Adjustable base for mounting hinge for furniture

Abstract

An adjustable base (1) for mounting a hinge for furniture, comprising: a fixing element (2) that can be associated with a part of the furniture; a support element (3), which can be associated with at least one component of the hinge (100); guide means (3) for guiding the sliding of the support element (3) relative to the fixing element (2) in the longitudinal direction (L); and means (5) for actuating the sliding of the support element (3) relative to the fixed element (2) in the longitudinal direction (L); the guide device (4) comprises at least one concave element (6) associated with one of the fixed element (2) and the support element (3) or at least one convex element (7) associated with the other of the fixed element (2) and the support element (3), the at least one concave element (6) and the at least one convex element (7) being coupled together, therefore, they can slide relative to each other along the longitudinal direction (L).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable base for mounting furniture hinges.

[0002] Specifically but not exclusively, in the furniture industry, "snap-action" hinges are known, which basically consist of a system of articulated rods with associated springs, which allow a door panel that can swing relative to a fixed structure of the furniture to move between a closed configuration and an open configuration. Such hinges usually have perforated coupling elements for mounting inside the door leaf and inside the structure of the furniture using threaded elements or the like.

[0003] Holes are provided in the door leaf and in the furniture structure, and the distribution of these holes matches the distribution of the holes of the coupling elements of the hinge to be mounted by inserting threaded fixing elements.

[0004] To allow the hinge to be adjustable in position relative to the door leaf and / or relative to the furniture structure, it is known to provide the coupling element with a slotted opening into which the rod of the threaded element is inserted so as to pass through with play, thus allowing the hinge to be located in different positions in order to compensate for any geometric and dimensional tolerances in the production or assembly of the furniture components.

[0005] However, this solution is rather impractical during the assembly step, because the operator has to try and continue until he or she confirms the optimal position of the hinge, loosening and re-tightening the threaded element each time, with a significant prolongation of the labor time and a consequent increase in the labor costs incurred, as well as the risk of obtaining an assembly configuration that is still not optimal in any case.

[0006] Alternatively, hinges with an attachment base incorporating an adjustment system are known.

[0007] For example, a solution is known that provides a base for attachment to the structure of the furniture, the base consisting of the following elements: a fixing element adapted to be connected to the furniture; and a support element for the articulated rod of the hinge, the support element being associated such that it can slide longitudinally relative to the fixing element, and an eccentric actuation assembly for actuating the relative sliding being inserted between the support element and the fixing element.

[0008] To guide the sliding of the support element relative to the fixing element, there may be a form fit between these elements, or the support element may have a plurality of wings along its longitudinal edges facing each other, which wings are folded to surround the corresponding sides of the fixing element that serve as guides.

[0009] Furthermore, the sliding actuation assembly usually has an actuation head that can be operated by a tool and is positioned transversely with respect to the longitudinal central plane of the hinge.

[0010] These traditional adjustment systems are not without drawbacks. One of them is that their structure is rather complex because the corresponding components have complex shaped structures, which makes the manufacturing and assembly of the components very complicated.

[0011] Furthermore, the fact that the actuating head of the actuating assembly is laterally positioned may cause the support element to get stuck on the anchoring element during movement, thereby restricting the relative sliding ability and causing the adjustment system to malfunction.

[0012] In addition, in some applications, the lateral positioning of the actuating head makes it difficult to access.

[0013] Last but not least, conventional adjustment systems result in an overall increase in the volume of the hinge and a significant change in its external shape, thus making their installation more complicated.

[0014] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks in the background art by providing an adjustable base for mounting a furniture hinge, which provides a structure that is both easy to manufacture and easy to assemble.

[0015] Within this object, the aim of the present invention is to enable simple and reliable adjustment during the step of mounting the hinge on the furniture.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to be able to adapt the adjustable base to different types of hinges and to be able to apply the adjustable base to the door leaf and the fixed structure of the furniture.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to make it compact so as not to significantly change the overall volume and profile of the hinge incorporating the adjustable base, thus not complicating its installation.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure that is simple and practical to implement, safe to use and effective in operation, and low in cost.

