3-D ADJUSTABLE CONCEALED HINGE FOR DOOR OR WINDOW APPLICATIONS

Abstract

 A concealed hinge is proposed (10) for mounting a door or a sash to a frame, with a defined opening angle 0° < ω < 180° between the open (20) and closed position (40), the hinge comprising a frame part (100) with a rotation axis R (120), a sash part (200) being pivotable around said rotation axis R, a rebate section (400) including neighboring portions of the frame part (100) and the sash part (200), forming a shadow gap (405) in between when the hinge (10) is in closed state. A rotational lever-arm (300) connecting the frame part (100) and the sash part (200) exhibits, viewed in cross-section, a hook-shaped contour. The rotational lever-arm (300) encompasses an enclosed clearance area F (350), said clearance area F (350) exhibiting an essentially circle-segment shape, which is defined by four corner points A, E, I', O' with circular arcs between A and E as well as I' and O' and straight lines between A and O' as well as E and I'; said corner points A E I' O' being designated by vectors A̅, E̅, I̅' , O', between the rotation axis R and said points, thus defining a polar coordinate system with the rotation axis R representing its origin. The clearance are is geometrically defined, wherein the length of vectors A̅ and E̅ as well as I̅' and O' are pairwise equal, the angle difference between I̅' and O̅' being designated as β, the angle difference between A̅ and E̅ being designated as α and the following relations for the angles α, β, ω are being valid: α ≥ ω as well as β ≥ ω. Further, a respective method for construing such a concealed hinge is disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a door or window hinge, and more particularly to a hidden, concealed or invisible hinge that can be used for concealed rebated door or window applications.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Concealed hinges are known as a connecting element for mounting a door or sash to a frame. However, different types of hinges are typically used for mounting rebated doors or sashes in comparison to flush mounted doors or sashes. This is due to the overlapping edge of the rebated door or sash which has to be accounted for in the hinge movement. Usually, the sash has to be lifted off and away from the frame, while at the same time moving it back from the opening so that this overlapping edge is moved away from the clear opening in the frame.

[0003] The state of the art hinges for that purpose are often using complex, multi-part rotational arms with joints that pivotally connect the frame to the sash's movable body. Furthermore, there are so-called hidden or concealed hinges available on the market using a single-part rotational arm with a single rotational axis, where this rotation axis is defined in a fixed relationship at the frame.

[0004] These hinges also allow for adjustment in 3 directions in a simple and convenient manner such that a precise side-to-side and up-and-down alignment of the door panel or sash parallel to the corresponding frame can be achieved for proper positioning as well as an in-and-out adjustment for proper sealing. Embodiments of such a 3D-adjustable hinges are being shown in USD745363S, EP2997211, US10246918B2 or EP3271538 respectively.

[0005] It is the object of the invention to allow for a precise and predictable way to design a hinge for a frame-sash arrangement as used in Prior Art in order to allow for a hinge to be properly designed neither too narrow nor to large.

DEFINITIONS

[0006] A rebate, as it is being meant and used in this disclosure, is a recess or groove cut into the edge of a piece of machinable material, usually wood. If two workpieces with rebates are being joined side by side in a matching or interlocking manner, the meshing area shall be designated as rebate section. For illustrative purpose figure 11 shows two workpieces with rebates each and the rebate section marked with a circle. A rebate section may include an air gap between the workpieces designated as shadow gap because it blocks the line of sight.

[0007] If a rebate section shall be accomplished with sheet metal instead of massive workpieces, a rebate can be realized by twice folding an edge area of said sheet into a Z-shape resulting in an elongated area adjacent to the edge becoming relocated into a plane parallel to the original plane defined by the metal sheet. In Figure 12 d) an embodiment of a rebate section established with two pieces of sheet metal is being shown. It shall be noted that in both examples shown in figures 11 and 12 d) the rebate section exhibit a flush appearance, i.e. the outer surfaces do not have steps but share a common plane. This kind of embodiment is called concealed rebate or false-flush fit.

[0008] A door or sash, as herein referred to, is a hinged barrier that allows access to and exit from a house or room. The terms sash and door are being used interchangeably since technically, for the hinge, they have the same function. In general a door may be moved in various ways, such as at angles away from the portal (swing door) in one direction (single action door) or two directions (double-action door) or by sliding in a plane parallel to the frame (sliding door). Most doors however are hinged along one side to allow the door to pivot away from the doorway in one single direction, to the opening side. The axis of rotation is usually vertical. In some cases, such as hinged garage doors, the axis may be horizontal, above the door opening.

[0009] The invention described hereinafter focuses on a frame-sash arrangement wherein the door or sash is allowed to pivot away from the frame in just one direction, the opening area (single-action door).

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The aforementioned issues are being resolved by a concealed hinge as described in claim 1 and a method to construe or design a concealed hinge according to claim 6. Dependent claims describe further advantageous variants and embodiments.

