EP4012142A1 - Hinge for pivotally connecting a first flap element and a second flap element - Google Patents

Abstract

A hinge for the pivotable connection of a first flap element (5) and a second flap element (7) of a folding flap (38) or a folding door is proposed, the hinge (1) having a first support arm (2) and a second support arm (3). , wherein the first support arm (2) can be fastened to the first flap element (5) and the second support arm (3) to the second flap element (7), the first support arm (2) being connected to the second support arm (3) by means of a pivot axis of the Hinge (1) is pivotally connected. According to the invention, a contact element (15) with a contact surface (16) is arranged on the first support arm (2) and a contact element (23) with a contact surface (23a) is arranged on the second support arm (3), the contact surface (16) during the pivoting movement of the first support arm (2) relative to the second support arm (3) is always in contact with the contact surface (23a), the contact surface (16) having a positioning section (19a, 19b) for the contact element (23), the positioning section (19a, 19b ) is designed such that the contact element (23) in the positioning section (19a, 19b) snaps in one of several predeterminable relative positions of the contact element (23) and contact surface (16).

Description

State of the art

Hinges for the pivotable connection of two flap elements are known from the prior art, wherein a first support arm of the hinge can be connected to a first flap element and a second support arm of the hinge can be connected to a second flap element.

It is also known that a control rod is arranged on a flap element and a furniture body in order to limit the pivoting movement of the flap element. The disadvantage of this is that the control rod requires space in the furniture body and is not aesthetically pleasing.

Object and advantages of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an improved hinge for pivotably connecting a first flap element and a second flap element, in particular with regard to a simple construction.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claims.

Advantageous and expedient embodiments, variants and developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a hinge for the pivotable connection of a first flap element and a second Flap element of a folding flap or a folding door, wherein the hinge has a first support arm and a second support arm, wherein the first support arm can be fastened to the first flap element and the second support arm to the second flap element, wherein the first support arm can be connected to the second support arm by means of a pivot axis of the Hinge is pivotally connected.

The two flap elements preferably exert pivoting movements in opposite directions when the folding flap is opened. Due to its two-part design, the folding flap can be folded in such a way that in the open state the second flap element protrudes upwards, while the first flap element is folded back towards the furniture body.

Advantageously, the second flap element is pivotably connected to a furniture body with the aid of a fitting, so that the second flap element can be pivoted from a vertical orientation, when the folding flap is in a closed state relative to the furniture body, into an approximately horizontal orientation, when the folding flap is open.

Normally, a hand element is arranged on the first flap element, with which a user can grip and guide the first flap element and the second flap element is moved along with it.

A gap is preferably formed between the first flap element and the second flap element, the gap dimension increasing during the opening movement of the folding flap.

A finger guard is preferably arranged between the flap elements, so that the operator or another person cannot trap his or her fingers in the gap during the pivoting movement of the flap elements.

Advantageously, the two support arms have mounting flanges with mounting recesses, so that means of mounting means such eg screws and/or nails, the support arms can be fastened to the flap elements.

The first and second support arms preferably have receptacles through which a bearing element, such as a bolt or a rivet, is guided. The first and second support arm are thus advantageously connected to one another so that they can pivot about a bearing element or the pivot axis. The bearing element is preferably cylindrical or is designed as a cylinder, with a longitudinal axis of the bearing element preferably corresponding to a height of the cylinder and preferably running parallel to the pivot axis.

The core of the invention can be seen in the fact that a contact element with a contact surface is arranged on the first support arm and that a contact element with a contact surface is arranged on the second support arm, the contact surface always being in contact with the contact surface during the pivoting movement of the first support arm relative to the second support arm is, wherein the contact surface has a positioning section for the contact element, the positioning section being designed such that the contact element snaps into the positioning section in one of a plurality of predefinable relative positions of the contact element and contact surface.

The contact element preferably has a flat surface, which preferably lies opposite the contact surface. With the flat surface, the contact element preferably rests on the first support arm.

