DISASSEMBLABLE HINGE WITH DOUBLE SLIDE

Abstract

 Disassemblable hinge comprising: a fixed assembly (2) adapted to be associated with a frame, and comprising a pin (4) defining an axis of rotation of the hinge; a movable assembly (6), adapted to be associated with a door, rotatably mounted on the fixed assembly (2) with reference to the axis of rotation of the hinge. The movable assembly (6) comprises: an engagement portion (8) adapted to be fastened to the door, a first rotatable member (10) rotatably constrained to the engagement portion (8), a first slide (12) slidably mounted to the engagement portion (8). The movable assembly (6) is configured to take: a hinged configuration, in which the first slide (12) and the engagement portion (8) form a seat for the pin (4), wherein the movable assembly (6) is only rotatable about said pin (4); a fully open configuration, in which the movable assembly (6) is removable from the fixed assembly (2); a partially open configuration, in which the movable assembly (6) can translate transversally to the pin (4) with a limited stroke. The first rotatable member (10) is configured to move the first slide (12), thereby moving the movable assembly (6) from the hinged configuration to the partially open configuration. The movable assembly (6) comprises a second slide (13) slidably mounted to the engagement portion (8). In the partially open configuration, the pin (4) is held between the second slide (13) and the engagement portion (8). In order to reach the fully open condition, a user must drag the second slide (13) by acting against a preload or by acting against retaining means adapted to counter the transition towards said fully open condition.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disassemblable hinge. The present invention also relates to a piece of furniture having a door and a frame using the disassemblable hinge.

Background art

[0002] It is known in the industry to make a hinge, in particular for accessing an internal compartment of a space, having a fixed portion and a movable portion mutually rotatable about a hinging axis, which can assume: a hinged condition, in which both portions can rotate about the hinging axis, a released condition, in which the two portions can be separated, and a partially open condition, in which they are movable, but cannot be fully released. Such hinges are described, for example, in patent documents EP 2683896 A1 and WO 2017/063945 A1.

[0003] A drawback of document WO 2017/063945 A1 lies in the fact that in the venting condition the pin may repeatedly hit the end of the slide, resulting in the slide getting worn or breaking. Moreover, the pin might undesirably slip on the end of the slide when the device is still in the venting condition.

Summary of the invention

[0004] It is one object of the present invention to provide a disassemblable hinge which can overcome this and other drawbacks of the prior art, while at the same time being simple and economical to manufacture.

[0005] According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a disassemblable hinge made in accordance with the appended independent claim.

[0006] It is to be understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention, which include some optional technical features.

Brief description of the drawings

[0007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is supplied merely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view of a hinge in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
• Figures 2a, 2b, 2c are sectional side views of the hinge of Fig. 1 when it is in the hinged, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively;
• Figures 3a, 3b, 3c are perspective views of the hinge in the configurations of Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, respectively;
• Figure 4 is a sectional plan view of the hinge of Fig. 1.

Detailed description of the invention

[0008] With reference to the drawings, there is shown a disassemblable hinge comprising:

• a fixed assembly 2 adapted to be associated with a frame, and comprising a pin 4 defining an axis of rotation of the hinge; and
• a movable assembly 6 adapted to be associated with a door, rotatably mounted on said fixed assembly 2 with reference to said axis of rotation of the hinge; said movable assembly 6 comprising:
• an engagement portion 8 adapted to be fastened to the door,
• a first rotatable member 10 rotatably constrained to engagement portion 8,
• a first slide 12 slidably mounted to engagement portion 8.

[0009] Movable assembly 6 is configured to take:

• a hinged configuration, in which the first slide 12 and engagement portion 8 form a seat for pin 4, wherein movable assembly 6 is only rotatable about said pin 4;
• a fully open configuration, in which movable assembly 6 is removable from fixed assembly 2;
• a partially open configuration, in which movable assembly 6 can translate transversally to pin 4 with a limited stroke.

[0010] The first rotatable member 10 is configured to move the first slide 12, thereby moving said movable assembly 6 from the hinged configuration to the partially open configuration.

[0011] Movable assembly 6 comprises a second slide 13 slidably mounted to engagement portion 8. In the partially open configuration, said pin 4 is held between the second slide 13 and engagement portion 8. In order to reach the fully open condition, a user must drag the second slide 13 by acting against a preload.