[0011] Such a concealed hinge is construed to mount a door or a sash to a frame, with a possible opening angle 0° < ω < 180° between the open and closed position. This hinge will comprise: A frame part as the hinge-related part of the frame, said frame part including a recess or pocket in or attached to the frame part and a pin or rotation axis R fixedly arranged within said pocket. Hinge-related means in the technical context that the frame part will include only but all parts of the frame that are technically connected, related, affected or required for interfacing the hinge and the frame.

[0012] Correspondingly, a hinge-related part of the sash designated as sash part will include a sash mounting part (mechanical interface between sash and hinge), wherein said sash part is being pivotable around said rotation axis R from the closed position via an opening pivoting range to an open position. In other words, the sash will perform a single rotational movement in one direction, relative to the frame around the rotation axis when the door or sash is being opened.

[0013] Further, a rebate section will include the neighboring portions of the frame part and the sash part; those parts do form a shadow gap in between them when the hinge is in closed state.

[0014] The term rebate section has been chosen, because the rebate section is per se not a single structural thing but an area (when viewed in cross section as in the figures) or respectively an arrangement of components from the frame part and the sash part which show a certain overlap in closed state. The rebate section has a defined geometrical composition and comprises a sash part section with an essentially flat, plate-like element with a sash end point SEP. The frame part section in turn comprises an essentially Z-shaped part with three plate-like sections. It goes without saying that both frame part section and sash part section are edge areas of frame and sash. The first, inner section of said three sections is parallel offset from the second, outer section with a (connecting) intermediate web or third section in between. The terms "inner" and "outer" mean "remote from a surface" and "at a surface".

[0015] The Z-shaped part is geometrically defined by a frame end point FEP, a first frame bend point F1B and a second frame bend point F2B. Those bend points are thus arranged in or at the kinks of the Z: The FEP and the F1B are being arranged in the first, inner section and the F2B is arranged in the second, outer section while the web or third section connects F1B and F2B.

[0016] A key element of the hinge is a rotational lever-arm which connects the frame part and the sash part. It exhibits, when viewed in cross-section, a hook-shaped contour, which can be described as comprising a loop shaped, circular segment rigidly attached to or integrally formed with a distance element. This distinction is rather geometrical, not necessarily structural, because the lever arm is normally being formed as one piece for improved stability. The open end of the distance element is being connectable to the sash mounting part and the open end of the circular segment is being attachable to the rotation axis.

[0017] The rotational lever-arm encompasses an enclosed clearance area F, which exhibits an essentially circle-segment shape. The term "essentially" means here that the circle segment shape is not perfect in the sense of the standard geometrical definition. Further, encompassing is not to be understood in a way, that the lever arm is completely enclosing the clearance area from all sides (viewed in cross section). Encompassing means a situation as shown in the drawings where the clearance area F is being located in the pocket or bend of the hook when the hinge is in a closed state. Clearance means, for the avoidance of doubt, the absence of any physical parts of the hook or lever arm in the area designated as clearance area F, when the concealed hinge is in its closed state.

[0018] The clearance area's shape can be defined by four corner points A, E, I', O' with circular arcs between A and E as well as I' and O' and straight lines between A and O' as well as E and I'. A in this case is the point of the clearance area adjacent to point F1B (first frame bend point) and O' being the point adjacent to FEP (frame end point). "Adjacent" is here to be understood as "located next to it while having the same radial distance to rotation axis R but offset by a small angular difference δ in a direction against the opening rotation direction of the hinge". The angle δ is defined by the desired or required safety margin when construing the clearance area F.

[0019] Further, said corner points A, E, I', O' are being designated by vectors A, E, I', O' between the rotation axis R and said points, thus defining a polar coordinate system with the rotation axis R representing its zero position or origin. From the context it is again clear that the clearance area is the space where no part of the lever-arm is present when the hinge is in its closed state. The geometry of the clearance area and especially the features of aforementioned vectors can be determined by three angles and the four vectors, especially it is valid that:

• The length of vectors A and E as well as I' and O' are pairwise equal; and
• the angle difference between I' and O' being designated as β; and
• the angle difference between A and E being designated as α

while at the same time the following relations for the angles α, β, ω are being valid:
α ≥ ω as well as β ≥ ω

[0020] In an embodiment of the invention the concealed hinge can further be described with vectors A and E having the same first radial coordinate and vectors I' and O' sharing the same second radial coordinate (i.e. lengths relative to R), but A, E, I', O' having individual (different) angular coordinates. Thus the essentially circle-segment shape of clearance area F is an irregular circular segment for which is valid α = β. In geometrical formulation, the connecting lines between E and I' as well as A and O' do not intersect R.

