Single-pin hinge with return closure for furniture doors

Abstract

The invention provides a hinge for the opening and closing movement of a door (3) relative to a side panel (2) of a furniture member, said hinge (1) comprising a return closing device, a fixed part (20) attached to the side panel and a movable part (30) attached to the door (3), the fixed part (20) and the movable part (30) being hinged to each other so as to be rotatable about a pin (4) constituting the axis of rotation of the hinge, wherein the return closing device comprises at least one spring (7) arranged around the pin (4), said spring exerting a force in the axial direction of the pin (4) in the final stage of closing, said force being intended to rotate the mating surfaces of the fixed part (20) and the movable part (30) of the hinge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a single-pin hinge for opening and closing furniture doors, the single-pin hinge having a return device designed to apply a pushing force during the closing process. Background Technology

[0002] Furniture hinges typically consist of a fixed component attached to the side panel / shoulder of a furniture element and a movable component connected to a door. The fixed and movable components are hinged together to allow the door to open and close relative to the body of the furniture element.

[0003] The so-called "single-pin hinge" of the type involved in this invention refers to a hinge in which the fixed part and the movable part are hinged to each other so as to be able to rotate about a single pin, which constitutes the axis of rotation of the hinge.

[0004] Most single-pin hinges lack a return mechanism, which in other types of hinges enables the door to close automatically, so the user must manually hold the door until it is fully closed.

[0005] Although there are solutions for return systems in single-pin hinges, these solutions do not meet the user's needs.

[0006] For example, Italian patent application IT 102016000012259 proposes the use of a magnet assembly mounted on the profile of an aluminum door, which works in conjunction with a corresponding magnet assembly mounted on the movable arm of a hinge. The magnet is also associated with a piston assembly that counteracts the force of the magnet to cushion the closing of the door.

[0007] One drawback of this system is that the magnet only functions during the last few degrees of door closure, thus limiting the return effect.

[0008] Another drawback is the need to install a magnet assembly separate from the hinge, which requires attachment to the door profile, thus negatively impacting the overall appearance.

[0009] Italian patent application IT 102021000024320 discloses a return system comprising a spring disposed in a movable part of the hinge along the longitudinal extension of the hinge, the spring acting against a cam element integral with a fixed part.

[0010] This spring arrangement increases the size of the hinge and requires it to be hidden within the door profile to avoid exposure.

[0011] Therefore, another limitation of this system is that it is only suitable for aluminum doors. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The purpose of this invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of single-pin hinges in the prior art.

[0013] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a single-pin hinge with a return device that is completely concealed without affecting the size of the fixed and movable parts of the hinge, thereby allowing it to be smaller and more compact in shape.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a single-pin hinge that can be used indiscriminately with both aluminum and wooden doors.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that can be easily and quickly installed on furniture components / furniture.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a single-pin hinge with a return device, which enables the door to close slowly.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that is simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, and highly reliable.

[0018] The above and other objectives are achieved by the single-pin hinge of the present invention, which has the features set forth in the appended independent claim 1.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0020] Essentially, the hinge according to the invention is used for the opening and closing movement of a door relative to a side panel of a furniture component. The hinge is provided with a return-closing device comprising a first fixed member attached to the side panel and a second movable member attached to the door; the fixed member and the movable member are hinged to each other to be rotatable about a pin, which constitutes the axis of rotation of the hinge. The return-closing device includes at least one spring arranged around the pin, the spring applying a force along the axial direction of the pin in the final stage of door closure, the force being designed to rotate the mating surfaces of the fixed member and the movable member of the hinge in opposite directions. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Further features of the invention will be further elucidated in the following detailed description, which will be made with reference to exemplary embodiments in the accompanying drawings, and is by way of non-limiting example only, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 1A This is an isometric view of the single-pin hinge according to the present invention in the 180° open state, wherein Figure 1 The hinge shown is used in a door with an aluminum profile. Figure 1A The hinge shown is used in wooden doors;

[0023] Figure 2 and Figure 2A Axonometric drawings viewed from different angles, relative to Figure 1 and Figure 1A Rotate approximately 90° to indicate that the hinge is in the closed position;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The enlarged view shown below;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The top view shown;

[0026] Figure 4A For along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of line AA in the diagram;

[0027] Figure 4B For along Figure 4A A sectional view of line BB in the middle;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The front view of the hinge in the open position is shown.

