Integrated TPU hinge for terrarium glass guides

Abstract

An integral hinge for terrariums, consisting of a 3D printed TPU hinge embedded in glass guides made of PLA or ABS.

Description

1. Technical field:

[0001] The invention relates to a novel hinge specifically designed for terrariums. It is an integral hinge made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), manufactured using 3D printing and embedded in glass guides made of polylactic acid (PLA) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). 2. State of the art:

[0002] Conventional terrarium hinges are often made of metal or rigid plastic and are mounted separately. These designs can be prone to wear and tear, may not offer optimal flexibility, and require additional assembly steps. 3. Object of the invention:

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide an improved hinge for terrariums that offers the following advantages: • Simple manufacturing: Production takes place using 3D printing from a single piece, thus reducing assembly effort and material waste. • Integrated functionality: The TPU hinge is seamlessly integrated into the PLA or ABS glass guide, ensuring a stable and durable connection. • Flexibility and durability: TPU offers high flexibility and wear resistance, enabling smooth and durable hinge function. • Adaptability: The hinge design can be easily adapted to different terrarium sizes and glass thicknesses. 4. Features of the invention: • An integral hinge, manufactured using 3D printing from TPU. • Glass guides made of PLA or ABS that enclose and stabilize the TPU hinge. • A design that allows for easy installation of the glass panes. • An optimized hinge geometry that ensures smooth movement and high load-bearing capacity. • The glass guide elements have a groove in which the glass pane is guided. 5. Drawings: • A perspective view of the integrated TPU hinge. • Detailed drawings of the hinge joints and glass guides. Reference symbol list: 1 pane of glass 2 glass pane guides 3 TPU hinge

Claims

[1] An integral hinge for terrariums, consisting of a TPU hinge produced by 3D printing, embedded in glass guides made of PLA or ABS. [2] The hinge according to claim 1, wherein the glass guides have a groove for receiving glass panes. [3] The hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the TPU material has a Shore hardness in the range of 45-95. [4] The hinge according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the geometry of the hinge is adaptable to different terrarium sizes and glass thicknesses. [5] A terrarium with a hinge according to any of the preceding claims.

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