).

41. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein the rounded front face (81) of said plunger element (80) is made of a first metallic material, the substantially flat operative surface (61) of said cam element (60) being made of a second metallic material, said first metallic material having a hardness greater than the one of said second metallic material so that the front face (81) of said plunger element (80) is susceptible to make during use a guide groove along the operative surface (61) of said cam element (60).

42. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said working chamber (70) further includes a working fluid acting on said plunger element (80) to hydraulically counteract the action thereof, said plunger element (80) separating said working chamber (70) into at least one first and one second variable volume compartments (72, 73) fluidically communicating with each other and preferably reciprocally adjacent, said elastic means (90) being located in said first compartment (72) so that said at least one first and one second compartments (72, 73) have respectively the maximum and minimum volume at the distal position of said plunger element (80) and respectively the minimum and maximum volume at the proximal position thereof (80).

43. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said plunger element (80) comprises one-way valve means (82) for controlling the flow of the working fluid between said at least one first and one second compartments (72, 73) upon the moving of said front face (81) of said plunger element (80) from one of the distal and proximal positions to the other between the distal and proximal positions, a hydraulic circuit (100) being provided for the flow of the working fluid between said at least one first and one second variable volume compartments (72, 73) upon the moving of said front face (81) from the other between the distal and proximal positions to the one of the distal and proximal positions.

44. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said plunger element (80) includes a seat (83) for said valve means which is fluidically connected with both said at least one first and one second compartments (72, 73), the valve means including a control element (82) sliding within said seat (83) along said second axis (Y) to selectively open/close the fluidic connection between said at least one first and one second compartments (72, 73), the selective opening of said valve means allowing the fluid communication between said at least one first and one second compartments (72, 73), the selective closing of said valve means preventing the fluid communication between said at least one first and one second compartments (72, 73) so as to force the flowing of working fluid through said circuit (100).

45. Hinge according to claim 43 or 44, wherein said plunger element (80) includes a tubular element (86) with a front portion (87) placed in said second compartment (73), a rear portion (88) placed in said first compartment (72) and a side wall (89) facing the side wall (74) of said working chamber (70).

46. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said front and rear portions (87, 88) are in fluidic communication with each other via said valve means.

47. Hinge according to claim 45, wherein said plunger element (80) further includes a rod (110) with a first end (111) unitary coupled with said front portion (87) of said tubular element (86) and a second end (112) including said front face (81) facing said curved cam element (60).

48. Hinge according to claim 45, 46 or 47, wherein said hydraulic circuit (100) is within said box-shaped hinge body (11) externally to said at least one working chamber (70) and has at least one first inlet/outlet opening (101) in said second compartment (73) and a second and a third inlet/outlet opening (102, 103) in said first compartment (72), said second opening (102) being upstream of said third opening (103).

49. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said valve means (82) are configured to open upon the moving of said front face (81) from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to allow the flow of the working fluid from the second compartment (73) to the first compartment (72), and to close upon the moving of said front face (81) from the distal position to the proximal one, so as to force the working fluid to flow from the first compartment (72) to the second compartment (73) by entering into said hydraulic circuit (100) through said second and third openings (102, 103) and by exiting therefrom through said first opening (101).

50. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said third opening (103) is fluidically decoupled from the side wall (89) of said tubular element (86) for the entire stroke of said plunger element (80) from the distal position to the proximal one, said second opening (102) remaining fluidically decoupled from the side wall (89) of said tubular element (86) for a first starting part of said stroke and being fluidically coupled with the side wall (89) of said tubular element (86) for a second final part of said stroke, so that said door (D) has a first resistance to the movement upon closing/opening for a first angular portion (cti) of the rotation thereof about said first axis (X) corresponding to said first starting part the stroke of said plunger element (80) and a second resistance to the movement upon closing/opening of the door (D) for a second angular portion (ct₂) of the rotation thereof about said first axis (X) corresponding to the second final part of said stroke.

51. Hinge according to the preceding claim, comprising first and second means (120, 121) for regulating the cross-sectional flow area of respectively said second and said third openings (102, 103), so as to allow a user to independently adjust said first and/or said second resistance to the movement upon the closing/opening of the door (D).

52. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said elastic means (90) include a restoring spring, so that the hinge is a control hinge for controlling the rotating movement of the door (D).

53. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said cam element (60) is configured such that upon opening of the door (D) said plunger element (80) moves from said distal position to said proximal position, said first and second adjustment means (120, 121) being susceptible to adjust the first and second resistance to the movement of the door (D) along said first and second angular portion (α_υ ct₂) upon its opening.

54. Hinge according to claim 52, wherein said cam element (60) is configured such that upon opening of the door (D) said plunger element (80) moves from said proximal position to said distal position, said first and second adjustment means (120, 121) being susceptible to adjust the first and second resistance to the movement of the door (D) along said first and second angular portion ( _lt ct₂) upon its closing.

55. Hinge according to claim 45, 46 or 47, wherein said valve means (82) are configured to open upon the moving of said front face (81) from the distal position to the proximal one, so as to allow the flowing of the working fluid from the first compartment (72) to the second compartment (73), and close upon the moving of said front face (81) from the proximal position to the distal one, so as to force the working fluid to flow from the second compartment (73) to the first compartment (72) entering into said hydraulic circuit (100) through said first opening (101) and exiting therefrom through said second and third openings (102, 103).

56. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said third opening (103) is fluidically decoupled from the side wall (89) of said tubular element (86) for the entire stroke of said plunger element (80) from the proximal position to the distal one, so that said door (D) moves with a predetermined opening/closing speed, said second opening (102) being fluidically coupled with the side wall (89) of said tubular element (86) for a first starting part of said stroke and being fluidically decoupled from the side wall (89) of said tubular element (86) for a second final part of said stroke, so as to impart a opening/closing latch action to the door (D).

57. Hinge according to the preceding claim, comprising third means (122) for the regulation of the cross sectional flow area of said second opening (102), so as to allow a user to adjust the force by which the door (D) latches toward the opening/closing position, fourth means (123) being further provided for the regulation of the cross sectional flow area of said third opening (103), so as to allow a user to adjust the opening/closing speed of the door (D).

58. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said cam element (60) is configured such that upon the opening of the door (D) said plunger element (80) moves from said distal position to said proximal position, said elastic means (90) including an actuating spring so that the hinge is a hinge for the automatic closing of the door (D) from the open position, said third and fourth regulating means (122, 123) being susceptible to adjust the latching force of the door (D) toward the closed position and the speed thereof upon its closure.