Hinge to articulate a mobile structure with respect to a fixed structure

Abstract

 Hinge (10) able to articulate a mobile structure (12) with respect to a fixed structure (14), between a first position, in which the mobile structure (12) is closed with respect to the fixed structure (14), and a second position, in which the mobile structure (12) is open with respect to the fixed structure (14). The hinge (10) comprises two terminal elements (16, 18), each of which is attachable respectively to the mobile structure (12) and the fixed structure (14). The hinge (10) also comprises an intermediate element (24), cooperating with the terminal elements (16, 18) and suitable at least to enter into the bulk of the terminal elements (16, 18) in the first position and to remain at least partly outside the terminal elements (16, 18) in an open position of the mobile structure (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns a hinge to articulate a mobile structure, for example a wing of a door or window, with respect to a fixed structure, for example a frame of a door or window.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hinges are known, to articulate a wing of a door or window with respect to a fixed frame between a closed position and an open position, understood as any position whatsoever comprised between the closed position and the position of maximum opening.

[0003] Three hinges are known from US-A-93,402, DE-C-196.103 and FR-A-821.654, each one comprising from two to four arcuate sectors, cooperating telescopically each inside the adjacent one, in order to vary the angle of rotation of the hinge between the closed and open positions. One disadvantage of each of these known hinges is that it is very complex and costly to be made, because it requires many components to be assembled. Moreover, because the arcuate sectors are hollow inside, these known hinges have the disadvantage that, when the arcuate sectors are partly or completely outside the adjacent one, in the open position, they are able to support only a very lower load with respect to the condition in which the same arcuate sectors are one inside the other, in the closed position.

[0004] Another hinge is known from US-A-509,702, which comprises two solid parts connected by a rigid arcuate lever link. The reciprocal rotation of the two parts is performed by two arcuate lugs, peripherally coupled therebetween and which can have also peripheral teeth adapted to engage each other. The teeth of the two lugs also engage with two corresponding intermediate gears, which in turn engage each other. These two gears are journaled upon and carried by the arcuate lever link. This known hinge has both the disadvantage that it is very complicated to be manufactured and that it has difficulty to work when the intermediate gears are meshed together and also with the teeth of the two lugs, which in turn are meshed together.

[0005] Purpose of the present invention is therefore to achieve a hinge to articulate a mobile structure with respect to a fixed structure, which comprises a limited number of components, which is easy and quick to assemble and install, and which allows to support relatively high loads, substantially in any position between the closed and open position.

[0006] 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

[0007] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0008] In accordance with the above purpose, a hinge according to the present invention is able to articulate a mobile structure with respect to a fixed structure between a first position, in which the mobile structure is closed with respect to the fixed structure, and a second position, in which the mobile structure is open with respect to the fixed structure. In particular, a hinge according to the present invention comprises: a first terminal element, a second terminal element and an intermediate element, cooperating with the first and second terminal elements. Each terminal element is able to be attached respectively to the mobile structure and to the fixed structure.

[0009] According to a first solution of the present invention, the first and second terminal elements are substantially identical and each comprises a plurality of finger guides disposed on two concentric rows to define a comb of inner guides and outer guides. Each one of the finger guides has an arcuate development along a portion of circumference, in such a manner that any inner guide of one terminal element is alternated with an outer guide of the other terminal element. Moreover, the intermediate element comprises a plurality of arcuate grooves which are disposed on two concentric rows, for lodging the finger guides of the two terminal elements, and have the same curvature of the finger guides.

[0010] Advantageously, the intermediate element is able to enter at least partially into the bulk of both the first and second terminal elements, when the hinge is in the closed position, and to remain totally outside the two terminal elements when the hinge is in the open position.

[0011] Moreover, in the closed position, substantially one half of the intermediate element is contained in a first compartment of the first terminal element and substantially another half of the intermediate element is contained in a second compartment of the second terminal element.

[0012] The hinge according to the present invention is able to enable the opening of the mobile structure even to about 180° with respect to the fixed structure.

[0013] According to this solution, the intermediate element is free to move circularly with respect to the two fixed terminal elements.

[0014] According to one solution of the invention, the guides can be V-shaped, U-shaped, T-shaped, or with any other shaped section.

[0015] The hinge according to the present invention therefore comprises a limited number of components, can be assembled easily and quickly, and allows to support relatively high loads, substantially in any position whatsoever between the closed and open position.