Advantageously, the first support arm and the contact element are each a single component. In this case, the contact element is connected to the first support arm, for example by a bolt and/or a rivet. Furthermore, the contact element can also be connected to the first support arm in a materially bonded manner, for example by a welded and/or adhesive connection. It is also conceivable that the first support arm and the contact element together form a component, ie are in one piece.

The contact element can preferably be pivoted with the first support arm about the pivot axis. For this purpose, the bearing element advantageously runs through the contact element, so that the bearing element is connected to the first support arm, the second support arm and the contact element.

The contact element and the contact element are preferably movable relative to one another, so that the contact element and/or the contact element can be pivoted during the pivoting movement of the flap elements of the folding flap.

The contact element is preferably arranged rotatably on the second support arm, the contact element being movable with the contact surface along the contact surface of the contact element during a pivoting movement of the first support arm relative to the second support arm. At least one area of the contact surface is advantageously aligned in the direction of the contact element at all times and is in contact with the contact surface of the contact element.

Furthermore, the contact element can also be arranged on the second support arm and the contact element on the first support arm, so that the contact element can be pivoted with the first support arm relative to the second support arm.

It is advantageous that a force unit is present on the second support arm, with the contact element being subjected to a force by the force unit when the contact surface rests against the contact surface.

The power unit is advantageously a spring element, for example a helical spring, air spring and/or a fluid spring.

Advantageously, one end of the force unit is arranged on the contact element and another end of the force unit is arranged on the second support arm.

The force acting on the contact element is preferably aligned in the direction of the contact surface. The contact element can preferably be pressed against the contact surface of the contact element by the force unit, the force exerted on the contact element by the force unit being different during the pivoting movement of the first support arm relative to the second support arm. When the abutment is snapped in the positioning portion of the contact surface, the force exerted on the abutment is less than the remaining portions of the contact surface.

A further possibility is that the first support arm has a force unit, it being possible to press the contact element with the contact surface against the contact surface of the contact element by means of the force unit.

The force unit and the contact element could also be arranged on the second support arm, so that the contact element with the contact surface is pressed by the force unit against the contact surface of the contact element on the first support arm, with the contact element being pivotable with the first support arm relative to the second support arm.

The contact surface advantageously has at least two positioning sections.

The two positioning sections are preferably spaced apart from one another, with the positioning sections being formed, for example, on the two free ends of the contact surface of the contact element. Furthermore, the positioning sections are advantageously designed in the same way.

During the movement of the first support arm relative to the second support arm, the contact element preferably moves from the first positioning section to the second positioning section and back.

A positioning section is preferably at a greater distance from the surface of the first flap element, with the surface being formed in the direction of the hinge.

It is also advantageous that the positioning sections are concave.

The contact element is advantageously designed in such a way that the contact element can snap into the concave positioning section and the contact element is only moved out of the positioning section by an external force exerted by the operator, e.g. when moving a flap element of the folding flap.

It is advantageous that a convex connecting section adjoins a positioning section.

The connecting section is preferably designed in the shape of a semicircle or approximately or almost in the shape of a semicircle.

Advantageously, the force exerted on the contact element by the force unit is greater when the contact surface of the contact element is in contact with the connecting section than when the contact surface of the contact element is in contact with the positioning section. The force that acts on the contact element is preferably at a maximum at the center point or apex of the semicircle.

It is also advantageous that the two concave positioning sections are connected by the convex connection section.

A concave positioning section is advantageously arranged at the two ends of the convex connecting section, which is preferably a semicircle.

In the open state of the folding flap, the contact element with the contact surface is preferably in contact with a first positioning section. During the closing movement of the folding flap or the relative movement of the first support arm with the contact element to the second support arm with the contact element, the contact element can advantageously be moved out of the first positioning section and into the second positioning section along the connecting section. The opening movement of the folding flap is advantageously guided from the outside by an operator.

