IT201900010821A1 - HINGE WITH REDUCED DIMENSIONS - Google Patents

Description

HINGE WITH REDUCED DIMENSIONS

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical sector of hinges for doors, wings or the like, and has particularly as its object a hinge with reduced dimensions.

State of the art

As known, hinges generally comprise a mobile element, usually fixed to a door, a leaf or similar, hinged on a fixed element, usually fixed to the supporting frame of these.

In particular, the hinges usually used in cold rooms or glass doors are bulky, unsightly and not very functional.

Furthermore, hinges are known in this technical field in which the return of the door in the closed position is uncontested. Consequently, there is a risk that the sash strongly impacts against the support frame, damaging it. Furthermore, these hinges generally have closing means to ensure the return of the door in the closed position, thus increasing the risk of damaging the door.

For this purpose, door closers are therefore known which include hydraulic damping means to counteract the action of the closing means. These known devices have extremely large dimensions and, consequently, must necessarily be mounted on the floor. It is evident that such door closers, therefore, are not suitable for mounting in the stationary support structure or in the door of cold rooms.

From the Italian patent 102015000015573 in the name of the same Applicant there is known a hinge provided with closing means and with hydraulic damping means thereof. In particular, the hinge includes a cursor interacting with the rotation pin to slide upon rotation of the latter and a fixed support shaft.

This hinge, although having a relatively small thickness, has large dimensions, in particular as regards the length which compromises its use in particular areas where minimum dimensions are required, such as the refrigeration sector.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is that of at least partially overcoming the drawbacks encountered above, providing a hinge having characteristics of high functionality, constructive simplicity and low cost.

Another purpose of the invention is to make available a hinge with extremely small dimensions.

Another object of the invention is to make available a hinge having a particularly short length.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a hinge that can be interposed between the door and the frame of the stationary support structure of a cold room.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a hinge that ensures the automatic closing of the door from the open door position.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a hinge that ensures the controlled movement of the door to which it is bound, both in the opening and closing phases.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a hinge that is able to support even very heavy doors and frames.

Another purpose of the invention is to make available a hinge that has a minimum number of constituent parts.

Another purpose of the invention is to make available an extremely safe hinge, which does not offer resistance to closure if pulled.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a hinge that is extremely easy to install.

These purposes, as well as others which will appear more clearly in the following, are achieved by a hinge in accordance with what is described, illustrated and / or claimed herein.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a hinge 1, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawing tables in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are schematic views of a hinge 1 coupled with a support structure S and a door A;

FIGS. 2A and 3A are axonometric views of a hinge 1 respectively in the position of door A closed and door A open at 90 °, with in FIGS. 2B and 3B a side view of Figures 2A and 3A respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded views of a left and right embodiment of the hinge 1 comprising the elastic means 51;

FIG.5 is a schematic sectional view of some parts of the hinge 1;

Figures 6 and 7 are axial sectional views of the embodiment of the hinge 1 of Figure 4A respectively in the position of door A closed and open at 90 °.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of the hinge 1 comprising the damping means 70;

FIGS. 9A and 10A are axial sectional views of the embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 8 respectively in the position of door A closed and open at 90 °, with in FIGS.

9B and 10B an enlargement of some details of Figures 9A to 10A;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of the hinge 1 comprising the damping means 60;

FIGS. 12A and 13A are axial sectional views of the embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 11 respectively in the position of door A closed and open at 90 °, with in Figures 12B and 13B an enlargement of some details of Figures 12A to 13A;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a different embodiment of the hinge 1 comprising the damping means 80;

FIGS. 15A and 16A are axial sectional views of the embodiment of the hinge 1 of FIG. 11 respectively in the position of door A closed and open at 90 °, with in Figures 15B and 16B an enlargement of some details of Figures 15A to 16A;

FIGS. 17A, 18A, 19A and 17B, 18B, 19B are different embodiments of the hinge 1 without the elastic contrast elements 51 respectively in the position of door A closed and open at 90 °.

Detailed description of a preferred example of embodiment With reference to the aforementioned figures, the hinge according to the invention, globally indicated with the number 1, may have reduced dimensions, and will therefore be advantageously used in applications in which the space for inserting the hinge is limited. or where for aesthetic reasons it is advisable to use a hinge with minimum dimensions. In particular, the hinge 1 may have a particularly reduced length LU.

In general, the hinge 1 can be adapted to rotatably couple a stationary support structure, for example a tubular frame S, and a closing element, for example a door A, rotatably movable between an opening position and a closing position around to a rotation axis X.

It is understood that even if reference will be made hereinafter to frame S and door A, the hinge 1 can be applied to any stationary support structure and any closing element without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

For example, the hinge 1 can be applicable to refrigeration cells, or be integrated into the tubular frame of the same. In a further example, the hinge 1 may be applicable to glass doors A, such as for example those of a showcase or display cabinet or to glass doors A or refrigerator compartment doors.

Once assembled, the hinge 1 will appear as a parallelepiped that can possibly be inserted into the tubular frame of the door A or into the support structure S.

Conveniently, the hinge 1 may include a hinge body 10 with an elongated shape along a Y axis and a pin 20 defining the axis of rotation X. The latter may be substantially perpendicular to the Y axis.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the hinge body 10 can have a reduced thickness so as to be substantially plate-like.

