EP4594587A1

EP4594587A1 - A hinge for connection of two doors in cabinets with folding doors

Info

Publication number: EP4594587A1
Application number: EP23873350.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet Bektas
Original assignee: Samet Kalip Ve Maden Esya San Ve Tic AS
Current assignee: Samet Kalip Ve Maden Esya San Ve Tic AS
Priority date: 2022-09-26
Filing date: 2023-09-20
Publication date: 2025-08-06
Also published as: EP4594587A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge for connection of two doors to each other on the cabinets with folding doors without using any tools. The hinge of the invention comprises a first hinge part for being mounted to one of the doors and a second hinge part for being mounted to the other. The hinge that is the subject of the invention also comprises a guide slot on one of the hinge parts, that is adapted to receive a guide element of the other hinge part and to guide it along a lock direction and when the guide element reaches a lock slot to hold said guide element in said lock slot such that the two hinge parts can rotate relative to each other.

Description

A HINGE FOR CONNECTION OF TWO DOORS IN CABINETS WITH FOLDING DOORS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a hinge that facilitates the connection of two doors to each other in cabinets with folding doors. The hinge that is the subject of the invention is configured to allow the connection of the doors to each other on the cabinet by connecting two hinge parts, each of which is mounted to a different door, without using any tools. By means of the hinge that is the subject of the invention, the doors can be individually mounted to the cabin body.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known that the upper door in the cabinets with folding doors is connected to the cabin body by means of standard hinges, and the bottom door is connected to the cabin body by means of a mechanism arm that provides the opening and closing of the doors and is also connected to the upper door in parallel with a distance between them by means of a hinge.

The hinges currently used comprise of parts such as hinge cup and hinge arm, which can make an articulation movement. These parts are combined with articulation levers at the production stage, and at the end of the assembly stage, the hinge cup and the hinge arm, which are the hinge parts, are not separated from each other and are used as one piece. When mounting the existing hinges to the cabinet, the hinge is mounted in a separate place between the lower door and the upper door. Then, due to the dimensions and weights of the doors, the doors should be carried by at least two people and mounted to the cabinet from the upper door by means of a standard hinge. Lastly the mounting is completed with the connection of the mechanism arms to the bottom door. When the current hinges are used, the doors are needed to be carried by at least two people to mount them to the cabinet. As the cabinet sizes increase and the number of doors increases, this mounting process becomes tiring and challenging for people.

The hinge that is the subject of the invention allows the mounting of the doors to the cabinet one by one and also by a single person. In this way, the mounting of the two doors to the cabinet is done quickly and practically. Patent no. EP 1 727 954 B1 is one of the existing hinges formed by combining the hinge cup and hinge arm with articulation levers. Said patent is related to the problem of finger jamming between folding doors and is different from our invention. The hinge arm of the hinge is mounted on the first door and the hinge cup is mounted on the second door. Said hinge is intended for carrying the cabinet doors together and mounting them to the cabinet and does not provide a solution to the technical problem mentioned in our application.

In the patent no. EP 1 308 591 B1 , the hinge comprise of a first arm which is connected to the first door and a second arm which is connected to the second door and designed longer than the first arm. The assembly of the first and the second arms is done at the production stage. Said hinge does not provide a solution to the technical problem in our application.

The patent no EP 3 359 763 B1 relates to a hinge connected with a first and a second joint parts. The assembly of the first and the second joint parts is done at the production stage. Said hinge does not provide a solution to the technical problem in our application.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to develop a hinge that allows the doors to be mounted one by one to the cabinets with folding doors.

Another aim of the invention is to develop a hinge that enables the lower door to be connected to the upper door practically without using any tools while the upper door is mounted to the cabin body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hinge which connects folding doors to each other on the cabinet without using any tools. After the first hinge part is mounted to the upper door and the second hinge part is mounted to the lower door, by means of the hinge of the invention, the two doors are mounted to each other on the cabinet by hanging the lower door on the upper door .

The hinge of the invention comprises a first hinge part for being mounted to one of the doors and a second hinge part for being mounted to the other. The hinge that is the subject of the invention also comprises a guide slot on one of the hinge parts, that is adapted to receive a guide element of the other hinge part and to guide it along a lock direction and when the guide element reaches a lock slot to hold said guide element in said lock slot such that the two hinge parts can rotate relative to each other. Said hinge may comprise an inlet which guides said guide element into the guide slot along a mounting direction. Said mounting direction can extend at an angle with respect to the lock direction and/or form a curved form. Said mounting direction may be opposite to the gravity direction during mounting.

