ES2334200T3 - Invisible hinge - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved invisible hinge (10), especially for furniture or door panels, made of metal or other appropriate materials, comprising a pair of semi-shells (12-14), suitable for insertion into respective seats of a door or panel (48 ) and of a chimer (46), connected to each other in an articulated manner and provided with a cavity (16) or (18) in which a box (20) or (22) is arranged and bound, characterized in that each box (20 ) or (22) is provided, at two points, with means for regulating it in terms of exposure in relation to said cavity (16) or (18).

Description

Invisible hinge

The present invention relates to an invisible hinge.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an invisible hinge for doors and furniture panels, which allows a plurality of regulations while maintaining very limited overall dimensions.

As is known, the so-called invisible hinges are composed of two paired support bodies, connected to each other by articulated arms, respectively embedded in a profiled seat obtained in the door or panel on one side and in the relevant chinal on the other side. Such a solution allows the hinge to be imperceptible, being for that reason particularly appreciated since it does not create interruptions in the aesthetic linearity of the furniture panels or doors as a whole; at the same time, invisible hinges allow the opening movement required by panels or doors in the same way as traditional exposed hinges.

During the assembly of the known invisible hinges, that is, during · Ia. installation of doors and panels, regulation operations are necessary, for example in the height direction; With reference mainly to doors, this is to compensate for differences in level that may affect parts of the floor.

Regulations are also sometimes required in the horizontal direction, for alignment relative to the profile of the

. quicial, as well as in depth to obtain a perennial planarity of the 'door with respect to the quicial itself. To this end, the known invisible hinges are provided with means, normally composed of screws or pins that cooperate with an optional eccentric, which allow changing the arrangement or orientation of the hinge part contained in one and / or other of the bodies ' of support. However, these solutions are very complex at the construction level.

To make a regulation in the depth direction, that is, along an orthogonal axis with respect to the plane of attachment of the hinge to the chinal and to the door, a solution in which it moves angularly, climbs or moves lower a plate arranged between each of the support bodies and the corresponding hinge part inserted therebetween; however, this embodiment causes the screws that fix the support bodies to the door or the chimer to be loosened first and in any case it only allows adjustment with reference to one of said support bodies.

As a consequence, regulation may prove unsatisfactory, and even useless under certain conditions.

In fact, if the upper hinge is intervened and the support body embedded in the door is regulated in a negative direction, the result is that with the door closed, the outer edge facing the ground rises; This distance to the ground is also maintained when the door is opened. If, on the other hand, the same regulation is carried out on the support body embedded in the chimer, with the door closed the outer edge that faces the ground remains always elevated, but when opening the door the distance to the ground decreases, it is zero at 90 ° and even negative at 180 °.

In addition to these problems concerning the regulation in the direction of depth, the known invisible hinges have large overall dimensions, in particular with respect to the thickness or depth of the bodies themselves at the points by which the articulated arms that fold connect the bodies themselves; This considerably limits the possibilities of using such invisible hinges, particularly in structures made of materials other than wood and having a limited thickness.

An additional disadvantage found in the known invisible hinges is related to the fact that the support bodies and the parts located in the regulation means contained therein form a single unit that is coupled to the door and the chime during the installation of the door itself; therefore, it often happens that during the fixing of the support bodies in the cavities configured in the door and the chimer, the finished surfaces, sometimes lacquered, can splinter or scratch, which requires touch-ups that in many cases can be visible The problem also occurs if the door needs to be removed, for example to decorate the rooms or for more complex maintenance or renovation work; In these situations, it can also happen that the fixing screws inserted in the door or in the chimer are arranged in a very precise way in the existing holes, thus causing! an inefficient and inadequate seal over time.

US 1693004 discloses an invisible hinge, especially designed for panels or doors of furniture, made of metal or other appropriate materials, comprising a pair of boxes connected to each other in an articulated manner and arranged and bound in respective seats of a door or panel and a chimer, in which each box is provided in two media points for the regulation of the same in terms of exposure in relation to said door and chimer seats.

Document DE 202 13 155 U1 refers to a door hinge for a hidden assembly located between a door frame and the door hinge which discloses boxes arranged in semi-stakes.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate some of the problems mentioned above.

