EP3071760A1

EP3071760A1 - Hinge for separation screen and separation screen including such a hinge

Info

Publication number: EP3071760A1
Application number: EP13814589.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent Troesch; Jean-Loup Kassel
Original assignee: Steelcase Inc
Current assignee: Steelcase Inc
Priority date: 2013-11-19
Filing date: 2013-11-19
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-11-19
Also published as: ES2785072T3; EP3071760B1; WO2015075322A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge (10, 11) for a separation screen (4) consisting of at least two panels (43, 44) that are hingedly connected about an axis of rotation X, each comprising a tubular frame (40, 40ʼ) and forming an angle α with respect to one another in an operating position of said separation screen (4). According to the invention, said hinge (10, 11) comprises an elbow member (2) having two side arms (21, 22) forming said angle α therebetween, as well as coupling means (3, 3ʼ) between each one of said side arms (21, 22) and a free end (41, 41ʼ, 42, 42ʼ) of the tubular frame (40, 40ʼ) of each one of said panels (43, 44). A first side arm (21) and said coupling means also comprise means arranged such as to enable a rotatable link, about said axis of rotation (X), between said coupling means (3, 3ʼ) and said first side arm (21).

Description

Hinge for separation screen and separation screen including such hinge

The present invention relates to a hinge for separating screen formed by at least two panels articulated around an axis of rotation and forming an angle with respect to each other in a position of use of said separation screen. The invention also relates to a separation screen comprising such a hinge.

Separation screens are commonly used in many areas to delimit and structure different spaces relative to each other. In particular, they find an important application in the arrangement of landscape offices, which are by definition devoid of fixed partitions, to subdivide workstations and provide them with a certain degree of confidentiality while preserving the principle of flexibility of the layout. , suitable for this type of office.

There are currently many models of separation screens, differing from each other in particular by their size, the nature of the materials used, the number of component panels, and the presence or absence of articulation between said panels.

The present invention intends to provide an alternative to the articulated multi-panel type separating screens currently available commercially and whose aesthetic appearance does not give satisfaction to many users, anxious to provide an irreproachable image of their workspace. Indeed, many embodiments provide for use as hinges conventional hinges, such as including piano hinges, fixed on the edges of two adjacent panels or simple rings or cords joining two panels and therefore remain always visible regardless of the position of the screen. Such a construction therefore seriously damages the appearance aesthetic such separation screens, and can also be detrimental when the hinges employed have prominent parts.

On the other hand, the rudimentary nature of hinges of the type rings or cords joining two panels, also results in a structural instability of the separation screen, the constituent elements of which tend to dissolve unexpectedly from each other during their handling. This involves frequent and tedious interventions to perform the reassembly of the panels, and can lead rather quickly to a deterioration of the separation screen requiring replacement.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a hinge for articulating the different panels of a separation screen while ensuring a flawless aesthetic appearance and excellent structural stability of the latter, in all positions of use that can be adopted by said panels, as well as during storage or transport.

To this end, the invention relates to a hinge for separation screen formed by at least two panels articulated around an axis of rotation, each having a tubular frame and forming an angle to one relative to the other in a position of use of said separation screen, said hinge comprising on the one hand an elbow member having two lateral arms of axes forming between them said angle a, and on the other hand coupling means between each of said lateral arms and a free end of the tubular frame of each of said panels, a first side arm and said coupling means further comprising means arranged to allow rotational connection about said axis of rotation between said coupling means and said first lateral arm .

According to a characteristic of the invention, said bent member comprises an arcuate central portion, bounded by two planar faces each forming a base from which extends one of the lateral arms, said planar faces being respectively perpendicular to each other. axis of the first lateral arm and the axis of the second lateral arm, said central portion further having a cross section substantially identical to that of the tubular frame of said panels of the separation screen.

According to one possibility, the central portion has a rectangular cross section and has two coaxial arcuate opposite faces, of axis parallel to the axis of rotation and connected by two respectively upper and lower faces perpendicular to said axis of rotation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the hinge according to the invention, said coupling means consist of a sleeve having at one of its ends a female portion configured to be fitted on one of said side arms and to another end of the connecting means at a free end of the tubular frame of one of said panels, the outer wall of said female portion having a tubular cross section substantially identical to that of said free ends of the tubular frame.

The invention advantageously provides that the rotational connection comprises means for guiding the female portion of a sleeve in rotation around the first lateral arm, and means for axially locking said sleeve.

Said first lateral arm may comprise for this purpose a U-shaped tongue extending from its base in a median plane of said central portion perpendicular to said axis of rotation, said U-shaped tongue being sandwiched between an upper hemisphere and a lower hemisphere defining together a rotation ball substantially centered in said tongue.

