FR2829163A1 - Hinge, for dividers in office, consists of first truncated cylindrical tube inserted and rotating within second hollow cylindrical tube, with both tubes attached to respective dividers by U-shaped pins - Google Patents

Abstract

Hinge consists of two main parts (11, 12). First part is attached to first divider, and second part is attached to second divider. First part consists of hollow cylindrical tube (19) with opening (13). Second part consists of truncated cylindrical tube (14) which is inserted and able to rotate within hollow tube of first part around longitudinal axis (21). Both parts also have pins (26, 29) which are attached to respective dividers using U-shaped clips (27).

Description

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Partition hinge
The present invention relates to a partition hinge. It finds more particularly its use in the field of partitions arranged inside spaces such as offices to divide there space on the ground in several distinct compartments. In the state of the art, rigid and fixed partitions are known. There are also known partitions which can be selected with respect to each other at variable angles. The advantage of the invention is to propose partitions connected to each other and which can be positioned with respect to each other according to variable, non-fixed positions, once a first angle between two partitions has been chosen. The advantage of the invention is to propose partitions provided with hinges allowing the respective positions of the partitions to be changed quickly and easily on either side of the same hinge.

 In the prior art, it is known to compartmentalize a large floor space the design of walls and / or partitions, for example plaster, to obtain parts of smaller areas within this floor area. With such walls or partitions, it appears that when these are finally put in place, it then becomes difficult and costly to change the location of these walls or partitions. Indeed, to change the location of these walls or partitions it is necessary to completely destroy the old walls or partitions, then to evacuate the rubble generated by this destruction, and finally to bring in new raw materials to build new walls or partitions to new locations.

 In addition, when part of the walls must be kept in position, the partial destruction of the walls poses connection problems when the new walls are redone. For example, connection problems in the coatings of the surfaces of these walls can create aesthetic discomfort and lead to an additional cost to homogenize again a top coating of these old and new walls.

 In the state of the art, it is known to use mobile panels or modules to allow the creation of partitions in very specific locations, and to be able to modify the location of these panels and / or

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 modules without destroying said panels. In fact, hinges are known which can be arranged between two consecutive panels so as to make it possible to optionally form an angle between these two consecutive panels.

 A hinge in the state of the art makes it possible to connect two panels. A first hinge element is connected to a first panel and a second hinge element and connected to a second panel. The second hinge element cooperates with the first hinge element. Generally the first hinge element has a slightly curved and regular periphery, the second hinge element has a hollow shape complementary to the curve of the first hinge element. Thus, one can press the hollow shape of the second hinge element around the entire periphery of the curve of the first hinge element. In particular, the two hinge elements can be arranged in different possible positions relative to one another, and thus make it possible to obtain different possible positions of the two panels relative to each other.

rapport à l'autre, il est nécessaire de figer les positions respectives des deux éléments de charnières l'un par rapport à l'autre. Dans l'état de la technique, il est connu pour figer une position de visser le premier élément avec le deuxième, et de plus de figer les positions respectives des panneaux en les fixant au sol et au plafond. A cet effet, on perce le creux du deuxième élément et le pourtour courbe du premier élément de manière à y retenir des vis et des écrous coopérant ensemble. In the state of the art, the two hinge elements only slide against one another. To freeze the position of the panels one by

relative to the other, it is necessary to freeze the respective positions of the two hinge elements relative to each other. In the state of the art, it is known to freeze a position of screwing the first element with the second, and moreover to freeze the respective positions of the panels by fixing them to the floor and to the ceiling. To this end, the hollow of the second element is pierced and the curved periphery of the first element so as to retain therein screws and nuts cooperating together.

 Then, however, this system is still removable. Indeed, as soon as you undo the screws thus retained in the nuts, you can again move the second element relative to the first hinge element and thus find a new respective position of the second element relative to the first element. In this second position, it is again necessary to drill the hinge and place screws and nuts therein to fix this second position.