More particularly, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved invisible hinge to allow precise adjustments along multiple axes and in particular in the direction of depth.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hinge as defined above, in which such regulations keep the distances to the ground and the door's chord constant, whether in the closed condition,

or partially or totally open. Last but not least, another object of the invention is to provide users with a hinge

Improved invisible, appropriate to avoid the risk of splinters or scratches or aesthetic alterations of any kind on the finished surfaces during fixing to the door and to the chimer due to said fixation. A further object of the invention is to provide an appropriate improved invisible hinge to avoid the risk of

improper fixation of the same after the removal of the door in which it is applied. A further object of the invention is to provide users with an improved invisible hinge, suitable for

ensure a high level of resistance and reliability over time and that it is also easy and economical to build. These and other objects are still achieved by. the improved invisible hinge of this invention, specially designed

for panele! or furniture doors as claimed in claims 1 and 2; The construction and functional characteristics of the improved invisible hinge of this invention are

they will understand better from the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the drawings Attachments showing a preferred and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the improved invisible hinge of the present invention in the

open condition;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a longitudinal section along the line B-B of Figure 1 of a half of the same hinge; Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along line A-A of Figure 1 of the

same hinge; Figure 4 shows a schematic top perspective view of the same hinge in the open condition; Figure 5 shows a schematic top perspective view of the same hinge in the open condition and

rotated 1800 with respect to the previous figure;

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the invisible hinge of the present invention in the condition of partial coupling with the door and with the corresponding chicial; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of one of the support bodies of the same hinge; Figure 8 shows an exploded schematic view of the same hinge; Figure 9 shows an additional exploded schematic perspective view of the same hinge, in which

some components are arranged aligned for assembly;

Figure 10 shows an exploded schematic view of the improved invisible hinge of the present invention of according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 11 shows a schematic top perspective view of the invisible hinge according to Figure

10;

Figure 12 shows a schematic top perspective view of the same hinge, rotated 1800 with respect to figure 11; Figure 13 shows a schematic front view of the same hinge in the open condition; Figure 14 shows a schematic view in longitudinal section along the line A-A of Figure 13 of a

half of the same hinge;

Figure 15 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the S-S line of Figure 13 of the same hinge;

Figure 16 shows a partial enlargement of section A-A of the hinge of Figure 14;

Figure 17 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the E-E line of Figure 13 of the same hinge;

Figure 18 shows a schematic perspective view of the same hinge in the condition of partial coupling with the door and with the corresponding chimer.

With reference to the preceding figures, the improved invisible hinge of the present invention, indicated globally with the number 10 in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a pair of semiconchas 12, 14 of metal or other appropriate material that make up the appropriate support bodies for its insertion and fixation in the cavities obtained respectively in the door and in the chimer. Each of the two semi-shells 12, 14 defines a rectangular flat body, with rounded ends corresponding to the smaller sides, centrally provided with a cavity 16, 18, open in one of the front parts and suitable for receiving respective bodies or anchor boxes 20, 22. The 'boxes 20, 22 comprise a part of the hinge adjustment means' and centrally, they receive the appropriate elements for the articulated connection of the semi-shells 12, 14 which will be described below. The central cavities 16 and 18 extend in opposite directions and form as many raised areas with respect to the base of the cavities themselves and sunk with respect to the upper front part of the semi shells 12, 14; said zones are indicated with the number 24 in relation to the semi-shell 14 and with the number 26 in relation to the semi-shell 12. In each of the 'zones 24 and 26 two threaded holes 28, 30 are aligned, aligned along of the longitudinal axis of semiconchas 12 and 14; the holes 30, that is, for example, those that are close to each other, are made in a preferably inclined part of the previous zones 24, 26 and receive so many other screws 32, 34, respectively suitable for fixing the boxes 20 and 22 in the semiconchas themselves. The holes 28 of the same zones 24 and 26, visible in Figure 8, are by way of example, those whose distance between the axes thereof is greater and receive as many screws 36 as possible to make one of the hinge regulations 10. Such regulation corresponds to that referring to depth, that is, along the axis indicated with "X" in Figure 6 and refers to the exposure or retraction of boxes 20 and 22 with respect to to the respective semi-shells, starting from an initial condition of planarity between said components.

