GB2598543A

GB2598543A - Hinge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2598543A
Application number: GB2011658.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pecar David
Original assignee: Titus doo Dekani
Current assignee: Titus doo Dekani
Priority date: 2020-07-28
Filing date: 2020-07-28
Publication date: 2022-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-28
Also published as: DE102021102433A1; GB202011658D0; GB2598543B

Abstract

The hinge assembly comprises a hinge arm, a hinge cup and a damping device 20 located on and operable to rotate and slide with respect to a mounting position on the hinge cup. The mounting position may comprise a protrusion 22 or groove cooperating with a groove or protrusion on the damping device. The assembly may include an actuator for the damping device, optionally pivotally mounted in the hinge cup and engaged by the hinge arm when closing. The actuator may be profiled to engage the damping device. The hinge cup may comprise a first camming surface 48 against which the damping device is urged and optionally a second camming surface (e.g. sloped in a different direction) to engage a protrusion on the damping device. The level of damping may be adjustable. The damping device may be coupled to a clip 42 which engages the first camming surface in use.

Description

Hinge Assembly The present invention relates to hinge assemblies, and more particularly, to assemblies 5 comprising toggle hinges, of the sort that are typically used to hang doors on cupboards, wardrobes, and the like, together with a damping device.

It is desirable to provide hinge assemblies on cupboard doors that provide a damping function on closing, and that are not too bulky, so as to impinge on the space within the 10 cupboard.

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge assembly comprising a hinge cup and a hinge arm pivotally mounted thereon, a damping device located on a mounting position on said hinge cup, wherein said damping device is operable to both rotate and 15 slide with respect to the mounting position.

Typically the damping device will be of the cylinder and piston type. The piston may be pushed into the cylinder against the action of damping fluid to provide a damping action. In the present arrangement it is preferred that the damping device is rotated about a pivot point, and pushed forward so as to squeeze the damping device against a wall of the hinge cup. Such squeezing action provides a double-action damping effect. A double-action damping effect allows for the damper to be made smaller.

It is preferred that the mounting position comprises one of a protrusion or a groove on the hinge cup that cooperates with the other of a protrusion or groove on the damping device. By providing a protrusion and groove combination, the damping device can rotate about the pivot, but also slide with respect to the protrusion. The profile of the groove may be shaped to maintain the groove in sliding engagement against the protrusion.

Preferably the hinge assembly comprises an actuator to cause the damping device to both rotate and slide with respect to the mounting position. The actuator may be located within the hinge cup. It is preferred that the actuator is pivotally mounted in the hinge cup, and is acted upon by the hinge arm when the hinge assembly is moved from an open position to a closed position. As the hinge assembly is closed, the hinge arm presses against the actuator and pushes it into the hinge cup. Such action causes the damping device to be rotated and urged forwards with respect to the mounting position.

The actuator may comprise two legs and a connecting cross-piece. The hinge arm preferably presses against the crosspiece when the hinge assembly is closed. Preferably one of the legs is profiled to engage with the damping device. The actuator may be permanently engaged with the damping device, or may just engage during the closing process.

Preferably the actuator is connected to a return spring.

It is preferred that the hinge cup comprises a camming surface that said damping device is urged against. Said camming surface is typically sloped.

Preferably the hinge cup comprises a second camming surface operable to engage with a protrusion on the damping device.

Preferably the first camming surface and the second camming surface are sloped in different directions. It is preferred that the first camming surface and the second camming surface are sloped to assist in the compression of the damping device.

In preferred arrangements, the hinge assembly comprises means to adjust the level of 25 damping provided by the damping device. Said means may comprise a screw that that can bear against the damping device, thus altering its starting position. The screw may include a sloped surface to provide a greater range of adjustment.