 The solution of the prior art poses a problem. Indeed, as the different position changes, we weaken more and more

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 plus the two hinge elements. Indeed, the number of perforations made in the curved periphery and in the hollow of the second hinge element weaken this structure, all the more since it is necessary to make numerous holes over a whole height relative to the ground of these elements hinge.

 On the other hand, the hinges of the state of the art pose an aesthetic problem. Indeed, the first holes made to freeze a first position can become visible when it is necessary to freeze a second position. In addition to this aesthetic drawback, these holes can cause problems of visual insulation and / or sound insulation. For example, they create areas of weakness at the level of the panels, possibly allowing undesired visibility between two panels. Ultimately, this multitude of holes can create an area allowing noise to pass more easily on either side of the panels.

 The object of the invention is to solve the problems posed by the partitions and hinges of partitions of the state of the art by proposing a new type of hinges. In fact, in the invention, a first hinge element is mounted on a first partition module, and a second hinge element on a second partition module. But in the invention, the two hinge elements are nested one inside the other.

Indeed, the first hinge element corresponds to an open and hollow cylindrical tube. The cylindrical tube is elongated along a main elongation axis perpendicular to a floor from which the partitions, generally planar, are also erected perpendicularly. The cylindrical tube is connected to an edge of a frame this partition.

 Furthermore, the second hinge element is a tube of truncated cylindrical shape. This tube is preferably completely closed. It can be inserted inside a hollow of the first hinge element. It is itself retained in a second partition type module. For example, an outer periphery of this second hinge element, this periphery remaining visible in the opening of the first element of the hinge when the second element is inserted therein. The second hinge element can be mounted on an edge of a frame of a second partition and is rotatable about a main elongation axis of the first hinge element.

 So when the second hinge element is attached to a partition,

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 by turning this second hinge element inside the first hinge element, the second partition is simultaneously moved relative to the first partition.

 In a preferred embodiment, when the second hinge element is in the first hinge element, after insertion, it is retained inside this hinge element for rotations inside thereof limited to one certain arc of rotation. Indeed, according to a certain position, the second hinge element can come out of the first hinge element. While in another range of positions between two defined angular positions, the second hinge element can no longer exit from the hollow of the first hinge element. Overall, these two defined angular positions correspond to the two positions in which the second hinge element can exit from the first, if and only if this second element is not connected to its second partition. Indeed, this second partition or means for fixing to the second partition arranged on this second element abut against the lateral edges of the opening of the first hinge element, and can also prevent the exit of the second element.

 The subject of the invention is a hinge device comprising a first means mounted on a first module and a second means mounted on a second module, the second means cooperating with a curved periphery of the first means for orienting the second module relative to the first module, characterized in that the first means is a hollow cylindrical tube provided with a longitudinal opening, and in that the second means is a longitudinally truncated cylindrical tube intended to be inserted into the hollow of the first means, and capable of rotating therein, around a longitudinal axis, of the order of an axial opening angle of the longitudinal opening.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These are presented for information only and in no way limit the invention. The figures show:
Figure 1: A partial sectional view of two modules assembled by a hinge device according to the invention;
Figure 2: A cross-sectional view of a hinge device according to the invention;

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Figure 3: A disassembled view of a hinge device according to the invention intended to be mounted on a surround profile of a module;
Figure 4: a cross-sectional view of a clip of a hinge device according to the invention;
Figure 5: An exploded view of a module that can be connected to a hinge device according to the invention.

 Figure 1 shows a hinge device 1 according to the invention. In fact, the hinge device 1 makes it possible to connect a first module 2 to a second module 3. For example, the first module and / or the second module 3 are partitions or partitions. A partition corresponds to a flat wall of a certain thickness erected perpendicular to a floor. This wall can for example correspond to a window 5, or double glazing 5-6, and in this case be made in clear glass. This double glazing can then include a blind 4 disposed between the two windows 5 and 6. This partition can also be produced from more solid opaque materials, for example plaster panels. In a variant, the partition can be made partly of glass and partly of an opaque material. In a variant, it is also possible to provide a blind 4 arranged between two panes 5 and respectively 6 as shown in FIG. 1.

