GB2049800A

GB2049800A - Improvements in or Relating to Wide Angle Hinges

Info

Publication number: GB2049800A
Application number: GB8014828A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DROOFF H E
Current assignee: DROOFF H E
Priority date: 1979-05-09
Filing date: 1980-05-02
Publication date: 1980-12-31
Also published as: FR2456200B1; AT370492B; FR2456200A1; CH645695A5; GB2049800B; ATA235680A; AU533523B2; AU5826480A

Abstract

A wide-angle hinge (1), particularly for an article of furniture, having two hinge parts (2,3) one of which being for securing to a door frame (5) and the other of which being for securing to a door leaf (7). The hinge includes two link arm members (8,9) pivoted together at a common axis intermediate their ends and being for connecting the hinge parts together. One of the link arm members (9) is connectable to the hinge part (3) by means of an intermediate link (15) and a spring mechanism (20) is arranged on the intermediate link (15) for holding the door leaf in a closed position, there being a cam component (21 (Fig 2 not shown)) for mounting on the hinge part (3), the arrangement being such that, when the hinge is assembled, the spring mechanism (20) is arranged to coact with the cam component (21) to urge the hinge in a closing direction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Wide-angle Hinges This invention relates to wide-angle hinges.

Various forms of wide-angle hinges are known in which a door leaf hinge part by means of a linkage, under closing pressure, is held in a closed position by means of a spring mechanism. With one such form, the linkage includes two arms or link members pivoted together about a common axis intermediate their ends and a spring-loaded pressure member is arranged in the region of the common pivot axis. This pressure member is arranged on one of the two arms and bears on a free end of the other arm, which is formed at this end as a camming surface, the spring pressure element in this case being provided by a helical spring.In a modified form of such a wide-angle hinge, a spring lever is mounted on the common axis or pivot of the two arms and a free end portion of the spring lever is arranged to cooperate, by providing a latching action, with the pivot of an intermediate link member in the closed position of the hinge. In both cases, the spring mechanism is located on the linkage of the two arms or link members which are pivotable together in scissor-like fashion. It is, however, necessary to have a high precision of the components for the engagement of these members in association with the spring mechanism and it is also difficult to carry out a conversion of the normal hinge into a spring hinge, and vice versa.

According to the present invention, there is provided a wide-angle hinge comprising two hinge parts, one of which being for securing to a door frame and the other of which being for securing to a door leaf, there being two link arm members pivoted together at a common axis intermediatetheir ends and being for connecting said hinge parts together, one of the link arm members being connectable to a first of said hinge parts by means of an intermediate link which is mountable on said first hinge part and pivotally connectable to said one link arm member, there being a spring mechanism arranged on said intermediate link for holding the door leaf in a closed position and there being a cam component for mounting on said first hinge part, and, when the hinge is assembled, said spring mechanism is arranged to coact with said cam component to urge the hinge in a closing direction.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of a spring hinge of a so-called concealed and wide-angle type, the hinge being shown in an open position and mounted on a door frame and its door leaf, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view mainly of an intermediate link that is associated with one of two hinge parts of the hinge, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of another form of spring hinge, the hinge being shown in its closed position, Figure 4 is a side view showing the hinge of Figure 3 in a half-open position, and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the second form of hinge.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings show a hinge 1 which has a wide opening range, which may be up to about 1800, the hinge comprising two main hinge parts, viz. a hinge part 2, which is intended for attachment to a door frame or the like, and a hinge part 3, which is intended for attachment to a door leaf or the like, the door leaf and frame forming part of an article of furniture, for example.

In the example as illustrated, the frame hinge part 2 includes an elongate base plate 4, which is shown fixed on a door frame 5, and an intermediate part 6 which can be fitted axially on to the base plate 4. The leaf hinge part 3 is, in known manner substantially of cup-like form and is arranged to fit in a corresponding recess or well in the leaf 7 and includes a screw plate 3a for securing the part 3 to the door leaf.

A linkage is provided between the two parts 2 and 3 and comprises two link arm members 8 and 9, which are hingedly connected to one another intermediate their ends and in scissor-like form relatively to one another about a common pivot 10. One end of the link member 8 is guided by means of a pin 11 in a groove that extends longitudinally in the intermediate part 6 and the member 8 is hingedly connected at its other end to a pivot 13 of the hinge part 3. One end of the other link member 9 is hinged on a pivot 14 of the intermediate part 6 of the hinge part 4 and the other end of the member 9 is pivotally connected at a pivot 1 6 to one end of an intermediate link 15, the link 1 5 comprising two spaced arms 15a.

