WO2022175860A1

WO2022175860A1 - Concealed hinge

Info

Publication number: WO2022175860A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/051414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Ficco
Original assignee: Stefano Ficco
Priority date: 2021-02-22
Filing date: 2022-02-17
Publication date: 2022-08-25
Also published as: IT202100004073A1

Abstract

Described is a concealed hinge (1) operating on two axes of rotation (101, 102) in sequence, for opening a door or window relative to a frame, said concealed hinge (1) comprising a first support (2), a second support (3), means (4) for connecting said first support (2) with said second support (3), pivoted on said first support (2) to rotate about a first axis of rotation (101) and on said second support (3) to rotate about a second axis of rotation (102), positioned at a reciprocal distance (K), said hinge (1) also comprising a control sub-unit (50) configured to determine a relative movement between said second support (3) and said connecting means (4), said relative movement determining a variation of said distance (K) along at least one stretch of the reciprocal rotation between said first support (2) and said second support (3), said relative movement also determining the change in sequence of the axis of rotation of said second support (3) relative to said first support (2) between said first axis of rotation (101) and said second axis of rotation (102) and vice versa.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CONCEALED HINGE

Technical field

This invention relates to a concealed hinge. In particular, the invention relates to a concealed hinge for opening and closing leaves of doors and windows relative to a respective frame in such a way as to operate on two axes of rotation in sequence, that is to say, one axis after the other. The invention relates to the sector of concealed hinges of the type which is able to allow the rotation of a leaf, relative to the frame, of up to more than 180° (for example of a door, of a window, of a piece of furniture or an electrical household appliance), even if the leaf is provided with the so-called contact with overlapping on the frame.

Hereinafter in this description the term "leaf" means the movable part of a door or window or the like.

The term "frame" means, on the other hand, the respective fixed part of the door and window and the like.

Moreover, for clarity of description, the term "concealed hinge" is used to mean a hinge which is completely recessed in the structure, for example of the door or window on which it is installed, in such a way that it completely invisible when the door or window is in the closed configuration.

Generally speaking, the concealed hinges are applied in the cases in which each additional extension is to be avoided and in cases in which, for example, for aesthetic or safety reasons, it is preferable that the hinge is not visible when the door or window is in the closed configuration.

The term "contact with overlapping on the frame" means a particular structure in which the peripheral gap between the door or window and the frame is not visible frontally since the edge of the door or window also overlaps only partly the frame when the door or window is in the closed configuration.

This feature is very important as a door or window/frame structure having a contact with overlapping has much higher performance levels from different points of view, for example: acoustic insulation, thermal insulation, greater anti-burglary protection, as well as, clearly, a better overall aesthetic appearance.

Background art

Various types of concealed hinges are currently known which allow an opening of approximately 180° between the door or window and the frame and which, at the same time, can also be used on doors or windows with contact with overlapping on the frame.

Some examples of prior art hinges are described in patent documents DE202005000064, IT020100311; JP2007211577.

The above-mentioned prior art hinges have introduced the technical concept of a hinge operating on two axes of rotation in sequence, that is to say, hinges whose rotation occurs relative to more than one axis but not simultaneously as occurs in other different types of concealed hinges. The rotation of the above-mentioned prior art hinges occurs relative to more than one single axis, in detail, one axis after the other depending on the reciprocal angular position of the components of the hinge.

This technical concept has been a considerable advance in the sector of concealed hinges which has been perfected and expanded in Italian patent application 102017000041649 in the name of the same Applicant.

The above-mentioned patent application describes a hinge which makes it possible to obtain a sequence of rotations by means of an optimised mechanism.

The rotation obtained is performed relative to two separate axes operating in sequence one after the other, allowing the door or window to rotate by 180° relative to the respective frame.

The concealed hinges with axes of rotation operating in sequence represent an excellent solution to allow the opening of doors or windows having a coupling section between the door or window and the frame which is complex, with large contact with overlapping of the door or window relative to the frame or with the seals. In effect, thanks to the fact that the two axes of rotation operate one after the other, the hinge can perform a longer trajectory than hinges with dimensions of equal size but operating on two or more axes simultaneously or, with a single axis.

However, prior art hinges have major drawbacks.

A first major drawback is the fact that the components of the hinge designed to be inserted inside the frame or of the leaf of the door or window have dimensions and overall sizes which are too large relative to the trajectory which the hinge is able to make during rotation.

In fact, this drawback forces the frame and the door or window to be designed in such a way as to contain the hinge.