Screws 36, for example of the Allen type, may be screwed deeper or deeper into the threaded holes 28 of the raised areas 24, 26, such as to align with the zones themselves or so that they protrude with respect thereto. In the first case, the depth regulation of the boxes 20, 22 is zero, which means that they are perfectly flat with respect to the exposed front part of the semiconchas 12, 14, or even negative, which means that said boxes are embedded, to a limited degree, within the semi-shells themselves; in the second case, the projection of the screws 36 with respect to the raised areas 24, 26 causes the boxes to be exposed, to a greater or lesser extent, with respect to said semi-shells; preferably, the exposure of the screws 36 is possible to a degree between 1.0 and 5.0 mm and of course it is preceded by the loosening of the screws 32 and 34 that fix the boxes 20 and 22 to the respective semi-shells and by the subsequent blocking of them. To allow such regulation, the ends of the boxes 20, 22 that border the screws 36 are provided with slots 38 or slots 40 through which a maneuver key or other appropriate means can pass. The head of the screws 36, if exposed with respect to the plane defined by the raised areas 24, 26, is sufficiently extended to create a suitable bearing surface for the boxes 20, 22. The opposite ends of the semi shells 12, 14 are traditionally provided with through holes 42 for conventional screws 44 for fixing the semi-shells 12, 14 inside the chimer and the door or panel; Figure 6 shows the quicial with the number 46 and the door or panel with the number 48.

The hinge 10 of the present invention makes it possible to carry out additional regulations in the direction of height and width. In particular, the box 20 of the semi-shell 12 can move laterally, towards the semi-shell itself, in accordance with the direction indicated by the "Y" axis in Figure 6, while the box 22 of the semi-shell 14 can move in the vertical direction, towards the semiconcha itself, in the direction indicated by the "z" axis of the same figure 6. To this end, the boxes 20 and 22 have a smaller dimension of width and height than that formed by the sum of the cavities 16, 18 and of the raised areas 24, 26 of the semi-shells 12, 14; additionally, the screws 32 and 34 that fix the boxes 12, 14 to said semi-shells are inserted in grooves 32 'with horizontal development and in some Slots 34 'with vertical development, obtained in the boxes themselves, as outlined in Figure 5.

The possibility of movement across the width or height of the boxes 20 and 22 with respect to the semi-shells 12 and 14 is preferably between 1.5 and 4.5 mm and the spaces determined by the smaller size of the boxes 12, 14 with respect to the cavities 16, 18 And with respect to the 'Enhanced Zones 24,26 are indicated with S1 in relation to the possibility of movement of the box 20 along the axis "Y · and with S2 in relation to the possibility of movement of the box 22 along the axis "l", in figures 1, 4 and 5. To carry out such regulations, once the semi-shells 12, 14 have been fixed inside the seats of the chicial 46 and of the door 48 by means of the screws 44, it is enough to loosen the screws 32 or 34 that fix the boxes 20, 22 to the semi-shells 12, 14, move one or the other of said boxes laterally (Y axis) or vertically (l axis ) and once the desired position has been reached, tighten the screws themselves.

All the values indicated above, for the regulation of both width and height and for the position in relation to the greater or lesser pressure of the boxes 20,22 with respect to the semi-shells 12, 14, are merely approximate and refer to an invisible hinge 10 usable in a door 48 with the corresponding chicial 46; in the case of panels or doors of furniture of considerable dimensions and / or weight, in which the same dimensions of the invisible hinge 10 are or may be smaller or larger, such values will vary, decrease

or will increase correspondingly, according to the various requirements and based on the specific applications.

Thanks to the possibility of regulation along the three axes "X", "Y 'Y" l ·, the improved hinged hinge of the present invention can compensate for differences in level that sometimes affect the ground and poor alignments in height and in width between the door and the chicial.

Figures 1 or 18 refer to an alternative embodiment of the improved invisible biSagra of this invention. The same numerical references of the previous figures are used in said figures for common parts or components. The adjustment means along the "X · axis, in the embodiment described above, consist of screws (36) that can be tightened to greater or lesser depth in the screw holes (28), of screws

., additional (32) and (34) that first loosen and then lock to allow such regulation, thus eats in slits (38) or grooves (40) through which an appropriate operating key is inserted. In the embodiment of Figures 10 to 18, on the other hand, the means for regulating the depth, that is, along the "X" axis, of the invisible invisible hinge in accordance with this invention, consist of a single element. , indicated globally with the number (80) in figure 10. The element (80), which is present in two units in each of the boxes (20) and (22) is a screw consisting of a rod divided in two overlapping threaded portions, lower (82) and upper (84), separated from each other by an integral conical washer (86). Said conical washer 86 allows a larger support section than the boxes 20, 22. Each element (80) is suitable for screwing, by the respective lower threaded portion (82), into holes (28) of the semi-shells (12) and (14) crossing the grooves (32 '), (34') made in the boxes (20), (22), similar to the solution described above. The upper threaded portion (84) of each element (80) is suitable to receive a nut (88) by screwing, associated with an optional washer (90), suitable for making contact with the respective boxes 20, 22. Additionally, the portion Upper thread (84) of each element (80) is provided with a profiled head hole (92), developed axially to a limited degree which, by way of example, is between 1.5 and 4.0 mm. Said profiled hole, usually hexagonal in shape, is suitable for receiving a maneuvering key for screwing and releasing the lower portion (82) of each element (80) of the respective hole (28) of the half-shells (12), (14), after removing or simply partially releasing the nut (88) screwed to the upper portion (84) of the same element (80). In this way, the regulation along the "X · axis is obtained, eliminating the need for holes (30) created along the inclined parts (24), (26) of the semi-shells (12) and (14) Y also removing the screws (32), (34) Additionally, the grooves (38) and the grooves (40) are also removed, with a consequent considerable reinforcement of the boxes (20) and (22).

