Angle-adjustable hinge

Abstract

 A first member (1) holding a disc body (16) having a non-circular through hole (23) as to freely rotate around an oscillation axis (C), a non-circular shaft portion (20) to be inserted to the through hole (23), and a second member (2) fixed to an end of the non-circular shaft portion (20), are provided; the first member (1) and the second member (2) are pivoted as to relatively oscillate by insertion of the shaft portion (20) to the through hole (23), a gear portion (4) is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the disc body (16) ; a floating wedge member (6), of which one side is a toothed face (7) engaged to the gear portion (4) and another face is a contact face (9) to contact a wedge face (8) formed on the first member (1) side, is provided; and a recovery means (10), which recovers the floating wedge member (6) from a retreat state to an engaged state with the gear portion (4) by a return action (M₂) of a predetermined small angle (θ) in a direction (A) on way of free oscillation (M₁) in which the first member (1) and the second member (2) are relatively oscillated in a direction (B) from a lock-releasing position (P₀), is provided.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an angle-adjustable hinge.

[0002] In a sofa S as shown in figure 13 and figure 14, an angle-adjustable hinge Z is used to recline a rest portion 50 such as a headrest 48 and an armrest 49. The sofa S has a construction in which its posture is kept with a desired inclination angle by restriction of oscillation of the rest portion 50 in a direction B by the angle-adjustable hinge Z, and the rest portion 50 oscillates in another direction A with click sound.

[0003] The inventor of the present invention has proposed many angle-adjustable hinges to keep the inclination angle of the rest portion 50 with multi stage (refer to Japanese patent No. 4418519, for example).

[0004] In the angle-adjustable hinge disclosed by Japanese patent No. 4418519, a first member and a second member are pivoted to relatively oscillate, and oscillation (in one direction) of the first member and the second member is restricted by wedge function of a floating wedge member. The wedge function of the floating wedge member is nullified by setting the first member and the second member to a predetermined lock-releasing position, and free oscillation (in one direction) of the first member and the second member is made possible. When the wedge function of the floating wedge member is once nullified, the wedge function (locked state) can't be recovered until the first member and the second member are set to a predetermined lock recovery position. That is to say, there is a disadvantage that the posture of the first member and the second member can't be kept with the locked state on a middle position on way of the oscillation from the lock-releasing position to the lock recovery position.

[0005] Conventionally, the sofa S shown in figure 13 and figure 14 is constructed as that free oscillation is made possible when the headrest 48 or the armrest 49 is raised to a vertical posture (lock-releasing position), then, the lock is recovered when the headrest 48 or the armrest 49 is inclined in an arrow B direction to a horizontal posture (lock recovery position). With the recovery of the locked state, the inclined posture can be held with a desired inclination angle when the headrest 48 or the armrest 49 is gradually raised to an arrow A direction.

[0006] However, when excessive load (in the arrow B direction to restrict the oscillation) is on the headrest 48 or the armrest 49, loosening is generated on an attached portion of the angle-adjustable hinge Z and a fixation member of the sofa S, or, the angle-adjustable hinge Z itself is plastically deformed, the lock may not be recovered because the armrest 49 may interfere (contact) with a base portion 45 before reaching for the lock recovery position. Similarly, the lock may not be recovered because the headrest 48 may interfere (contact) with an upper end face of a back portion 46. And, it is also a problem that the locked state of the armrest 49 (the headrest 48) may not be recovered in case that obstacles are put on the base portion 45 (the upper end face of the back portion 46).

[0007] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an angle-adjustable hinge with which the locked state is easily recovered on a random position on way of free oscillation of the first member and the second member from the lock-releasing position, and angle adjustment is conducted on a desired middle position to keep the posture of the angle-adjustable hinge.

[0008] This object is solved according to the present invention by angle-adjustable hinge including features of claim 1. Furthermore detailed embodiment is described in a dependent claim 2.

[0009] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a half product before assembly is completed;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an assembled and used state;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of figure 4;

Figure 6A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 6B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 7A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 7B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 8A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 8B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 9A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 9B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 10A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 10B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 11A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 11B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 12A is a whole cross-sectional view of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the principal portion of the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a sofa;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the sofa;

Figure 15A is a front view showing an elastic portion;

Figure 15B is a cross-sectional side view showing the elastic portion under non-compressed state; and

Figure 15C is a cross-sectional side view showing the elastic portion under compressed state.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] An angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention is used as a joint hinge (connecting hinge) of a sofa S having a headrest 48 and an armrest 49 as shown in perspective view of figure 13 and figure 14. In the sofa S shown in figure 13 and figure 14, plural angle-adjustable hinges Z are disposed on a connecting portion of the headrest 48 and a back portion 46, and on a connecting portion of an armrest portion 49 and a base portion 45 to adjust inclination angles of the headrest 48 and the armrest 49 (rest portions 50). The angle-adjustable hinge Z, not restricted to a sofa, can be used for a reclining bed.