[0029] Figure 6 For along Figure 5 A sectional view of line VI-VI in the middle;

[0030] Figure 6A for Figure 6 Enlarged view of part A in the image;

[0031] Figure 6B From Figure 5 Axonometric view of the hinge body from the rear in the 180° open position, with some structures removed to better show the return mechanism;

[0032] Figure 6C for Figure 6B A magnified view of a portion of the image, used to better illustrate the working principle of the return mechanism;

[0033] Figures 7-7C , Figure 8-Figure 8C To and Figures 6-6C Similar views show the hinge in the initial closed return phase and the fully closed position, respectively.

[0034] Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 An isometric view showing the sequential steps of installing hinges to the side panel of furniture, with all hinges in a 90° open position;

[0035] Figure 12 for Figure 11 The front view of the hinge in its 90° open position is shown.

[0036] Figure 13 For along Figure 12 A sectional view of line XIII-XIII in the middle;

[0037] Figure 14 and Figure 14A For along Figure 13 The cross-sectional view along line XIV-XIV shows the locking element in the non-operating and operating positions, respectively. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The single-pin hinge, generally indicated by reference numeral 1 according to the invention, will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This hinge can be installed on aluminum and wooden doors, regardless of the material of the door.

[0039] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The figures show hinge 1 in its open and closed positions at 180° angles, with the two figures rotated approximately 90° relative to each other. The hinge is mounted between a vertical wall or side panel 2 of a furniture component and a door 3 made of an aluminum profile. In these figures, the vertical profile or post is actually shown, through which the door 3 is identified. Therefore, in the following description, reference numeral 3 will be used to identify either the door or the aluminum profile supporting the door, and the two are not distinguished.

[0040] Figure 1A and 2A Is with Figure 1 and 2 A similar view, using the same reference numerals, shows that door 3 is made of wood.

[0041] In all other accompanying drawings, door 3 is shown as aluminum; it should be understood that this also applies to doors made of wood, with the hinge features remaining unchanged. Similarly, the side panel 2 of the furniture component is shown as wood, but it could obviously also be made of aluminum.

[0042] In the following description, if terms such as vertical, horizontal, up, down, right, left, front, and back are used, they refer to the schematic representation in the drawings and / or the state when the hinge is installed.

[0043] The hinge 1 mainly includes a fixed part 20 and a movable part 30. The fixed part 20 is attached to the side panel / shoulder 2 of the furniture component, and the movable part 30 is attached to the door 3. The fixed part 20 and the movable part 30 are hinged to each other so that they can rotate about a pin 4, which constitutes the rotation axis of the hinge.

[0044] The fixing component 20 includes a support element 21 (so named because it is used to support the door), which is attached to the side panel 2 by a plate-like element 22 in the manner described below.

[0045] The movable member 30 is intended to be received within a support / receiver / groove 5 formed in the profile of the door 3 (or covering the thickness of the wooden door), the movable member comprising a generally vertically extending L-shaped body 31 (see Figure 6B A pair of horizontal arms 32 extend from its upper and lower ends, forming a fork-like structure, for flush arrangement with the side profiles of the door 3 (see in detail). Figure 2 and Figure 2A ).

[0046] The movable part 30 is attached to the door by a screw 6 that passes through the wing of the L-shaped body 31.

[0047] A support / groove 33 is provided in the L-shaped body 31 of the movable part 30, which is designed to accommodate the damper 17, which is a cylinder-piston type structure from which the piston rod 18 extends (see in detail). Figure 1 ), used to slow down the closing stroke of the hinge.

[0048] A pair of holes 34 aligned along the vertical axis are provided near the end of the aforementioned horizontal arm 32 to accommodate the hinge pin 4.

[0049] The length of the pin 4 is such that it does not protrude beyond the vertical extension of the movable part 30, which is riveted to the movable part.

