EP2982819A1

EP2982819A1 - Hinge to hinge a mobile element, such as a door or window, with respect to a fixed structure, such as the frame of a door or window

Info

Publication number: EP2982819A1
Application number: EP15179747.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Gerotto
Original assignee: Otlav SpA
Current assignee: Otlav SpA
Priority date: 2014-08-04
Filing date: 2015-08-04
Publication date: 2016-02-10

Abstract

A hinge (10) to hinge a mobile element (11) with respect to a fixed structure (12) comprises a first hinging unit (13) with a pivoting axis (Z) and a second hinging unit (14) pivoted on the first hinging unit (13). The first hinging unit (13) comprises a pivoting element (15) coaxial to the pivoting axis (Z) and connected to or integrated with a support element (24) pivoted on a pin (25) positioned inside a cavity (23) of a containing body (20). An adjustment mechanism (26) is provided to adjust, from outside the hinge (10), the reciprocal position of the two hinging units (13, 14) in a direction (X) perpendicular to the pivoting axis (Z) in order to move the mobile element (11) closer to or away from the fixed structure (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a hinge comprising two hinging units, hinged one with respect to the other and suitable to hinge a mobile element, such as for example a door or a window, even very heavy ones, for example about 80 kg, with respect to a fixed structure, for example the frame of a door or window. The hinge is provided with at least an adjustment device disposed inside one of the two hinging units in order to adjust the position of one of the two hinging units with respect to the other, in at least one direction perpendicular to the pivoting axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of doors and windows, hinges are known, consisting of two hinging units pivoted to each other.
From the European patent application EP-A-2.735.679 filed by the present Applicant, a hinge is known that comprises two hinging units hinged to each other along a hinging axis and configured to be attached, one to a fixed structure, such as for example the frame of a door or window, and the other to a mobile element, such as for example a door or window. This known hinge is provided with three adjustment devices configured to adjust the reciprocal position of one of the two hinging units with respect to the other hinging unit in three different directions, perpendicular to each other, respectively axial, lateral and frontal.
Although it allows to adjust the position of the two hinging units in three different directions, perpendicular to each other, this known hinge has the disadvantage, however, that it is rather complex and costly and is not suitable to be used when the mobile element to be hinged has a rather large mass, as have security doors or steel-clad doors, where the mass can even exceed 80 kg.
From the German patent DE-C-10120260 a hinge for windows is known, in which two hinging parts are in operating connection with each other with respect to a common hinging axis. One of the two hinging parts has a hollow seating in which a support element is housed, with ample play, pivoted on a pin disposed parallel to the hinging axis. The angular position of the support element with respect to its pivoting pin is obtained by an adjustment screw perpendicular to a plane passing through the hinging axis and the pivoting pin. The support element and the corresponding pivoting pin are also mobile vertically and adjustably. Moreover, an adjustment member, mobile horizontally and sliding with respect to the support element, encloses the pivoting pin by same-shape coupling and can be attached in the adjustment position in a self-clamping manner. The hinge known from DE-C-10120260 is also rather complex and costly.
One purpose of the present invention is to obtain a hinge that is provided with simple, effective and inexpensive adjustment means, which allow to selectively adjust one hinging unit with respect to the other hinging unit, and consequently that of the mobile element with respect to the corresponding fixed structure, in at least one first direction perpendicular to the hinging axis. In this way, if for example the hinging axis is vertical, the adjustment must be able to be made at least along a horizontal axis.
Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a hinge in which the adjustment means can also allow a second adjustment of the two hinging units in a second direction, perpendicular both to the hinging axis and to the first direction.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with the above purposes, a hinge according to the present invention, to hinge a mobile element with respect to a fixed structure, comprises a first hinging unit with a pivoting axis and configured to be attached to the fixed structure, a second hinging unit pivoted on the first hinging unit and configured to be attached to the mobile element, and at least a first adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the reciprocal position of the two hinging units in at least a first direction perpendicular to the pivoting axis. The first hinging unit comprises a pivoting element coaxial to the pivoting axis and a containing body provided with a cavity in which a support element is housed with ample play, pivoted on a pin positioned inside the cavity and connected to or integrated with the support element. Moreover, the first adjustment element is disposed in the cavity and is configured to make the support element selectively rotate with respect to its pin and thus move the pivoting element in the first direction.
According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the first adjustment mechanism comprises at least a first abutment element provided at least with a first abutment surface, which is inclined with respect to a second direction perpendicular both to the pivoting axis, and also to the first direction, when the support element is in a centered position with respect to the lateral walls of the cavity in which it is housed, and is configured to be contacted by a first adjustment mean, for example a threaded worm screw, disposed in the second direction and able to be actuated, preferably from outside the hinge, to cause the rotation of the support element with respect to the pin.
According to a first form of embodiment of the present invention, the pivoting element is mounted on the support element slidable with respect thereto.
According to a simplified variant of the present invention, the pivoting element is integrated with the support element and/or forms a single body therewith.
According to another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the first abutment element comprises at least a first lever pivoted on the pin and provided both with the first abutment surface, with a first tooth configured to contact a first lateral wall of the cavity, so that the actuation of the first adjustment mean in the second direction causes the rotation of the first lever with respect to the pin in a first direction of rotation and then possibly also the rotation of the support element with respect to the pin in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation.
According to another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the first adjustment mechanism also comprises a second lever pivoted on the pin on which both the support element and the first lever are pivoted. Furthermore, the second lever is disposed parallel to the first lever and is provided both with a second tooth configured to contact a second lateral wall of the cavity, opposite the first lateral wall, and also a second front surface inclined with respect to said plane and configured to be contacted by a second adjustment mean, for example another worm screw. The latter can be actuated, preferably from outside the hinge, to cause the rotation of the second lever with respect to the pin in the second direction of rotation and then possibly also the rotation of the support element with respect to the pin in the first direction of rotation, in order to clamp the support element and the pivoting element in the desired position.
According to another characteristic aspect of the present invention, the hinge possibly also comprises a second adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the pivoting element with respect to the support element and thus also with respect to its containing body in the second direction, in order to selectively bring near or distance the pivoting axis to/from the fixed structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a section view of a hinge according to the present invention, shown installed, in an inactive condition, in a mobile element in order to hinge it to a fixed structure;
fig. 2 is a front view of the hinge in fig. 1;
fig. 3 is a section from III to III in fig. 2, with both hinging units represented by continuous lines;
fig. 4 is a section from IV to IV in fig. 3, showing a first part of a first adjustment mechanism of the hinge in fig. 1, actuated first, so that the hinge assumes a first adjustment position;
fig. 5 is a section from V to V in fig. 3, showing a second part of the adjustment mechanism in fig. 4, actuated subsequently to the first part so as to clamp the hinge in the first adjustment position;
fig. 6 is a section similar to that in fig. 4, showing the second part of the adjustment mechanism, actuated first, so that the hinge assumes a second adjustment position;
fig. 7 is a section similar to that in fig. 6, showing the first part of the adjustment mechanism, actuated subsequently to the second part so as to clamp the hinge in the second adjustment position.

