EP3409868B1

EP3409868B1 - Disassemblable hinge

Info

Publication number: EP3409868B1
Application number: EP18174684.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mauro Coccia
Original assignee: Enginia SRL
Current assignee: Enginia SRL
Priority date: 2017-05-31
Filing date: 2018-05-29
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-29
Also published as: IT201700059188A1; EP3409868A1

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a disassemblable hinge. The invention further relates to a piece of furniture having a door and a frame using the disassemblable hinge.

Technological background

In the field a hinge is known, in particular to access an inner space of a compartment, which has a fixed portion and a movable portion, which are capable of rotating relative to one another on a hinging axis and can assume: a hinging condition, in which the two portions can rotate around the hinging axis, a release condition, in which the two portion are separable, and a partial opening condition, in which they can move but cannot be completely released. These hinges are described, for example, in patent documents EP 2683896 A1 and WO 2017/063945 A1 . A different type of disassemblable hinge is described in patent document WO 2006/136939 A2 , which does not disclose the partial opening condition.
However, this type of hinge is affected by some drawbacks.
A drawback lies in the fact that these hinges are not very safe, as they can be accessed by the user only from one side of the door.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide a disassemblable hinge, which is able to solve this and other drawbacks of the prior art and which, at the same time, can be produced in a simple and economic fashion.
According to the invention, this and other objects are reached by means of a disassemblable hinge according to the appended independent claim.
The appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description concerning the invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the invention and describe optional technical features.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description, which is provided by way of example and is not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinge according to an explanatory embodiment of the invention;
figure 2 is an exploded view of figure 1;
figure 3 is a side view of the hinge of figure 1 in the hinging configuration;
figure 4a is a cross section of the hinge of figure 3 along line IV-IV;
figure 5a is a cross section of the hinge of figure 3 along line V-V;
figure 6 is a front view of the hinge of figure 1 in the hinging configuration;
figure 7a is a cross section of the hinge of figure 6 along line VII-VII;
figures 4b, 5b, 7b correspond to figures 4a, 5a, 7a, respectively, when the hinge is in the partial opening configuration;
figures 4c, 5c, 7c correspond to figures 4a, 5a, 7a, respectively, when the hinge is in the complete opening configuration;
figures 4d, 5d correspond to figures 4c, 5c, respectively, with the rotary elements arranged differently;
figures 8, 9 are perspective views, from the top and from the bottom, of a hinge according to a second embodiment of the invention;
figure 10 is an exploded view of figure 8;
figure 11 is a cross section of the rotation axis of the hinge of figure 8 in the complete opening configuration;
figure 12 is a side view of the hinge of figure 8;
figure 13 is a cross section of the hinge of figure 12 along line XIII-XIII;
figure 14 is a cross section of the hinge of figure 12 along line XIV-XIV;
figures 15, 16 are perspective views, from the top and from the bottom, of a hinge according to a third embodiment of the invention;
figure 17 is an exploded view of figure 15;
figure 18 is a side view of the hinge of figure 15;
figure 19 is a cross section of the hinge of figure 18 along line XIX-XIX;
figure 20 is a cross section of the hinge of figure 18 along line XX-XX;
figures 21, 22 are cross sections of the rotation axis of the hinge of figure 15 in the hinging configuration and in the complete opening configuration, respectively.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the figures, a disassemblable hinge is shown, which comprises:

a fixed assembly 2, for being associated with a frame and comprises a pin 4 defining a rotation axis of the hinge; and
a movable assembly 6, for being associated with a door and is mounted in a rotary manner on fixed assembly 2 according to the rotation axis of the hinge.

Movable assembly 6 comprises:

a hooking portion 8, for being fixed to the door,
a first actuator, which can be operated by a user and is located on a first side of the hinge,
a slide 12, which is fitted to hooking portion 8 in a sliding manner;

Movable assembly 6 is configured to assume at least:

a hinging configuration, in which slide 12 and hooking portion 8 create a seat for pin 4, wherein movable assembly 6 can only rotate around pin 4;
a complete opening configuration, in which movable assembly 6 can be removed from fixed assembly 2.