[0019] This object and all these and other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are all achieved by an adjustable base for mounting a furniture hinge according to the following main and independent claim 1, and the base is optionally provided with one or more features stated in the subsequent dependent claims.

[0020] This object and these and other objects are equally achieved by a furniture hinge incorporating the base according to the present invention.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of two preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the adjustable base for mounting a furniture hinge shown in the drawings for the purpose of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 Is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjustable base for mounting a furniture hinge according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 Is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the adjustable base according to the present invention in an assembled configuration;

[0024] Figure 3 Is Figure 2 A perspective view of the base of the hinge applied in mounted between a door leaf and a furniture structure in a first operating configuration;

[0025] Figure 4 Is Figure 3 A bottom view of the base of ;

[0026] Figure 5 Is Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional side view of a part of the hinge at the base according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 Is Figure 4 A view of the base of in which the base according to the present invention is in a second operating configuration;

[0028] Figure 7 Is Figure 5 A view of the hinge in in which the base according to the present invention is in a second operating configuration;

[0029] Figure 8 Is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjustable base for mounting a furniture hinge according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 Is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the adjustable base according to the present invention in an assembled configuration;

[0031] Figure 10 Is a plan view of the second embodiment of the base according to the present invention.

[0032] Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 generally denotes an adjustable base for mounting a furniture hinge.

[0033] The base 1 includes: a fixing element 2 which can be associated with a part of the furniture; a support element 3 which can be associated with at least one part of the hinge; a guiding device 4 for guiding the sliding of the support element 3 relative to the fixing element 2 along a longitudinal direction L; and an actuating device 5 for actuating the sliding of the support element 3 relative to the fixing element 2 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0034] Preferably, the actuating device 5 enables the support element 3 to move relative to the fixed element 2 by alternately sliding along the longitudinal direction L.

[0035] The adjustment of the relative position of the fixed element 2 and the support element 3 along the longitudinal direction L makes it possible to vary the relative position of the plurality of components of the furniture connected by hinges that are joined to the base 1.

[0036] The guiding device 4 includes at least one concave element 6 associated with one of the fixed element 2 and the support element 3 or at least one convex element 7 associated with the other of the fixed element 2 and the support element 3. The at least one concave element 6 and the at least one convex element 7 are joined together such that they can slide relative to each other along the longitudinal direction L.

[0037] The fixed element 2 is generally provided with a plurality of holes or openings 13 for inserting elements for connection to components of the furniture.

[0038] In use, the base 1 is incorporated in a conventional hinge 100 which includes a first articulated quadrilateral structure 101 and a second articulated quadrilateral structure 103. The first articulated quadrilateral structure is provided with a first coupling element 102 which can be associated with a first component C1 of the furniture, and the second articulated quadrilateral structure 103 is provided with a second coupling element 104 which can be associated with a second component C2 of the furniture. The hinge 100 is adapted to alternately assume an open configuration and a closed configuration in which at least one of the components C1 and C2 assumes a different position relative to the other. One or both of the coupling elements 102 and / or 104 can include the base 1 as described below.

[0039] By way of example, in Figures 3 to 7 a hinge 100 is shown in which the first coupling element 102 is connected to a first fixed component C1 of the furniture (for example, a wall of the structure of the furniture), the second coupling element 104 is connected to a second movable element C2 of the same furniture (for example, a door leaf or a door), and in which the base 1 is associated with the first coupling element 102, but alternative embodiments are not excluded.

[0040] The hinge 100 is generally provided with elastic means associated with the articulated quadrilateral structures 101 and 103 which cooperate when moving between the open configuration and the closed configuration, and the hinge can include damping means which act when the hinge closes and / or opens. These means are conventional and are therefore not shown and described in detail.

[0041] Furthermore, the base 1 can include sliding reference means 8 along the longitudinal direction L which are interposed between the fixed element 2 and the support element 3.