If the contact surface of the contact element is in contact with the connecting section and the operator does not exert any force on the flap element, the contact element with the contact surface moves back into the positioning section. Depending on which side of the semicircular connecting section the contact element is in contact with, the contact element can be moved into the corresponding positioning section on this side. This happens in particular because the flap element has a sufficient weight of its own and because the force that is exerted on the contact element is lower in the positioning section than at the connecting section.

It is also advantageous that the contact surface of the contact element is convex.

The convex contact surface of the contact element is preferably designed in such a way that the contact surface can snap into the concave positioning section of the contact surface with a precise fit.

The contact element advantageously has a convex outer contour. The complete outer contour of the contact element is preferably convex, the contact element for example having a cylindrical shape with a circular and/or oval and/or elliptical base.

A holding arrangement is preferably arranged on the second support arm, which arrangement comprises the contact element, a holding element and a holding element, one end of the spring element lying against the holding arrangement.

The holding element is, for example, a rivet and/or a bolt and/or a pin. The abutment element can preferably be connected to the holding element by the holding element, the abutment element being advantageously rotatably mounted on the holding element by the holding element so that the abutment element can be rolled along the contact surface of the contact element when the folding flap moves.

Preferably, the contact element and the holding member are each a single component, with the contact element having, for example, a through hole for the holding member. The contact element and the holding member can also be formed in one piece. The holding element preferably has recesses for the holding member.

The holding element preferably has three sides which are arranged in a U-shape, so that the contact element is accommodated in an interior space of the holding element. A connection side of the holding element preferably connects the two side parts of the holding element, which connection side is advantageously in contact with the power unit. The two side parts of the holding element are preferably aligned with a free end towards the contact element. The free ends preferably form a semicircular shape or a convex shape and/or a rectangular shape and/or an elliptical shape and/or an oval shape. The recesses for the holding member are preferably formed on the side parts of the holding element.

Advantageously, the contact surface on the contact element protrudes towards the side parts of the contact surface in the direction of the contact surface Holding element available, so that the holding element does not block the rotational movement of the contact element.

The contact surface is preferably the surface of the contact element which is in contact with the contact surface of the contact element, with the contact surface being different surfaces on the contact element during the rotary movement of the contact element.

It is advantageous that the contact element can be moved from a first end position to a second end position during a relative movement between the contact element and the contact element, the contact element being snapped into place in the first positioning section in the first end position and in the second positioning section in the second end position.

The folding flap is advantageously open in a first end position and the folding flap is closed in a second end position.

During the relative movement between the contact element and the contact element, the contact element can preferably be moved from the first positioning section along the connecting section into the second positioning section and back. If the folding flap is neither completely open nor completely closed, the contact element is in contact with the connecting section of the contact surface.

It is also advantageous that in the first end position a longitudinal extent of the first support arm and a longitudinal extent of the second support arm enclose an obtuse angle, the longitudinal extents of the two support arms being aligned transversely to the pivot axis.

Preferably, the first bracket and second bracket have a T-shape, with the mounting flanges preferably having a length oriented transversely to the length of the remaining bracket. The longitudinal extent of the first support arm and the second support arm preferably extends from one outside edge of the mounting flanges to the free end of the remaining support arm, the free end being oriented in the opposite direction to the outside edge of the mounting flanges.

The flap elements or their main surfaces preferably lie in different planes when the folding flap is open. The hinge is preferably attached to a main surface of the flap element in the assembled state. Also the opposite side to the hinge is a major surface which preferably faces outwards. In this case, the main surface of the first flap element is preferably aligned transversely to a horizontal and to a vertical line, and the main surface of the second flap element is preferably aligned approximately horizontally. The two flap elements advantageously enclose an acute angle when the folding flap is in the open state.

Advantageously, in the second end position, the longitudinal extent of the first support arm and the longitudinal extent of the second support arm enclose an angle of 170° to 180°.

The second end position is preferably a position in which the two flap elements of the folding flap lie in one plane. When the folding flap is closed, the two flap elements or their main surfaces normally lie in a vertical plane.