According to preferred variants, movable assembly 6 is configured to also assume a partial opening configuration, in which pin 4 is held by slide 12 and movable assembly 6 can move transversely to pin 4 along a limited stroke.
The first actuator is designed to move slide 12, thus moving movable assembly 6 away from the hinging configuration.
Movable assembly 6 further comprises a second actuator, which can be operated (in particular, manually) by a user, and it is located on a second side of the hinge and it is configured to move slide 12, thus moving movable assembly 6 away from the hinging configuration. Hence, the first actuator is suited to be placed on a first side of the hinge and the second actuator is suited to be placed on a second side of the hinge.
According to preferred variants of the invention, the first actuator comprises a first rotary element 10, which is constrained in a rotary manner to hooking portion 8; the first rotary element 10, by rotating, is configured to move slide 12, thus moving movable assembly 6 away from the hinging configuration.
According to preferred variants, the second actuator comprises a second rotary element 14, which is constrained in a rotary manner to hooking portion 8; the second rotary element 14, by rotating, is configured to move slide 12, thus moving movable assembly 6 away from the hinging configuration.
According to preferred variants of the invention, movable assembly 6 is configured to also assume a partial opening configuration, in which pin 4 is held by slide 12 and movable assembly 6 can move transversely to pin 4 along a limited stroke.
According to preferred variants, the first rotary element 10, by rotating, is configured to move slide 12, thus casing the shift from the hinging configuration to the partial opening configuration.
According to particular variants of the invention, movable assembly 6 comprises the second rotary element 14 constrained in a rotary manner to hooking portion 8 and located on a second side of the hinge, wherein the second rotary element 14, by rotating, is configured to move slide 12, thus causing the shift from the hinging configuration towards at least the partial opening configuration (namely, towards the partial or complete opening configuration). Therefore, the second actuator is the second rotary element 14.
Hence, the hinge is safe because the user can open the door from both sides. For example, the first side of the door is the outer side of a compartment and the user normally uses the hinge from this side. The second side is the inner side of the compartment and it is not generally used by a user; however, it can happen that the user is forced to get into the compartment, for example to carry out maintenance operations. In case the door is accidentally closed, the user can get out of the compartment using the hinge according to the invention. The rotary elements 10, 14 (usually the first and the second actuator) are thus arranged on the two opposite sides of the hinge. Indeed, European standards for AHUs (air handling units) establish that doors exceeding a given size, namely doors that can be accesses by an operator for maintenance operations, must be capable of being opened form the inside.
Preferably, the rotation of the second rotary element 14 causes the shift from the hinging configuration to the complete opening configuration.
According to the preferred variant, the first rotary element 10 and the second rotary element 14 can rotate independently of one another. In particular, they 10, 14 are coaxial; alternatively, they 10, 14 can be staggered and rotate on parallel axes. Preferably, rotary elements 10, 14 are configured to rotate on respective rotation axes, which are transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the plane where slide 12 is going to move. In particular, rotary elements 10, 14 are configured to rotate on respective rotation axes, which are transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the plane on which the rotation axis of the hinge and, hence, the axis of pin 4 lie. In other words, the rotation axis of said at least one rotary element 10 and the rotation axis of the hinge do not lie on the same plane and are not parallel; these axis are skew. In the preferred explanatory examples there is at least the first rotary element 10, whose rotation axis is not parallel to the axis of the hinge.
Preferably, the first rotary element 10 and the second rotary element 14 comprise a first cam 16 and a second cam 18, respectively; cams 16, 18 are capable of acting against slide 12. Cams 16, 18 have respective eccentricities relative to the rotation axis of rotary element 10, 14. The eccentricities preferably are different; in particular, the first cam 16 has a smaller eccentricity than the second cam 18. Given the same angular rotation of cam 16, 18, the cam with the greater eccentricity moves slide 12 more. In particular, cams 16, 18 are capable of rotating in a plane that is perpendicular to the rotation axis of rotary element 10, 14. Alternatively, cams 16, 18 can have the same eccentricity. The mechanism with cams 16, 18 advantageously is simple and compact.
Slide 12 has a first contact surface 20, upon which the first cam 16 is going to act, and a second contact surface 22 upon which the second cam 18 is going to act. In particular, though in a non-limiting manner, contact surfaces 20, 22 are straight. In particular, contact surfaces 20, 22 face an opening 24 of slide 12. Opening 24 defines a cavity.
