BUILD-IN ALCOVE WITH DOOR

Abstract

 The invention relates to a build-in alcove for mounting in a wall, which build-in alcove comprises:
- a frame of a number of side walls arranged against each other, wherein at least one edge of each side wall lies in a common plane and these edges define an access opening for the frame;
- a door arranged in the access opening and pivotally connected to the side walls of the frame, so that the door can swing between a first position, in which the access opening is closed, and a second position, in which the access opening is left clear;
wherein the door comprises a panel with a first side and an opposite second side, wherein a finishing layer such as a tile layer can be arranged on the first side, and
wherein at least two hinges are arranged between the second side and the side walls of the frame, wherein the pivot axes of the at least two hinges lie mutually in line and form a hinge line extending in front of and parallel to the first side of the panel.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a build-in alcove for mounting in a wall, which build-in alcove comprises:

• a frame of a number of side walls arranged against each other, wherein at least one edge of each side wall lies in a common plane and these edges together define an access opening for the frame;
• a door arranged in the access opening and pivotally connected to the side walls of the frame, so that the door can swing between a first position, in which the access opening is closed, and a second position, in which the access opening is left clear.

[0002] EP 2585644 or EP 2896756 of applicant both describe a build-in alcove having a frame with a rear wall or a receptacle-like housing, which is for instance mounted in a pre-wall.

[0003] US 1943041 likewise describes a build-in alcove with a receptacle-like housing, which is moreover provided with a door for closing the build-in alcove. The door of this build-in alcove is made from a different material and, with this, clearly visible on the wall.

[0004] There is however a trend toward arranging build-in alcoves in a wall and closing them in the least visible manner possible with a door which is covered with the same finishing layer as the surrounding wall. It is desirable here to keep the gap between the door and the finishing layer on the surrounding wall as small as possible. In addition, it is desirable to keep the door as thin as possible so that maximum use can be made of the depth of the space in the build-in alcove.

[0005] If the door were mounted in the frame with conventional cabinet door hinges, it is likely that the door would have to be thicker than 1 centimetre in order to provide sufficient grip for screws, or parts of the hinge, which have to be countersunk in the door. This thickness of the door has the result that less space of the build-in alcove can be utilized, but moreover has the result that a complex and complicated hinge has to be used to first move the door with finishing layer out of the access opening before the door can be pivoted all the way to the second position. This is because, without such a hinge, the thickness will cause the door to become jammed against the side walls of the frame while pivoting from the first position to the second position, unless an excessively large amount of space is left clear on the hinge side of the door.

[0006] The hinges can optionally be adhered to the door. Such a mounting can however not absorb great forces, which is precisely what is desired when the door is covered with wall tiles.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated drawbacks.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention with a build-in alcove according to the preamble, which is characterized in that the door comprises a panel with a first side and an opposite second side, wherein a finishing layer such as a tile layer can be arranged on the first side, and
wherein at least two hinges are arranged between the second side and the side walls of the frame, wherein the pivot axes of the at least two hinges lie mutually in line and form a hinge line extending in front of and parallel to the first side of the panel.

[0009] Because the hinge line of the build-in alcove according to the invention extends in front of the first side of the panel, the thickness of the panel is not important for the pivoting movement from the first position to the second position. The hinge line preferably runs through the finishing layer arranged on the first side, whereby the gap between the door and the finishing layer on the surrounding wall can remain small.

[0010] In an embodiment of the build-in alcove according to the invention the edges of the panel are bent to the first side in order to form a peripheral flange around the first side, whereby a holder is formed for the finishing layer for arranging.

[0011] Bending the edges of the panel, preferably at an angle of 90°, forms a frame between which the finishing layer can be arranged on the first side of the panel.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the build-in alcove according to the invention each hinge comprises a hinge pin and a hinge plate, wherein provided in the hinge plate is an opening in which the hinge pin is mounted.

[0013] Owing to the use of a hinge plate into which a hinge pin protrudes the thickness of the hinge plate will determine the height of the hinge and, with this, the gap which is formed between the door and the side walls of the frame. The pin extends here perpendicularly relative to the main plane of the hinge plate.

[0014] The hinge plate is mounted against a side wall or the door. Owing to the small thickness of the hinge plate it can easily extend into the build-in alcove without having an effect on the available space. It is hereby also possible to opt for a great distance between the hole for the hinge pin and the mounting, whereby great forces can be absorbed. When screws or bolts are used to mount the hinge plate on a side wall or door, it is possible to opt for larger openings in the hinge plate through which the screws or bolts extend, for instance slotted openings, so that the hinge can be adjusted and, with this, the door can be positioned straight in the access opening and flush with the surrounding wall finishing.

