ES2942728T3 - Snap hinge with damping device - Google Patents

Abstract

A spring hinge (1) with a damping device, comprises a hinge arm (4) extended along a predominant longitudinal direction (X-X) and a hinge cup (3) connected by means of first articulated connection means ( 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to reversibly change from a closed hinge configuration to an open hinge configuration, the hinge also comprises leaf springs (30) acting between the hinge cup and the hinge ( 3) to cause a rapid closing of the hinge (1) and a damping device (2) to generate a braking action to slow down the approach movement between the cup (3) and the hinge (4), advantageously both said leaf springs ( 30) as said damping device (2), the hinge arm (4) arranged side by side in parallel to each other along said longitudinal direction (X-X) is placed underneath so as not to overlap each other in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal sides. (4b) of said hinge arm (4).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Snap hinge with damping device

field of invention

The present invention relates to a pressure hinge with a damping device according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular but not exclusively a pressure hinge intended to be used in furniture to support the doors and guide the mobile doors in their opening and closing movement.

Background of the invention

As is known, pressure hinges are widely used to allow the opening and closing of furniture doors and gates and comprise a cup-shaped part to be embedded fixed to the furniture door, a hinge arm hooked to a plate of fixing for hinges intended to be fixed to a shoulder of the piece of furniture, articulation means for connecting the hinge arm and the hinge cup to each other in an operatively connected manner and elastic means for ensuring the snap closure of the hinge, thus preventing it from doors from opening by themselves in an unwanted way.

In the furniture industry, it is increasingly necessary to have hinges with standard shapes and sizes that: - are capable of correctly supporting the doors, both statically and during opening and closing movements,

- are capable of guaranteeing an effective pressure closing of the doors even after a high and repeated number of operating cycles and

- they allow the hinge arm to be removed from the furniture shoulder without having to move the fixing base of the furniture shoulder.

This last aspect, that is to say, the possibility of disengaging the hinge arm from the fixing base, is essential to allow the door to be removed from the furniture shoulder without losing the positioning settings of the door with respect to the furniture shoulder itself.

In addition to satisfying the requirements listed above, today it is considered very necessary that during the closing movement of the hinge the return action exerted by the elastic means implies a closing with flapping of the door, since this is not desired by the end users.

In order to satisfy even this last need, the solution of equipping the hinges with special damping devices capable of damping and slowing down the closing movement of the doors has been accepted.

Basically it is required that the furniture door has a sudden closing movement due to the elastic return action exerted by the elastic means during the closing movement of the hinge and, at the same time, we want the closing movement of the door to be braked, that is, slowed down, by the action of a damper, to prevent the door from slamming shut.

Generally, the dampers used are of the fluid-damped piston type and can be fixed to the furniture in such positions that they can be directly activated by the doors during the last stretch of their closing movement. This solution, however simple and effective it may be, is penalized by the negative aesthetic impact due to the presence of the dampers that remain visible, even if they are inside the furniture. In addition, the application of these dampers to furniture implies the need to carry out new drilling and assembly operations with respect to those generally required.

To overcome the mentioned problems, attempts have been made to integrate the dampers into the hinge, by fixing the fluid dampers directly to the hinge arm, for example as described and shown in US 2004/0205935.

Although appreciable in terms of the damping achieved, fixing the damper to the hinge arm is not practical, as it requires shaping the hinge arm to make it suitable for fixing with the damper, as well as not very firm, since that offers a fixing point distanced from the shoulder of the furniture to which the hinge arm is fixed by means of the fixing plate.

Other solutions consist of placing the damper inside the hinge arm, so that it is not visible from the outside. However, these solutions provide for an increase in the dimensions of the hinge arm in length and/or height, in order to be able to contain both the damper and the components of the damper drive mechanism within the arm.

For example, the document EP 3290624 B1 provides for the placement of a linear damper under the hinge arm, so that the free end of the damper stem acts on the helical spring that acts between the arm and the hinge.

cup to determine snap closure. This solution is unsatisfactory, since it determines a greater volume in the

longitudinal length of the hinge arm to house inside it a damper whose size cannot be reduced too much so as not to lose effectiveness. In particular, the hinge according to the previous document EP 3290624 B1

requires increasing the length of the hinge arm, in order to avoid interference with the more advanced of the two

set screws on the upper side of the hinge arm.

CN 106761096-A refers to a pressure hinge with a damping device comprising a spring arm

hinge extended in a longitudinal direction and under which a coil spring and a damper are housed, wherein said damper is positioned along said longitudinal direction of said hinge arm to act with one end against the coil portion of the coil spring .

