ITMI20100388A1 - HINGE PARTICULARLY FOR FURNITURE - Google Patents

Description

Description of a patent application for an industrial invention

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a hinge in particular for furniture.

For some time now, hinges for furniture have been available on the market comprising an arm able to be fixed to a fixed element of the furniture and a box-shaped element able to be fixed to a furniture door, a first and a second rocker that connect the body to each other. box and arm and with them define an articulated quadrilateral.

These hinges usually have springs of various kinds to create a return force in closing and / or opening the doors on which they are applied. In these hinges it is possible to provide for the presence of devices for decelerating the movement of the leaves caused by the elastic reaction of these springs. These deceleration devices have the purpose above all of avoiding the noises due to violent impacts against the furniture body during the closing of the doors.

One of the main drawbacks of traditional hinges of the type described above, with or without deceleration device, consists in the excessive height of the box-shaped body, to which is added the height of the deceleration device, if provided, with respect to the thickness of the door. in which this box-like body must be inserted. The design height of the box-like body mainly depends on the configuration of the articulated quadrilateral in the closed configuration of the hinge, at which the door rests on the abutment plane against the fixed part of the piece of furniture.

On the market there are hinges of the type described above which are adapted to be inserted in suitable blind holes of doors having a thickness of not less than 18/19 mm, when the hinges are equipped with the deceleration device, which generally provides additional space in height. .

The provision of a box-like body that is excessively bulky in height, compared to the thickness of the door in which it is inserted, can cause serious structural or aesthetic problems, due to the lack of thickness of the material that remains between the bottom of the hole that houses the box-shaped body and the external surface of the door. In this context, it is impossible or extremely inadvisable to apply a hinge of the aforementioned type, with associated deceleration device, to a door with a thickness of 14/15 mm, without compromising the structural integrity of the door itself in use.

The technical task proposed by the present invention is therefore that of realizing a hinge in particular for furniture which allows to eliminate the technical drawbacks complained of of the known art.

Within the scope of this technical task, an object of the invention is to provide a hinge, in particular for furniture, of the type described above with a box-like body so compact in height that it can be applied without complications to a door with as small a thickness as possible.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge in particular for furniture of the type described above, with an associated deceleration device, such that the resulting assembly is so compact in height that it can be applied without complications to a thick door. reduced, in particular by 14/15 mm.

The technical task, as well as these and other purposes, according to the present invention are achieved by realizing a hinge, in particular for furniture, of the type comprising a first and a second rocker which operatively connect a box-like body adapted to be fixed to a door of the furniture and a hinge arm adapted to be fixed to a fixed part of the piece of furniture, the first rocker arm being pivoted with a first pin to the box-shaped body and with a second pivot to the arm, the second rocker arm being pivoted with a third pin to the box-shaped body and with a fourth pin to the arm, the second rocker being interposed between the bottom of the box-like body and the first rocker in correspondence with the closed configuration of the hinge in which the door rests on the abutment plane against the fixed part, characterized by the fact that in the closed configuration of the hinge, the angle between the stop plane and the plane joining the first and fourth pivot is included tr at -2 ° and 2 °, the angle between the stop plane and the plane joining the third and fourth pin is between 5 ° and 10 °, the angle between the plane joining the first and third pin and the third and fourth pin is between 140 ° and 150 °, and the center distance between the first and fourth pin is between 23 and 27 mm.

In a preferred way of carrying out the invention, a deceleration device is applied to the external side of the bottom of the box-like body.

Preferably, the deceleration device comprises a container housing at least one rotatable friction element, a slider which can be driven in translation during the oscillation movement of the hinge by means of the second rocker through a window in the bottom of the box-shaped body, and kinematic means for transforming the translation of the slider in a rotation of said at least one friction element, said kinematic means comprising a dragging element integral with said slider and permanently confined within the profile of a radial cam obtained on said friction element, said dragging element being selectively engageable with a first section of the profile of said cam for the rotation actuation of said friction element during the oscillation in the opening direction of the hinge or with a second section of the profile of said cam for the rotation actuation of said element friction during phase fi of the swing in the closing direction of the hinge.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the configuration of the articulated quadrilateral consisting of the first, second, third and fourth pin allows to suitably configure the second rocker arm and the cam profile, in such a way as to anticipate the angle of oscillation of the hinge in correspondence with of which the dragging element integral with the slider, interacting with the cam profile, causes the rotation of the friction element to start during the closing movement of the hinge.

In this way, the deceleration device can distribute the dissipation action of the kinetic energy of the closing door during a greater angular stroke of the door itself. This determines a reduction in the maximum stress to which the components of the deceleration device can be subjected, which therefore can be designed with smaller dimensions without the risk of undesired breakage.

