EP3071760B1 - Hinge for separation screen and separation screen mit einem solchen scharnier - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hinge for a separation screen formed by at least two panels articulated around an axis of rotation and forming an angle α relative 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 widely used in many fields, to delimit and structure different spaces in relation to each other. They find in particular an important application within the framework of the arrangement of landscaped offices, by definition devoid of fixed partitions, to subdivide the workstations and bring them a certain degree of confidentiality while preserving the principle of the flexibility of the layout , specific to this type of office.

There are currently many models of separation screens, differentiating from each other in particular by their dimensions, the nature of the materials used, the number of constituent panels, and the presence or absence of a joint between said panels.

US 3,234,996 A discloses a separation screen hinge with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention intends to propose an alternative to separation screens of the type with multiple hinged panels available commercially today and whose aesthetic appearance is not satisfactory to many users, anxious to offer an impeccable image of their workspace. Indeed, many embodiments provide for using as articulations conventional hinges, such as in particular piano hinges, fixed on the edges of two adjacent panels or simple rings or cords joining two panels and which therefore remain always visible regardless of the position of the screen. Such a construction therefore seriously damages the appearance aesthetic of such separation screens, and may also prove to be detrimental when the hinges used comprise prominent parts.

On the other hand, the rudimentary nature of the hinges of the ring or cord type joining two panels, also results in a structural instability of the separation screen, the constituent elements of which tend to untimely disengage from each other during their handling. This implies frequent and tedious interventions to reassemble the panels, and can lead fairly quickly to deterioration of the separation screen requiring its replacement.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these various drawbacks by proposing a hinge enabling the various panels of a separation screen to be articulated while guaranteeing an impeccable aesthetic appearance and excellent structural stability of the latter, in all positions. use that can be adopted by said panels, as well as during storage or transport.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a hinge for a separation screen according to claim 1, the screen being formed by at least two panels articulated around an axis of rotation, each comprising a tubular frame and forming an angle α one relative to the other in a position of use of said separation screen, said hinge comprising on the one hand a bent member having two lateral arms of axes forming between them said angle α, 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 lateral arm and said coupling means further comprising means arranged to allow a rotational connection around said axis of rotation between said axes coupling means and said first lateral arm, said axis of rotation being perpendicular to the plane formed by the axes of the lateral arms and the coupling means being two sleeves which are independent and identical parts which can be interchanged.

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

The second lateral arm comprises a receiving shaft, the longitudinal axis of which is centered with respect to the corresponding flat-looking face, around which a sleeve is mounted to rotate freely, said second lateral arm further comprising axial positioning means of said sleeve in contact with said base.

According to one possibility, the central portion has a rectangular cross section and has two opposite coaxial arcuate faces, with an 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 variant of the hinge according to the invention, each sleeve has at one of its ends a female portion configured to be fitted onto one of said lateral arms and at the other end of the means of connection to a free end of the tubular frame of one of said panels, the external 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 rotary link 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 for this purpose comprise 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.

In accordance with an additional characteristic of the hinge according to the invention, the female portion of the sleeve has an axial housing capable of accommodating the rotation ball, a pair of opposite notches in the form of slots axial being formed in the wall surrounding said housing so as to accommodate 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.

Furthermore, 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 a rib respectively upper and lower extending in a median plane of the rotation ball perpendicularly with the U-shaped tongue.

In this case, the female portion of the sleeve advantageously comprises a second pair of opposite notches in the form of axial slots made 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.

According to a preferred variant embodiment, said second lateral arm has substantially the shape of a truncated cone, the apex of which is provided with at least one elastic tab movable between a rest position in which its free end protrudes radially from the surface. from 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 brought closer to the surface of the shaft.

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

Furthermore, according to an alternative, the sleeve can be formed in one piece with a free end of a tubular frame, the female portion of the sleeve projecting from said free end.

According to another alternative, the sleeve can be formed from an independent part 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 comprising means for centering with respect to said free end.

An additional characteristic 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 accommodating one end of a central upright of said separation screen.

Preferably, said recesses are connected to each other 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 comprising 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 one of the preceding claims, including an upper hinge arranged to articulate between them around said axis of rotation the upper bars respective of the frames of the first panel and of the second panel, and a lower hinge arranged to articulate between them around said axis of rotation the respective lower bars of the frames of the first panel and of the second panel, said separation screen further comprising a covering stretched around of its framework and preserving in any relative position d es mating panels between the first lateral 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 includes 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 covering is defined by a monolayer knit comprising at least one peripheral slide provided with at least one orifice for the introduction at least of the frames of the first and of the second panel connected to said upper and lower hinges.

