Hinge for windows / doors / shutters

Abstract

Hinge for windows / doors / shutters (1), which comprises a support body (2), and comprising two lateral hinging portions (2', 2"), which between them delimit a housing seat (20). The hinge (1) comprises a central body (3), which is at least partially housed in the housing seat (20), between the lateral hinging portions (2', 2"), of the support body (2). The central body (3) is extended between two opposite ends (3', 3''), along a main extension direction (X), and is internally provided with two first housing cavities (31, 32), which are accessible from the opposite ends (3', 3''). The hinge (1) also comprises magnetic hinging means (4), which comprise at least two first magnets (41, 42), each of which housed in a respective first housing cavity (31, 32), at least two second magnets (51, 52), connected at opposite sides of the support body (2), in which each second magnet (51, 52) is placed facing a respective first magnet (41, 42), and two hinging elements (6), each of which placed as a rotatable connection between a first magnet (41, 42) and the respective second magnet (51, 52), in order to hinge the central body (3) to the support body (2) around a rotation axis (R) parallel to the main extension direction (X). The first magnets (41, 42) and the second magnets (51, 52) are placed facing each other with equivalent polarities, in order to exert a magnetic repulsion force between each first magnet (41, 42) and the respective second magnet (51, 52).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention regards a hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to independent claim 1.

[0002] The present hinge is intended to be employed in windows / doors / shutters, such as for example doors and / or windows, or furniture pieces in order to allow hinging the wing of a window / door / shutter or of a furniture piece to a frame of the latter.

[0003] The present hinge is advantageously a hinge known in the jargon with the term "magnetic", which is configured for making use of magnetic elements so as to reduce the friction between the components of the hinge.

[0004] The present hinge, object of the invention, is therefore inserted in the field of windows / doors / shutters, in the field of production of accessories for windows / doors / shutters and more generally in the field of interior design.State of the art

[0005] As has been known for some time, in particular in the field of windows / doors / shutters, the hinges are usually composed of two hinge bodies, including one fixed to the fixed frame of the window / door / shutter (such as for example the jamb of a door) and one fixed to the furniture piece of the window / door / shutter, such as for example a wing of a door, which are hinged to each other in order to allow a rotation of the movable member with respect to the frame, usually about 180° around a hinging central axis.

[0006] More in detail, the conventional hinges usually comprise a base plate, fixed to the frame of a window / door / shutter and having a hinge, e.g. of male type, and movable plate, fixed to the wing, and having a hinge part, e.g. of female type, which determine a mechanical engagement between the two elements of the hinge.

[0007] Examples of such hinges are described in the documents KR 101751351, CN 111577043 and US 2001 / 000644.

[0008] Such conventional hinges nevertheless have in practice proven that they do not lack drawbacks. A first drawback is given by the fact that such hinges are subjected to wear over time. Such wear can cause malfunctioning or even breakage of the hinge following a prolonged use.

[0009] A further drawback lies in the fact that such hinges of known type have proven to be uncomfortable and inconvenient to use over a long time period.

[0010] Indeed, such hinges of known type have high friction between the components, which determines reduced comfort for the user, and also determines undesired noisiness of the hinge during the operation thereof, for example due to creaking of the components.

[0011] In order to overcome such drawbacks, hinges for windows / doors / shutters have been developed which employ magnetic elements in order to reduce the friction between the components and thus the wear and noisiness of the hinge.

[0012] More in detail, the document US 2007 / 0157432 describes a magnetic hinge for windows / doors / shutters, which comprises a first hinge body, fixed to the frame of the window / door / shutter and provided with a hinge, and a second hinge body, fixed to the wing of the window / door / shutter, which comprises a tubular element which rotatably engages the hinge of the first hinge body in order to rotatably connect the wing of the window / door / shutter to the frame. The hinge described in such prior art document also comprises two magnetic elements, including a first magnetic element mounted on the first hinge body, and a second magnetic element, mounted on the second hinge body and facing the first magnetic element. In particular, the two magnetic elements are placed facing with equivalent polarities, in order to exert a relative magnetic repulsion force, such that at least part of the weight of the wing of the window / door / shutter is supported by such magnetic repulsion force. The prior art hinge therefore allows reducing, even if only in a limited manner, the friction between the components, thus partly reducing the wear and the noisiness of the hinge.