Moreover, if the door or window is made with metal or plastic profiles or extruded sections, they require the use of large profiles to be able to insert inside them at least part of the hinge, with a consequent increase in the overall dimensions, costs and aesthetic problems, which are not insignificant.

Aim of the invention

The aim of this invention is to provide a concealed hinge which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a concealed hinge provided with two axes of rotation operating in sequence, having minimum dimensions inside the structure in which it is installed, but which is able to form a large trajectory of rotation.

The term "large" means that it is able to significantly move the door or window away from the frame so as to rotate up to 180° and beyond, even doors or windows having complex sections with large perimeter stops, for example comprising seals and other devices or accessories which, according to the current state of the art, limit the use of prior art concealed hinges.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a concealed hinge which is able to improve the reliability and the precision of the sequence of change of the axes of rotation of the concealed hinge.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a concealed hinge without snaps in the movement, noise during operation and uncertainty of rotation during the step of changing the axis of rotation.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a concealed hinge with axes of rotation operating in sequence, that is, one after the other provided with a large load capacity, also in the vertical direction, for being installed also on heavy doors and windows. According to the invention, these aims and others are achieved by a concealed hinge comprising the technical features described in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above-mentioned aims, are clearly described in the appended claims and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate purely non-limiting example embodiments of the invention, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a concealed hinge according to the invention in a 180° open configuration of the door or window relative to the frame;

- Figure 2 is a top view of the hinge of Figure 1 in the closed configuration of the door or window relative to the frame; - Figure 3 is a top view of the hinge of Figure 1 in the open configuration of the door or window relative to the frame;

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a concealed hinge according to the invention in a 180° open configuration of the door or window relative to the frame;

- Figure 5 (a-b-c-d-e) illustrates a sequence of operation in which a concealed hinge according to the invention passes from the completely closed condition on the frame (a) to the fully open condition at 180° (e);

- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the invention with inserted the electrical connecting means inside it; Figure 6 also shows, for purposes of clarity, the electrical connecting means removed from the hinge and

- Figure 7 is a further perspective view of a hinge according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

The reference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a concealed hinge for opening of doors relative to a frame according to this invention.

The concealed hinge 1 according to the invention, hereinafter referred to as the hinge 1, operates on two axes of rotation 101, 102 in sequence, that is to say, one axis after the other, for opening a door or window relative to a frame. The hinge 1 comprises a first support 2 fixable to a door or window or a frame and a second support 3 fixable to a door or a frame.

The hinge 1 also comprises connecting means 4 of the first support 2 with the second support 3.

The connecting means 4 are pivoted on the first support 2 to rotate about the first axis of rotation 101 and on the second support 3 to rotate about the second axis of rotation 102.

In particular, the connecting means 4 are pivoted on the first support 2 by means of a first pin 5 and on the second support 3 by means of a second pin 6.

The connecting means 4 can therefore rotate relative to the first axis of rotation 101 defined by the first pin 5 and relative to the second axis of rotation 102 defined by the second pin 6.

The first axis of rotation 101 and the second axis of rotation 102 are positioned at a distance K from each other, as shown for example in Figure 1.

The concealed hinge 1 also comprises a control sub group 50 configured to determine a relative movement between the second support 3 and the connecting means

4.

In detail, the relative movement determines a variation of the above-mentioned distance K along at least one stretch of the reciprocal rotation between the first support 2 and the second support 3 and vice versa.

The above-mentioned relative movement also determines the change in sequence of the axis of rotation, between the first 101 and the second 102 axis of rotation and vice versa, of the second support 3 relative to the first support 2.

The variation of the distance K allows a larger trajectory to be made during the rotation of the hinge 1 according to the invention.

More in detail, the leaf of a door or window provided with a hinge 1 according to the invention during the step of rotating the second support 3 relative to the first support 2 allows the leaf to be moved away from the axis of rotation during the opening step and an approach during the closing step.

This movement is achieved by the variation of the distance K and makes it possible to rotate leaves of doors and windows even up to more than 180° and have a size inside the frame and/or the door or window less than a prior art hinge without this technical feature. This allows a use of the hinge 1 on thinner doors or windows and on door or window/frame structures which are smaller and less invasive.

Advantageously, the control sub-unit 50 comprises at least one reaction arm 9 pivoted for a relative first end 61 on the first support 2.

The reaction arm 9 is pivoted in a position which is not coaxial with the first axis of rotation 101 by means of a pin 7.

The reaction arm 9 is also pivoted for its second end 62 on an inversion element 10 by means of a respective pin 8.

