Three-wing hinge

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a three-wing hinge for fixtures that comprise a first element and a second element rotating around a rotation axis. The hinge comprises a first component (21) and a second component (22) arranged to be fastened to one element (5, 7) of the elements of the fixture, and a third component (23) in intermediate position between the first (21) and the second component (22), and the first and second components are arranged to rotate relative to the third component around the rotation axis. The hinge is configured so that the first component (21) is pivoted on the third component in an axially adjustable way and the second component (22) is slidingly pivoted on said third component (23) so as to be able to axially slide relative to said third component (23) along the rotation axis. The present invention also relates to a method of making a three-wing hinge.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a three-wing hinge to be applied to fixtures including a first stationary element and a second element arranged to rotate relative to the first element about a rotation axis.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a three-wing hinge having, at two opposite ends, two external wings arranged to be fastened to the moving element, for instance a door, and a central wing centrally located between the external wings and arranged to be fastened to the stationary element, for instance an upright of the door.

Prior art

[0003] Three-wing hinges are generally known and are used in particular for mounting doors, and such a use is referred to hereinafter for the sake of easiness of description.

[0004] Said prior art hinges, which have high robustness properties with respect, for instance, to two-wing hinges, generally include a central pivot configured for allowing rotation of the external wings relative to the central wing about a rotation axis passing through the central pivot.

[0005] A problem common to the three-wing hinges with a central rotation pivot is that said hinges have a structure intrinsically hindering any adjustment in longitudinal direction of the external wings with respect to the central wing.

[0006] Such a problem is clearly a severe limitation to the use of three-wing hinges, which hence cannot be used when an adaptation for instance of the vertical position of a door with respect to the upright is required.

[0007] Attempts at making three-wing hinges allowing an adjustment in longitudinal direction have been made in the past. Reference is made for instance to the hinge disclosed in document DE 299 21 555 U.

[0008] Yet, the solutions tried up to now have been proved unsatisfactory because of the manufacturing costs, of the complexity of assembling the hinge as well as of the low reliability and safety.

[0009] The Applicant has therefore realised that, in view of the need to use three-wing hinges, for instance for reasons of increased robustness, there is the need in the art to make, with reasonable production costs and substantial warranties as to reliability and safety, three-wing hinges allowing the same adjustment operations as provided for by two-wing hinges.

Description of the Invention

[0010] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to make a three-wing hinge that solves the intrinsic structural problems of such hinges and that has reduced production costs, is simple to be assembled and is highly reliable.

[0011] The object is achieved by means of the three-wing hinge as claimed.

[0012] The present invention also concerns a method for making a three-wing hinge.

[0013] According to the invention, the three-wing hinge is configured so that:

• a first component or wing of the hinge is pivoted on a third component or wing in an axially adjustable way; and
• a second component is slidingly pivoted on the third component or wing so as to be capable of axially sliding relative to the third component along the rotation axis.

[0014] In particular, thanks to the fact that the third component or wing has an upper cavity arranged to house a pivot for the rotatable connection with the first component or wing, and a lower cavity arranged to house a pivot for the rotatable connection with the second component or wing, which cavities are separated by a solid portion of material, the construction of the hinge according to the invention is cheap, requires a very small number of pieces, thereby allowing a very simple assembling, and ensures reliability and safety.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, said third component or wing is worked by turning in order to form said upper cavity and said lower cavity.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0016] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, made by way of non limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements denoted by a same or similar numerical reference correspond to elements having the same or similar function and construction, and in which:

• Fig. 1 is an overall view of an application of hinges according to the present invention;
• Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge according to the invention; and
• Fig. 3 shows a pivot for adjusting the hinge according to the invention.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

[0017] Referring to Fig. 1, a three-wing hinge 10 according to the present invention can be applied to a fixture including a first element 7, for instance a door, and a second element, for instance an upright 5 of a frame 6.

[0018] Hinge 10 includes first and second components (upper and lower wings) 21 and 22, respectively, arranged to be fastened for instance to the first element (door) 7, and a third component (central wing), arranged to be fastened for instance to the second element (upright) 5 of frame 6.

[0019] According to the invention, hinge 10 also includes a first pivot 31 configured for being introduced between upper wing 21 and central wing 23, and a second pivot 32, coaxial to the first one and configured for being introduced between central wing 23 and lower wing 22.

[0020] The first and second pivots 31 and 32, respectively, are arranged, inter alia, to allow, in use, the rotation of wings 21 and 22, fastened to the door, relative to central wing 23, fastened to upright 5, about a rotation axis corresponding to the axis of the pivots.