[0013] Nevertheless, also such hinge of known type has in practice proven that it does not lack drawbacks.

[0014] In particular, a first drawback lies in the fact that such hinge does not allow significantly reducing the friction between the components of the hinge, and thus does not substantially allow canceling the friction and the noisiness of the hinge during use.

[0015] Indeed, even if part of the weight of the wing is supported by the magnetic repulsion force due to the two facing elements with equivalent polarity, this does not eliminate the presence of mechanical members (the hinge and the tubular body) which rotate mutually.

[0016] In addition, the configuration of such hinge does not allow arranging a high number of magnets, in order to increase the aforesaid repulsion force, due to the bulk and presence of the aforesaid mechanical members.

[0017] A further drawback lies in the fact that such hinge of known type have proven difficult to mount and to use. Indeed, such hinge provides for mounting the second hinge body (fixed to the wing) against the magnetic repulsion force exerted in the meantime by the magnet mounted on the first hinge body. Such force tends to extract the second hinge body from the first hinge body, and it is thus necessary to provide for fixing means, which constrain the two hinge bodies in position for vertical movements, along the rotation axis.

[0018] This determines the need for further components and operations that are not simple, which increase the times and costs of production and assembly of the aforesaid prior art hinge.

[0019] A further drawback lies in the fact that such hinges has proven to be poorly appreciable from an aesthetic standpoint, standing out, resulting unsuitable for being employed in high-end residential settings, where it is necessary to reduce the visibility of the mechanical components of the hinge to a minimum.

[0020] A further example of a magnetic hinge is described in the document CN 115370252. Such hinge comprises a first hinge body, female, which is fixed to the frame of the window / door / shutter and has two opposite shoulders within which two respective magnetic elements are mounted.

[0021] The aforesaid hinge also comprises a second hinge body, male, which is fixed to the wing of the window / door / shutter and has a tubular form, internally hollow, within which a magnetic cylindrical bushing is fixed, and a pin, also magnetic, which has its own opposite ends inserted into the two opposite shoulders of the first hinge body.

[0022] Such hinge provides that the pin be maintained suspended and floating, both along a radial direction, due to the magnetic repulsion of the cylindrical bushing, and along an axial direction, due to the magnetic repulsion given by the two magnetic elements mounted in the respective shoulders of the first hinge body.

[0023] However, also such hinge of known type has in practice proven that it does not lack drawbacks.

[0024] In particular, a first drawback lies in the fact that such hinge has in practice proven that is not very strong / resistant during use, in particular following a prolonged use. In addition, such hinge has proven to be fairly unstable, since it is extremely subjected to movements given by the clearances present between the various components of the hinge, which render it suitable only for some particular settings, and not for a use thereof with windows / doors / shutters for daily use, in particular for windows / doors / shutters with high weight.

[0025] A further drawback lies in the fact that such hinge of known type has in practice proven to be extremely inconvenient and hard to produce and assemble.Presentation of the invention

[0026] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks manifested by the hinges for windows / doors / shutters of known type, by providing a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which allows significantly reducing the friction between the components of the hinge, hence reducing the wear and the noisiness during prolonged use.

[0027] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is structurally stable and strong / resistant.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is compact.

[0029] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is simple and inexpensive to produce.

[0030] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is simple and easy to mount.

[0031] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is safe to use, even for windows / doors / shutters with wings with high weight.

[0032] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is aesthetically pleasing and also employable in residential settings with high aesthetic value.Brief description of the drawings

