Spring hinge equipped with a mounting tool

Abstract

A hinge of a design consisting of two coaxial and superimposed constitutive wings, each constitutive wing comprising a body with a pointed arch profile in which an internal cavity is created, characterized in that one of the constitutive wings carries a pin with a smaller diameter in stable engagement with the cavity, surrounded by a spring, wherein the pin and the spring are suitable for engagement with the cavity of the other constitutive wing, wherein the coaxial constitutive wings have a tangential groove on the base surface of the inner cavity for receiving the terminal extension of the spring.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge, in particular a spring hinge for moving panels with respect to a frame.

[0002] These are components that are typically used in industrial machines, for example for connecting hoods of mechanical devices to the frame, or door leaves to automatic machines, switch cabinets, bank equipment or in protective housings, access gates or similar.

[0003] Compared to conventional hinges, this type of product is designed to ensure a stable position of the sash relative to the frame, unless a force opposite to that which guarantees that the sash will remain in the desired position is applied to the sash.

[0004] Normally, a spring body associated with the inner connecting pin is to be inserted between the two constitutive wings of the hinge, with the ends of the spring body being arranged in cavities on the bodies that are attached to the frame and wing respectively, so that the respective positions of the two elements are correctly defined.

[0005] Hinges currently available on the market function excellently in common situations, but they create numerous problems when mounted on jambs that require essentially off-center installation. This ensures the correct alignment of the panel with respect to the jamb in its rest position (or preloaded position), and its alignment when the panel is open (or tensioned position). In this context, it's worth highlighting the not insignificant challenge for the installer that the hinge spring must be preloaded during installation to allow the door to remain closed in its rest position.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a spring hinge for returning a panel to a predefined position with respect to a box stand, wherein assembly is quick and the hinge is perfectly aligned with the stand, so that the panel is flush with the frame structure when it is in working position, and so that there are no irregularities in movement when the panel has to move from one stable position to another.

[0007] This objective is achieved by a hinge of a design consisting of two coaxial and superimposed constitutive wings, each constitutive wing comprising a body with a pointed arch profile in which an internal cavity is created, characterized in that one of the constitutive wings carries a pin with a smaller diameter in stable engagement with the cavity, surrounded by a spring, wherein the pin and the spring are suitable for engagement with the cavity of the other constitutive wing, wherein the coaxial constitutive wings have a tangential groove on the base surface of the inner cavity for receiving the terminal extension of the spring.

[0008] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an instrument associated with this hinge which enables the fitter to proceed quickly, precisely and nimbly with the assembly of the hinge on the structure with which it must engage, so that on the one hand the assembly and adjustment are made quick and on the other hand there is certainty of the perfect alignment of the two constitutive wings on the components of the machine to be held in contact and consequently of the movement of one element with respect to the other.

[0009] This objective is achieved by a hinge of a design consisting of two coaxial and superimposed constitutive wings, one of which consists of an internally hollow pointed arch body, the other of which consists of a cylindrical body from one end of which a pin of smaller diameter extends, characterized in that a mounting tool is further provided, consisting of a substantially C-shaped body, wherein a pair of support walls extends vertically from one of the short sides of the “C” over approximately half the height, the support walls being as high as one of the constitutive wings.

[0010] Further advantages and preferred features are the subject of the subordinate claims.

[0011] The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment, accompanied by the attached drawings, which are briefly summarized below for better understanding: Fig. Figure 1 is the unfolded view of the hinge according to the invention, wherein one constitutive wing is rotated by 90° with respect to the other; Fig. 2 is the cross-sectional view of the expanded view in Fig. 1, wherein the constitutive wings are aligned with each other; Fig. Figure 3 is a rear view of the hinge according to the invention with constitutive wings aligned with each other; Fig. Figure 4 is the cross-sectional view of the hinge in Fig. 3; Fig. 5a & 5b represent the detail of one of the opposite extensions of the spring, according to the two different shapes in right-handed and left-handed versions; Fig. 6a & 6b are views of the hinge ready for installation, whereby Fig. 6a is the front view of a first constitutive element and a side view of the second constitutive element, wherein Fig. 6b the mirror image is, with the front view of the second constitutive element and side view of the second constitutive element; Fig. Figures 7a - 7f represent the hinge mounted on the tool according to the invention in the various provided assembly phases; Fig. Figure 8 shows a view of a mounted hinge.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the hinge 1 according to the invention consists of two coaxial and superimposed constitutive wings 2, 3, each of which has a substantially pointed arch-shaped profile. A pin 4 projects from one of the constitutive wings and is surrounded by a spring 5. More precisely, the pin 4 consists of a main body 4a and a head with a larger diameter 4b, the head 4b limiting the extension range of the spring 5.

[0013] In Fig. Figures 2 to 4 show the internal structure of the aforementioned constitutive wings: The pointed arch body of wing 2 has an internal cavity 6, shaped to receive the end part of the pin 4 and the feather 5, while the pointed arch body of wing 3 provides a cavity 7 to receive the base part of the pin 4 and part of the feather 5. More precisely, the end part of the pin 4 is recessed in the base of the constitutive wing 3, while a middle part of the pin 4 and approximately half of the feather 5 are contained in the cavity 7.

[0014] In order to facilitate the insertion of the spring 5 and to enable the correct movement of one constitutive wing with respect to the other, the cavity 6 provides two separate chambers, the upper chamber 6b having a slightly smaller diameter compared to the lower chamber 6a.