[0021] In a further useful, technically simplified embodiment, the irregular circular segment A E I' O' can be reduced to a regular one designated A E I O. Again using the polar coordinate system with origin in R and using previous vectors A E plus additional vectors I O, the (simplified) clearance area can be described with vectors A and O having the same first angular coordinate and E and I sharing the same second angular coordinate. Vectors I and I' have the same radial coordinate as well as O and O'. Further the difference of the angular coordinates between A / O and E / I is at least the opening angle ω. In geometrical formulation, the connecting lines between E and I as well as A and O now do intersect R (A, E, I, O being the end points of vectors A E I O).

[0022] This embodiment is technically easier to construe and build as will become evident later with a view on the figures below. However it does "waste" some residual clearance in the hook-area of the hinge.

[0023] It goes without saying that this model does not contemplate physical safety margins or tolerances. The man skilled in the art will however understand that the clearance area described is the ideal minimum, while any technical feasible solution will require boundary areas around said clearance area F. By adding those margins along all sides this can be accomplished simply and safely. The model thus allows to focus on the either the bare minimum clearance area AEI'O' or the more convenient solution AEIO.

[0024] The concealed hinge as described herein can be combined with means to achieve a 3D adjustability. For that the hinge further comprises a sash pocket and two sliders. The sliders which can move and slide are being held and guided in the sash pocket and in the sash mounting part. The direction of motion between sash pocket and the sliders is chosen to be perpendicular to the direction of motion between the sliders and the sash mounting part.

[0025] In a further embodiment the concealed hinge can be equipped with adjustment screws to adjust said directions of motion between sash pocket and the sliders as well as between the sliders and the sash mounting part. The underlying functionality is later explained with the aid of figure 15.

[0026] As mentioned above a major aspect of the invention is to simplify and secure the functionality of a concealed hinge with a hook-shaped rotational lever-arm by defining the clearance area which has to be factored in when designing such a hinge. Thus, a method for construing a concealed hinge as has been structurally addressed above and explained in the drawings, will comprise the steps described below. It goes without saying that those steps are being described in a suggested, favorable, advantageous order. If some of the steps can be accomplished in parallel or in a different order without influencing the desired result, this shall be regarded as an equivalent approach.

[0027] The proposed steps consequently are: Defining an arrangement of a sash and a frame in a closed state, with the frame part and the sash part forming a shadow gap in a rebate section. Determining the position of frame end point FEP, first frame bend point F1B and sash end point SEP as has been explained in the structural description above and in the figures. Defining the position of rotation axis R for the hinge in the sash-frame arrangement. Determining the opening angle ω between the open and closed position of sash and frame by pivoting SEP around rotation axis R from when the hinge is in its closed position to a position where SEP gets in contact with the frame at a sash-frame contact point SFC. This determination can be done by drawing or computer assisted, e. g. in CAD program.

[0028] Based on those points a polar coordinate system with its origin at R can be defined; with:

• a vector A between R and a point A adjacent to F1B
• a vector O' between R and a point O' adjacent FEP;
• and a vector E with endpoint E.

[0029] E can be determined by pivoting vector A by at least said angle ω against the opening rotation direction of the hinge. Further, a vector I' with endpoint I' can be defined by pivoting vector O' by at least said angle ω against the opening rotation direction of the hinge.

[0030] By doing so, the endpoints of A, E, I', O' define said clearance area F with an irregular circular segment shape having circular arcs between A and E as well as I' and O' and straight lines between A and O' as well as E and I'.

[0031] Based on those definitions and determinations the hook-shaped rotational lever-arm can be construed between the sash mounting part and the rotation axis R in such a way that the material parts of the hinge in the closed state do not overlap or intrude the clearance area F AEI'O'.

[0032] Accordingly to the structural description above, a simplified clearance area AEIO can be determined in said polar coordinate system with center R. Said clearance area has the shape of a regular circular segment, with further vectors O and I. Those are specified as follows:

• vectors A and O have the same first angular coordinate;
• E and I share the same second angular coordinate;
• vectors I and I' have the same radial coordinate as well as O and O'.

[0033] Further, the difference of the angular coordinates between A / O and E / I is at least the opening angle ω. Then the hook-shaped rotational lever-arm between the sash mounting part and the rotation axis R can be construed in such a way that the material parts of the hinge in the closed state do not overlap or intrude the area AEIO.

[0034] It goes without saying that the man skilled in the art is able to enlarge the clearance areas AEIO or AEI'O' to further create safety margins for the construction. Such margins may be required to cover or compensate manufacturing tolerances and adjustment spaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0035] 

Figure 1 shows a frame-sash arrangement with an inventive hinge (10) in a closed state in cross-section through the hinge area.

Figures 2 and 3 explain details of the rebate section 400.

Figure 4 explains details of the rotational lever arm 300.

Figure 5 exhibits the pivoting movement of the rotational lever arm.

