WO2022248897A1

WO2022248897A1 - Separable hinge

Info

Publication number: WO2022248897A1
Application number: PCT/HU2022/050047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zoltán HUGYECZ; Donát HUGYECZ; Attila PETRÓCZKI
Original assignee: Stal-West Zrt.
Priority date: 2021-05-28
Filing date: 2022-05-26
Publication date: 2022-12-01
Also published as: HU5381U

Abstract

A separable hinge consisting of two hinge parts (1, 2) pivotably connecting two elements e.g., of a roof hatch around a longitudinal rotational axis (9). On a first hinge part (1) an arched projection (10) extending coaxially with the rotational axis (9) is formed, and an extreme region (11) of the second hinge part (2) comprises a) an arched bearing surface (12) fitting the rotational axis (9) of the first hinge part (1), and b) an arched channel (13) extending coaxially with the arched bearing surface (12). In an operational position providing connection of the two hinge parts (1, 2) in which the hinge parts (1, 2) close in the open position of the hinge an angle of not more than 110° relative to each other, the arched projection (10) of the first hinge part (1) extends into the arched channel (13) of the second hinge part (2), and in a position in which the hinge parts (1, 2) close an angle more than 110° relative to each other, an outer end (14) of the arched projection (10) of the first hinge part (1) exits the channel (13) and extends solely outside said channel (13). Thus, the hinge parts (1, 2) can be separated and reconnected in a direction parallel to the rotational axis (9).

Description

Separable hinge

The invention relates to a separable hinge consisting of two hinge parts, each of the hinge parts can be fixed by means of respective mounting plates to two elements pivotable relative to each other in an angle region, the two hinge parts are coupled rotatable around a longitudinal rotational axis relative to each other and can be separated and reconnected in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, the rotational axis is formed in an extreme region of the mounting plate of one of the hinge parts, and an extreme region of the mounting plate of the other of the hinge parts is formed to fit the rotational axis.

A hinge, also known as a strap hinge, is a structural element well known in everyday technical life, which allowsto attach an element to agenerally fixed other element so that the former can be moved and rotated at an angle to the latter. Hinges are used in many places, in many designs and layouts depending on the elements to be connected, which can be in any position, so it can be horizontal, vertical, or tilted at some angle. In the case of doors and windows, the elements are most often moved along a vertical longitudinal axis, where it is essential that the vertical position of the two elements-frame and leaf-wing -does not change, asthiscould damage the elements or prevent proper opening and closing. Of course, the possibility of separating said elements isdesired in most cases, however, this isalmost exclusively solved by separating the hinges mounted on the elements in the direction of the longitudinal rotational axis.

However, there are also known fields of use where, for technical or safety reasons, thisgeneral method of separating the elements is limited, should certain conditions not be met at all.

Such areas include, but are not limited to, the area of skylights, where the installation position of the elements is often non-horizontal. One of the elements is built-in or fixed or framed, and the other element, which serves as a door or window, fits into or on the fixed element. In such a solution, a design for separating the elements from each other, in which the movable element has to be moved in a direction parallel to the direction of rotation, can be dangerous, so that the hinges used in such structures are traditionally designed to open, however, they do not allow the movable element to be removed, in particular by allowing the hinge part to be unscrewed or removed from the edge of the movable element.

Such a roof hatch is described in DE 10322093 A1 , in which the main focus is on easy opening in the event of an emergency, but the opening of the movable element or sash is made possible by conventional, conventional hinges. For this reason, a special actuating mechanism is proposed so that the movable element movesout of the area of the door and window to such an extent that entry and exit become unobstructed.

A solution in the same field is known from US 10,633,864 B2, which discloses watertight skylight or roof hatch solutions, also with conventional fixed hinges.

A common disadvantage of these solutions isthat the movable element can be separated from the fixed element by loosening the fastening elementsof the hinge, usually the screws, if the movable element cannot be separated from the fixed element by shifting it in the direction of said rotational axis.