In particular, slide 12 can be grabbed by a user on at least one side of hinge and, therefore, on at least one side of the door, when it 12 is in the position corresponding to the partial opening configuration. Preferably, slide 12 has a wide portion 12a, which is suited to be grabbed by a user. In detail, wide portion 12a is arranged on a peripheral edge of the hinge.
In particular, rotary elements 10, 14 have a circular body, which is housed in a respective circular seat 26 of hooking portion 8. Therefore, there are two circular seats 26. In the example shown, rotary elements 10, 14 are located on two opposite sides of hooking portion 8.
In particular, cams 16, 18 are obtained on a face of the respective rotary element 10, 14 and, preferably, cams 16, 18 face one another.
In the example there is an assembling pin 28, which constrains rotary elements 10, 14 to hooking portion 8. In particular, assembling pin 28 is a screw having a partially threaded shank (thread 30) cooperating with a nut 32. Assembling pin 28 goes through rotary elements 10, 14, hooking portion 8 and opening 24 of slide 12. In the example shown, the rotation axis of rotary elements 10, 14 coincides with the axis of assembling pin 28.
Preferably, the distance of pin 4 relative to fixed portion 2 is adjustable. In particular, fixed portion 2 comprises a first portion 2a, which is associated with pin 4, and a second portion 2b. Adjustment means are used to adjust the distance between said portions 2a and 2b. In particular, the adjustment means comprise a screw 11 cooperating with a nut, screw 11 going through portions 2a, 2b. In particular, the first portion 2a comprises a plurality of first blocks 46, which are capable of engaging a plurality of second blocks 48 of the second portion 2b. In particular, the first blocks 46 have cavities into which projections of the second blocks 48 are inserted. Portions 2a, 2b of the example are mounted in a removable manner.
The hinge comprises a return means 34, preferably an elastic means, such as a spring, which acts upon slide 12 so as to move movable assembly 6 to the hinging configuration. In particular, return means 34 is interposed between slide 12 and hooking portion 8. Hence, return means 34 tends to move slide 12 towards pin 4 (figure 7). In particular, return means 34 is housed in a recess 39 of slide 12.
Conveniently, slide 12 has a tapered end 36 facing pin 4. By so doing, slide 12 cooperates more easily with pin 4 in order to reach the hinging configuration.
In particular, pin 4 has a circular section and the seat for pin 4 is defined by a first semicircular recess 35 on hooking portion 8 and by a second semicircular recess 37 on slide 12.
In particular, hooking portion 8 has a guide pin 38, capable for sliding in a slot 40 of slide 12 so as to limit the stroke of slide 12 between the hinging configuration and the complete opening configuration. Indeed, the limits to the stroke of slide 12 consist of the hinging configuration (in which slide 12 has a minimum distance from pin 4) and of the complete opening configuration (in which slide 12 has a maximum distance from pin 4); in the partial opening configuration slide 12 is in an intermediate position.
With reference to the figures, hereinafter there is a description of the operation of the hinge according to the preferred variant shown. Starting from the hinging configuration (figures 4a, 5a, 7a), according to a first use mode, the user rotates the first rotary element 10, which, thanks to the rotation (in particular, by 180°) of the first cam 16, pushes slide 12 moving it away from pin 4; now movable assembly 6 is in the partial opening configuration (figures 4b, 5b, 7b). Then the user pulls slide 12 moving it further away from pin 4, without further rotating the first rotary element 10; now movable element 6 is in the complete opening position (figures 4c, 5c, 7c) . In the example shown, since rotary elements 10, 14 (and, hence, cams 16, 18 associated with them) are independent in their rotation, when the first rotary element 10 is rotated, the second rotary element 14 remains still; indeed, in the operating sequence shown, the second cam 18 remains still (figures 5a-5c). According to the invention, there can be handles or knobs (not shown) associated with rotary elements 10, 14, so that a user can rotate said rotary elements 10, 14.
Starting from the hinging configuration (figures 4a, 5a, 7a), according to a second use mode, the user rotates the second rotary element 14, which, thanks to the rotation (in particular, by 180°) of the second cam 18, pushes slide 12 moving it away from pin 4; now movable assembly 6 is in the complete opening configuration (figures 4d, 5d, 7c) . This is due to the fact that the eccentricity of the second cam 18 is greater than the one of the first cam 16 and is sufficient to push slide 12, by rotating it, to the complete opening position. In the example shown, since rotary elements 10, 14 (and, hence, cams 16, 18 associated with them) are independent in their rotation, when the second rotary element 14 is rotated, the first rotary element 10 remains still; indeed, in the operating sequence shown, the first cam 16 remains still (figures 4a, 4d). Therefore, by rotating the second rotary element 14, movable assembly 6 can be completely released from fixed assembly 2 with no need for the user to manually operate slide 12; indeed, the second cam 18 moves slide 12 from the hinging configuration directly to the complete opening configuration. This operation is advantageous, in particular in emergency situations in which the hinge needs to be quickly opened, since the number of operations to be carried out by the user is minimized. In the use modes described above, the rotation of the cam is, for example, equal to 180°; however, the shape of cams 16, 18 can change based on the operating needs; for example, it is possible to have a cam 16, 18 that is such that a 90° rotation is sufficient to move slide 12.