We must clarify that in the present description the sole function of the terms horizontal, vertical, top and bottom is to better illustrate the present invention with reference to the drawings, and are in no way to be used to limit the scope or use thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE FORM OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a hinge 10 according to the present invention is shown mounted to hinge a mobile element 11, which can be a door or window for example, even very heavy, for example weighing about 80 kg, with respect to a fixed structure 12, which can be for example the frame of a door or window.
The hinge 10 comprises a first hinging unit 13 (figs. 1, 2 and 3) functioning as a pivoting member, and a second hinging unit 14, which is pivoted on the first hinging unit 13.
The first hinging unit 13 comprises a pivoting element 15, substantially cylindrical in shape, which normally remains outside both the mobile element 11 and also the fixed structure 12. The axis Z of the pivoting element 15, which is normally vertical during use, is also the pivoting axis of the hinge 10.
The pivoting element 15 is provided with two axial cavities 16 and 17 (fig. 3), coaxial to the pivoting axis Z, disposed on opposite sides and open, one toward the top and one toward the bottom. Two corresponding pins 18 and 19 of the second hinging unit 14, which is substantially a known type, are inserted in the axial cavities 16 and 17.
The first hinging unit 13 also comprises a box-like containing body 20, configured to be inserted into a cavity 21 of the mobile element 11 and to be attached thereto, for example by screws 22.
The containing body 20 comprises a cavity 23 with a substantially parallelepiped shape, into which a corresponding support element 24 is inserted with ample play (for example about one or more millimeters per side). The support element 24 is pivoted on a pin 25 disposed in its end that is found in the innermost part of the cavity 23. The pin 25 is parallel to the pivoting axis Z. A first adjustment mechanism 26, which will be described in more detail hereafter, is associated with the support element 24 and allows to move the pivoting element 15 in a first horizontal direction X (figs. 1 and 2) perpendicular to the pivoting axis Z, in order to adjust the position of the mobile element 11 laterally (figs. 1 and from 4 to 7) with respect to the fixed structure 12.
Furthermore, the pivoting element 15 (fig. 1) slides with respect to it in a second horizontal direction Y by means of pins 27 inserted slidingly into corresponding blind holes 28 of the support element 24. When the support element 24 is centered with respect to the lateral walls of the cavity 23, the second horizontal direction Y is perpendicular both to the pivoting axis Z and also to the first horizontal direction X.
A second adjustment mechanism 29, consisting of an adjustment screw 30 that can be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole 31 of the support element 24, allows to adjust the position of the pivoting element 15 with respect to the support element 24 and hence also with respect to the containing body 20 in the second horizontal direction Y, in order to move the pivoting axis Z selectively toward/away from the fixed structure 12.
The first adjustment mechanism 26 (figs. 1, 3, 4 and 7) comprises a first abutment element, which in this case comprises a first lever 32 pivoted on the pin 25 and freely rotatable with respect to it. The first lever 32 is shaped so as to have a first tooth 33 (figs. 1, 4 and 7) at one end and a first front abutment surface 34, which is inclined for example by about 45° with respect to a plane passing both through the pivoting axis Z and also through the axis of the pin 25, so that it is coincident with the second horizontal direction Y. The first tooth 33 protrudes from one side of said plane, for example to the left of it, and is suitable to contact a lateral wall of the cavity 23. A first threaded worm screw 35, functioning as a first adjustment mean, can be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole of the support element 24 to contact the first front abutment surface 34 and then make the first lever 32 selectively rotate in an anti-clockwise direction with respect to the pin 25. The head of the threaded worm screw 35 is accessible from outside the hinge 10 through a first through hole 36 present in the pivoting element 15.