The hinge body 10 can be anchored to the door A and the pin 20 to the frame S. In this case, the fixed element will include the pin 20, while the mobile element can include the hinge body 10.

Conversely, the hinge body 10 can be anchored to the frame S, while the pin 20 can be anchored to the door A, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims. In this case, the fixed element will include the hinge body 10, while the movable element may include the pin 20.

Advantageously, the hinge body 10 and the pin 20 can be mutually coupled to rotate around the X axis between the opening and closing positions of door A.

Hereinafter, reference will be made only to the rotation of the pin 20, and, in particular, reference will be made to a configuration in which the leaf A rotates between a closed position in which the pin 20 is aligned along the Y axis and an open position in which the pin 20 is rotated with respect to the same axis by 90 °.

It is understood that this configuration is not exclusive. In fact, in a per se known way, the same position of the pin 20 may correspond to a different position of the leaf A. For example, when the pin 20 is aligned along the Y axis, the leaf A may be in the open position while when the pin 20 is rotated with respect to the same axis by 90 ° the door A can be in the closed position.

A slider element 30 sliding along the Y axis may also be provided between at least one stroke start position and a stroke end position. Conveniently, the pin 20 may include a cam element 21 integral with it interacting with a corresponding cam follower element 31 of the slider element 30 so that the rotation of the first corresponds to the sliding of the second and vice versa.

Preferably, the closed position of leaf A may correspond to the position of end of stroke of the cursor element 30, while the position of leaf A open may correspond to the position of start of stroke of the cursor element 30.

This embodiment is not exclusive. In fact, it can be understood that depending on the mutual configuration of the cam 21 and follower 31 elements, the closed position of leaf A may correspond to the position of start of travel of the slider element 30, while the position of leaf A open may correspond to the end position stroke of the slider element 30. In other words, the rotation of the pin 20 between the closed leaf and open leaf positions may correspond to the sliding of the slider element 30 between the stroke start and end stroke positions.

Advantageously, the cam elements 21 and cam follower 31 can be configured in such a way that the slider element 30 slides from the end of stroke position, i.e. the closed leaf, to the start position, i.e. the open leaf, both when moving clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation of the pin 20.

Furthermore, the X axis of the pin 20 may be off-center with respect to the hinge body 10, as shown in the attached figures, or it may be in a central position.

In this way the hinge 1 can be an ambidextrous hinge.

The pin 20 may comprise a surface 22 defining the cam means 21, while the slider element 30 may comprise an operating face 32 defining the cam follower means 31.

According to a particular preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the operating face 32 of the slider element 30 may be substantially flat or slightly curved, while the surface 22 of the pin may be substantially round.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the surface 22 can be substantially symmetrical with respect to the X axis so that the operating face 32 slides along the Y axis both when rotating the pin 20 clockwise and counterclockwise.

In any case, it is understood that this embodiment is not exclusive. In fact, the cam 21 and cam follower means 31 may be of any type of a per se known type.

In fact, depending on the configuration of the same, it will be possible to determine the extent of the sliding of the cursor element 30 in response to the rotation of the pin 20 and vice versa.

Possibly, according to a different embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the pin 20 and the slider element 30 can be coupled so as to always be mutually coupled during the sliding of the latter. For example, a pinion-rack system of a per se known type may be provided.

The hinge 1 may therefore comprise an operating chamber 11 which may have a pair of bottom walls 112, 113 facing each other and a plurality of side walls 116.

Preferably, the cam 21 and cam follower means 31 can be arranged inside the operating chamber 11.

More in detail, the operating chamber 11 may include a rotation seat 18 for the pin 20 and a seat 19 facing the seat 18 for the sliding of the slider element 30, as better explained below.

In particular, the hinge body 10 may have a longitudinal portion 14 and a pair of portions 12, 13 facing and spaced extending from the longitudinal portion 14.

The portion 13 may comprise the seat 18 for the pin 20.

The pin 20 can be inserted into the seat 18 in a per se known manner. Preferably, but not exclusively, the pin 20 can be inserted along the X axis and means 25 may be provided to prevent the movement of the same pin 20 perpendicular to this X axis once positioned in the seat 18.

Conveniently, each of the portions 12, 13, 14 of the hinge body 10 may comprise a respective surface 120, 130, 140. In other words, the surfaces 120, 130, 140 may define an internal surface 10 'of the hinge body 10.

Advantageously, the hinge body 10 may comprise at least one opening 118 to allow the insertion of the cursor element 30 or a part thereof as better explained below.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, at least one covering element 100 may therefore be provided which can cooperate with the hinge body 10 to delimit the operating chamber 11.

Advantageously, the covering element 100 can be configured in such a way as to close the opening 118. For example, the covering element 100 can be a wall, a planar element, or, preferably, a box-like shell which can then enclose the hinge body 10.

The box-like shell 100 may have a plurality of internal surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 intended to remain facing or in contact with the hinge body 10.

Conveniently one or more of the internal surfaces 104, 105, 106, 107 of the box-like shell 100 may be in contact with the external surface 10 'of the hinge body 10 and / or may cooperate with the latter to close the opening 118.