According to the figures, in the hinging configuration slide 12 and hooking portion 8 surround pin 4 forming the seat, so that only a rotation is allowed between fixed portion 2 and movable portion 6 (figure 7a). In the partial opening configuration slide 12 is slightly set back relative to pin 4, but end 36 of slide 12 does not permit a complete release of pin 4; therefore, pin 4 can move along a limited stroke between end 36 and the first semicircular recess 35 (figure 7b). In the complete opening configuration slide 12 is totally set back relative to pin 4 and, therefore, pin 4 can be completely released; hence, fixed portion 2 and movable portion 6 are separable (figure 7c) .
The hinge according to the invention can be advantageously applied to a door or wing closing a piece of furniture or a duct or a cabin where air under pressure is going to flow. In the partial opening configuration the door can be slightly opened, so as to let out, if necessary, the air under pressure through a passage formed between the frame or jamb of the door and the group consisting of the door itself and movable assembly 6. Therefore, the door cannot hit the user and is held in position by the contrast between pin 4 and slide 12.
In particular, hooking portion 8 has a plurality of arms 42, 44 forming, together with slide 12, the seat for pin 4. In particular, there are two side arms 44, which limit the movement of pin 4 along its longitudinal axis.
According to further variants, cams 16, 18 are equal and, therefore, on both sides of the door the user has to manually drag slide 12 in order to move movable assembly 6 to the complete opening configuration. Hence, the rotation of rotary elements 10, 14 only moves slide 12 to the partial opening configuration. In this case, slide 12 is capable of being operated by the user on both sides of the door. In this variant, rotary elements 10, 14 can possibly be constrained in their rotation.
Moreover, there can be further types of rotary elements 10, 14; for example these rotary elements 10, 14 are levers whose rotation axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the hinge (and, hence, of pin 4) and which drag slide 12 to the different operating conditions.
According to further variants, the second actuator comprises a sliding rod, which slides relative to hooking portion 8 and is configured to push slide 12 towards the complete or partial opening configuration.
According to a second variant (figures 8-14), the second actuator comprises a holding portion 50, which is fixed relative to slide 12 and is designed to be grabbed by a user to move slide 12. In the example shown, the holding portion is a holding pin, in particular perpendicular to slide 12. The holding portion, if necessary, can be a handle or the like. The holding portion can the manufactured in an integral manner together with slide 12, or it can be fitted to slide 12 in a removable manner. In the example, the holding pin is housed in a hole 52 on slide 12.
According to a third variant (figures 15-22), the second actuator comprises a lever 54, which is fitted to hooking portion 8 with a freedom to rotate and is configured to move slide 12 towards the complete or partial opening configuration. Lever 54 can be grabbed by a user. In particular, an end of lever 54 is constrained to slide 12 with a freedom to rotate and is configured to slide transversely relative to slide 12. Furthermore, lever 54 is hinged, in an intermediate part thereof, to hooking portion 8. In the example, a first pin 56 associated with the first end of lever 54 is capable of sliding in a guide 57 of slide 12. Guide 57 is substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of slide 12. A second pin 58 constrains the intermediate part of lever 54 to hooking portion 8 with a freedom to rotate. Lever 54 can rotate around an axis that is parallel to the axis of pin 4. In particular, the lever is capable of rotating around the second pin 58. Hence, the user moves a second end of lever 54.
Alternatively, the second actuator comprises a gear, such as a gear wheel, which pivots on hooking portion 8 and cooperates with a rack integral to slide 12. Alternatively, the second actuator comprises an articulation, which is capable of moving slide 12.
According to a further variant of the invention, rotary elements 10, 14, by rotating, are configured to move slide 12, thus moving movable assembly 6 to the complete opening configuration. In this variant there is no partial opening configuration. Preferably, rotary elements 10, 14 comprise respective cams (like the ones described above) and can be independent or constrained in their rotation. Preferably, rotary elements 10, 14 are capable of rotating around an axis that is transverse to the plane on which the rotation axis of the hinge lies.
According to a further variant of the invention, the first and the second actuator include a respective holding element, which is fixed relative to slide 12, said holding element being capable of being grabbed by a user in order to move slide 12.