Advantageously, when the folding flap is open, the main surface of the second flap element can be aligned by the operator from a direction transverse to the horizontal and vertical into an approximately horizontal plane. The contact element is moved from the first positioning section, in which the main surfaces of the flap elements lie in different planes, to the second positioning section, in which the main surfaces of the flap elements lie in one plane, by an operator with exertion of force. So are then at When the folding flap is open, the main surfaces of both flap elements are aligned in a preferably approximately horizontal plane. It is also advantageous that the power unit is arranged in an inner volume of a housing of the second support arm.

In addition to the power unit, the holding arrangement is preferably also arranged in the interior volume of the housing of the second support arm.

Advantageously, the housing of the second support arm has two side faces, an end face and a cover face. In addition, the housing can also have a lower surface, which is preferably opposite the cover surface. The surfaces of the housing are preferably designed like plates.

The cover surface preferably covers the power unit and the holding arrangement, so that an operator or the outside view of the mentioned elements is blocked. This advantageously increases the aesthetics of the hinge.

The lower surface is preferably aligned in the direction of the surface of the second flap element or, in the case of a closed folding flap, in the direction of the first support arm. Furthermore, the mounting flange of the second support arm is preferably formed on the bottom surface, the length of the mounting flange being aligned transversely to the length of the bottom surface or the covering surface. The length of the cover surface of the housing preferably extends in the same direction as the longitudinal extension of the second support arm.

The end surface is preferably aligned in the direction of the fitting which connects the second flap element to the furniture carcass. The side opposite the end surface is advantageously open or not covered by a plate-like surface, so that the bearing element comes into contact with the contact element on this side.

The power unit may preferably be in contact with the end face of the housing, the power unit being in contact with the inside of the end face.

The two side surfaces are preferably opposite one another and are connected to one another by the cover surface and/or the end surface and/or the bottom surface. Advantageously, the side surfaces have a greater length than the cover surface, with the side surfaces protruding in the direction of the contact element or the open side of the housing in relation to the cover surface. Furthermore, there are recesses on the protruding part of the side surfaces, in which the bearing element for the pivotable connection of the first support arm to the contact element can be arranged.

The contact element is preferably arranged between the recesses on the side surfaces or the pivot axis and the free end of the covering surface, which is aligned with the contact element.

The holding arrangement can advantageously be moved in the direction of the end face of the housing when the first support arm is pivoted relative to the second support arm, with the power unit preferably undergoing a temporary change in length.

It is advantageous that a first end of the power unit is connected to the contact element and a second end of the power unit is connected to an adjusting wheel.

A force with which the force unit presses the contact element against the contact element can preferably be set with the adjusting wheel. Advantageously, the first end of the force unit is connected to the connection side of the holding element, on which the contact element is arranged. The adjusting wheel is advantageously arranged on the end surface of the housing. For this purpose, the end face preferably has an opening that is adapted to the shape of the setting wheel.

Advantageously, the setting wheel is rotatably mounted outside the interior volume of the housing on an outer surface of the housing of the second support arm.

Advantageously, part of the thumbwheel is housed in the interior volume of the housing, the part on the thumbwheel suitable for turning being located outside the interior volume on an outer face of the end face of the housing.

The invention extends to a folding flap with a first flap element and a second flap element, the flap elements being pivotably connected with a hinge according to one of the variants described above.

The invention extends to a piece of furniture with a folding flap according to one of the variants described above, the folding flap being pivotably mounted on a furniture body with a fitting.

character description

Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown schematically.