According to another characteristic, the separation screen may also include means for fixing to a piece of furniture.

• la figure 1A correspond à une vue en perspective éclatée d'une variante de réalisation d'une charnière selon l'invention,
• la figure 1B correspond à la vue de la figure 1A prise sous un angle différent,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un écran de séparation selon l'invention comportant deux panneaux articulés au moyen de deux charnières telles que celle représentée à la figure 1A, l'écran de séparation se trouvant en position d'utilisation et comportant un tricot tendu autour de son ossature,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée de l'écran de séparation de la figure 2, dépourvu de tricot,
• les figures 4A à 4C sont des vues partielles de dessus de l'écran de séparation de la figure 2 dépourvu de tricot, dans différentes positions des panneaux,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un manchon que comporte la charnière de la figure 1A.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly in the detailed description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings given solely by way of example and in which:

• the figure 1A corresponds to an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hinge according to the invention,
• the figure 1B corresponds to the view of the figure 1A taken from a different angle,
• the figure 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 shown in the figure 1A , the separation screen being in the position of use and comprising a knitted fabric stretched around its framework,
• the figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the screen separating the figure 2 , without knitting,
• the Figures 4A to 4C are partial top views of the screen separating the figure 2 without knitting, in different positions of the panels,
• the figure 5 is a view in longitudinal section of a sleeve that includes the hinge of the figure 1A .

The hinge 1 according to the invention is described in relation to a separation screen 4 comprising two panels 43, 44 ( Fig. 2 ) articulated around an axis of rotation X of the hinge 1 and being able to adopt a position in which they are perpendicular to each other ( Fig. 2 and 4A ), a position in which they are folded over each other and form between them an angle substantially equal to 0 ° ( Fig. 4B ) and a position in which they form an angle substantially equal to 180 ° ( Fig. 4C ). The position in which the panels 42, 43 are perpendicular to each other conventionally corresponds to a position of use of the separation screen 4, while the other two positions can be used in the context of storage. or the transport of the separation screen 4. Of course, the two panels 42, 43 are not necessarily perpendicular to one another in the position of use of the separation screen 4, but can form between them, according to other embodiments not illustrated, any angle α, depending on the configuration sought. The separation screen 4 comprises a framework constituted by two tubular frames 40, 40 ′ in the shape of C ( Fig. 3 ) each supporting one of the panels 43, 44 and the angles of which are rounded in the example illustrated. Each tubular frame 40, 40 'has 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 alternative embodiment, the cross section of the tubular bars 48, 49, 50 and 48 ', 49', 50 ', and consequently 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 illustrated embodiment, 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 a panel shape 43, 44 would no longer be rectangular but trapezoidal. In addition, the upper bars 48, 48 'and lower bars 49, 49' are not necessarily horizontal as in the example illustrated, and at at 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 including an upper hinge 10 arranged to connect and articulate together around the axis of rotation X the respective upper free ends 41, 41' of the frames 40, 40 'and a lower hinge 11 arranged to connect and articulate together around the axis of rotation X the respective lower free ends 42, 42' of the frames 40, 40 '.

Furthermore, as illustrated in figure 2 , the separation screen 4 includes a coating such as in particular a single-layer knit 45 produced in a single piece without seams and which can be at least partially translucent. The knitted fabric 45 comprises at least one peripheral slide 46 comprising at least one orifice (not visible) for the introduction of the tubular frames 40, 40 'and of the components of the upper 10 and lower 11 hinges connected to the frames 40, 40'. The separation screen could of course include another type of coating, such as in particular leather, fabric, translucent film or any other suitable coating.

In the illustrated variant, the separation screen 4 also comprises adjustable pads 47 on which it rests in its position of use and which establish a top side 5 and a bottom side 6 of said separation screen 4. Furthermore, in the example illustrated, the panel 43 has a width l ₁ greater than the width l ₂ of the panel 44 ( Fig. 2 ) and comprises fixing means, such as in particular one or more magnets 57 making it possible to secure it with a piece of furniture.

