WO2002072988A1

WO2002072988A1 - A fastening arrangement of a movable hinge part to be joined with a glass door, especially a two-sided mirror door and a method for performing the joining

Info

Publication number: WO2002072988A1
Application number: PCT/FI2001/000844
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tarmo Vaateri; Hannu PÄLÄ
Original assignee: Mirrorstone Oy
Priority date: 2001-03-12
Filing date: 2001-09-28
Publication date: 2002-09-19
Also published as: FI20010490A0; FI109822B

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for fastening a hinge part to be fastened to a double-side mirror door. The system comprises a conical recess (10) formed in the inner surface, the larger recess opening being located on the interface between the inner mirror glass and the outer mirror glass, and the inner recess opening being a collar piece (9) on the door surface to be form-locked into the conical recess, the collar piece having on its inner periphery a grip surface (12) for fastening means (13) formed in the hinge part, the fastening means being made in one piece with the hinge part and perpendicularly to this. At their free end, the fastening means (13) have claws (15), which engage the grip surface (12) of the collar piece. A detached pin-like locking piece (8) is disposed to fit into the opening (22) formed by the fastening means (13), the locking piece (8), when fitted into the opening, preventing the claws (15) of the fastening means (13) from loosening their grip on the grip surface (12).

Description

A fastening arrangement of a movable hinge part to be joined with a glass door, especially a two-sided mirror door and method for performing the joining

The invention relates to a fastening system and a method for performing the fastening as defined in the preambles of accompanying claims 1 and 10, respectively.

There are previously known double-sided mirror doors, in which the movable hinge part in the glass mirror has been glued to the surface of the inner mirror. There are also prior art mirror doors, in which the movable hinge part has been embedded into a U-shaped recess cut in the edge of the inner mirror, the recess having slightly dovetailed edges. Fastening the hinge part merely by gluing does not provide a satisfactory solution in terms of the working method and the outcome. Cutting a U- shaped recess in the edge of the glass is an awkward operation, which results in an unsatisfactory aspect.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an arrangement for fastening a movable hinge part to the mirror glass surface that is easy to perform, while being durable and aesthetically satisfactory.

This has been achieved by means of the fastening system and the method for performing the fastening of the invention in accordance with the characteristics of claims 1 and 10, respectively.

In accordance with the invention, a movable hinge part is fastened in an opening formed in the mirror glass. The opening is most preferably formed by drilling, and the opening is made with a conical shape. A collar piece with one end portion matching the conical shape of the glass opening is form-locked in the opening. After this, the outer surface of the mirror door is fastened by gluing to the inner surface, the collar piece being locked into the conical recess in the inner surface, between the glass panes. The end of the movable hinge part that is distal from the hinge pin comprises fastening means that project from the hinge cover and are fastened by snap-locking to the gripping surface of the collar piece. The snap-locking is ensured by a locking piece, which is inserted through the opening surrounded by the fastening means towards the collar piece, and is glued to this, the locking piece locking the fastening means into gripping position. The cup-like upper plate of the locking piece covers the opening in the hinge part. The system for fastening a movable hinge part of the invention and the method for fastening the hinge part to a mirror door are advantageous mainly because the recess can be made in the mirror door by drilling, which is simple and economical, an because the fastening thus provided is firm and reliable, since no stress peaks risking to break the glass will occur in the round holes. The fastening thus provided also results in first-rate appearance.

The fastening system and the fastening method of the invention are described below in greater detail in the form of a preferred embodiment example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an axonometric view of the stationary part of the hinge when fastened to the side wall of a cabinet and the movable hinge part connected to the stationary part in open position;

figure 2 is an axonometric view of the hinge of figure 1 in closed position, with the movable hinge part viewed from below and the mirror door removed;

figure 3 is an axonometric view of the hinge of figure 1 in closed position, viewed from its inner corner;

figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the complementary locking of the hinge part;

figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the different parts of the fastening system partly detached;

figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastening system with all the parts connected to each other; and

figure 7 is an axonometric view of the means for fastening the movable hinge part and the separate collar piece apart from each other.