Furthermore, the first adjustment mechanism 26 comprises a second lever 37 (figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6), parallel to the first lever 32. The second lever 37 is also pivoted on the pin 25 and is freely rotatable with respect to it. The second lever 37 is specular in shape to the first lever 32 and is provided with a second tooth 38 at one end and a second front surface 39 which is inclined, for example by about 45°, with respect to the plane passing through the pivoting axis Z and the axis of the pin 25, but on the opposite side with respect to the first front abutment surface 34 of the first lever 32. The second tooth 38 is disposed on the opposite side of the plane with respect to the first tooth 33 of the first lever 32 (that is, to the right of it in the example supplied here), and is suitable to contact the lateral wall of the cavity 23, opposite the one which is contacted by the first tooth 33. A second threaded worm screw 40 can be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole of the support element 24 to contact the second front surface 39 and thus make the second lever 37 selectively rotate in a clockwise direction with respect to the pin 25. The head of the second threaded worm screw 40 is accessible from outside the hinge 10 through a second through hole 41 present in the pivoting element 15 and parallel to the first through hole 36.
The hinge 10, and in particular the first adjustment mechanism 26 as described above, function as follows.
In the inactive condition (fig. 1) the support element 24 is centered with respect to the lateral walls of the cavity 23 and the teeth 33 and 38 of the two levers 32 and 37 are distant from the lateral walls. In the inactive condition there is a determinate gap L between the mobile element 11 and the fixed structure 12, and the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X.
In order to selectively reduce the gap L and bring the mobile element 11 closer to the fixed structure 12, the first threaded worm screw 35 is screwed in (fig. 4), passing with a tool, for example a spanner with a hexagonal head, through the first through hole 36, until the first threaded worm screw 35 comes into contact with the first front abutment surface 34 of the first lever 32. We continue screwing it in until the first tooth 33 of the first lever 32, rotating in an anti-clockwise direction, comes into contact with the corresponding lateral wall of the cavity 23. Continuing to screw in the first threaded worm screw 35 now causes the rotation in a clockwise direction of the support element 24 with respect to its pin 25, until the desired position of the mobile element 11 with respect to the fixed structure 12 is reached. The second direction Y will therefore be inclined by an angle α with respect to its initial position.
To clamp the support element 24 in the new angular position reached, with respect to the containing body 20, the second threaded worm screw 40 is then screwed in (fig. 5), passing with a tool, for example a spanner with a hexagonal head, through the second through hole 41, until the threaded worm screw 40 comes into contact with the second front surface 39 of the second lever 37: we continue screwing it in until the second tooth 38 of the second lever 37, rotating in a clockwise direction, comes into contact with the corresponding lateral wall of the cavity 23.
When both the threaded worm screws 35 and 40 are screwed in, the first hinging unit 13 of the hinge 10 is clamped, at least temporarily, in the desired angular position.
On the contrary, if the gap L is to be increased, and the mobile element 11 is to be distanced from the fixed structure 12, first the second threaded worm screw 40 is screwed in (fig. 6) until it comes into contact with the second front surface 39 of the second lever 37: we continue screwing it in until the second tooth 38 of the second lever 37, rotating in a clockwise direction, comes into contact with the corresponding lateral wall of the cavity 23. Continuing to screw in the second threaded worm screw 40 now causes the rotation in an anti-clockwise direction of the support element 24 with respect to its pin 25, until the desired position of the mobile element 11 with respect to the fixed structure 12 is reached. The second direction Y will now be inclined by an angle β with respect to its initial position.
To clamp the support element 24 in the new angular position reached, with respect to the containing body 20, the first threaded worm screw 35 is then screwed in (fig. 7), until it comes into contact with the first front abutment surface 34 of the first lever 32: we continue screwing it in until the first tooth 33 of the first lever 32, rotating in an anti-clockwise direction, comes into contact with the corresponding lateral wall of the cavity 23.
In this case too, when both the threaded worm screws 35 and 40 are screwed in, the first hinging unit 13 of the hinge 10 is clamped, at least temporarily, in the desired angular position.
Therefore, the selective screwing in of the two threaded worm screws 35 and 40 allows to adjust the position of the support element 24 with respect to the containing body 20 and hence the position of the pivoting axis Z with respect to the fixed structure 12.
It is understood that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the hinge 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
For example, in a simplified form of embodiment of the hinge 10, instead of being sliding with respect to the support element 24, the pivoting element 15 can be integrated with it and/or can form a single body with it.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of hinge, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