According to an additional feature of the hinge according to the invention, the female portion of the sleeve has an axial housing adapted to accommodate the rotation ball, a pair of opposed slots in the form of axial slots being formed in the wall surrounding said housing. so as to house an edge of said U-shaped tongue when said first lateral arm is fitted into said sleeve and that the axis of said first lateral arm and the axis of said sleeve are aligned. Moreover, the hinge according to the invention is further characterized in that each of said upper and lower hemispheres is connected to the base of the first lateral arm by an upper and lower rib respectively extending in a median plane of the rotation ball perpendicularly. at the U-shaped tab

In this case, the female portion of the sleeve advantageously comprises a second pair of opposed slots in the form of axial slots formed in the wall surrounding said axial housing so as to accommodate said upper and lower ribs when said first lateral arm is fitted into said sleeve. and that the axis of said first lateral arm and the axis of said sleeve are aligned.

An additional characteristic of the hinge according to the invention is defined by the fact that the second lateral arm comprises a receiving shaft, centered with respect to its base, around which a sleeve is rotatably mounted, said second lateral arm further comprising axial positioning means of said sleeve in contact with said base of said second lateral arm.

According to a preferred embodiment, said second lateral arm has substantially the shape of a truncated cone whose apex is provided with at least one movable elastic tab between a rest position in which its free end projects radially beyond the surface of the shaft at a distance from the base of the second lateral arm slightly greater than the length of the sleeve and a constrained position in which its free end is close to the surface of the shaft.

The invention also provides that the sleeve comprises for this purpose a through internal passage having a substantially frustoconical shape.

Alternatively, the sleeve may be formed integrally with a free end of a tubular frame, the female portion of the sleeve protruding from said free end.

According to another alternative, the sleeve may be formed of an independent piece whose end opposite to said female portion defines a male portion arranged to be inserted into a free end of said tubular frame of said first or said second panel, said male portion having centering means with respect to said free end.

An additional feature of the hinge according to the invention is further defined by the fact that said bent member comprises two symmetrical recesses, each of which is centered in one of the upper or lower faces of the central portion and is provided capable of housing an end of a central amount of said separation screen.

Preferably, said recesses are interconnected by a through orifice oriented in the direction of the axis of rotation.

The present invention also relates to a separation screen formed by at least a first panel and a second panel articulated in pairs around an axis of rotation and each having a tubular frame together forming the framework of said separation screen, each tubular frame having at least one upper bar and one lower bar, characterized in that it comprises at least two hinges according to any preceding claim, including an upper hinge arranged to articulate with each other about said axis of rotation the upper bars respective of the frames of the first panel and the second panel, and a lower hinge arranged to articulate with each other about said axis of rotation the respective lower bars of the frames of the first panel and the second panel, said separation screen further comprising a coating stretched around of its framework and preserving in any relative position d The coupling is between the first side arm of each of the upper and lower hinges and each of the upper and lower bars of the same frame.

According to an alternative embodiment, said tubular frame of the end panels of the separation screen is substantially C-shaped and comprises an additional bar connecting the upper bar and the lower bar. Optionally, the separation screen according to the invention may comprise a central upright mounted between said upper and lower hinges.

Advantageously, said coating is defined by a single-layer knit having at least one peripheral slide provided with at least one orifice for introducing at least the first and second panel frames connected to said upper and lower hinges.

According to another feature, the separation screen may further comprise means for attachment to a furniture element.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows and refers to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of example and in which:

FIG. 1A corresponds to an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hinge according to the invention,

FIG. 1B corresponds to the view of FIG. 1A taken at a different angle,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a separation screen according to the invention comprising two panels articulated by means of two hinges such as that represented in FIG. 1A, the separation screen being in the use position. and having a knit stretched around its framework,

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the separation screen of FIG. 2, without knitting,

FIGS. 4A to 4C are partial top views of the separating screen of FIG. 2 without knitting, in different positions of the panels,

- Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sleeve that comprises the hinge of Figure 1 A.

The hinge 1 according to the invention is described in relation to a separation screen 4 comprising two panels 43, 44 (FIG 2) articulated about an axis of rotation X of the hinge 1 and can adopt a position in which they are perpendicular to each other (Figures 2 and 4A), a position in which they are folded over each other and form between them an angle substantially equal to 0 ° (Figure 4B) and a position in which they form between them an angle substantially equal to 180 ° (Figure 4C). The position in which the panels 42, 43 are perpendicular to each other typically corresponds to a position of use of the separation screen 4, while the other two positions can be used in the context of storage 4. Of course, the two panels 42, 43 are not necessarily perpendicular to each other in the position of use of the separation screen 4, but can to form between them, according to other embodiments not illustrated, an angle to any, depending on the desired configuration. The separation screen 4 comprises a framework consisting of two C-shaped tubular frames 40, 40 'each supporting one of the panels 43, 44 and whose corners are rounded in the illustrated example. Each tubular frame 40, 40 'comprises a vertical tubular bar 50, 50' connecting an upper horizontal bar 48, 48 'to a lower horizontal bar 49, 49'. Each tubular frame 40, 40 'thus has an upper free end 41, 41' at its upper horizontal bar 48, 48 'and a lower free end 42, 42' at its lower horizontal bar 49, 49 '. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross section of the tubular bars 48, 49, 50 and 48 ', 49', 50 ', and therefore that of the tubular frames 40, 40', is substantially square. However, other types of cross section, in particular rectangular, are also conceivable. Furthermore, although in the embodiment shown, the upper horizontal bars 48, 48 'and lower 49, 49' have the same length, it is quite possible to give them different lengths. In this case, the tubular bar 50, 50 'would no longer be vertical and one would obtain a panel form 43, 44 no longer rectangular but trapezoidal. In addition, the upper bars 48, 48 'and lower 49, 49' are not necessarily horizontal as in the illustrated example, and least one of them could also be inclined relative to the horizontal according to other embodiments not illustrated.