Figures 6 and 7 explain the concept of the clearance area F and the respective display in polar coordinates.

Figure 8 summarizes the several technical terms used to describe parameters of the inventive hinge.

Figure 9 is a superposition of the lever arm in the closed and fully open position.

Figure 10 displays the principle of the polar coordinate system as being used in this disclosure.

Figure 11 explains the principle of a rebate section for massive workpieces.

Figures 12 a) to d) represent a simplification or reduction of a technical frame-sash arrangement to those elements required to describe the invention.

Figures 13 and 14 show the derivation of the maximum opening angle ω depending on frame-sash arrangement.

Figure 15 shows a 3D adjustment component to be combined with the inventive hinge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0036] Figure 1 shows an arrangement of a sash and a frame with a concealed hinge 10 in a cross section. The frame part 100 is being shown on the left and sash part 200 on the right. In the frame part 100 one finds a recess or pocket 110 which is able to (at least) partially house a rotational lever arm 300 and its rotation axis, swivel pin 120 or the bearing for such a pin fixedly arranged within said pocket. The swiveling motion can, in this arrangement, only be realized upwards (in the plane of figure 1), which is consequently addressed as opening area 60 (cf. figure 5).

[0037] Since the frame and sash are commonly made from extruded aluminum or hard plastic (PVC) the transfer of forces from the sash or the hinge 10 into the frame is an issue to be taken care of. The pocket 110 may therefore be manufactured as a metal housing receiving the rotation axis (or technically the bearing for the swivel pin) which is then arranged and mechanically fixed in the frame part 100. For that purpose the pocket 110 may exhibit a frame mounting part 130 which is e. g. screwed to the frame. The frame mounting part 130 may, for example, be a mounting plate with several predrilled holes offering options to attach the pocket to the frame even for a variety of frames.

[0038] The hinge, as drawn in figure1, connects a frame and a sash by means of a hook-shaped rotational lever arm 300. In other words, the arm is the mechanical link between frame part 100 and sash part 200. Within the pocket 110 or the frame part 100 (as soon as the pocket is fixedly arranged in the frame part 100) the rotational axis of the lever-arm 300 is defined. The other end of the lever-arm exhibits a sash mounting part 210, which may again be a mounting plate with pre drilled holes for screws or other fixtures to mechanically attach the sash part 200 to the lever-arm 300.

[0039] The contact area between sash and frame as shown in figure 1 exhibits an air gap or space 430 between them, which transitions into shadow gaps (for the upper part, 405). In this disclosure the term rebate section 400 is being used to address this specific section, encircled in figure 1. The shadow gap 405 is being created by a rebated edge in the frame part 100 along the edge of sash part 200. Sash part 200's edge is being realized by a projecting tongue 250 of metal partially overlapping or protruding into the rebated portion of the frame as shown for rebate section 400. As is shown in the lower part of figure 1, a corresponding tongue 150 is proposed for the other side of the sash-frame arrangement exhibiting a bracket-like structure 140 or 240 respectively. This bracket can be used to attach a gasket to seal the gap between sash part 200 and frame part 100 when the door is closed.

[0040] The opening and closing of the door or sash can be understood with the aid of figure 4 and 5.

[0041] Figure 5 shows the opening movement of the sash with the rotational lever arm 300 from a closed position 20 to an open position 40 with snapshot swivel positions 30, 30', 30" in between. The sash opens into the opening area 60. The pivoting range 50 is equivalent to opening angle ω.

[0042] Keeping in mind the details of figure 1 with the pivoting movement shown in figure 5, the essential feature of figure 4 can be understood. Figure 4 shows a single, rotational lever-arm 300 with its characteristic hook shape. The arm 300 can be described as having two functional parts separated roughly along the dashed line S: A loop- or C - shaped, (semi-) circular segment 310 and a distance element 320. The length of the distance element 320 will vary depending on the geometrical ratios of frame and sash and is for the purpose of the invention a parameter, but not a variable. The distance element's open end merges into the sash mounting part 210. The open end of the C-shaped circular segment 310 bears the hinge axis 120.

[0043] The purpose of the hook shaped lever-arm 300 and especially the (semi-)circular design of element 310 is to provide a clearance area F (or 350) which is required for not colliding with elements of the rebate section 400. Simplified, the area F has the shape of a circular ring segment. Figures 7, 8 and 9 will further explain details of this clearance area.

[0044] The present invention defines the design limitations for such a concealed hinge in order to allow for improving the applicability and use of such hinges. In order to accomplish that, figures 2 and 3 show essential elements to understand the concept behind. Figures 2 and 3 focus on specific constructional details in a simplified, enlarged embodiment of rebate section 400. Why this simplification is possible and makes sense is later explained with the aid of figure 12 a) to d).

