(19)
(11) EP 1 612 356 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
22.10.2008 Bulletin 2008/43

(21) Application number: 05013228.1

(22) Date of filing: 20.06.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E05D 15/52(2006.01)

(54)

Hinging device for windows and doors

Scharniervorrichtung für Fenster und Türe

Dispositif de charnière pour fenêtres et portes


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 28.06.2004 IT TO20040437

(43) Date of publication of application:
04.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/01

(73) Proprietor: SAVIO S.p.A.
10050 Chiusa San Michele (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Balbo di Vinadio, Aimone
    10123 Torino (IT)

(74) Representative: Marchitelli, Mauro 
c/o Buzzi, Notaro & Antonielli d'Oulx Srl Via Maria Vittoria 18
10123 Torino
10123 Torino (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 385 414
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a hinging device for windows and doors comprising a fixed frame and a movable frame. The invention was developed for application to light alloy windows and doors, but it is not limited to this kind of windows and doors.

    [0002] The present invention can be applied to windows, French windows and the like provided solely with a wing opening motion (in which the movable frame rotates relative to the fixed frame around a vertical axis) or with swivel wing motion (in which the movable frame can be selectively opened by rotation around a vertical axis or by rotation around a lower horizontal axis).

    [0003] The invention relates in particular to "disappearing" hinging devices, which are invisible when the window or door is in the closed position. Examples of hinging devices of this kind are disclosed in Italian utility model no. T096U000013 by the same Applicant, and in the documents EP-A-1 426 534 and EP-A-0 360 024.

    [0004] The Italian utility model no. T096U000013 discloses a hinging device for windows and doors having the characteristics set out in the preamble to the main claim. The hinging device disclosed by this document comprises a first support element to be fastened to the fixed frame, a second support element to be fastened to the movable frame, a main lever articulated to the first support element, a secondary lever articulated in an intermediate region of the main lever and a connecting rod articulated to one end of the main lever. The second support element is articulated to the secondary lever and to the connecting rod around two mutually parallel axes. When the movable frame is in the closed position, the device is housed between the fixed frame and the movable frame and it is invisible from the exterior.

    [0005] The main drawback of the known solution is that the hinging device is not sufficiently strong to support the weight of the window by itself and it needs an auxiliary support device which contributes to bear the weight of the movable frame when the latter is in the open position.

    [0006] The solution described in the document EP 0 360 024 also requires the presence of an auxiliary support device to support the weight of the movable frame in the open position.

    [0007] The object of the present invention is to provide an enhanced hinging device which has a strong structure, able autonomously to bear the weight of the movable frame in the open position without having to provide an auxiliary support device.

    [0008] According to the present invention, said object is achieved by a hinging device having the characteristics set out in the main claim.

    [0009] The characteristics and the advantages of the present invention shall become readily apparent in the detailed description that follows, provided purely by way of non limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinging device according to the present invention,
    • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 2 mounted on a window,
    • Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hinging device of Figure 1,
    • Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the part indicated by the arrow IV in Figure 3,
    • Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the hinging device of Figure 1 in the closed position, and
    • Figure 6 is a section according to the line VI-VI of Figure 5.


    [0010] With reference to Figure 1, the reference number 10 designates a hinging device usable as a lower hinge of a window, French window or the like. In Figure 2, the hinging device 10 is mounted on window or the like including a fixed frame 12 and movable frame 14, only partially shown in Figure 2. The fixed frame 12 and the movable frame 14 comprise respective lower cross members 16, 18 and respective mutually parallel uprights 20, 22. In the illustrated example, the fixed frame 12 and the movable frame 14 are formed by metallic section bars made of light alloy (only partially shown in Figure 2) provided with longitudinal slots for fastening accessories.

    [0011] With reference in particular to Figure 4, the hinging device 10 comprises a first support element 24 to be fastened to the fixed frame 12 and a second support element 26 to be fastened to the movable frame 18. The first support element 24 is shaped substantially as a square, with a horizontal part 28 and a vertical part 30 which are inserted and fastened within respective slots of the cross member 16 and of the upright 20 of the fixed frame 12. The first support element 24 is preferably constituted by a monolithic piece of die-cast material and it has a widened portion 32 at the upper end of the vertical part 30. The widened portion 32 has a through hole 34 coaxial to a hole 36 formed on the horizontal portion 28. The holes 34, 36 support respective end portions of an elongated pivot pin 360 which defines a main axis of articulation 38. The horizontal portion 28 of the first support element 24 has a sliding guide 40 formed by a groove elongated in an orthogonal direction relative to the main axis of articulation 38.

    [0012] With reference again to Figure 4, the device 10 further comprises a main lever 42 which comprises a first end region 44, an intermediate region 45, and a second end 48. The main lever 42 has, at the first end region 44, a "C" shaped articulation portion 50 provided with two mutually distanced coaxial holes 52. The articulation portion 50 is preferably formed in integral fashion with a horizontal planar portion 51 bearing a hole 54 in the intermediate region 44 and a hole 56 in the second end 48. As shown in particular in Figures 4 and 6, the articulation pivot pin 360 has a length that is substantially greater than its own diameter and it is fastened at both its ends to the first support element 24. Preferably, an end region of the pivot pin 360 is provided with knurling 58 that is planted in the hole 34 of the first support element 24. The pivot pin 360 engages the holes 34, 36 and 52 mutually aligned along the axis of circulation 38. The two holes 52 of the main lever 42 rotatably engage portions of the pivot pin 360 that are axially distanced from each other and situated at the two end regions of the pivot pin 36.