Corresponding parts have been indicated with the same reference numerals in the different figures. The mirror door has been marked with the letter L and the side wall of the cabinet with S in the figures. The hinge part fastened to the side wall S has been marked with reference numeral 1, the movable hinge part with 2, the hinge pin with 3 and the steel hinge arms connecting the hinge parts with 4. The screw fastenings of the stationary hinge part, which are adjustable in different directions, are marked with reference numerals 5, 6 and 7, the screw 5 illustrating adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface, screw 6 illustrating adjustment parallel with the hinge pin and screw 7 illustrating adjustment perpendicular to the hinge pin. The actual fastening means of the movable hinge part 2 are shown at the free end of the hinge part. Figure 1 shows the cover part of the locking body 8 and figures 2, 5, 6 and 7 show the different parts of the fastening system. Figures 5, 6 and 7 clearly show the cooperation of the different parts of the system. In figure 5 the collar piece 9 is form-locked in a recess 10 in the inner surface of the mirror door. The lower outer edge 11 of the collar piece is conical in cross-section and mates the conical cross-section of the recess 10. On the inner peripheral surface of the collar piece, a grip surface 12, which projects radially towards the central point of the collar piece, is provided for the fastening means 13 of the hinge part 2. The fastening means 13 are segments of a cylinder, which project perpendicularly downwardly from the cover part 14 of the hinge part. The outer diameter of said cylinder principally equals the inner diameter of the collar piece 9, and the inner diameter of the cylinder principally equals the outer diameter of the locking piece 8. The lower edge of the fastening means 13 comprise projecting claws 15, which grip the grip surface 12 of the collar piece 9. The collar piece 9 and the fastening means 13 have a height slightly smaller than the distance between the hinge part cover 14 and the bottom of the recess in the mirror door with the hinge part in closed position. The parts of the fastening system are made of plastic and they yield to some extent. When the fastening means 13 of the movable hinge part 2 are pressed into the collar piece 9, the claws 15 of the fastening means 13 move along the inner surface of the collar piece, and at the smallest diameter of the grip surface 12 above them, they are forced to yield inwardly, and then snap into intermeshing relationship with the grip surface 12. The intermeshing relationship between the collar piece 9 and the fastening means 13 is ensured by the locking piece 8 when inserted into the opening 16 surrounded by the fastening means 13.

In figure 7, the hinge part 2 is shown with its lower side turned upwards. The fastening means 13 are located on the peripheral line of the opening 16. The fastening means consist of cylinder segments with a curve length of approx. 45 °. One distance between the fastening means is longer, whereas the three other distances are shorter and mutually equally long. At said longer distance, at a slightly longer radial distance, a cylinder segment 17 having approximately the same curve length is provided. The cylinder segment 17 has a height slightly smaller than the vided. The cylinder segment 17 has a height slightly smaller than the height of the fastening means 13. The collar piece 9, which gets into contact with the fastening means 13, is cut by a curve length corresponding to the curve length of the cylinder segment 17. Thus the cylinder segment 17 acts as a wedge for the collar piece 9, locking the collar piece into non-rotational position, cf. also figure 2. The conical lower edge 11 of the collar piece 9 has radial notches 18 for glue application. The cylindrical part of the locking piece 8 also has notches extending over the entire cylinder (not shown), which provide greater elasticity for the locking piece and through which glue may spread.

Figures 1-3 show the same hinge in different projections. Its outer design differs from that of the hinge part 2 in figure 7. It comprises openings shaped as a circular curve to increase the rigidity of the design. However, these stiffening means have nothing to do with the invention proper.

Figure 2 shows the lower side of the hinge part 2. The end of the hinge part 2 adjacent to the hinge pin 3 comprises a cylindrical ring 20, which is made in one piece with the cover part 14 and extends perpendicularly to the cover 14. At a location on the mirror door corresponding to the ring 20, a recess 21, which is conical in cross- section, is provided. The ring 20 preferably tapers conically slightly outwards and downwards so that the lower smaller diameter can pass into the opening of the recess 21, whereas the upper, larger diameter has been disposed to grip firmly with the opening 21 of the recess. Such a complementary fastening ring is necessary in relatively long hinge parts. In relatively short hinge parts, the fastening means provided at the hinge end will be sufficient.

The fastening of the hinge to a mirror cabinet is performed as follows in accordance with the invention:

A conical hole 10 is drilled in the inner surface of the mirror door L, and a second conical hole 21 is drilled at the correct location relative to the first hole and to the ring 20 of the hinge part. The collar piece 9 is fitted into the hole 10, being form- locked into this. The outer surface of the mirror door is glued to the inner surface, the collar piece being thus locked also between the glass surfaces. The hinge part 2 is fastened by snapping and by using glue, to the collar piece, by positioning the fastening means 13 into the opening surrounded by the collar piece 9 and the cylinder segment 17 of the hinge part into the curved opening having the same curve length in the collar piece. For this purpose, the collar piece 9 must be in the correct angular position relative to the hinge part 2. As the hinge part 2 is snapped into position, the claws 15 of the fastening means 13 engage the grip surface 12 of the collar piece. At the same time, glue is applied on the ring 20 and the ring is pressed into the recess 21. Finally glue is applied on the locking piece 8 and the locking piece is fitted into the opening in the cover part 14, and then the cylindrical part of the locking piece presses the fastening means 13 against the collar piece, thus ensuring the intermeshing relationship between the claws 15 and the grip surface 12.

The hinge part 2 is now fastened to the inner surface L of the cabinet door. Next, the hinge arms 4 are fitted into the two hinge parts 1 and 2, and the mirror door is positioned as desired relative to the inner wall S of the cabinet, allowing the position of the stationary hinge part 1 to be marked on the side wall. The adjustable screws 5, 6 and 6 are screwed into the positions that have been preliminary marked, and the hinge part 1 is definitively fastened after the position has been adjusted. This hinge design allows the door to be opened over a 120° angle.