Preferably, the friction element is a plate-like circular disc having, on its side facing the bottom of said container, a first plurality of concentric impressions that engage on a second plurality of concentric impressions of a conjugate shape obtained on the bottom of said container.

Preferably, the first portion of the cam profile is convex and can be engaged with an extended contact on a surface with a concave side of the driving element, and the second portion of the cam profile is concave and can be engaged with an extended contact on a surface with a convex side of the drag element.

Preferably, the container is filled with a viscous medium to achieve said deceleration with a combined effect of the mechanical and viscous type.

The provision of a non-point contact, but extended superficially between the driving element and the cam immersed in a viscous medium, allows a more uniform distribution of the mechanical stresses with a corresponding decrease in the specific pressure on the parts of the deceleration device, which reduces the wear and once again significantly contributes to widening the design choices for reducing the overall dimensions of the deceleration device. A quick coupling system is preferably provided between said deceleration device and said box-like body.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the furniture hinge according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting indication in the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a top view of the part of a piece of furniture that brings the hinge into the closed position with the deceleration device sectioned diametrically;

Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the deceleration device and of the box-shaped body of the hinge, with the slider shown for convenience on both its sides;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the contents of the container of the deceleration device, in the closing position of the hinge;

- figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the deceleration device, diametrically sectioned in the closing position of the hinge;

- Figure 5 is a plan view of the contents of the container of the deceleration device, in the starting position of the decelerating action during the closure of the hinge; - Figure 6 shows a side elevation view of the deceleration device diametrically sectioned in the position of the start of the decelerating action during the closure of the hinge;

- Figure 7 shows a plan view of the assembly formed by the friction element and the drag element in the closing position of the hinge; And

- Figure 8 shows a plan view of the assembly formed by the friction element and the drag element in the starting position of the decelerating action during the closure of the hinge.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, a furniture hinge is shown, comprising a first rocker arm 2 and a second rocker arm 3 which operatively connect a box-like body 4 adapted to be fixed to a door 100 of the piece of furniture and a hinge arm 5 adapted to be fixed to a fixed part 101, for example a shoulder, of the piece of furniture.

The first rocker arm 2 is pivoted with a first pin 7 to the box-like body 4 and with a second pin 8 to the arm 5.

The second rocker 3 is pivoted with a third pin 9 to the box-like body 4 and with a fourth pin 10 to the arm 5, and is interposed between the bottom 15 of the box-like body 4 and the first rocker 2 in correspondence with the closed configuration of the hinge in which the door 100 rests on the abutment plane 102 against the fixed part 101.

The first, second, third and fourth hinging pins 7, 8, 9, 10 obviously have parallel axes.

The structure composed of the box-shaped body 4 and the arm 5 operatively connected by the rockers 2 and 3 by means of the pins 7, 8, 9 and 10 constitutes an articulated quadrilateral which assumes a special configuration suitable for minimizing the height of the box-shaped body 4 necessary for containment of rocker arms 2 and 3 when the hinge assumes the closed configuration.

In the closed configuration of the hinge, the angle α between the abutment plane 102 and the plane joining the first pin 7 and the fourth pin 10 is between -2 ° and 2 °, the angle ȕ between the abutment plane 102 and the plane joining the third pin 9 and the fourth pin 10 is between 5 ° and 10 °, the angle Ȗ between the plane joining the first pin 7 and the third pin 9 on one side and the third pin 9 and the fourth pin 10 on the other hand is between 140 ° and 150 °, while the center distance H between the first pin 7 and the fourth pin 10 is finally between 23 and 27 mm.

In the case illustrated by way of example, the angle α is equal to 1.56 °, the angle ȕ is equal to 7.94 °, the angle Ȗ is equal to 144 °, while the center distance H is equal to 24, 9 mm.

Around the fourth hinging pin 10 there is a spring 11 having a first spring arm 12 associated with the arm 5 and a second spring arm 13 associated with the rocker 2. The spring 11 in the terminal phase of closing the door 100 allows to create a recall force on door 100 for its spontaneous and precise closing.

A deceleration device 1 is preferably applied to the external side of the bottom 15 of the box-like body 4.

The deceleration device 1 comprises a cylindrical container 14 to be fixed to the external side of the bottom 15 of the box-like body 4.

The parts inside the container 14 are immersed in a viscous medium to achieve deceleration with a combined effect of the mechanical and viscous type.