[0015] An additional advantage of the hinge plate and hinge pin for the hinge is that it is a simple and compact construction with little material, whereby production costs can remain low, even when a high-grade material is chosen for the hinge plate and hinge pin. The hinge can thus be manufactured from plastic or from stainless steel.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment of the build-in alcove according to the invention the hinge pin is arranged on the second side of the panel and the hinge plate lies parallel against a side wall of the frame.

[0017] The hinge pin is particularly arranged on the peripheral flange formed by the bent edges of the panel. The hinge line formed by the hinge pins can hereby easily be positioned in front of the first side of the panel, whereby the hinge line extends for instance through the arranged finishing layer.

[0018] In addition, the hinge plate can be screwed against a side wall and the door can be removed from the build-in alcove in simple manner, even if a finishing layer is arranged on the panel, by unscrewing the hinge plates.

[0019] Yet another embodiment of the build-in alcove according to the invention further comprises a first cam arranged on the second side of the panel and a cam plate with a second cam arranged flush with the hinge plate, which first cam and second cam engage on each other in the second position of the door.

[0020] Because the hinge plate is arranged on a side surface and, with this, extends into the frame, another cam plate on which is arranged a stop which prevents the door from swinging open too far can be arranged on the hinge plate. This is achieved by arranging a first cam on the door and arranging a second cam on the cam plate, which cams come into mutual contact in the second position of the door.

[0021] The hinge plate and cam plate can optionally be integrated in one single plate.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the build-in alcove according to the invention a web layer is arranged on the second side in order to improve the adhesion of tile adhesive.

[0023] This web layer is for instance a non-woven which forms a good base surface for a tile adhesive with which a wall tile can be arranged against the first side of the panel.

[0024] It is also possible to provide the second side of the panel with threaded ends, on which the hinge plate can be mounted. A hinge pin can then further be provided on the side wall. By providing the hinge plate with a bent edge which extends under the panel toward the first side and by arranging an opening in the bent edge for receiving the hinge pin, a hinge construction is also obtained hereby, wherein the hinge line lies in front of the first side of the panel and wherein the door can be detached, also when the first side is provided with a finishing layer.

[0025] Owing to the simple construction of the hinge for the door of the build-in alcove according to the invention, the door can also be reversed in simple and easy manner. Detaching and reattaching the hinges enables the rear side of the door to be used as front side. Repositioning the hinges also makes it easy to switch the door from for instance a right-hand swing to a left-hand swing.

[0026] The invention further relates to a combination of a build-in alcove according to the invention and a finishing layer arranged on the first side of the panel.

[0027] The invention is particularly suitable in the case that the finishing layer cannot be machined in simple manner, for instance be provided with a hole by means of drilling. In the case of breakable materials in particular it is especially difficult to arrange a hole in such materials, whereby fastening screws for conventional hinges cannot be fixed, or an extra thick panel conversely has to be provided. This is prevented with the invention, and the thickness of the panel can for instance remain limited to one millimetre, as is usual for a stainless steel plate of which the panel can be made.

[0028] The finishing layer is preferably one of the following layers: tile layer, glass layer, mirror layer or Corian layer.

[0029] These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a build-in alcove according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the build-in alcove according to figure 1 arranged in a wall.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective detail view of the build-in alcove according to figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the build-in alcove according to figure 1.

Figure 5 is a second embodiment of a hinge for a build-in alcove according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a variant of the detail shown in figure 4.

Figure 7 is a second embodiment of a build-in alcove according to the invention.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a build-in alcove 1 with a watertight shell 2 in which a frame with a rear wall 3 and side walls 4 is arranged. Rear wall 3 and side walls 4 thus form a receptacle-like housing. The free edges 5 of side walls 4 form an access opening in which a door 6 is arranged for pivoting on hinge pins 7.

[0031] Figure 2 shows build-in alcove 1, wherein watertight shell 2 is arranged in a wall 8. Wall tiles 9 are arranged on wall 8. Receptacle-like housing 3, 4 is slid into the watertight shell so that access opening 5 lies more or less flush with the visible surface of wall tiles 9.