Claims

Disassemblable hinge comprising:
- a fixed assembly (2), for being associated with a frame and comprises a pin (4) defining a rotation axis of the hinge; and

- a movable assembly (6), for being associated with a door and is mounted in a rotary manner on said fixed assembly (2) according to said rotation axis of the hinge; said movable assembly (6) comprising:

- a hooking portion (8), for being fixed to a door,

- a first actuator, which can be operated by a user and is located on a first side of the hinge, wherein said first actuator is suited to be placed on a first side of the door,

- a slide (12), which is fitted to the hooking portion (8) in a sliding manner;
wherein said movable assembly (6) is configured to assume at least:
- a hinging configuration, in which the slide (12) and the hooking portion (8) surround the pin (4) creating a seat for the pin (4), wherein the movable assembly (6) can only rotate around said pin (4);

- a complete opening configuration, wherein the slide (12) is totally set back relative to pin (4) and the pin (4) can be completely released, in which the movable assembly (6) can be removed from the fixed assembly (2);
wherein the first actuator is designed to move the slide (12), thus moving the movable assembly (6) away from the hinging configuration;
characterized in that the movable assembly (6) comprises a second actuator, which can be operated by a user, is located on a second side of the hinge, and is configured to move the slide (12), thus moving the movable assembly (6) away from the hinging configuration;
wherein the second actuator is suited to be placed on a second side of the door, and wherein the first and the second actuator are arranged on two opposite sides of the hinge;
the hinge being configured in such a manner that, when the hinge is applied to the door, the user can open the door from both sides, wherein the first side of the door is an outer side of a compartment, and the second side of the door is an inner side of the compartment.
Hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator comprises a first rotary element (10), which is constrained in a rotary manner to the hooking portion (8); the first rotary element (10), by rotating, is configured to move the slide (12), thus moving the movable assembly (6) away from the hinging configuration.
Hinge according to claim 2, wherein the second actuator comprises a second rotary element (14), which is constrained in a rotary manner to the hooking portion (8); the second rotary element (14), by rotating, is configured to move the slide (12), thus moving the movable assembly (6) away from the hinging configuration.
Hinge according to claim 2 or 3, wherein:
said movable assembly (6) is configured to also assume a partial opening configuration, in which said pin (4) is held by the slide (12) and the movable assembly (6) can move transversely to the pin (4) along a limited stroke;

the first rotary element (10), by rotating, is configured to move the slide (12), thus casing the shift from the hinging configuration to the partial opening configuration;

the second actuator is configured to move the slide (12), thus casing the shift from the hinging configuration towards at least the partial opening configuration.
Hinge according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the rotation of the second rotary element (14) causes the shift from the hinging configuration to the complete opening configuration.
Hinge according to claim 3 or 4 or 5, when they depend on claim 3, wherein the first rotary element (10) and the second rotary element (14) can rotate independently of one another.
Hinge according to any of the claims from 3 to 6, when they depend on claim 3, wherein the rotary elements (10, 14) are configured to rotate on respective rotation axes, which are transverse to the plane on which the slide (12) is intended to move.
Hinge according to any of the claims from 3 to 7, when they depend on claim 3, wherein the first rotary element (10) and the second rotary element (14) comprise a first cam (16) and a second cam (18), respectively; wherein the cams (16, 18) are capable of acting against the slide (12).
Hinge according to claim 8, wherein the eccentricities of the cams (16, 18) are different.
Hinge according to claim 9, wherein the first cam (16) has a smaller eccentricity than the second cam (18).
Hinge according to any of the claims from 3 to 10, when they depend on claim 3, wherein the rotary elements (10, 14) are configured to rotate on respective rotation axes, which are transverse to the plane on which the rotation axis of the hinge lies.
Hinge according to claim 4 when depending on claim 2, wherein the second actuator comprises a holding portion (50), which is fixed relative to the slide (12) and capable of being grabbed by a user to move the slide (12).
Hinge according to claim 4, wherein the second actuator comprises a lever (54), which is fitted to the hooking portion (8) with freedom to rotate and is configured to move the slide (12).
Hinge according to claim 3, wherein the rotary elements (10, 14), by rotating, are configured to move the slide (12), thus moving the movable assembly (6) to the complete opening configuration.
Hinge according to any of the previous claims and comprising a return means (34), which acts upon the slide (12) so as to move the movable assembly (6) to the hinging configuration.
Hinge according to any of the previous claims, wherein the pin (4) has a circular section, and the seat for pin (4) is defined by a first semicircular recess (35) on hooking portion (8) and by a second semicircular recess (37) on slide (12).
Hinge according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first and the second actuator are located on two opposite sides of hooking portion (8).
Hinge according to any of the previous claims, wherein the second actuator can be operated manually by a user.