[0012] As shown in figure 1 through figure 5, the angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention is provided with a first member 1 in which a disc body 16 having a non-circular through hole 23 is held as to freely rotate around an oscillation axis C and a second member 2 from which a non-circular shaft portion 20, may be inserted to the through hole 23 on any of both sides in the axis direction. The first member 1 and the second member 2 are connected to be relatively oscillatable by insertion of the shaft portion 20 to the through hole 23. In the present invention, "non-circular" and "non-circularity" of the through hole 23 and the shaft portion 20 include configurations having concavo-convex gear teeth and serrations. And, (although not shown in figures) it is also preferable to fix (as not to rotate) the non-circular shaft portion 20 and the second member 2 made as separate parts. And, it is also preferable to (detachably) fix the second member 2 to any of both ends of the non-circular shaft portion 20. A gear portion 4 is formed on a peripheral edge of the disc body 16, and a floating wedge member 6, of which one side is toothed face 7 engaging with the gear portion 4 and another side is a contact face 9 which contacts a wedge face 8 formed on the first member 1 side, is provided.

[0013] The first member 1 is provided with a pair of facing plate portions 13 to hold the disc body 16 and an attachment portion 17 to be fixed to the armrest portion 49 or the headrest portion 48. A circular supporting hole 21 and a (wedge-shaped) window portion 5 for forming a wedge-shaped space to hold the floating wedge member 6 are formed through each of the facing plate portions 13. Further, a hitching small protrusion 33 and a pivot shaft portion 27 of small diameter are protruding from an outer side of the facing plate portion 13. The (wedge-shaped) window portion 5 has the wedge face 8 of arc shape to form a retreat space 25 to store the floating wedge member 6 as to part from the gear portion 4.

[0014] Circular low protrusions 24, insertable to the circular supporting holes 21, are protruding from left and right sides of the disc body 16. The gear portion 4 is formed for a range of 1/3 to 1/4 of the peripheral edge of the disc body 16 (a range of center angle of 90° to 120° ), and a protruding portion (timing protrusion) 28 is formed on 2 points, namely, a beginning portion and an end portion of the gear portion 4. The disc body 16 is held as to freely rotate by the pair of facing plate portions 13 with the circular low protrusions 24 inserted to the circular supporting holes 21, and the facing plate portions 13 are disposed mutually parallel and fixed (riveted) to the attachment portion 17 with rivets 42..

[0015] The second member 2 has an attachment portion 18 to be fixed to the sofa fixation portion 45 or the back portion 46, and the non-circular shaft portion 20 is protruding from one end of the attachment portion 18. The shaft portion 20 has a female screw hole 44. Plural small holes 29 for bolts and screws are formed on the attachment portions 17 and 18.

[0016] The floating wedge member 6 is held within the wedge-shaped space formed with the pair of facing plate portions 13 (the window portions 5) and the gear portion 4, and both side end portions are protruding (left and right) from the window portions 5. Preferably, 13 to 20 gear teeth are formed on the toothed face 7, and, 40 or more (of small pitch) gear teeth, further preferably 45 to 65 gear teeth, are formed on the gear portion 4 of the disc body 16. Therefore, the number of stages of angle adjustment can be more than 40. A spring (elastic) member 26 to elastically push the floating wedge member 6 to the gear portion 4 is provided on the contact face 9 side (the attachment portion 17 side) of the floating wedge member 6.

[0017] As shown in figures 6A and 6B, and figures 12A and 12B, in an engaged state in which the contact face 9 of the floating wedge member 6 and the toothed face 7 and the gear portion 4 engage, the relative oscillation of the first member 1 and the second member 2 in a direction B is restricted (stopped). And, as shown in figures 9A and 9B, the first member 1 and the second member 2 are relatively oscillated in another direction A to set a lock-releasing position P₀, and the floating wedge member 6 is moved and parted from the gear portion 4 to make a retreat state in which the engagement of the gear portion 4 and the toothed face 7 is released thereby. Under the retreat state shown in figures 10A and 10B, the first member 1 and the second member 2 can be relatively oscillated in the direction B. In the present invention, it is called "free oscillation (M₁)" that the lock (restriction on oscillation) of the first member 1 and the second member 2 is released and the first member 1 and the second member 2 (relatively) oscillate in the direction B.