[0016] Moreover, the hinge according to the present invention can be installed easily and rapidly.

[0017] The intermediate element is therefore able to connect the first terminal element with respect to the second terminal element, allowing the first terminal element to rotate with respect to the second, and thus articulating the mobile structure with respect to the fixed structure.

[0018] According to another solution of the present invention, each terminal element comprises a respective rack-type contact element, developing along a circumferential portion, which is substantially fixed with respect to the relative terminal element, and which develops along a relative pivoting axis, parallel to the edge of the mobile structure or the fixed structure. The intermediate element is rotatably constrained to each of the fixed terminal elements, and comprises a body with two rotary elements with a gear, suitable to cooperate with each other and with the respective contact elements.

[0019] The first contact element is able to make the first rotary element rotate, which makes the second rotary element rotate, which also rotates with respect to the second contact element, the whole following the rotation of the intermediate element and hence of the mobile structure.

[0020] According to an advantageous solution of the present invention, the terminal elements and/or intermediate element are made of anti-wear material, preferably of the self-lubricating type, or anti-friction material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

• fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a first form of embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention to articulate a wing of a door or window with respect to a fixed frame, in a first position;
• fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of the hinge of fig. 1, in a second position;
• fig. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a first terminal element of the hinge of fig. 1;
• fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of a second terminal element of the hinge of fig. 1;
• fig. 5 is a three-dimensional front view of the intermediate element of the hinge of fig. 1;
• fig. 6 is a three-dimensional rear view of the intermediate element of the hinge of fig. 1;
• fig. 7 is a front view of the hinge of fig. 1 in an open position;
• fig. 8 is a top view of the hinge of fig. 1 in the open position of fig. 7;
• fig. 9 is a three-dimensional view of the hinge of fig. 1 in the open position of fig. 7;
• fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of a second form of embodiment of a hinge according to the present invention to articulate a wing of a door or window with respect to a fixed frame, in a first position;
• fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the hinge in fig. 10, in a second position;
• fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of the hinge in fig. 10, in a third position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TWO PREFERENTIAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0022] With reference to fig. 1, a hinge 10 according to the present invention is used to articulate a wing 12 of a door or window with respect to a fixed frame 14 between a first position, in which the wing 12 is closed with respect to the fixed frame 14, and a second position, in which the wing 12 is open with respect to the fixed frame 14.

[0023] The hinge 10 comprises two terminal elements, respectively a first element 16, able to be attached to the wing 12, and a second element 18, able to be attached to the frame 14 (figs. 1 and 2).

[0024] The two terminal elements 16 and 18 are preferably made by pressure die-casting, or in another known manner, advantageously of anti-wear material, for example of the self-lubricating type, or anti-friction material.

[0025] The two terminal elements 16 and 18 are substantially identical, but assembled one upside down with respect to the other, and each of them defines a respective inner compartment 17 and 19 (figs. 3 and 4).

[0026] More in particular, the first terminal element 16 comprises ridges, defining finger guides 20a and 20b (figs. 3, 7, 8 and 9), each disposed on a portion of circumference, respectively inner guides 20a and outer guides 20b, disposed on two concentric rows.

[0027] The second terminal element 18 comprises ridges defining finger guides 22a and 22b (figs. 4, 7, 8 and 9), each disposed on a portion of circumference, respectively inner guides 22a and outer guides 22b, also disposed on two concentric rows.

[0028] In each terminal element 16 and 18, each finger guide 20a, 20b, 22a and 22b has an arcuate development of about 180°, and the two rows define a comb, in such a manner that an inner guide 20a or 22a of one terminal element 16 or 18 is alternated with an outer guide 22b or 20b of the other terminal element 18 or 16.

[0029] In the first terminal element 16, the upper inner guide 20a and the lower outer guide 20b are each provided with a respective first protrusion 21.

[0030] In the second terminal element 18, the lower inner guide 22a and the upper outer guide 22b are each provided with a respective second protrusion 23.

[0031] The protrusions 21 and 23 develop radially towards the inside of the respective terminal element 16 or 18.