Hinge to hinge a mobile element (11) with respect to a fixed structure (12), comprising a first hinging unit (13) with a pivoting axis (Z) and configured to be attached to said fixed structure (12), a second hinging unit (14) pivoted on said first hinging unit (13) and configured to be attached to said mobile element (11), and at least a first adjustment mechanism (26) configured to adjust the reciprocal position of said first and second hinging units (13, 14) in at least a first direction (X) perpendicular to said pivoting axis (Z), wherein said first hinging unit (13) comprises a pivoting element (15) coaxial to said pivoting axis (Z) and a containing body (20) provided with a cavity (23) in which a support element (24) is housed with ample play and is pivoted on a pin (25) positioned inside said cavity (23) and is connected to or integrated with said support element (24), and wherein said first adjustment element (26) is disposed in said cavity (23) and is configured to make said support element (24) selectively rotate with respect to said pin (25) and thus move said pivoting element (15) in said first direction (X), characterized in that said first adjustment mechanism (26) comprises at least a first abutment element (32) provided at least with a first abutment surface (34), which is inclined with respect to a second direction (Y) perpendicular both to said pivoting axis (Z), and also to said first direction (X), when said support element (24) is in a centered position with respect to the lateral walls of said cavity (23), and is configured to be contacted by a first adjustment mean (35) disposed in said second direction (Y) and able to be actuated to cause the rotation of said support element (24) with respect to said pin (25).
Hinge as in claim 1, characterized in that said first abutment element comprises at least a first lever (32) pivoted on said pin (25) and provided both with said first abutment surface (34) and also with a first tooth (33) configured to contact a first lateral wall of said cavity (23), so that the actuation of said first adjustment mean (35) in said second direction (Y) causes the rotation of said first lever (32) with respect to said pin (25) in a first direction of rotation and then possibly the rotation of said support element (24) with respect to said pin (25) in a second direction of rotation opposite said first direction of rotation.
Hinge as in claim 2, characterized in that said first adjustment mean comprises a first threaded worm screw (35) able to be screwed into a corresponding first threaded hole of said support element (24) and in that said first threaded worm screw (35) is accessible from outside the hinge (10) through a first through hole (36) present in said pivoting element (15).
Hinge as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said first adjustment mechanism (26) also comprises a second lever (37) pivoted on said pin (25) and disposed parallel to said first lever (32) and in that said second lever (37) is provided both with a second tooth (38) configured to contact a second lateral wall of said cavity (23), opposite said first lateral wall, and also a second front surface (39) inclined with respect to said plane and configured to be contacted by a second adjustment mean (35) that can be actuated to cause the rotation of said second lever (36) with respect to said pin (25) in said second direction of rotation and then possibly the rotation of said support element (24) with respect to said pin (25) in said first direction of rotation.
Hinge as in claim 4, characterized in that said second adjustment mean comprises a second threaded worm screw (40) able to be screwed into a corresponding second threaded hole of said support element (24) and in that said second threaded worm screw (40) is accessible from outside the hinge (10) through a second through hole (41) present in said pivoting element (15).
Hinge as in claim 5, characterized in that said first and second threaded worm screws (35, 40) are parallel to each other and in that said first and second through holes (36, 41) are also parallel to each other.
Hinge as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said pivoting element (15) is mounted on said support element (24) slidable with respect thereto in said second direction (Y).
Hinge as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it also comprises a second adjustment mechanism (29) to adjust the position of said pivoting element (15) with respect to said support element (24) and thus also with respect to said containing body (20) in said second horizontal direction (Y), in order to selectively bring near or distance said pivoting axis (Z) to/from said fixed structure (12).
Hinge as in claim 8, characterized in that said second adjustment mechanism (29) comprises an adjustment screw (30) disposed on said pivoting element (15) and able to be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole (31) of said support element (24).