GB2208527A

GB2208527A - Hinge mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2208527A
Application number: GB8818782A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vera Luis Lopez
Original assignee: Balay SA
Current assignee: BSH Balay SA
Priority date: 1987-08-07
Filing date: 1988-08-08
Publication date: 1989-04-05
Also published as: DE3826750A1; ES2008727A6; FR2619001A1; GB8818782D0

Description

f 1 HINGE MECHANISM 2208527 This invention relates to hinge mechanisms,

and in particular but not exclusively, to hinge mechanisms for moveably attaching panels to the door of electrical appliances, for example a dishwasher.

In the past, the placement of electrical appliances within fitted units, in particular the kitchen, has posed a difficulty in that there results a discontinuity in the appearance in the row of fitted units owing to differences in appearance of the appliance. In particular, the physical dimensions and door of the appliance may not conform with that of the rest of the fitted units.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome this difficulty by providing a mechanism for attaching a matching panel to a door of the appliance so that the aesthetic appearance of the appliance within the fitted unit can be improved.

Another difficulty with conventional appliances is that the controls thereon may not be positioned at an appropriate height for the unit into which the appliance is to be fitted.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an appliance which overcomes this difficulty.

9 1 2 According to the present invention there is provided a hinge mechanism for attaching a panel to an appliance, the device comprising a hinge mechanism having a pair of hinges for attachment to the panel at spaced apart points on the panel, wherein each hinge is coupled to one another via a linkage configured for pivotal attachment to the appliance, the mechanism being arranged so that an opening force applied to one of the hinges is transmitted by the linkage to the other hinge thereby opening the other hinge.

The linkage may comprise an elongate member and a pair of angled members, which elongate member is coupled at each end to a different hinge by one of the angled members, one arm of respective angled members being pivotally connected to a respective end of the elongate member, the other arm of each angled member being pivotally connected to a different hinge.

Either or both of the said other arms of respective angled members are arranged for pivotal coupling to the appliance.

Alternatively, the hinge mechanism may be pivotally connected to the appliance at either one or both ends of the elongate member.

The hinge mechanism preferably has a configuration which corresponds substantially to that of a parallelogram wherein adjacent sides at one corner of the parallelogram can be defined by the elongate member n f 1 3 and an arm of one of the hinges. and at a diagonally opposite corner thereof adjacent sides being defined by an arm of the other hinge and the panel.

Bias means may be provided in one or both of the hinges or in association with one or both of the angled members. for urging them towards a closed position against the action of the opening force.

The hinge mechanism as defined above may be incorporated in an appliance. for example a kitchen appliance such as a dishwasher.

In such appliances. the hinge mechanism may be used to attach a panel. which matches adjacent furniture. to a door of the appliance, wherein the mechanism is arranged for urging the panel to lie against the door when closed. and is operative for urging the panel to move outwardly with respect to the door and laterally in a plane parallel to the door during opening thereof so that the panel moves to avoid obstructing opening of the door.

The appliance may be provided with a control panel. the position of which on the door of the appliance may be adjustable.

A lower panel or plinth may be provided at the base of the appliance beneath and rearwardly of the panel. The plinth is preferably adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the panel.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that they allow for matching panels to he attached to the 4 door of appliances while maintaining the ability of the door to be opened without obstruction between parts of the appliance and the panel.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which light reference numerals designate like elements, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of an appliance door to which an unadjustable panel is attached, and beneath which a lower panel and base plinth is unadjustably af f ixed; Figure 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention, in which a panel is movably attached to a door of an appliance; Figure 3 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention when in an open position; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of a lower panel which may be applied to embodiments of the invention.

In Figure 1. a baseboard or plinth 11 is secured at fixed position to the base of an appliance by means of pin 10 which makes contact with a back wall. A lower panel is non-movably supported by the baseboard 11.

A panel 20 is fixed to a door 15 of the appliance, there being no relative movement between the panel and the door during opening thereof. The lower panel 8 and panel 20 are separated in order to enable opening of the door 15 without obstruction.

i Above the panel 20 there is provided a control panel 22 having a decorative facia 23 and an operating knob 29.

Figure 2 shows a hinge mechanism embodying the present invention used movably to attach a panel 9 to the door 15 of the appliance. As illustrated in Figure 2, the panel 9 is of wood and may be chosen to match surrounding furniture. The height of the panel 9 is such as to be equivalent to the total height of the panel 20 and the lower panel 8 of Figure 1. In spite of the continuous nature of the panel 9. the door 15 can be opened without the lower portion of the panel 9 obtructing against any part of the appliance.

The panel 9 is attached to the door 15 by means of a hinge mechanism which comprises first and second hinges 16 and 17 affixed to the panel 9 via a plate 3 at spaced apart points. Each of the hinges 16 and 17 is coupled to one another via a Linkage mechanism which comprises an elongate member or connecting rod 5 pivotally coupled at each end to an angled member 6.

The arm of the hinge 16 not affixed to the plate 3 is connected to one arm of the angled member 6. which arm is pivotal about an axle 31. The other arm of this angled member is pivotally connected to the elongate member via an axle 13.

