CONCEALED HINGING DEVICE FOR CLOSING ELEMENTS, IN PARICULAR ARMORED DOORS

Abstract

 A concealed hinging device (12, 13) to hinge a closing element (10), in particular an armored door, with respect to a fixed element (11). Said hinging device comprises a hinging element (21) configured to be disposed coaxially to a hinging axis (X) and mounted on a support mean (22) configured to be disposed in a compartment (25, 49) made in the closing element (10). The concealed hinging device (12, 13) also comprises first adjustment means to selectively adjust the position of the hinging element (21) in a sliding direction, perpendicular to the hinging axis (X), and second adjustment means to selectively adjust the axial position of the hinging element (21) along the hinging axis (X).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a hinging device of the so-called concealed type, configured to hinge closing elements, in particular armored doors, with respect to a fixed element, such as a support frame or structure.

[0002] By "concealed hinging device" we mean a device which is not visible when it is associated with the closing element to be hinged.

[0003] According to a particular use of the hinging devices according to the present invention, each closing element is hinged on two of said hinging devices, which are configured to be disposed preferably aligned along the same vertical hinging axis and positioned one on an upper zone of the closing element and the other on a lower zone of the closing element, to cooperate respectively with an upper part of the fixed element, and the other with a lower part of the fixed element, or directly with the floor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Concealed hinging devices or hinges are known, for hinging closing elements, such as armored doors, with respect to corresponding fixed elements. These fixed elements comprise, for example, a very robust frame, for example metal, which defines an aperture, or gap, with a normally rectangular section. Such hinging devices comprise at least two pins, or pintles, located along the same axis of rotation or hinging, which is usually vertical.

[0005] An armored door, for example, has a weight that is usually much greater than traditional doors, that is, it has a weight that is much higher than 80 kg.

[0006] In particular, many concealed hinges are known, each comprising two hinging elements and a central pin on which the latter are hinged. In these types of hinges one of the hinging elements is configured to be attached on a pillar, or a jamb, of the support frame, while another of the two hinging elements of each hinge is configured to be attached on the closing element to be hinged, usually in correspondence with a lateral edge of the latter.

[0007] These known concealed hinges have the disadvantage that they are usually rather complex and expensive and often not suitable to support very heavy closing elements, such as armored doors, or other.

[0008] In the field of armored doors, in order to hinge them to a support frame, it is also known to install two hinging devices disposed one on an upper horizontal part of the support frame and the other on a lower part of the support frame, or directly on the floor, and each comprising a hinge pin disposed coaxial to the axis of rotation.

[0009] Alternatively, each hinging device can be installed in a compartment made in the armored door to be hinged, at a determinate distance from a lateral edge of the latter, opposite the edge where the lock is situated. In this known solution a hinging device has the hinge pin facing upward, to cooperate with a corresponding hinging hole made on the upper horizontal part of the support frame, and another hinging device has the hinge pin facing downward, to cooperate with a corresponding hinging hole made on the lower part of the support frame, or directly on the floor.

[0010] In the field of concealed hinging devices or hinges, in particular for hinging closing elements such as armored doors, one of the technical problems to be faced and resolved, known to all those of skill in the art, is the correct positioning of the closing element with respect to the fixed structure, especially during assembly, but also during use.

[0011] Therefore, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a concealed hinging device for hinging closing elements, such as armored doors, which is robust, simple to make and reliable and which, at the same time, allows an easy and convenient installation of the closing element to be hinged.

[0012] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a concealed hinging device for hinging closing elements, such as armored doors, which allows an easy adjustment of the position of its hinge pin with respect to the corresponding hinging hole, in at least two directions.

[0013] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0015] In accordance with the above purposes, a concealed hinging device, according to the present invention, to hinge a closing element, in particular an armored door, with respect to a fixed element, comprises a hinging element configured to be disposed coaxially to a hinging axis and mounted on a support mean configured to be disposed in a compartment made in the closing element thereof.

[0016] In accordance with a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the hinging device also comprises both first adjustment means configured to selectively adjust the position of the hinging element in a sliding direction, substantially perpendicular to the hinging axis, and second adjustment means configured to selectively adjust the axial position of the hinging element along the hinging axis.

[0017] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, said support mean comprises a containing box mounted slidingly on a support element configured to be disposed perpendicular to the hinging axis, so that the containing box can be selectively moved in said sliding direction.

[0018] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the containing box is disposed with ample play in a housing of the support element, and sliding means are provided to allow the containing box to freely slide in said sliding direction together with the hinging element.

[0019] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the support element comprises a fin provided with two eyelets disposed on opposite sides with respect to said housing and aligned in said sliding direction; moreover the sliding means comprise two guide pegs inserted in the two eyelets and fixed to a support plate, which in turn is removably attached to the containing box.

