[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge, particularly for the side doors of motor
vehicles, of the type comprising a forked element and a flanged element articulated
to each other by an articulation pin which is inserted in the flanged element and
engaged with the prongs of the forked element.
[0002] In hinges of the aforesaid type, the forked element constitutes the movable element
which is fixed to the door of the motor vehicle and the flanged element constitutes
the fixed element which is intended to be fixed to an upright of the structure of
the motor vehicle. The forked element and the flanged element are interconnected permanently
by a clinched pin or by a pin with a spring pin.
[0003] Since the fitting of the doors limits access to the interior of the roof panel of
the motor vehicle, obstructing the subsequent fixing and finishing thereof, the object
of the present invention is to provide a hinge which enables the doors to be removed
and refitted quickly.
[0004] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a hinge of the type specified above,
characterised in that the articulation pin and one prong of the forked element have
respective conical coupling surfaces, and in that releasable clamping and retaining
means are provided which are associated with the other prong of the forked element
and are movable between a clamping position in which they prevent the disengagement
of the conical surfaces, and a release position in which they enable the disengagement
of those surfaces.
[0005] By virtue of this characteristic, the quick removal and refitting of the doors is
made particularly easy.
[0006] Further characteristics and the advantages of the hinge according to the invention
will become clear from the detailed description which follows with reference to the
appended drawing which shows a partially-sectioned, front elevational view of a hinge
according to the invention.
[0007] With reference to the drawing, the hinge comprises a fixed element 1 which is intended
to be welded or fixed by screws to an upright of the structure of the motor vehicle
and a movable element 2 which is intended to be fixed to the motor-vehicle door. The
fixed element 1 has a flange 3 which constitutes a first element of the hinge and
has a hole in which a bush 4 of anti-friction material is inserted.
[0008] The movable element 2 has two lug-like prongs 5 and 6 with respective holes 7 and
8. The hole 7 has a conical surface portion 9 on its side which faces inwardly of
the fork and the hole 8 is threaded internally.
[0009] An articulation pin, indicated 10, is inserted in the bush 4 and has a conical head
11 with a taper complementary to that of the conical surface 9 of the hole 7. The
other end of the pin has a conical seat 16 whose edges are clinched against a sealing
washer 12.
[0010] A screw with a hexagonal recess, indicated 13, engages the threaded hole 8 and is
movable as a result of a manual operation between a clamping position in which it
engages the lower end of the pin 10, and a release position for enabling the disengagement
of the conical surfaces 9 and 11. The screw 13 preferably has a conical end 17 for
engaging the seat 16 in the pin in the clamping position.
[0011] The steps for assembling the hinge comprise, first of all, the insertion of the bush
4 in the hole of the fixed element 1 and the upsetting of its ends to form upper and
lower collars 14 and 15. The pin 10 is then inserted fully in the bush for rotation,
the washer 12 is fitted, and the lower end of the pin is clinched.
[0012] The conical surfaces 9 and 11 are then coupled by the screwing in of the screw 13
until the pin 10 and the movable element 2 are fixed firmly together.
[0013] The element 2, which is fixed to the pin, can rotate relative to the fixed element
1 with very little friction and without play, by virtue of the interposition of the
anti-friction bush.
[0014] During the assembly of the motor vehicle, the door can be removed simply by the unscrewing
of the screw 13, which need not necessarily be removed from its female thread, and
the raising of the door by a few millimeters.
[0015] The hinge according to the invention thus enables the rapid connection of the door
and can be fitted quickly and cheaply both to future products and to products currently
in production.
1. A hinge, particularly for the side doors of motor vehicles, of the type comprising
a forked element (2) and a flanged element (1) articulated to each other by an articulation
pin (10) which is inserted in the flanged element and engaged with the prongs (5,
6) of the forked element, characterised in that the articulation pin (10) and one
prong (5) of the forked element have respective conical coupling surfaces (11, 9),
and in that releasable clamping and retaining means (13) are associated with the other
prong (6) of the forked element and are movable between a clamping position in which
they prevent the disengagement of the conical surfaces, and a release position in
which they enable the disengagement of those surfaces.
2. A hinge according to Claim 1, characterised in that it includes a bush (4) of anti-friction
material inserted in the flanged element, a pin (10) with a conical head (9) inserted
rotatably in the bush with its conical head engaged in a complementary conical hole
in one prong (5) of the forked element, and an annular sealing element (12) associated
with the opposite end of the pin from the conical head, the retaining and clamping
means being constituted by a device with a screw (13) and a female thread, associated
with the other prong (6) of the forked element.
3. A hinge according to Claim 2, in which the pin (10) has a conical seat (16) at
its opposite end from the head (9) and the screw (13) has a conical end (17) which
is adapted to engage the seat (16) in the clamping position.