[0033] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, are clearly seen in the content of the below-reported claims and the advantages thereof will be more evident in the following detailed description, made with reference to the enclosed drawings, which represent a merely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, in which: figure 1A shows an axonometric view of the hinge for windows / doors / shutters, object of the present invention; figure 1B shows an axonometric view of the hinge for windows / doors / shutters of figure 1A installed in a window / door / shutter; figure 2 shows an exploded axonometric view of a first embodiment of the hinge, object of the present invention; figure 3 shows a side view of the hinge, assembled, of figure 2; figure 4 shows a sectional view of the hinge of figure 3, attained according to trace IV-IV of figure 3, and an enlarged detail of the same sectional view; figure 5 shows an exploded axonometric view of a second embodiment of the hinge, object of the present invention; figure 6 shows a side view of the hinge, assembled, of figure 5; figure 7 shows a sectional view of the hinge of figure 6, attained according to trace VI-VI of figure 6, and an enlarged detail of the same sectional view; figure 8 shows an exploded axonometric view of a third embodiment of the hinge, object of the present invention; figure 9 shows a side view of the hinge, assembled, of figure 8; figure 10 shows a sectional view of the hinge of figure 9, attained according to trace X-X of figure 9, and an enlarged detail of the same sectional view; figure 11 shows a schematic view of an assembly and installation method in a window / door / shutter of the hinge of figure 2. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0034] With reference to the enclosed drawings, reference number 1 overall indicates a hinge for windows / doors / shutters, object of the present invention.

[0035] Advantageously, the present hinge 1 is adapted to be employed in order to hinge a wing of a window / door / shutter, e.g. of a door or of a window, to a frame of the same window / door / shutter. Even if hereinbelow reference will be made to a solution relative to a window / door / shutter, such hinge 1 is suitably adapted to be employed in an entirely analogous manner also in a furniture piece, in order to hinge a wing of the furniture piece to the frame or a body for containing the furniture piece itself.

[0036] More in detail, the hinge 1, object of the present invention, comprises a first body, fixed to the frame, and a second body, fixed to the wing and hinged to the first body, as is better described hereinbelow, in order to rotatably connect the wing to the frame, allowing moving the same wing between an open and closed position.

[0037] In particular, the hinge 1, object of the present invention, is advantageously a magnetic hinge, which uses magnetic elements in order to reduce the friction and the noisiness of the hinge during use, thus reducing the risk of wear of the components and increasing the comfort for the final user.

[0038] In accordance with the idea underlying the present invention, the hinge for windows / doors / shutters 1 comprises a support body 2, preferably made of a metal material, in particular non-ferromagnetic, e.g. aluminum or zama, which is intended to be fixed to a frame 101 of a window / door / shutter 100.

[0039] In particular, the support body 2 is preferably arranged for being at least partially housed within a seat made on the frame 101 of the window / door / shutter 100, where it is fixed for example by means of screws.

[0040] The support body 2 comprises two lateral hinging portions 2', 2" which between them delimit a housing seat 200.

[0041] In addition, the hinge 1 comprises a central body 3, which is at least partially housed in the housing seat 200, between the lateral hinging portions 2', 2" of the support body 2, and is intended to be fixed to a wing 102 of the same window / door / shutter 100.

[0042] In particular, in a per se conventional manner the central body 3 is provided with a fixing plate provided with multiple fixing holes for fixing the central body 3 to the wing 102 of the window / door / shutter 100.

[0043] The central body 3 is extended along a main extension direction X, between two opposite ends 3', 3", and is internally provided with two first housing cavities 31, 32, which are accessible from opposite ends 3', 3" of the central body 3.

[0044] In particular, the first cavities 31, 32 are extended along the main extension direction X of the central body 3, and such main extension direction X is preferably substantially vertical when the hinge 1 is mounted on the window / door / shutter 100.

[0045] The hinge 1 also comprises magnetic hinging means 4, which comprise at least two first magnets 41, 42, each of which housed in a respective first housing cavity 31, 32 of the central body 3, and at least two second magnets 51, 52, connected to the support body 2.

[0046] In particular, each second magnet 51, 52 is connected at a respective lateral hinging portion 2', 2" of the support body 2.

[0047] Each second magnet 51, 52 is placed facing a respective first magnet 41, 42.

[0048] More in detail, each first magnet 41, 42 is placed facing and close to a respective second magnet 51, 52.

[0049] The magnetic hinging means 4 also comprise two hinging elements 6, preferably made of a metal material, in particular ferromagnetic, each of which placed as a rotatable connection between a respective first magnet 41, 42 and the respective second magnet 51, 52, in order to hinge the central body 3 to the support structure 2 around a rotation axis R parallel to the main extension direction X, and preferably coinciding.