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Scharniers,

Fig. 2

das zusammengesetztes Scharnier gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine seitliche Schnittansicht auf ein Möbel mit zwei Klappenelemente, welche mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Scharnier verbunden sind,

Fig. 4

eine Detailansicht gemäß dem Ausschnitt A in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine seitliche Schnittansicht auf ein Möbel gemäß Fig. 3, in der das Scharnier in einer ersten Endstellung ist,

Fig. 6

eine Detailansicht gemäß dem Ausschnitt B in Fig. 5,

Fig. 7

eine seitliche Schnittansicht auf ein Möbel gemäß Fig. 3 und 5,

Fig. 8

eine Detailansicht gemäß dem Ausschnitt C in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9

eine seitliche Schnittansicht auf ein Möbel gemäß Fig. 3, 5 und 7, in der das Scharnier in einer zweiten Endstellung ist,

Fig. 10

eine Detailansicht gemäß dem Ausschnitt D in Fig. 9,

Fig. 11

eine seitliche Schnittansicht auf ein Möbel gemäß Fig. 3, 5, 7 und 10,

Fig. 12

eine Detailansicht gemäß dem Ausschnitt E in Fig. 11.

In detail shows:

1

an exploded view of a hinge according to the invention,

2

the composite hinge according to 1 ,

3

a side sectional view of a piece of furniture with two flap elements, which are connected with a hinge according to the invention,

4

a detailed view according to section A in 3 ,

figure 5

according to a lateral sectional view of a piece of furniture 3 , in which the hinge is in a first end position,

6

a detailed view according to section B in figure 5 ,

7

according to a lateral sectional view of a piece of furniture Figures 3 and 5 ,

8

a detailed view according to section C in 7 ,

9

according to a lateral sectional view of a piece of furniture Figures 3, 5 and 7 , in which the hinge is in a second end position,

10

a detailed view according to detail D in 9 ,

11

according to a lateral sectional view of a piece of furniture Figures 3, 5 , 7 and 10 ,

12

a detailed view according to section E in 11 .

A hinge 1 according to the invention has a first support arm 2 and a second support arm 3 (see Fig. 1 ). The first support arm is preferably attached to a first flap element 5 of a folding flap 38 by means of a mounting flange 4 and the second support arm 3 is attached to a second flap element 7 of the folding flap 38 by means of a mounting flange 6 (see Fig. Figures 3 to 6 ). For this purpose, the mounting flanges 4, 6 preferably have mounting recesses 14, as a result of which the support arms 2, 3 are fastened to the flap elements 5, 7 by means of mounting means, such as screws and/or nails.

The second flap element 7 is preferably pivotably connected to the furniture body 9 by means of a fitting 8 , the furniture body 9 comprising, for example, a rear wall 10 , a base 11 , an upper base 12 and at least one side wall 13 . Preferably, the furniture body 9 comprises two side walls 13, wherein in the Figures 3, 5 , 7, 9 and 11 only one side wall 13 is shown. Furthermore, two fittings 8 are preferably arranged on the furniture body 9 or the side walls 13 of the furniture body 9, with only one fitting 8 being shown in the figures.

A contact element 15 is arranged on the first support arm 2 (see Fig. 1 ), wherein the contact element 15 has a contact surface 16 which is aligned with the second support arm 3 . The contact element 15 rests against the first support arm 2 with a side 17 opposite the contact surface 16 . The contact element 15 is preferably connected to the first support arm 2 by a connecting element 18, for which the contact element 15 has a bore 34 and the first support arm 2 has a recess 35. Furthermore, the side 17 of the contact element can be connected to the first support arm 2 in a material-to-material and/or form-fitting manner.

The contact surface 16 of the contact element 15 has at least one positioning section 19a, 19b and a connecting section 20. Precisely two positioning sections 19a, 19b are preferably formed on the contact surface 16 (see Fig. 1 ). The two positioning sections 19a, 19b are preferably connected to one another by the connecting section 20, the positioning sections 19a, 19b being concave, for example, and the connecting section 20 being convex, for example. A convex section on the contact surface 16 thus adjoins a concave section. The connecting section 20 is preferably designed in the shape of a semicircle.