[0021] Hinge 10 preferably also includes first and second spacers 18a and 18b, respectively, made for instance of rubber and located between upper wing 21 and central wing 23 and between lower wing 22 and central wing 23, respectively. The spacers are arranged to make the mutual rotation of the wings easier, as a skilled in the art can readily understand, to become deformed if subjected to pressure and to prevent, at the same time, penetration of dust and/or humidity into hinge 10.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment, wings 21, 22 and 23 have a drop profile but, as a skilled in the art can readily understand, the wings may have also other profiles, without thereby departing from the scope of what has been disclosed and claimed.

[0023] In order to receive the first pivot 31, upper wing 21 includes a body 24, e.g. cylindrical, having a cavity 25 with cylindrical shape protected at one end, for instance, by a cap 19a, preferably of rubber or plastics, in order to prevent penetration of dust and/or humidity into hinge 10.

[0024] Cavity 25 has a substantially smooth or non-threaded internal surface in a first zone 25a, close to central wing 23, and has a threaded surface 26 in a second zone 25b, opposite or distal with respect to the first zone 25a.

[0025] Upper wing 21 also includes, in correspondence for instance of the first zone 25a, a hole 26a, for instance a threaded hole, preferably orthogonal to the cavity and arranged to house a locking or safety element or safety dowel 27a, configured for locking the first pivot 31 in a determined position, as it will be disclosed in detail below.

[0026] In order to receive the second pivot 21, lower wing 22 includes a body 44, e.g. cylindrical, having a cavity 45 with cylindrical shape configured so as to have a substantially smooth internal surface over its whole length and protected at one end, for instance, by a cap 19b, preferably of rubber or plastics, in order to prevent penetration of dust and/or humidity into hinge 10.

[0027] Cavity 45 is arranged to receive the second pivot 32 and to allow, jointly with the pivot, both the rotation of lower wing 22 relative to central wing 23 and the axial sliding of the second pivot 32 in cavity 45 of the lower wing, as it will be disclosed in detail below.

[0028] Always in accordance with the invention, central wing 23 includes a body, e.g. cylindrical, having formed therein a first cavity (upper cavity) 55, configured for housing a first end 35a of the first pivot 31, and a second cavity 56, opposite the first one and configured for housing a first end 65a of the second pivot 32, said first and second cavities being defined and separated from each other by a solid intermediate central partition.

[0029] Said first and second cavities 55, 56 are preferably obtained from a solid body, for instance cylindrical, by turning.

[0030] Preferably, said first cavity 55, and possibly also the second cavity 56, has a bottom that preferably is rounded and a smooth internal surface.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment, a hole 56a, for instance a threaded hole, preferably orthogonal to the second cavity 56, is provided in correspondence of the second cavity 56. Said hole is configured for housing a retaining member or retaining dowel 57a, configured for blocking the relative sliding of the second pivot 32 relative to central wing 23, as it will be disclosed in detail below.

[0032] The first pivot 31 has a first end 35a with a smooth surface and preferably ends with a ball 37a arranged to make relative rotation of upper wing 21 relative to central wing 23 easier. At a second end 35b, the first pivot 31 has a thread 36 arranged to cooperate with threaded surface 26 of cavity 25 so as to enable the axial sliding of the first pivot 31 relative to upper wing 21, as a result of the screwing/unscrewing of pivot 31.

[0033] In particular, the first pivot has, at second end 35b, a seat 38, for instance a hexagonal seat for an Allen key (setscrew spanner), arranged to allow screwing/unscrewing pivot 31 and hence adjusting its position relative to upper wing 21.

[0034] The second pivot 32, preferably with a smooth surface, has, at first end 65a housed, in use, in the second cavity 56 of central wing 23, a circumferential cut 67a, for instance V-shaped, which is configured for being engaged in use by retaining dowel 57a, thereby preventing the axial sliding of the second pivot 32 relative to central wing 23.

[0035] The operation of three-wing hinge 10 described above is as follows.

[0036] In order to describe the operation, it is assumed, for instance, that upper and lower wings 21 and 22 of hinge 10 are fastened to door 7 and that the central wing is fastened to upright 5 of frame 6.

[0037] In such a condition of use, when an adjustment of the position of door 7 relative to upright 5 becomes necessary, seat 38 of the first pivot 31 is operated on, for instance by means of an Allen key so as to turn it in clockwise or counterclockwise direction depending on the kind of axial adjustment to be applied to the door.