[0032] The hinge 10 also comprises an intermediate element 24 (figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) provided with a plurality of arcuate grooves 26 and 28, disposed on two concentric rows and having the same curvature of the finger guides 20a, 20b, 22a and 22b and an arcuate development of about 180°. In particular, the grooves 26 and 28 are constituted by inner grooves 26, for slidably lodging the inner guides 20a and 22a, and by outer grooves 28, for slidably lodging the outer guides 20b and 22b.

[0033] The intermediate element 24 is preferably made by pressure die-casting, or in other known manner, advantageously of anti-wear material, for example of the self-lubricating type, or anti-friction material.

[0034] The pitch between the finger guides 20a, 20b, 22a and 22b of each terminal element 16 or 18 is equal to double the pitch between the corresponding guide grooves 26 or 28 of the intermediate element 24.

[0035] In the intermediate element 24, the upper inner groove 26 and the lower outer groove 28 are each provided with a respective first abutment 27, while the upper outer groove 28 and the lower inner groove 26 are each provided with a respective second abutment 29.

[0036] The first protrusions 21 are able to contact the respective first abutments 27, while the second protrusions 23 are able to contact the respective second abutments 28.

[0037] We shall now describe the functioning of the hinge 10.

[0038] In the first position (fig. 2), a part of the intermediate element 24 is contained in the compartment 17 of the first terminal element 16, and the remaining part is contained in the compartment 19 of the second terminal element 18, that is, within the bulk of the two terminal elements 16 and 18.

[0039] Moreover, in the first position, the finger guides 20a and 20b of the first terminal element 16 are completely disposed at intervals between the finger guides 22a and 22b of the second terminal element 18, and both the series of finger guides 20a, 20b, 22a and 22b are housed totally inside the corresponding grooves 26 and 28 of the intermediate element 24.

[0040] The three elements 16, 18 and 24 are completely inter-connected one inside the others and have an overall arcuate development of 180°.

[0041] By opening the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14 (fig. 1), the finger guides 20a and 20b of the first terminal element 16 slide in the corresponding grooves 26 and 28, while the intermediate element 24 remains substantially stationary with respect to the second terminal element 18.

[0042] Continuing to open the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14, the first protrusions 21 contact the respective first abutments 27, drawing the intermediate element 24 into rotation too.

[0043] Moreover, continuing to open the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14, the rotation of the first terminal element 16 and of the intermediate element 24 is interrupted, when the second protrusions 23 contact the respective second abutments 29 (figs. 7, 8 and 9). This is the open position, that is the position of maximum opening, by 180° with respect to the closed position, in which the intermediate element 24 is completely outside the compartments 17 and 19.

[0044] In this open position, the finger guides 20a, 20b, 22a and 22b are only partly inter-connected and guided in the corresponding grooves 26 and 28 of the intermediate element only for about 90°.

[0045] The intermediate element 24 therefore allows to support the finger guides 20a and 20b of the first terminal element 16 with respect to the finger guides 22a and 22b of the second terminal element 18, allowing to articulate the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14.

[0046] Figs. 10 to 12 show a second form of embodiment of the hinge 110 according to the present invention.

[0047] The hinge 110 comprises a first terminal element 116, attached to the wing 12, and a second terminal element 118, attached to the frame 14, wherein each of the two terminal elements 116 and 118 defines inside a respective compartment 117 and 119.

[0048] The hinge 110 also comprises an intermediate element 124, terminally pivoted both to the first terminal element 116 and also to the second terminal element 118, along respective substantially vertical pivoting axes, respectively first axis X and second axis Y.

[0049] The intermediate element 124 comprises a body 130, and two toothed wheels with a gear, respectively a first wheel 132 and a second wheel 134, pivoted to the body 130 along respective axes of rotation substantially parallel to the two pivoting axes X and Y.

[0050] The first terminal element 116 comprises a first rack-type toothed element 136, which develops along the first pivoting axis X, while the second terminal element 118 comprises a second rack-type toothed element 138, which develops along the second pivoting axis Y.

[0051] Each of the two toothed elements 136 and 138 is disposed on a circumferential portion.

[0052] The first toothed wheel 132 engages with the first toothed element 136, while the second toothed wheel 134 engages with the second toothed element 138; the two toothed wheels 132 and 134 also engage with each other.

[0053] We shall now describe the functioning of the hinge 110.