The frames 40, 40 'of the panels 43, 44 are joined by means of two hinges 1 of which an upper hinge 10 arranged to connect and articulate with each other about the axis of rotation X the respective upper free ends 41, 41' of the frames 40, 40 'and a lower hinge 1 1 arranged to connect and articulate with each other about the axis of rotation X the respective lower free ends 42, 42' of the frames 40, 40 '.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the separation screen 4 comprises a coating such as in particular a single layer 45 knit made of one piece devoid of seams and can be at least partially translucent. The knit 45 comprises at least one peripheral slide 46 comprising at least one (not visible) orifice for the introduction of the tubular frames 40, 40 'and the constituent elements of the upper hinges 10 and lower 11 1 connected to the frames 40, 40'. The separation screen could of course include another type of coating, such as in particular a leather, a fabric, a translucent film or any other suitable coating.

In the variant shown, the separating screen 4 further comprises adjustable pads 47 on which it rests in its position of use and which establish a high side 5 and a low side 6 of said separation screen 4. In addition, in the illustrated example, the panel 43 has a width h greater than the width ₁₂ of the panel 44 (FIG 2) and comprises fixing means, such as in particular one or more magnets 57 to secure it with a piece of furniture .

Such a separation screen 4 may for example be used to define a reading space, in association with a seat disposed in the angle formed by the panels 43, 44, the seat backrest being positioned against the panel 43 of greater width h. In this case, the panel 44 of smaller width l ₂ will be on the right of a user sitting on said seat, back against the backrest. By convention and convenience for the rest of the description, a such configuration of the separation screen 4 will be described as "right version", the "left version" corresponding to that allowing the same user sitting in the same position on said seat in said angle formed by the panels 43, 44 of have the panel 44 of smaller width l ₂ to its left. It will be described later by which means the hinge 1 according to the invention advantageously allows to transform a separation screen 4 type "right version" into a separation screen type "left version" and vice versa.

According to the invention, in the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, the hinge 1 comprises on the one hand an elbow member 2 and on the other hand two sleeves 3, 3 'preferably made, as well as the tubular frames 40, 40 'of the screen 4, made of a plastic material or the like. However, other materials, such as in particular aluminum or any other metal or material having qualities equivalent to those of plastic, can also be envisaged.

The bent member 2 comprises a central portion 20 bordered by two flat faces 25, 26 substantially perpendicular to each other in the illustrated example, and oriented in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation X. The faces 25, 26 respectively form the base 25 of a first lateral arm 21 of axis Y1 and the base 26 of a second lateral arm 22 of axis Y2 perpendicular to the axis Y1. The central portion 20 furthermore has two coaxial arcuate opposite faces 27, 28, of axis Y3 parallel to the axis of rotation X, and two respectively upper 23 and lower 24 faces, extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation. X between the planar and arcuate faces 25, 26, 27, 28. In the embodiment shown, the central portion 20 has a square cross section substantially identical to that of the tubular frame 40, 40 'of a panel 43, 44.

In the variant embodiment illustrated, the central portion 20 also has two recesses 60 (FIG 1 A) formed symmetrically on either side of the central portion 20 and each centered in one of the faces upper 23 and lower 24. The recesses 60 are arranged to accommodate an end 70, 71 of a central upright 7 for improving the structural stability of the separation screen 4 and whose optional presence is more particularly required when the panels 43 , 44 have a high height. The two recesses 60 are connected by a through orifice 29 allowing the introduction of means for securing an adjustable shoe 47 to a lower hinge January 1. With reference to FIG. 3, when present, the central upright 7 is mounted between the upper and lower hinges 1 1, its end 70 resting in the recess 60 of the lower face 24 of the central portion 20 of the bent member 2 of the upper hinge 10 while its end 71 is housed in the recess 60 of the upper face 23 of the central portion 20 of the bent member 2 of the lower hinge January 1. The central upright 7 is inserted into a second slide 54 suitably formed in the knit 45 and in which it is preferably introduced through the orifice provided in the slide 46. The central upright 7 can be secured to the one of the upper hinges 10 or lower 1 1 at least. In the embodiment variant of the separating screen 4 illustrated, the central upright 7 is simply placed between the two upper and lower hinges 10 1 1 and is held in place by the knit 45 stretched around the frame of the screen. 4. When the separation screen 4 is in its position of use, in which it rests on the adjustable pads 47, the orifice for the introduction of the tubular frames 40, 40 'and the upper hinge components 10 and lower 1 1 connected to the frames 40, 40 'is not visible because it is located under the separation screen 4 whose aesthetic appearance is therefore preserved.