Such a separation screen 4 can for example be used to delimit a reading space, in association with a seat arranged in the angle formed by the panels 43, 44, the seat back being positioned against the larger panel 43 l ₁ . In this case, the panel 44 of smaller width l ₂ will be on the right of a user seated on said seat, his back pressed against the backrest. By convention and for convenience in the following description, a such configuration of the separation screen 4 will be qualified as "right version", the "left version" corresponding to that allowing the same user seated 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 located to its left. It will be described later by what means the hinge 1 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to transform a separation screen 4 of the "right version" type into a separation screen of the "left version" type and vice versa.

In accordance with the invention, in the variant embodiment illustrated in Figures 1A , 1B , the hinge 1 comprises on the one hand a bent 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, in a plastic or similar material . 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 one another in the example illustrated, 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 also comprises two opposite coaxial arcuate faces 27, 28, of axis Y3 parallel to the axis of rotation X, and two faces respectively upper 23, and lower 24, extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation. X between the flat and arcuate faces 25, 26, 27, 28. In the illustrated embodiment, 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 illustrated alternative embodiment, the central portion 20 also comprises two recesses 60 ( Fig. 1A ) formed symmetrically on either side of the central portion 20 and centered each 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 intended to improve the structural stability of the separation screen 4 and the optional presence of which is more particularly required when the panels 43 , 44 have a significant 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 11. With reference to the figure 3 , when present, the central upright 7 is mounted between the upper 10 and lower 11 hinges, its end 70 resting in the recess 60 on 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 11. The central upright 7 is inserted within a second slide 54 formed of suitably in the knitted fabric 45 and into which it is preferably introduced through the orifice provided in the slide 46. The central upright 7 can be secured with at least one of the upper 10 or lower hinges 11. In the alternative embodiment of the separation screen 4 illustrated, the central upright 7 simply rests between the two upper hinges 10 and lower 11 and is held in place by knitting 45 stretched around the framework of the separation 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 of the components of the upper hinges 10 and lower 11 connected to the frames 40, 40 'is not visible because it is located under the separation screen 4 whose aesthetic appearance is therefore preserved.

The sleeves 3, 3 ′ consist of identical independent parts which can be interchanged, which makes it possible both to rationalize their production and to simplify the mounting of the separation screen 4. They each have 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 external wall 33 of the female portion 30 of the sleeves 3, 3 ′ has a cross section of square shape 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 have 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 fitted 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 pressing 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 external wall 33 of the female portion 30 of the sleeves 3, 3 'which is located itself in the extension of the outer wall of the upper horizontal bars 48, 48 'or lower 49, 49' of the frames 40, 40 '. This allows the fabric 45 to be suitably stretched around the panels 43, 44 while being completely devoid of unsightly folds at the junction zones of the frames 40, 40 ′ and the upper 10 and lower hinges 11 and consequently guarantees an appearance impeccable separation screen 4 in its position of use.

According to the invention, the hinge 1 is arranged to allow rotation around the axis of rotation X of one of the two upper horizontal bars 48, 48 'or of 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 relative 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 11, the purpose of such a characteristic is to allow rotation of only one of the two tubular frames 40, 40 ′, for example of the tubular frame 40, around said axis of rotation X.

With reference to Figures 1A , 1B , the first lateral arm 21 of the bent member 2 and said sleeve 3, 3 'are arranged to allow rotation of the X axis of a sleeve 3, 3' relative to said first lateral arm 21. In the example illustrated , the first lateral arm 21 has 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 has a rounded section 36 and two parallel sections 37, 38 lying respectively in the extension of the arcuate faces 27, 28 of the central portion 20. The U-shaped tongue 12 is sandwiched between an upper hemisphere 13 and a lower hemisphere 14 together defining a rotation ball 15 substantially centered in said U-shaped tongue 12.

The first lateral arm 21 further comprises a pair of upper 16 and lower 17 ribs respectively extending respectively between the base 25 and one of the upper 13 or lower hemispheres 14. The upper 16 and lower 17 ribs 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 fitting of the first side 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 external wall 33 and extending from the end 34 in the direction of the shoulder 35 of the sleeve 3, 3 'between the external wall 33 and the housing 51. Thus, when a sleeve 3, 3' and the first lateral arm 21 of the bent member 2 are fitted, 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 house one of the parallel sections 37, 38 of the edge of the tongue in U 12.

So as 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 beveled bottom 39, shape substantially complementary to the rounded section 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 illustrated each have a beveled bottom 39. In addition, the angle formed between 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 ° around the axis X, 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 13 and lower 14 hemispheres.