It is therefore evident that nowadays the need is felt to have a snap hinge equipped with a substantially retractable damper having contained dimensions and overall dimensions, substantially

same as those of a standard hinge without a damper, particularly in terms of overall dimensions

inside height and length of the hinge arm.

Summary of the invention

The underlying problem of the present invention is that of conceiving a pressure hinge with a damping device that has structural and functional characteristics such that it allows damping in the sudden closing movement of a hinge and that it satisfies the aforementioned requirements, in particular as regards That

refers to the containment of the height and width dimensions of the hinge arm and the dimensions of the hinge cup.

This problem is solved by a snap hinge with a damping device according to claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

Other Features and Benefits of the Fixing Plate and Snap Hinge with Damping Device

for furniture according to the present invention will result from the description given below of some preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached Figures, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the invention in a complete open configuration with

a fixing plate;

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the hinge of Figure 1 without the safety plate;

- Figure 3a is a view in longitudinal section of the hinge of - Figure 2 in open configuration;

- Figure 3b is a view in longitudinal section of the hinge of Figure 2 in an intermediate configuration between the open configuration and the closed configuration;

- Figure 3c is a view in longitudinal section of the hinge of Figure 2 in closed configuration;

Figure 4 is a perspective view only of the cup, the upper link, the lower link, the elastic means and the damping device of the hinge of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view only of the upper link, the lower link, the elastic means and the damping device of the hinge of Figures 1 and 2;

- Figures 6a and 6b are respective exploded perspective views only of the elastic means and of the damping device of the hinge of Figures 1 and 2 from two different points of view,

- Figures 7 and 8 are two respective perspective views in partial exploded view of different assembly stages of

the hinge of figures 1 and 2,

- Figures 9a, 9b and 9c are plan views in longitudinal section of the hinge according to the invention according to

a second embodiment thereof respectively in open, intermediate and closed configuration;

- Figure 10 is a perspective view only of the cup, the upper link, the lower link, the support, the elastic means and the damping device of the hinge according to the second embodiment in open configuration;

- Figure 11 is a perspective view only of the cup, the upper link, the lower link, the support, the elastic means and the damping device of the hinge according to the second embodiment in closed configuration;

Figures 12 and 13 are partially exploded perspective views of the support, of the elastic means and of the damping device of the hinge according to the second embodiment, with the stem more extracted and respectively more embedded in the body of the damping device.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the aforementioned figures 1 to 8, numeral 1 generally indicates a snap hinge with a damping device for opening and closing a furniture door (not shown) according to the invention.

Hinge 1 comprises:

- a hinge cup 3 designed to be embedded secured in a circular hole obtained in the internal part of a furniture door;

- a fixing plate 7 to be fixed to a shoulder of the piece of furniture;

- a hinge arm 4 extending along a prevailing longitudinal direction X-X and intended to be fixed to the shoulder of the piece of furniture by means of a removable coupling with said fixing plate 7

- first articulated connection means adapted to articulately connect 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 a rear end 8 of the hinge cup 3 to a front end 5 of the hinge arm 4, so that the hinge cup 3 and the hinge arm 4 mutually articulate to pass reversibly from an open hinge configuration (figures 1, 2 and 3a) to a closed hinge configuration (figure 3c), and vice versa, in which the door supported by the hinge it is open and closed, respectively, with respect to the remaining part of the piece of furniture, and - elastic means 30 adapted to the mentioned closed hinge configuration (figure 3c) at least during a last section of the movement from the open hinge configuration (figures 1 ,2 and 3a) to the closed hinge configuration (figure 3c).

It should be noted that, according to a preferred embodiment, the connection of the hinge arm 4 to the underlying fixing plate 7 takes place with the interposition of an intermediate base (not shown), it being however possible to provide a direct fixing of the hinge arm. hinge to the base or, even, according to another embodiment not shown, it is possible to provide a direct fixing of the hinge arm to the shoulder of the piece of furniture. In the latter case, the hinge arm is provided with appropriate flanges with through-slots for fixing screws.

Conventionally, the hinge 1 is provided with centering and adjustment elements by means of which it is possible:

- ensure the clamping and correct positioning of the hinge arm 4 with respect to the underlying clamping plate 7, as well as

- recording the position of the hinge arm 4 with respect to the security plate 7 in the longitudinal direction X-X along which the hinge arm itself extends. Since the aforementioned hooking means and the centering and adjustment elements are well known to those skilled in the art, it is avoided in the context of the present description to proceed to a detailed description thereof.

In the example, the hinge arm 4 takes the form of a C-shaped profile section, having a predetermined longitudinal axis X-X, formed by a flat upper wall 4a from which two respective and opposite longitudinal sides 4b extend.