In the example illustrated, the sleeves 3, 3 'consist of identical independent parts which can advantageously be interchanged, which allows both to rationalize their production and simplify the assembly of the separation screen 4. They present each at one of their ends 34 a female portion 30, extending between said end 34 and a shoulder 35, and arranged to be fitted with one of said lateral arms 21, 22 of the bent member 2. The outer wall 33 of the female portion 30 of the sleeves 3, 3 'has a square cross-section and thus has four faces 8. Said cross section of the female portion 30 is substantially identical to that of the bases 25, 26 of the first and second lateral arms 21, 22 and therefore identical to that of the tubular frame 40, 40 'of a panel 43, 44 of the separation screen 4.

The sleeves 3, 3 'also comprise a male portion 31 formed between the shoulder 35 and their end 63 opposite the end 34. The male portion 31 is configured to be fitted into a free end 41, 42, 41', 42 of the tubular frame 40, 40 'of one of said panels 43, 44 (Fig. 1A, 1B).

When the sleeves 3, 3 'are respectively nested on the one hand with the first lateral arm 21 and the second lateral arm 22 and on the other hand with the free ends 41 and 41' or 42 and 42 'of the tubular frames 40 and 40 'and that the separation screen 4 is in its position of use (FIG 4A), the end 34 of the female portion 30 of each of the sleeves 3, 3' bears respectively against the base 25 of the first lateral arm 21 and against the base 26 of the second lateral arm 22, while the free ends 41, 41 'or 42, 42' of the tubular frames 40, 40 'are each bearing against the shoulder 35 of each sleeve 3, 3 '. The faces 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 of the central portion 20 of the bent member 2 are then perfectly contiguous and flush with the outer wall 33 of the female portion 30 of the sleeves 3, 3 'which is itself in the extension of the outer wall of the upper horizontal bars 48, 48 'or lower 49, 49' frames 40, 40 '. This allows the fabric 45 to be properly stretched around the panels 43, 44 being completely free of unsightly folds at the junction areas of the frames 40, 40 'and the upper hinges 10, and lower 1 1 and therefore guarantees a impeccable appearance of the separation screen 4 in its position of use. According to the invention, the hinge 1 is arranged to allow rotation about the axis of rotation X of one of the two upper horizontal bars 48, 48 'or one of the two lower horizontal bars 49, 49' with which it is coupled, the other tubular bar 48, 48 ', 49, 49' with which it is coupled remaining fixed with respect to said axis of rotation X. Thus, in the case of the separation screen 4 of the variant embodiment considered, comprising an upper hinge 10 and a lower hinge January 1, such a feature is intended to allow rotation of only one of the two tubular frames 40, 40 ', for example of the tubular frame 40, about said axis of rotation X .

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, the first lateral arm 21 of the bent member 2 and said sleeve 3, 3 'are arranged to allow an X-axis rotation of a sleeve 3, 3' with respect to said first lateral arm 21. In the illustrated example, the first lateral arm 21 comprises for this purpose a U-shaped tongue 12 extending from the base 25, perpendicular to the latter, in a median plane of the central portion 20 of the bent member 2 The edge of the U-shaped tongue 12 comprises a rounded section 36 and two parallel sections 37, 38 respectively located in the extension of the arcuate faces 27, 28 of the central portion 20. The U-shaped tab 12 is sandwiched between a upper hemisphere 13 and a lower hemisphere 14 together defining a rotation ball 15 substantially centered in said U-shaped tab 12.

The first lateral arm 21 further comprises a pair of ribs respectively upper 16 and lower 17 respectively extending between the base 25 and one of the upper or lower hemispheres 13 and 14. The upper and lower ribs 16 and 16 each extend perpendicular to the U-shaped tongue 12 in a median plane of the rotation ball 15. They each have a free edge 18, 19 and two opposite faces 52, 52 ', 53, 53'. The free edge 18 extends in an arc from the upper face 23 of the central portion 20 to the pole of the upper hemisphere 13 while the lower free edge 19 extends from the lower face 24 of the central portion 20 to the pole of the lower hemisphere 14.