The second support arm 2 comprises a housing 21 with an inner volume 22 in which a holding arrangement 39 is preferably arranged, which preferably comprises a contact element 23 , a holding element 24 and a holding member 25 . Furthermore, a power unit 26 is arranged in the inner volume 22 of the housing 21 (see Fig. 1 ). The housing 21 preferably has a cover surface 27, two side surfaces 28 and an end surface 29 (see Fig. 2 ). The side surfaces 28 are opposite one another and are connected to one another, for example by the end surface 29 and the cover surface 27 . The cover surface 27 is aligned parallel to the surface of the second flap element 7 when the hinge 1 is mounted with the flap element 7, or opposite to the mounting flange 6 (see Fig. 4 ). Advantageously, guides 40 are arranged on the housing 21 on the side opposite the cover surface 27, ie the side on which the mounting flange 6 is arranged, for example, on which the holding arrangement is held in a guided manner.

On the end face 29 of the housing 21 there is preferably an adjusting wheel 30 which can be operated manually, for example, and which is connected to the power unit 26, for example a spring (see Fig. 1 ). The other end of the power unit 26 is preferably connected to the holding member 24 on which the contact element 23 is arranged such that a force which acts on the contact element 23 when it contacts the contact surface 16 of the contact element 15 can be set, for example by a user, with the setting wheel 30 .

The holding element 24 is preferably U-shaped, with a connection side 31 of the holding element 24 being in contact with one end of the power unit 26 . The connection side 31 of the holding element 24 is also preferably connected to two side parts 32 of the holding element 24 which have recesses 33 for the holding member 25 . The holding member 25 is preferably a pin and/or a bolt and/or a rivet, which is, for example, cylindrical. The retaining element 25 preferably connects the contact element 23, which has a continuous, elongated hole 41 for the retaining element 25, to the retaining element 24, the contact element 23 thereby advantageously being rotatably mounted.

A contact surface 23a of the contact element 23 is preferably convex. The contact surface 23a is because the contact element 23 is rotatably mounted, preferably different surfaces on the contact element 23. Furthermore, the contact element 23 preferably has a convex outer contour, with the complete outer contour of the contact element 23 being convex, for example. For example, the contact element 23 has a spherical shape and/or a roller shape. The contact element 23 can thus be moved or rolled along the contact surface 16 of the contact element 15 during the relative movement between the contact element 15 and the contact element 23 .

The first support arm 2 and the second support arm 3 are preferably pivotably connected relative to one another about a pivot axis S (see Fig. 2 ). Furthermore, the contact element 15 can also be pivoted about the pivot axis S. For this purpose, the bearing element 36 is connected to the first support arm 2 , the second support arm 3 and the contact element 15 . Preferably the first support arm 2, the second support arm 3 and the contact element 15 have openings 37 for the bearing element 36.

The flap elements 5, 7 of the folding flap 38 have a total of 6 surfaces, with two main surfaces 42 being present. The major surfaces 42 preferably extend in a length and width and one of these surfaces preferably has the hinge 1 attached thereto. The other major surface 42 preferably faces outward. The four other sides of the flap elements 5, 7 are preferably narrow sides.

When the folding flap 38 is open, the main surface 42 of the second flap element 7 is preferably deflected up to 20° from the horizontal in the direction of the upper base 12 of the furniture carcass 9 (see Fig. 3 ), the angle of the second flap element 7 being dependent on the pivoting movement of the fitting 8 which pivotally connects the second flap element 7 to the furniture body 9 . When the folding flap 38 is open, the main surface 42 of the first flap element 5 is preferably aligned transversely to a horizontal or vertical line and is deflected in the direction of the furniture carcass 9, so that the two flap elements 5, 7 when the folding flap 38 is open preferably form an acute angle α, in particular an angle from 30° to 60° (see 4 ).