[0050] In other words, the two hinging elements 6 act as hinges, and allow hinging the wing 102 to the frame 101 of the window / door / shutter 100, such that one obtains a hinge 1 provided with high stability and strength during use.

[0051] The first magnets 41, 42 and the second magnets 51, 52 are placed facing each other with equivalent polarities, in order to exert a magnetic repulsion force between each first magnet 41, 42 and the respective second magnet 51, 52.

[0052] In other words, each second magnet 51, 52 exerts a magnetic repulsion force Fr on the respective first magnet 41, 42, determined by the same polarity of the magnets.

[0053] In this manner, the present hinge 1 allows developing two magnetic repulsion forces Fr. Such two magnetic repulsion forces Fr substantially have the same modulus, but are oriented in a sense opposite each other, as is visible in figure 4. This determines that the central body 3 is maintained under suspension in the housing seat 200, without it being able to abut against the lateral hinging portions 2', 2" since it is prevented by the magnetic repulsion force Fr.

[0054] In other words, the central body 3 is housed with the respective ends 3', 3'' close to, but not in contact with the lateral hinging portions 2', 2" of the support body 2, since it is provided that there is an opening (or air) between the two bodies 2, 3. Preferably, the support body 2 and the central body 3 are shaped such that the air between the latter is comprised between 1 mm and 5 mm during use of the hinge 1, and still more preferably between 2 and 3.5 mm.

[0055] This allows reducing or eliminating the friction between the components, and thus reducing the wear of the same components, the noisiness of the hinge and thus the total comfort of the hinge during use.

[0056] In this manner it is possible to obtain a magnetic hinge provided with reduced wear of the components, which however simultaneously maintains high stability and strength during normal use.

[0057] In addition, the placement of the above-described components allows obtaining a hinge 1 which is compact and inexpensive to produce, as well as aesthetically pleasing and appreciable for the user.

[0058] Preferably, each hinging element 6 is made of ferromagnetic material, in the sense that, in the absence of an external magnetic field, it does not have permanent magnetization. Advantageously, the two hinging elements 6 mechanically connect, in a rotatable manner, the central body 3 and the support structure 2.

[0059] Advantageously, each hinging element 6 is placed in contact with the respective first magnet 41, 42 and with the respective second magnet 51, 52, in order to guide the rotation of the central body 3 with respect to the support body 2, around the rotation axis R.

[0060] More in detail, each hinging element 6 has a lateral surface which is placed in sliding contact with the respective second magnets 51, 52 and / or with the respective first magnets 41, 42, and in particular with an internal surface of the aforesaid first magnets 41, 42 and / or of the aforesaid second magnets 51, 52.

[0061] In other words, the central body 3 can rotate with respect to the support structure 2 guided by two hinging elements 6 which, sliding with their lateral surfaces on the respective second magnets 51, 52 and / or on the respective first magnets 41, 42, guide the rotation around the rotation axis R.

[0062] In particular, the aforesaid configuration of the magnetic elements 41, 42 and 51, 52 allows maintaining the central body 3 suspended with respect to the support structure 2, reducing the friction between the central body 3 and the support structure 2, and allowing the mutual rotation between elements due to only two hinging elements 6.

[0063] Advantageously, the central body 3 is extended along the main extension direction X between two opposite lateral walls 33, and each of which defines an end 3', 3'' of the central body 3 and is provided with a respective first access opening 34. Advantageously, each first cavity 31, 32 of the central body 3 is extended from a respective first access opening 34, up to a respective separation wall 35, and the first magnets 41, 42 are housed in the first cavities 31, 32, preferably in abutment against a respective separation wall 35 of the central body 3.

[0064] In other words, the first cavities 31, 32 are extended in a depression from the lateral walls 33 of the central body 3, along the aforesaid main extension direction X.

[0065] Advantageously, the two separation walls 35 between them delimit a central stiffening portion of the central body 3, which allows stiffening the central body 3, increasing the mechanical strength of the hinge 1 also in the case of uses on windows / doors / shutters with high weight. Indeed, in particular, in such central stiffening portion, the first magnets 41, 42 are not housed. In this manner, in particular, the central stiffening portion does not require the arrangement, at its interior, of seats or cavities with high width which would thin the thickness and, thus, would reduce the mechanical strength thereof.