[0045] With reference to figure 3, the edge portion of frame part 100 included in section 400 is rebated thus exhibiting two (essentially) 90° kinks to establish the z-shaped design of the frame part section 420 of rebate section 400. The sub-sections of z-shaped frame part section 420 are, beginning with the outer edge, the first, inner section 425, followed by the third, intermediate section or web 427, which is angled at 90° to inner section 425. Subsection 426 is denominated second, outer section and is again angled at 90° in relation to web 427. The tongue (250 in fig. 1) is in figure 3 shown as sash part section 410 of rebate section 400.

[0046] Figure 2 shows the same excerpt as figure 3 but focuses on the end points and kinks. The points relevant, which will be contemplated more closely when discussing the invention, are located on the end points and kinks. A frame end point FEP (reference 421) marks the end point or edge towards the sash in the rebate section 400. Following the z-shape of frame part section 420 the next kink is designated first frame bend point F1B (reference 422), followed the second frame bend point F2B (reference 423). The FEP and the F1B are part of (FEP) or respectively between (F1B) the first, inner section 425 and the web or third section 427. F2B (reference 423) marks the kink between web / third section 427 and second, outer section 426. The term outer refers to the fact that the second section 426 is visible from the outside, whereas section 425 (first, inner) is parallel shifted. Following the drawing of figure 2, the end point of the tongue 250 located on the sash, also designated as sash part portion 410 of rebate section 400, is being called sash end point, abbreviated SEP (reference 411).

[0047] In order to better understand the schematic differences between the hinge according to figure 1 and figures 6-9, figure(s) 12 a) to d) have been drafted. The invention has identified the key points to be taken into account when designing or construing a concealed hinge according to the invention. Those findings also allowed to strip down the embodiment as shown in Figure 12a) which is basically identical to figure 1. The pocket or recess 110 can be designed after the shape of the rotational lever-arm 300 has been defined, thus it can be omitted for the purpose of the invention. The result is shown in figure 12 b). The bracket-like feature 140, 240 is also not relevant and has thus been omitted in figure 12 c). Lastly, since the door or sash with an inventive hinge is opening only to one side, therefore the second rebate section (bottom of the drawing) is also not relevant. A compacted and simplified frame-sash arrangement is consequently shown in figure 12 d).

[0048] Figure 10 is again a schematic to help basically understanding the logic behind figures 6-9. In order to benefit from the teachings of the invention the following explanations are best understood if one considers a polar coordinate system as shown in figure 10. The origin or reference point of it is centered at the rotation axis R of the hinge. The orientation of sash and frame (in closed state) is as shown in figure 10, which is the same as in figure 1, 5, 6 to 9 and 12. A polar coordinate system is a two-dimensional coordinate system in which each point on a plane is determined by a distance from a reference point and an angle from a reference direction. Thus it can be described as a vector, which is a geometric object that has a length and an angular direction and is being represented graphically as an arrow connecting an initial point A with a terminal point B. The distance from the reference point is called the radial coordinate and the angle is called the angular coordinate. In this disclosure the angles are described in degrees from 0° to 360° and vectors are (simplified) marked with a short flat line overhead like that: A.

[0049] So, the rotational lever-arm performs a pivoting motion during actuation around rotation axis R or reference 120, as shown in various presentations in figures 6-8, 13 and 14. As we can understand from figures 6 and 7, the rebate section, especially the frame part of it, is the obstacle that has to be avoided. As is being highlighted in Figure 13 and 14, the opening angle ω can be derived or determined simply from the constructive outline in figure 13. It has to be noted that here we have the preferred case of a flush common "outer" plane of the sash-frame arrangement which is preferable from a design point of view. However, as will become evident in Figure 14, the underlying principle also works for a non-flush surface as in figure 14. In real world conditions it is not desirable that the sash even touches the frame at the end of the opening movement, therefore in a realistic door / frame assembly a door stop will be used to limit the pivoting range (cf. figure 5) respectively. Thus, the technically useful opening angle will be ω minus a safety margin. For the considerations of defining the clearance area F we may neglect this for a moment and use ω as shown.

[0050] Before we discuss the clearance area F we can briefly contemplate how the opening angle ω can be calculated from the frame-sash arrangement geometrically even without the hinge being present. For this we focus on figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 shows the exact same embodiment as has been applied in figure 6 - 10 (inter alia) for the sash-frame arrangement. The opening area 60 has here additionally been labelled front side 70 in contrast to a back side 80 of the frame-sash arrangement. The design of sash and frame with a flush surface facing to the front side is preferred from a design point of view. The geometrical parameters which can be used to determine ω are, in cartesian coordinates, the distance z between the axis of rotation and the front face of the frame and x, which is the distance between the sash end point SEP and the point, where the perpendicular onto the front face of the frame hits the surface. Consequently, ω = 2 x arctan (x / z). It shall be noted that the width of the shadow-gap is not relevant for ω.