Advantageously, the inversion element 10 comprises a lever 12 pivoted on the connecting means 4 by means of a first pin 11, and connected for a first end 71 to the reaction arm 9 by means of the pin 8.

The inversion element 10 is also connected, with a relative second end 72 to the second support 3 by means of a second pin 6.

Advantageously, the variation of the distance K between the first axis of rotation 101 and the second axis of rotation 102 occurs in a step of rotation of the second support 3 relative to the first axis of rotation 101. Alternatively, the variation of the distance K between the first axis of rotation 101 and the second axis of rotation 102 occurs in a step of rotation of the second support 3 relative to the second axis of rotation 102. With reference to Figures 1 to 3, advantageously the hinge 1 according to the invention comprises constraining means 120 comprising a roller 108 associated with the second support 3.

Alternatively, the roller 108 may be associated with the connecting means 4.

The roller 108 is inserted free to slide in a respective guide 109 associated with the second support

3.

Alternatively, the guide 109 may be associated with the connecting means 4.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a hinge 1 according to the invention wherein the constraining means 120 comprises a sphere 200 associated with the second support 3.

The sphere 200 is configured for sliding in a respective guide 201, advantageously formed on the connecting means 4. The guide 201 is at least partly shaped to match the sphere 200.

This allows the hinge 1 according to the invention to react in an optimum manner, not only to horizontal loads but also to loads in a vertical direction. According to both the embodiments, advantageously there are elastic elements 350, for example springs or the like, configured to compensate for any clearance between roller 108 or sphere 200 and guide 109 or 201. Further elastic elements, not shown in the drawings, are advantageously present in the hinge 1 according to the invention so as to keep the various movable components in the correct position and/or to compensate for reactions of external forces and eliminate any clearances.

Advantageously, the guide 109, 201 has contiguous stretches 125, 130 having different directions to each other and configured to determine the above-mentioned sequence of change between the first axis of rotation 101 and the second 102 and vice versa.

This makes it possible to make the change of the axis of rotation less abrupt, limiting the reactions and the noise generated by the change of the axis of rotation. The path (trajectories) of the guide 109, 201 also determines the logic with which the hinge 1 varies the distance K between the axes 101 and 102 which may occur at different moments of the rotation of the hinge 1.

For example, it may occur during the step wherein the hinge 1 rotates relative to the first axis 101 or relative to the second axis 102, or it may occur along the entire possible rotation of the hinge 1 or part of it.

As mentioned, the position of the roller 108 and of the guide 109 can be reversed by associating the roller 108 with the second support 3 and the guide 109 with the connecting means 4 or vice versa.

The variation of the distance K between the axes of rotation 101 and 102 determines the sequence of rotation of the hinge 1 relative to the axes 101 and 102.

By means of the rotation constraining means 120 comprising the roller 108 or the sphere 200, which are free to slide in the respective guides 109, 201, the variation of the distance K between the axes 101 and 102 determines the sliding of the roller 108 or of the sphere 200 in the guide 109, 201 the path of which determines the sequence of rotation of the second support 3 relative to the first support 2 depending on the guide stretch 109 or 201 occupied by the roller 108 or by the sphere 201.

Advantageously, the hinge 1 also comprises components which are able to increase the stability of the connecting means 4 relative to the first support 2 when the rotation of the second support 3 occurs relative to the second axis of rotation 102; with reference to Figure 7, the lever 305, rotatably associated with the connecting means 4 through the pin 307, exerts a thrust entering into contact with its first end 308 with the supporting element 306 rigidly associated with the first support 2 when the second end 309 is pushed by the second rotary support 3 relative to the second axis of rotation 102, increasing in this way the rigidity and stability between the connecting means 4 and the first support 2.

Advantageously, moreover, the hinge 1 according to the invention comprises adjusting and setting means 300, shown in Figure 4, configured for adjusting and setting the operating parameters of the hinge 1,

The adjustment means 300 are positioned advantageously on the second support 3 or on the first support 2.

These parameters are, for example, the adjustment of the distance in one, two, or three directions between the first support 2 and the second support 3 so as to favour the optimum adjustment of operation of the door or window on which the hinge 1 is installed.

The adjustment and setting means comprise thrust screws, pins with eccentric axis, inclined planes or technically similar components.

The materials with which the hinge according to the invention is made may be steel, brass; aluminium alloys; zamak; plastic or a combination of these.

With reference to Figure 6, the hinge 1 according to the invention also comprises electrical connection means 250, such as, for example, electrical cables and/or cable duct devices positioned inside the space of the hinge 1 in such a way as to provide the user with the possibility of powering and controlling accessory devices of the door or window on which the concealed hinge 1 is installed.