[0032] Door 6 has a panel 10 with a first side 11, against which a wall tile 12 is arranged, and a second side 13 (see also figure 3). Edges 17 of panel 10 are bent to the first side so that edges 17 of panel 10 enclose wall tile 12. Further arranged on these edges are hinge pins 7.

[0033] Hinge pins 7 protrude into hinge plates 14, which are fastened with bolts 15 to side walls 4. As shown more clearly in figure 3, hinge pins 7 lie on a hinge line 16 which extends in front of the first side 11 of panel 10.

[0034] A cam plate 18 is further arranged on hinge plate 14 under bolts 15. A first cam 19 is provided on second side 13 of panel 10. Cam plate 18 has a second cam 20 which co-acts with this first cam 19 in order to prevent door 6 moving beyond a second position, as shown in figure 4.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a second embodiment of a hinge for a build-in alcove 30 according to the invention. An L-shaped hinge plate 32 is arranged on door 31 via nuts 33, which are mounted on threaded ends 34 welded onto door 31.

[0036] Provided in the part of L-shaped hinge plate 32 which extends under door 31 is an opening 35 into which a pivot shaft 36 protrudes. This pivot shaft 36 is arranged on a side wall 37 of build-in alcove 30.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a variant 40 of the detail shown in figure 4. Plate 41 here has the function of both hinge plate and cam plate. Plate 41 is provided for this purpose with an opening 42 into which a hinge pin 43 of door 44 protrudes, and two slotted mounting holes 45 with which plate 41 can be mounted on a side wall of a build-in alcove. Door 44 has bent edges so that a holder with peripheral walls is created for receiving for instance a wall tile.

[0038] Further provided in plate 44 is a recess 46 which functions as cam. Door 44 here has a bent tongue 47 which likewise functions as cam and in the extreme open position of door 44 fits into recess 46 and prevents door 44 from being opened too far.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a build-in alcove 50 according to the invention. Build-in alcove 50 has a frame with side walls 51 and a rear wall 52, so that a receptacle-like container is formed.

[0040] A hinge plate 53 is arranged on and mounted via mounting holes 54 on side wall 51. An opening 55 is further provided in hinge plate 53, into which opening protrudes a hinge pin 56 which is arranged on a bent edge of a door 57. Hinge line 58 here runs horizontally, whereby door 57 opens outward.

[0041] Provided behind door 57 is a frame 59 in which a waste bin can for instance be placed. Hinge plate 53 is provided with a flange 60 which in a position in which door 57 is swung outward lies against the rear side of door 57 and, with this, prevents door 57 from opening too far.

Claims

1. Build-in alcove for mounting in a wall, which build-in alcove comprises:

- a frame of a number of side walls arranged against each other, wherein at least one edge of each side wall lies in a common plane and these edges together define an access opening for the frame;

- a door arranged in the access opening and pivotally connected to the side walls of the frame, so that the door can swing between a first position, in which the access opening is closed, and a second position, in which the access opening is left clear;

characterized in that
the door comprises a panel with a first side and an opposite second side, wherein a finishing layer such as a tile layer can be arranged on the first side, and
wherein at least two hinges are arranged between the second side and the side walls of the frame, wherein the pivot axes of the at least two hinges lie mutually in line and form a hinge line extending in front of and parallel to the first side of the panel.

2. Build-in alcove as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edges of the panel are bent to the first side in order to form a peripheral flange around the first side, whereby a holder is formed for the finishing layer for arranging.

3. Build-in alcove as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each hinge comprises a hinge pin and a hinge plate, wherein provided in the hinge plate is an opening in which the hinge pin is mounted.

4. Build-in alcove as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge pin is arranged on the second side of the panel and wherein the hinge plate lies parallel against a side wall of the frame.

5. Build-in alcove as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a first cam arranged on the second side of the panel and a cam plate with a second cam arranged flush with the hinge plate, which first cam and second cam engage on each other in the second position of the door.

6. Build-in alcove as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a web layer is arranged on the second side in order to improve the adhesion of tile adhesive.

7. Build-in alcove as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the frame comprises a rear wall, which rear wall is arranged between the side walls at a distance from the access opening, so that a receptacle-like housing is formed.

8. Combination of a build-in alcove as claimed in any of the foregoing claims and a finishing layer arranged on the first side of the panel.

9. Combination as claimed in claim 8, wherein the finishing layer is one of the following layers: tile layer, glass layer, mirror layer or Corian layer.

Drawing