[0050] The support element 21 of the hinge fixing component 20 has a generally “stepped” shape, and at its free end away from the plate-like element 22 for attaching to the side panel of the furniture component, there is an enlarged housing / housing portion 23, which has an internal cavity 24 with a prismatic or other non-circular cross section.

[0051] At the midpoint of the internal cavity 24, a transverse partition wall 25 is provided, which divides the internal cavity into two parts. The partition wall 25 has a central hole to allow the pin 4 to pass through (see, in particular). Figure 4B ).

[0052] In each of the two halves of the internal cavity 24, a helical spring 7 and a partially hollow block 8 with a central hole are arranged around the pin 4. This block, which we call a pusher / push block, has an outer contour that matches the inner contour of the internal cavity 24, thereby keeping it locked in the rotational direction within the internal cavity, but allowing it to slide axially in the vertical direction.

[0053] Each spring 7 compresses between the partition wall 25 and the corresponding pusher 8 in which the spring is housed, applying an outward thrust to the pusher.

[0054] Each pusher 8 has a protruding wall 9 on its end face, which is arranged around the pin 4 at an angle range, for example, about 300°, and terminates at a flat front edge 10. This front edge is connected to the base of the pusher via a right-angle end 12 and an inclined plane end 11, which covers an arc of about 60° (see...). Figures 6C-8C ).

[0055] Accordingly, wall 35 protrudes from the inside of arm 32 of movable member 30 of hinge, extending at an angle of approximately 120° around a corresponding hole 34 for pin 4 to pass through. Wall 35 terminates at a flat edge 36 opposite to the flat edge 10 of the protruding wall 9 of pusher, and is connected to the base of arm 32 via a right-angle end 38 and an inclined plane end 37, which precisely mates with the inclined plane end 11 of pusher.

[0056] In fact, the extension angles of the forming wall 9 of the pusher 8 and the forming wall 35 of the arm 32 are complementary (totaling 360°), wherein the inclined plane ends 11 and 37 have the same extension angle and overlap each other.

[0057] The extension angles of the flat edges and inclined planes of the wall on the inner side of the arm 32 and the wall on the outer side of the pusher 8 are not limited and can be adjusted according to the desired time when the hinge (i.e., the door) begins its return motion, which will be further explained later.

[0058] To prevent friction between the surface of the arm 32 and the surface of the support element 21 during hinge rotation, it is preferable to insert an anti-friction plate 13 made of nylon as a seal between them.

[0059] The anti-friction plate 13 is rectangular in shape and has a through hole 14, the size of which is such that the aforementioned wall 35 protruding from the arm 32 is accommodated inside it.

[0060] The anti-friction plate 13 also has another smaller hole 15, which is designed to receive a pin 39 protruding from the arm 32, in this way keeping the anti-friction plate locked in place without displacement during hinge rotation.

[0061] After describing the basic structure of the hinge, its working principle, especially the return motion during the closing phase, will now be described. See [link to relevant documentation] for details. Figures 5 to 8C .

[0062] exist Figure 6C , Figure 7C , Figure 8C In the enlarged view, the individual hinge pin 4 and the anti-friction plate 13 are not shown in order to better highlight the fit between the inclined planes of wall 35 and wall 9.

[0063] Figures 6-6CThe hinge and its details in the 180° open position are shown, with the upward pusher 8 visible.

[0064] In this position, the pusher 8 is in its maximum retracted state in the bearing 24 of the housing 23, while the spring 7 is in its maximum compressed state.

[0065] like Figure 8C As shown, the flat edge 36 of the wall 35 protruding from the arm 32 of the movable part 30 of the hinge is arranged on the flat edge 10 of the wall 9 protruding from the pusher 8, while there is no contact between the corresponding inclined planes 37 and 11, which can also be seen from... Figure 6A As seen in the cross-sectional view.

[0066] As the door rotates counterclockwise to a predetermined angle, the hinge moves to... Figure 7-7C At the position shown, contact begins between inclined planes 37 and 11, and then a return action is applied during closure by a compression spring 7 with a release tendency.