 In a preferred embodiment, the partitions 2 and 3 respectively have an surround profile 7 and respectively 8 allowing them to be attached to the hinge device 1. Furthermore, these surround profiles 7 and 8 respectively enlarge, in width at least the size of the partitions 2 and 3 respectively, this width being a dimension defined parallel to the ground. According to a cross-sectional plane presented in Figure 2, parallel to the ground, it appears that the surround profiles 7 and 8 respectively have a cut elliptical shape. The surround profiles 7 and 8 respectively have ellipse vertices 9 and 10 respectively.

 The partitions 2 and respectively 3 are connected with two separate elements of the hinge device 1, in this case the partition 2 with a first element 11, and the partition 3 with a second element 12. The elements 11 and 12 are means of the device hinge 1. Preferably, a first surround profile 7 is connected at the level of a first vertex 9 to the

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 first means 11 hinge device 1. While the second surround profile 8 is connected to it at the level of the second apex 10 to the second means 12 of this hinge device 1.

 According to Figure 2, the first means 11 has a hollow and open cylindrical section. The first means 11 is then a hollow cylindrical tube provided with an opening 13. The opening 13 opens onto a hollow 19 inside the first means 11. The hinge device 1 is designed such that the second means 12 has also a cylindrical shape such that it can be inserted into the hollow 19 of the first means 11, from the opening 13. For this purpose, the cylinder formed by the second means 12 has a periphery such that it is truncated at level 'a truncation plane 14 in order to be able, in a certain position, to be inserted inside the hollow 19 of the first means 11.

 This truncation plane 14 can be open or closed. In the example presented in FIG. 2, the truncation plane 14 is closed and ensures a continuous periphery with the partially cylindrical periphery of this second means 12.

 In an example where the second means 12 is placed in the hollow 19 of the first means 11, as soon as the surround profile 8 is mounted on this second means 12, it creates such a bulk at its point of attachment to the second means 12, that in this case, it becomes impossible to remove the second means 12 from the hollow 19. Indeed, the presence of this surround profile 8 prevents the second means 12 from being replaced in a position allowing it to exit from the interior of the first means 11. The point of attachment of the surround profile 8, or more generally of the partition 3, is located in a certain manner with respect to the truncation plane 14.

This position is such that its presence ensures that the two means 11 and 12 of the hinge device 1 are kept in place.

 However, under constraints, it is possible to force the introduction of the second means 12 into the recess 19, by spreading under this constraint the two edges 17 and 18.

 In a particular embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first means 11 is in this example a cylindrical tube with an outer diameter 15 of the order of 44.2 mm. The opening 13 is such that an opening angle 16 of this opening 13 is of the order of 160. This opening 13 includes

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 on either side two edges 17 and 18 respectively. These edges 17 and 18 have edges of a wall 20 of the cylindrical tube. A thickness of this wall 20 is for example of the order of 1.6 mm. These edges are parallel to an axis 21 passing through a center of this cylindrical tube.

 The opening 13 is longitudinal, that is to say that when the cylindrical tube 11 is placed on a floor, the axis 21 corresponding to an axis of main elongation of the tube is drawn up perpendicular to this floor.

In this case, the opening 13 is formed over a whole height of this cylindrical tube relative to the ground. Preferably, the opening 13 is continuous over this entire height.

 To insert the second means inside the hollow 19 of the first means 11, the second means 12 is preferably translated into the interior of the hollow 19, this translation taking place parallel to the ground, and / or perpendicular to the axis. longitudinal 21. In fact, a distance 22 between the two edges 17 and 18 is that it allows the introduction of the second means 12. For this purpose, the second means 12 has at least a width less than this distance 22. In Indeed, given the particular shape of the second means 12, it has profiles of different widths.