[0066] Advantageously, each first housing cavity 31, 32 is extended between the access opening 34 and the separation wall 35 for a first depth, and the first magnets 41, 42 preferably have an extension along the main extension direction X that is smaller than, and still more preferably substantially equal to the first depth of the respective first housing cavity 31, 32, such that the first magnets 31, 32 are completely housed in the respective first housing cavity 31, 32, preferably to size.

[0067] As is visible in the enclosed figures, the support body 2 is extended along a first extension direction substantially parallel to the main extension direction X of the central body 3. In particular, the support body 2 comprises a main portion 20, which has an elongated form along the aforesaid first extension direction, and the two lateral hinging portions 2', 2" are extended projected transversely from the main portion 20. In particular, the main portion 20 of the support body 2 is extended between two opposite ends, and the two lateral hinging portions 2', 2" are extended starting from the opposite aforesaid ends of the main portion 20. More clearly, as is visible in the enclosed figures, the support body 2 has a substantially C-shaped form, with the lateral hinging portions 2', 2" that are spaced from each other, in a manner such to define the housing seat 200 in which the central body 3 is housed. Advantageously, the central body 3 is housed between the lateral hinging portions 2', 2" of the support body 2 with each of the two opposite ends 3', 3'' directed towards, and preferably close to, a respective lateral hinging portion 2', 2". Preferably, the central body 3 is housed substantially to size in the housing seat 200.

[0068] Advantageously, the support body 2 is formed by two separate elements, which are fixed to each other, in order to facilitate the mounting of the support body 2 during the assembly of the hinge 1 and of the window / door / shutter 100 (or of the furniture piece).

[0069] In particular, the support body 2 comprises a first element 21, which defines a first lateral hinging portion 2' of the two lateral hinging portions 2', 2'', and a second element 22, fixed to the first element 21, which defines a second lateral hinging portion 2" of the two lateral hinging portions 2', 2''.

[0070] Preferably, the first element 21 has a substantially L-shaped form, and defines both the first lateral hinging portion 2' and the main portion 20 of the support body 2. The second element 22 instead preferably defines only the second lateral hinging portion 2'', and is fixed to the main portion 20 defined by the first element 21, as is visible in the enclosed figures.

[0071] Advantageously, the support body 2 comprises two second housing cavities 201, 202 which are made on the respective lateral hinging portions 2', 2" of the support structure 2. Preferably, one of the second housing cavities 201 is made on the first element 21 of the support body 2, and the other 202 is made on the second element 22 of the support body 2.

[0072] Preferably, the second housing cavities 201, 202 are extended along the main extension direction X. In other words, the first housing cavities 31, 32 are preferably aligned with the second housing cavities 201, 202 along the aforesaid main extension direction X.

[0073] Advantageously, in each second housing cavity 201, 202, a respective second magnet 51, 52 is at least partially housed. In this manner, the second magnets 51, 52 and the first magnets 41, 42 are placed aligned along the aforesaid main extension direction X.

[0074] Preferably, the second magnets 51, 52 are housed substantially to size in the respective second housing cavities 201, 202.

[0075] Advantageously, each hinging element 6 is provided with a first portion 6', which engages the respective first housing cavity 31, 32 and is mechanically connected to the central body 3, and with an opposite second portion 6'', which engages the respective second housing cavity 201, 202 and is mechanically connected to the respective lateral hinging portion 2', 2" of the support body 2. Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are aligned with each other along the main extension direction X.

[0076] Advantageously, each lateral hinging portion 2', 2" is provided with an internal wall 23, directed towards the housing seat 200, which is provided with a second access opening 24. Each second housing cavity 201, 202 is made in a depression from the internal wall 23 of the respective lateral hinging portion 2', 2'', along the aforesaid main extension direction X. In other words, each second housing cavity 201, 202 is extended starting from the respective second access opening 24, preferably up to a bottom wall 25. In particular, the second magnets 51, 52 are preferably placed in abutment against the respective bottom wall 25.

[0077] Advantageously, each second housing cavity 201, 202 is extended between the access opening 24 and the bottom wall 25 for a second depth, and the second magnets 51, 52 preferably have an extension along the main extension direction X that is smaller than, and preferably substantially equal to the second depth of the respective second housing cavity 201, 202, such that the second magnets 51, 52 are completely housed in the respective second housing cavity 201, 202, preferably to size.

