WO1997027376A1

WO1997027376A1 - Hinge element and hinge arrangement comprising such hinge elements

Info

Publication number: WO1997027376A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/000091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benny Karlsson
Original assignee: Assa Ab
Priority date: 1996-01-22
Filing date: 1997-01-21
Publication date: 1997-07-31
Also published as: SE504515C2; SE9600226D0; SE9600226L

Abstract

A hinge element for interconnecting two structural members (11, 21) includes first and second attachment parts (10, 20), each of which engages one of the structural members. The hinge element also includes an intermediate main part (30) which is hingedly connected to the first attachment part on a first edge of the intermediate main part, and hingedly connected to the second attachment part on a second edge. The hinge element is characterized in that the main part includes mutually opposing first and second projections (32, 34), each of which is adapted for constraining coaction with the attachment parts when the structural members lie in one mutual plane. The invention also relates to a hinge arrangement that includes two or more such hinge elements.

Description

HINGE ELEMENT AND HINGE ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING SUCH HINGE ELEMENTS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to hinges generally and more specifically to a hinge element that will enable a hinged members to move smoothly through an angle of 360°.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

It is desirable on many occasions to be able to interconnect two structural members, e.g. two panels, in a manner that will enable the structural members to be swung through 360° in relation to one another.

U.K. Patent Application GB 2 278 152 (Guthrie) describes a hinge of the kind that includes at least three hinge elements. Each element provides a generally Z-shaped configuration and together limit the separation of the interconnected structural members.

The Swedish Patent Publication SE 437 056 (Beckrot) describes a similar hinge for interconnecting two structural members having planar edge surfaces and formed in one piece.

Although the known hinges function in the manner desired, they are, nevertheless, encumbered with several drawbacks. Firstly, they do not hold the interconnected structural members in a position in which said members lie essentially in a single plane, for instance when a door is closed. Furthermore, the interconnected structural members are separated slightly from one another, resulting in a partially open structure. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a hinge arrangement that includes hinge elements which will eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks of known hinges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention the aforesaid object is achieved with a hinge element for interconnecting two structural members, such as two panels, that includes a first and a second attachment part for engagement with a respective structural member, and an intermediate main part which is hingedly connected to the first attachment part on a first edge thereof and which is hingedly connected to the second attachment part on a second edge opposite to the first edge, wherein said hinge element is characterized in that the main part includes mutually opposite first and second projections, each adapted for coaction with one of the attachment parts such as to constrain said attachment part when said attachment part has been swung through generally 180° from an initial position in which said attachment part lies essentially in the same plane as the main part.

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a hinge arrangement that includes two or more hinge elements according to the first aspect of the invention fastened to the edge surfaces of said structural members.

Further preferred features of the invention are set forth in the dependent Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates a screen system that uses inventive hinge elements;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are perspective views of screen members included in the screen system illustrated in Fig. 1, said screen members being interconnected by means of inventive hinge elements;

Fig. 5 illustrates the screen members of Figs. 2-4 from above;

Figs. 6a and 6b illustrate a first embodiment of an inventive hinge element from above and in perspective respectively; and

Figs. 7a and 7b illustrate a second embodiment of an inventive hinge element from above and in perspective respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 illustrates generally a conventional screen system 1 in which inventive hinge elements can be used. The screen system is comprised of a plurality of screens 2 that are mutually joined along their long sides. A typical screen will have a width of about 70 cm and a height of about 2 m, although these measurements may, of course, be varied to suit requirements.

In order to enable the screen system to be handled easily and to take up as little space as possible, the system will preferably be collapsible so as to enable individual screens 2 to be folded into a stack form. As will be evident from Figs. 2 and 5, the hinge connections define an angle therebetween when the screens 2 lie against one another, i.e. the hinge elements are fully extended. The screens define mutually different angles when the screen system is extended, as evident from Fig. 1. This requires a type of hinge connection that can be folded smoothly through an angle of 360°, from a first end position to a second end position, both of which positions are represented by Figs. 2 and 5.

Fig. 2 illustrates a hinge arrangement that includes two hinge elements 3a, 3b. The hinge elements are identical to one another, but placed in mirror image with respect to each other, as evident from the Figure. Although only two hinge elements are shown, it will be understood that a larger number of hinge elements may be used when a hinge connection of greater strength is required.

Each hinge element includes a first and a second attachment part 10 and 20 respectively, said parts being screwed firmly to respective first and second screen members 11 and 21. The two attachment parts are hingedly connected by an intermediate main part 30.

The position of the hinge elements shown in Figs. 2 and 5 constitutes a first end position and is shown in more detail in Fig. 6. In this first end position, the first attachment part 10 and that portion 31 of the main part 30 to which the attachment part is joined lie essentially in the same plane. At the same time, a planar surface of the second attachment part 20 lies against the main part, thus mutually swung through 180°. The second attachment part is held constrained in this position by means of a first projection 34 on the main part 30 that engages the edge of the second attachment part.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6a, the surface of the portion 31 of the main part 30 that faces downwards in the Figure lies essentially in the same plane as the surface of the portion 33 that faces upwards in the Figure. This design provides a particularly compact and effective hinge element that results in minimum spacing between interconnected structural members.