[0020] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the sliding means also comprise two corresponding stop elements attached to the two guide pegs, but on the opposite side of the fin and detached from the latter.

[0021] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the first adjustment means comprise a threaded bar substantially parallel to the sliding direction and having a first end connected to the support mean, an intermediate zone screwed onto a support plate mounted in a fixed position, and a second end configured to be driven from the outside of the closing element.

[0022] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the hinging element can be screwed onto the support mean, in order to slide axially with respect to it, while remaining coaxial with the hinging axis.

[0023] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the second adjustment means comprise a cylindrical bar substantially parallel to said sliding direction and having a first end provided with a worm screw engaging with a toothed wheel coaxial with the hinging element and a second end configured to be driven from the outside of the closing element, so that a rotation of the cylindrical bar causes a corresponding rotation of the hinging element with respect to the support mean and a consequent axial displacement, along the hinging axis, of the hinging element with respect to the support mean.

[0024] In accordance with another characteristic aspect of the present invention the hinging element is configured to face both upward and downward, moreover the first and second adjustment means are configured to be positioned, selectively and alternatively, on one side or on the opposite side of the support mean, in said sliding direction, so that the first and the second adjustment means can be driven from the outside of the closing element both when the hinging element is facing upward, and also when the hinging element is facing downward.

[0025] Embodiments of the invention also concern a closing element, such as an armored door, that comprises a hinging element as defined heretofore.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

• fig. 1 is a first front view of a closing element shown in a closed position with respect to a fixed support frame and using two concealed hinging devices according to the present invention, in accordance with a first embodiment;
• fig. 2 is a second front view of a closing element shown in a closed position with respect to a fixed support frame and using two concealed hinging devices according to the present invention, in accordance with a second embodiment;
• fig. 3 is a front view, on an enlarged scale, of the hinging device mounted in an upper zone of the closing element in fig. 1;
• fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the hinging device of fig. 3, in which some of its components are shown in exploded form, to better show other parts of the hinging device;
• fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of the hinging device in fig. 4, in which another of its components has been moved laterally to better show other parts of the hinging device;
• fig. 6 is a left lateral view of the hinging device in fig. 3;
• fig. 7 is a view from below of the hinging device in fig. 3, in which one component has been removed to better show a mechanism which is inside the hinging device;
• fig. 8 is a front view, on an enlarged scale, of the hinging device mounted in the lower zone of the closing element in fig. 1.

[0027] We must clarify that, in the present description and claims, the words vertical, horizontal, lower, upper, left, right, top and bottom, with their declinations, have the sole function of illustrating the present invention better, with reference to the drawings, and must in no way be used to limit the scope thereof. For example, by the word vertical we mean an axis or plane that can be both perpendicular to the line of the horizon and also inclined, even by some degrees, for example up to 30°, with respect to said perpendicular position.

[0028] Furthermore, in the different embodiments described below, the same reference numbers refer to similar or identical elements of the hinging device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] According to a first embodiment, shown in fig. 1, a closing element 10 is hinged along a vertical axis of hinging or rotation X on a support frame 11, by means of two hinging devices 12 and 13 according to the present invention, the first mounted inside an upper zone of the closing element 10 and the second inside a lower zone of the closing element 10.

[0030] In the example shown in fig. 1, the closing element 10 is an armored door. The closing element 10 is provided with a lock 14 mounted adjacent to a right lateral edge 15, opposite a left lateral edge 16, which instead is near the hinging axis X.

[0031] It can be seen that the hinging axis X is positioned at a determinate distance D, for example from about 50 mm to 300 mm, from the left lateral edge 16 of the closing element 10.

[0032] In the example provided here, the support frame 11 is metal. According to some solutions, the support frame 11 comprises two vertical uprights 17 and 18, or jambs, or pillars, a horizontal upper element 19 and a lower element 20, also horizontal, which according to a variant, not shown in the drawings, may coincide with the floor, or be incorporated into the floor.

[0033] According to a second embodiment, shown in fig. 2, the closing element 10 is mounted specular on the support frame 11, so that the lock 14 is adjacent to the left lateral edge 16 to cooperate with the vertical upright 17 of the support frame 11. The hinging axis X is positioned at the determinate distance D from the right lateral edge 15 and the two hinging devices 12 and 13 are mounted in inverted positions, that is, with the hinging device 13 on the upper zone of the closing element 10 and the hinging device 12 on the lower zone of the closing element 10.

[0034] The hinging device 12 (fig. 3) comprises a hinging element, in this case a pin, or pintle 21 substantially cylindrical, mounted axially sliding in a support mean, in this case a containing box 22 (figs. 4 and 5) and configured to be disposed coaxially with the hinging axis X.

