WO2001083929A1

WO2001083929A1 - Positioning hinge

Info

Publication number: WO2001083929A1
Application number: PCT/SK2000/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dušan KURIC
Original assignee: Elkop, S.R.O.
Priority date: 2000-04-25
Filing date: 2000-12-13
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: SK5932000A3; AU2245601A

Abstract

Between the inner arm (1) and the outer arm (2) of a positioning hinge, on the engaging mechanism (3), the reversing mechanism (50) is formed, the said reversing mechanism being in a drivable way connected with one of the arms (1, 2). The reversing mechanism (50) is formed by the fixed insert (7) in which face driving holes (71, 71') are formed, the arrangement of these driving holes being the same as the arrangement of the positioning holes (11, 11') of the inner arm (1), and by the movable insert (6) turnably mounted on the hub (79) of the fixed insert (7), in which at least one tightening hole (61, 61') is formed. The movable insert (6) is elastically connected in a driving way with the fixed insert (7) by means of the elastic carrier (5). The engaging mechanism (3) is formed by the bush (9) in which the center pin (32) is mounted, the said center pin being provided with the protruding stop (35) and with the hidden stop (8) on its ends. On the part of the center pin (32) protruding from the bush (9) on the side of the outer arm (2), the draw bar (4) is slidably mounted which is axially spring-loaded against the center pin (32) by the compression spring (33) arranged on the center pin (32) between the bottom (41) of the draw bar (4) and the hidden stop (8).

Description

POSITIONING HINGE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a positioning hinge suitable in particular for the multi-purpose scattered collapsible ladders. Background Art

For the position protecting of the multi-purpose scattered collapsible ladders in various working positions, these ladders are provided with hinge mechanisms. From the point of view of operation safety, these mechanisms are to fulfil the requirements of the reliable securing of the ladder arms in separate required positions, and from the point of view of the handling with the ladder, they are to make possible the simple and comfortable ladder adjusting into the required positions. In order to minimize the production costs and to secure the working reliability from the point of view of failure rate, the design of the positioning hinge mechanisms ought to be as far as possible simple. In the prior art, many systems of hinge mechanisms are known in which positioning holes in opposite parts of the hinge arms for the positioning of the ladder arms in separate positions are provided, and the proper positioning of the ladder arms into the required position is being achieved through the passing of one or more pins through the opposite positioning holes.

Such a system is e.g. the mechanism according to the EP 78400015.0 that is formed by the pin bent substantially in the form of the letter „U" with unequally long arms, on the longer arm of which, the pivoted and axially sliding bush is mounted, on which both pivoted arms of the hinge are mounted. The protruding end of the pin is spring-loaded against the bush by the compression spring, and the shorter pin arm fits into the respective positioning holes made in the opposite parts of the hinge arms. The drawback of this solution is that it makes possible to pull out the shorter arm of the bent pin from the opposite holes and to leave it in the functionless position, i.e. between the positioning holes, consequently the position of the hinge is not secured. Its drawback is also the orientation of the spring into the inner area of the ladder that creates an obstacle to the user when using the ladder.

On a similar principle, the solution according to the EP 78100364.5 in comparison with the above described solution is more usefully for the user from the point of view of creating an obstacle because the central pin does not protrude into the inner area of the ladder, but it does not secure the positioning pins in the protruded position when the ladder is being adjusted for another working position. In the protruded position, the operating user must hold the positioning pins with one hand and in the same time he must handle with the ladder arms in order to the holes in the opposite arms of the hinge can get into the co-axial position and in this way the positioning pins can be pushed into them. With this handling way, the operating user must help himself with his leg, in order to push one of the ladder arms. Another drawback consist in the production demands when the hinge is being produced and also in the fact that it is not possible to use it in the case when the ladder side plate is made from the open section in the form of the letter „C". Disclosure of Invention