Furthermore, the first support arm 2 and the second support arm 3 each have a longitudinal extent A, B, which is preferably aligned transversely to the direction of the pivot axis S (see Fig. Figures 1 and 2 ). The support arms 2, 3 are preferably T-shaped, with a length of the mounting flange 4, 6 being aligned, for example, transversely to a length of the remaining support arm 2, 3. The longitudinal extent A of the first support arm 2 preferably extends from an outside of the mounting flange 4 to a free end of the rest of the first support arm 2, to which the contact element 15 is preferably connected. The longitudinal extension B of the second bracket 3 preferably extends from an outside of the mounting flange 6 to to the opening 37 on the side surfaces 28 of the housing 21. Furthermore, a longitudinal extent A of the first support arm 2 and a longitudinal extent B of the second support arm 3 enclose an obtuse angle β of, for example, 120° to 145° when the folding flap 38 is open (see 4 ).

With an open folding flap 38 (see 3 ) A contact surface 23a of the contact element 23 is preferably snapped into a first positioning section 19a of the contact surface 16, with the contact element 23 advantageously being pressed against the contact surface 16 of the contact element 15 by means of the force unit 26 (see Fig. 4 ). For example, the force unit 26 presses the contact element 23 against the contact surface 16 of the contact element 15 at any time during the opening or closing movement of the folding flap 38, with the force unit 26 advantageously pressing the contact element 23 against the contact surface with the relatively lowest necessary force in the positioning sections 19a, 19b 16 presses. In the figure 4 a part of the housing 21 is cut in the middle so that the view of the contact element 23 and the power unit 26 is clear.

The contact element 23 and the positioning section 19a are preferably matched to one another in such a way that the contact element 23 cannot be moved out of the positioning section 19a of the contact surface 16 without the application of force. In order to move the folding flap 38, on the one hand a force must be applied against the force unit and on the other hand the weight of the first flap element 5 must be kept guided. For this purpose, the operator can, for example, move the first flap element 5, with an open folding flap 38, in the direction of the bottom 11 of the furniture body 9, with the first flap element 5 for example having a handle (not shown) on the outside for this purpose.

In this case, in a first intermediate position, the main surface 42 of the second flap element 7 is aligned horizontally and the main surface 42 of the first flap element 5 is still transverse to a horizontal or vertical in the direction of the Furniture body 9 aligned (see figure 5 ). The relative movement between the first flap element 5 and the second flap element 7 or the first support arm 2 and the second support arm 3 or the contact element 15 and the contact element 23 can advantageously be used to move the contact element 23 out of the first positioning section 19a and come into contact with the connecting section with the contact surface 23a 20. As a result, a force acts on the contact element 23 which is directed against the direction of the force of the force unit 26 (see 6 ), so that the power unit 26 or the spring is compressed.

When the folding flap 38 is moved further, the main surface 42 of the second flap element 7 is advantageously in a horizontal plane (see Fig. figure 5 ) into a plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal or vertical (p. 7 ), in an almost vertical plane (s. 9 ) movable. The main surface 42 of the first flap element is also preferably made of a plane which is aligned transversely to the horizontal or vertical (see Fig. figure 5 and 7 ), into an approximately vertical plane (s. 9 ) movable. This changes the angle α, which the two flap elements 5, 7 enclose, preferably from an acute (see Fig. Figures 3 and 5 ) to a blunt (s. 7 ) to a straight angle (s. 9 ).

When the first flap element 5 is moved further in the direction of the base 11 of the furniture body 9, the contact surface 23a of the contact element 23 can advantageously be moved along the convex surface of the connecting element 20. The force acting on the contact element 23 is preferably increased up to the midpoint or apex of the connecting section 20 of the contact surface 16 , the strongest force effect being reached at the midpoint or apex of the connecting section 20 . After the midpoint or apex of the convex connecting section 20, for example, the force exerted on the contact element 23 decreases (see Fig. 8 ) to the second positioning portion 19b of the contact surface 16, where the force that acts on the contact element 23 is the lowest (see 10 ).

If the contact element 23 has snapped into the second positioning section 19b of the contact surface 16 (see 10 ), the folding flap 38 is in a closed position, for example, in which the main surface 42 of the two flap elements 5, 7 are preferably aligned vertically and lie in one plane, for example (see Fig. 9 ) or in which the longitudinal extent A, B of the two support arms 2, 3 enclose an angle of 170° to 180°.