[0012] In particular, the first rotatable member 10 is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge. More in detail, the axis of rotation of the first rotatable member 10 and the axis of rotation of the hinge are always spaced apart. In the illustrated example, the first slide 12 and second slide 13 are adapted to slide parallel to each other. Optionally, movable assembly 6 comprises an aesthetic cover 7 mounted on engagement portion 8 and configured to allow rotation of the first rotatable member 10.

[0013] In accordance with some preferred embodiments of the invention, in the hinged configuration, the first rotatable member 10 takes a position that allows the first slide 12 to slide freely. In particular, the first rotatable member 10 has a protrusion 18 adapted to engage into a recess 19 of the first slide 12. In the hinged configuration, the first rotatable member 10 takes a lowered position, so that protrusion 18 is not engaged into recess 19 (in the example, protrusion 18 is raised relative to recess 19). When the user rotates the first rotatable member 10, protrusion 18 (which, in particular, is substantially a tooth) enters recess 19 and engages with it 19, thereby dragging the first slide 12 towards an end of its stroke where said first slide 12 does not interfere with the pin 4. Such position corresponds to the partially open configuration (when the second slide 13 interferes with pin 4) or the fully open configuration (when the second slide 13 does not interfere with pin 4).

[0014] Preferably, the first rotatable member 10 is arranged on a first side of the hinge, and movable assembly 6 comprises a second actuator arranged on a second side of the hinge and movably constrained to engagement portion 8. The second actuator is configured to move the first slide 12 and the second slide 13, thereby bringing movable assembly 6 into the fully open configuration. When movable assembly 6 is in the hinged configuration, the second actuator acts upon both slides 12 and drags them sideways (to the right in the drawings), so that said slides 12 will allow pin 4 to be removed from movable assembly 6 (fully open configuration). In fact, in the hinged configuration, the first rotatable member 10 takes a position that allows the first slide 12 to slide freely. On the contrary, when movable assembly 6 is in the partially open configuration, the second actuator only acts upon the second slide 13 and drags it sideways (to the right in the drawings), so that said slides 12, 13 will allow pin 4 to be removed from movable assembly 6 (fully open configuration). In fact, in the partially open configuration, the first slide 12 is already in a retracted position, in which said first slide 12 does not interfere with pin 4.

[0015] Therefore, the hinge is safe because the user can open the door from both sides. For example, the first side of the door is the outer side of a compartment, and the user normally uses the hinge from that side. The second side is the inner side of the compartment, and is not generally used by a user; it may happen, however, that the user needs to enter the compartment, e.g. for maintenance work. Should the door accidentally close, the user will be able to exit the compartment by using the hinge according to the invention. Rotatable members 10, 14 are therefore arranged on the two opposite faces of the hinge. In fact, the European regulation about air handling units (AHUs) requires that doors over a certain size, i.e. through which an operator can pass for maintenance purposes, must be openable from the inside.

[0016] Preferably, the second actuator comprises a second rotatable member 14. In particular, the second rotatable member 14 is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation transversal to the plane in which the axis of rotation of the hinge lies. For example, if the axis of rotation of the hinge is vertical, then the axis of rotation of the second rotatable member 14 will be horizontal. In the example, the second rotatable member 14 is constrained to a grip element, such as a handle 17, adapted to be gripped by a user in order to rotate said second rotatable member 14.

[0017] Preferably, the second rotatable member 14 comprises a cam 16 adapted to act against the first slide 12 and the second slide 13. As aforesaid, cam 16 is adapted to act against the second slide 13 or against both slides 12, 13, depending on the operating condition of movable assembly 6. The mechanism with cam 16 is both simple and compact.

[0018] In accordance with the preferred variant, the first rotatable member 10 and the second actuator, in particular the second rotatable member 14, are movable independently of each other. In particular, the first and second rotatable members 10, 14 are adapted to rotate about mutually transversal axes of rotation, in particular skew axes.

[0019] The first slide 12 has a first abutment surface 20 whereupon cam 16 is intended to act, and the second slide 13 has a second abutment surface 22 whereupon cam 16 is intended to act. In particular, without however being limited thereto, one or both abutment surfaces 20, 22 are straight.

[0020] In particular, the second rotatable member 14 goes through an aperture 21 (in particular, a slot) of the first slide 12 and an aperture (in particular, a slot) of the second slide 13. In particular, the second abutment surface 22 defines the aperture of the second slide 13.