The hinge of the invention may preferably comprise a blocking element which can lock the guide element in the lock slot without tools and which can prevent the movement of the guide element from the lock slot in the opposite directionto the lock direction. By means of said blocking element, the guide element is retained in the lock position in the lock slot. In this position, the doors are rotatably connected to each other about a hinge axis, but their displacement relative to each other is prevented.

Said blocking element can be opened without tools. With the tool-free opening of said blocking element, the guide element can move from the lock slot to a free position where the two hinge parts are move relative to each other, by moving opposite to the lock direction. In the free position, the doors can move relative to each other and thus the distance between the doors can change.

Said blocking element may be arranged in the second hinge part and is movable relative to the second hinge part and can lock said guide element in the lock slot and move the guide element from the lock slot to the free position.

Said blocking element may be made of a flexible material and/or may be supported by a spring. Said blocking element may be arranged such that it can lock the guide element into the lock slot by means of that the guide element applies a force against the blocking element in the lock direction and/or to move the guide element from the lock slot to a free position where the two hinge parts can move relative to each other, by means of that the guide element applies a force against the blocking element in the opposite direction of the lock direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said hinge comprises a latch which is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the second hinge part, and to be adjustable between a first position in which it closes said inlet and a second position in which it opens said inlet. Said latch can be switched from the first position to the second position and/or from the second position to the first position without tools.

Said latch may also be adapted to keep said inlet in a closed position with a latch spring and to open said inlet when the force of said latch spring is exceeded and/or to keep said inlet in an open position with a latch spring and to close said inlet when the force of said latch spring is exceeded. Said latch preferably comprises an activation tip and a valve. Said second hinge part has a mounting surface for abutting to the first door surface. Said valve is preferably adapted to close said inlet by turning said activation tip so that it approaches to the mounting surface, and said valve is adapted to open said inlet by turning said activation tip away from the mounting surface.

The first hinge part of the hinge of the present invention may preferably comprise a hinge arm on which the guide element is provided and, away from the guide element, it may comprise a mounting base which is adapted to attach said hinge arm to the door, and preferably said hinge arm can be adjusted relative to said mounting base.

The invention also relates to a method for an articulated connection of two doors to each other by means of a hinge in cabinets with folding doors. The method comprises the steps of;

- securing a first hinge part of the hinge to a first door connected to the cabinet;

- securing a second hinge part of the hinge to a second door;

- inserting a guide element of the first hinge part through an inlet of the second hinge part into a guide slot;

- pushing the guide element in the guide slot in a lock direction, overcoming the blocking force of a blocking element and shifting the blocking element to a open position;

-shifting said blocking element to a closed position by the flexible material structure of the blocking element and/or by the force of a spring when the guide element reaches a lock slot in the guide slot; and thereby

- blocking the movement of the guide element in the guide slot in the opposite direction of the lock direction.

The method according to the invention preferably comprises the step of closing said inlet with a latch by pushing the second piece of furniture in a closing direction and/or manually while said guide element is blocked in the lock slot.

In the state of the art, in the assembly of the cabinets where the existing hinges are used, the hinges are attached between at least two doors in a separate place, then the doors are carried together and the upper door is mounted to the cabinet by means of a standard hinge. In this case, as the number, weight or dimensions of the cabinet doors increase, technical problems such as difficulties arising from carrying the doors and the need to use at least two people during mounting occur. The hinge, which is the subject of the invention, solves the mentioned technical problems and allows the mounting of the doors to the cabinet one by one and the mounting can be done by a single person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the folding door mounted to the cabinet in the open position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hinge of the invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the hinge of the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view representing the moment when the second hinge part of the hinge of the invention is hung on the first hinge part.

Figure 5 is a side sectional view representing the moment when a guide element of the first hinge part of the invention is guided through an inlet to a guide slot of the second hinge part in the open position.

Figure 6 is a side view representing the moment when the guide element of the first hinge part of the invention reaches the guide slot of the second hinge part.

Figure 7 is a side sectional view of the guide element of the first hinge part of the invention, representing the moment when it reaches a lock slot of the second hinge part.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view representing the moment when the folding door and the inlet are in the open position and the first hinge part begins to push the activation tip to close the inlet.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view representing the moment when the folding door is open and the inlet is closed.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge of the invention, representing the moment when the folding door and the inlet are closed (The folding door is hidden).