The other end of the link 1 5 is hingedly connected by means of a pivot 17 to the hinge part 3.

A spring mechanism 20 is provided to hold the door leaf closed when the hinge 1 has reached its closed position. The mechanism 20 is arranged directly on the intermediate link 1 5 and is arranged to coact with a cam portion or component 21 which is fixedly mounted in the leaf hinge part 3. A two-armed lever 22 is pivotally mounted on the inside of the intermediate link 1 5 about a pivot 23, the pivot 23 being mounted in the sides of the arms 1 5a of the intermediate link 1 5. One arm of the lever 22 is formed as a pivot arm 24, on which a roller 25 can be rotatably mounted as shown.The other arm of the lever 22 is provided with at least one bent-over extension 26, on to which is fitted a helical compression spring 27, which is supported so as to bear at one end on the inside of the intermediate link 1 5 and at the other end on the lever 22 about the bend of its other arm. The lever 22 is preferably made as a U-shaped part, the roller 25 being disposed between the walls of the U-shape of the lever 22.

The cam component 21 is provided with a cam 28, a camming surface 29 of which preferably extending over an arc of a circle whose centre is the axis of the pivot 17. The cam 28 also has a nose 30, against which the roller 25, or the arm 24, is brought to bear in the closed position of the hinge, so that the hinge parts are locked in the closed position by the compression of the spring 27 with the roller 25 or the arm 24 pressing onto the nose 30.

With the opening of the hinge 1, the roller 25 rolls over the arcuate surface 29 of the cam 28, the hinge parts 2 and 3 being held under uniform tension during the opening and closing operations which are themselves uniform. During these movements, no pressure point is to be overcome, only directly at the hinge-closed or latching position. The spring mechanism 20 permits a smooth transfer from the latched position into the opening movement of the hinge and from the closing movement of the hinge once again into the latched position.

The cam component 21 also includes a stem 31, which is fitted into a hole 32 in the leaf hinge part 3. The stem 21 has advantageously a polygonal, for example rectangular, cross-section 33 in a correspondingly formed bore 32, so that the cam component 21 is secured against turning movement. Furthermore, the cam component 21 is preferably provided with a stop edge 34, which abuts against the leaf hinge part 3 when the cam component 21 is inserted in the hole 32.

The component 21 can be easily exchanged for a component having a cam 28 of different shape and, in the event wear, can be replaced by a new cam component without the parts of the link member 1 5 needing to be replaced. Thus, the closing pressure for the leaf hinge part 3 can be easily and quickly changed by replacing the cam component 21 by one having a different shape of cam.

It will be appreciated that, with the present hinge, the two link members 8 and 9 are able to be free from a spring mechanism and the hinge can be quickly and easily converted from a normal, unsprung hinge nto a sprung hinge, and vice versa, the closing force being operative over a long distance. Since the spring mechanism is completely arranged in the additional link member, i.e. the intermediate link 15, only the intermediate link has to be changed when changing over from a normal hinge to a spring hinge, and vice versa.

By such a construction of the spring hinge with a wide opening range, the spring influence on the hinge parts 2, 3 is effective over the entire opening range. A smooth tightening mechanism is obtained with the spring hinge, the guide linkage being able to be held in synchronism in the tensioned position.

It is also possible for the hinge part 3 to be kept in stock together with the intermediate link 1 5 as a spring assembly part adjusted and adapted to one another ready as a replacement part.

In the form of hinge shown in Figures 3 to 5, those parts corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same references but with the additional letters a, b or c.

The spring mechanism 20a is situated directly on the intermediate link 1 sub. The single-armed lever 22a is disposed pivotally about an axis 23a on the inside of the intermediate link 1 5b and is mounted in arm 1 sic of the intermediate link 1 sub.

A free end of the lever 22a directly engages a part-circular camming surface 29a of a cam 28a on the hinge part 3b of the hinge, and the cam 28a may be integral with the hingepart 3b. The cam 28a has a nose 30a against which the lever 22a or a roller 25a disposed on an arm 24a is brought to bear in the closed position of the hinge. The lever 22a is subject to the action of a wire-type or hairpin type spring 36, one arm 36a of which bears against the inside of the intermediate link 1 sub while another arm 36b of the spring bears against the lever 22a, these two arms bearing against their respective members in reaction to one another.