[0021] In particular, the second slide 13 can be gripped by a user from at least one side of the hinge, and therefore from at least one side of the door, when it is in the position corresponding to the partially open configuration. Preferably, the second slide 13 has a grip portion 13a intended to be gripped by a user. More in detail, grip portion 13a is arranged on a perimetric edge of the hinge. More in detail, grip portion 13a is bent (e.g. by 90°) relative to the rest of the body of the second slide 13.

[0022] In particular, the first rotatable member 10 is mounted to engagement portion 8 through a mounting pin 24.

[0023] In particular, the second rotatable member 14 has a circular body 15; in particular, it 15 is substantially a pin, which is housed in a respective circular seat of engagement portion 8. In accordance with one variant, cam 16 is mounted on circular body 15 in a removable manner; as an alternative, cam 16 is integral with circular body 15. In the illustrated example, rotatable members 10, 14 are located on two opposite sides of engagement portion 8. In particular, cam 16 is housed in a cavity of engagement portion 8. In the example there is a screw 28 that secures the second rotatable member 14 to engagement portion 8. In particular, screw 28 engages into a threaded recess of circular body 15.

[0024] Preferably, the distance between pin 4 and fixed portion 2 is adjustable. In particular, fixed portion 2 comprises a first portion 2a, with which pin 4 is associated, and a second portion 2b. Adjustment means are used for adjusting the distance between such portions 2a and 2b. In particular, the adjustment means comprise a pin 11 co-operating with a bushing 23, in which pin 11 goes through portions 2a, 2b. In particular, the first portion 2a comprises a plurality of first blocks 46 adapted to engage with a plurality of second blocks 48 of the second portion 2b. In particular, the first blocks 46 have cavities into which protrusions of the second blocks 46 fit. Portions 2a, 2b in the example are mounted in a removable manner.

[0025] Engagement portion 8 includes a return means 34, preferably an elastic means, such as a spring, acting upon the second slide 13 to create the preload. Therefore, return means 34 tends to bring the second slide 13 into an obstruction position (to the left in the drawings), in which the second slide 13 can hold pin 4 and prevent it from being fully released. Thus, return means 34 prevents movable assembly 6 from being unintentionally brought into the fully released configuration. In particular, return means 34 is interposed between the second slide 13 and engagement portion 8. Return means 34 tends, therefore, to bring the second slide 13 towards pin 4. In particular, return means 34 is at least partly housed in a recess of the first slide 12.

[0026] In accordance with one possible variant of the invention, the return means comprises magnetic means. For example, there may be a magnet associated with engagement portion 8 or with the second slide 13, and a ferromagnetic portion associated with the second slide 13 or, respectively, with engagement portion 8. Or there may be a pair of magnetically co-operating magnets associated with engagement portion 8 and with the second slide 13.

[0027] In accordance with one variant of the invention, in order to reach the fully open condition, the user must drag the second slide 13 by acting against retaining means adapted to counter the transition towards said fully open condition. Therefore, in this case there are no return means, but there are means for countering the free sliding of the second slide 13 towards the position corresponding to the fully open condition. For example, such retaining means may include a protrusion, e.g. a tooth, located on one side of engagement portion 8 whereon the second slide 13 is intended to slide. Therefore, in order to bring the second slide 13 into the fully open condition, the user must overcome a resistance offered by the retaining means. According to some possible embodiments, engagement portion 8 and the second slide 13 include parts having complementary shapes, e.g. protrusions and recesses, in order to counter the free sliding of the second slide 13 towards the position corresponding to the fully open condition. In this way, the user must exert an additional force on the second slide 13 in order to reach the fully open condition, thus avoiding unintentional opening.

[0028] Conveniently, the first slide 12 has a tapered end 36 facing towards pin 4. Thus, slide 12 co-operates more easily with pin 4 to move into the hinged configuration.

[0029] In particular, pin 4 has a circular cross-section, and the seat for pin 4 is defined by a first semi-circular recess 35 on engagement portion 8 and by a second semi-circular recess 37 on the first slide 12.

[0030] The limits of the stroke of the first slide 12 are the following: an engagement position (to the left in the drawing), in which the first slide 12 is in engagement with pin 4, thus only allowing rotation between movable portion 6 and fixed portion 2 about pin 4, and a release position (to the right in the drawing), in which the first slide 12 allows pin 4 to pass. The engagement position of the first slide 12 corresponds to the hinged configuration, and the release position of the first slide 12 corresponds to either the partially open configuration or the fully open configuration of movable assembly 6, depending on the position taken by the second slide 13.