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Cabinet/ furniture piece

2. Folding door

2.1. First door/upper door 2.2. Second door/bottom door

3. Cabin body

3.1. Cabin roof

3.2. Cabin side wall

4. Opening/closing mechanism

4.1. Mechanism arm

5. Hinge

5.1. First hinge part

5.1.1. Hinge arm

5.1.1.1. Connecting screw

5.1.1.2. Connection hole

5.1.1.3. Adjustment hole

5.1.1.4. Adjustment element

5.1.1.5. Guide pin

5.1.1.6. Guide element

5.1.1.7. Arm

5.1.1.8. Movement area

5.1.1.9. Pressing element

5.1.2. Mounting base

5.1.2.1. Mounting plate

5.1.2.2. Mounting body

5.1.2.3. Mounting hole

5.1.2.4. Connection channel

5.1.2.5. Adjustment tabs

5.1.2.6. Guide tracks

5.2. Second hinge part

5.2.1. Body

5.2.1.1. Latch slot

5.2.1.2. Bearing surface

5.2.2. Mounting element

5.2.2.1. Connection slot

5.2.2.2. Mounting surface

5.2.2.3. Stopper

5.2.3. Guide slot

5.2.4. Inlet

5.2.4.1. Inclined surface

5.2.5. Lock slot 5.2.6. Latch

5.2.6.1 . Latch pin

5.2.6.2. Latch spring

5.2.6.3. Cam

5.2.6.4. Activation tip

5.2.6.5. Support surface

5.2.6.6. Valve

5.2.7. Blocking element

5.2.7.1. Spring

5.2.7.2. Lock key

X. Joint axis

F. Closing direction

L. Longitudinal axis

A. Lock direction

M. Mounting direction

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cabinet-furniture piece (1) in which a folding door (2) is held in the open position over the cabin body (3). Said folding door (2) comprises of two doors (2.1 , 2.2). The first door-upper door (2.1) from the doors (2.1 , 2.2) is connected to the cabin roof (3.1) with a standard hinge. The second door-bottom door (2.2) from the doors (2.1 ,2.2) is connected to the first door (2.1) by means of the hinge (5) that is the subject of the invention and to a mechanism arm (4.1) rotatably connected to an opening/closing mechanism (4) mounted on the cabin side wall (3.2).

The hinge (5), which is the subject of the invention, allows the second door (2.2) to be connected to the first door (2.1) after the first door (2.1) is mounted to the cabinet (1) during the mounting stage of the folding door (2) to the cabinet (1), facilitating the mounting process of the folding door (2). Thus, hanging the second door (2.2) to the first door (2.1) without using any tool is provided by the hinge (5) that is the subject of the invention.

In Figure 2, a perspective view of the hinge (5) that is the subject of the invention is given. Said hinge (5) is used in such a way as to make an articulation movement between the doors (2.1, 2.2), and comprises of two hinge parts, a first hinge part (5.1) to be mounted to the first door (2.1) and a second hinge part (5.2) to be mounted to the second door (2.2). In Figure 2, the hinge (5) is shown in such a way that the first hinge part (5.1) is mounted to the second hinge part (5.2). The first hinge part (5.1) is rotatably mounted to the second hinge part (5.2) about a joint axis (X).

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the hinge (5) of Figure 2. The first hinge part (5.1) comprises a hinge arm (5.1.1) and a mounting base (5.1.2). Said hinge arm (5.1.1) is connected to the mounting base (5.1.2) in an adjustable manner. The mounting base (5.1.2) comprises of a mounting plate (5.1.2.1) and a mounting body (5.1.2.2) with a height relative to the mounting plate (5.1.2.1). The mounting plate (5.1.2.1) is arranged on both sides of the mounting body

(5.1.2.2) relative to the longitudinal axis (L) of the hinge (5). The mounting plate (5.1.2.1) comprises two mounting holes (5.1.2.3). The mounting plate (5.1.2.1) is connected to the first door (2.1) with screws through mounting holes (5.1.2.3). The mounting body (5.1.2.2) comprises a connection channel (5.1.2.4) at one end. The hinge arm (5.1.1) is connected in an adjustable manner to the mounting base (5.1.2) with a connecting screw (5.1.1.1) via a connection hole (5.1.1.2) and a connection channel (5.1.2.4). Said connecting screw (5.1.1.1) ensures that the hinge arm (5.1.1) is adjusted in depth with respect to the mounting base

(5.1.2). Thus, depth adjustment of the two doors (2.1 ,2.2) relative to each other can be made in the depth (z) direction.