 As shown in Figure 3, the second means 12 is also of a slightly cylindrical shape. Indeed, the second means 12 is of truncated cylindrical shape. A distance 23 between the truncation surface 14 and a point 24 of a circumference of the tube, this point 24 being diametrically opposite to this truncation surface 14, is such that it is slightly less than the distance 22 from the opening 13 Thus, the second means 12 can be inserted inside the hollow 19. During this translation, one of the edges 17 or 18 abuts against a pin 26 protruding from the outer periphery at this point 24.

 Then, the second means is slightly pivoted about an axis passing through this stop, so that part of the outer periphery of the second tube already inserted in the hollow 19 also comes into abutment against an inner periphery of the wall 20 In this position, the respective dimensions of the two means 11 and 12 are such that for example the edge 18 abuts against the pin 26 while a limit of the truncation surface is arranged just opposite the edge 17. A distance 33 between the point of abutment of the spike 26 and this limit is just

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 less than the distance 22 from the opening 13.

 Furthermore, for the cylindrical part of the second means 12, this has a diameter 25 such that this diameter 25 is adjusted to an internal diameter of the hollow 19. Thus the second means 12 can rotate around the longitudinal axis 21, in the limit where the pin 26 does not abut against the edges 17 or 18.

 The pin 26 allows the second means 12 to be fixed to the second partition 3. This pin 26 is raised radially relative to the outer periphery of the tube formed by the second means 12. Preferably this pin 26 forms a protrusion parallel to the axis 21, over an entire height of the second means 12. It is then erected perpendicular to the truncation surface 14. The pin 26 is provided to cooperate by means of a clip 27 with this second partition 3. For example, the clip 27 is arranged inside a cavity 28 of the surround profile 8.

 Provision may be made for having several clips such as 27 for retaining the pin 26 inside the cavity 28. For example, clips are distributed over the entire height of the pin 26, with a spacing between these clips 27 of the order of 20 to 30 centimeters. A clip such as 27 has for example a height of the order of 20 millimeters, while a height of a module such as 3 and therefore of the clip 26 which is connected to it is for example of the order of 0.5 at 3 meters.

The cavity 28 corresponds in this case to a groove made over a whole height of the surround profile 8.

 In a preferred embodiment, the first means 11 also includes a pin 29, called the first pin 29. In this case, the pin 26 is called the second pin 26. This first pin 29 is erected radially relative to an outer periphery 30 of the first means 11. In a preferred embodiment, this first pin 29 is erected radially so that an angle 31 formed between an edge 17 or 18 and this first pin 29 is different from 90, for example of the order of 650. In a maximum angular position, the first pin 29 is diametrically opposite the second pin 26 when the latter comes into abutment against one of the edges 17 or 18 of the opening 13.

 With such a distribution of the first pin 29 and the second pin 26, it is thus possible to obtain an angular position of the second module 3 relative to the first module 2 varying between 900 and 1800. In the same

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 frame of reference, to propose an angular position of the second module 3 with respect to the first module 2 varying between 1800 and 2700, the first means 11 are removed from the partition 2 and returned to 180, so as to propose the axis 21 always of the same way, but oriented in a direction opposite to the first direction. Thus the opening 13 can be offered on both sides of the first partition 2.

 The spike 26 is preferably surrounded by a base 32 forming an additional thickness at the periphery of the tube of the second means 12. In a preferred embodiment, the first spike 29 is also surrounded by an additional thickness such as 32. Borders of this additional thickness 32 come during the rotation of the second means 12 in the hollow 19, in abutment against one or the other of the edges 17 or 18, when the second means is disposed in maximum angular positions, relative to the opening angle 16 proposed by opening 13. These additional thicknesses 32 make the angle of rotation of the second means 12 inside the first means 11 less than the opening angle 16.

 When the clip 27, and possibly an assembly formed by the clip 27 and the second module 3, is mounted on the pin 26, after the second means 12 has been inserted into the first means 11, it then becomes impossible to replace the second means 12 in a position allowing this second means 12 to emerge from the hollow 19. In fact, the space generated by the clip 27 and the surround profile 8 creates space around the pin 26 such that a distance 34 defined between: - a point of the periphery at which a border 17 or 18 abuts against the clip 27, and - a limit of the truncation surface 14 is slightly greater than the distance 22 from the opening 13. Thus, the presence of this clip 27 increases the dimension between the limit of the truncation surface 14 and the point at which the pin 26 surrounded by the clip 27 comes into contact with one of the edges.