As can be seen from the foregoing, the advantages obtained by the invention are clear.

The improved invisible hinge of this invention allows easy and complete adjustments along the three axes, that is, in the direction of width (Y axis), height (Z axis) and depth (X axis); In the latter case, the regulation is dual, that is, it is carried out in both semi-shells 12, 14 to keep the distance between the floor and the door constant, regardless of the opening angle of the door itself.

Claims (6)

1.-An invisible hinge (10) especially for furniture or door panels, made of metal or other appropriate materials, comprising a pair of semi-shells (12-14), suitable for insertion into respective seats of a door or panel ( 48) and of a chimer (46), connected to each other in an articulated manner and each provided with a cavity (16, 18) in which a box (20, 22) of the hinge and appropriate is arranged and bound to receive the elements of said articulated connection, each box (20, 22) being provided in two media points (36, 80) for the regulation thereof in terms of exposure in relation to said cavity (16,18), characterized in that the cavities (16, 18) are made centrally in the semi-shells (12, 14) and extend in opposite directions forming as many raised areas (24, 26) and because said regulation means comprise respective screws (36) arranged in threaded holes (28) of said raised areas (24, 26) formed in the semi-shells (12, 14), said screws (36) being adjacent to the base of the boxes (20, 22), the ends of which are provided the latter, in the parts that exceed the screws (36), with grooves (38) or grooves (40), said raised areas (24, 26) being provided with additional threaded holes (30) in which screws (32) are arranged , 34) to fix said boxes (20, 22) within the semi-shells themselves (12, 14). 2.-An invisible hinge (10) specially designed for panels of doors or doors, made of metal or other appropriate materials, comprising a pair of semi-shells (12, 14), suitable for insertion into respective seats of a door or panel (48) and a chord (46), 'connected to each other in an articulated manner and each provided with a cavity (16, 18) in which a box (20, 22) of the hinge and eS appropriate to receive the elements of said articulated connection, each box (20, 22) being provided, at two points, with means (36, 80) for the regulation thereof with respect to the exposure in relation to said cavity (16, 18), characterized in that the cavities (16, 18) received by the boxes (20,22) are made centrally within the semi-shells (12, 14) and extend in opposite directions forming respective raised areas (26) , each of which is provided with a threaded hole (28) in the that an element (80) is screwed, composed of a rod divided into two overlapping threaded portions (82) and upper (84), separated from each other by an integral conical washer (86), said lower part (82) being screwed in said threaded holes (28), said conical washer (86) adjoining the base of the boxes (20, 22), the ends of the latter being provided, in the parts that exceed the conical washer (86), with grooves (32 ', 34'). 3. The hinge according to claim 1 characterized in that said cavities (16, 18) extend in opposite directions forming as many raised areas (24, 6), provided with said threaded holes (28) and with additional holes (30 ) in which screws (32, 34) are arranged to fix said boxes (20, 22) within the semi-shells themselves. 4. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that a first of said boxes (20, 22) has a smaller width, the second of said boxes (20, 22) has a height dimension smaller than that of the cavities ( 16, 18) And of the zones (24, 26) of the semi-shells (12, 14) And because said first box (20) is fixed to one of the semi-shells (12, 14) with screws (32), said screws being inserted (32) in grooves (32 ') obtained in said first box (20) with horizontal development, said second box (22) is fixed to the other of the semi-shells (12, 14) with screws (34), said screws ( 34) in grooves (34 ') obtained in said second box (22) with vertical development. 5. The hinge according to claim 2 characterized in that on the upper threaded part (84) of each element (80) a nut (88) is threaded, associated with a washer (90) that borders the conical washer (86). ) from above. 6. The hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that said upper threaded part (84) of each element (80) is provided with an axial hole with the profiled head (92), suitable for receiving a driving key for screwing and loosen the lower part (82) of the elements (80) of the respective threaded holes (28).