A conventional solution isdescribed in US2016/0299352 A1 . This suggests connecting the spectacle frame and spectacle stems, where the hinge isdesigned so that the movable element can only be pushed out of the other element in the axial direction in a certain position.

Although in another field, solutions are known in which the separation of the two elements connected to the hinge can be realized not only by longitudinal, axial displacement, but also by radial displacement perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to it. In essence, such a solution is described in the US7,325,276 B2, which proposes a hinge solution for vehicle doors. The essence of this solution isthat the door can be removed horizontally by releasing the hinge, i.e., the hinge parts are separated perpendicular to the rotational axis, but the solution is quite complex: first the hinge axis must be unfastened in one of the hinge parts, then the other hinge part can be separated together with the rotational axis.

The problem to be overcome istherefore that it is not possible to simply separate larger elements with special positions, such as roof vents, perpendicular to the direction of the opening-closing rotational axis, while ensuring that the hinge plays itsoriginal role under normal operating conditions, that is, it is safe to move one pivotable element at an angle to the other.

It has been found that a relatively simple, cost-effective and durable solution to this problem can be provided by forming the extreme regions of the hinge partsto provide reliable usual operation of the hinge during normal conditions and to allow the hinge partsto be separated in a single movement in a non-operational positional range.

This object is achieved by a hinge consisting of two hinge parts, each of the hinge parts can be fixed by meansof respective mounting platesto respective elements pivotable relative to each other in an angle region, the hinge parts are coupled rotatable around a longitudinal rotational axis relative to each other and can be separated and reconnected in a direction parallel to the rotational axis, which is formed in an extreme region of the mounting plate of one of the hinge parts and an extreme region of the mounting plate of the other of the hinge parts is formed to fit the rotational axis. An arched projection extending coaxially with the longitudinal rotational axis isformed on one of the hinge parts, the extreme region of the mounting plate of the other of the hinge parts comprises an arched bearing surface fitting the rotational axis of the one of the hinge parts, further comprises an arched channel extending coaxially with the arched bearing surface. In an operational position providing connection of the two hinge parts, in which the mounting platesof the hinge partsclose in the open position of the hinge an angle of not more than 110° relative to each other, the arched projection of the one of the hinge parts extends into the arched channel of the other of the hinge parts, and in a position in which the mounting platesof the hinge partsclose in the open position of the hinge an angle more than 110° relative to each other, an outer end of said arched projection of the one of the hinge parts exits the arched channel and extends solely outside the arched channel of the other of the hinge parts.

According to a preferred embodiment of the separable hinge the extreme region of at least one of the hinge parts a stopper is arranged extending next to the extreme region of the other of the hinge parts, preventing an unintentional and possibly damaging disintegration of the hinge.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the separable hinge an insert made of resilient material is arranged in a groove formed in a wall of the arched channel, said insert partly protrudesfrom said groove, and a groove receiving said protruding part of the resilient insert is formed on the arched extension in a range adjacent to itsouter end. This arrangement serves for the indication of approaching the opening limit of the hinge for the user.

The separable hinge according to the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodimentswith reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

Figure 1 showsthe hinge according to the invention in a closed position, i.e., when the elementsfixed to the hinge are parallel to each other, without the elementsconnected to the hinge,

Figure 2 showsthe hinge of Figure 1 in a usual normal open position, Figure 3 is a side view of the hinge of Figure 1 in a position in which the hinge parts can be separated,

Figure 4 is a perspective front view of the hinge in the position of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a rear view of the hinge in the position shown in Figure 3,

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hinge part of Fig. 1 showing the connection of the hinge parts in the normal operating position, and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the hinge part of Fig. 1 showing the hinge parts in a partially opened condition.