[0015] Two pairs of cavities 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are provided on the sides, which are suitable for receiving shank screws 9, preferably made of nickel-plated steel, or threaded bushings 10 made of brass.

[0016] At the level of the contact surface between each of the constitutive coaxial wings 2, 3 and the spring 5, a tangential groove 11 is also provided for receiving the extension 5a of the spring 5.

[0017] In Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b shows that the spring body is designed such that at the end of its coils a projection 5a is provided, as mentioned above, which performs the function of defining the rotation angle of the hinge as clockwise or counterclockwise and consequently determining the mutual rest position and the maximum tension position of the leaf attached to the door with respect to the leaf attached to the frame.

[0018] As in Fig. 6a and Fig. As shown in 6b, the two constitutive wings are offset by 90° when the hinge is in working phase.

[0019] As in Fig. As well illustrated in Figures 7a to 7f, an assembly tool 12 is also provided, consisting of an essentially C-shaped body, wherein a pair of support walls 12a extend vertically from one of the short sides of the “C” over approximately half the height and are as high as one of the constitutive wings, the walls at the base 12b and at the head 12c of the tool acting as support walls for the opposite ends of the constitutive wings 2, 3.

[0020] Fig. 7a to 7f and Fig. 8 enable a better understanding of the assembly and function of the hinge according to the invention.

[0021] The operator ensures that the hinge is placed in the C-shaped tool 12, with the two wings ( Fig. 7a) are aligned with each other. After mounting the hinge in tool 12, the operator takes care to rotate it 90° to the left ( Fig. 7b) or to the right ( Fig. 7c) to rotate so that the spring is pre-tensioned. A pair of sliders 13, provided on at least one of the two walls 12a, 12b at the base and head, holds the hinge in a pre-tensioned and ready-to-install position.

[0022] At this point, the operator ensures that the shaft screws on the stand side ( Fig. 7d) to fasten, and adds standard sealing nuts, possibly in conjunction with protective washers for the panel.

[0023] After completing this step, the panel is to be attached to the hinge using through bolts, by screwing the bolts into the galvanized bushings provided on the remaining free constitutive wing ( Fig. 7e).

[0024] Once the screw connections are complete, the tool can be removed ( Fig. 7f), so that the hinge can operate freely according to the usual modalities.

[0025] As finally in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a simple and elegant hinge is obtained that ensures a perfect hold and precise alignment without excessive difficulties in measuring and further checks after assembly.

[0026] Therefore, the set goals were achieved, namely the production of a hinge that can be quickly mounted and is perfectly aligned with the stand, so that the panel is flush with the frame structure when in working position, and so that there are no irregularities in movement when the panel has to move from one stable position to another, and at the same time a tool that is suitable to guarantee that the mounting of the hinge is actually quick and precise.

[0027] As is readily apparent, the above description relates to a specific preferred embodiment. Modifications to the solution described above can be numerous and do not fall outside the scope of the invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.

[0028] The description specifically addressed a particular and paradigmatic embodiment, but the intended configurations can be manifold. For example, the constituent leaves can be in various states in their initial position, that is, when the spring is at rest: parallel, offset by 90°, or at another angle, depending on the preload force to be applied when the door is closed. Naturally, the respective position of the leaves will differ from that shown in the figure, depending on the intended preload angles, with an essentially infinite number of foreseeable embodiments.

[0029] To confirm the above statements, in Fig.Figure 7 shows a C-shaped tool 12 with both wings aligned with each other: In the case of different hinge angles during the pre-tensioning phase, the tool maintains the desired angle thanks to the sliders 13, while the operator completes the attachment of the wings to the elements of the machine body.

[0030] The description also specified attaching the hinge to a pair of bushings and a pair of shaft screws. Essentially, nothing would change if one opted for two pairs of bushings or two pairs of shaft screws: these would simply be different variations of the same innovative solution.

Claims

[1] Hinge of a design consisting of two coaxial and superimposed constitutive wings, each constitutive wing consisting of a body with a pointed arch profile in which a cavity is created inside, characterized by , that one of the constitutive wings in stable engagement with the cavity carries a pin with a smaller diameter, surrounded by a spring, wherein the pin and the spring are suitable for engagement with the cavity of the other constitutive wing, wherein the coaxial constitutive wings have a tangential groove on the base of the inner cavity for receiving the terminal extension of the spring. [2] Hinge according to claim 1, characterized by that holes are provided on its back for receiving means for insertion into the walls to which the hinge is to be attached. [3] Hinge according to claim 2, characterized bythat the means of intervention consist of at least one threaded bushing and one threaded shank screw. [4] Hinge according to claim 3, characterized by , that the threaded bushings are provided on one constitutive wing and the threaded shaft screws on the other constitutive wing. [5] Hinge according to claim 3, characterized by that the threaded shaft screws are provided on both constitutive wings. [6] Hinge according to claim 3, characterized by that the sockets are provided on both constitutive wings. [7] Hinge according to claim 3, characterized by that the threaded bushings are made of brass and the threaded shaft screws are made of nickel-plated steel. [8] Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pin consists of a main body and a head with a larger diameter, the head limiting the extension range of the spring. [9] Hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that furthermore an assembly tool is provided which consists of an essentially C-shaped body, wherein from one of the short sides of the ‘C’ a pair of support walls extends vertically over approximately half the height, being as high as one of the constitutive wings, the walls at the base and head of the tool acting as support walls for the opposite ends of the constitutive wings. [10] Hinge according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least one of the walls at the base and at the head of the tool is provided with sliders to hold the respective position of one wing in relation to the other.

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