In a preferred arrangement the piston rod of the damping device engages with a clip that is 30 slidably mounted with respect to the damper housing. The piston rod may abut the clip, or may be attached thereto. The clip is shaped to engage with the first camming surface on the hinge cup. Preferably, as the damper housing is rotated and pushed towards the first camming surface, the clip is pushed against the sloped first camming surface, thus compressing the damping device, and providing a damping action to the closing hinge assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a hinge assembly comprising a damping device comprising a first end and a second opposite end, said damping device comprising means to squeeze the damping device at both the first and second ends.

The preferred aspects of the first aspect may be used in conjunction with this aspect. Particularly, the first end of the damping device may be urged against a sloped camming surface. The second end of the damping may be operable to be rotated around a mounting position, and further urged towards said sloped camming surface. In this manner the damping device may be compressed via an action on both the first and second ends.

Providing such a double-action compression of the damping device can provide a larger damping action from a smaller damping device.

In order that the present invention be more readily understood, specific embodiments 20 thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hinge assembly in accordance with the present invention (noting that the hinge arm is only partially shown).

Figures 2a to 2c show the hinge cup in three stages: figure 2a shows the hinge assembly 25 fully open; figure 2b shows the hinge assembly partly closed, and figure 2 c shows the hinge assembly fully closed. The hinge cup is shown in cross-section in all figures.

Figures 3a and 3b show a first side view (in cross section) of the hinge assembly. Figure 3a shows the hinge partly closed, and figure 3b shows the hinge assembly fully closed.

Figures 3c and 3d show the other side (to figs 3a and 3b) of the hinge assembly. Figure 3c 30 shows the hinge partly closed, and figure 3d shows the hinge assembly fully closed.

Figure 4 shows a hinge cup skirting operable to be fixed to the hinge cup.

Figure Sa shows a first view of the damping device.

Figure 5b shows a second view of the damping device.

Figure 6 shows a clip that engages with the damping device.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a portion the hinge cup. The portion of the hinge clip shown in figure 4 is operable to engage with the portion shown in figure 7.

Figure 8 shows an actuator.

Figure 9 shows a shorter hinge cup skirting comparing to figure 4.

Figure 10 shows an adjustment mechanism.

Figure 1 la shows a perspective view of an adjustable variant hinge assembly with the actuator in an open position.

Figure 1 lb shows a perspective view of an adjustable variant binge assembly with the actuator in a closed position. Note that the hinge arm is still shown in an open position.

Figures 12a and 12b show a side view of the hinge assembly of figures 1 la and 1 lb, showing, respectively, the actuator in an open position (12a) and in a closed position (12b).

The hinge assembly 10 seen in Figure 1 is a well known toggle-type construction used, for example, for hanging a door on a kitchen cupboard. The hinge assembly 10 comprises an arm 12, which is adjustably attachable to a door frame in known manner, and a hinge cup 14, which is attachable to a door in known manner. The hinge cup 14 is pivotably connected to the arm 12 a known manner by means of a compound linkage 16.

The hinge cup 14 includes a space for the linkage 16 and a portion of the arm to inhabit when the hinge is in its closed configuration. Figures 2a to 2c show the hinge transitioning from fully open (fig 2a) to fully closed (2c).

An actuator 18 is pivotally mounted within the hinge cup 14. The actuator is pivotally mounted at points 40a and 40b. It will be apparent from figures 2a to 2c that the hinge arm 12 engages with the actuator 18 as the hinge assembly is closed. The actuator is shown individually in figure 8, and will be described in further depth later.

The hinge assembly 10 further comprises a damping device 20. The damping device comprises a damper housing 26 and a piston rod 28. Other damper components such as the piston, spring, valve, and so on are not shown. The damping device 20 is mounted on one side of the hinge cup 14, and is operable to pivot about a mounting protrusion 22. Figures 3a and 3b show, respectively, the hinge assembly 10 in a partially closed position and a fully closed position. The damping device 20 is rotated clockwise (as seen in figures 3a and 3b) as the hinge assembly is closed The damping device 20 is also pushed forwards towards a camming surface 48. The action of the rotation and sliding cause the damping device to be compressed by forcing the piston rod 28 into the housing 26, and hence causes a damping action. This is described in more depth below.