Furthermore, the female portion 30 has an axial housing 51 of substantially frustoconical shape (FIG 5) allowing in particular the easy engagement of the rotation ball 15 during the engagement of the first lateral arm 21 with a sleeve 3, 3 ' . The female portion 30 of the sleeve 3, 3 'further comprises four notches 32 in the form of axial slots each centered on one of the faces 8 of its outer wall 33 and extending from the end 34 towards the shoulder 35 of the sleeve 3, 3 'between the outer wall 33 and the housing 51. Thus, when a sleeve 3, 3 'and the first lateral arm 21 of the bent member 2 are nested, the notches 32 of two opposite faces 8 respectively host the free edge 18 of the upper rib 16 and the free edge 19 of the lower rib 17, while the notches 32 of two other opposite faces 8 each accommodate one of the parallel sections 37, 38 of the edge of the U-shaped tongue 12.

In order to allow a perfect fit between the first lateral arm 21 and the female portion 30 of a sleeve 3, 3 ', at least two notches 32 formed on two opposite walls 8 of the female portion 30 have a bevelled bottom 39, form substantially complementary to the rounded portion 36 of the U-shaped tongue 12. Optionally and for reasons of both simplicity of manufacture and assembly of the hinge 1, the four notches 32 of the sleeves 3, 3 'of the variant each of the edges of the notches 32 and the end 34 of a sleeve 3, 3 'is preferably rounded in order to improve the rotation of a sleeve 3. , 3 'around the first lateral arm 21.

The upper ribs 16, lower 17, the rotation ball 15, the edge of the U-shaped tongue 12 and the notches 32 make it possible to guide the sleeve 3, 3 ', and consequently the bar 48, 48', 49, 49 '. in which it is fitted, in a rotational movement relative to the first lateral arm 21, at an angle substantially between 0 ° and 180 ° about the X axis, which is movable in translation along an axis parallel to the axis Y1 over a length between the first planar wall 25 and the pole of each of the upper and lower hemispheres 13 and 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the respective bent members 2 of each of the upper and lower hinges 10 1 1 are positioned such that the first lateral arm 21 of each of them is respectively able to be connected, by means of a sleeve 3, with a free end of the same frame 40, 40 ', in this case with the free ends 41, 42 of the frame 40 of the panel 43. As indicated above, the sleeve 3 of each of the upper hinges 10 and lower 1 1 is pivotable relative to the first lateral arm 21 with which it is fitted. In the illustrated example, this allows an operator, manipulating each of the upper and lower hinges 1 1 successively through the knit 45, to cause a rotation of the frame 40 with respect to the frame 40 'in order to place the screen. separation 4 in one of the positions illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C.

In FIG. 4A, the axes of the upper tubular bars 48 and lower 49 of the frame 40 form an angle substantially equal to 90 ° with the axes of the upper tubular bars 48 'and lower 49' of the frame 40 ', the Y, Y1 axes of the sleeve 3 and the first lateral arm 21 are aligned and form between them an angle substantially equal to 0 °. In FIG. 4B, the sleeve 3 has pivoted with respect to the first lateral arm 21 at an angle substantially equal to + 90 ° with reference to the position of FIG. 4A and the axes of the tubular bars 48 and 49 of the frame 40 form an angle substantially equal to 0 ° with the axes of the tubular bars 48 'and 49' of the frame 40 '. In this position, the panels 43, 44 of the separation screen 4 are folded over one another. In FIG. 4C, the sleeve 3 has pivoted with respect to the first lateral arm 21 at an angle substantially equal to -90 ° with reference to the position of FIG. 4A, the axes of the tubular bars 48 and 49 of the frame 40 forming an angle substantially equal to 180 ° with the axes of the tubular bars 48 'and 49' of the frame 40 ', and the panels 43, 44 are located substantially in the extension of one another. According to the invention, the opposite faces 52, 52 ', 53, 53' of the upper and lower ribs 16 and 17 of the first lateral arm 21 advantageously define stops against which the end 34 of the female portion 30 of the sleeve 3 is in contact. support when the latter has reached the end of rotation, and is placed against the base 25 of the first lateral arm 21 (FIGS 4B and 4C). The upper and lower ribs 16 thus advantageously prevent any axial translation of the sleeve 3 (and therefore of a bar 48, 49 of the frame 40) respectively in the direction of the arrow F1 when it is situated in the position illustrated in FIG. 4B, and in the direction of the arrow F2 when it is located in the position illustrated in Figure 4C.

Furthermore, each upper and lower hemisphere 13 of the first lateral arm 21 constitutes another stop against which is positioned the axial housing 51 of the female portion 30 of the sleeve 3 when the latter has reached the end of rotation and is placed against the base 25 of the first lateral arm 21. In this position, an interaction between the axial housing 51 and each hemisphere 13, 14 prevents any axial translation of the sleeve 3 in the direction of the arrow F3 shown in Figures 4B and 4C.

Finally, any axial translation of said sleeve 3 parallel to the axis of rotation X is prevented by the U-shaped tongue 12 on the sides of which abut the edges 65 of one or two notches 32 according to the relative position of said sleeve 3 and said first lateral 21.