The mounting body (5.1.2.2) has adjustment tabs (5.1.2.5) close to its far end from the connection channel (5.1.2.4). An adjustment element (5.1.1.4) mates with these adjustment tabs (5.1.2.5) through an adjustment hole (5.1.1.3) of the hinge arm (5.1.1) and the hinge arm (5.1.1) is adjusted in the longitudinal axis (L) with respect to the mounting base (5.1.2). By means of said adjustment, the distance between the doors (2.1 , 2.2) can be adjusted in the vertical direction (x). The hinge arm (5.1.1) is connected to the mounting base (5.1.2) by means of a guide pin (5.1.1.5) from a region close to the end, via guide tracks (5.1.2.6) on both side walls of the mounting body (5.1.2.2). During the adjustment of the hinge arm (5.1.1) in the longitudinal direction (L) with respect to the mounting base (5.1.2), the guide pin (5.1.1.5) follows these guide tracks (5.1.2.6).

The hinge arm (5.1.1) comprises a guide element (5.1.1.6) for connection to the second hinge part (5.2) in a region close to its other end. Said guide element (5.1.1.6) is supported on two mutually positioned arms (5.1.1.7) of the hinge arm (5.1.1). Said guide element (5.1.1.6) may be a pin. The distance between said arms (5.1.1.7) forms a hole and provides a movement area (5.1.1.8) for a body (5.2.1) of the second hinge part (5.2) during the rotation of the two hinge parts (5.1 , 5.2) relative to each other. Said movement area (5.1.1.8) is arranged to be wider than the thickness of the body (5.2.1). The second hinge part (5.2), whose exploded view is shown in Figure 3, comprises a mounting element (5.2.2). Said body (5.2.1) has a raised form compared to the mounting element (5.2.2). Said mounting element (5.2.2) comprises two connection slots (5.2.2.1) for the connection of the second hinge part (5.2) to the second door (2.2). The second hinge part (5.2) is mounted to the second door (5.2) with screws through these connection slots (5.2.2.1). The mounting element (5.2.2) has a mounting surface (5.2.2.2) to abut the first door (2.1) surface. The mounting element (5.2.2) comprises two stoppers (5.2.2.3) that protrude from the mounting surface (5.2.2.2). The stoppers (5.2.2.3) act as stoppers to align the mounting element (5.2.2) with the second door (2.2) during mounting of the second hinge part (5.2) to the second door

(2.2). When the stoppers (5.2.2.3) rest on the side wall of the second door (2.2), the second hinge part (5.2) is ready for being mounted on the second door (2.2). Figure 4 shows said stoppers (5.2.2.3) abutting against the side wall of the second door (2.2).

The second hinge part (5.2) comprises a guide slot (5.2.3). The guide slot (5.2.3) is arranged on said body (5.2.1). The connection of the first hinge part (5.1) to the second hinge part (5.2) is provided by the connection of the guide element (5.1.1.6) to the guide slot (5.2.3).

After the first hinge part (5.1) is mounted on the first door (2.1), and the second hinge element

(5.2) is mounted on the second door (2.2), said guide element (5.1.1.6) acts as a hanger for said guide slot (5.2.3) during the connection of the folding door (2). The second hinge part (5.2) comprises an inlet (5.2.4) that allows said guide element (5.1.1.6) to enter the guide slot (5.2.3). The guide slot (5.2.3) of the second hinge part (5.2) mounted to the second door (2.2) is hung on the guide element (5.1.1.6) through said inlet (5.2.4).

Said guide element (5.1.1.6) reaches a lock slot (5.2.5) by being guided along a lock direction (A) in the guide slot (5.2.3) of the second hinge part (5.2). Said guide element (5.1.1.6) is arranged here to rotate around a joint axis (X). With the rotation of the guide element (5.1.1.6) around the joint axis (X), the angle between the doors (2.1 , 2.2) increases and decreases. As the angle between the doors (2.1 , 2.2) connected by the hinge (5) decreases, the doors

(2.1.2.2) open, and the doors (2.1 , 2.2) are closed as the angle increases and the doors

(2.1 ,2.2) become parallel.

Said second hinge part (5.2) comprises a latch (5.2.6). Said latch (5.2.6) is rotatably connected to the second hinge part (5.2) in a latch slot (5.2.1.1) arranged on the body (5.2.1). Said latch (5.2.6) is connected to the second hinge part (5.2) with a latch pin (5.2.6.1). Said latch (5.2.6) is arranged in the latch slot (5.2.1.1) so that it can be adjusted between two positions where it opens and closes said inlet (5.2.4). Said second hinge part (5.2) further comprises a latch spring (5.2.6.2) which is supported in the latch slot (5.2.1.1) and exerts pressure on the latch (5.2.6). Said latch (5.2.6) can keep the inlet (5.2.4) in the open position and in the closed position, by means of this latch spring (5.2.6.2).