Figures 3c and 3d show the opposite side of the hinge cup to figures 3a and 3b. Here, a spring 30 is provided to urge the actuator 18 back into its open position once the hinge assembly is returned to its open position. The damping device 20 comprises a spring (not shown) that urges the piston rod 28 out of the damper housing 26. In one embodiment, it may be sufficient to rely upon this spring to reset the actuator 18 as well as the damping device 20. However, it is preferred that spring 30 is provided to ensure that the actuator is returned to its starting position when the hinge assembly is opened.

Figures 4 to 9 show a disassembled hinge assembly.

Figure 7 shows a hinge cup 14. In use the section of skirting shown in figure 4 will be connected thereto (this can be seen in figures 11a and 11b). Figure 7 shows a flange 32 with apertures to allow the hinge cup 14 to be fitted to a cupboard door. Apertures 34a, 34b and 36a, 36b are used to mount the compound linkage 16 that connects the arm 12 to the hinge cup 14. Studs, protrusions or the like are typically used to engage the apertures with cooperating apertures on the item to be mounted.

Apertures 40a and 40b are provided to mount the actuator.

Aperture 38 is provided to mount the damping device 20. A mounting protrusion 22 30 engages in aperture 38, and is used to mount the damping device 20.

Figures 5a and 5b show the damping device 20. Provided is a damper housing 26 and a piston rod 28. The piston rod 28 engages with clip 42, which is shown separately at figure 6. The damping device 20 comprises, at an end of the housing remote from the piston rod 28 and clip 42, a groove 44 operable to cooperate with a protrusion mounted in aperture 38. Thus, as shown in figures 3a and 3b, when the damping device is acted upon by the actuator 18 the damping device 20 is caused to both rotate and slide forwards -note that the damping device has been pushed away from the pivot point in figure 3b compared to figure 3a.

The damper housing 26 comprises a first protrusion 46 on a first side and a second protrusion 60 located on an opposite side of the damper housing 26.

A clip 42 is provided. Said clip is generally U-shaped, and is configured to slide in a direction parallel with the piston rod 28. Means may be provided on either or both of the damper housing 26 or the clip 42 to ensure that the clip is maintained thereon. Urging the clip towards the damper housing 26 will cause the piston rod 28 to be pushed into the housing, and thus activating the damper.

Figure 4 shows a section of hinge cup skirting 62 that attaches to the hinge cup 14. The skirting 62 comprises a first camming surface 48 and a second camming surface SO. Both camming surfaces 48, 50 are sloped with respect to the floor of the hinge cup 14. The first camming surface 48 is sloped in a different direction to the second camming surface 50. Figure 9 shows a portion of the skirting 62 that comprises the first camming surface 48 in isolation.

The actuator 18 is shown in isolation in figure 8. It is mounted within the hinge cup 14 via studs, protrusions, etc via apertures 50a and 50b (cooperating with apertures 40a and 40b in the hinge cup 14). The actuator comprises two legs, 52, 54 and a crosspiece 56. The legs are typically of differing shape. A first leg 52 is shaped so as to provide a camming surface that is operable to engage with the first protrusion 46 on the damper housing 26. In use this camming surface pushes the first protrusion 46 both forwards and downwards, thus causing the damping device to be urged forward and rotated. The crosspiece is operable to be engaged by the compound linkage16/hinge arm 12 when the hinge assembly is moved from an open position to a closed position.

Figures 2a to 2c show the hinge assembly 10 closing. The arm/linkage engages with the 5 crosspiece 56 of the actuator 18 part way through the closure (see fig 2b), and (as shown in the drawings) pivots the actuator 18 anticlockwise In this embodiment the crosspiece finishes pressed against the floor of the hinge cup 14.