As shown for example in the attached figures, at least a portion of one or more of the internal surfaces 105, 106, 107 of the box-like shell 100 can close the opening 118 thus defining the side walls 116 of the operating chamber 11. In this case, the walls sides of the operating chamber 11 can be defined by the surface 140 and by the internal surfaces 105, 106, 107 of the box-like shell 100.

It is understood that such an embodiment is not exclusive. For example, the operating chamber 11 may substantially have the shape of a parallelepiped, and may comprise a single open side wall 116 that can be closed by means of a planar element, a pair of opposite side walls 116 open or, as shown in the attached figures, three open side walls 116 closable by means of the box-like shell 100.

In particular, in the latter case, considering the attached figures, the open side wall 116 can be any and not necessarily the one shown in the figures. For example, it could be the wall corresponding to the pin 20, ie considering the attached figures the upper wall, or the opposite one, ie considering the attached figures the lower wall.

Thanks to these characteristics, when the shell 100 is not present, the open walls 116 of the operating chamber 11 can therefore define the opening 118, while once the hinge body 10 is coupled with the box-like shell 100 this opening 118 can be closed so that the operating chamber 11 is closed as described above.

Advantageously, to contain the costs of the hinge 1, the hinge body 10 can be made of polymeric material, while the shell 100 can be made of metal.

In a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the shell 100 can be an elongated box-like body into which the hinge body 10 can be slidably inserted.

It is understood that the hinge body 10 can also have a substantially parallelepiped shape.

In any case, fastening means may be provided for mutually locking the hinge body 10 and the shell 100 in the operative position. For example, the latter may have a locking tab or teeth which snap into the hinge body 10.

Essentially, the slider element 30 may comprise an operating head 33 which may include the operating face 32, a shaft 41 and fixing means 40 'of the same once inserted in the seat 19 of the operating chamber 11.

In particular, the hinge body 10 may therefore include the opening 118 to allow the insertion of the operating head 33 in the seat 19 and a through opening 121 to allow the insertion of the shaft 41 in the same seat 19.

Preferably, the shaft 41 can be inserted coaxially to the Y axis, while the operating head 33 can be inserted through the opening 118 perpendicular to the same Y axis.

Once the shaft 41 and the operating head 33 have been inserted into the seat 19, the latter can then be coupled by means of fastening means 40 '.

Conveniently, the operating head 33 and the shaft 41 can be mutually coupled so as to slide integrally along the Y axis. In particular, these fixing means 40 'can be configured in such a way that the operating head 33 and the shaft 41 define a unitary assembly integrally sliding along the Y axis.

This coupling can be of different types according to requirements. For example, the shaft 41 may have an end 42 which can be inserted in a seat 33 'of the operating head 33. The seat 33' may be a blind hole.

In particular, the operating head 33 and the end 42 may comprise a respective through hole 33 '', 42 'while a pin or a dowel 40 passing through the through holes 33', 42 'of the operating head 33 and of the shaft 41 for mutually coupling the latter.

Eventually, the seat 33 'and the end 42 can be threaded.

In any case, it will be possible to avoid the reciprocal sliding of the shaft 41 with respect to the operating head 33.

The shaft 41 can be made of a first metal material, for example aluminum, or polymeric, while the operating head 33 can be made of a second metal material harder than the first, for example steel. In this way, it will be possible to make only the part actually in contact with the cam element 21 in "hard" and more expensive material, while the remaining part of the slider element 30 can be made in cheaper material.

The cursor element 30 can then slide between an operating position of start of travel in which the operating head 33 is proximal to the bottom wall 112 of the work chamber 11, illustrated for example in FIGS. 7, 10A, 13A and 16A, and an end-of-stroke operating position in which the operating head 33 is distal from the bottom wall 112, illustrated for example in Figures 6, 9A, 12A and 15A.

Conveniently, these start and end stroke positions can be any, and not necessarily correspond to the maximum distal and / or proximal position that the operating head 33 can assume.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, they may not necessarily correspond to the position of the door closed and the door open. In fact, when the cursor 30 is in the start position, the door A can be open or closed, preferably open, while when the cursor 30 is in the end position, the door A can be closed or open, preferably closed.

The operating head 33 can then slide inside the operating chamber 11, while the shaft 41 may eventually come out of it as better explained below.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, suitable means may be provided to guide the sliding of the cursor element 30 along the Y axis.

For example, the side walls 116 of the operating chamber 11 can guide the sliding of the slider element 30. In particular, the operating head 33 can have dimensions substantially equal to the operating chamber 11 so that the side walls 116 of the same guide the sliding of the operating head 33 between the proximal and distal positions to / from the bottom wall 112.

Conveniently, the operating head 33 can have a substantially "T" -shaped section with a zone 37 including the operating face 32 facing the front wall 113 of the work chamber 11 and an area 38 including the rear face 34 facing the bottom wall 112 of the chamber 11.

In particular, the area 38 may have a substantially parallelepiped shape and may have a pair of side faces 35 and a pair of side faces 36 facing each other and preferably in contact with respective pairs of side walls 116 of the same chamber 11.

In this way, the side walls 116 will be able to act as a sliding guide for the area 38 of the operating head 33 and therefore for the slider element 30.

It is understood that the faces 35 could be parallel to each other as well as the faces 36, while the faces 35 and the faces 36 could be perpendicular to each other.