The container 14 houses a friction element 16 rotatable on a sliding surface 17, a plate-like slider 18 movable along a translation direction 19 during the oscillation of the hinge, and kinematic means for transforming the translation of the slider 18 into a rotation of the friction element 16.

The kinematic means comprise a dragging element 20 integral with the slider 18 and permanently confined within the profile of a cam 21 obtained on the friction element 16.

The cam 21 has a radial curvilinear development on the friction element 16, and is in particular constituted by a shaped recess in the surface of the friction element 16 on which the slider 18 slides.

The driving element 20 can be selectively engaged with a first section 22 of the profile of the cam 21 for the rotation of the friction element 16 during the opening of the hinge or with a second section 23 of the profile of the cam 21 for the rotation of the friction element 16 during the final step of closing the hinge.

The first portion 22 of the profile of the cam 21 is convex and can be engaged with an extended contact on a surface with a concave side of the driving element 20, while the second portion 23 of the profile of the cam 21 is concave and can be engaged with a contact extended over a surface with a convex side of the driving element 20.

This geometry in the coupling between the driving element 20 and the cam 21 determines extensive contact surfaces that allow to obtain lower specific pressures and therefore to reduce wear.

The provision of extended contact surfaces limits the maximum value of the mechanical stresses to which the deceleration device 1 is subjected, allowing it to be further compacted.

The slider 18 has first means for grasping its movement during the opening of the hinge distinct and separated by second means for grasping its movement during the closing of the hinge. The container 14 as well as the other parts of the deceleration device are preferably made of plastic of suitable stiffness.

The container 14 also has a lid 24 which holds the elements present inside it.

In particular, the lid 24 has a window 25 along which the slider 18 is driven in a translatable way.

The slider 18 has a quadrangular shape and is guided between the opposite rectilinear sides 27 of the window 25.

The friction element 16 is in particular a plate-like circular disk arranged coaxially to the container 14 and has, on its side facing the bottom of the container 14, a first plurality of concentric impressions 28 which engage on the sliding surface 17, comprising a in turn a second plurality of concentric impressions 29 having a shape conjugated to the first plurality of concentric impressions 28 and obtained directly on the inner side of the circular bottom of the container 14.

The first means for gripping the movement of the slider 18 comprise ramps 35 obtained on opposite lateral sides of the slider 18 while the second gripping means comprise a beveled edge 37 of one side of a quadrangular opening 36 of the slider 18.

The side of the opening 36 having the beveled edge 37 is close to and parallel to the front edge 38 of the slider 18. The dragging element 20 extends integrally from the lower surface of the slider sector 18 delimited between the side of the opening 36 having the edge bevel 37 and the front edge 38 of the slider 18.

The slider 18 is accessible to the rocker arm 3 through a window 41 in the bottom 15 of the box-like body 4 superimposed on the window 25 of the lid 24.

On the end of the rocker arm 3 adjacent to the pin 9 there is a piece formed with first lateral cams 42 for controlling the first means for gripping the movement of the slider 18, and a second central cam 40 for controlling the second means for gripping the movement of the slider 18 .

The first control cams 42 are each able to interfere with a corresponding lateral shoulder 35 of the slider 18, while the second control cam 40 is able to interfere with the chamfered edge 37 of the internal central opening 36 of the slider 18. The deceleration device 1 has means for quick attachment to the box-shaped body 4 of the hinge, comprising in particular a U-bolt (not shown) with parallel legs able to engage in suitable holes 52 and 55 of the box-shaped body 4 and 53, 56 of the lid 24. The parallel legs of the U-bolt form the pins 7 and 9 for hinging the rocker arms 2 and 3 to the box-like body 4. This allows the deceleration device to be mounted simply by adding a station to the pre-existing assembly line of the hinge which is thus not modified.

Means for checking are provided between the assembly formed by the container 14 and its lid 24 on one side and the box-like body 4 of the hinge on the other to arrange each other in the correct position for their subsequent locking through the U-bolt.

The abutment means comprise at least one pin 54 on the lid 24, which can be inserted into a corresponding hole 51 on the box-like body 4 of the hinge.

The connection of the lid 24 to the container 14 is made by means of elastic snap teeth 60 provided on the lateral surface of one and engaged in slots 61 provided on the lateral surface of the other.

The special configuration assumed by the articulated quadrilateral allows to anticipate the opening position of the hinge, during its closing movement of the door, at which the decelerating effect begins. In particular, the onset of the decelerating effect is ensured at an opening angle of about 35 °, compared to about 20 °, 25 ° present in traditional hinges of the same type.