[0018] The angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention is provided with a recovery means 10 which recovers the floating wedge member 6 in the retreat state to the engaged state with the gear portion 4 by the return action M₂ of the predetermined small angle θ in the direction A during the free oscillation M₁ in which the first member 1 and the second member 2 in the lock-releasing position P₀ are relatively oscillated in the direction B as shown in figures 11A and 11B.

[0019] The recovery means 10 is provided with a ring member 12 which rotates against the facing plate portion 13 within a range of the predetermined small angle θ, an oscillating member 11, of which one end 11a is interlockingly connected to the ring member 12 and freely oscillating within a predetermined angle range with a middle portion as a fulcrum and another end 11b is disposed as to be pressed to the floating wedge member 6 in the retreat state, and a press-fit frictional member 15, having a non-circular fitting hole 19 fit to the shaft portion 20 to rotate unitedly with the shaft portion 20, and having an elastic portion 14 elastically pushing the ring member 12 in an axial inner direction and sliding on the ring member 12.

[0020] Under the retreat state shown in figures 10A and 10B, the floating wedge member 6 keeps the retreat state (kept on a first position V₁ on which the end 11b of the oscillating member 11 does not press the floating wedge member 6) during the free oscillation M₁ of the first member 1 and the second member 2 in the direction B. By the return action M₂ in the direction A as shown in figures 11A and 11B, the ring member 12 is rotated by frictional force with the elastic portion 14 for the predetermined small angle θ, and the oscillating member 11 (moving to a second position V₂ on which the end 11b presses the floating wedge member 6) moves the floating wedge member 6 (as to push out of the retreat space 25) to make the gear portion 4 and the toothed face 7 engaged.

[0021] As shown in figure 1, the ring member 12 is formed as a ring having a circular hole portion 22 to which the shaft portion 20 is inserted, and, a hitching concave portion 34 corresponding to the small protrusion 33 and an arc-shaped notched portion 32 are formed on the peripheral edge portion. The ring member 12 is hitching the small protrusion 33 to the hitching concave portion 34 movably (with backlash), and rotatable within the range of the predetermined small angle θ around the oscillation axis C as the center.

[0022] The oscillating member 11 is composed of metal (or resin) of high rigidity formed approximately V-shape, and the end 11a (formed into a short cylindrical column) is fit to the arc-shaped notched portion 32 and interlockingly connected to the ring member 12. A pivot hole portion 31 is formed on a middle portion of the oscillating member 11 to insert the pivot shaft portion 27. For example, the oscillating member 11 is pivoted to (the outer face side of) the facing plate portion 13 as the end 11a of the oscillating member 11 is moved up and down, and the corresponding other end 11b oppositely moves down and up like a seesaw with the pivot shaft portion 27 as a fulcrum.

[0023] As shown in figure 15A, the elastic portion 14 is formed as a ring, and plural small convex portions 37 are protruding from one end face. The elastic portion 14 is composed of elastically deformable resin (or metal), and another end face of the elastic portion 14 is a sliding face 39 to slide (elastically push in the axial inner direction in an assembled and used state described later) on the ring member 12.

[0024] In figure 1, a press-fit frictional member 15 is formed as a ring, and plural small concave portions 38 are formed corresponding to the small convex portions 37 of the elastic portion 14. The elastic portion 14 is attached with the plural small convex portions 37 inserted to the small concave portions 38 as to rotate (co-rotate) unitedly with the press-fit frictional member 15. It is also preferable to form the elastic portion 14 unitedly with the press-fit frictional member 15.

[0025] In a half product state shown in figures 2 and 3, the press-fit frictional member 15 is disposed on an outer side of each ring member 12, and the elastic portion 14 contacts the outer face of the ring member 12. As shown in figure 15B, the sliding face 39 of the elastic portion 14 is arc-shaped under non-compressed state. The press-fit frictional member 15 is held by a cover member 40. The cover member 40 is composed of a pair of (two-piece) cover half bodies 41 of resin. An insertion pin and an insertion hole are formed on the cover half body 41 on assembly corresponding positions (refer to figure 1). The cover member 40 covers and very compactly stores the press-fit frictional members 15, the ring members 12, the oscillating member 11, the facing plate portions 13, the disc body 16, and the floating wedge member 6.