[0078] As set forth above, the first magnets 41, 42 and the second magnets 51, 52 are placed facing each other with equivalent polarities. More in detail, each first magnet 41, 42 is provided with a first magnetic face 41', 42', directed towards the respective first access opening 34, and an opposite second magnetic face 41'', 42'', directed towards the respective separation wall 35. Advantageously, each second magnet 51, 52 is provided with a third magnetic face 51', 52', directed towards the respective second access opening 24, and an opposite fourth magnetic face 51'', 52'', directed towards the respective bottom wall 25.

[0079] The first magnetic faces 41', 42' of the first magnets 41, 42 have the same polarity (north-north, south-south) as the third magnetic faces 51', 52' of the respective second magnets 51, 52 that they face.

[0080] Advantageously, the first magnetic faces 41', 42' of the first magnets 41, 42 are parallel to the third magnetic faces 51', 52' of the respective second magnets 51, 52, and they are preferably orthogonal to the main extension direction X.

[0081] Advantageously, the first magnets 41, 42 have the same polarity on the respective second faces 41'', 42''.

[0082] In other words, the second faces 41'', 42" of the first magnets 41, 42 face each other, and are separate from the separation wall 35, and they are provided with the same north-south polarity. In this manner, a magnetic repulsion force is also generated between the first magnets 41, 42, and in particular between the respective second faces 41", 42'', which tends to bring the first magnets 41, 42 close to the respective second magnets 51, 52.

[0083] Advantageously, the first magnets 41, 42 comprise multiple first magnetic elements 400, magnetically connected to each other and stacked along a direction parallel to the main extension direction X, and preferably coinciding.

[0084] More in detail, each first magnetic element 400 has two magnetic faces, having opposite polarities, (e.g. South-North) and is magnetically connected to the adjacent first magnetic element 400 which thus has faces with reversed polarities with respect to the adjacent first magnetic element 400 (in such case South-North) and so forth. The arrangement of multiple first magnetic elements 400 stacked on each other allows obtaining a first magnet 41, 42 with high magnetic force but with reduced costs. Indeed, the magnetic force of each first magnet 41, 42 is given by the sum of the magnetic force of the single first magnetic elements 400. In addition, such arrangement simultaneously allows increasing the flexibility of the system, since it allows adapting the dimensions and the force of the first magnets 41, 42 to the dimensions of the central body 3 of the hinge 1.

[0085] Advantageously, each first magnet 41, 42 comprises a respective first end magnetic element 401, which faces a respective second magnet 51, 52.

[0086] In other words, the first end magnetic element 401 is that closer to the respective first access opening 34.

[0087] Preferably, the first end magnetic element 401 of the first magnet 41, 42 has an annular shape, with axis parallel to the main extension direction X, and preferably coinciding.

[0088] In particular, the first end magnetic element 401 has a circular annular section, and is provided with a through opening which is extended along the main extension direction X. Advantageously, each hinging element 6 at least partially engages the respective first end magnetic element 401 and is mechanically connected to a respective second magnet 51, 52, in order to rotatably connect each first magnet 41, 42 to the respective second magnet 51, 52. More in detail, the hinging element 6 is at least partially inserted in the through opening of the annular first end magnetic element 401, so as to determine a constraint to the relative movement between the hinging element 6 and the first end magnetic element 401 (and hence of the entire first magnet 41) along a movement direction orthogonal to the main extension direction X. Preferably, the hinging element 6 is inserted to size in the annular through opening of the first end magnetic element 401.

[0089] Advantageously, the second magnets 51, 52 comprise multiple second magnetic elements 500, magnetically connected to each other and stacked along a direction parallel to the main extension direction X, and preferably coinciding.

[0090] More in detail, each second magnetic element 500 has two magnetic faces, having opposite polarities, (e.g. South-North) and is magnetically connected to the adjacent second magnetic element 500 which therefore has faces with reversed polarities with respect to the adjacent second magnetic element 500 (in such case South-North) and so forth. The arrangement of multiple second magnetic elements 500 stacked on each other allows obtaining a second magnet 51, 52 with high magnetic force but with reduced costs.