Figures 3a and 3b correspond to figures 2b and 2c, in terms of the position of the hinge arm 12 with respect to the hinge cup 14. In figure 3a, the damping is located in its rest position. The groove 44 is located on the mounting protrusion 22, and the clip 42 rests against the first camming surface. As the hinge arm 12 is closed, the linkage 16 engages the actuator 18. The camming surface on leg 52 of the actuator engages with the first protrusion 46 on the damping device 20. This action, as shown in figure 3b, forces the damping device to rotate (clockwise, in the drawings) and thus forces the clip 42 down the first camming surface 48. Accordingly, the clip 42 is pressed against the damper housing 26, compressing the piston rod 28 into the damper housing 26. Simultaneously, the camming surface on leg 52 urges the damping device 20 forward. This is shown in figure 3b, where it can be seen that the damping device 20 has been urged towards the first camming surface 48.

Accordingly, the damping device 20 is effectively squeezed from both directions.

During the closing action the second protrusion 60 is forced against the second camming surface SO, as shown in figures 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b. This action provides stability to the closing process and a guide to return the damping device 20 to its original position once the 25 hinge assembly 10 has been re-opened.

It will thus be apparent that the present arrangement thus provides a hinge assembly comprising a damping device comprising a first end and a second opposite end, said damping device comprising means to squeeze the damping device at both the first and second ends. By squeezing the damping device from each end a double-action damping effect is provided.

A variant of the above embodiment is shown in figures 10, 11a and 11b. Specifically, figure 10 shows an adjusting screw that includes a sloped surface 56. The adjusting screw is shown in situ in figures 11a and 11b. The sloped surface 56 bears upon the damper housing 26. By rotating the adjustment screw the amount by which the sloped surface 5 bears upon the damper housing 26 can be adjusted, thus determining the starting position of the damping device 20. If the adjusting screw is tightened to its maximum amount the sloped surface will bear against the damper housing 26 to the greatest degree, and force the damping device 20 downwards, thus compressing the piston rod 28 into the housing 26. In this scenario, no damping function will be provided. The adjusting screw 54 thus 10 allows the level of damping to be controlled after the hinge assembly 10 is fitted into a cupboard.

Figures 12a and 12b show a side view of an example hinge assembly showing the adjusting screw in a first setting (fig 12a) whereby the sloped surface bears on the damper housing by a small amount, and a second setting (fig 12b) whereby the screw has been tightened to its maximum extent, such that no damping will occur. All settings between these positions are possible.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiments are to aid understanding of 20 the present invention, and that many modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A hinge assembly comprising a hinge cup and a hinge arm pivotally mounted thereon, a damping device located on a mounting position on said hinge cup, wherein said damping device is operable to both rotate and slide with respect to the mounting position. 2. 3. 4. 5.
A hinge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting position comprises one of a protrusion or a groove on the hinge cup that cooperates with the other of a protrusion or groove on the damping device.
A hinge assembly according to either claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an actuator to cause the damping device to both rotate and slide with respect to the mounting position.
A hinge assembly according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is pivotally mounted in the hinge cup, and is acted upon by the hinge arm when the hinge assembly is moved from an open position to a closed position.
A hinge assembly according to either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the actuator is profiled to engage with the damping device.
6. A hinge assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge cup comprises a camming surface that said damping device is urged against.
7. A hinge assembly according to claim 6, wherein the hinge cup comprises a second camming surface operable to engage with a protrusion on the damping device.
8. A hinge assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first camming surface and the second camming surface are sloped in different directions.
9. A hinge assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge assembly comprises means to adjust the level of damping provided by the damping device.
10. A hinge assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein damping device is engagably coupled to a clip that is operable to engage with the first camming surface.
11. A hinge assembly comprising a damping device comprising a first end and a second opposite end, said damping device comprising means to squeeze the damping device at both the first and second ends.