The centre point of the cam 28a with the camming surface 29a lies inside the well of the hinge part 3b, and forms the pivot 1 7a for the intermediate link 1 5b, and is slightly offset from a rear edge 3d of the well adjoining which is a screw plate 3c. The pivot 1 7a can be mounted in the hinge part 3b at a distance from an outer boundary 3e equivalent to approximately onethird of the diameter of the well of the hinge part 3b.One end of the intermediate link 1 sub has a projection 1 Sdwhich acts as a bearing boss to receive the pivot 17a, the centre of the latter being situated approximately in line with the line of the adjacent straight surface of the intermediate link 15b. The arrangement of the pivot 1 7a as described inside the well of the hinge part 3b contributes to the compact construction of the hinge part considerably.

The camming surface 29a with the nose 30a at its end, engaged by the roller 25a of lever 22a, gives constant spring action on closing of the hinge to about 100 to 15" before the closed position, because of the arcuate path. Thereafter there is a continuous closing effect with a smooth transition into the retained position, and vice versa.

The configuration of the spring mechanism just described on the intermediate link 15a gives a wide-angle hinge which can be reduced to very small overall dimensions. The single-armed lever 22a requires relatively little space. Since the cam 28a is also a direct part of the door leaf hinge part 3b, the spring mechanism construction in the intermediate link 15a of the hinge can be kept extremely narrow. Consequently, the link mechanism itself of the hinge can be kept relatively short in respect of the quadruple articulation and the sliding crank principle (as best shown in Figure 4). The hinge is thus small and compact in its closed position. The mounting dimensions from the base surface on the door frame side to the top point of the link mechanism are relatively small. The result is a wide-angle hinge which is very compact and small, and this greatly promotes the compact appearance of the hinge in its closed position.

Since the dimensions of the parts projecting in the closed position of the hinge can be kept relatively short, this results in a wide-angle hinge in which the links of the link mechanism when the hinge is in the substantially half-open position, always overlap to such an extent-seen in side view-that only small intermediate spaces are left, and these prevent accidental insertion of the fingers. Such finger protection is advantageous not only on fitting but also during use, since it eliminates any danger of accidents. A closed form of hinge is also obtained during the stages from the opening of the hinge to its closing.

Claims

1. A wide-angle hinge comprising two hinge parts, one of which being for securing to a door frame and the other of which being for securing to a door leaf, there being two link arm members pivoted together at a common axis intermediate their ends and being for connecting said hinge parts together, one of the link arm members being connectable to a first of said hinge parts by means of an intermediate link which is mountable on said first hinge part and pivotally connectable to said one link arm member, there being a spring mechanism arranged on said intermediate link for holding the door leaf in a closed position and there being a cam component for mounting on said first hinge part, and, when the hinge is assembled, said spring mechanism is arranged to coact with said cam component to urge the hinge in a closing direction.

2. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring mechanism includes a two-armed lever which is pivotally mounted on the inside of said intermediate link, one arm of said lever being formed as a pivot arm which is brought into engagement with said cam component by said spring mechanism to act as a cam follower.

3. A hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein a roller is mounted on said pivot arm for engagement with said cam component.

4. A hinge as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein, when the hinge is assembled and is in its closed position, said lever or said roller is caused by said spring mechanism to bear against a nose of a cam of said cam component, said cam having an arcuate camming surface.

5. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cam component includes a stem so that it can be fitted in a hole in said first hinge part.

6. A hinge as claimed in claim 5, wherein said stem has a polygonal cross-section and said hole has a corresponding polygonal cross-section.

7. A hinge as claimed in claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 6 as appendent to claim 2, wherein the other arm of said lever has a bent-over extension which receives a helical compression spring which is arranged to bear between said lever and the inside of said intermediate link.

8. A hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring mechanism includes a single-armed lever which is pivotally mounted on the inside of said intermediate link, said lever being formed as a pivot arm which is brought into engagement with said cam component by said spring component to act as a cam follower.

9. A hinge as claimed in claim 8, wherein a roller is mounted on said pivot arm for engagement with said cam component.

10. A hinge as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein said cam component has a part-circular camming surface, the cehtre point of which forming a pivot for one end of said intermediate link.

11. A hinge as claimed in claim 10, wherein said intermediate link has a bearing boss to receive the pivot formed by said cam component.

12. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein said spring mechanism comprises a hairpin spring disposed on the pivot of said lever, said hairpin spring having an arm which is caused to bear against said intermediate link and having another arm which is caused to bear against said lever, these two spring arms bearing against their respective members in reaction to one another.

13. A hinge as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said cam component is integral with said first hinge part.

14. A hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first hinge part is for securing to a door leaf and wherein the second hinge part is for securing to a door frame.

1 5. A wide-angle hinge, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A wide-angle hinge substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

17. An article of furniture having a hinge as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.