The above mentioned drawbacks are in the considerable measure removed by the positioning hinge consisting of the inner and outer arm that are turnably positioned on the engaging mechanism that is fitted with at least one fixation pin for the adjusting of the arms in the position responding to the required working position of the hinge by the pushing the fixation pin into the positioning holes formed in the arms of the hinge, the centres of which are positioned on the common pitch circle, while in the inner arm, at least two positioning holes and in the outer arm at least one positioning hole are made according to the invention, the matter of which consist in the fact that for the blocking of the passage of the fixation pin between the positioning holes of the hinge arms, between the hinge inner arm, and the hinge outer arm, on an engaging mechanism, the reversible mechanism is arranged which is connected in a carrying way with one of arms of the hinge. In order to make possible the simple handling with the hinge, it is advantageous when the reversible mechanism is connected in a carrying way with the inner arm of the hinge. In order to prevent the protruding of the engaging mechanism into the inner area of the ladder, the engaging mechanism (which is formed by the bush in which the center pin having on its ends with a protruding stop and a hidden stop is arranged) has on the part of the center pin protruding from the bush on the side of the hinge outer arm a slidably mounted draw bar that is axially spring-loaded against the center pin by the compression spring arranged on the center pin between the bottom of the draw bar and the hidden stop.

Another matter of the invention consists in the design of the reversible mechanism, which is formed by the fixed insertion piece in which front driving holes are made. In order to make possible the engaging of the fixation pin into the positioning holes of the hinge inner arm, the arrangement of the positioning holes is the same as the arrangement of the positioning holes of the hinge inner arm. On the hub of the fixed insert, the movable insert is turnably arranged, in which at least one tightening hole for retaining of the rotating movable insert through inserting of the fixation pin The movable insert is in a drivable way connected with the fixed insert on the flexible way by means of the elastic carrier. It is advantageous, when the elastic carrier is arranged on the fixed insert of the reversing mechanism. The fixed insert and the movable insert are by means of the elastic carrier arranged into the basic position in which the centre of the tightening hole arranged substantially on the same pitch circle as the centres of the driving holes of the fixed insert lies out of the centres of the driving holes of the fixed insert. It is advantageous, when the tightening hole of the movable insert lies in the centre between adjoining driving holes of the fixed insert.

In order to enable the simple driving connection of the reversing mechanism with the hinge inner arm, at least one positioning hole of the inner arm in the direction towards to the hinge has a passage, and the driving hole of the fixed insert of the reversing mechanism appertaining to this positioning hole has a recess on the side of the inner arm.

The principle of the invention consists also in the design of a driving connection of the fixed and the movable inserts of the reversing mechanism which is characterized by that that on the outer face of the fixed insert, at least one face hollow in the form of a sector of the circle is formed. In the top part of the face hollow, a face projection is formed, on which an elastic carrier is mounted, the arms of which lean against the side walls of the hollow and against the retainers formed on the movable insert. The ends of the arms of the carrier are bent above the circumferential surface of the fixed insert and above the circumferential surface of the movable insert in the direction towards to the outer face of the movable insert. The advantages of the positioning hinge consist in that, that it enables the safe securing of the hinge arms in separate working positions and the comfortable adjusting of the respective working position by the way of the simple slight turning of the hinge arms.

Brief Description of Drawings ^""