The hinge according to the invention shown as a preferred and possible embodiment can also be made of conventional materials, such as extruded aluminum, extruded high-strength plastic, the choice of the hinge material will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The hinge is fastened to elements, one of these elements is fixed, in the case of a roof door or roof hatch it is a frame, while the other element is a movable element, in the case of a roof door or roof hatch it is the leaf-wing or door itself. The perspective view of Fig. 1 shows the whole hinge according to the invention in a state in which the hinge parts 1 and 2 of the hinge are aligned., i.e., the planes of extension of the elementsto be connected pivotably, not shown in the figures for ease of reference are parallel to each other, i.e., the roof door or roof hatch are in the closed position. The fastening plates3, 4 of the hinge parts 1 , 2 shown in Fig. 1 are provided with reinforcements 5, 6 made of their own material in a manner customary in the art, which in many cases also facilitates fastening to the elements, e.g., by holes 7. A longitudinal extreme region 8 of the hinge part 1 is mechanically reinforced and comprises in the present example a rotational axis 9 extending along the entire length of the hinge part 1 . Also, in the extreme region 8 of the hinge part 1 an arched protrusion 10 is formed on the hinge part 1 which iscurved coaxially with the rotational axis 9 and spaced therefrom. In a longitudinal extreme region 11 of the other hinge part 2 an arched bearing surface 12 extending along the entire length of the hinge part 2 is formed, where the bearing surface 12 has the same curvature as the cylindrical circumference of the rotational axis 9 and can slip on the axis without jamming or excessive play. In this extreme region 11 of the hinge part 2 an arched channel 13 coaxial with the arched bearing surface 12 extends so as to be able to receive the arched protrusion 10 of the hinge part 1 without pinching and appreciable play. This is made possible by the fact that the curvature of the projection 10 and the channel 13 are the same. The channel 13 is so deep that it receivesthe arched projection 10 also in the extreme position when the hinge part 1 and the hinge part 2 are in the closed position shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 2 shows the hinge parts 1 , 2 of the hinge shown in Fig. 1 in an open operational position. It can be observed that the arched projection 10 of the hinge part 1 further sinks into the arched channel 13 of the hinge part 2 and preventsthe hinge parts 1 , 2 from separating in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis 9.

If the hinge part 2 connected to the movable element will be turned/opened beyond the normal or permissible operating angle range, an outer end 14 of the arched projection 10 of the hinge part 1 exitsfrom the channel 13 of the hinge part 2, so that it is possible to separate and remove the hinge part 2 and the element connected to it from the hinge part 1 , namely in the direction of opening and rotation, i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the rotational axis 9, i.e. the movable element can be separated from the fixed element. Thissituation is also shown in the perspective viewsof Figs4 and 5.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional detail of the hinge parts 1 and 2 formed asdescribed above, in the closed position of the hinge parts 1 , 2. It can be clearly seen in the Figure that the bearing surface 12 of the hinge part 2 isconnected to a significant part of the surface of the rotational axis 9, so that they can rotate without jamming. It can also be seen that the arched protrusion 10 is of such a thickness and the channel 13 is of such a width that the protrusion 10 can slide in it without jamming, and in the closed position of the hinge parts 1 , 2 the outer end 14 of the protrusion 10 reaches almost the end, the bottom of the channel.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional detail of the hinge parts 1 , 2 in a position where the hinge part 2 is rotated to the extent of the normal operating opening range of the hinge, i.e., the movable element is in a partially open position. It can be further seen in thisdetail that in the normal operating range the projection 10 extends into the channel 13 to such an extent that it safely preventsthe hinge part 2 from being lifted off the rotational axis 9.

Considering the normal conditionsof the target field, the normal operating range isconsidered to be the range of 0-110°, i.e., the projection 10 and the channel 13 are dimensioned to be connected to each other as long as the hinge part 2 is at an angle of no more than 110°, inverted from itsclosed or folded position. Of course, this value can be changed depending on the current conditions of use, in our experience, the opening exceeding the indicated angle of 110° is possible, but safe connection and/or prevention of mechanical damage of the hinges 1 , 2 cannot be ensured. To prevent this, but at least to indicate it, in an improved embodiment of the hinge an insert 16 of resilient material, such as plastic, is inserted into a groove 15 formed in the wall of the arched channel 13, partially projecting from the wall of the arched channel 13 and on the arched projection 10, in the region adjacent to its end 14, a further groove 17 is provided for receiving the protruding part of the resilient insert 16. When the elements, and thus the hinge parts 1 , 2, are opened, the insert 16 resiliently snaps into the groove 17 of the projection 10 and signals to the person handling the elementsthat it will soon reach the limit of the operating opening range. Thisdesign isoutlined in Figure 7.