Conveniently, the faces 35, 36 and possibly also the walls 116 may be substantially flat.

Thanks to the above configuration, the guide walls 116 will be able to guide the sliding of the operating head 33 along the Y axis and will also be able to avoid the rotation of the operating head 33 with respect to the same Y axis and therefore also the rotation of the shaft 41 with respect to to the same Y axis.

On the other hand, the area 37 may interact with the portion 13 of the hinge body 10. In particular, the area 37 may have a substantially plate-like shape and substantially perpendicular to the X axis, while the portion 13 may have a seat 132 for this area 37.

More in detail, the area 37 can slide into the seat 132 when the slider element 30 slides. For example, the portion 13 can comprise a pair of facing walls 133 intended to interact, preferably to be in contact, with the faces 37 'of zone 37.

It is understood that the walls 133 and the external faces 37 'can all be substantially perpendicular to the X axis.

Thanks to this feature, the facing walls 133 will be able to guide the longitudinal sliding along the Y axis of the area 37 and therefore of the head 33 of the slider element 30.

It is understood that the operating head 33 can have different configurations and / or can be made in several pieces.

For example, even if not shown in the attached figures, the operating head 33 may have a substantially planar front area 37 arranged perpendicular to the X axis, or, according to a different embodiment, the operating head 33 may have a substantially parallelepiped shape.

The hinge 1 may also comprise means 50, 60, 70, 80 for controlling the sliding of the slider element 30 along at least a portion of its sliding between the operating position of start of travel and the operating position of end of travel and possibly means 90 to adjust the action of the control means 50, 60, 70, 80.

It is understood that the hinge 1 may have no control means 50, 60, 70, 80 or, preferably, it may comprise one or more of the control means 50, 60, 70, 80.

Optionally, when present, the control means 50 can be placed inside the operating chamber 11, while the control means 60, 70, 80 can preferably but not exclusively be placed outside the operating chamber 11.

The control means 50, 60, 70, 80 may be of the mechanical or hydraulic type. In particular, the control means 50, 60, 70 may be mechanical while the control means 80 may be of the hydraulic type.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 13B, the hinge 1 may be of the mechanical type and may include mechanical damping means 60, 70 acting on the slider element 30 to mechanically dampen its sliding along the Y axis, while, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16B, the hinge 1 may include hydraulic damping means 80 acting on the slider element 30 to hydraulically dampen its sliding along the Y axis.

It is evident that the mechanical hinge has no hydraulic damping means, while the hydraulic hinge may include mechanical control means, for example the control means 50.

The different types of control means 50, 60, 70, 80 will be described below.

Preferably, the control means 60, 70, 80, when present, may be alternative to each other, while the control means 50 may or may not be present independently of the control means.

In particular, in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. from 4A to 16B, the hinge 1 can include elastic contrast means 51 acting on the slider 30 placed inside the operating chamber 11 which can then define the control means 50, while in the embodiments illustrated by FIGS. 17A to 19B the hinge 1 can be without elastic contrast means 51 placed inside the operating chamber 11.

Depending on the configuration, the elastic contrast means 51 may be pushing or restoring.

In the case of elastic means of thrust contrast, the force of the same will be such as to automatically recall the leaf A from the open or closed position which it reaches when the slider element 30 is in the position of start of travel towards the other of the open position or closed which it reaches when the slider element 30 is in the end-of-stroke position.

In this case, depending on whether the position reached by leaf A when the cursor element 30 is in the start position is open or closed, the hinge 1 may be an opening hinge or a closing hinge.

In the case of elastic restoring contrast means, on the other hand, their force may be such that it will not be able to push the leaf A from the open or closed position which it reaches when the slider element 30 is in the position of start of travel towards the another of the open or closed position which it reaches when the slider element 30 is in the end-of-stroke position. In this case, the door A must be moved manually or in any case with actuator means external to the hinge 1, for example a motor.

The force of the elastic restoring means, however, will be such as to bring the slider element 30 back from the stroke start position to the stroke end position.

In any case, the elastic contrast means 51 can be configured to promote the sliding of the slider 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position and to counteract the sliding thereof from the stroke end position to the stroke start position.

The elastic contrast means 51 can be interposed between the operating head 33 and the bottom wall 120 of the operating chamber 11.

More in detail, the operating head 33 may comprise an abutment surface 34 facing the bottom wall 120. The area 38 of the operating head 33 may therefore comprise the lateral faces 35, 36 and the abutment surface 34 substantially perpendicular to the latter.

On the other hand, the elastic contrast means 51 may comprise, respectively, be constituted by a spiral spring 52 fitted on the shaft 41 and interposed between the bottom wall 120 and the abutment surface 34 so as to promote the passage from the position proximal to the distal position of the operative head 33 and to oppose the passage of the same from the distal position to the proximal position.

In this way, the shaft 41 can act as a guide for the spring 52. It is understood that the spring 52 may have an internal diameter substantially equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft 41 on which it is fitted.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the elastic contrast means 51 may include in addition to the spring 52 one or more springs interposed between the bottom wall 120 and the abutment surface 34.