The invention will be more detailed explained by means of drawings, from which the Fig.1 shows the positioning hinge front view in the transport position when the hinge arms are fixed alongside, the Fig.2 is the sectional view through the positioning hinge in the plane A-A of the Fig.1, the Fig.3 is the hinge front view in the non-working position where the passing of the fixation pin into the positioning holes of the inner arm is blocked by the reversing mechanism, the Fig.4 is the hinge sectional view in the plane B-B from the Fig.3, the Fig.5 is the hinge front view in the working position when the hinge arms are fixed into the form of the letter „A" with an acute angle of the top part, the Fig.6 is the hinge front view in the working position when the hinge arms are fixed alongside in the aligned form, the Fig.7 is the view from the side of the outer face of the fixed insert towards to the reversing mechanism being in the basic position, the Fig.8 is the sectional view of the reversing mechanism in the plane C-C from the Fig.7, the Fig.9 is the view on the fixed insert of the reversing mechanism from the side of its outer face, the Fig.10 is the sectional view of the fixed insert in the plane D-D from the Fig.9, the Fig.11 is the side view of the movable insert of the reversing mechanism from the side of its inner face, the Fig.12 is the sectional view of the movable insert in the plane E-E from the Fig.11 , the Fig.13 is the front view on the elastic carrier and the Fig.14 is the lateral view of the elastic carrier in the direction P. Best mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The positioning hinge is formed by the inner arm 1 and the outer arm 2 that are rotably mounted on the engaging mechanism 3 being formed by the bush 9_in which the center pin 32 is mounted, said center pin having on the protruding end on the side of the inner arm 1 the protruding stop 35, this stop 35 being formed as a part of a center pin 32 in the form of a head, and on the part of the center pin 32 protruding from the bush 9 on the side of the outer arm 2_^ a draw bar 4 is slidably mounted. Between the bottom 41 of the draw bar 4 and the hidden stop 8 being withdrawable and being formed as a washer 81 sliding on the center pin 32 and leaning against the retaining ring 82, a compression spring 33_on the center pin 32 is mounted. In the jacket 42 of the draw bar 4, two fixation pins 31 , 3T are mounted which are secured against the displacement by means of the cover 34, two fixation pins 31 , 3V engage with their protruding ends from the cover 42 into the positioning holes 21 , 2V of the hinge inner arm 2. In order to prevent the axial displacement of the arms 1 and _^ the bush 9 has on its ends the shoulders 91, and between the inner arm 1 and the outer arm 2 on the bush 9, the distance ring 10 is slid. In the inner arm 1, the first opposite positioning hole 1± and the second opposite positioning hole IT with their centres on the common pitch circle 16 are formed. Alongside the opposite positioning holes 11,11 , the opposite side positioning holes 12, \2L_ with its centres on the same pitch circle 16 are formed, the centres of which are declined from the centres of respective opposite positioning holes 11 , IV leftwards (when looking on the inner arm 1 from the side of its outer wall 13) by an angle being equal to the angle of the opening of the arms 1, 2 when the hinge is being located into the working position in the form of the letter ,A" with an acute angle. The centres of the positioning holes 21 , 2V of the outer arm 2, formed on the same pitch circle 16, coincide with the centres of the opposite positioning holes H, I V. formed on the inner arm 1 in the time when the hinge arms 1, 2 are situated alongside in the working transporting position according to the Fig.1 , or when the arms 1, 2 are situated one after the other in the aligned form, in the working leveled, position according to the Fig.6. In the direction towards the inner wall 14 of the inner arm 1, the positioning holes 11, HI; 12, VΣ_ of the inner arm 1 have passages 15, on which by means of recesses 78, formed on the driving holes 71 , 7T; 72, T on the side of the outer face 75 of the fixed insert 7, the reversing mechanism 50 is arranged, this reversing mechanism being formed by the fixed insert 7 turnably mounted on the bush 9, by the movable insert 6 turnably mounted on the hub 79 of the fixed insert 7 and by the elastic carrier 5 by means of which the movable insert 6 is elastically connected in a driving way with the fixed insert 7. The elastic carrier 5 is formed as a torsion spring and is mounted in the hollow 73 in the form of a sector of a circle formed on the outer face 75 of the fixed insert 7 in that way that the eye 5J. of the elastic carrier 5 is being slid on the face projection 77 formed in the top part of the face hollow 73 and the arms 52 of the elastic carrier 5 lean against the side walls 74 of the face hollow 73 and against the side walls 64 of the retainers 63 formed on the inner face 67 of the movable insert 6. The ends of the arms 52 of the elastic carrier 5 are bent into the form of a hook 53 extending above the circumferential surface 76 of the fixed insert 7 and the circumferential surface 66 of the movable insert 6 and bears against the outer face 65 of the movable insert 6. The elastic carrier 5 secures the reversable movable insert 6 against the insert 7 in the basic position in that way that the projection of the tightening hole 6 . lies between the first opposite driving hole 7 and the side driving hole 72, the projection of the tightening hole QV lies between the second opposite driving hole TV_ and the side driving hole TZ, the projection of the tightening hole 62 lies between the center of the side driving hole 72 and the centre of the second opposite driving hole TV, an the projection of the tightening hole 62 lies between the centre of the side driving hole TZ, and the centre of the first opposite driving hole 71.