[0051] Figure 14 shows a generalized frame-sash arrangement where the sash surface is located in a plane offset parallel to the surface-plane of the frame. The offset distance between them is labelled v. As can be seen from the drawing, the shadow gap between frame and sash again does not play a role as long as it is warranted that the path of sash end point SEP relative to the axis R (=vector U') can be translated into vector Y'. Y' describes the theoretical first touch point of the sash with the frame when the door is opened and as such is the mechanically limiting factor for the pivoting movement of the sash relative to the frame. The calculation for ω can again be done via the arctan function. Due to the non-flush surface on the front side 70, the respective formula is more complicated:

[0052] It can be understood from figure 14 that for v → 0 the values of x₁ and x₂ become equal and thus the equation for ω of figure 14 will transition into the equation valid for figure 13. Even for the geometrically more complicated arrangement of figure 14 it is sufficient to contemplate the relation between the axis of rotation R, the sash end point SEP and its stop point after pivoting the vector U (U') into vector Y (Y'). This disclosure and the related figures plus the geometrical parameters explained in figures 13 and 14 are sufficient to describe essentially all commercially relevant embodiments of inventive hinges.

[0053] The importance or relevance of the clearance area F shall demonstrated and explained with a view on figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows the clearance area F with the corner points A, E, I, O as well as the sash end point SEP, the first frame bend point F1B and the frame end point FEP. As we can understand from the technical context, it is key to avoid a collision of FEP and F1P with the rotational lever-arm 300 when the hinge is being actuated or the door being opened (respectively). The maximum opening angle ω is defined geometrically, when the sash end point SEP or the adjacent edge point U hits the frame in point Y. So the pivoting motion of lever-arm 300 needs to be translated into a respective pivoting motion of F1B and FEP at the same angle ω (or somewhat less to avoid damages of the frame). This is a purely geometrical description, because technically F1B and FEP do not pivot, of course. If we assign A to the point of clearance area F adjacent to F1B and O' to the point adjacent to FEP and apply said pivoting angle ω to both, we receive a somewhat irregular circular segment A E I' O' with circular arcs between A and E and between O' and I' and straight connecting lines between A and O' as well as between E and I'. As can be easily derived from figure 6 the circular segment A E I' O' has its center point in R, but the points R, A and O' are not collinear and points R, E and I' are neither.

[0054] The circular segment AEIO however is regular, since R, A and O as well as R, E and I are collinear. The triangles AO'O and E I' I have the same area and in conclusion the clearance area F has the same size for AEIO and AEI' O'.

[0055] Figure 6 tells us further that the limiting effect of point F1B is more pronounced than that of FEP, because during the pivoting motion of rotational lever-arm 300 F1B is more protruding than FEP from the perspective of the rotation axis R.

[0056] For technical reasons one can further simplify the model contemplated herein and focus on point A as the limiting constructional parameter. This consequently results in the clearance area AEIO with a regular circular segment instead of the irregular one A E I' O'. However, the rotational lever-arm 300 will thus additionally avoid also the area (triangle) E I I' which is technically not necessary per se, but convenient.

[0057] A comparison of the hook-shaped outline of lever-arm 300 and clearance area AEIO reveals that the actual space around the minimal clearance area AEIO is actually larger. For the man skilled in the art it is clear that safety gaps need to be foreseen around AEIO to compensate for manufacturing and mounting tolerances. Since the lever-arm has to sustain considerable loads, it is clear to the expert that a rounded hook-shape without kinks and sharp bends will be better suited for the purpose. The advantage of the invention will become evident, if a new, very space-saving design has to be construed. Any simulation to define the load-bearing parts of the lever-arm 300 may rely on very few geometrical parameters: The opening angle ω derived from the geometry of sash and frame and points FEP, F1B and R or their relative coordinates.

[0058] Figure 7 is basically figure 6 translated into polar coordinates. U and Y represent the vectors used to determine ω - it can be derived in polar coordinates by subtracting their angular coordinates. Their radial coordinates (length) are equal.

[0059] Points A, E, I, O, I' and O' correspondingly translate to A, E, I, O, I' and O'. The angle between A and E is designated α and the angle between I', O' is β.

[0060] Since points R, E and I are collinear, the vectors E, I share the same angular coordinate, but have different lengths. The same is valid for vectors A and O. On the other hand the radial coordinates (lengths) of I, O, I', O' are the same while the angular coordinates are different. From all above it becomes further clear, that β = α and at the same time α ≥ ω and β ≥ ω.

[0061] The simplified clearance area AEIO can thus alternatively be described, in a polar coordinate system with center R, as a regular circular segment, with vectors A and O having the same first angular coordinate and E and I sharing the same second angular coordinate; and vectors A and E sharing the same first radial coordinate and O and I sharing a second, same radial coordinate; wherein further the difference of the angular coordinates between A / O and E / I is at least the opening angle ω of the inventive hinge.