In the illustrated embodiment, the respective bent members 2 of each of the upper 10 and lower 11 hinges are positioned in such a way that the first lateral arm 21 of each of them is respectively capable of being 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 11 is able to pivot relative to the first lateral arm 21 with which it is fitted. In the example illustrated, this allows an operator, manipulating each of the upper 10 and lower 11 hinges successively through the knitted fabric 45, to cause the frame 40 to rotate relative to the frame 40 ′ in order to place the separation screen 4 in one of the positions illustrated in Figures 4A to 4C .

To the figure 4A , the axes of the upper 48 and lower 49 tubular bars of the frame 40 form an angle substantially equal to 90 ° with the axes of the upper 48 'and lower 49' tubular bars 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 °. To the figure 4B , the sleeve 3 has pivoted relative to the first lateral arm 21 at an angle substantially equal to + 90 ° with reference to the position of the figure 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. To the figure 4C , the sleeve 3 has pivoted relative to the first lateral arm 21 at an angle substantially equal to -90 ° with reference to the position of the figure 4A , the axes of the tubular bars 48 and 49 of the frame 40 form 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 l one of the other.

According to the invention, the opposite faces 52, 52 ', 53, 53' of the upper 16 and lower 17 ribs 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 support when the latter has reached the end of rotation, and is placed against the base 25 of the first lateral arm 21 ( Fig. 4B and 4C ). The upper 16 and lower 17 ribs 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 located in the position illustrated in the figure 4B , and in the direction of arrow F2 when it is located in the position illustrated in the figure 4C .

Furthermore, each upper 13 and lower 14 hemisphere of the first lateral arm 21 constitutes another stop against which the axial housing 51 of the female portion 30 of the sleeve 3 is positioned 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 faces of which abut the edges 65 of one or two notches 32 depending on the relative position of said sleeve 3 and said first lateral 21.

The presence of these different stops, combined with the tension of the knitted fabric 45 around the framework of the separation screen 4, makes it possible to guarantee that the latter is kept in the desired relative position of the panels 43, 44, and to avoid their untimely tilting from a position of Figures 4A to 4C towards another. Such a structure also makes it possible to avoid any untimely dislocation between each of the sleeves 3 and each of the first lateral arms 21 of each of the hinges 10, 11 and therefore to guarantee perfect structural integrity of the separation screen 4 whatever the relative position of the panels 43, 44 while allowing passage from one position to another without requiring tedious disassembly and reassembly operations, supposing a withdrawal and a repositioning of the knitted fabric 45. In addition, said knitted fabric 45 preferably has sufficient elasticity to allow if necessary rotation of each of the sleeves 3 by a slightly angle greater than + 90 ° or -90 °. This allows a certain play of the separation screen 4, and gives it an ability to accept possible mechanical stresses without risk of untimely 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 equivalent centering and / or tight adjustment means could be envisaged, such as in particular a plurality of flanges regularly distributed along the external wall of the male portion 32 of the sleeve 3, 3 '. The centering and tight adjustment means with 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 relation to the illustrated embodiment, a separation between the upper hinges 10, lower 11 and the two frames 40, 40 'of the separation screen 4 is only possible exerting, through the knitted fabric 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 by slightly stretching the knitted fabric 45. Consequently, the mechanical stability of the separation screen 4 is preserved whatever 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 10 and lower 11 hinges are masked by the knitted fabric 45 and thus merge with the framework of said separation screen 4, but also because the different constituent parts of the upper 10, lower 11 and tubular frames 40, 40 'are perfectly joined together, which allows the knitted fabric 45 to be suitably stretched around the panels 43, 44 while being totally devoid of unsightly folds at the junction zones of the frames 40, 40' and the upper hinges 10, and lower 11.

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 shaft for receiving said sleeve 3, 3 'which has an internal through passage 56 having a shape substantially frustoconical. Thus, in the example illustrated, when the sleeve 3 ′ and the second lateral arm 22 are fitted together, a rotational movement around the axis Y2, between said second lateral arm 22 and said sleeve 3 ′, is possible.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, 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 close to one another in a constrained manner to allow the introduction of the second lateral arm 22 into the internal through passage 56 of a sleeve 3, 3 ′ and then to move apart one on the other by leaving said passage 56, to return to their rest position. In the illustrated embodiment, when the sleeve 3 'and the second lateral arm 22 are fitted, 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 from the end 63 of the sleeve 3 '. This makes it possible to guarantee 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 arrow F4 ( Fig. 4A to 4C ) of the sleeve 3 'which would adversely affect 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 lateral arm 22 is only possible after having separated the sleeve 3' from the tubular bar 48 ', 49' with which it is coupled, so as to access the elastic tabs 59. It is then possible to release said elastic tabs 59 from the flange 61 on which they are supported, bringing them closer to one another, then to separate the second lateral arm 22 from the sleeve 3 '.