[0031] The limits of the stroke of the second slide 13 are the following: an obstruction position (to the left in the drawing), in which the second slide 13 holds pin 4, thus only allowing a limited stroke of pin 4 between engagement portion 8 and said second slide 13, and a release position, in which pin 4 can be completely removed, so as to release movable portion 6 from fixed portion 2. The obstruction position of the second slide 13 corresponds to the hinged configuration or the partially open configuration, and the release position of the second slide 13 corresponds to the fully open configuration, even if the first slide 12 is in the release position.

[0032] With reference to the illustrated variant, in the hinged configuration the first rotatable member 10 takes a lowered position, and in the partially or fully open configuration it 10 takes a raised position relative to the body of engagement portion 8. Conveniently, the first rotatable member 10 is adapted to be gripped by the user, and preferably comprises a grip portion.

[0033] Optionally, with the first rotatable member 10 a closing mechanism 30 is associated, e.g. a lock, adapted to engage with the body of engagement portion 8, for keeping said first rotatable member 10 in a lowered position corresponding to the hinged configuration. The lock can conveniently be locked and unlocked by means of a key. Preferably, the hinge is configured in such a way that the second actuator can bring movable assembly 6 into the fully open configuration even when closing mechanism 30 is holding the first rotatable member 10 on engagement portion 8 (corresponding to the hinged configuration). In such a case, therefore, closing mechanism 30 does not interfere with the motion of slides 12, 13.

[0034] With reference to the drawings, the following will describe the operation of the hinge according to the illustrated preferred variant thereof. Starting from the hinged configuration (Figs. 2a, 3a), according to a first mode of operation, the user rotates the first rotatable member 10, which pushes the first slide 12, thereby moving it away from pin 4: movable assembly 6 is now in the partially open configuration (Figs. 2b, 3b). Then the user pulls the second slide 13, thereby moving it away from pin 4, without rotating the first rotatable member 10 any further: movable assembly 6 is now in the fully open configuration (Figs. 2c, 3c). In the illustrated example, since rotatable members 10, 14 are independent in rotation, when the first rotatable member 10 is rotated, the second rotatable member 14 remains stationary; in fact, in the operational sequence shown, cam 16 remains still.

[0035] Starting from the hinged configuration (Figs. 2a, 3a), according to a second mode of operation, the user rotates the second rotatable member 14, which, due to the rotation (e.g. by 180°) of cam 16, pushes slides 12, 13, thereby moving them away from pin 4: movable assembly 6 is now in the fully open configuration (Fig. 4). This is due to the fact that the eccentricity of cam 16 is sufficient to push, by rotating, slides 12, 13 into the fully open configuration. In the example shown, since rotatable members 10, 14 are independent in rotation, when the second rotatable member 14 is rotated, the first rotatable member 10 remains stationary. Therefore, by rotating the second rotatable member 14, it is possible to release movable assembly 6 completely from fixed assembly 2 without the user having to manually actuate slide 12. This operation is particularly advantageous in situations wherein the hinge needs to be opened quickly, since the number of operations that the user needs to carry out is reduced to a minimum. In the above-described modes of operation, the rotation of the cam is, by way of example, 180°; however, the shape of cam 16 may vary according to the operating requirements; for example, a cam 16 may be provided for which a 90° rotation is sufficient to move slides 12, 13.

[0036] Starting from the partially open configuration (Figs. 2b, 3b), according to a third mode of operation, the user rotates the second rotatable member 14, which, due to the rotation (e.g. by 180°) of cam 16, pushes the second slide 13, thereby moving it away from pin 4 (in fact, the first slide 12 is already away from pin 4): movable assembly 6 is now in the fully open configuration.

[0037] As can be seen in the drawings, in the hinged configuration, the first slide 12 and engagement portion 8 surround pin 4, thus forming the seat, so that rotation only is allowed between fixed portion 2 and movable portion 6 (Fig. 2a). In the partially open configuration, the first slide 12 is totally retracted from pin 4, but pin 4 cannot be fully released yet because of the mechanical interference of the second slide 13.