[0062] The generalized clearance area AEI'O' can consequently be described, in a polar coordinate system with center R, as an irregular circular segment, with vectors A and E having the same first radial coordinate and vectors I' and O' sharing the same second radial coordinate wherein the difference of the angular coordinates between A / O and E / I is at least the opening angle ω of the inventive hinge.

[0063] Figures 8 and 9 represent in summary the frame-sash arrangement with the essential geometrical parameters discussed above in detail with a view on figure 6 and 7. The translation of sash end point SEP into point Y (as used in figure 7 and 8) is shown. The term SFC is the sash-frame contact at the maximum opening angle.

[0064] Figure 15 is an exploded view on a 3D adjustment component added to a single lever arm hinge 10. The frame pocket 110 is being shown on the outer left with the rotational lever arm 300 detached. Frame pocket 110 has two bushings 132, 134 to accommodate a pin 130.

[0065] Said pin 130, when the hinge is mounted properly, becomes the physical rotation axis 120 (R).

[0066] The sash mounting part 210 is here part of a complex workpiece facilitating the 3D-functionality. 3D in this respect means an adjustability in three axes. A first axis is called pressure adjustment 230 (230', 230"), since it is being used to increase or lower the contact pressure of the sash to the frame (e.g. against a gasket) in order to achieve a desired flush fit. The three screws 230, 230'230" shown have a visible head, a respective threaded section anchored in the body of sash mounting part 210 and an eccentric shaft section (not visible) guided in a respective bushing in the distance element 320. This way a relative movement between lever-arm 300 and sash mounting part 210 can be accomplished. This degree of freedom is indicated by double-arrow near reference sign 230.

[0067] Sash mounting part 210 is being adjustably held in a sash pocket 220. Said pocket is functionally equivalent to frame pocket 110. Both allow to properly provide a mechanically stable mount inside sash and frame, which both often are being manufactured from extruded aluminium.

[0068] Between sash mounting part 210 and sash pocket 220 two sliders 260, 260' are being arranged at the longitudinal ends of sash mounting part 210 which provides for movability in two further axes.

[0069] Slider 260 is being guided once laterally in a recess 255; figure 260 shows a tongue and groove guide to allow for the lateral movement (arrow at lower slider 260'). Adjustability is being accomplished via a lateral adjustment screw 240, whose head is being designed to be received in a pocket 245. This screw will be stationary but rotatably held in place in recess 255. The dotted line indicates the connectivity of slider 260, sash mounting part 210 and adjustment screw 240. A respective tool can access the force application point of adjustment screw 240 via access 247. Turning the screw will move slider 260 back and forth within recess 245.

[0070] On the other hand slider 260 (and 260') are being held in a channel or duct 265 which allows vertical movement (in the drawing plane, double arrow near reference sign 260). Slider 260 has its counterpart 260' arranged upside down at the lower end of sash mounting part 210 with a comparable functionality as described for slider 260.

[0071] Slider 260 exhibits a ramp 275 with an inclined surface. When slider 260 is being mounted in duct 265, a grub screw 270 can be inserted via sash pocket access 277 and is held there in place by the threads. The grub screw 270 has a conical tip and by turning it the conical tip will act on ramp 275 and force the slider into a downward move. Counterpart slider 260' in return will force the slider (and attached sash mounting part 210 including lever arm 300) to go up, if required. If the desired final position of this vertical axis adjustment has been achieved, both screws can be used to secure sash mounting part 210 in its final position by clamping.

Claims

1. A concealed hinge (10) for mounting a door or a sash to a frame, with a defined opening angle 0° < ω < 180° between the open (20) and closed position (40), the hinge comprising:

- a frame part (100) as the hinge-related part of the frame, the frame part (100) including:

∘ a recess or pocket (110) in or attached to the frame part (100),

∘ a pin or rotation axis R (120) fixedly arranged within said pocket (110), and

∘ a sash part (200) as the hinge-related part of the door or sash, the sash part (200) including a sash mounting part (210); said sash part (200) being pivotable around said rotation axis R (120) from a closed position (20) via an opening pivoting range (50) to an open position (40);

- a rebate section (400) (Falzabschnitt) including neighboring portions of the frame part (100) and the sash part (200), forming a shadow gap (405) in between when the hinge (10) is in closed state; the rebate section (400) comprising:

∘ a sash part section (410) comprising an essentially flat, plate-like element with an sash end point SEP (411); and

∘ a frame part section (420) comprising an essentially Z-shaped part with three plate-like sections (425, 426, 427); the first, inner section (425) parallel offset from the second, outer section (426) with an intermediate web or third section (427);

∘ the Z-shaped part geometrically defined by a frame end point FEP (421), a first frame bend point F1B (422) and a second frame bend point F2B (423);