The hinge 1 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to transform a separation screen 4 of the “straight version” type as defined above and illustrated in the figure 2 , in a separation screen 4 of the “left version” type, and vice versa, without requiring the disassembly of the two frames 40, 40 ′ and the upper 10 and lower 11 hinges. Such intervention may in particular be necessary when it appears during of the delivery of such a separation screen 4 of the “straight version” type to a customer that an error has been made and that the model delivered does not correspond to the expected version. It then suffices for an assembler, by groping and manipulating the parts of the upper 10 and lower 11 hinges through the knitted fabric 45, to first disengage each sleeve 3 from each of the first lateral arms 21 of each of the hinges 10, 11. The sleeves 3 are then kept fitted into the free ends 41, 42 of the frame 40, which is momentarily detached from the frame 40 'itself still connected to the two bent members 2 by means of the two sleeves 3'. The next step is for the fitter to rotate each of the second lateral arms 22 of each of the hinges 10, 11 in each of the sleeves 3 ′ at an angle substantially equal to 180 ° causing a rotation of each of the first arms at the same angle side 21. Then the fitter can rotate the frame 40, still 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 side arms 21 of the hinges 10, 11. Finally, the last step is for the fitter to reassemble each sleeve 3 with each of said first side arms 21 respective of the hinges 10, 11, to obtain a type separation screen "Left version". Of course, such an intervention is reversible and the separation screen of the “left version” type obtained can again be transformed into a separation screen 4 of the “right version” type 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 set, namely to provide a hinge 1 for articulating the various panels of a separation screen 4 while ensuring an impeccable aesthetic appearance and excellent structural stability of the latter, in all the positions of use that can be adopted by said panels 43, 44, as well as during storage or transport. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 1 according to the invention has the advantage of comprising only three parts, including a bent member 2 and two sleeves 3, 3 'identical and therefore reversed during assembly. The manufacture of the hinge 1 as well as its assembly are therefore very simple. Furthermore, and as already mentioned previously, 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 allows, 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 logistics operations and the installation of a separation screen 4.

The present invention is not limited to the example of embodiment described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of the protection defined in the appended claims. As an 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 projecting from the free end 41, 41', 42, 42 'of said bar.

Claims (19)