The above description has been made with reference to the hinge element 3a, although parts of the hinge element 3b will also lie correspondingly in essentially the same plane.

Fig. 3 illustrates a position in which the structural members 11, 21 are angled in relation to one another. In this illustration, the attachment part 10 and the main part 30 have been swung relative to one another so as to define corresponding angles in relation to one another. This also applies to the hinge element 3b.

The structural members 11, 21 can be further rotated in relation to one another until reaching the position shown in Fig. 4. This position represents an intermediate position of the hinge elements 3a, 3b. In this position of the hinges, a second projection 32 on the main part engages an edge on the first attachment part, such that the hinge element will have a generally Z-shaped configuration. This is a stable hinge element position, by virtue of the effect afforded by the projections 32, 34.

When the structural members are swung further in the same direction, a position corresponding to the Fig. 3 position is reached, and finally the position shown in Fig. 2, which is a second end position of the hinge arrangement. In this regard, the two mirror-image hinge elements 3a, 3b coact in a manner that prevents the two structural members 11, 21 from separating by more than the thickness of the hinge elements.

The hinge element embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2-6 includes screw holes for fastening respective hinge elements to the structural members to be interconnected. Fig. 7 illustrates another, preferred embodiment of an inventive hinge element. Those components of the Fig. 7 embodiment that find correspondence in the first embodiment have been identified with the same reference numerals to which a prime has been added. Fig. 7 shows the hinge element in a fully extended position. This position does not correspond to any of the screen positions shown in Figs. 2-5.

The second embodiment includes the same components as the first embodiment, i.e. a first attachment part 10', a second attachment part 20' and an intermediate main part 30' that includes projections 32', 34'. In the case of the Fig. 7 embodiment, however, the attachment parts include barbed fastener plugs 38, 39 instead of holes. These plugs are intended to be pressed into channels (not shown) in the edges of the screens 2 when assembling the screen system. This enables the structural members to be assembled quickly and in a simple manner.

Fig. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the inventive hinge element, wherein components that find correspondence in the earlier described embodiments have been referenced with the same numerals to which a double prime has been added. The end-parts 10", 20" of this embodiment include extensions 10a" and 20a" which engage respective projections 32" and 34" in a manner corresponding to the earlier described embodiments. One difference, however, is that the tip of the extensions 10a", 20a" engage that side of respective projections 32", 34" which face away from respective end-parts, said projections having a shoulder or a projection on said engagement side.

This embodiment enables the end-parts to be fixed to the centre part more advantageously when opening and closing. The illustrated hinge elements are preferably made of a plastic material, such as acetal, which provides a snap-on effect when the attachment parts 10, 20 are constrained by the projections 32, 34. The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 may conveniently be extruded and cut into appropriate lengths.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated hinge elements. For instance, the hinge elements may be secured in some other way, e.g. riveted, or may have another profile that includes the features set forth in the following Claims.

Claims

1. A hinge element for interconnecting two structural members, such as two panels, wherein said hinge element includes a first and a second attachment part (10, 20; 10', 20') each adapted for engagement with one of the structural members, and an intermediate main part (30; 30'), wherein a first edge of the main part is hingedly connected to the first attachment part (10; 10') and a second main-part edge opposite said first edge is hingedly connected to the second attachment part (20¹; 20'), characterized in that the main part (30; 30') includes mutually opposite first and second projections (32, 34; 32', 34'); in that each of said projections is adapted for constraining coaction with one of the attachment parts when said attachment part has been swung generally through 180° from an initial position in which said attachment part lies generally in the same plane as said main part.

2. A hinge element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the attachment parts (10, 20; 10', 20') are constrained by a snap-action.

3. A hinge element according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the attachment parts include fastener plugs (38, 39), preferably barbed fastener plugs, for fastening the attachment part to a respective structural member.

4. A hinge element according to any one of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the projections (32, 34; 32', 34') are located on a central, thickened part of the main part (30; 30') .

5. A hinge element according to any one of Claims 1-4, characterized in that the main part includes two connection parts (31, 33; 31', 33') that extend out towards respective attachment parts, wherein said connection parts are hinged to respective attachment parts (10, 20; 10', 20') through the medium of narrowing ends.

6. A hinge element according to Claim 5, characterized in that the connection parts (31, 33; 31', 33') are constructed so that the surface of one connection part facing towards the centre of the hinge element lies essentially in the same plane as the surface of the other connection part that faces towards the centre of the hinge element.

7. A hinge arrangement that includes two or more hinge elements according to any one of the preceding Claims fastened to the edge surfaces of structural members.