    [0013] The device 10 comprises a secondary lever 60 having a first end 62, an intermediate region 64 and a second end 66. The intermediate region 64 of the secondary lever 60 is articulated to the intermediate region 45 of the main lever 42 by means of a pivot pin 68 with its axis parallel to the main axis of articulation 38. The first end 62 of the secondary lever 60 is articulated in slidable fashion to the first support element 24 by means of a pivot pin 70 which slidably engages the sliding guide 60 of the first support element 24.

    [0014] The second end 66 of the secondary lever 60 is articulated to the second support element 26 around a third axis 72 parallel to the main axis of articulation 38. In the illustrated example, said articulation is obtained by means of a pivot pin 74 which engages in rotatable fashion a hole formed in a seat 74 of the second support element 26.

    [0015] The second end 48 of the main lever 42 is articulated to a first end of a connecting rod 76. The second support element 26 is articulated to a second end 78 of the connecting rod 76 around a fourth axis 80 parallel to the third axis 72. In the illustrated example, said articulation is obtained by means of a pivot pin 82 fastened to the second support element 26 and which engages with play a hole 84 provided at the second end 78 of the connecting rod 76.

    [0016] The geometry of the hinging device 10 allows a movement of the movable frame 14 relative to the fixed frame 12 between a closed position and an open position with an angle of opening exceeding 90°, e.g. in the order of 110°. In the closed position of the window or the like, the hinging device 10 is entirely contained in the space between the cross members 16, 18 and the uprights 20, 22 of the window or the like and it is invisible from the exterior. During the opening motion, the movable frame 14 moves laterally outwards relative to the fixed frame 12 in such a way as to free the transverse port of the fixed frame 12.

    [0017] The articulation between the first support element 24 and the main lever 42 obtained by means of the elongated pivot pin 360 and the "C" shaped articulation portion 50 allows to obtain a particularly rigid support of the main lever 42, which bears the weight of the entire movable frame 14 without substantial flexion deformations. Therefore, the device according to the invention does not need an independent load support system.

    [0018] Naturally, the device according to the present invention may be subject to numerous variants without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.


    Claims

    1. A hinging device for windows and doors including a fixed frame (12) and a movable frame (14), comprising:

    - a first support element (24) to be fastened to the fixed frame (12) and bearing a main axis of articulation (38) and a sliding guide (40) orthogonal to the main axis of articulation (38),

    - a second support element (26) to be fastened to the movable frame (14),

    - a main lever (42) having a first end region (44), an intermediate area (45) and a second end (48), in which said first end region (44) of the main lever is articulated to the first support element (24) around said main axis (38),

    - a secondary lever (60) having a first end (62), a second end (66) and an intermediate region (64), in which the first end (62) of the secondary lever (60) is slidably articulated to the first support element (24) in said sliding guide (40), the intermediate region (64) of the secondary lever (60) is articulated to the intermediate region (45) of the main lever (42) around a second axis parallel to the main axis of articulation (38), and in which the second end (66) of the secondary lever (60) is articulated to the second support element (26) around a third axis (72), and

    - a connecting rod (76) having a first end articulated to the second end (48) of the main lever (42) and a second end (78) articulated to the second support element (26) around a fourth axis (80) parallel to said third axis (72),

    characterised in that the main axis of articulation (38) is defined by an elongated articulation pivot pin (360), whose length is substantially greater than its own diameter, supported at both its ends by the first support element (24), and in that the main lever (42) has a C-schaped articulation portion (50) which extends parallel to the main axis of articulation (38) and engages said pivot pin (360) on at least two portions, axially distanced from each other.
     
    2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the main lever (42) has a planar portion (51) integral with the articulation portion (50) which is provided with two holes (52) distanced from each other in the axial direction which engage end regions of said pivot pin (360).
     
    3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the first support element (24) has a horizontal portion (28) and a vertical portion (30) positioned according to a general square configuration, the vertical portion (30) having a widened end (32) provided with a hole (34) coaxial to a hole (36) positioned at one end of the horizontal portion (28), the pivot pin (36) engaging at its own ends said holes (34, 36).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Scharniervorrichtung für Fenster und Türen, mit einem feststehenden Rahmen (12) und einen beweglichen Rahmen (14), umfassend:

    - ein erstes Stützelement (24), um am feststehenden Rahmen (12) befestigt zu werden, das eine Haupt-Drehachse (38) und eine Gleitführung (40) orthogonal zur Haupt-Drehachse (38) trägt,

    - ein zweites Stützelement (26), um am beweglichen Rahmen (14) befestigt zu werden,

    - einen Haupthebel (42) mit einem ersten Endbereich (44), einem Zwischenbereich (45) und einem zweiten Ende (48), wobei der erste Endbereich (44) des Haupthebels zum ersten Stützelement (24) um die Hauptachse (38) gedreht wird,