∘ the FEP (421) and the F1B (422) being arranged in the first, inner section (425) and the F2B being arranged in the second, outer section (426) and the web or third section (427) connecting F1B (422) and F2B (423);

- a rotational lever-arm (300) connecting the frame part (100) and the sash part (200); the rotational lever-arm (300) exhibiting, viewed in cross-section, a hook-shaped contour, comprising a loop shaped, circular segment (310) rigidly attached to or integrally formed with a distance element (320);

∘ the open end of the distance element (320) being connectable to the sash mounting part (210); and

∘ the open end of the circular segment (310) being attachable to the rotation axis R (120).

characterized in that

- the rotational lever-arm (300) encompasses an enclosed clearance area F (350), said clearance area F (350) exhibiting an essentially circle-segment shape, which is defined by four corner points A, E, I', O' with

∘ circular arcs between A and E as well as I' and O' and

∘ straight lines between A and O' as well as E and I';

∘ A being the point of clearance area F adjacent to F1B and O' being the point adjacent to FEP;

- said corner points A E I' O' being designated by vectors A, E, I', O', between the rotation axis R and said points, thus defining a polar coordinate system with the rotation axis R representing its zero position or origin, wherein:

∘ the length of vectors A and E as well as I' and O' are pairwise equal

∘ the angle difference between I' and O' being designated as β

∘ the angle difference between A and E being designated as α

∘ and the following relations for the angles α, β, ω are being valid: ∘ α ≥ ω as well as β ≥ ω

2. The concealed hinge according to claim 1, with vectors A and E having the same first radial coordinate and vectors I' and O' sharing the same second radial coordinate, but A, E, I', O' having individual angular coordinates,
characterized in that

- the essentially circle-segment shape of clearance area F is an irregular circular segment and

- it is valid α = β.

3. The concealed hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that

- a simplified clearance area AEIO exists in a polar coordinate system with center R, said clearance area having the shape of a regular circular segment, with further vectors O and I, wherein

∘ vectors A and O have the same first angular coordinate and E and I share the same second angular coordinate;

∘ while vectors I and I' have the same radial coordinate as well as O and O';

∘ wherein further the difference of the angular coordinates between A / O and E / I is at least the opening angle ω.

4. The concealed hinge according to claim 1-3, characterized in that the hinge further comprises a sash pocket (220) and two sliders (260, 260'), said sliders being movably and slidingly held in the sash pocket (220) and in the sash mounting part (210), wherein the direction of motion between sash pocket (220) and the sliders (260, 260') is perpendicular to the direction of motion between the sliders and the sash mounting part (210).

5. The concealed hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that adjustment screws (240, 270) are being foreseen to adjust said directions of motion between sash pocket (220) and the sliders (260, 260') as well as between the sliders and the sash mounting part (210).

6. Method for construing a concealed hinge (10) according to claim 1 comprising the following steps:

- defining an arrangement of a sash and a frame in a closed state, with the frame part (100) and the sash part (200) forming a shadow gap (405) in a rebate section (400)

- determining the position of frame end point FEP (421), first frame bend point F1B (422) and sash end point SEP (411);

- defining the position of rotation axis R (120);

- determining the opening angle ω between the open (20) and closed position (40) of sash and frame by pivoting SEP (411) around rotation axis R (120) from when the hinge (10) is in its closed position (20) to a position where SEP gets in contact with the frame at a sash-frame contact point SFC;

- defining a polar coordinate system with its origin at R (120); with:

- vector A between R and a point A adjacent to F1B

- vector O' between R and a point O' adjacent FEP;

- vector E with endpoint E by pivoting vector A by at least said angle ω against the opening rotation direction of the hinge;

- defining vector I' with endpoint I' by pivoting vector O' by at least said angle ω against the opening rotation direction of the hinge;

- the endpoints of A, E, I', O' thus defining said clearance area F (350) with an irregular circular segment shape having

∘ circular arcs between A and E as well as I' and O' and

∘ straight lines between A and O' as well as E and I';

- designing the hook-shaped rotational lever-arm (300) between the sash mounting part (210) and the rotation axis R (120) in such a way that the material parts of the hinge in the closed state do not overlap or intrude the clearance area F (350) AEI'O'.

7. Method according to claims 1-3 and 6, characterized in that a simplified clearance area AEIO exists in said polar coordinate system with center R, said clearance area having the shape of a regular circular segment, with further vectors O and I, wherein

∘ vectors A and O have the same first angular coordinate and E and I share the same second angular coordinate;

∘ while vectors I and I' have the same radial coordinate as well as O and O';

∘ wherein further the difference of the angular coordinates between A / O and E / I is at least the opening angle ω.

- designing the hook-shaped rotational lever-arm (300) between the sash mounting part (210) and the rotation axis R (120) in such a way that the material parts of the hinge in the closed state do not overlap or intrude the area AEIO.

Drawing