[0067] Starting from this position, spring 7 pushes pusher 8 outward. Due to the engagement of the inclined plane 11 and inclined plane 37 of pusher, pusher applies a return force on hinge until... Figure 8-Figure 8C The fully closed position is shown, in which the inclined plane is fully engaged and the pusher 8 is in its maximum withdrawn / extended state.

[0068] In the subsequent door opening process, since the inclined planes have already engaged, the compression of spring 7 immediately begins with clockwise rotation. Figure 7-7C The position shown reaches its maximum, where the pusher 8 is in its maximum retracted state within the housing 23, and then continues to extend its stroke, with the inclined plane disengaging and sliding between the relatively flat edges 36 and 10.

[0069] With the assistance of the aforementioned spring return device, the closing of the hinge is slowed down in the final stage by the damper 17, whose rod 18 interferes with the support element 21 of the hinge's fixed component.

[0070] Now refer to Figures 9-14A The present invention briefly describes a system for quickly securing and installing a hinge fastener 20 to a side panel 2 of a furniture component.

[0071] The plate element 22 of the fixing component 20 has a pair of vertically extending slots 40 for attachment to the side plate 2 by screws 41 and for vertical adjustment.

[0072] The plate element 40 has at least a forward-opening, recessed central portion 42, which is arranged in a support 43 formed in the side plate 2 and is used to accommodate the arm 44 of the "stepped" support element 21.

[0073] Arm 44 has a generally C-shaped cross section, thereby enabling adjustable reception of insert 50 below it, which has a generally flat longitudinal extension structure.

[0074] The insert 50 has a slit with a forward opening at the front and a round hole 52 at the rear, which is adapted to be arranged below the threaded hole 53 and the opening 54 respectively provided on the flat wall of the arm 44.

[0075] The screw 55 is screwed into the threaded hole 53, the screw shank 56 is inserted into the slit 51 of the insert 50, and a widened end 57 is provided at the end of the screw, which is arranged below the insert.

[0076] The head 58 of the eccentric pin 59 is positioned in the opening 54 of the arm 44 and inserted into the hole 52 of the insert 50.

[0077] Insert 50 can be pre-assembled onto arm 44, such as Figure 10 As shown.

[0078] The insert 50 has a narrowed opening 45 at the end opposite to the slit 51, which leads to a larger hole 46.

[0079] A lug 47 is provided behind the recessed portion 42 of the plate element 22. The lug has a hole 48, which is at the same height as the hole 40 and is located above the hole 46 provided in the insert 50 after assembly.

[0080] A pin 60 is inserted into a hole 48 in a lug 47. The pin has a flat shank portion 61, which has different dimensions in two mutually orthogonal directions. A shank with a widened end 62 protrudes from the hole and is arranged in the perforated plate 47' below. Figure 10 (This is placed below to prevent the perforated plate from coming out.)

[0081] To install the hinge onto the side panel of the furniture component, the arm 44 with insert 50 is inserted into the recess 42 of the plate element 22, wherein the pin 60 is oriented such that it can pass through the narrowed opening 45 of the insert and is positioned itself in the hole 46, as shown. Figure 14 The sectional view is shown.

[0082] At this point, simply rotate the pin 60 by 90°, causing its rod 61 to rotate to... Figure 14A As shown in the sectional view, in this position, the larger lateral dimension of the rod 61 relative to the opening 45 locks the arm 44 in place, preventing it from coming out.

[0083] The placement of each screw allows the hinge and the door to be adjusted in three dimensions.

[0084] As mentioned earlier, vertical adjustment (i.e., up-down direction) can be achieved by fixing the plate element 22 to the slot 40 using screws 41.

[0085] Lateral adjustment is made by tightening or loosening screw 55, thereby causing arm 44 to rise or fall.

[0086] Finally, adjustment in the forward or depth direction is achieved by operating the head 58 of the eccentric pin 59, which slides along the inner contour of the opening 54 formed in the arm 44, thereby displacing the arm relative to the insert 50 in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] As can be clearly seen from the above, the advantage of a single-pin hinge according to the present invention is that it is equipped with a completely hidden return closure device, which does not affect the overall size of the hinge. Therefore, the hinge can achieve a small size and compact structure design.