These accessories are, for example, electric locks; video cameras; electronic keypads; fingerprint readers etc. The presence of electrical connection means 250, such as, for example, preset wiring or cable duct devices inside the space of the hinge 1 makes it possible to not have to provide other connections which are able to join the separation between the frame and the door or window.

The electrical connection means 250 comprise a central part 252 designed for the electrical transfer between the relative two contact ends 251.

The two contact ends 251 can be connected to respective sockets positioned on the door or window and frame. Advantageously, moreover, the concealed hinge 1 may be provided with springs or the like which are able to automatically open or close the door or window on which the hinge 1 is installed.

Moreover, there is the possibility of maintaining one or more stable positions along the entire possible opening arc of the hinge 1 by inserting suitable components such as, for example, spheres pushed by springs in suitable seats provided along the opening arc of the hinge 1.

Advantageously, the length of the reaction arm 9, that is to say, the distance between the pin 7 and the pin 8 can be adjusted by means of eccentric pins or adjustment screws or elastic elements such as, for example, springs, not shown in the drawings.

In the hinge 1 according to the invention, in order to obtain the reciprocal non-coaxial position between the pin 5 and the pin 7 (both pivoted on the first support 1), guaranteeing at the same time the possibility of rotating without mutual interference or with other parts of the hinge 1 along the entire possible rotation arc of the hinge 1, the first support 2 advantageously comprises intermediate panels 110 and 202 to which they are connected with one end both the first pin 2 and the pin 7.

Advantageously, the non-coaxial position between the pin 5 and the pin 7 may be modified by increasing or decreasing the distance between them.

This allows the synchronism to be adjusted between several hinges operating on the same door or window, for example by means of eccentric pins or adjustment screws.

During operation, with reference to the drawings, a hinge 1 according to the invention installed, for example, on a door consisting of a fixed frame and a leaf, starting from the condition in which the leaf is closed relative to the frame (Figure 2): the first support 2 is fixed to the frame, the second support 3 is fixed to the leaf, the supports 2, 3 are connected to each other by the connecting means 4.

The control sub-unit 50 is in a position of minimum distance K between the axes of rotation 101 and 102 and the constraining means 120 are in the position in which the roller 108 (or the sphere 200) engages the start of the stretch 125 of the guide 109 (or of the guide 201) which stops the rotation of the second support 3 relative to the second axis of rotation 102, but allows rotation relative to the first axis of rotation 101. During the subsequent opening of the leaf of the door or window, the second support 3 which is integral with the leaf itself rotates relative to the first axis of rotation 101 and simultaneously the control sub-unit 50 through the reaction arm 9 rotates the inversion element 10 which in this way increases the distance K and, therefore, the moving away of the leaf from the axis of rotation 101.

At the same time, the roller 108 (or the sphere 200) slides along the stretch 125 of the guide 109 (or 201). When the rotation of the leaf reaches an extent such that the roller 108 (or the sphere 200) passes in the stretch 130 of the guide 109 (or 201) in which the rotation is locked relative to the first axis of rotation 101 and the rotation is released relative to the second axis of rotation 102 the leaf continues to rotate when opening, relative to the second axis of rotation 102.

The first axis 101 is locked thanks to the reaction of the reaction arm 9 relative to the first support 2 pivoted in a non-coaxial position relative to the first axis of rotation 101 with which the connecting means 4 are pivoted on the first support 2.

During the step of closing the door or window relative to the frame, the second support 3 rotates relative to the second axis of rotation 102 until the constraining means 120 through the roller 108 (or the sphere 200) slides in the stretch 130 of the guide 109 (or 201) which allows rotation relative to the axis 102 and locks the rotation of the second support 3 relative to the axis 101.

At the end of the stretch 130 of the guide 109 (or 201) the roller 108 (or the sphere 200) merges into the stretch 125 of the guide 109 (or 201) in which the rotation is locked relative to the axis 102 and the rotation is released relative to the axis 101 and the distance K between the two centres of rotation 101 and 102 decreases by moving the leaf towards the axis of rotation 101 until the leaf is completely closed.

With reference to the drawings, the variation of the distance K between the axes of rotation 101 and 102 varies only during rotation relative to the first axis of rotation 101 and interrupts during rotation relative to the second axis of rotation 102; it is understood that a hinge 1 according to the invention may be made to obtain the variation of the distance K between the two axes of rotation 101 and 102 when it is more optimum for the purposes of the specific installation, for example, it may occur during the entire rotation of the door or window relative to the axis 101 or part of it, or during the rotation relative to the second axis 102, or part of it, or during both the steps of rotation relative to both the axes 101 and 102.