The other end of the connecting rod 5 is coupled to one arm of the other angled member 6 by an axle 25. The other arm of the other angled member 6 is pivotally 1 6 coupled to the arm of the hinge 17 not affixed to the plate 3 by means of an axle 32.

_The hinge mechanism is pivotally coupled to the door 15 of the appliance by one or both of the axles 31 and 32. Conceivably. as an alternative. the hinge mechanism could be coupled to the door by one or both of the axles 13 and 25.

The door 15 is rotatably fixed to the rest of the appliance (not shown) by means of a hinge 14 which is counter-balanced by a spring 26.

The base of the appliance has a baseboard or plinth 12 which is affixed by means of bolts 27 to a support 1. The support 1 comprises a guide or slot 2 mounted on a pivot for enabling the plinth 12 to be adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the door 15 or panel 9.

Bias means or spring 30 is provided on the upper angled member 6 so that the mechanism tends to lie or rest in the position illustrated in Figure 2.

A control panel 7 is provided on the upper portion of the door 15 and comprises a decorative facia 24. Four webs or fins 21 are provided between the control panel 7 and the panel 9, the webs being variable in number thereby allowing for adjustment of the height of the control panel 7 in relation to the panel 9.

A cavity is provided in the door 15 for accommodating the hinge mechanism when in the rest il 1 1 h 7 position. In the rest position, the panel 9 rests against a face 19 of the door 15.

When it is desired to open the door 15 of the appliance. the user can urge the uppermost portion of the control panel or door away from the appliance by means of a handle (not shown). This action will cause a chock 4 mounted on the lower portion of the panel 9 to butt against the baseboard or plinth 12 whereby the lower portion of the panel 9 will tend to move outwardly away from the door 15. This action will impart an opening force on the hinge 16 which in turn will impart a rotational action on the lower angled member 6. This action will be transmitted via the linkage. in particular the connecting rod 5. to the upper angled member 6 which force would be transmitted to open the hinge 17.

This will tend to urge the upper portion of the panel outwardly away from the door 15.

This movement of the panel 9 away from the door 15 will permit further opening of the door without obstruction occurring between the lower portion of the panel 9 and the plinth 12. Further opening of the door 15. and consequent expansion of the hinge mechanism will tend to urge the panel 9 upwardly in relation to the door 15, hence further reducing the possibility of obstruction between the panel 9 and the baseboard 12.

i 8 During the open position. the configuration of hinge mechanism corresponds substantially to that of a parallelogram- As the door 15 is closed. the spring 30 will tend to draw the panel 9 towards the door 15 as the linkage mechanism closes towards the configuration illustrated in Figure 2.

In order to assist adjustment of the appliance, the lateral position of the baseboard 12 can be adjusted by sliding the pivot through the guide 2.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in the partly opened position.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising a lower pa. nel 18 having webs 28 for enabling adjustment of the height of the lower panel 18 with respect to the plinth 12. This adjustable arrangement allows for a lower panel to be affixed to conventional appliances as well as to those accommodating hinge mechanisms of the invention.

cl 1 9

Claims

1. A hinge mechanism for attaching a panel to an appliance, the device comprising a hinge mechanism having a pair of hinges for attachment to the panel at spaced apart points on the panel, wherein each hinge is coupled to one another via a linkage configured for pivotal attachment to the appliance, the mechanism being arranged so that an opening force applied to one of the hinges is transmitted by the linkage to the other hinge thereby opening the other hinge.

2. A hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises an elongate member and a pair of angled members, the elongate member being coupled at each end to a different hinge by one of the angled members, one arm of respective angled members being pivotally connected to a respective end ot the elongate member, the other arm of each angled member being pivotally connected to a different hinge.

3. A hinge mechanism according to claim 2 wherein either one or both of said other arms of respective angled members are arranged for pivotal coupling to the appliance.

4. A hinge mechanism according to claim 2, wherein either one or both of the pivotal connections between the one arm of the angled members and the elongate member is arranged for pivotal coupling to the appliance.

5. A hinge mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims. wherein bais means is provided in one or both of the hinges. or in association with one or both of the angled members, for urging the panel towards a closed position against the action of the opening force.

6. A hinge mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims. which when in the open position. has a configuration which corresponds substantially to that of a parallelogram wherein adjacent sides at one corner of the parallelogram are defined by the elongate member and an arm of one of the hinges. and at a diagonally opposite corner thereof adjacent sides are defined by an arm of the other hinge and the panel.

7. An appliance comprising a hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. An appliance accQrding to claim 7, wherein the hinge mechanism attaches the panel to an openable door of the appliance. the hinge mechanism-being operative for urging the panel to lie against the door when closed, and operative for urging the panel to move outwardly from the door and laterally in a plane parallel to the door during opening of the door so that the panel moves to avoid obstructing opening of the door.

9. An appliance according to claim 7 or claim 8 comprising a control panel and a lower panel positioned beneath the door of the appliance, wherein the position of the control panel on the door is 1 adjustable. and the position of the lower panel is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the door.

10. A hinge mechanism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

11. An appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

Published 1985 at The Patent Office. State HoL:sE. 66 1-' h..' Ho!bcrn. London WCIR 4TP Further copies may be obtains,, from The Patent Office Sales Branch, St Mary Cray. Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techraques Rd, St Mary Crkv. Kent. Con. 1 87.