Again thanks to the special configuration assumed by the articulated quadrilateral in the closed condition of the hinge, the height of the box-like body 4, as well as the height of the deceleration device, can be reduced. In the example illustrated above, the box-like body 4 has a height of about 7.8 mm while the deceleration device occupies a height of less than 4 mm under the box-like body.

The hinge determines an overall height of the box-like body and the deceleration device, if foreseen, perfectly compatible for application to a door with a thickness of 14 / 15mm.

The operation of the deceleration device 1 is briefly as follows.

During the oscillation in the closing direction of the hinge, the second control cam 40, rotating around the pin 9, interferes and begins to press with its profile 47 on the beveled edge 37 causing the translation of the slider 18 in one direction. this direction of translation the driving element 20 initially detaches itself from the section 22 of the profile of the cam 21 and after coming into contact with the section 23 of the profile of the cam 21 it begins to push it, making the friction element 16 rotate. sliding friction which is generated at the contact surfaces between the friction element 16 and the container 14 determines the desired deceleration in the final part of the closure of the hinge.

On the contrary, during the oscillation in the opening direction of the hinge, the first control cams 42, rotating around the pin 9, press on the lateral shoulders 35 causing the translation in the opposite direction of the slider 18. In this direction of translation the driving element 20 it detaches from the portion 23 of the profile of the cam 21 and after coming into contact with the portion 22 of the profile of the cam 21 it begins to push it by rotating the friction element 16 to bring it back to the starting position. The hinge thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS 1. Hinge particularly for furniture, of the type comprising a first and a second rocker arm (2, 3) which operatively connect a box-like body (4) adapted to be fixed to a door (100) of the furniture and a hinge arm (5) adapted to be fixed to a fixed part (101) of the piece of furniture, the first rocker arm (2) being pivoted with a first pin (7) to the box-like body (4) and with a second pin (8) to the arm (5), the second rocker arm (3) being pivoted with a third pin (9) to the box-shaped body (4) and with a fourth pin (10) to the arm (5), the second rocker arm (3) being interposed between the bottom of the box-shaped body (4) and the first rocker arm (2) in correspondence with the closed configuration of the hinge in which the door (100) rests on the abutment plane (102) against the fixed part (101), characterized in that in the closed configuration of the hinge the angle between the stop plane and the plane joining the first and fourth pivot (7, 10) is between -2 ° and 2 °, the angle between the stop plane and the plane joining the third and fourth pivot (9, 10) is between 5 ° and 10 °, the angle between the plane joining the first and third pivot (7, 9 ) and the third and fourth pin (9, 10) is between 140 ° and 150 °, and the distance between the first and fourth pin (7, 10) is between 23 and 27 mm. 2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that a deceleration device is applied to the outer side of the bottom of the box-like body (4). 3. Hinge according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said deceleration device (1) comprises a container (14) housing at least one rotatable friction element (16), a slider (18) which can be moved in translation during the oscillation movement of the hinge by means of the second rocker arm (3) through a window (41) of the bottom (15) of the box-like body (4), and kinematic means for transforming the translation of the slider (18) into a rotation of said at least one friction element ( 16), said kinematic means comprising a dragging element (20) integral with said slider (18) and permanently confined within the profile of a radial cam (21) obtained on said friction element (16), said dragging element (20) being selectively engageable with a first portion (22) of the profile of said cam (21) for the rotational actuation of said friction element (16) during the oscillation in opening of the hinge or with a second section (23) of the profile of said cam (21) for the rotation drive of said friction element (16) during the final phase of the oscillation when closing the hinge. 4. Hinge according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the configuration of the articulated quadrilateral consisting of the first, second, third and fourth pivot (7, 8, 9, 10) is in turn adapted to configure the second rocker arm (3) and the cam profile (21) in such a way as to anticipate the opening angle of the hinge at which the dragging element (20), interacting with the cam profile (21), determines the start of the rotation of the friction element (16) during the closing movement of the hinge. 5. Hinge according to one or more claims 3 and 4, characterized in that said friction element (16) is a plate-like circular disc having, on its side facing the bottom of said container (14), a first plurality of concentric impressions (28) which engage on a second plurality of concentric impressions (29) of conjugate shape obtained on the bottom of said container (14). 6. Hinge according to one or more claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first portion (22) of the cam profile (21) is convex and can be engaged with an extended contact on a surface with a concave side of the drive (20), and the second section of the profile of the cam (21) is concave and can be engaged with an extended contact on a surface with a convex side of the drive element (20). 7. Hinge according to one or more claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said container (14) is filled with a viscous medium to achieve said deceleration with a combined effect of mechanical and viscous type. 8. Hinge according to one or more claims from 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for quick attachment of said deceleration device (1) to said box-like body (4).