[0035] In particular, the pin 21 has a lower part 21a (fig. 5) threaded and screwed into a corresponding female thread (not shown in the drawings) present in the containing box 22, so that, by rotating the pin 21 with respect to the latter, as will be described in detail below, the pin 21 can move axially with respect to the containing box 22.

[0036] The containing box 22, together with the pin 21, is mounted sliding in a sliding direction Y, which is horizontal in use, on a fin 23 of a support element, in this case a metal sheet 24, L-shaped and configured to be attached horizontally in an upper compartment 25 (fig. 1) made in the upper zone of the closing element 10. The sheet 24 is disposed perpendicular to the hinging axis X.

[0037] In particular, the containing box 22 (fig. 4) is disposed with ample play in a housing 26, in this case rectangular, made in the same fin 23 of the sheet 24, and is attached, by means of two screws 27, to an upper plate 28, which is provided with a through hole 29 in which the pin 21 passes with slight play.

[0038] Two stop elements 30 and 31 (fig. 3), shaped like a disk, are disposed in the lower part of the fin 23 of the sheet 24 and are associated with two corresponding guide pegs 32 and 33, parallel to the pin 21 and inserted in two corresponding guide eyelets 34 and 35 made in the fin 23 of the sheet 24, on opposite sides with respect to the housing 26 and aligned in the sliding direction Y.

[0039] The guide pegs 32 and 33 are attached to the upper plate 28 so that the latter is selectively sliding on the fin 23. The attachment of the guide pegs 32 and 33 to the upper plate 28 is such that it does not generate friction, or gripping, of the stop elements 30 and 31, the fin 23 and the upper plate 28.

[0040] The upper plate 28, the stop elements 30 and 31 and the guide pegs 32 and 33 define sliding means configured to allow the containing box 22 to slide freely in the sliding direction Y.

[0041] One end 37 of a threaded bar 38 is attached, by means of a collar 36 (fig. 5), to the containing box 22, and has its axis parallel to the sliding direction Y. The threaded bar 38 is screwed into a threaded hole 39 made in a support plate 40. The support plate 40 is attached in the lower part of the fin 23 of the sheet 24, perpendicular to it.

[0042] The threaded bar 38 has another end 41 (figs. 3 and 6) disposed in proximity to the left lateral edge 16 (figs. 1 and 3) of the closing element 10 and is configured to be driven by a tool, for example a screwdriver, or an Allen key, through a first aperture 42 (fig. 3), made in the same left lateral edge 16 of the closing element 10.

[0043] The threaded bar 38 defines first adjustment means configured to adjust the position of the pin 21 in the sliding direction Y.

[0044] A cylindrical bar 43 is mounted, axially rotatable, parallel to the threaded bar 38 and is supported by the same support plate 40.

[0045] At one of its ends 44 (fig. 7), the cylindrical bar 43 is provided with a worm screw 45 permanently engaged with a corresponding toothed wheel 46 (figs. 5 and 7) rotatable around the hinging axis X and coupled with the pin 21 in order to make it rotate with it, but leaving it free to move axially with respect to it. The worm screw 45 and the toothed wheel 46 are disposed inside the containing box 22.

[0046] The cylindrical bar 43 has its other end 47 (fig. 3) disposed in proximity to the left lateral edge 16 (figs. 1 and 3) of the closing element 10 and is configured to be driven by a tool, for example a screwdriver, or an Allen key, through a second aperture 48 (fig. 3) made in the same left lateral edge 16 of the closing element 10.

[0047] The cylindrical bar 43, the worm screw 45 and the toothed wheel 46 together define second adjustment means configured to selectively adjust the axial position of the pin 21 along the hinging axis X.

[0048] The hinging device 12, in the example provided here, is positioned in the upper compartment 25 (fig. 1) of the closing element 10 so that the pin 21 is facing upward, to cooperate with a corresponding hinging hole, not shown in the drawings, made on the upper element 19 of the support frame 11, coaxially with the hinging axis X.

[0049] The hinging device 12 described above allows a simple double adjustment of the position of the pin 21, that is to say, both a first adjustment in the sliding direction Y, together with the containing box 22, with respect to the sheet 24 and therefore to the closing element 10, and also a second adjustment along the hinging axis X, with respect to the containing box 22 and therefore to the closing element 10.

[0050] In fact, by screwing or unscrewing the threaded bar 38 on the support plate 40, the first adjustment of the pin 21 in the sliding direction Y is made, moving it more to the right, or more to the left (figs. 1 and 3), with respect to a central nominal position with respect to the housing 26.