Claims

1. System for fastening a movable hinge part (2) to be fastened to a glass door, especially a double-sided door of a bathroom cabinet, the mirror glass facing the interior of the cabinet forming the inner surface (L) of the door and the mirror glass facing outwardly from the cabinet forming the outer surface, in which the end of the movable hinge part (2) opposite to the hinge pin (3) has been designed to engage a receiving location formed on the inner surface (L) of the door, characterised in that the fastening system comprises a circular recess (10) which is conical in cross- section and constitutes the receiving location on the inner surface (L), the smaller surface of the recess being located on the inner surface (L) of the double-sided door and its larger surface being located on the interface between the inner mirror glass and the outer mirror glass; a separate collar piece (9) surrounding the conical recess (10), the end portion (11) entering the recess having a cross-section equal to the conical cross-section of the recess, and having on its inner periphery a grip surface

(12) for the fastening means (13) formed at the end of the movable hinge part (2); fastening means (13) formed at the end of the movable hinge part (2) in one piece with the hinge part (2) and perpendicularly to the cover (14) of the hinge part, and positioned such that the fastening claws (15) or similar provided at their free end engage the grip surface (12) of the collar piece (9) when the movable hinge part (2) is fastened to the inner mirror glass (L), the junctures between the fastening means

(13) and the hinge part (2) being located on the peripheral line of the opening (22), the opening (22) being disposed to receive the detached locking piece (8) of the hinge; and a detached locking piece (8), which fitted into said opening (22) in the hinge part, is disposed to prevent the claws (15) of the fastening means (13) from loosening their grip on the grip surface (12) of the collar part.

2. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in claim 1, characterised in that the detached collar piece (9) has a curve length less than 360°, preferably about 290°- 345°, most preferably about 300° - 335°.

3. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in claim 2, characterised in that the movable hinge part (2) comprises a curved mantle portion (17), which is concentric with the opening (22) in the hinge part and has a radius principally equal to the radius of the collar piece (9), and whose curve length is about two degrees shorter than the curve length of the arched opening in the collar piece, so that the mantle portion (17) fits into the arched opening in the collar piece (9) when the hinge part (2) is attached to the collar piece (9) located on the inner surface (L).

4. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fastening means (13) are shaped as segments of a cylinder, having a curve length of about 30 °-50 °, preferably about 40 °, and in that there are a few, preferably four claws over a curve length corresponding to the curve length of the collar piece (9) from the periphery of the circular opening, and that, at the free end edge of the cylinder segments, a claw (15) facing away from the opening is provided.

5. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking piece (8) is principally formed by a cylindrical piece having at one end a cover, which covers the circular opening (22) in the hinge plate, the cylindrical part having a slightly larger diameter at the end facing the plate than at its free end and tapering slightly towards its free end.

6. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in claim 5, characterised in that that the mantle surface of the locking piece (8) has narrow longitudinal slots over the entire cylinder length.

7. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end of the movable hinge part (2) adjacent to the hinge pin (3), on the side facing the mirror glass (L), comprises a complementary fastening ring (20) made in one piece with the hinge part for fastening the hinge part (2) to the mirror glass, and that, at a point of the mirror glass corresponding to the complementary fastening ring, a circular recess (21) having a size equal to that of the ring (20) is provided in the inner mirror glass, the recess being conical in cross- section so that the opening in the surface equals the size of the ring (20) and the recess bottom is the larger surface of the cone.

8. System for fastening a movable hinge part as defined in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the part of the detached collar piece (9) that is conical in cross-section comprises narrow radial slots (18).

9. Method for fastening the movable hinge part (2) of a door hinge by means of a fastening system to a glass door, especially a double-sided mirror door of a bathroom cabinet, the mirror glass facing the interior of the cabinet forming the inner surface (L) of the door and the mirror glass facing outwardly from the cabinet forming the outer surface, in which method the stationary part (1) of the hinge is fas- tened to the side wall (S) of the cabinet and the movable hinge part (2) is fastened to the inner surface (L) of the mirror door, and the two hinge parts are joined by hinge arms (4) and hinge pins (3), characterised in that a circular conical hole (10) is formed in the glass pane forming the inner surface (L) of the door, so that the smaller surface of the cone is on the surface forming the inner surface (L) of the glass pane, and its larger surface is on the opposite surface forming the outer surface and facing the glass pane; that the inner glass pane and the outer glass pane are joined to form a mirror door; that one end (11) of the detached collar piece (9) of the fastening system having an outer periphery with a cross-section principally identical to the cross-sectional shape of the conical hole (10) is fitted form-sealingly into the hole in the axial direction of the hole; that the end of the movable hinge part (2) opposite to the hinge pin (3) is snapped form-sealingly to the collar piece (9), whereby the peripheral grip surface (12), which is provided on the inner surface of the collar piece and is parallel with the door plane, together with the axial fastening means (13) with claws (15) provided accordingly on the movable hinge part (2), result in a mutual interlocking of the movable hinge part (2) and the collar piece (9); and that this fastening is ensured by gluing and by fitting a separate cylindrical locking piece (8) form-sealingly into the opening (22) defined by the fastening means (13) with claws (15) of the movable hinge part (2), into surface contact with the axial inner surfaces of the fastening means (13).