As can be seen in the figures, when the hinge arm 4 is in contact with the underlying security plate 7, the open side of the C-shaped section is oriented towards the security plate 7 itself. This conformation of the hinge arm 4 is as follows This conformation of the hinge arm 4 is completely conventional for a person skilled in the art.

As regards the aforementioned intermediate base (not shown), it should be noted that it is preferably shaped so as to fit into the "C" identified by the hinge arm 4, forming an appropriately shaped coupling with it to allow the hinge arm 4 can carry out a relevant limited displacement in the aforementioned longitudinal direction X-X with respect to the intermediate base. As previously described, the correct positioning of the hinge arm 4 with respect to the underlying fixing plate 7 is obtained by suitably acting on the aforementioned centering and adjustment elements, accessible from the upper flat wall 4a of the hinge arm ( see the two transverse screw heads 39).

The hinge cup part 3 extends as an extension of the hinge arm 4 in the aforementioned axial direction X-X from the rear end 8 and is identified by a bottom 9 from which the side walls extend vertically.

Preferably, according to a construction standard, the hinge cup 3 has such dimensions that it can be housed in a hole having a diameter of 35 mm or, alternatively, it is possible that the hinge cup has such dimensions that it can be housed in a hole having a diameter of 26 mm, with hole diameter values equal to 26 mm or 35 mm being universally used today. More specifically, the hinge cup 3 has in the direction of the X-X axis along which the hinge arm 4 extends a length equal to the measurement indicated above, while in the transverse Y-Y direction it is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. XX mentioned above, has an inner width defined between two opposite side walls 17 arranged substantially parallel to the X-X axis.

The hinge cup 3 has a front wall 21 which extends between the two opposite side walls 17 at its front end, ie the end opposite the rear end where it is hinged to the hinge arm 4.

In the examples shown, the hinge cup 3 is provided with an upper fixing lip 6 which passes in front of the hinge cup-shaped part and is provided with holes, in the example two, each of which is suitable to receive a respective fixing means, for example, a screw or an expansion plug, to ensure the fixing of the hinge cup 3 to the internal wall of the door. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the hinge cup may lack a fixing tab. Furthermore, the shape of the hinge cup 3 may differ from that of the example considered here.

In the shown embodiments, the aforementioned first articulated connection means 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 comprises:

- an upper link 11 pivoted to said hinge arm 4 and to said hinge cup 3 in correspondence of a first pin 13 and a second pin 15, respectively, which extend between said longitudinal sides 4b along a transverse direction Y-Y perpendicular to said longitudinal direction X-X and

- a lower connecting rod 12 pivoted to said hinge arm 4 and to said hinge cup 3 in correspondence with a third pin 14 and a fourth pin 16, respectively, which extend between said longitudinal sides 4b in said transverse direction Y-Y.

The elastic means 30 act in thrust between an integral part with the hinge arm and an integral part with one of the two aforementioned connecting rods 11, 12 to generate the aforementioned elastic return action that brings the hinge 1 to the configuration of aforementioned closure. According to the shown embodiment, the above-mentioned elastic means act:

- on a front portion of the hinge arm, in particular against the side of the upper flat wall 4a facing the underlying base 7 and

- on a portion 12b of the lower connecting rod 12 which is cam-shaped and is positioned in correspondence with the aforementioned fourth pin 16, the cam-shaping of the aforementioned portion 12b allows the elastic means to act in thrust only during the last portion of the closing movement of hinge 1.

The hinge 1 further comprises a damping device 2 comprising a body 18 and a connecting rod 19 which extend along said longitudinal direction X-X and which are operatively coupled to each other to identify a cylinder-piston group and to be mutually movable along along said longitudinal direction X-X in contrast to a relative braking action damping/motion contrast.

Therefore, the damping device 2 is provided on the hinge 1 in order to slow down the approach movement between the hinge cup 3 and the hinge arm 4 during the mentioned last portion of the closing movement of the hinge 1 when passing from the open hinge configuration to the closed hinge configuration,

The aforementioned damping device 2 is placed inside the hinge 1 in such a way that:

- be located under the hinge arm 4, more specifically under the upper flat wall 4a, taking care to identify as the lower part of the hinge arm 4 that which is located on the side of the upper flat wall 4a facing the underlying base 7 and

- extending in the longitudinal direction X-X from said front end 5 of the hinge arm 4.