Said latch (5.2.6) further comprises an activation tip (5.2.6.4), a cam (5.2.6.3) and a valve

(5.2.6.6). Said activation tip (5.2.6.4) is activated manually or by the first hinge part (5.1). When the latch (5.2.6) is in the open position as shown in Figure 7, the activation tip (5.2.6.4) is arranged to be outside of the body (5.2.1). Pressure is created between the latch spring (5.2.6.2) and the cam (5.2.6.3) by moving the activation tip (5.2.6.4). By means of said pressure, the valve (5.2.6.6) rotates in said latch slot (5.2.1.1) and closes the inlet (5.2.4) as shown in Figure 9. The latch (5.2.6) further comprises a support surface (5.2.6.5). Said support surface (5.2.6.5) is arranged to be in contact with the latch spring (5.2.6.2). The contact of the latch spring (5.2.6.2) with the support surface (5.2.6.5) ensures that the latch (5.2.6) maintains the above-mentioned open or closed position by taking the compression force transmitted by the latch spring (5.2.6.2). Said support surface (5.2.6.5) is formed at the end farthest from the centre of the cam (5.2.6.3).

Said second hinge element (5.2) is arranged to allow the guide element (5.1.1.6) of the first hinge part (5.1) to pass through the inlet (5.2.4). Said guide element (5.1.1.6) is guided from said inlet (5.2.4) to a guide slot (5.2.3) along a mounting direction (M). The inlet (5.2.4) comprises an inclined surface (5.2.4.1). By means of the inclined surface (5.2.4.1), the guide element (5.1.1.6) can easily pass into the guide slot (5.2.3). The guide element (5.1.1.6) that reaches to the guide slot (5.2.3) by entering through the inlet (5.2.4) is guided in a lock direction (A) and reaches to a lock slot (5.2.5) by overcoming a blocking element (5.2.7). Said blocking element (5.2.7) is arranged on the second hinge part (5.2) and movable relative to the second hinge part (5.2). When the guide element (5.1.1.6) presses the blocking element (5.2.7) in the lock direction (A), the blocking element (5.2.7) moves to the open position and the guide element (5.1.1.6) reaches the lock slot (5.2.5). By returning the blocking element (5.2.7) into its original position (closed position), the guide element (5.1.1.6) is prevented from leaving the lock slot (5.2.5) against the lock direction (A).

In Figure 4 to Figure 10, mounting images of the assembly of the doors (2.1 , 2.2) of the folding door (2) with the hinge (5) are given. The inlet (5.2.4) of the second hinge part (5.2) have two positions as open position and closed position according to the position of the latch (5.2.6).

In Figure 4, the image of the hinge (5) of the invention in which the guide slot (5.2.3) of the second hinge part (5.2) is hung on the guide element (5.1.1.6) of the first hinge part (5.1) mounted on the first door (2.1) via the inlet (5.2.4), in order to assemble the doors (2.1 ,2.2).

In Figure 5, a side section view is given where the first hinge part (5.1) and the second hinge part (5.2) are mounted in order to connect the doors (2.1 , 2.2) (Doors (2.1 , 2.2) are not shown). The inlet (5.2.4) of the second hinge part (5.2) is in the open position. The guide element (5.1.1 .6) passes through the inlet (5.2.4) along the mounting direction (M) and ensures that the second hinge part (5.2) is hung on the first hinge part (5.1). Thus, the second door (2.2) is hung on the first door (2.1).

The guide element (5.1.1.6) passing through the inlet (5.2.4) along the mounting direction (M) can be guided along the lock direction (A) in the guide slot (5.2.3), as shown in Figure 6. The guide element (5.1.1.6) is guided in the lock direction (A) and with the pressure it applies to the blocking element (5.2.7), takes the blocking element (5.2.7) into the open position and thus the guide element (5.1 .1 .6) reaches to the lock slot (5.2.5). When the blocking element (5.2.7) reaches to the lock slot (5.2.5) of the guide element (5.1.1.6), it switches back to the closed position and the guide element (5.1.1.6) is locked in the lock slot (5.2.5). Said guide element (5.1.1 .6) is able to make rotational movement in the lock slot (5.2.5) in the joint axis (X). Figure 7 shows the image where the guide element (5.1.1.6) is locked in the lock slot (5.2.5).