 In a particular embodiment, the second means 12 comprises a plane of symmetry passing through a virtual center 35 of the truncated tube formed by this second means 12 and perpendicularly cutting the truncation surface 14. The longitudinal axis 21 can pass through the center virtual 35 when the two means 11 and 12 are associated one inside the other.

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 Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the clip 27. According to a transverse sectional plane, it has a roughly U shape. It is preferably made of Teflon so as to provide the characteristics of elasticity, longevity, and memory. of sufficient shape to perform the clip function.

In fact, in FIG. 4, the clip 27 comprises two flexible tongues respectively 36 and 37, these tongues 36 and 37 being elongated roughly parallel to one another slightly inclined towards one another.

These two tongues 36 and 37 are connected to a bottom 38 intended to come into abutment against a bottom 39 of the cavity 28. Furthermore, the elastic tongues 36 and 37 comprise lateral lugs 40 and 41 respectively to come to cooperate with edges respectively 42 and 43 of cavity 28.

 The edges 42 and 43 are slightly re-entrant so as to reduce a width 44 of an opening 45 from which the clip 27 can be inserted, as well as the pin 26. In fact, this width 44 is slightly less than a dimension 46 defined between the two recesses 40 and 41.

In addition, a length of the tongues 36 and 37 is slightly greater than a depth of the cavity 28 so that when the clip 27 is inserted into this cavity 28, it comes to compress against the bottom 39 of the cavity 28.

 Preferably, the bottom 38 is provided with at least one lug 47 to cooperate with the bottom 39. Preferably, in a preferred embodiment, the bottom 38 comprises two lugs such as 47 arranged in the same transverse plane, on either side of the bottom 38.

 To retain the lug 26 between the two tongues 36 and 37, the latter is force-fitted between them. Indeed, a width 48 defined between these two tabs is slightly less than a width 49 of the lug 16. During insertion, good retention is ensured because the two tabs are constrained on either side of the pin 26 On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment, the pin 26 is grooved on either side, these grooves cooperating with an inner surface 50 also grooved in each of the tongues 36 and 37.

 In a preferred embodiment, in which the first means 11 is connected to the first partition 2 by means of the first pin 29. This cooperates in the same way as the pin 26 with a structure

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 complementary (clip such as 27, cavity such as 28) such as that intended to cooperate with the pin 26. Clips such as 27 are retained in a groove forming a cavity in the first surround profile 7.

 In a preferred embodiment the hinge device 1 is intended to be arranged between partitions being formed in the following manner.

A partition comprises four aluminum profiles 51 arranged in a parallelepiped. These aluminum profiles 51 are cut at their angles at 45, and are joined to one another by means of pin brackets 52.

When the four aluminum profiles 51 are assembled, they form a frame, inside of which can be retained, for example, glasses such as 5 or 6. The pin brackets 52 are arranged at each corner of the frame thus formed.

 To hide these aluminum profiles 51, flat joint covers 53 are used which are retained on each of the aluminum profiles 51 by clips such as 27 retained in cavities such as 28 formed in these aluminum profiles 51.

 The surround profiles such as 7 or 8 are preferably mounted outside the frame formed by the aluminum profiles 51. They are for example fixed together by means of screws and nuts.

 As shown in Figure 1, to ensure that the panels are erected perpendicular to a floor on which they are arranged, the partitions such as 2 or 3 are provided with feet such as 54. The foot 54 has a base 55 intended to be placed in abutment against the ground. The base 55 has for example a semi-circular shape. From this base 55 stands perpendicularly a trunk 56 intended to be received in a housing 57. The housing 57 is for example defined in the surround profile. For example, the surround profile has two internal recesses 58 to delimit the housing 57 on either side. Preferably, when the trunk 56 is inserted into the housing 57, the latter is screwed therein so as to be retained therein some be the displacements of the partition.