In particular, the springs 52 can be placed side by side so that they define respective axes coinciding or parallel to the Y axis. For example, the spring 52 can be provided, and a pair of springs arranged above and below the same spring 52. The springs 52 they can all be the same.

Eventually, the side walls 116 of the operating chamber 11 will be able to guide the springs 52 during the sliding of the slider element 30 so that they remain in position in the operating chamber 11.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the portion 12 may include a seat for the shaft 41 so that the latter can slide inside it.

Preferably, this seat may be the longitudinal seat 121 coaxial to the Y axis, and may be, for example, a hole passing through the portion 12.

Conveniently, the through hole 121 may have substantially the same diameter or slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft 41. In this way, the through hole 121 can guide the sliding of the shaft 41 itself and therefore of the cursor 30 along the Y axis.

In other words, the guide means of the slider element 30 may comprise the side walls 116 of the operating chamber 11 adapted to interact with the operating head 33 to guide it and the through hole 121 adapted to interact with the shaft 41 to guide it along the 'Y axis

Therefore, the slider element 30 can be guided at two mutually spaced positions along the Y axis, i.e. at the head 33 and at the shaft 41, preferably at the end 43 of the shaft 41 so that, advantageously, the alignment of the same cursor element 30 along the same Y axis is maintained.

Operationally, it will then be possible to insert the head 33 through the opening 118 while the shaft 41 can be inserted through the through hole 121. Conveniently, the head 33 and the shaft 41 can be mutually coupled by means of the pin 40 as described above. If the spring 52 is present, the latter can be inserted through the opening 118 similarly to the operating head 33.

In particular, it will be possible to first insert the operating head 33 and the spring 52 between the head 33 and the bottom surface 120, and then the shaft 41 can be inserted so that it passes through the spring 52 and that the end 42 is inserted in the seat 33 'of the operating head 33.

In other words, the springs 52 can also remain in the seat 19.

The hinge 1 may have very limited vertical, horizontal and, in particular, longitudinal dimensions.

The spring 51 may have an external diameter equal to or slightly lower than the height H of the hinge body 10. On the other hand, the operating head 33 may have a width substantially equal to the height H of the hinge body 10.

Conveniently, this height H can be substantially equal to or slightly higher than that of the slider 31. Indicatively, this height H can be lower than 30 mm, and preferably lower than 25 mm and even more preferably lower than 20 mm.

Furthermore, according to a particular embodiment, the slider element 30 may have a length such that when it is in the start position, the shaft 41 is substantially flush with the hinge body 10. In particular, the shaft 41 it may have an end 43 opposite the end 42 while the portion 12 of the hinge body 10 may have an external wall 122 opposite the surface 120.

Conveniently, when the slider element 30 is in the start position, the end 43 can be substantially flush with the outer wall 122 (FIG.10A).

Furthermore, the through hole 121 can have a length substantially equal to or greater than the stroke of the slider element 30. In this way, the hinge 10 can have the operating chamber 11 of maximum length and the portion 12 of minimum length, while still maintaining the guide guided. shaft 41 at its end 43.

Thanks to this characteristic, the overall dimensions can be particularly reduced, and in particular the length LU of the hinge body 10 which can be less than 110 mm, preferably less than 80 mm.

As described above, the hinge 1 can have only the control means 50, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or it may comprise one of the damping means 70 (FIG.17A), 60 (FIG.18A) and 80 (FIG.19A), or it may comprise the control means 50 and one of the damping means 70 (FIG.8), 60 (FIG.11) and 80 (FIG.13), According to a particular embodiment of the hinge 1 illustrated in FIG. 8 or in FIGS. 17A and 17B elements may be provided with cam 71 and cam follower 72 to dampen the sliding of the slider element 30 from the end of stroke position to the start of stroke by defining the mechanical control means 70 which may therefore be mechanical damping means 70.

In particular, the slider element 30 may comprise the cam elements 72 while the hinge body 10 may comprise the cam follower elements 73 which may be configured to slide along a Z axis substantially transverse to the Y axis and preferably perpendicular to the same. Possibly, in a similar way, as shown in the attached figures, a system of inclined planes 72, 73 may be provided to promote the sliding of the plane 73 along the Z axis.

Conveniently, elastic contrast means 71 acting on the element 73 to counteract its sliding may be provided.

More in detail, the shaft 41 may comprise a longitudinal groove 44 which may have a portion 44 'with a surface 440 substantially coaxial to the Y axis and a portion 44' 'with a surface 441 substantially inclined with respect to the Y axis, i.e. diverging from the same defining the cam element 72.

On the other hand, a sliding element 74 along the Z axis may be provided, for example a cylinder, having an end 74 'intended to interact with the portion 44' of the groove 44 to define the elements 73.

In this way, the sliding along the Y axis of the portion 44 '' will correspond to the sliding along the Z axis of the cylinder 74.

Conveniently, means may be provided for guiding the sliding of the cylinder 74 along this axis Z. For example, the hinge body 10 may comprise a circular seat 17 suitable for housing the cylinder 74.

Preferably, this seat 17 can be placed in correspondence with the portion 12 of the hinge body 10.

On the other hand, the longitudinal groove 44 and the cylinder 74 can be mutually configured in such a way that for a portion of the sliding of the slider element 30 the end 74 'can interact with the surface 440 and for a portion of the sliding of the slider element 30 the end 74 'will be able to interact with the surface 441.