According to the invention, both the aforementioned elastic means 30 and the damping device 2 are positioned under the hinge arm 4 so that they are arranged side by side parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction X-X, so as to be able to contain the entire length in the longitudinal direction X-X of the hinge arm 4. Compared to hinges without damper placed below the hinge arm, this allows the above-mentioned centering and adjustment elements to be accessible from the upper flat wall 4a of the hinge arm, can be removed from the front end 5 of the hinge arm 4, as well as not having to provide a greater distance between the aforementioned centering and adjustment elements.

As can be seen in the figures, the elastic means 30 and the damping device 2 are offset relative to each other in the aforementioned Y-Y transverse direction, so that they do not overlap each other in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal sides 4b of the hinge arm 4 .

The elastic means 30 extend, for a prevailing part thereof, in the longitudinal direction X-X from the front end 5 of the hinge arm 4.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic means 30 have a substantially U-shape comprising opposite arms 30a, extending in said longitudinal direction X-X, connected to each other by a central connection portion 30b, an arm 30a (specifically the upper arm) it acts as a push against the hinge arm 4, while the remaining arm (specifically the lower arm) acts as a push against the cam element 12a of the aforementioned lower link 12.

Preferably, the aforementioned central connection portion 30b is a curvilinear connection portion between the two arms 30a and is not helical in shape.

Preferably, the elastic means 30 are arranged side by side in parallel with the damping device 2 at least in correspondence with said central connection portion 30b.

According to the shown embodiment, the free end of the arms 30a is placed in proximity to the said front end 5 of the hinge arm 4, while the said central connecting portion 30b is placed further back with respect to the said front end 5.

Preferably, the aforementioned elastic means is a leaf spring 30.

According to the embodiment shown, the hinge 1 in the aforementioned transverse direction YY comprises, successively staggered, a damping device 2 interposed between two different leaf springs 30 . This configuration has proven to be advantageous, since it is well balanced, thus avoiding that the presence of an odd number of springs on a single side causes imbalances or irregularities in the operation of the hinge.

In any case, it is possible to provide other configurations, for example, with a single spring. If there is only one spring, a leaf spring and a damping device are displaced relative to each other successively in the Y-Y transverse direction.

The damping device 2 has two opposite head ends 19a, 20a in the longitudinal direction X-X respectively identified:

- from the free end of the head 19a of the portion of the stem 19 protruding from the body 18 and

- from the end 18a of the body 18 opposite the end of the body 18 from which the stem 19 emerges.

It is evident that an exit or an introduction of the stem 19 from/into said body 18 determines an increase or decrease in the measurable longitudinal distance between the opposite head ends 18a, 19a of the damping device 2 mentioned above.

The damping device 2 is supported and guided in the hinge 1 in such a way as to allow a reciprocal separation or approximation between the aforementioned opposite head ends 18a, 19a after a further departure or further retraction of the stem 19 from/inside said body. 18.

According to the shown embodiment, the hinge 1 comprises:

- a longitudinal stop integrated in the hinge arm 4 and acting on a first part of said damping device 2, selected between the body 18 and the stem 19, closest in the longitudinal direction X-X to the hinge cup 3, said longitudinal stop constituting a stop to limit the maximum longitudinal approach towards the hinge cup 3 allowed by the damping device 2 and

- a lever 31 for actuating the damping device 2 supported in rotation with the upper connecting rod 11 or with the lower connecting rod 12 and in kinematic coupling with a second part 18 of the damping device 2, selected between said body 18 and said connecting rod 19 most distant in the longitudinal direction X-X of the front end 5 of the hinge arm 4, since during the mentioned last portion of the closing movement of the hinge 1 when passing from the open hinge configuration to the closed hinge configuration, the rotation of the said lever 31 to actuate damping device 2 involves, as a consequence of the coupling, kinematic coupling performed by said lever 31 with said first part of said damping device 2, a dragging of the first part of damping device 2 along the longitudinal direction X-X approaching to the front end 5 of the hinge arm 4.

This determines a consequent reversible reciprocal approach between the opposite head ends 18a, 19a of the damping device 2 for the further insertion of the rod 19 into the body 18, since a further advance in the longitudinal direction of the damping device 2 towards the hinge cup 3 is prevented by the presence of the aforementioned longitudinal stop.

According to the depicted embodiment:

- the damping device 2 is positioned in the axial direction X-X so that the rod 19 rotates towards the hinge cup 3;

- the aforementioned longitudinal stop acts on the rod 19, preferably it acts on the free end of the head 19a of said rod 19 to prevent a greater longitudinal approach of the damping device 2 to the hinge cup 3 and

- the operating lever 31 acts on the body 18 hooking a part thereof, specifically a rim 18b with which said body 18 is specially provided.