When the positioning hinge is secured in the working transporting position, i.e. when the hinge arms 1, 2 are situated alongside, as shown in the Fig.1 and Fig.2, the fixation pins 31; 31 ' pass through the holes 21 , 6_1, 71 , H; 2V, 6V, TV, IV. Then the movable insert 6 of the reversing mechanism 50 is turned leftwards against the fixed insert 7 (when looking on the reversing mechanism 50 from the side of the outer face 65) , one of the arms 52 of the elastic carrier 5 due to the retainer 63 being drawn away from one of side walls 74 of the face hollow 73 of the fixed insert 7, in consequence of that the elastic carrier 5 comes into the tensed-up state. Through the withdrawal of the draw bar 4_ up-to full length, the fixation pins 31 ; 31' will come out from the holes H, 71, 61; I T, TV, 6_T, and due to the pressure force produced by the arm 52 of the elastic carrier 5, that was before removed from the side wall 74 of the face hollow 73, and this force acting on the side wall 64 of the retainer 63 of the movable insert 6, the movable insert 6 will be turned leftwards in that way that both arms 52 of the elastic carrier 5 will bear against the side walls 74 of the hollows 73, the reversing mechanism 50 being put into the basic position and the positioning hinge is in the ready position as shown in the Fig.7 and Fig. 8. In this position, the passing of the fixation pins 31; 31_ into the opposite positioning holes H; VV ot the positioning hinge inner arm 1 is blocked by the body of the movable insert 6 of the reversing mechanism 50, against which the fixation pins 31; ZV are forced by the force of the compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3.

In turning slightly of the position hinge arms 1, 2 in the direction away, due to the elastic carrier 5, also the movable insert 6 of the reversing mechanism 50 will be turned till its tightening holes 61, 6V 5 will come into the opposite position against the fixation pins 31, 3V. In that moment, due to the pressure force forced by the compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3, the fixation pins 3_1, 31' will come into the tightening holes 6 ., 61 'and they will lean with their faces against the body of the fixed insert 7. From this position, the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 can be put either back into the working transporting position according to the Fig.1 and Fig. 2, or into the working position in which the

10 position hinge arms 1, 2 are arranged in the form of the letter „A" with an acute angle on its top part according to the Fig.5.

In turning slightly of the position hinge arms 1, 2 from this position towards each other, the fixation pins 31, 3V slide with their faces on the body of the fixed insert 7 , till they will come against the opposite driving holes T±, TV. In that moment, due to the pressure force forced by the

15 compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3_^ the fixation pins 31 , 3_T will come through the tightening holes 71, TV_ of the fixed insert 7 into the opposite positioning holes H, VV ot the positioning hinge inner arm 1. In this way, the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 are secured again in the transporting position according to the Fig. 1 and Fig.2.

In turning slightly of the position hinge arms 1, 2 in the direction away, from the position in

20 which the fixation pins 31, 31_' are inserted into the tightening holes §1 , 6V and when they lean with their faces against the body of the fixed insert 7, the fixation pins 31 , 31 ' slide with their faces on the body of the fixed insert 7 so long, till they will come against the driving holes 72, 721 of the fixed insert 7. In that moment, due to the pressure force forced by the compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3, the fixation pins 31, 3V will come through the side tightening holes 72, TZ of the fixed

25 insert 7 into the opposite positioning holes 12, 121 of the positioning hinge inner arm 1. In this way, the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 are secured in the working position, when the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 are arranged into the form of the letter „A" with an acute angle on its top part according to the Fig.5.