 To retain the base 55, a bolt system is also provided, comprising a screw 59 inserted from a lower face 60 into an orifice 61 in the base 55. This screw 59 cooperates with a nut of parallelepiped shape 62. This nut 62 is retained in a lower rail 63 of a

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 aluminum profile such as 51. A width of this nut 62 is such that it allows it to be inserted into the rail 63 of the profile 51, and its length is such that it prevents the nut from coming out of this rail 63 The advantage of this system is that the simple screwing of the screw 59 in this nut 62 places the nut 62 in a position inside the rail 63 such that two opposite corners of this nut 62 abut against two edges of the rail, and thus have the length such that it retains the nut 62 in the rail 63.

 Finally, these partitions when they are assembled together by hinge devices such as 1 are movable relative to each other, to avoid friction of the partitions at their lower parts, it is expected to avoid this friction. To this end, an upper end 64 of the second means 12 is provided with a plug 65. This plug 65 is preferably with wide edges, so that even if the second means 12 is inserted and movable inside the first means 11, this can be maintained without contact with the ground, unlike the first means, if the edges of the plug 65 come to bear on an upper edge 66 of the first means 11. For this purpose, the second means 12 at a height slightly less than a height of the first means 11, the heights being always defined with respect to the ground.

Claims (12)

1-Hinge device (1) comprising a first means (11) mounted on a first module (2) and a second means (12) mounted on a second module (3), the second means cooperating with a curved periphery of the first means for orient the second module relative to the first module, characterized in that the first means is a hollow cylindrical tube (19) provided with a longitudinal opening (13), and in that the second means is a truncated cylindrical tube (14) longitudinally provided to be inserted into the hollow of the first means, and being able to rotate therein, around a longitudinal axis (21), of the order of an opening angle (16) of the longitudinal opening.  2-Hinge device according to claim 1 characterized in that the first means comprises a first pin (29) on an outer periphery (30) to cooperate with a clip (27) retained in a groove (28) of the first module, the first means which can be mounted in both directions on the first module so as to be able to offer the opening on both sides of the module.  3 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the second means comprises on an outer periphery a second pin (26) to cooperate with a clip (27) retained in a groove (28) of the second module and in that the presence of this clip around this second pin prevents the exit of this second means from the hollow of the first means.  4-Device according to claim 3 characterized in that the groove is formed in an entourage profile (7,8) mounted around a frame of the second module.  5 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 4 characterized in that the spike of the second means is surrounded by an extra thickness (32) on the outer periphery, to tolerate an angle of rotation inside the first means less than the opening angle.  6-Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the opening angle is of the order of 1600, and the rotational angle of rotation of the order of 900.  7 - Device according to claims 2 and 3 characterized in that the pin of the second means is diametrically opposite a plane of <Desc / Clms Page number 14>  truncation (14) of the second means, and in that the spike of the first means is diametrically opposite to this spike of the second means when it abuts against an edge (17) of the opening.  8 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the second means comprises a plug (65) with a wide rim mounted on an upper end (64), the wide rim resting on an upper edge (66) of the cylinder of the first means, the tube of the second means preferably being shorter than the cylinder of the first means to avoid friction between a lower edge of this second means and a ground.  9 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the modules are partitions and each comprise a frame formed from structures in aluminum profile (51) mounted at right angles, these structures comprising cuts to 450 to be connected together.  10 - Device according to claim 9 characterized in that the profiles are connected by pin brackets (52).  11 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the modules are held perpendicular to a ground by feet (54) comprising a base (55) semicircular and a trunk (56) perpendicular to this base, the trunk cooperating with a housing (57) of an entourage profile, the base being fixed to a lower aluminum profile parallel to the ground.  12 - Device according to claim 11 characterized in that the base is fixed by means of a screw (59) cooperating with a nut (62) parallelepiped retained in a rail (63) of the lower aluminum profile.