[0038] The hinge of the present invention is advantageously applicable to a door or wing that closes a piece of furniture or a duct or a cabin in which pressurized air will have to flow. In the partially open configuration, the door can be opened to a small extent, susceptible to let out the air, possibly under pressure, through a passage formed between the frame or upright of the door and the assembly consisting of the door itself and movable assembly 6. Therefore, the door cannot slam against the user, since it is held in position by the contrast between pin 4 and the second slide 13.

[0039] In particular, engagement portion 8 has a plurality of arms 42, 44 forming, together with the first slide 12, the seat for pin 4. In particular, there are two lateral arms 44 that limit the movement of pin 4 along its longitudinal axis.

[0040] In accordance with further variants, the second actuator comprises a member, e.g. a rod, slidable relative to engagement portion 8 and configured to push at least the second slide 13 towards the fully open configuration. Therefore, the slidable member, similarly to cam 16, can be operated manually by a user, and is configured to move the second slide 13, and possibly also the first slide 12, in order to reach the fully open configuration. For example, the slidable member is slidably constrained to engagement portion 8 and can slide parallel to the slides. In accordance with one possible embodiment, the slidable member is integral with the first slide 12 or second slide 13. As an alternative, the slidable member can slide independently of slides 12, 13, and is configured to abut against said slides 12, 13.

[0041] In accordance with some possible alternative variants, the second actuator may comprise further types of mechanism for acting at least upon the second slide 13, including, for example, a gear, a linkage, a compound lever, etc.

[0042] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Disassemblable hinge comprising:

- a fixed assembly (2) adapted to be associated with a frame, and comprising a pin (4) defining an axis of rotation of the hinge; and

- a movable assembly (6) adapted to be associated with a door, rotatably mounted on said fixed assembly (2) with reference to said axis of rotation of the hinge; said movable assembly (6) comprising:

- an engagement portion (8) adapted to be fastened to the door,

- a first rotatable member (10) rotatably constrained to the engagement portion (8),

- a first slide (12) slidably mounted to the engagement portion (8);

wherein said movable assembly (6) is configured to take:

- a hinged configuration, in which the first slide (12) and the engagement portion (8) form a seat for the pin (4), wherein the movable assembly (6) is only rotatable about said pin (4);

- a fully open configuration, in which the movable assembly (6) is removable from the fixed assembly (2);

- a partially open configuration, in which the movable assembly (6) can translate transversally to the pin (4) with a limited stroke;

wherein the first rotatable member (10) is configured to move the first slide (12), thereby moving said movable assembly (6) from the hinged configuration to the partially open configuration;
characterized in that
said movable assembly (6) comprises a second slide (13) slidably mounted to the engagement portion (8);
in the partially open configuration, said pin (4) is held between the second slide (13) and the engagement portion (8) ;
in order to reach the fully open condition, a user must drag the second slide (13) by acting against a preload or by acting against retaining means adapted to counter the transition towards said fully open condition.

2. Hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first rotatable member (10) is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the hinge.

3. Hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the hinged configuration, the first rotatable member (10) takes a position that allows the first slide (12) to slide freely.

4. Hinge according to claim 3, wherein the first rotatable member (10) is arranged on a first side of the hinge, and the movable assembly (6) comprises a second actuator arranged on a second side of the hinge and movably constrained to the engagement portion (8); the second actuator is configured to move at least the second slide (13), thereby bringing the movable assembly (6) into the fully open configuration.

5. Hinge according to claim 4, wherein the second actuator comprises a second rotatable member (14).

6. Hinge according to claim 5, wherein the second rotatable member (14) is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation transversal to the plane in which the axis of rotation of the hinge lies.

7. Hinge according to claim 6, wherein the second rotatable member (14) comprises a cam (16) adapted to act against at least the second slide (13).

8. Hinge according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the first rotatable member (10) has a protrusion (18) adapted to engage into a recess (19) of the first slide (12).

9. Hinge according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the second rotatable member (14) goes through an aperture of the first slide (12) and an aperture of the second slide (13) .

10. Hinge according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a closing mechanism (30) is associated with the first rotatable member (10) for engaging with the engagement portion (8), so as to hold said first rotatable member (10) in a lowered position corresponding to the hinged configuration;
the hinge is configured in a manner such that the second actuator can bring the movable assembly (6) into the fully open configuration even when the closing mechanism (30) is holding the first rotatable member (10) on the engagement portion (8).

11. Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement portion (8) includes a return means (34) acting upon the second slide (13) in order to create said preload.

Drawing