[0051] On the contrary, by rotating the cylindrical bar 43 (fig. 6), in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, the second adjustment of the pin 21 is made, thanks to the coupling of the worm screw 45 (fig. 7) and the toothed wheel 46. In fact, the rotation of the latter also causes the rotation of the pin 21, which, thanks to the threaded coupling of its lower part 21a (fig. 5) and the containing box 22, ascends or descends with respect to the latter and therefore enters more or less into the corresponding hinging hole made on the upper element 19 (fig. 1) of the support frame 11.

[0052] The above two adjustments can be made both during the assembly of the closing element 10 on the support frame 11, and also during the use of the closing element 10 itself, intervening from the outside of the latter on the threaded bar 38 and/or on the cylindrical bar 43.

[0053] The hinging device 13, shown in detail in fig. 8, is similar to the hinging device 12 described heretofore, with the difference that the position of the threaded bar 38, the support plate 40 and the cylindrical bar 43 is specular with respect to the pin 21 and to the containing box 22.

[0054] In particular, in the example provided here, the hinging device 13 is positioned in a lower compartment 49 (fig. 1) of the closing element 10, so that the pin 21 is facing downward, in order to cooperate with a corresponding hinging hole, not shown in the drawings, made on the lower element 20 of the support frame 11, coaxially with the hinging axis X.

[0055] The hinging device 13 also allows an easy dual adjustment of the position of its pin 21, similarly to what was described above for the hinging device 12.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the hinging device 13 is disposed in the upper compartment 25, with the pin 21 facing upward, while the hinging device 12 is disposed in the lower compartment 49, with the pin 21 facing downward.

[0057] It is understood that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the hinging devices 12 and 13 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.

[0058] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of hinging devices, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Concealed hinging device to hinge a closing element (10), in particular an armored door, with respect to a fixed element (11), comprising a hinging element (21) configured to be disposed coaxially to a hinging axis (X) and mounted on a support mean (22) configured to be disposed in a compartment (25, 49) made in said closing element (10), characterized in that it also comprises first adjustment means (38) configured to selectively adjust the position of said hinging element (21) in a sliding direction (Y), substantially perpendicular to said hinging axis (X), and second adjustment means (43, 45, 46) configured to selectively adjust the axial position of said hinging element (21) along said hinging axis (X).

2. Hinging device as in claim 1, characterized in that said support mean comprises a containing box (22) mounted slidingly on a support element (24) configured to be disposed perpendicular to said hinging axis (X), so that said containing box (22) can be selectively moved in said sliding direction (Y).

3. Hinging device as in claim 2, characterized in that said containing box (22) is disposed with ample play in a housing (26) of said support element (24), and in that sliding means (28, 30, 31, 32, 33) are provided to allow said containing box (22) to freely slide in said sliding direction (Y) together with said hinging element (21).

4. Hinging device as in claim 3, characterized in that said support element (24) comprises a fin (23) provided with two eyelets (34, 35) disposed on opposite sides with respect to said housing (26) and aligned in said sliding direction (Y) and in that said sliding means comprise two guide pegs (32, 33) inserted in said eyelets (34, 35) and fixed to a support plate (28), which in turn is removably attached to said containing box (22).

5. Hinging device as in claim 4, characterized in that said sliding means also comprise two corresponding stop elements (30, 31) attached to said guide pegs (32, 33), on the opposite side of said fin (23).

6. Hinging device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first adjustment means comprise a threaded bar (38) substantially parallel to said sliding direction (Y) and having a first end (37) connected to said support mean (22), an intermediate zone screwed onto a support plate (40) mounted in a fixed position, and a second end (41) configured to be driven from the outside of said closing element (10).

7. Hinging device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said hinging element (21) can be screwed onto said support mean (22), in order to slide axially with respect to it, while remaining coaxial with said hinging axis (X).

8. Hinging device as in claim 7, characterized in that said second adjustment means comprise a cylindrical bar (43) substantially parallel to said sliding direction (Y) and having a first end (41) provided with a worm screw (45) engaging with a toothed wheel (46) coaxial with said hinging element (21) and a second end (47) configured to be driven from the outside of said closing element (10), so that a rotation of said cylindrical bar (43) causes a corresponding rotation of said hinging element (21) with respect to said support mean (22) and a consequent axial displacement, along said hinging axis (X), of said hinging element (21) with respect to said support mean (22).

9. Hinging device as in claim 8, characterized in that said worm screw (45) and said toothed wheel (46) are disposed inside said support mean (22).

10. Hinging device as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein said hinging element (21) is configured to face both upward and downward, characterized in that said first and second adjustment means are configured to be positioned, selectively and alternatively, on one side or on the opposite side of said support mean (22), in said sliding direction (Y), so that said first and second adjustment means can be driven from the outside of said closing element (10) both when said hinging element (21) is facing upward, and also when said hinging element (21) is facing downward.

Drawing