Preferably, the mentioned longitudinal stop is identified by a portion of the first pin 13 that ensures the connection of the first connecting rod 11 to the hinge arm, or alternatively it can be identified by a component integral with said first pin 13 or directly integral/integral with it. hinge arm 4.

Preferably, the mentioned lever 31 for actuating the damping device 2 is integral in rotation with the lower link 12 and, preferably, has an axis of rotation coincident or parallel to said fourth pin 16 that ensures the connection of the lower link 12 to the control arm. hinge 4.

Analogously to what is shown in figures 3a, 3b and 3c, in this configuration of hinge 1 during the closing movement of hinge 1:

- the rod 19 remains fixed in substantial support against the aforementioned longitudinal stop which is specifically identified by the first pin 13, while

- the kinematic coupling that takes place between the actuation lever 31 and the body 18 causes the entire body 18 to come closer to the front end 5 of the hinge arm as a consequence of a greater insertion of the rod 19 in the body 18 in contrast to a braking action of the aforementioned insertion movement.

This determines an attenuation, that is to say a damping, of the closing effect of the hinge cup 3 towards the front end 5 of the hinge arm 4 determined by the presence and the force of the elastic means 30.

According to other embodiments:

- the mentioned longitudinal stop integrated in the hinge arm can act on the part of the damping device, chosen between said body and said rod, which is located furthest in the longitudinal direction from the front end of the hinge arm, in order to limit the distance maximum possible longitudinal of said damping device with respect to the front end of the hinge arm, and

- the aforementioned actuating lever of the damping device integrally supported in rotation by the upper connecting rod or the lower connecting rod is in kinematic coupling with a first part of the damping device, selected between the connecting rod and the body, closest in said longitudinal direction to the front end of said hinge arm.

In particular, figures 9a to 13 show a second embodiment of the hinge 1 according to the invention, the parts of which structurally and/or functionally correspond to those of the hinge 1 according to the first embodiment already described will be described in more detail. and will be marked with the same reference numbers.

In the hinge 1, according to this second embodiment (see figures 9a to 13), the damping device 2 is placed inside the hinge 1, extended in the axial direction X-X, so that the head end 18a of the body 18 is oriented towards the cup of the hinge 3.

The operating lever of the device 31 continues to act on the rim 18b of the aforementioned body 18 to bring the free end 18a of the body 18 closer to the hinge cup 3 during the last mentioned section of the closing movement of the hinge 1. when going from the open hinge configuration to the closed hinge configuration.

According to this second embodiment, the longitudinal stop integrated in the hinge arm is identified by a cross pin 40 supported by the opposite longitudinal sides 4b of the hinge arm 4. Said cross pin 40 is then integrally fixed to the rod 19, preferably in its head end 19a.

Therefore, in the second embodiment of the hinge 1 (see figures 9a to 13), the rod 19 of the damping device 2 is secured in the longitudinal direction X-X with respect to the hinge arm 4, so that, during the aforementioned last section of the closing movement of the hinge 1 when going from the open hinge configuration to the closed hinge configuration, the aforementioned actuating lever 31 integrally supported in rotation with the lower connecting rod 12 causes the longitudinal dragging X-X of the entire body 18 towards the hinge cup 3.

When switching from the open hinge configuration (see Fig. 9a) to the closed hinge configuration (see Fig. 9c), the measurable longitudinal distance between the opposite head ends 18a, 19a of the damping device 2 thus increases before mentioned, reason for which the damping device 2 according to the second embodiment of the hinge 1 is working in traction, that is, the relative movement of the connecting rod 19 with respect to the body 18 has to be braked at least during the exit from the connecting rod 19 from the body 18.

In the hinge 1 according to the invention, according to all the embodiments shown above, the stem 19 is preferably positioned so that its extension in the longitudinal direction XX is intersecting or tangent to the first pin 13.

Preferably, in the hinge 1 according to the invention, the aforementioned damping device 2 comprising the body 18 and the stem 19 is mounted on the edge of a rigid support 33 fixed to the hinge arm 4.

Preferably, the aforementioned rigid support 33 is attached to the hinge arm 4 by means of a fifth pin 34 extending in the Y-Y transverse direction between the opposite longitudinal sides 4b of the hinge arm 4.

Preferably, said rigid support 33 is shaped in such a way that it identifies a longitudinal base 38 to receive and guide sliding in the axial longitudinal direction X-X of said body 18.

Preferably, said rigid support 33 comprises a front cross member 35 that extends in the Y-Y transversal direction and is shaped to rest, preferably to embrace the first pin 13, the end of the damping device 2 facing towards the left being in contact with said front cross member 35. hinge cup.