The presence of these different abutments, combined with the tension of the knit 45 around the framework of the separation screen 4, make it possible to guarantee the maintenance of the latter in the desired relative position of the panels 43, 44, and to avoid their inadvertent tipping a position of Figures 4A to 4C to another. Such a structure also makes it possible to prevent inadvertent loosening between each of the sleeves 3 and each of the first lateral arms 21 of each of the hinges 10, 1 1 and thus to guarantee a perfect structural integrity of the separating screen 4 whatever the relative position of the panels 43, 44 while allowing the passage from one position to another without requiring tedious disassembly and reassembly operations, assuming a withdrawal and a replacement of the knit 45. In addition, said knit 45 preferably has sufficient elasticity to allow if necessary a rotation of each of the sleeves 3 at a slight angle greater than + 90 ° or -90 °. This allows a certain clearance of the separation screen 4, and gives it an ability to accept possible mechanical stresses without risk of inadvertent deterioration.

Furthermore, the male portion 32 of the sleeve 3, 3 'comprises in the illustrated example fins 62 facilitating the centering of the sleeve 3, 3' relative to the free end 41, 41 ', 42, 42' of the frame 40 , 40 'and ensuring a tight fit of the male portion 32 in said free end 41, 41', 42, 42 '. Of course, other means of centering and / or equivalent tight fit could be envisaged, such as in particular a plurality of flanges evenly distributed along the outer wall of the male portion 32 of the sleeve 3, 3 '. It is also quite possible to use for the same hinge 1 two sleeves 3, 3 'differing from each other by the type of centering means and / or tight fit whose male portion 32 is provided. The centering and interference fit means of which the male portion 30 of the sleeve 3, 3 'is provided also contribute to maintaining the nested state of the hinges 10, 11 with the frames 40, 40'.

Thanks to the various means described above in connection with the illustrated embodiment, a separation between the upper hinges 10, lower 1 1 and the two frames 40, 40 'of the separation screen 4 is possible only by exerting, through the knit 45, a pull on one of said bars 48, 48 ', 49, 49' of the separation screen 4 or on one of said sleeves 3, 3 'connected to a first lateral arm 21, in the opposite direction to their nesting, and slightly stretching the knit 45. Therefore, the mechanical stability of the separation screen 4 is preserved regardless of the relative position of the panels 43, 44. On the other hand, in its position of use, the separation screen 4 also has an impeccable aesthetic appearance not only because the upper and lower hinges 1 1 are masked by the knit 45 and thus merge with the framework of said separating screen 4, but also because the various components of the upper hinge 10, lower 1 1 and tubular frames 40 , 40 'are perfectly joined together, which allows the knit 45 to be properly stretched around the panels 43, 44 completely free of unsightly folds at the junction areas of the frames 40, 40' and the upper hinges 10 , and lower 1 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second lateral arm 22 has substantially the shape of a truncated cone centered in its base 26, and defining a receiving shaft of said sleeve 3, 3 'which comprises a through internal passage 56 having a shape substantially frustoconical complementary. Thus, in the illustrated example, when the sleeve 3 'and the second lateral arm 22 are engaged, a rotational movement about the axis Y2 between said second lateral arm 22 and said sleeve 3' is possible.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the top 58 of the truncated cone formed by the second lateral arm 22 is provided with two elastic tabs 59, located at a distance from the base 26 slightly greater than the length of a sleeve 3 , 3 '. The tabs 59 are able to be brought closer to one another in a constrained manner so as to allow the second lateral arm 22 to be introduced into the internal through-passage 56 of a sleeve 3, 3 'and then to move away one of them. on the other coming out of said passage 56, to find their rest position. In the illustrated embodiment, when the sleeve 3 'and the second lateral arm 22 are engaged, the elastic tabs 59 are placed, in their rest position, in abutment against a flange 61 formed at the end of said internal passage 56, in the vicinity end 63 of the sleeve 3 '. This makes it possible to guarantee the contact between the end 34 of said sleeve 3 'and the base 26 of the second lateral arm 22, and to prohibit any translational movement in the direction of the arrow F4 (FIGS. 4A to 4C) of the sleeve 3 'which would harm both the structural stability of the separation screen 4 and the appearance impeccably stretched knit 45. A separation between the sleeve 3 'and the second side arm 22 is possible only after having separated the sleeve 3' of the tubular bar 48 ', 49' with which it is coupled, so as to access to the elastic tabs 59. It is then possible to release said resilient tabs 59 from the flange 61 on which they abut, bringing them closer to each other, then to move aside the second lateral arm 22 of the sleeve 3 .