The fixed and movable elements connected to the hinge according to the invention can be separated in one go without the use of any other tools. Unintentional exceeding of the defined nominal opening angle range can be ensured in a manner customary in the art, for example by fitting a known opening delimiting element or elements connecting the elements.

The proposed hinge can be mounted both horizontally and vertically. In case of vertical mounting, a simple solution isto ensure that the two hinge parts 1 , 2 do not slide apart in the direction of the rotational axis 9, for example by meansof a stopper 18 on the hinge part 1 and/or hinge part 2 that extends beyond the edge region 11 and/or 8 of the hinge parts 1 and/or 2 and thus prevents an axial displacement of the hinge parts 1 and 2 and thus of the elements fastened to them.

It isobvious to a person skilled in the art that the hinge parts 1 , 2 can even be designed in such a way that the rotational axis 9 and the bearing surface 12 are formed only intermittently along the entire length of the hinge parts 1 , 2, provided that the mechanical and strength parameter and circumstances allow this.

The field of application of the proposed hinge according to the invention is very wide. It can be used wherever a fixed and movable opening element is required to be connected. Its area of application is most effective where easy disassembly and separation are primary or important.

List of used reference signs:

1 hinge part (fixed)

2 hinge part (moving)

3 mounting plate

4 mounting plate

5 reinforcement

6 reinforcement 7 hole

8 extreme region (on 1)

9 rotational axis

10 protrusion 11 extreme region (on 2)

12 bearing surface

13 channel

14 (outer) end

15 groove 16 insert

17 groove

18 stopper

Claims

1. A separable hinge consisting of two hinge parts (1 , 2), each of the hinge parts (1 , 2) can be fixed by means of respective mounting plates (3, 4) to respective elements pivotable relative to each other in an angle region, the two hinge parts (1 , 2) are coupled rotatable around a longitudinal rotational axis (9) relative to each other and can be separated and reconnected in a direction parallel to the rotational axis (9), the rotational axis (9) isformed in an extreme region (8) of the mounting plate (3) of one of the hinge parts (1 ), and an extreme region (11 ) of the mounting plate (4) of the other of the hinge parts (2) is formed to fit the rotational axis (9), characterized in that an arched projection (10) extending coaxially with the longitudinal rotational axis (9) isformed on one of the hinge parts (1 ), the extreme region (11 ) of the mounting plate (4) of the other of the hinge parts (2) comprises an arched bearing surface (12) fitting the rotational axis (9) of the one of the hinge parts (1 ), and an arched channel (13) extending coaxially with the arched bearing surface (12), wherein in an operational position providing connection of the two hinge parts (1 , 2) in which the mounting plates (3, 4) of the hinge parts (1 , 2) close in the open position of the hinge an angle of not more than 110° relative to each other, the arched projection (10) of the one of the hinge parts (1 ) extends into the arched channel (13) of the other of the hinge parts (2) and in a position in which the mounting plates (3, 4) of the hinge parts (1 , 2) close in the open position of the hinge an angle more than 110° relative to each other, an outer end (14) of the arched projection (10) of the one of the hinge parts (1 ) extends solely outside the arched channel (13) of the other of the hinge parts (2).

2. The separable hinge according to claim 1 , characterized in that in the extreme region (8,

11 ) of at least one of the hinge parts (1 , 2) a stopper (18) is arranged extending next to the extreme region (8, 11 ) of the other of the hinge parts (2, 1 ).

3. The separable hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an insert (16) made of resilient material is arranged in a groove (15) formed in a wall of the arched channel (13), said insert (16) partly protrudesfrom said groove (15), and a groove (17) receiving said protruding part of the resilient insert (16) is formed on the arched extension (10) in a range adjacent to its outer end (14).