[0042] This reference device 8 helps to maintain the alignment of the fixing element 2 and the support element 3 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0043] Advantageously, the actuating device 5 is arranged at one end of the base 1 along the longitudinal direction L so as to be easily accessible during use.

[0044] Furthermore, the actuating device 5 includes an eccentric pin 9 which is rotatably engaged in a seat 10 associated with one of the fixing element 2 and the support element 3, and the eccentric pin is received such that it can move within a slot 11 which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction L and which is associated with the other of the fixing element 2 and the support element 3.

[0045] The seat 10 and the slot 11 are defined at the midpoints of the fixing element 2 and the support element 3. The seat 10 and the slot 11 are defined at the longitudinal ends of the base 1.

[0046] The eccentric pin 9 includes a cylindrical rod 9a which is rotatably engaged in the seat 10 and a circular head 9b which is offset relative to the rod and which can move within the transverse slot 11.

[0047] Conveniently, the circular head 9b presents a minimum protrusion outside the slot 11 so as not to interfere with the components of the hinge 100 in both the open configuration and the closed configuration during use.

[0048] The slot 11 has dimensions in the longitudinal direction which are substantially consistent with the diameter of the circular head 9b, while it has a greater transverse extension.

[0049] The circular head 9b abuts against diametrically opposite portions of the perimeter of the slot 11 ( Figure 4 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 10 ), thereby actuating the sliding of the support element 3 relative to the fixing element 2. Relative to the slot 11, the eccentric pin 9 can move between a first operating position and a second operating position ( Figure 4 and Figure 6 ), which first and second operating positions correspond to different relative positions of the fixing element 2 and the support element 3 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0050] The eccentric pin 9 includes drive means 12 for actuating rotation relative to the seat 10. Such drive means 12 can include a coupling seat which can be associated with a tool for rotatably actuating the eccentric pin 9.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive means 12 consists of a cross-notch defined in the circular head 9b of the eccentric pin 9 for insertion of a flat-head screwdriver etc., but they can also have a linear notch or a hexagonal socket for coupling with different tools for rotationally actuating the pin.

[0052] By varying the angular configuration of the eccentric pin 9, the relative position of the support element 3 with respect to the fixed element 2 can be varied. When the base 1 is incorporated in the hinge 100, by means of such adjustment, the position of the hinge with respect to the fixed element 2 can be varied and, consequently, the position of the furniture parts C1 and C2 (between which the hinge is mounted) can be varied.

[0053] In a first embodiment, at least one concave element 6 is associated with the fixed element 2 and at least one convex element 7 is associated with the support element 3.

[0054] In this case, at least one convex element 7 can be moved by sliding it alternately along the longitudinal direction L with respect to at least one concave element 6.

[0055] Figures 1 to 7 A first embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0056] Preferably, at least one concave element 6 consists of a groove 14 defined in the fixed element 2. Such a groove 14 has an elongated shape and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0057] In the present specification, the term "substantially" means "apart from the normal tolerances in the machining and assembly of the component parts".

[0058] More particularly, the fixed element 2 comprises two side wings 2a which are substantially coplanar with each other and between which a raised portion 2b is inserted. The fixed element 2 can be made, for example, of formed sheet metal. At least one groove 14 is defined at the raised portion 2b. Holes or openings 13 are distributed at the side wings 2a.

[0059] The support element 3 comprises a plate 15 which is associated with at least one shoulder 16 for supporting at least one component of the hinge 100, the at least one shoulder defining at least one convex element 7.

[0060] At least one shoulder 16 extends substantially perpendicular to the plate 15 and parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0061] The support element 3 can be made of formed and folded metal.

[0062] Preferably, the support element 3 comprises two shoulders 16 which are spaced apart from each other and substantially parallel and which are arranged on opposite sides of the plate 15.