Advantageously, if the folding flap 38 is already open (see 3 ) the main surface 42 of the first flap element 5 can be moved in an almost horizontal plane by an operator (s. 11 ), the contact element 23 is preferably removed from the first positioning section 19a (see 4 ) is moved along the connecting section 20 into the second positioning section 19b (see Fig. 12 ). The main surface 42 of the two flap elements 5, 7 are in a plane which is preferably aligned horizontally. <u>Reference List</u> 1 hinge 23 investment element 2 Beam 23a contact surface 3 Beam 24 holding element 4 mounting flange 25 retaining organ 5 flap element 26 power unit 6 mounting flange 27 cover surface 7 flap element 28 side face 8th fitting 29 end face 9 furniture body 30 wheel 10 back panel 31 connection page 11 floor 32 side panels 12 floor 33 recess 13 Side wall 34 drilling 14 mounting recess 35 recess 15 contact element 36 bearing element 16 contact surface 37 omission 17 side 38 folding flap 18 connecting organ 39 holding arrangement 19a positioning section 40 guides 19b positioning section 41 Hole 20 connection section 42 main surface 21 Housing 22 internal volume

Claims (15)

Hinge for pivotally connecting a first flap element (5) and a second flap element (7) of a folding flap (38) or a folding door, the hinge (1) having a first support arm (2) and a second support arm (3), the first The support arm (2) can be attached to the first flap element (5) and the second support arm (3) can be attached to the second flap element (7), the first support arm (2) being connected to the second support arm (3) by means of a pivot axis of the hinge (1). pivotally connected, characterized in that a contact element (15) with a contact surface (16) is arranged on the first support arm (2) and that a contact element (23) with a contact surface (23a) is arranged on the second support arm (3), the contact surface (16) is always in contact with the contact surface (23a) during the pivoting movement of the first support arm (2) relative to the second support arm (3), the contact surface (16) having a positioning section (19a, 19b) for the contact element (23). , where the positioning section itt (19a, 19b) is designed so that the contact element (23) in the positioning section (19a, 19b) snaps into one of several predeterminable relative positions of contact element (23) and contact surface (16). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a force unit (26) is present on the second support arm (3), the contact element (23) being subjected to a force by the force unit (26) when the contact surface (23a) rests on the contact surface ( 16). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact surface (16) has at least two positioning sections (19a, 19b). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning sections (19a, 19b) are concave. Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a convex connecting section (20) adjoins a positioning section (19a, 19b). Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two positioning concave portions (19a, 19b) are connected by the connecting convex portion (20). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact surface (23a) of the contact element (23) is of convex design. Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (15) can be moved from a first end position into a second end position when there is a relative movement between the contact element (23) and the contact element (15), with the contact element (23) in the first end position is snapped in the first positioning section (19a) and in the second end position in the second positioning section (19b). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first end position a longitudinal extent of the first support arm (2) and a longitudinal extent of the second support arm (3) enclose an obtuse angle, the longitudinal extents of the two support arms (2, 3) being transverse to the Pivot axis are aligned. Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the second end position, the longitudinal extension of the first support arm (2) and the Longitudinal extent of the second support arm (3) enclose an angle of 170 ° to 180 °. Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power unit (26) is arranged in an inner volume (22) of a housing (21) of the second support arm (2). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first end of the power unit (26) is connected to the contact element (23) and a second end of the power unit (26) is connected to an adjusting wheel (30). Hinge according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting wheel (30) is rotatably mounted outside the inner volume (22) of the housing (21) on an outer surface of the housing (21) of the second support arm (3). Folding flap with a first flap element (5) and a second flap element (7), the flap elements (5, 7) being pivotably connected with a hinge (1) according to Claims 1 to 13. Furniture with a folding flap (38) according to claim 14, wherein the folding flap (38) is pivotally mounted on a furniture body (9) with a fitting (8).

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