In drawing of the draw bar 4 up-to full length, when the positioning hinge is secured in the position according to the Fig.5, the fixation pins 31 ; 3 will come out from the holes 12, 72, 6_1; 121,

30 721, 61 ' and due to the action of the elastic carrier 5, the movable insert 6 will be turned slightly leftwards in that way, that the reversing mechanism 50 will be turned into the basic position shown on the Fig. 7. In this position, the passing of the fixation pins 31, 31 ' into the side positioning holes 12, 121 of the positioning hinge inner arm 1_ is blocked by the body of the movable insert 6 of the reversing mechanism 50, and the fixation pins 31; 3V lean with their faces against the body of the movable insert

35 6 on the places between the tightening hole 61 , 611 and the tightening hole 62, 62\ In turning slightly of the position hinge arms 1, 2 in the direction away, due to the elastic carrier 5, also the movable insert 6 of the reversing mechanism 50 will turn till the moment, when its tightening holes 62, 6Z come into the position against the fixation pins 31, 3V_. In this moment, due to the pressure force forced by the compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3, the fixation pins 31, 3T will come into the

40 tightening holes 62, 62' and they will bear with their faces against the body of the fixed insert 7. From this position, the positioning hinge arms 1 , 2 can be arranged either into the form of the letter „A" with the obtuse angle (not shown in the Drawings) or into the working aligned position, when the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 are arranged one after the other according to the Fig.6. In turning slightly of the position hinge arms 1, 2 from this position against towards each other, the fixation pins 31, 3T slide with their faces on the body of the fixed insert 7, till they come against the opposite driving holes 72, 72'. In that moment, due to the pressure force forced by the compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3, the fixation pins 31, l will come through the side tightening holes 72, 721 of the fixed iπsert_7 into the side positioning holes 12, 121 of the positioning hinge inner arm 1 In this way, the positioning hinge is secured in the working position when the hinge arms 1, 2 are arranged into the form of the letter „A" with the obtuse angle. In turning slightly of the position hinge arms 1, 2 in the direction away, from the position in which the fixation pins 31 , ZV are inserted into the tightening holes 62, 6 [ and they bear with their faces against the body of the fixed insert 7, the fixation pins 31, ZV_ slide with their faces against the body of the fixed insert 7 so long till the fixation pin 3 . will come against the second opposite driving hole TV and the fixation pin 311 against the first opposite driving hole 71 of the fixed insert 7. In this moment, due to the pressure force forced by the compression spring 33 of the engaging mechanism 3, the fixation pins 3_ Oil will come through the opposite driving holes TV, ILL of the fixed insert 7 into the opposite positioning holes 11, IV of the positioning hinge inner arm ±. In this way, the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 are secured in the working aligned position, when the positioning hinge arms 1, 2 are arranged one after the other according to the Fig.6. Industrial Applicability

The positioning hinge according to this invention is destined for the use above all for the multipurpose ladders, the arms of which must be safely secured in separate working positions. In addition, this invention can be used in the production of such products in which a gradual change of the position, such as e.g. the working platforms, tables etc., is required.

List of reference numbers on the Drawings

I - inner hinge arm 5 2 - outer hinge arm

3 - engaging mechanism

4 - draw bar of the engaging mechanism (3)

5 - elastic carrier

6 -movable insert of the elastic carrier (5) 10 7 - fixed insert of the elastic carrier (5)

8 - hidden stop

9 - sliding bush of the engaging mechanism (3)

10 - distance ring

I I - first opposite positioning hole of the inner hinge arm (1)

15 11'- second opposite positioning hole of the inner hinge arm (1) 12, 12' -side positioning holes of the inner hinge arm (1)

13 - outer wall of the inner hinge arm (1)

14 - inner wall of the inner hinge arm (1)

15 - passages of the positioning holes 11,11^', 12, 12^')

20 16 - pitch circle of the centres of the holes (11,11 ', 12, 12'; 21, 21 ^'; 22, 22' ; 61,61 '; 62,62'; 71,71 '; 72,72')

21 , 21 ' - positioning holes of the outer inner arm (2)

31,31 ' - fixation pins of the engaging mechanism (3)

32 -center pin of the engaging mechanism (3) 25 33 - compression spring of the engaging mechanism (3)

34 - cover of the engaging mechanism (3)

35 - protruding stop of the engaging mechanism (3)

41 - bottom of the draw bar (4)

42 - jacket of the draw bar (4) 30 50 - reversing mechanism

51 - eye of the elastic carrier (5)