Preferably, when the slider element 30 is in the stroke start position, the end 74 'may be in contact with the surface 440 and when the slider element 30 is in the end stroke position the end 74' may be in contact with surface 441.

The elastic contrast elements 71 may be a spring or, preferably, an elastomeric element, for example an elastomeric cylinder. Upon sliding of the cylinder 74, the opposite end 74 '' to the end 74 'of the cylinder 74 will be able to promote the compression of the elastomeric cylinder 71 and thus counteract the sliding of the cylinder 74 itself.

In other words, when the end 74 'is in contact with the surface 440 the slider element 30 can slide freely, while when the end 74' is in contact with the surface 441 the elastomeric cylinder 71 will be able to oppose the sliding of the cylinder 74 and therefore dampen the sliding of the slider element 30.

Conveniently, the circular seat 17 may be a through hole having an opening facing the cursor element 30 and an opening facing outwards. In particular, a closing element 75 may therefore be provided, intended to close the through opening and having a surface 75 'intended to act as an abutment for the elastomeric cylinder 71.

In other words, the elastomeric cylinder 71 may remain interposed between the surface 75 'of the closing element 75 and the groove 44 of the shaft 41 so that the sliding of the cylinder 74 corresponds to the compression of the elastomeric cylinder 71.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the closing element 75 may be a screw that can be screwed into the seat 17 in order to vary the distance between the shaft 41 and the surface 75 '. In this way, by screwing / unscrewing the grain 75, the compression of the elastomeric cylinder 71 can be varied when the slider element 30 is in the start or end position.

In other words, the grain 75 will allow you to adjust the sliding of the cylinder 74 and therefore the damping of the sliding of the slider element 30 by acting as adjustment means 90 of the sliding of the latter.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the elastomeric cylinder 71 can always be in contact with the surface 75 'and with the surfaces 440 and 441 of the shaft 41. On the other hand, the elastomeric cylinder 71 can have reduced dimensions so that the cylinder 74 is free to flow for a stretch and is opposed for another.

It is also understood that by varying the configuration of the portions 44 'and 44' 'and / or the inclination of the surface 441, by varying the configuration of the elastomeric cylinder 71 and / or the distance between the shaft 41 and the surface 75' it will be possible to obtain a different damping action and / or a damping action only for some sections of the stroke of the slider element 30.

Although in the present text the inclined portion 44 'has been described in such a way as to promote the compression of the elastomeric cylinder 71 upon the passage of the slider element 30 from the stroke end position to the stroke start position, in a similar way the portion 44 'can be inclined in the opposite direction to promote compression of the elastomeric cylinder 71 upon passage of the slider element 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position.

Conveniently, the shells 100 may therefore have dimensions substantially equal to or slightly larger than the hinge body 10. In particular, the shells 100 may have a length substantially equal to the length LU of the hinge body 10. The internal surfaces of the shells 101 may therefore be in contact with the external surface 10 'of the hinge body 10.

In this case, the through hole 121 may have a length substantially equal to the stroke of the slider element 30 so that when the latter is in the start position, the end 43 may be substantially flush with the outer wall 122.

In this way the hinge 1 can have particularly reduced dimensions.

According to a different embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 or in FIGS.

18A and 18B, the cursor element 30 may have at least a portion 30 'which may remain external to the operating chamber 11 during the sliding of the same cursor element 30.

In particular, the shaft 41 may have a significantly greater length than the operating chamber 11 so that a portion of the same defines the external portion 30 '.

Conveniently, a shaft 45 can be provided operatively coupled with the shaft 41 to slide with it along the Y axis. In this case, the shaft 45 can define the outer portion 30 'of the slider element 30. Preferably, the The shaft 45 can be defined by a screw.

Optionally, the shaft 41 may be of such length that when the slider element 30 is in the start position, the end 43 may in any case be substantially flush with the outer wall 122, while the shaft or screw 45 may define the outer portion 30 '.

In any case, the outer portion 30 'may comprise an annular projection 62 and elastic contrast means 61 interposed between the outer wall 122 of the portion 12 of the hinge body 10 and the annular projection 62 may be provided. contrast can be a spring 61. Preferably, the spring 61 can be fitted on the portion 30 '.

In this way, the passage of the slider element 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position can correspond to the compression of the spring 61 while the passage from the stroke end position to the stroke start position can correspond to the expansion of the spring 61 defining thus the mechanical control means 60.

If the elastic means 51 are also present, the springs 52 and 61 can then be opposed so that the compression of one corresponds to the expansion of the other and vice versa.

It is therefore understood that the mechanical control means 50, 60 may be thrusting, restoring or damping according to the mutual configuration of the contrast elements 51, 61.

Preferably, the mechanical means 60 may be damping means, that is, configured to oppose the slider element 30 when sliding from the stroke end position to the stroke start position.

The shaft 45 may have an end 46 that can be screwed internally at the end 43 of the shaft 41, while the annular projection 62 may be placed at the end 47 of the shaft 45 opposite the end 46.

It is understood that when the shaft 45 is a screw, the end 47 may be the head of the screw.

The spring 61 can then be fitted on the shaft 45 to remain interposed between and abutment with an abutment surface 63 of the annular projection 62 and a abutment surface 123 of the wall 122.