Preferably, the mentioned rigid support 33 comprises positioning seats 37 to keep the elastic means 30 in position, so that said rigid support 33, said damping device 2 and said elastic means 30 identify a pre-assembled unit 36 ready to be inserted as a component unitary in the assembly of the hinge 1, as can be seen in figure 7 (an analogous situation is found with the hinge according to figures 9a to 13).

Therefore, the aforementioned elastic means 30 and the damping device 2 are mounted on the edge of the rigid support 33 which keeps them in the correct mutual positioning for their subsequent accommodation in the hinge.

In the hinge 1, therefore, a pre-assembled unit 36 is identified, which is designed to be inserted as a unitary component in the assembly of the hinge 1. Basically, in the assembly of the hinge 1, the pre-assembled unit 36 is positioned between the opposite longitudinal sides 4b of the hinge arm 4 before being fixed there by inserting the fifth pin 34.

The cylinder-piston assembly of the damping device 2 can be of the fluid type (for example, with air or oil) or with grease, it being possible to also use a cylinder-piston assembly of different types, for example, using an elastically deformable solid element.

Preferably, the cylinder-piston assembly of the damping device 2 comprises second elastic means (not shown) that act on the connecting rod 19 to push it with a predetermined elastic load towards the aforementioned advanced final stroke position, in which the connecting rod 19 protrudes more than the body 18 (see figures 3a, 5, 6a and 6b). In this regard, it should be noted that the aforementioned predetermined elastic load of said second elastic means is adequate to overcome the damping/braking action by contrast that is generated in the damping device 2 between the connecting rod 19 and the body 18, thus causing the reset. towards the advanced limit position of the stem 19 when no part of the hinge acts on it, for example, when the hinge is in the open configuration (see figure 3a).

Given the characteristics described above, the hinge 1 according to the invention is therefore a hinge of the damped type, in which, during the last section of the closing movement of the hinge 1 from the open hinge configuration (figures 1, 2, 3a ) up to the closed hinge configuration (figure 3c), the body 18 of the damping device 2 is actuated to move towards the free protruding end of the connecting rod 19, thus reaching the rear end stroke position of the connecting rod with respect to the body mentioned above, and stop the approximation of the reciprocal movement between the hinge cup 3 and the hinge arm 4.

During the use of the hinge 1, it was found that, during the last section of the closing movement of the hinge, the damping device 2 was capable of ensuring an effective damping/contrasting action capable of slowing down the closing movement of the hinge and of the supported door, thus preventing the door from slamming shut.

In particular, view 3a shows the hinge open condition. In this configuration:

- the free end of the rod 19 insists against the first pin 13 with the interposition of the aforementioned crosspiece 25 and

- the opposite longitudinal ends 18a and 19a of the damping device 2 are at the maximum permitted distance between them.

The view of figure 3b shows the instant in which the actuation arm 31 comes to act on the rim 18b of the body 18.

A new closing movement of the hinge 1 determines a longitudinal translation of the entire body 18 towards the front end 5 of the hinge arm, with the consequent greater insertion of the rod (which in this embodiment is stationary) in the body 18 that advances towards the free end.

As explained above, the aforementioned relative insertion movement of stem 19 into body 18 takes place in contrast to the desired damping braking action which extends until the hinge reaches the closed position shown in Figure 3C, in which that the longitudinal sections of the opposite ends 18a and 19a of the damping device 2 are at the minimum distance allowed by the geometry of the hinge.

As can be seen from what has been described, the snap hinge for furniture according to the present invention allows to meet the above requirements, while overcoming the drawbacks referred to in the introductory part of the present description with reference to the known art.

Indeed, the hinge according to the invention makes it possible to obtain excellent damping of the closing movement of the hinge, while having overall dimensions and external dimensions corresponding to those of a common furniture hinge without damping, and without penalizing the aesthetic appearance of the hinge. hinge due to the presence of the damping device.

Another advantage of the furniture hinge according to the present invention resides in the possibility of being able to contain the length of the hinge arm while maintaining the same degrees of adjustment as previously known hinges.

Another advantage of the furniture hinge according to the present invention resides in the possibility of being able to separate the hinge arm from the fixing plate, without the damping device being in the way.

In addition, the positioning of the damping device is such that it leaves maximum freedom of action both for the hooking means and for the aforementioned centering and adjustment elements of the hinge.

An even greater advantage of the furniture hinge according to the present invention resides in the unusual simplicity of construction and manufacture, as well as the possibility of using this hinge as a replacement part for furniture using standard hinges.