The hinge 1 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to transform a separation screen 4 of the "right version" type as defined above and illustrated in FIG. 2, into a separation screen 4 of the "left version" type, and conversely, without requiring disassembly of the two frames 40, 40 'and upper hinges 10 and lower 1 1. Such intervention may particularly be required when it appears when delivering such a separation screen 4 of the "right version" type to a client that an error has been made and that the model delivered does not correspond. to the expected version. It is then enough for an assembler, proceeding by groping and manipulating the parts of the upper hinges 10 and lower 1 1 through the knit 45, to first debonitate each sleeve 3 of each of the first lateral arms 21 of each of the hinges 10, 1 1. The sleeves 3 are then held nested in the free ends 41, 42 of the frame 40, which is momentarily disengaged from the frame 40 'itself always connected to the two elbows 2 by means of the two sleeves 3'. The next step is for the assembler to rotate each of the second lateral arms 22 of each of the hinges 10, 1 1 in each of the sleeves 3 'at an angle substantially equal to 180 ° causing a rotation at the same angle of each of the first side arms 21. Then the fitter can rotate the frame 40, always connected to each of the sleeves 3, at an angle substantially equal to 180 °, in order to bring each of the sleeves 3 in the vicinity respectively of each of the lateral arms 21 of the hinges 10, 1 1. Finally, the last step is for the assembler to reassemble each sleeve 3 with each of said first respective lateral arms 21 of the hinges 10, 1 1, to obtain a type separation screen. "Left version". Of course, such an intervention is reversible and the separation screen type "left version" obtained can be transformed again into a separation screen 4 type "right version" by performing the same gestures. Such a characteristic of the hinge 1 according to the invention thus advantageously makes it possible to simplify both the logistics operations and the installation of a separation screen 4 according to the invention.

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals, namely to provide a hinge 1 to articulate the different panels of a separation screen 4 while ensuring a flawless aesthetic appearance and excellent structural stability of the latter, in all positions of use that can be adopted by said panels 43, 44, as well as during storage or transport. In addition, in the embodiment shown, the hinge 1 according to the invention has the advantage of having only three parts, including an elbow member 2 and two sleeves 3, 3 'can be identical and therefore interchanged during assembly. The manufacture of the hinge 1 and its assembly are therefore very simple. Moreover, and as already mentioned above, in the case where the panels 43, 44 of the separation screen 4 have a different width establishing a "left version" and a "right version" of the separation screen 4, the hinge 1 according to the invention makes it possible, if necessary, to transform on site a separation screen 4 of a given version into a separation screen 4 of another version. This advantageously makes it possible to limit the costs relating to the logistics operations and the installation of a separation screen 4.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described but extends to any modification and variation obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of protection defined in the appended claims. By way of example, another configuration of the hinge 1 could be envisaged, in which at least one of said sleeves 3, 3 'is formed in one piece with a horizontal bar 48, 48', 49, 49 ' tubular frame 40, 40 'of the first or second panel 43, 44, the female end 30 protruding from the free end 41, 41', 42, 42 'of said bar.

Claims

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) for separation screen (4) formed by at least two panels (43, 44) hinged about an axis of rotation X, each having a tubular frame (40, 40 ') and forming an angle with respect to each other in a position of use of said separating screen (4), said hinge (1, 10, 1 1) comprising on the one hand a bent member (2) having two arms lateral projections (21, 22) of axes (Y1, Y2) forming between them said angle a, and secondly means of coupling between each of said lateral arms (21, 22) and a free end (41, 41 '). , 42, 42 ') of the tubular frame (40, 40') of each of said panels (43, 44), a first lateral arm (21) and said coupling means further comprising means arranged to allow a rotational connection around said axis of rotation (X) between said coupling means (3, 3 ') and said first lateral arm (21).

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said elbow member (2) comprises an arcuate central portion (20), bounded by two planar faces (25, 26) each forming a base (25, 26) from which extends one of the lateral arms (21, 22), said planar faces (25, 26) being respectively perpendicular to the axis (Y1) of the first lateral arm (21) and to the axis (Y2) of the second lateral arm (22), said central portion further having a cross section (20) substantially identical to that of the tubular frame (40, 40 ') of said panels (43, 44) of the screen separation (4).

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the central portion (20) has a rectangular cross section and comprises two coaxial arcuate opposite faces (27, 28), of axis (Y3) parallel to the axis of rotation (X) and connected by two faces (23, 24) respectively upper and lower perpendicular to said axis of rotation (X).

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said coupling means consist of a sleeve (3, 3 ') having at one of its ends a female portion (30) configured to be fitted on one of said side arms (21, 22) and at the other end of the free end connecting means (41, 41 ', 42, 42') of the tubular frame (40, 40 ') of one of said panels (43, 44), the outer wall (33) of said female portion (30) having a tubular cross section substantially identical to that of said free ends (41, 41', 42, 42 ') tubular frame (40, 40 ').

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotational connection comprises means for guiding the female portion of a sleeve (3, 3 ') in rotation about the first lateral arm (21 ), and axial locking means of said sleeve (3, 3 ').