It is understood that the head 47 of the shaft 45 may define the annular projection 62 or, as shown in the attached figures, a shaped annular element 64 may be provided including the abutment surface 63.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, means may also be provided for varying the distance d between the abutment surface 63 and 123 when the slider element 30 is in the start or end position.

In other words, the mutual approach / removal of the annular projection 62 and of the wall 122 may vary the preload of the spring 61 and therefore the amount of damping.

For example, the screwing / unscrewing of the shaft 45 in the shaft 41 will be able to decrease / increase the distance d and therefore increase / decrease the preload of the spring 61 in order to define the means 90 for adjusting the damping of the slider element 30.

Eventually, the damping means 60 will be able to act on the slider element 30 during its entire stroke, preferably progressively, or only along a stretch, for example when the slider element 30 is near the start of the stroke.

For example, the distance d when the slider element 30 is in the stroke start position can be substantially greater than the length of the spring 61. In this way, for a portion of the sliding from the stroke start position to the stroke end position the element cursor 30 will be able to slide freely, while it can be counteracted near the end-of-stroke position.

Eventually, these configurations can be obtained or avoided by varying the spring 61 or simply by unscrewing / screwing the shaft 45.

Conveniently, the end 47 of the shaft 45 can be maneuvered by an operator so that the latter can vary at the distance d.

The shell 100 may have a slightly longer length than the hinge body 10 in order to define an operating chamber 65 intended to contain the external portion 30 'of the slider element 30.

Also in this case the assembly of the hinge 1 can be particularly simple and fast. In fact, once the shaft 41 has been mounted, the spring 61 can be put on the shaft 45 and screwed the latter to the shaft 41.

According to a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 or in FIGS.19A and 19B, means 80 may be present to hydraulically dampen the sliding of the slider element 30.

Such hydraulic damping means 80 may be of any type and may comprise a movable part 82 and a fixed part 81. For example, the hydraulic means 80 may comprise an operating chamber 81 containing a working fluid, for example oil, and an element piston 82 sealed in the operating chamber 81 to divide the latter into a first and a second variable volume compartments 83, 83 '.

Conveniently, the piston 82 and the operating chamber 81 can be mutually configured so that one slides with respect to the other. For example, the piston 82 can slide between a position in which compartment 83 has minimum volume and compartment 83 'has maximum volume and a position in which compartment 83 has maximum volume and compartment 83' has minimum volume.

In order to allow the passage of the working fluid between the compartments 83, 83 ', at least one hydraulic circuit may be provided to place the compartments 83, 83' in fluid communication. This circuit may be of a known type and may be made inside the piston 82 and / or inside the hinge body 10.

Preferably, the hinge body 10 may comprise the operating chamber 81 arranged substantially parallel to the Y axis and spaced from the latter. In other words, the piston 82 can then slide parallel to the slider element 30.

Thanks to this characteristic, the dimensions of the hinge 1 can be particularly reduced

In any case, the piston 82 can be operationally connected with the slider element 30 so that the movement of the latter corresponds to the movement of the first and vice versa.

The hydraulic circuit may further comprise flow control means such as for example valve means, calibrated passages or the like of a per se known type.

It is therefore understood that depending on the configuration of the hydraulic circuit, of the compartments 83, 83 ', and in general of the hydraulic means 80, the latter can control and / or dampen the sliding of the piston 82 and therefore of the slider element 30 for at least one stretch of his run.

In particular, depending on the configuration, the hydraulic means 80 will be able to oppose the slider element 30 upon the passage of the slider element 30 from the end-of-stroke position to the start-of-stroke position and / or upon the passage of the element. slider 30 from the stroke start position to the stroke end position and / or only during some stretches of the stroke of the slider element 30.

Furthermore, in a way that is also known, grains or pins can be provided to regulate the flow of the working liquid passing through the hydraulic circuit, thus defining the adjustment means 90.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, a screw element 48 may be provided, disposed externally to the operating chamber 11 which can be screwed onto the end 43 of the shaft 41 which in the start position of the slider element 30 can be external to the operating chamber 11 so as to define the outer portion 30 'of the cursor element 30.

Conveniently, a connecting plate 49 may be provided to operatively connect the piston 82 and the slider element 30. Also the latter may therefore be external to the operating chamber 11.

More in detail, the connection plate 49 can therefore be connected with the shaft 41 to slide with it, and therefore with the slider element 30 and can be connected with the movable part of the hydraulic means 80, for example the piston 82 .

In the present text, the elastic contrasting elements 51 have been described as restoring elements, while the mechanical 60, 70 and hydraulic means 80 can act in an opposite way, for example by exerting a damping action, that is to prevent the sliding of the element. slider 30.

On the other hand, it is understood that if the contrast elements 51 are not present, the mechanical means 60 can act as restoring or contrasting elements depending on the configuration of the same. For example, if only the mechanical means 60 are present, depending on the configuration of the spring 62 and the distance d, the mechanical means 60 can have a function substantially similar to the means 50, thus acting as a push or reset, or it can have a damping function. .

From what has been described above, it is evident that the hinge according to the invention achieves the intended aims.