[0088] Another advantage of the single-pin hinge according to the invention is that it can be installed on aluminum and wooden doors without requiring substantial modifications.

[0089] Another advantage of this hinge is that it can be easily and quickly installed on furniture.

[0090] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments previously described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and those skilled in the art can make various changes to the details without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hinge (1) for opening and closing movements of a door (3) relative to a vertical wall or side panel (2) of a furniture component, the hinge (1) comprising a return closing device, a fixed member (20) attached to the side panel (2), and a movable member (30) attached to the door (3), the movable member (30) having a forked shape and comprising a body (31) having a vertical extension and a pair of horizontal arms (32), the housing (23) of the fixed member (20) being disposed between the pair of horizontal arms, or conversely, the fixed member (20) and the movable member (30) being hinged to each other such that the movable member (30) is rotatable about a pin (4) constituting a vertical axis of rotation of the hinge, the pin passing through the fixed member (20) and the movable member (30), wherein, The return closing device includes at least one spring (7) arranged around the pin (4), the at least one spring applying a force along the axial direction of the pin (4), the force acting on the mating surface of the fixed part (20) and the movable part (30) of the hinge (1) in the final stage of closing, thereby causing the movable part (30) to rotate relative to the fixed part (20), wherein the mating surface is formed by an inclined plane (11) and an inclined plane (37), respectively.

2. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one spring (7) is arranged in a bearing (24) of the housing (23) in the fixed member (20) of the hinge, and abuts against a non-rotatable pusher (8) also arranged in the bearing (24). A shaped wall (9) extending around the pin (4) is provided on the outer surface of the pusher facing the housing. This shaped wall (9) cooperates with a corresponding shaped wall (35) located inside at least one horizontal arm (32) of the fork-shaped movable member (30), or... Conversely, the forming wall (9) is provided with the inclined plane mating surface (11), and the corresponding forming wall (35) is provided with the inclined plane mating surface (37). The inclined plane mating surface (11) and the inclined plane mating surface (37) are designed to allow the movable part (30) of the hinge to rotate relative to the fixed part (20), and the inclined plane mating surface (11) and the inclined plane mating surface (37) extend along an arc, which determines the angle of action of the at least one spring (7).

3. The hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The forming wall (9) of the pusher (8) terminates at a flat front edge (10), which connects to the inclined plane (11) at the base of the pusher. The forming wall (35) disposed inside the arm (32) terminates at a flat edge (36), which is opposite to the flat front edge (10) of the forming wall (9) of the pusher and connects to the inclined plane end (37) at the base of the arm (32), which is perfectly matched with the inclined plane (11) of the pusher.

4. The hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The extension angles of the forming wall (9) of the pusher (8) and the forming wall (35) of the arm (32) are complementary, and the inclined planes (11, 37) with the same extension angle overlap each other.

5. The hinge according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The forming wall (9) of the pusher (8) has an extension angle of approximately 300°, and the forming wall (35) disposed inside the arm (32) has an extension angle of approximately 120°, and the inclined plane (11, 37) has an extension angle of approximately 60°.

6. The hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing (23) is provided with a pair of springs (7), which act opposite to the corresponding pushers (8), wherein the corresponding forming wall (9) cooperates with the corresponding forming wall (35) provided inside the two arms (32) of the fork-shaped movable member (30).

7. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that, An anti-friction plate (13) is inserted between the surfaces of the fixed part (20) and the movable part (30) around the pin (4).

8. The hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that, A damper (17) is inserted between the fixed part (20) and the movable part (30), the damper being adapted to slow down the final stage of the closing stroke of the door.

9. The hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The hinge's fixing component (20) includes a support element (21) that supports the housing (23) for the return closure device (7) at one end and a quick-locking arm (44) at the other end via a bottom insert (50) located in a plate element (22) attached to the side panel (2) of the furniture component.

10. The hinge according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fixing component (20) is provided with a device for vertical, forward and lateral adjustment of the hinge.

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