Claims (14)

1. A pressure hinge with a damping device, particularly for opening and closing furniture doors, said hinge (1) comprising: - a hinge cup (3) designed to be fixed to a furniture door, - a hinge arm (4) that extends in a predominant longitudinal direction (X-X) and is designed to be connected to a side wall of a piece of furniture, - first articulated connection means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to articulately connect a rear end (8) of the hinge cup (3) to a front end (5) of said arm hinge (4), said hinge cup (3) and said hinge arm (4) being articulately connected to reversibly pass from a closed hinge configuration to an open hinge state, and vice versa, wherein the door of the furniture is closed and open with respect to the rest of the furniture respectively and - elastic means (30) designed to operate between said hinge cup (3) and said hinge arm (4) to predispose said hinge (1) with a preset elastic load towards said closed hinge state during a final section of the movement of hinge closing from the hinge open configuration to the hinge closed configuration and - a damping device (2) having a body (18) and a rod (19) that extend in said longitudinal direction (X-X) and are operably associated with each other to define a cylinder-piston unit and are mutually movable in said direction longitudinal (X-X) against a braking action to damp/counteract their relative movement, said damping device (2) is positioned on said hinge (1) to reduce the speed of movement of said hinge cup (3) and said hinge arm (4) with each other during said final section of the closing movement of the hinge from the hinge-open configuration to the hinge-close configuration, wherein: - said hinge arm (4) comprises an upper wall (4a) from which respective opposite longitudinal sides (4b) extend, in said longitudinal direction (X-X); - said first articulated connection means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) comprise: - an upper connecting rod (11) pivoted to said hinge arm (4) and to said cup (3) on a first pin (13) and a second pin (15) respectively, which extend between said longitudinal sides (4b) in a transverse direction (Y-Y) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (X-X); - a lower connecting rod (12) pivoted to said hinge arm (4) and to said cup (3) on a third pin (14) and a fourth pin (16) respectively, which extend between said longitudinal sides (4b) on said transverse direction (Y-Y); - said damping device (2) is placed on said hinge in a position such that it is below said hinge arm (4) and extends in said longitudinal direction (X-X) from said front end (5) to said hinge arm (4); - said elastic means (30) and said damping device (2) are positioned under said hinge arm (4) in parallel positions side by side along said longitudinal direction (X-X) and - said elastic means (30) and said damping device (2) are offset relative to each other in said transverse direction (Y-Y) to be in a non-overlapping relationship in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal sides (4b) of said hinge arm (4 ) and characterized in that - said elastic means (30) are U-shaped and comprise opposite arms (30a), which extend in said longitudinal direction (X-X) and are connected by a central connection portion (30b), in which a free end of said arms (30a) is located close to said front end (5) of the hinge leaf (4), while said central connecting portion (30b) is positioned in a more retracted position with respect to said front end (5), and wherein said elastic means (30) and said damping device (2) are in a parallel position side by side along said longitudinal direction (X-X) at least in correspondence with said central connection portion (30b). A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic means (30): - are positioned at said front end (5) of said hinge arm (4) and - they comprise a leaf spring (30) extended in said longitudinal direction (X-X) for a prevailing part. A hinge as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said transverse direction (Y-Y) comprises, in successive offset positions: - a damping device (2) interposed between two different springs (30) or - a leaf spring and a damping device. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein: - on said damping device (2) two opposite ends (19a, 20a) are defined in said longitudinal direction (XX) which are respectively defined: - by the free end (19a) of the portion of said stem (19) protruding from said body (18) and - by the end (18a) of said body (18) which moves away from the end of said body (18) from which the stem (19) protrudes; - a movement of said stem (19) outwards or inwards of said body (18) causes the longitudinal distance between said opposite ends (18a, 19a) of said damping device (2) to increase or decrease and - said damping device (2) is supported and guided on said hinge (1) to allow said opposite ends (18a, 19a) to increase or decrease their mutual distance as a result of said stem (19) moving further out or towards inside said body (18), and wherein said hinge (3) comprises: - a longitudinal stop member, which is rigidly attached to said hinge arm (4) and acts on a first portion of said damping device (2), selected between said body (18) and said stem (19), closer to said hinge cup (3) in said longitudinal direction (X-X) to limit the maximum longitudinal travel of said damping device (2) towards said hinge cup (3) and - an actuating lever (31) for actuating said damping device (2), which is rigidly pivotally attached to said upper link (11) or to said lower link (12) and is kinematically coupled with a second portion of said damping device (2), selected between said body (18) and said rod (19) which is furthest from said front end (5) of said hinge arm (4) in said longitudinal direction (X-X), during said final section of movement closing mechanism