1. A hinge (1, 10, 11) for a separating screen (4) formed by at least two panels (43, 44) articulated around an axis of rotation X, each including a tubular frame (40, 40') and forming an angle α relative to one another in a usage position of said separating screen (4), said hinge (1, 10, 11) including, on the one hand, a bent member (2) having two lateral arms (21, 22) with axes (Y1, Y2) forming said angle α between them, and on the other hand coupling means (3, 3') 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 (3, 3') further including 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), said axis of rotation (X) being perpendicular to the plane formed by the axes of the lateral arms (Y1, Y2) and the coupling means being sleeves (3, 3') that are independent and identical parts that can be inverted, said bent member (2) including a bowed central portion (20), said central portion further having a cross-section substantially identical to that of the tubular frame (40, 40') of said panels (43, 44) of the separating screen (4),
   characterized in that said bowed central portion (20) is bounded by two planar faces (25, 26) each forming a base from which one of the lateral arms (21, 22) respectively extends, said planar faces (25, 26) respectively being perpendicular to the axis (Y1) of the first lateral arm and the axis (Y2) of the second lateral arm, and in that the second lateral arm (22) includes a receiving shaft, the longitudinal axis of which is centered relative to the corresponding planar face (26), around which one of the sleeves (3, 3') is mounted freely rotating, said second lateral arm (22) further including means for axial positioning of said sleeve (3, 3') in contact with said base (26).
2. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the central portion (20) has a rectangular cross-section and includes two coaxial bowed opposite faces (27, 28), with axis (Y3) parallel to the axis of rotation (X) and coupled by two faces (23, 24), respectively upper and lower perpendicular to said axis of rotation (X).
3. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each sleeve (3, 3') has, at one of its ends, a female portion (30) configured to be fitted on one of said lateral arms (21, 22) and, at the other end, means for connecting to a free end (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') of the tubular frame (40, 40').
4. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotatable connection includes means for guiding the female portion of the sleeve (3, 3') in rotation around the first lateral arm (21), and means for axial locking of said sleeve (3, 3').
5. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first lateral arm (21) includes 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 tongue (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).
6. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to claim 5, characterized in that the female portion (30) of the sleeve (3, 3') has an axial housing (51) able to house the rotation ball (15), a pair of opposite notches (32) in the form of axial slits being formed in the wall surrounding said housing (51) so as to house an edge of said U-shaped tongue (12) when said first lateral arm (21) is nested in said sleeve (3, 3') and said axis (Y1) of said first lateral arm (21) and said axis (Y) of said sleeve (3, 3') are aligned.
7. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that each of said upper (13) and lower (14) hemispheres is coupled to the base (25) of the first lateral arm (21) by a respective upper (16) and lower (17) rib extending in a median plane of the rotation ball (15) perpendicular to the U-shaped tongue (12).
8. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to claim 7, characterized in that the female portion (30) of the sleeve (3, 3') includes a second pair of opposite notches (32) in the form of axial slits made in the wall surrounding said axial housing (51) so as to house said upper (16) and lower (17) ribs when said sleeve (3, 3') and said first lateral arm (21) are nested and said axis (Y1) of said first lateral arm (21) and said axis Y of said sleeve (3, 3') are aligned.
9. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second lateral arm (22) is substantially in the shape of a cone trunk, the apex of which (58) is provided with at least one resilient tab (59) movable between an idle position in which its free end protrudes radially from the surface of the shaft (22) at a distance from the base (26) of the second lateral arm slightly greater than the length of the sleeve (3, 3') and a constrained position in which its free end is closer to the surface of the shaft (22).
10. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that said sleeve (3, 3') includes an inner through passage (56) having a substantially frustoconical shape.
11. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that said sleeve (3, 3') is formed in a single piece with a free end (41, 41', 42, 42') of a tubular frame (40, 40'), the female portion (30) of the sleeve (3, 3') protruding from said free end (41, 41', 42, 42').
12. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that said sleeve (3, 3') is formed by an independent part, the end of which opposite 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) including centering means relative to said free end (41, 41', 42, 42').
13. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bent member (2) includes two symmetrical recesses (60), each of which is centered in one of the upper (23) or lower (24) faces of the central portion (20) and is provided to be able to house an end (70, 71) of the central upright (7) of said separating screen.
14. The hinge (1, 10, 11) according to claim 13, characterized in that said recesses (60) are coupled to one another by a through orifice (29) oriented in the direction of the axis of rotation (X).
15. A separating screen (4) formed by at least a first panel (43) and a second panel (44) articulated around an axis of rotation (X) and each including a tubular frame (40, 40'), together forming the framework of said separating screen (4), each tubular frame (40, 40') having at least an upper bar (48, 48') and a lower bar (49, 49'), characterized in that it includes at least two hinges (1, 10, 11) according to any one of the preceding claims, including an upper hinge (10) arranged to articulate to one another, 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 (11) arranged to articulate to one another around said axis of rotation (X), the respective lower bars (49, 49') of the frames (40, 40') of the first panel (43) and the second panel (44), said separating screen (4) further including a covering (45) stretched around its framework and preserving, in any relative position of the panels (43, 44), the coupling between the first lateral arm (21) of each of the upper (10) and lower (11) hinges and each of the upper (48, 48') and lower (49, 49') bars of a same frame (40, 40') frame.
16. The separating screen according to claim 15, characterized in that said tubular frame (40, 40') is substantially C-shaped and includes an additional bar (50, 50') coupling the upper bar (48, 48') and the lower bar (49, 49').
17. The separating screen (4) according to any one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that it includes a central upright (7) mounted between said upper (10) and lower (11) hinges.
18. The separating screen (4) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that said covering (45) is defined by a multilayer knit including at least one peripheral slide (46) provided with at least one orifice for the insertion of at least some frames (40, 40') of the first and the second panel (43, 44) that are coupled to said upper (10) and lower (11) hinges.
19. The separating screen (4) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it includes means for fastening to a furniture element.

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