The hinge according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. All the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different according to the needs, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the hinge has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numbers used in the description and in the claims are used to improve the intelligence of the invention and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of protection claimed.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. A hinge with reduced dimensions for closing a closing element (A) anchored to a stationary support structure (S), such as a wall, a frame or a floor, the hinge being movable between an opening position and a closed position, the hinge comprising: - a hinge body (10) which can be anchored to one of the closing element (A) and the stationary support structure (S), said hinge body (10) internally comprising a longitudinal operating chamber (11) defining a first axis (Y ); - a pin (20) which can be anchored to the other between the closing element (A) and the stationary support structure (S) defining a second axis (X) substantially perpendicular to said first axis (Y), said pin (20) and said hinge body (10) being mutually coupled to rotate around said second axis (X) between the opening and closing positions of the closing element (A); - a cursor (30) sliding in said operating chamber (11) along said first axis (Y), said cursor (30) comprising at least a first shaft (41) defining said first axis (Y) and at least one operating head (33) interacting reciprocally with said pin (20); wherein said pin (20) further includes a cam element (21) rotatable integrally with it, said operating head (33) of said slider (30) comprising an operating face (32) interacting with said cam element (21) so that when opening or closing the closing element (A) the rotation of the first (20) around said second axis (X) corresponds to the sliding of the second (30) along said first axis (Y) between at least one stroke start position and one stroke end position; wherein the hinge (1) further comprises first elastic contrast means (51) placed inside said operating chamber (11) able to promote the sliding of said cursor (30) from said end-of-stroke position to said start-of-stroke position and so as to oppose the sliding of said cursor (30) from said stroke start position to said stroke end position; in which said operating chamber (11) has a first seat (18) for rotation for said pin (20) and a second seat (19) facing each other with said first seat (18) for the sliding of said cursor (30), said hinge body (10) having a first opening (118) for the insertion perpendicular to said first axis (Y) of said operating head (33) in said second seat (19) and a second opening (121) passing through for insertion coaxially to said first axis (Y) of said at least one first shaft (41) in said second seat (19); wherein the hinge further comprises means (40 ') for reciprocally fixing said at least one first shaft (41) and said operating head (33) once inserted in said second seat (19) in such a way as to create a solidly sliding unitary assembly along said first axis (Y) and at least one covering element (100) which can be coupled with said hinge body (10) to cover said first opening (118). 2. Hinge according to claim 1, wherein said operating chamber (11) comprises a bottom wall (112), said first elastic contrast means (51) being interposed between said operating head (33) of said slider (30 ) and said bottom wall (112). 3. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said first elastic contrast means (51) comprise at least a first spring (52) fitted on said at least one first shaft (41) of said slider (30), said operating head ( 33) of said slider (30) comprising a first abutment surface (34), said bottom wall (112) of said operating chamber (11) having a second abutment surface (120), said at least one first spring (52) being in abutment with said first and second abutment surfaces (34, 120). 4. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising mechanical means (60, 70) and / or hydraulic means (80) for damping the sliding of said cursor (30) from one of said start and end stroke positions to the another between said start and end travel positions. 5. Hinge according to the preceding claim, comprising adjustment means (90) acting on said mechanical damping means (60, 70) and / or on said hydraulic damping means (80) for adjusting the damping of the slider (30) , said adjustment means (90) being manoeuvrable by an operator. 6. Hinge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said slider (30) extends through said second through opening (121) so that at least a portion (30 ') thereof is external to said operating chamber (11) , said at least one external portion (30 ') of said slider (30) presenting an annular projection (62), said hinge body (10) presenting an external wall (122) facing said annular projection (62) and spaced therefrom, second elastic contrast means (61) being also provided interposed between said external wall (122) and said annular projection (62). 7. Hinge according to the preceding claim, wherein said second elastic contrast means (61) comprise at least a second spring coaxial to said at least one external portion (30 ') of said slider (30), said external wall (122) of said hinge body (10) comprising a third abutment surface (123) and said annular projection (62) comprising a fourth abutment surface (63), said at least one second spring (61) being interposed between said third and fourth beat (123, 63). 8. Hinge according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said at least one shaft (41) comprises a first shaped portion (44 ''), said hinge body (10) comprising a sliding element (74) along a third axis (Z) substantially transverse to said first axis (Y), said sliding element (74) comprising a second operating face (74 ') intended to interact with said first shaped portion (44' ') so that the sliding of said slider (30) corresponds to the sliding of said sliding element (74) along said third axis (Z), third elastic contrast means (71) being also provided, acting on said sliding element (74) to oppose its sliding. 9. Hinge according to the previous claim, in which said first shaped portion (44 '') includes an operating surface (441) inclined with respect to said first axis (Y). 10. Hinge according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein said hinge body (10) comprises a working chamber (81) containing a working fluid and a piston element (82) sealed in said chamber (81) to divide the latter into a first and a second variable volume compartment (83, 83 '), said piston element (82) being operatively connected with said slider (30) so as to slide with it between a first position in which said first compartment (83) has minimum volume and said second compartment (83 ') has maximum volume and a second position in which said first compartment (83) has maximum volume and said second compartment (83') has minimum volume, at least one hydraulic circuit being also provided to allow the passage of the working fluid from said first to said second variable volume compartment (83, 83 ') or vice versa.