of the hinge (1) from the open hinge configuration to the closed hinge configuration, the pivotal movement of said operating lever (31) causing said first portion of said damping device (2), as a result of said hooking kinematics of said operating lever (31) with said first portion of said damping device (2), to be driven in said longitudinal direction (X-X) towards said front end (5) of said hinge arm (4), thus reversibly changing the distance between said opposite ends (18a, 19a) of the damping device (2), a further longitudinal movement of said damping device (2) towards the hinge cup (3) being prevented by the longitudinal stop member. A hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein: - said damping device (2) is placed in said axial direction (X-X) in such a position that said stem (19) faces said hinge cup (3) and said longitudinal stop member acts on said stem (19) and preferably it acts on the free end (19a) of said stem (19) or alternatively - Said damping device (2) is placed in said axial direction (X-X) in such a position that said body (18) said hinge cup faces (3) and said longitudinal stop member (40) act on said body (18) , preferably to the free end (18a) of said body (18). A hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: - in said damping device (2) two opposite ends (19a, 20a) are defined in said longitudinal direction (X-X) which are respectively defined: - by the free end (19a) of the portion of said rod (19) protruding from said body (18) and - by the end (18a) of said body (18) facing outwards from the end of said body (18) having the stem (19) protruding therefrom; - a movement of said stem (19) outwards or inwards of said body (18) causes the longitudinal distance between said opposite ends (18a, 19a) of said damping device (2) to increase or decrease and - said damping device (2) is supported and guided on said hinge (1) to allow said opposite ends (18a, 19a) to increase or decrease their mutual distance as a result of said stem (19) moving further out or towards inside said body (18), and wherein said hinge (3) comprises: - a longitudinal stop member (40), which is rigidly attached to said hinge arm (4) and acts on a second portion of said damping device (2), selected between said body (18) and said rod (19), furthest from said front end (5) of said hinge arm (4) in said longitudinal direction (X-X) to fix the longitudinal position of said second portion of said damping device with respect to said hinge arm (4) and - an actuating lever (31), which is rigidly pivotally attached to said upper link (11) or to said lower link (12) and is kinematically coupled with a first portion of said damping device, selected between said stem and body, which is closest to said front end (5) of said hinge arm (4) in said longitudinal direction (X-X), during said final section of the closing movement of the hinge from the open hinge configuration to the closed hinge configuration, the pivotal movement of said operating lever causes said first portion of said damping device, as a result of said kinematic engagement of said actuating layer with said first portion of said damping device, is led in said longitudinal direction away from said front end of said hinge arm, thus reversibly changing the distance between said opposite ends (18a, 19a) of the damping device (2). A hinge as claimed in claim 6, wherein: - said damping device is placed in said axial direction in such a position that said stem faces said hinge cup and said longitudinal stop member acts on said body, and preferably acts on the free end of said body or alternatively - said damping device (2) is placed in said axial direction (X-X) in such a position that said body (18) faces said hinge cup (3) and said longitudinal stop member (40) acts on said stem (19 ), preferably on the free end (19a) of said stem. 8. A hinge as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein: - said longitudinal stop member is identified by a portion of said first pin (13) or by a component (40) that is rigidly attached to said first pin (13) or directly attached to/integral with said hinge arm (4) I - said drive lever (31) is rigidly pivotally attached to said lower link (12), preferably said drive lever (31) has its axis of rotation coincident or parallel to said fourth pin (16). A hinge as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein said stem (19) is in a position such that its extension in said longitudinal direction (X-X) will intersect or be tangent to the first pin (13). A hinge as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said damping device (2) comprising said body (18) and said stem (19) is mounted on board a rigid support (33) fixed to said hinge arm (4). A hinge according to claim 9, wherein said rigid support (33) is attached to said hinge arm (4) via a fifth pin (34) extending in said transverse direction (Y-Y) between said sides longitudinal (4b) of the hinge arm (4). A hinge as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein said rigid support (33) comprises a longitudinal base (38) for receiving and guiding the sliding movement of said body (18) in said longitudinal direction (X-X ). A hinge as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein said rigid support (33) comprises a front crosspiece (35) extending in said transverse direction (Y-Y), which is formed in such a shape so as to rest on, preferably embrace, said first pin (13), the end of said damping device (2) facing towards said hinge cup resting on said front cross member (35). A hinge as claimed in any of claims 10 to 13, wherein said rigid support (33) comprises positioning seats (37) for holding said elastic means (30) in position so that said rigid support (33 ), said damper (2) and said elastic means (30) define a pre-assembled unit suitable to be fitted into the hinge (1) as a single piece, during assembly.