Said locking is done by pushing the second hinge part (5.2) relative to the first hinge part (5.1) in the lock direction (A) and by means of the blocking element (5.2.7). By pushing the doors (2.1 ,2.2) in the closing direction (F), the guide element (5.1.1.6) moves in the guide slot (5.2.3) in the lock direction (A), goes beyond the blocking element (5.2.7) and reaches into the lock slot (5.2.5). Said blocking element (5.2.7) comprises a lock key (5.2.7.2) and a spring (5.2.7.1). Said lock key (5.2.7.2) is made of a flexible material and/or is supported by said spring

(5.2.7.1). Said spring (5.2.7.1) may be a helical spring. The spring (5.2.7.1) is placed in the inner chamber of the lock key (5.2.7.2) and one end of the spring (5.2.7.1) rests on a bearing surface (5.2.1.2) in the body (5.2.1). The other end of the spring (5.2.7.1) rests in the inner chamber of the lock key (5.2.7.2). Said lock key (5.2.7.2) flexes into the open position by means of the spring (5.2.7.1) by pushing the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the lock direction (A) and it allows the guide element (5.1.1.6) to pass into the lock slot (5.2.5) and then returns to its original position, that is, to the closed position. In the closed position, the tip of the lock key

(5.2.7.2) narrows the guide slot (5.2.3), preventing the guide element (5.1.1.6) from coming out of the guide slot (5.2.3) from being released. In Figure 6, the guide element (5.1.1.6) moves in the lock direction (A) in the guide slot (5.2.3) by applying force to the second door (2.2) in the closing direction (F). The visualisation of the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the lock slot (5.2.5) is given in Figure 7.

The hinge (5), which is the subject of the invention, can also be arranged to prevent hand or finger jamming between the doors (2.1 ,2.2). Since the hinge (5) arranged between the doors (2.1 , 2.2) provides an articulation movement, there is always a movement gap between the doors (2.1 , 2.2). For this reason, there is a risk of jamming of the user's hand, finger or any other object entering the gap between the doors (2.1 ,2.2). If the user's finger or any object enters between the doors (2.1 , 2.2), a force is created by which the doors push each other. With the force created, the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the lock slot (5.2.5) moves the blocking element (5.2.7) into the open position by applying pressure to the blocking element (5.2.7) against the lock direction (A) and the guide element (5.1.1.6) exits the lock slot (5.2.5) and enters the free position in the guide slot (5.2.3). The released guide element (5.1.1.6) moves in the guide slot (5.2.3) against the lock direction (A) and the gap between the doors (2.1 , 2.2) widens. Thus, the user's hand or finger is not jammed between the doors (2.1 , 2.2). When the guide element (5.1.1.6) is in its free position, it can still be guided in the guide slot (5.2.3) in the lock direction (A) or vice versa.

With the release of the guide element (5.1.1.6), if the inlet (5.2.4) is in the open position as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, there is a risk of the second door (2.2) falling apart from the first door (2.1). For this reason, it is preferred that the inlet (5.2.4) of the second hinge part

(5.2) remains closed. Said inlet (5.2.4) is closed and opened with said latch (5.2.6). Said latch (5.2.6) is arranged to automatically close said inlet (5.2.4) during the mounting of the doors

(2.1.2.2). The transition of said latch (5.2.6) to the position where it closes the inlet (5.2.4) occurs during the mounting when the doors (2.1 , 2.2) are attached to the cabinet (1).

As shown in Figure 8, when said inlet (5.2.4) is in the open position, the activation tip (5.2.6.4) of the latch (5.2.6) stays outside the latch slot (5.2.1.1) and comes out of the body (5.2.1). Closing the inlet (5.2.4) is done by pushing the activation tip (5.2.6.4) into the latch slot (5.2.1.1). By moving the doors (2.1 , 2.2) in the closing direction (F) during mounting, the activation tip (5.2.6.4) is pushed into the latch slot (5.2.1.1) by turning it approaching to the mounting surface (5.2.2.2) by means of a pressure element (5.1.1.9) on the hinge arm (5.1.1). Thus, as shown in Figure 9, the activation tip (5.2.6.4) comes into the body (5.2.1) and the valve (5.2.6.6) ensures that the inlet (5.2.4) is closed automatically. When the inlet (5.2.4) is closed by the latch (5.2.6), in case a finger and/or a hand being jammed between the doors (2.1 , 2.2), while the guide element (5.1.1.6) comes out of the lock slot (5.2.5) and is released in the guide slot (5.2.3), the second door (2.2) is prevented from falling from the first door (2.1).