The concealed hinge 1 according to the invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and brings major advantages.

A first important advantage consists in the fact that by means of a concealed hinge 1 according to the invention it is possible to obtain an opening of a door or window of up to more than 180° relative to a respective frame even using a concealed hinge 1 having dimensions less than that of the concealed hinges operating on two axes of rotation in known sequence.

The concealed hinge 1 according to the invention may therefore be installed on doors and windows having a smaller frame and leaf section with considerable advantages with regard to the aesthetic impact, the costs and the possibility of being installed on existing products and designed for other types of hinges.

A further advantage consists in the fact that by means of a concealed hinge 1 according to the invention it is possible to obtain the rotation on two axes of rotation 101, 102 in sequence in a fluid, safe, silent and reliable manner without snaps or noise deriving from synchronism errors between the hinges.

Claims

1. A concealed hinge (1) operating on two axes of rotation (101, 102) in sequence, that is to say, an axis after the other, for opening a door or window relative to a frame, said concealed hinge (1) comprising:

- a first support (2) fixable to a first of said door and frame,

- a second support (3) fixable to a second of said door and frame,

- means (4) for connecting said first support (2) with said second support (3), said connecting means (4) being pivoted on said first support (2) to rotate about a first axis of rotation (101) and on said second support (3) to rotate about a second axis of rotation (102), said first axis of rotation (101) and said second axis of rotation (102) being positioned at a reciprocal distance (K), said hinge (1) being characterised in that it also comprises a control sub unit (50) comprising at least one reaction arm (9) pivoted at a first end (61) to said first support (2) in a position not coaxial with said first axis of rotation (101) by means of a pin (7), for determining a relative movement between said second support (3) and said connecting means (4), said relative movement determining a variation of said distance (K) along at least one stretch of the reciprocal rotation between said first support (2) and said second support (3), said relative movement also determining the change in sequence of the axis of rotation of said second support (3) relative to said first support (2) between said first axis of rotation (101) and said second axis of rotation (102) and vice versa.

2. The concealed hinge (1) according to claim 1, wherein said control sub-unit (50) comprises an inversion element (10), said inversion element (10) comprising a lever (12) pivoted on said connecting means (4) by means of a pin (11) and connected for a first end (71) to said reaction arm (9) by a pin (8) and for a second end (72) to said second support (3) by means of a further pin (6).

3. The concealed hinge (1) according to claim 1, wherein said variation of the distance (K) between said first axis of rotation (101) and said second axis of rotation (102) occurs in a step of relative rotation between said first support (2) and said second support (3) relative to said first axis of rotation (101).

4. The concealed hinge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the variation of the distance (K) between said first axis of rotation (101) and said second axis of rotation (102) occurs in a step of relative rotation between said first support (2) and said second support (3) relative to said second axis of rotation (102).

5. The concealed hinge (1) according to claim 1 further comprising a constraining means (120), said constraining means (120) comprising a roller (108) associated with a first between said second support (3) and said connecting means (4), said roller (108) being inserted free to slide in a respective guide (109) associated with a second between said second support (3) and said connecting means (4).

6. The concealed hinge (1) according to claim 1 further comprising a constraining means (120), said constraining means (120) comprising a sphere (200) associated with a first between said second support (3) and said connecting means (4), said sphere (200) being configured to slide in a respective guide (201) associated with a second between said second support (3) and said connecting means (4) said guide (201) being at least partially countershaped to said sphere (200).

7 . The concealed hinge (1) according to claim 5 wherein said guide (109) has contiguous sections (125, 130) having different directions from each other and configured to determine said sequence of change between said first axis of rotation (101) and said second axis of rotation (102) and vice versa.

8. The concealed hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising adjustment and setting means (300) positioned on at least one of said first support (2) or said second support (3) and configured to adjust and set up operating parameters of said hinge (1).

9. The concealed hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising means (250) for electrical connection arranged within the volume of said hinge (1) and configured to power and control any accessory devices of a door or window on which said concealed hinge 1 is installed.

10. The concealed hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising stabilising and supporting means (305) of said connecting means (4) relative to said first support (2) when said second support (3) rotates relative to said second axis of rotation (102).

11. The concealed hinge (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said stabilising and supporting means (305) comprise a lever (305), rotatably associated with said connecting means (4) through a respective pin (307), a supporting element (306) rigidly associated with said first support (2).