[0063] Each shoulder 16 can be provided with a plurality of holes 20 which are aligned in pairs transversely to the longitudinal direction for the introduction of a respective pin 17 which is articulated / connected to the base 1 of a component of the hinge 100.

[0064] The guiding device 4 thus comprises two convex elements 7 and two concave elements 6, each convex element being delimited by a respective shoulder 16 and each concave element being delimited by a respective groove 14. Each shoulder 16 is inserted such that each shoulder can slide along the respective groove 14.

[0065] The two grooves 14 are arranged spaced apart from each other and are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0066] The grooves 14 have a greater longitudinal extent than the shoulders 16.

[0067] In the assembled configuration ( Figure 2 ), the plate 15 is received between the lateral wings 2a and the raised portion 2b of the fixed element 2.

[0068] In this case, the seat 10 is delimited in the plate 15 and the groove 11 is delimited in the raised portion 2b.

[0069] The reference device 8 may comprise, for example, at least one pin 18 which projects from the plate 15 towards the raised portion 2b and is coupled such that the at least one pin can slide along the longitudinal direction L and along an elongated opening 19 delimited in the raised portion. Preferably, the reference device 8 comprises two pins 18 which are inserted such that they can slide along the respective openings 19.

[0070] In a second embodiment, at least one concave element 6 is associated with the support element 3 and at least one convex element 7 is associated with the fixed element 2.

[0071] In this case, the at least one concave element 6 can be moved by sliding alternately along the longitudinal direction L relative to the at least one convex element 7.

[0072] Figures 8 to 10 A possible implementation of the second embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0073] The at least one concave element 6 comprises a window 21 delimited in the support element 3. Such a window 21 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0074] Also in this case, the support element 3 comprises a plate 22 having an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction L, the plate having two shoulders 23 which are arranged on opposite sides of the plate and are substantially at right angles to the plate, and the two shoulders are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L. At least one window 21 is delimited at the plate 22.

[0075] Each shoulder 23 may be provided with a plurality of holes 24 which are laterally aligned in pairs in the transverse direction to the longitudinal direction for introducing a respective pin 25 for hinging / connecting to the base 1 of the component of the hinge 100.

[0076] The support element 3 can be made of formed and folded sheet metal.

[0077] The fixing element 2 includes at least one tooth 26 that projects towards the support element 3 and defines at least one convex element 7.

[0078] The fixing element 2 has a substantially plate-like shape.

[0079] The tooth 26 can be defined by a folded portion of the sheet forming the fixing element 2, which is die-cut and folded to be inserted through the window 21.

[0080] After assembly, the tooth 26 has a curved shape, i.e., it is folded towards the plate 22.

[0081] Preferably, the guiding means 4 includes: two concave elements 6 constituted by respective windows 21 defined in the plate 22 that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction L; and two convex elements 7 defined by respective teeth 26 projecting from the fixing element 2. Each tooth 26 is inserted along the respective window 21 such that the support element 3 containing these windows can move relative to the fixing element 2 along the longitudinal direction L.

[0082] In this case, a seat 10 is defined in the fixing element 2 and a groove 11 is defined in the plate 15.

[0083] The reference means 8 can include, for example, a pair of wings 27 die-cut in the fixing element 2 and folded onto the edge of the plate 22.

[0084] In practice, it has been found that the base according to the invention as described achieves the intended purposes and objectives, and specifically, the following fact is noted: the base according to the invention has components that are easy to manufacture and assemble, and the base enables reliable adjustment of the hinge to be easily carried out during the assembly process.

[0085] Furthermore, the base according to the invention can be easily adapted to many different types of hinges with a minimum of structural fittings.

[0086] Finally, the base according to the invention is compact and does not significantly change the volume and profile of the hinge incorporating the base, thus not complicating the installation of the base.

[0087] The invention thus conceived can have many modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0088] Furthermore, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0089] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions and shapes as the case may be, can be any materials, dimensions, and shapes according to requirements, without departing from the scope claimed herein for this reason.