The reason why the latch (5.2.6) stays in this position after it is in the closed position is because the support surface (5.2.6.5) and the latch spring (5.2.6.2) are in contact. Said valve (5.2.6.6) is configured to make a sound when it closes the inlet (5.2.4). Thus, the user can understand that the inlet (5.2.4) is closed by hearing a sound. Said latch (5.2.6) can also be operated manually.

The user can push the manual activation tip (5.2.6.4) towards the mounting surface (5.2.2.2) so that said inlet (5.2.4) is closed with the valve (5.2.6.6). In the currently used hinges, both doors are hinged to each other during mounting and then attached to the cabinet together. At least two people are required for mounting, as it is not possible for one person to perform this operation and to mount it in the cabinet due to the heavy cabinet doors. In this case, mounting becomes difficult. By means of the hinge (5), which is the subject of the invention, the doors (2.1 , 2.2) can be mounted separately to the cabin (3). In this way, the need for two people for the mounting is eliminated. By means of the hinge (5), which is the subject of the invention, mounting can be done practically by a single person.

The mounting steps of the hinge (5), which is the subject of the invention, are described below, respectively.

First, the user mounts the first hinge part (5.1) to the first door (2.1). Then, the first door (2.1) is moved and mounted to the cabinet (1) by means of a standard hinge.

Secondly, the user mounts the second hinge part (5.2) to the second door (2.2). Then, the second door (2.2) is moved and hung on the first door (2.1). In Figure 4, the image of the guide slot (5.2.3) of the second hinge part (5.2) being hung on the guide element (5.1.1.6) of the first hinge part (5.1 ) by means of the inlet (5.2.4) is given. Here the guide element (5.1 .1.6) acts as a hanger for the guide slot (5.2.3).

Thirdly, the user pushes the second door (2.2) in the closing direction (F) and moves the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the guide slot (5.2.3) in the lock direction (A) as in Figure 6. Then, the guide element (5.1.1.6) is locked by coming to the lock slot (5.2.5), which is the target point, as in Figure 7. Said locking become possible by the guide element (5.1.1.6) pushing the blocking element (5.2.7) and taking it to the open position and by the blocking element (5.2.7) returning to its original closed position by means of the flexible material structure and/or the spring (5.2.7.1) when the guide element (5.1.1.6) enters the lock slot (5.2.5).

According to the mentioned steps, the inlet (5.2.4) is still in the open position. Fourth, by closing the folding door (2) by the user, a pressure element (5.1.1.9) of the hinge arm (5.1.1) pushes the activation tip (5.2.6.4) as shown in Figure 8. Thus, the latch (5.2.6) brings the inlet (5.2.4) into the closed position as shown in Figure 9. The user can understand that the inlet (5.2.4) is closed by the sound of the latch (5.2.6) during automatic closing.

In Figure 10, after the mounting steps are completed, a cross-sectional image of the hinge (5) is given with the folding door (2) being closed (folding door is not shown in the image). When the folding door (2) is closed, the guide element (5.1.1.6) is in the lock position (5.2.5) and the latch (5.2.6) closes the inlet (5.2.4). The support surface (5.2.6.7) and the latch spring (5.2.6.2) of the latch (5.2.6) are in contact. Thus, the closed position at which the latch (5.2.6) stops is maintained.

Claims

CLAIMS A hinge (5) for an articulated connection of two doors (2.1 , 2.2) with each other in cabinets (1) with folding doors (2) comprising

- a first hinge part (5.1) for being mounted to one of the doors (2.1 ,2.2),

- a second hinge part (5.2) for being mounted to the other of the doors (2.1 , 2.2), characterized in that;