52 - arms of the elastic carrier (5)

53 - hook of the arms (52)

61, 61' - tightening holes of the movable insert (6) 35 62, 62^' - tightening holes of the movable insert (6)

63 - retainer of the hole of the movable insert (6)

64 - side alls of the retainer (63)

65 - outer face of the movable insert (6)

66 - circumferential surface of the movable insert (6) 40 67 - inner face of the movable insert (6)

71 - first opposite driving hole of the fixed insert (7) 71 ' -second opposite driving hole of he fixed insert (7) 72,72' -side driving holes of the fixed insert (7) 73 - face hollow of the fixed insert (7) 45 74 - side walls of the face hollow (73)

75 - outer face of the fixed insert (7)

76 - circumferential surface of the fixed insert (7)

77 - face projection of the fixed insert (7)

78 - recess (countersink) of the driving holes (71,71 '; 72, 72^') 50 79 - hub of the fixed insert (7)

81 - washer of the hidden stop (8)

82 - retaining ring of the hidden stop (8) 91 - shoulder of the bush (9)

Claims

CLAIIVIS

1. Positioning hinge consisting of the inner and the outer arm being turnably mounted on the engaging mechanism, said engaging mechanism being provided with at least one fixation pin for arranging the arms in the position corresponding to the required hinge working position through pushing the fixation pin into the positioning holes arranged in the hinge arms, the centres of said holes being positioned on the common pitch circle, in the inner arm being formed at least two positioning holes and in the outer arm being formed at least one positioning hole, characterized by that that between the hinge inner arm (1) and the hinge outer arm (2) on the engaging mechanism (3), a reversing mechanism (50) is arranged that is in a drivable way connected with one of the arms (1 ,2) , advantageously with the inner arm (1).

2. Positioning hinge according to claim 1, characterized by that that the engaging mechanism (3) is formed by the bush (9) in which the center pin (32) is mounted , said center pin being provided on its ends with the protruding stop (35) and with the hidden stop (8) , and on the part of the center pin (32) protruding from the bush (9) on the side of the outer arm (2), the draw bar (4) is slidably mounted, this draw bar being axially spring-loaded against the center pin (32) by the compression spring (33) arranged on the center pin (32) between the bottom (41) of the draw bar (4) and the hidden stop (8).

3. Positioning hinge according to the claim 1 or2, characterized by that that the reversing mechanism (50) is formed by the fixed insert (7) in which face driving holes are formed, the arrangement of said driving holes being the same as the arrangement of the positioning holes of the inner arm (1), and by the turnably adapted movable insert (6) on the hub (79) of the fixed insert (7), in said movable insert (6) at least one tightening hole is formed, the movable insert (6) being in a drivable way elastically connected with the fixed insert (7) by means of the elastic carrier (5) being arranged advantageously on the fixed insert (7), through the said carrier being the fixed insert (7) and the movable insert (6) located into the basic position in which the center of the tightening hole, arranged substantially on the same pitch circle as the centres of the holes of the fixed insert (7), lies out of the centres of the driving holes of the fixed insert (7), advantageously in the centre between the adjacent driving holes.

4. Positioning hinge according to claim 3, characterized by that that at least one positioning hole of the inner arm (1) has the passage (15) formed in the direction inwards and that to this positioning hole corresponding driving hole of the fixed insert (7) of the reversing mechanism (50) has the hollow (78) formed on the side of the inner arm (1).

5. Positioning hinge according to claim 3 or 4 characterized by that that on the outer face (75) of the fixed insert (7), at least one face hollow (73) with the shape of the sector of the circle is formed, on the top of the said segment, the face projection (77) being formed, on which the elastic carrier (5) is mounted, the arms (52) of the said carrier leaning against the side walls (74) of the hollow (73) and against the retainers (63) being formed advantageously on the inner face (67) of the movable insert (6), the ends of the arms (52) of the carrier (5) being bent above the circumferential surface (76) of the fixed insert (7) and above the circumferential surface (66) of the movable insert (6) in the direction towards to the outer face (65) of the movable insert (6).