GB2220030A

GB2220030A - Hinge with spring detent

Info

Publication number: GB2220030A
Application number: GB8913804A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Flavio Gatta; Veraldo Zamagni; Enzo Vignoli
Original assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Current assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Priority date: 1988-06-27
Filing date: 1989-06-15
Publication date: 1989-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2009-06-15
Also published as: ES1010105Y; ES1010105U; GB8913804D0; IT218174Z2; FR2633327A3; GB2220030B; IT8834032V0; DE8904737U1; FR2633327B3

Abstract

A hinge for a domestic electrical appliance, particularly for the horizontal lid of a domestic cooker, comprises a pin (10) which passes through coaxial openings formed at the articulation edge of the lid and a leaf spring (19) fixed to the lid (5) in the region between the two openings and having a resilient portion (21) which extends into contact with the outer surface of the pin (10), the pin (10) having a cross section which has a curved surface (13) and at least one included flat (14, 15) arranged to cooperate with the resilient portion (21) of the spring (19) to allow the lid (5) to be pivoted open and closed and to keep the lid in a stable, open position, respectively One end of the pin (10) has a diametrical projection which fits into a recess attached to the appliance top. <IMAGE>

Description

DOOR HINGE FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES The present invention relates to a hinge for keeping the door of a domestic electrical appliance securely in the open position.

The invention relates in particular to a hinge for doors which pivot about horizontal axes, such as the hob lids of domestic cookers.

A known drawback of this type of door is its instability in the open position.

In practice, the door can be opened through an angle of only slightly more than 900 and this is further reduced if the electrical appliance is placed against a wall.

When balanced in this way, the door may close accidentally, injuring the user and damaging any objects located on top of the appliance.

The main object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a hinge for the door of a domestic electrical appliance, particularly for the lid of a domestic cooker, which is provided with devices for keeping the door in the open position and whose construction is simple, rational and easy to use.

These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by a door hinge which pivots about a horizontal axes, particularly a hinge for the horizontal lid of a domestic cooker, comprising a pin which passes through coaxial openings formed at the articulation edge of the lid and which is locked against rotation relative to the lid, characterised in that it includes a leaf spring fixed to the lid in the region between the two openings for the insertion of the pin and having-a resilient portion which extends into contact with the outer surface of the pin, the pin having a cross-section which, at least in that portion of the pin contacted by the resilient portion, has a curved surface and at least one inclined flat arranged to cooperate with the resilient portion of the spring to allow the lid to be pivoted open and closed and to maintain the lid in a stable, open position, respectively.

The advantages and characteristic features of the hinge of the invention are set out in the following description given by way of non-limiting example, which reference to the appended drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partly exploded perspective view of part of the lid and the hinge of the invention; Fig. 2 is a partly exploded view of some details of the hinge of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the hinge of the invention with the lid in the open position (continuous line) and in the closed position (dashed line).

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the hinge 4 of the invention for the folding lid 5 of the cooking hob 6 of a domestic cooker (not shown).

The lid 5 is provided, at its articulation edge, with metal brackets 7 (only the right-hand hinge is shown in the Figures) having two coaxial-holes 8, 9 for the insertion of the pin 10 of the hinge 4.

The pin 10 (Fig. 2) is made from plastics material (for example nylon) and has a substantially cylindrical shape with two ends 11, 12 shaped so as to engage in the respective holes 8, 9 in the bracket 7 and a central portion with a curved surface 13 and two lateral, opposing inclined flats 14, 15 (Fig. 3).

The outer end 11 of the pin 10 also has a diametrical projection 16 for engaging a corresponding recess 17 in the hinge support 18 fixed to the hob 6.

A leaf spring 19 (Fig. 3) designed to keep the lid 5 in a stable, open position is fixed, for example by riveting, within the bracket 7.

The leaf spring 19 (Fig. 3) is made by the blanking and bending of a single piece of tempered steel and has a portion 20 with an L-shaped section for anchoring to the lid 5 and a resilient portion 21 which is also L-shaped.

The resilient portion 21 of the spring 19 is arranged to cooperate with the curved surface 13 and with an inclined flat 14 or 15 of the pin 10 to allow the lid 5to pivot and to ensure that it stays in a stable, open position, respectively.

The fitting of the lid 5 to the hob involves simply the threading of a pin 10 into the holes 8 and 9 in the brackets 7 (Fig. 1) and the insertion of the diametrical projection 16 of each pin 10 into the corresponding support 18 fixed to the hob 6.

It should be noted that the pin 10 could alternatively be formed with a single inclined flat 14 or 15, although its use would be limited disadvantageously to only one bracket 7, on the righthand or on the left-hand side of the lid 5.

After assembly, the lid 5 and its associated hinges are in the open position shown in Fig. 3 wherein it can also be seen that the bend in the resilient portion 21 of the spring 19 is engaged with the inclined flat 15 to prevent the lid 5 from closing accidentally.

The above description shows that the objects of the invention, i.e. the production of a hinge whose construction is simple, rational and easy to use and which is provided with devices for keeping the door in the open position, are achieved. The hinge of the invention could obviously be subject to any modifications which do not change the basic characteristic features claimed below.

Claims

1. A hinge for a door which pivots about a horizontal axes for a domestic electrical appliance, particularly a hinge for the horizontal lid of a domestic cooker, comprising a pin which passes through coaxial openings formed at the articulation edge of the lid and which is locked against rotation relative to the lid, characterised in that it includes a leaf spring (19) fixed to the lid (5) in the region between the two openings (8, 9) for the insertion of the pin (10) and having a resilient portion (21) which extends into contact with the outer surface of the pin (10), the pin (10) having a cross-section which, at least in that portion of the pin (10) contacted by the resilient portion (21), has a curved surface (13) and at least one included flat (14, 15) arranged to cooperate with the resilient portion (21) of the spring (19) to allow the lid (5) to be pivoted open and closed and to keep the lid in a stable, open position, respectively.

2. A hinge as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the openings (8, 9) for the insertion of the pin (10) are formed in a metal bracket (7) fixed to the articulation edge of the lid (5) and in that the leaf spring (19) includes a portion (20) for anchoring to the lid (5) and a resilient portion (21), each portion being L-shaped in cross-section.

3. A hinge as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the pin (10) is made integrally from plastics material and has a substantially cylindrical shape with two ends (11 and 12) shaped so as to engage in the respective holes (8, 9) in the bracket (7) and a central portion whose cross-section has an upper slide curve (13) and two lateral opposing inclined flats (14 and 15) for keeping the lid (5) in its open position.