[0026] In the assembled and used state shown in figures 4 and 5, the shaft portion 20 of the second member 2 is inserted to the through hole 23 and the fitting hole 19, a bolt 43 is screwed into the female screw hole 44 to insert the first member 1 to the second member 2. The bolt 43 is inserted to a washer 51. In the press-fit frictional members 15, the elastic portions 14 are elastically deformed by compression of fastening force of the bolt 43. As shown in figure 15C, the sliding face 39 of the elastic portion 14 is made flat face under compressed state and press-fit to the ring member 12. That is to say, the press-fit frictional members 15 are elastically pushing the ring members 12 with the elastic portions 14 in the axial inner direction.

[0027] Next, method of use (function) of the above-described angle-adjustable hinge of the present invention is described.

[0028] In the engaged state shown in figures 6A and 6B, the toothed face 7 of the floating wedge member 6 is engaged to the gear portion 4, and the contact face 9 contacts the wedge face 8 to restrict (stop) the relative oscillation of the first member 1 and the second member 2 in the direction B. The explanation below is under a condition that the second member 2 is attached to the fixation portion of the sofa, the first member 1 is attached to the armrest portion 49 or the headrest portion 48, and the first member 1 is oscillated against the (fixed) second member 2.

[0029] Next, as shown in figures 7A and 7B, when the first member 1 is oscillated in the direction A, the floating wedge member 6 slightly moves within the window portion 5, and the contact face 9 is parted from the wedge face 8 to form a slight gap d. When the first member 1 is oscillated in the direction A further, the guiding sloped face 35 of the floating wedge member 6 mounts the staged portion 36 of the window portion 5, the toothed face 7 of the floating wedge member 6 is parted from the gear portion 4 by the gap d, and the toothed face 7 goes over the gear portion 4 with click sound. Even if the first member 1 is made oscillate in the direction B against the second member 2, the oscillation is restricted (stopped) by wedge function of the floating wedge member 6, and the posture of the first member 1 is kept (held fixed). Although rotational force works on the ring member 12 in an arrow N direction (anticlockwise direction in figures) against the facing plate portion 13 by frictional force with the elastic portion 14 (the press-fit frictional member 15) in the oscillation in the direction A, the ring member 12 is hitched (against the facing plate portion 13) by the small protrusion 33 which contacts the (hitching) concave portion 34.

[0030] As shown in figures 8A and 8B, when the first member 1 is oscillated in the direction A further, the toothed face 7 repeatedly goes over the gear portion 4, and a protruding portion 28 disposed on an end portion of the gear portion 4 contacts the floating wedge member 6.

[0031] As shown in figures 9A and 9B, when the first member 1 is oscillated in the direction A further to a standing lock-releasing position P₀ under the state in which the protruding portion 28 contacts the floating wedge member 6, the floating wedge member 6 is pushed by the protruding portion 28 and moved to the retreat space 25 to be stored, and the toothed face 7 is parted from the gear portion 4 (retreat state is made). In this case, the other end 11b of the oscillating member 11 is pushed by the floating wedge member 6 and oscillated. This position is the first position V₁. The oscillating member 11 oscillates to the first position V₁, the end 11a pushes the ring member 12, and the ring member 12 rotates in an arrow R direction (clockwise direction in figures) only for the small angle θ.

[0032] Under the retreat state, the floating wedge member 6 is stored within the retreat space 25, and the engagement of the toothed face 7 and the gear portion 4 is released. Therefore, the lock (restriction on oscillation) in the direction B is released, and the free oscillation of the first member 1 in the direction B is made possible.

[0033] Next, as shown in figures 10A and 10B, when the first member 1 is in the free oscillation M₁ in the direction B, the ring member 12, although receiving rotational force in the arrow R direction by frictional force of the elastic portion 14, is stopped by the small protrusion 33 which contacts the (hitching) concave portion 34. That is to say, during the free oscillation M₁ of the first member 1 in the direction B, the oscillating member 11 is held on the first position V₁ and keeping the posture without oscillation, and the floating wedge member 6 is kept under the retreat state.