[0038] As a skilled in the art can readily understand, the screwing/unscrewing operation correspondingly entails the displacement of upper wing 21 relative to central wing 23, since the first pivot 31 abuts, by means of ball 37a, against the bottom of the first cavity 55 of central wing 23 and compels upper wing 21 to axially displace.

[0039] Yet, lower wing 22 is associated with upper wing 21, since it is fastened, for instance, to door 7, and thus it consequently moves relative to central wing 23.

[0040] Advantageously, the second pivot 32 does not axially slide relative to central wing 23 and thus it axially slides along the axis of lower wing 22.

[0041] Once the adjustment has been completed, in order to prevent the adjustment from changing because of the rotation of door 7 relative to upright 5, it is advantageously envisaged, for instance, that safety dowel 37a is tightened against the first pivot 31, thereby preventing the latter from screwing or unscrewing relative to threaded surface 26 of cavity 25.

[0042] Hinge 10 as described and shown has a drop shape but, as a skilled in the art can readily understand, it may have any shape compatible with the described structure and functions. Similarly, the positions of the lower and upper wings may be mutually exchanged, without thereby departing from the scope of what has been disclosed and claimed.

[0043] Of course, obvious changes and modifications can be made to the above description in respect of size, shape, materials and components, as well as in respect of the details of the illustrated construction and the operating manner, without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims

1. Three-wing hinge for fixtures that comprise a first element and a second element rotating around a rotation axis, the hinge comprising:

- a first component (21) and a second component (22) arranged to be fastened to one element (5, 7) of the elements of the fixture;

- a third component (23) in intermediate position between said first (21) and said second component (22), said first and said second component being arranged to rotate relative to the third component around said rotation axis;

said first component (21) being pivoted on said third component in an axially adjustable way, and said second component (22) being slidingly pivoted on said third component (23) so as to be able to axially slide relative to said third component (23) along the rotation axis, the hinge being characterised in that said first component (21) is pivoted on said third component (23) by means of a first pivot (31) and said second component (22) is pivoted on said third component (23) by means of a second pivot (32), said third component having a first cavity (55) for receiving said first pivot (31) and a second cavity (56), opposite the first one, for receiving said second pivot (32), said first and second cavities (55, 56) being separated by a solid central intermediate partition.

2. Three-wing hinge according to claim 1, characterised in that said first pivot (31) has a thread and said first component (21) has a cavity (25) arranged to receive said first pivot and having a corresponding thread, whereby said first component is pivoted on said third component in an axially adjustable way.

3. Three-wing hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said first component comprises a safety element (27a) arranged to lock the axial adjustment of said first component (21) relative to said third component (23).

4. Three-wing hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said first pivot (31) ends with a ball (37a) and said first cavity (55) of said third component (23) correspondingly has a rounded bottom.

5. Three-wing hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said second component (22) has a cavity (45) for receiving said second pivot (32), said cavity (45) having smooth walls so that said second component (22) is slidingly pivoted on said third component (23).

6. Three-wing hinge according to claim 5, characterised in that said second pivot (32) is axially constrained to said third component (23) by means of a retaining element (57a).

7. Three-wing hinge according to claim 6, characterised in that said second pivot (32) comprises a circumferential cut arranged to cooperate with said retaining element (57a) in order to axially constrain said second pivot to said third component (23).

8. Method for axially adjusting a three-wing hinge for fixtures that comprise a first element and a second element rotating around a rotation axis, the method being characterised by the steps of:

- providing a first component (21) and a second component (22) arranged to be fastened to one element (5, 7) of the fixture elements;

- providing a third component (23) positioned in intermediate position between said first (21) and said second component (22), said first and said second component being arranged to rotate relative to the third component around said rotation axis;

- forming a cavity (25) in said first component (21);

- forming a cavity (45) in said second component (22);

- forming a first cavity (55) and a second cavity (56), opposite the first one, in said third component (23), said first cavity (55) and said second cavity (56) being separated by a solid intermediate central partition;

- introducing a first pivot (31) into said cavity (25) of said first component (21) and into said first cavity (55) of said third component (23), for pivoting said first component (21) to said third component in an axially adjustable way; and

- introducing a second pivot (32) into said cavity (45) of said second component (22) and into said second cavity (56) of said third component (23) for slidingly pivoting said second component (22) to said third component (23).

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that at least said first cavity (55) and said second cavity (56) in said third component (23) are formed by turning.

Drawing