[0090] The disclosure of the present application claiming the priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000023802 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] In the case where reference signs follow a technical feature recited in any claim, those reference signs are included only for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claim, and thus such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. An adjustable base (1) for mounting a furniture hinge, the base comprising: - A fixing element (2) which can be associated with a component of a piece of furniture, - A support element (3) which can be associated with at least one component of a hinge (100), - A guiding device (4) for guiding the sliding of the support element (3) relative to the fixing element (2) along a longitudinal direction (L), - An actuating device (5) for actuating the sliding of the support element (3) relative to the fixing element (2) along the longitudinal direction (L), characterized in that the guiding device (4) comprises: at least one concave element (6) associated with one of the fixing element (2) and the support element (3); or at least one convex element (7) associated with the other of the fixing element (2) and the support element (3), the at least one concave element (6) and the at least one convex element (7) being coupled together such that they can slide relative to each other along the longitudinal direction (L).

2. The base (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one concave element (6) is associated with the fixing element (2), and the at least one convex element (7) is associated with the support element (3), and the at least one convex element (7) can move by sliding alternately relative to the at least one concave element (6) along the longitudinal direction (L).

3. The base (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The at least one concave element (6) comprises a groove (14) defined in the fixing element (2).

4. The base (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The fixing element (2) comprises two side wings (2a), and a raised portion (2b) associated with the at least one concave element (6) is inserted between the two side wings.

5. The base (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The support element (3) comprises a plate (15), and at least one shoulder (16) for supporting the at least one component of the hinge (100) is associated with the plate, and the at least one shoulder defines the at least one convex element (7).

6. The base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The guiding device (4) comprises two of the concave elements (6) and two of the convex elements (7), the two concave elements comprising respective grooves (14) associated with the fixing element (2), and the two convex elements being defined by respective shoulders (16) of the support element (2), and each shoulder (7 = 16) is inserted such that the shoulder can slide along the respective groove (6 = 14).

7. The base (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one concave element (6) is associated with the support element (3), and the at least one convex element (7) is associated with the fixing element (2), and the at least one concave element (6) can move by sliding alternately relative to the at least one convex element (7) along the longitudinal direction (L).

8. The base (1) according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that The at least one concave element (6) comprises a window (21) defined in the support element (3).

9. The base (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The support element (3) comprises a plate (22), and at least one shoulder (23) for supporting the at least one component of the hinge (100) is connected to the plate, and the at least one concave element (6) is positioned at the plate (22).

10. The base (1) according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that The fixing element (2) includes at least one projecting tooth (26) defining the at least one convex element (7).

11. The base (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The at least one tooth (26) is curved.

12. The base (1) according to one or more of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that The guiding means (4) includes two of the concave elements (6) and two of the convex elements (7), the two concave elements including respective windows (21) associated with the support element (3), the two convex elements being defined by respective projecting teeth (26) of the fixing element (2), each tooth (7 ≡ 26) being inserted in a play manner along a respective window (6 ≡ 21).

13. The base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The base includes sliding reference means (8) interposed between the fixing element (2) and the support element (3).

14. The base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuating means (5) is arranged at one end of the base along the longitudinal direction (L).

15. The base (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuating means (5) includes an eccentric pin (9) rotatably engaged in a seat (10) associated with one of the fixing element (2) and the support element (3), and the eccentric pin is received such that it can move within a slot (11) substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), the slot being associated with the other of the fixing element (2) and the support element (3).

16. The base (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that The eccentric pin (9) includes drive means (12) for rotational actuation relative to the seat (10).

17. A hinge (100) for furniture, the hinge comprising: A first articulated quadrilateral structure (101), provided with a first coupling element (102) which can be associated with a first part (C1) of the furniture; and a second articulated quadrilateral structure (103), provided with a second coupling element (104) which can be associated with a second part (C2) of the furniture, the hinge (100) being adapted to alternately assume an open configuration and a closed configuration, characterized in that at least one of the coupling elements (102, 104) includes a base (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.

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