[0034] In figures 11A and 11B, when the return action M₂ in the direction A for the predetermined small angle θ is conducted during the free oscillation M₁ of the first member 1 in the direction B, the ring member 12, receiving rotational force in the arrow N direction (anticlockwise direction in figures) by frictional force of the elastic portion 14, is rotated. The oscillating member 11, of which end 11a is pushed by the rotating ring member 12, is oscillated. This position is the second position V₂. The oscillating member 11 pushes out the floating wedge member 6 with the other end 11b to move out of the retreat space 25. The floating wedge member 6 pushed out of the retreat space 25 is pressed to the gear portion 4 by the spring member 26, and the engaged state, in which the toothed face 7 is engaged to the gear portion 4, is made (returning to the locked state).

[0035] In figures 12A and 12B, the engaged state, in which the toothed face 7 of the floating wedge member 6 is engaged to the gear portion 4 and the contact face 9 contacts the wedge face 8, is made, the wedge function of the floating wedge member 6 is recovered to stop the oscillation of the first member 1 in the direction B. As described above, the locked state is easily recovered on random positions during the free oscillation of the first member 1 from the lock-releasing position P₀ to the direction B, the oscillation of the first member 1 is restricted on a desired middle inclining position to hold the posture, and angle adjustment is started by oscillation from the middle inclining position to the direction A.

[0036] The present invention can be modified. For example, not having the (wedge-shaped) window portion 5, a plate piece member, etc. may be used instead to press the contact face 9 of the floating wedge member 6. And, design and dimensions of the cover member 40 may be changed.

[0037] And, the number of the gear teeth of the toothed face 7 and the gear portion 4 may be more than or less than the above-described numbers depending on cases. And, forming method of the gear teeth may be freely selected from various plastic (press) works, die casting, roulette work, etc.

[0038] Especially, the oscillating member 11 may be freely modified as far as the member 11 is interlocking to move the floating wedge member 6 in opposite direction (clockwise direction) to push out (take out or draw out) of the retreat state along with the rotation of the ring member 12 (in anticlockwise direction) for the small angle θ from figures 10A and 10B to figures 11A and 11B.

[0039] And, the shaft portion 20 is formed as a regular hexagonal column, and the through hole 23 is also regular hexagonal as to correspond to the shaft portion 20 in figures. The shaft portion 20 and the through hole 23 may be various polygonal or other configurations as far as non-circular and mutually fitting.

[0040] As described above, the angle-adjustable hinge relating to the present invention can make the floating wedge member 6 certainly engaged to the gear portion 4 to lock the first member 1 and the second member 2 by a simple operation of slight return movement in the direction A on a random position on way of free oscillation in the direction B from the lock-releasing position P₀ because the first member 1 holding the disc body 16 having the non-circular through hole 23 as to freely rotate around the oscillation axis C, the non-circular shaft portion 20 to be inserted to the through hole 23, and the second member 2 fixed to an end of the non-circular shaft portion 20, are provided; the first member 1 and the second member 2 are pivoted as to relatively oscillate by insertion of the shaft portion 20 to the through hole 23, the gear portion 4 is formed on the peripheral edge portion of the disc body 16; the floating wedge member 6, of which one side is the toothed face 7 engaged to the gear portion 4 and another face is the contact face 9 to contact the wedge face 8 formed on the first member 1 side, is provided; relative oscillation of the first member 1 and the second member 2 in the direction B is restricted under an engaged state in which the contact face 9 contacts the wedge face 8 and the toothed face 7 and the gear portion 4 are engaged, the retreat state, in which the floating wedge member 6 is moved to be part from the gear portion 4 by oscillating the first member 1 and the second member 2 relatively in another direction A to the lock-releasing position P₀ to release the engagement of the gear portion 4 and the toothed face 7, is made, and the first member 1 and the second member 2 are relatively oscillated in the direction B under the retreat state; and the recovery means 10, which recovers the floating wedge member 6 from the retreat state to the engaged state with the gear portion 4 by a return action M₂ of a predetermined small angle θ in the direction A on way of free oscillation M₁ in which the first member 1 and the second member 2 are relatively oscillated in the direction B from the lock-releasing position P₀, is provided. That is to say, after the engagement of the floating wedge member 6 and the gear portion 4 is released, the engagement of the floating wedge member 6 and the gear portion 4 is recovered by the recovery means 10 to restrict the oscillation of the first member 1 and the second member 2 and angle adjustment can be started from the posture before the first member 1 and the second member 2 form the predetermined lock recovery position. Therefore, the rest portion 50 can be certainly held with a middle inclination posture of a desired inclination angle with a simple operation on a middle position between the final standing posture (lock-releasing position) and the final raid posture (lock recovery position) of the rest portion 50 of the sofa S. That is to say, the disadvantage that the locked state of the rest portion 50 of the sofa S can't be recovered is solved, and angle adjustment of the rest portion 50 can be easily conducted.