[0054] In the closed position (fig. 10), a part of the intermediate element 124 is contained in the compartment 117 of the first terminal element 116 and the remaining part is contained in the compartment 119 of the second terminal element 118, that is, within the bulk of the two terminal elements 116 and 118.

[0055] By opening the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14 (fig. 11), the first toothed element 136 makes the first toothed wheel 132 rotate, which makes the second toothed wheel 134 rotate in its turn, which rotates with respect to the second toothed element 138, which remains stationary, since it is solid with the second terminal element 118, and hence with the frame 14. The wing 12 can then be opened for about 180° (fig. 12).

[0056] In this way, the intermediate element 124 connects the two terminal elements 116 and 118, and hence the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14, and the cooperation between the two toothed wheels 132 and 134 and the two toothed elements 136 and 138 guides the rotation of the intermediate element 124, and hence of the wing 12, with respect to the second pivoting axis Y.

[0057] In the same way, by closing the wing 12 with respect to the frame 14, the first toothed element 136 makes the first toothed wheel 132 rotate, which makes the second toothed wheel 134 rotate in its turn, which rotates with respect to the second toothed element 138.

[0058] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the hinge 10, 110 as described heretofore, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0059] 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 hinges to articulate a mobile structure with respect to a fixed structure, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the scope of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1. Hinge able to articulate a mobile structure (12) with respect to a fixed structure (14), between a first position, in which said mobile structure (12) is closed with respect to said fixed structure (14), and a second position, in which said mobile structure (12) is open with respect to said fixed structure (14), wherein said hinge comprises: a first terminal element (16), a second terminal element (18) and an intermediate element (24), cooperating with said first and second terminal elements (16, 18), wherein each one of said first and second terminal elements (16, 18) is able to be attached respectively to said mobile structure (12) and to said fixed structure (14), characterized in that said first and second terminal elements (16, 18) are substantially identical and each comprises a plurality of finger guides (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b) disposed on two concentric rows to define a comb of inner guides (20a, 22a) and outer guides (20b, 22b), in that each one of said finger guides (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b) has an arcuate development along a portion of circumference, in such a manner that any inner guide (20a, 22a) of one of said terminal elements (16, 18) is alternated with an outer guide (20b, 22b) of the other terminal element (18, 16), and in that said intermediate element (24) comprises a plurality of arcuate grooves (26, 28) disposed on two concentric rows for lodging said finger guides (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b) and having the same curvature of said finger guides (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b).

2. Hinge as in claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate element (24) is able to enter at least partially into the bulk of both said first and second terminal elements (16, 18), in said first position, and to remain totally outside said first and second terminal elements (16, 18) in said second position.

3. Hinge as in claim 1, characterized in that in said first position, substantially one half of said intermediate element (24) is contained in a first compartment (17, 117) of said first terminal element (16), and substantially another half of said intermediate element (24) is contained in a second compartment (19) of said second terminal element (18).

4. Hinge as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said intermediate element (24) is free to move circularly with respect to said two terminal elements (16, 18).

5. Hinge as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said finger guides (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b) are V-shaped, U-shaped, T-shaped or have any other shaped section.

6. Hinge as in claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that said arcuate grooves (26, 28) slidably cooperate with said finger guides (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b).

7. Hinge able to articulate a mobile structure (12) with respect to a fixed structure (14), between a first position, in which said mobile structure (12) is closed with respect to said fixed structure (14), and a second position, in which said mobile structure (12) is open with respect to said fixed structure (14), wherein said hinge comprises: a first terminal element (116), a second terminal element (118) and an intermediate element (124), cooperating with said first and second terminal elements (116, 118), wherein each one of said first and second terminal elements (116, 118) is able to be attached respectively to said mobile structure (12) and to said fixed structure (14), characterized in that each of said terminal elements (116, 118) comprises a respective rack-type contact element (136, 138), substantially attached to the corresponding terminal element (116, 118), and in that said intermediate element (124) is rotatably constrained to each of said terminal elements (116, 118), and comprises at least two rotary elements with a gear (132, 134), able to cooperate with each other and with the respective contact elements (136, 138).

8. Hinge as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said terminal elements (16, 18, 116, 118) and/or said intermediate element (24, 124) are made of anti-wear material.

9. Hinge as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said terminal elements (16, 18, 116, 118) and/or said intermediate element (24, 124) are made of self-lubricating or anti-friction material.

Drawing