- one of the hinge parts (5.1 , 5.2) comprises a guide slot (5.2.3) which is adapted to receive a guide element (5.1.1.6) of the other hinge part (5.1,5.2) and to guide it along a lock direction (A) and when the guide element (5.1.1.6) reaches a lock slot (5.2.5) to hold said guide element (5.1.1.6) in said lock slot (5.2.5), such that the two hinge parts (5.1, 5.2) can rotate relative to each other. A hinge (5) according to Claim 1 , comprising an inlet (5.2.4) that guides said guide element (5.1.1.6) into the guide slot (5.2.3) along a mounting direction (M). A hinge (5) according to Claim 2, wherein said mounting direction (M) extends at an angle with respect to said lock direction (A) and/or forms a curved form. A hinge (5) according to any of the preceding Claims, comprising a blocking element (5.2.7) which can lock the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the lock slot (5.2.5) without tools and which can prevent the movement of the guide element (5.1.1.6) from the lock slot (5.2.5) in the opposite to the lock direction (A). A hinge (5) according to Claim 4, wherein said blocking element (5.2.7) can be opened without tools and the said guide element (5.1.1.6) moves from the lock slot (5.2.5) to a free position where the two hinge parts (5.1, 5.2) can move relative to each other, by moving opposite to the lock direction (A). A hinge (5) according to Claims 4 or 5, wherein said blocking element (5.2.7) is provided in the second hinge part (5.2) and is movable relative to the second hinge part (5.2) and can lock said guide element (5.1.1.6) in the lock slot (5.2.5), and can move the guide element (5.1.1.6) from the lock slot (5.2.5) to the free position. A hinge (5) according to Claims 4 to 6, wherein said blocking element (5.2.7) is a flexible material and/or supported by a spring (5.2.7.1) and said blocking element (5.2.7) is adapted to lock the guide element (5.1.1.6) into the lock slot (5.2.5) by means of that the guide element (5.1.1.6) applies a force against the blocking element (5.2.7) in the lock direction (A), and/or to move the guide element (5.1.1.6) from the lock slot (5.2.5) to a free position where the two hinge parts (5.1 , 5.2) can move relative to each other, by means of that the guide element (5.1.1.6) applies a force against the blocking element (5.2.7) in the opposite direction of the lock direction (A). A hinge (5) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said mounting direction (M) is opposite to the gravity direction during mounting. A hinge (5) according to any of the preceding Claims, comprising a latch (5.2.6) which is arranged to be rotatable with respect to the second hinge part (5.2) and to be adjustable between a first position in which the latch (5.2.6) closes said inlet (5.2.4) and a second position in which the latch (5.2.6) opens said inlet (5.2.4). A hinge (5) according to Claim 9, wherein said latch (5.2.6) can be switched from the first position to the second position and/or from the second position to the first position without tools. A hinge (5) according to Claims 9 or 10, wherein said latch (5.2.6) is adapted to keep said inlet (5.2.4) in a closed position with a latch spring (5.2.6.2) and to open said inlet (5.2.4) when the force of said latch spring (5.2.6.2) is exceeded and/or keep said inlet (5.2.4) in the open position with a latch spring (5.2.6.2) and to close said inlet (5.2.4) when the force of said latch spring (5.2.6.2) is exceeded. A hinge (5) according to Claims 9 to 11 , wherein said latch (5.2.4) comprises an activation tip (5.2.6.4) and a valve (5.2.6.6) and said second hinge part (5.2) comprises a mounting surface (5.2.2.2) for abutting the first door (2.1) surface, and said valve (5.2.6.6) is adapted to close said inlet (5.2.4) by turning said activation tip (5.2.6.4) so that it approaches to the mounting surface (5.2.2.2) and said valve (5.2.6.6) is adapted to open said inlet (5.2.4) by turning said activation tip (5.2.6.4) away from the mounting surface (5.2.2.2). A hinge (5) according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said first hinge part (5.1) comprises a hinge arm (5.1.1) on which said guide element (5.1.1.6) is provided and comprises away from the guide element (5.1.1.6), a mounting base (5.1.2) which is adapted to attach said hinge arm (5.1.1) to the first door (2.1) and said hinge arm (5.1.1) can be adjusted relative to said mounting base (5.1.2). Method for an articulated connection of two doors (2.1 , 2.2) to each other by means of a hinge (5) in cabinets (1) with folding doors (2), comprising the steps of:

- securing a first hinge part (5.1) of the hinge (5) to a first door (2.1) connected to the cabin (3);

- securing a second hinge part (5.2) of the hinge (5) to a second door (2.2);

- inserting a guide element (5.1.1 .6) of the first hinge part (5.1) through an inlet (5.2.4) of the second hinge part (5.2) into a guide slot (5.2.3);

- pushing the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the guide slot (5.2.3) in a lock direction (A), overcoming the blocking force of a blocking element (5.2.7) and shifting the blocking element (5.2.7) to a open position;

- shifting said blocking element (5.2.7) to a closed position by the flexible material structure of the blocking element (5.2.7) and/or by the force of a spring (5.2.7.1) when the guide element (5.1.1.6) reaches a lock slot (5.2.5) in the guide slot (5.2.3); and

- blocking the movement of the guide element (5.1.1.6) in the guide slot (5.2.7) in the opposite direction of the lock direction (A). The method according to Claim 15, the method further comprising the step of closing said inlet (5.2.4) with a latch (5.2.6) by pushing the second piece of furniture (5.2) in a closing direction (F) and/or by manually while said guide element (5.1.1.6) is blocked in the lock slot (5.2.6).