[0041] And, the hinge is compact with the parts stored within the cover member 40, the floating wedge member 6 can keep the retreat state during the free oscillation M₁ in the direction B without functional error, and the gear portion 4 and the toothed face 7 can be engaged by certain movement of the floating wedge member 6 by the return action M₂ in the direction A because the first member 1 is provided with a pair of facing plate portions 13 to hold the disc body 16; the recovery means 10 is provided with the ring member 12 which rotates to the facing plate portion 13 within a range of the predetermined small angle θ, the oscillating member 11, of which end 11a is interlockingly connected to the ring member 12 and oscillatable with a middle portion as a fulcrum within a predetermined angular range and another end 11b is disposed as to be pressed to the floating wedge member 6 in the retreat state, and the press-fit frictional member 15, having the non-circular fitting hole 19 to which the shaft portion 20 is fit and the elastic portion 14 unitedly rotating with the shaft portion 20 and elastically pushing in an axial inner direction and sliding on the ring member 12; and under the retreat state, the floating wedge member 6 keeps the retreat state during the free oscillation M₁ of the first member 1 and the second member 2 in the direction B, the ring member 12 rotates for the predetermined small angle θ by the frictional force with the elastic portion 14 by the return action M₂ in the direction A, and the oscillating member 11 moves the floating wedge member 6 to make the gear portion 4 and the toothed face 7 engaged.

Claims

1. An angle-adjustable hinge has a construction in which:

a first member (1) holding a disc body (16) having a non-circular through hole (23) as to freely rotate around an oscillation axis (C), a non-circular shaft portion (20) to be inserted to the through hole (23), and a second member (2) fixed to an end of the non-circular shaft portion (20), are provided;

the first member (1) and the second member (2) are pivoted as to relatively oscillate by insertion of the shaft portion (20) to the through hole (23), and a gear portion (4) is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the disc body (16);

a floating wedge member (6), of which one side is a toothed face (7) engaged to the gear portion (4) and another face is a contact face (9) to contact a wedge face (8) formed on the first member (1) side, is provided; and

relative oscillation of the first member (1) and the second member (2) in a direction (B) is restricted under an engaged state in which the contact face (9) contacts the wedge face (8) and the toothed face (7) and the gear portion (4) are engaged, a retreat state, in which the floating wedge member (6) is moved to be part from the gear portion (4) by oscillating the first member (1) and the second member (2) relatively in another direction (A) to a lock-releasing position (P₀) to release the engagement of the gear portion (4) and the toothed face (7), is made, and the first member (1) and the second member (2) are relatively oscillated in the direction (B) under the retreat state:

characterized by that a recovery means (10), which recovers the floating wedge member (6) from the retreat state to the engaged state with the gear portion (4) by a return action (M₂) of a predetermined small angle (θ) in the direction (A) on way of free oscillation (M₁) in which the first member (1) and the second member (2) are relatively oscillated in the direction (B) from the lock-releasing position (P₀), is provided.

2. The angle-adjustable hinge as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the first member (1) is provided with a pair of facing plate portions (13) to hold the disc body (16);

the recovery means (10) is provided with a ring member (12) which rotates to the facing plate portion (13) within a range of the predetermined small angle (θ), an oscillating member (11), of which end (11a) is interlockingly connected to the ring member (12) and oscillatable with a middle portion as a fulcrum within a predetermined angular range and another end (11b) is disposed as to be pressed to the floating wedge member (6) in the retreat state, and a press-fit frictional member (15), having a non-circular fitting hole (19) to which the shaft portion (20) is fit and an elastic portion (14) unitedly rotating with the shaft portion (20) and elastically pushing in an axial inner direction and sliding on the ring member (12); and

under the retreat state, the floating wedge member (6) keeps the retreat state during the free oscillation (M₁) of the first member (1) and the second member (2) in the direction (B), the ring member (12) rotates for the predetermined small angle (θ) by the frictional force with the elastic portion (14) by the return action (M₂) in the direction (A), and the oscillating member (11) moves the floating wedge member (6) to make the gear portion (4) and the toothed face (7) engaged.

Drawing