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said first lateral arm (21) comprises a U-shaped tongue (12) extending from its base (25) in a median plane of said central portion (20), perpendicular to said axis of rotation (X), said U-shaped tab (12) being sandwiched between an upper hemisphere (13) and a lower hemisphere (14) together defining a rotation ball (15) substantially centered in said tongue (12).

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the female portion (30) of the sleeve (3, 3 ') has an axial housing (51) suitable for housing the rotation ball (15), a pair of opposed slots (32) in the form of axial slots being formed in the wall surrounding said housing (51) so as to house an edge of said U-shaped tab (12) when said first side arm (21) is fitted into said sleeve (3, 3 ') and that the axis (Y1) of said first lateral arm (21) and the axis (Y) of said sleeve (3, 3') are aligned.

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that each of said upper (13) and lower (14) hemispheres is connected to the base (25) of the first lateral arm (21). ) by a respectively upper (16) and lower (17) rib extending in a median plane of the rotation ball (15) perpendicular to the U-shaped tongue (12).

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the female portion (30) of the sleeve (3, 3 ') comprises a second pair of opposed slots (32) in the form of axial slots in the wall surrounding said axial housing (51) so as to accommodate said upper (16) and lower (17) ribs when said sleeve (3, 3 ') and said first lateral arm (21) are nested and that the axis (Y1 ) of said first lateral arm (21) and the Y axis of said sleeve (3, 3 ') are aligned.

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the second lateral arm (22) comprises a receiving shaft, centered with respect to its base (26), around which is rotatably mounted a sleeve (3, 3 '), said second lateral arm (22) further comprising means for axial positioning of said sleeve (3, 3') in contact with said base (26).

Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said second lateral arm (22) has substantially the shape of a truncated cone whose apex (58) is provided with at least one elastic tab (59) movable between a rest position in which its free end projects radially from the surface of the shaft (22) at a distance from the base (26) of the second side arm slightly greater than the length of the sleeve (3, 3 ') and a constrained position in which its free end is close to the surface of the shaft (22).

12. Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of claims 4 to

1 1, characterized in that said sleeve (3, 3 ') has a through internal passage (56) having a substantially frustoconical shape.

13. Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of claims 4 to

12, characterized in that said sleeve (3, 3 ') is formed integrally with a free end (41, 41', 42, 42 ') of a tubular frame (40, 40'), the portion female (30) of the sleeve (3, 3 ') protruding from said free end (41, 41', 42, 42 ').

14. Hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of claims 4 to

12, characterized in that said sleeve (3, 3 ') is formed of an independent piece whose end opposite to the female portion

(30) defines a male portion (31) arranged to be inserted into a free end (41, 41 ', 42, 42') of said tubular frame (40, 40 ') of said first or said second panel (43, 44), said male portion

(31) having centering means with respect to said free end (41, 41 ', 42, 42').

15. hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elbow member (2) comprises two recesses (60) symmetrical, each of which is centered in one of the upper faces (23). ) or lower (24) of the central portion (20) and is adapted to accommodate an end (70, 71) of a central upright (7) of said separation screen.

16. hinge (1, 10, 1 1) according to claim 15, characterized in that said recesses (60) are interconnected by a through hole (29) oriented in the direction of the axis of rotation (X).

17. Separation screen (4) formed by at least a first panel (43) and a second panel (44) articulated around an axis of rotation (X) and each comprising a tubular frame (40, 40 '), forming together the framework of said separating screen (4), each tubular frame (40,

40 ') having at least one upper bar (48, 48') and one bar lower part (49, 49 '), characterized in that it comprises at least two hinges (1, 10, 1 1) according to any preceding claim, including an upper hinge (10) arranged to articulate with each other around the axis of rotation (X) the respective upper bars (48, 48 ') of the frames (40, 40') of the first panel (43) and the second panel (44), and a lower hinge (1 1) arranged to articulate between them the respective lower bars (49, 49 ') of the frames (40, 40') of the first panel (43) and the second panel (44), said separation screen (4) comprising in addition a covering (45) stretched around its framework and preserving in any relative position panels (43, 44) the coupling between the first lateral arm (21) of each of the upper hinges (10) and lower (1 1) and each of the upper (48, 48 ') and lower (49, 49') bars of the same frame (40, 40 ').

Separation screen according to claim 17, characterized in that said tubular frame (40, 40 ') is substantially C-shaped and comprises an additional bar (50, 50') connecting the upper bar (48, 48 ') and the lower bar (49, 49 ').

Separation screen (4) according to any one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that it comprises a central upright (7) mounted between said upper hinges (10) and lower (1 1). Separation screen (4) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that said coating (45) is defined by a single-layer knit having at least one peripheral slide (46) provided with at least one orifice for l introducing at least frames (40, 40 ') of the first and second panels (43, 44) connected to said upper (10) and lower (1 1) hinges.

Separating screen (4) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that it comprises means for attachment to a furniture element.