    - einen Sekundärhebel (60) mit einem ersten Ende (62), einem zweiten Ende (66) und einem Zwischenbereich (64), wobei das erste Ende (62) des Sekundärhebels (60) zum ersten Stützelement (24) in der Gleitführung (40) verschiebbar gelagert ist, sowie der Zwischenbereich (64) des Sekundärhebels (60) zum Zwischenbereich (45) des Haupthebels (42) um eine zweite Achse drehbar ist, die zur Haupt-Drehachse (38) parallel ist und wobei das zweite Ende (66) des Sekundärhebels (60) zum zweiten Stützelement (26) um eine dritte Achse (72) drehbar ist, und

    - eine Verbindungstange (76) mit einem ersten Ende, das zum zweiten Ende (48) des Haupthebels (42) drehbar ist, und einem zweiten Ende (78), das zum zweiten Stützelement (26) um eine vierte Achse (80) parallel zur dritten Achse (72) drehbar ist,

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Haupt-Drehachse (38) durch einen länglichen Dreh-Schwenkzapfen (360) definiert ist, dessen Länge im wesentlichen größer als sein eigener Durchmesser ist und der an seinen beiden Enden durch das erste Stützelement (24) abgestützt ist, und dass der Haupthebel (42) einen C-förmigen Drehabschnitt (50) aufweist, der sich parallel zu der Haupt-Drehachse (38) erstreckt und am Schwenkzapfen (360) an mindestens zwei, axial voneinander beabstandeten Abschnitten eingreift.
     
    2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Haupthebel (42) einen planen Bereich (51) aufweist, der integral mit dem Drehabschnitt (50) ist und zwei Bohrungen (52) aufweist, die voneinander in der axialen Richtung beabstandet sind und an Endbereichen des Drehzapfens (360) angreifen.
     
    3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das erste Stützelement (24) einen horizontalen Teil (28) und einen vertikalen Teil (30) aufweist, die entsprechend einer allgemeinen rechtwinkligen Konfiguration angeordnet sind, wobei der vertikale Teil (30) ein verbreitertes Ende (32) mit einer Bohrung (34) aufweist, die koaxial zu einer Bohrung (36) an einem Ende des horizontalen Teils (28) angeordnet ist, wobei der Drehzapfen (36) mit seinen eigenen Enden in die Bohrungen (34, 36) eingreift.
     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif de charnière pour fenêtres et portes comprenant un cadre fixe (12) et un cadre mobile (14), comprenant :

    - un premier élément de support (24) devant être attaché au cadre fixe (12) et supportant un axe principal d'articulation (38) et un guide coulissant (40) orthogonal par rapport à l'axe principal d'articulation (38),

    - un second élément de support (26) devant être attaché au cadre mobile (14),

    - un levier principal (42) ayant une première région d'extrémité (44), une zone intermédiaire (45) et une seconde extrémité (48), ladite première région d'extrémité (44) du levier principal étant articulée sur le premier élément de support (24) autour dudit axe principal (38),

    - un levier secondaire (60) ayant une première extrémité (62), une seconde extrémité (66) et une région intermédiaire (64), la première extrémité (62) du levier secondaire (60) étant articulée de manière coulissante sur le premier élément de support (24) dans ledit guide coulissant (40), la région intermédiaire (64) du levier secondaire (60) étant articulée sur la région intermédiaire (45) du levier principal (42) autour d'un deuxième axe parallèle à l'axe principal d'articulation (38), et la seconde extrémité (66) du levier secondaire (60) étant articulée sur le second élément de support (26) autour d'un troisième axe (72), et

    - une tige de liaison (76) ayant une première extrémité articulée sur la seconde extrémité (48) du levier principal (42) et une seconde extrémité (78) articulée sur le second élément de support (26) autour d'un quatrième axe (80) parallèle audit troisième axe (72),

    caractérisé en ce que l'axe principal d'articulation (38) est défini par une broche d'articulation allongée (360), dont la longueur est sensiblement supérieure à son propre diamètre, supporté au niveau de ses deux extrémités par le premier élément de support (24), et en ce que le levier principal (42) possède une partie d'articulation en C (50) qui s'étend parallèlement à l'axe principal d'articulation (38) et se met en prise avec ladite broche d'articulation (360) sur au moins deux parties, espacées axialement l'une par rapport à l'autre.
     
    2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le levier principal (42) a une portion plane (51) solidaire de la partie d'articulation (50) qui est dotée de deux trous (52) espacés l'un de l'autre dans la direction axiale qui se mettent en prise avec les régions d'extrémité de ladite broche d'articulation (360).
     
    3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le premier élément de support (24) a une partie horizontale (28) et une partie verticale (30) positionnées selon une configuration carrée générale, la partie verticale (30) ayant une extrémité élargie (32) dotée d'un trou (34) coaxial par rapport à un trou (36) positionné à une extrémité de la partie horizontale (28), la broche d'articulation (36) se mettant en prise au niveau de ses propres extrémités avec lesdits trous (34, 36).
     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description