[0091] Advantageously, each second magnet 51, 52 comprises a respective second end magnetic element 501, which faces a respective first end magnetic element 401.

[0092] In other words, the second end magnetic element 501 is that closer to the respective second access opening 24, and hence closer to the first end magnetic element 401.

[0093] Advantageously, each second end magnetic element 501 has an annular shape, with axis parallel to the main extension direction X.

[0094] In particular, the second end magnetic element 501 has a circular annular section, and is provided with a through opening which is extended along the main extension direction X. Advantageously, each hinging element 6 at least partially engages the respective first end magnetic element 401 and the respective second end magnetic element 501, in order to rotatably connect each first magnet 41, 42 to the respective second magnet 51, 52.

[0095] More in detail, the hinging element 6 is at least partially inserted in the through opening of the annular second end magnetic element 501, so as to determine a constraint to the relative movement between the hinging element 6 and the second end magnetic element 501 (and hence of the entire second magnet 51, 52) along a movement direction orthogonal to the main extension direction X.

[0096] Preferably, the hinging element 6 is inserted to size in the annular through opening of the second end magnetic element 501.

[0097] Advantageously, in accordance with a first and a second embodiment of the present invention, respectively illustrated in figures 2-4 and 5-7, both the first magnets 41, 42 and the second magnets 51, 52 are provided with respective first and second end magnetic elements 401, 501, the hinging element 6 is preferably placed to engage the respective through openings, so as to prevent the relative movement (except for minimal movements due to the normal tolerances) between each first magnet 41, 42 and the respective second magnet 51, 52.

[0098] In other words, in this manner the central body 3 remains constrained along the main extension direction X, remaining suspended between the lateral hinging portions 2', 2" of the support body 2, while it is constrained along directions orthogonal to the aforesaid main extension direction X by means of the mechanical engagement of the hinging element 6 in the through openings of the first and second end magnetic elements 401, 501.

[0099] More in detail, in accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in figures 2-4, each hinging element 6 comprises a pin 60, preferably made of steel, which is extended parallel to the main extension direction X, preferably along the same main extension direction X, between a first end 60', and an opposite second end 60''.

[0100] Advantageously, the pin 60 is placed to traverse, preferably to size, the through openings of the first and second end magnetic elements 401, 501.

[0101] Preferably, the first end 60' of each pin 60 is housed in a respective first cavity 31, 32, and the second end 60'' is housed in a respective second cavity 201, 202.

[0102] Advantageously, in accordance with such first embodiment, each first magnet 41, 42 has multiple first magnetic elements 400 with annular shape, stacked on each other, and preferably each second magnet 51, 52 has multiple second magnetic elements 500 with annular shape, stacked on each other.

[0103] Advantageously, the pin 60 is placed to traverse the annular first magnetic elements 400 and the annular second magnetic elements 500, as is visible in figure 4.

[0104] Preferably, each first magnetic element 400 of the first magnets 41, 42 has an annular shape, and still more preferably each second magnetic element 500 of the second magnets 51, 52 has an annular shape.

[0105] Advantageously, therefore, the first end 60' of the pin 60 is placed close to, preferably in abutment against the separation wall 35 of the central body 3, and the second end 60'' is placed close to the bottom wall 25 of the respective second housing cavity 201, 202 of the support body 2.

[0106] Advantageously, each pin 60 comprises a main portion 600 and a narrow stem 601. Preferably, the central body 3 is provided with two recesses 36, each of which extended in a depression from a respective separation wall 35 and houses the narrow stem 601 of the respective pin 60, preferably substantially to size. Advantageously, the recess 36 and the narrow stem 601 of the pin 60 are extended along the main extension direction X.

[0107] Advantageously, the recess 36 and the narrow stem 601 of the pin 60 are connected by means of thread engagement, such that during assembly the pin 60 is not extracted from the recess 36 itself. In this manner, the pin 60 advantageously does not rotate, not even during use, with respect to the central body 3 with which it is associated, in particular increasing the stability and strength of the hinge 1.

[0108] Preferably, the main body 600 of the pin 60 is cylindrical, and has a circular section, and still more preferably the narrow stem 601 of the same pin 60 is cylindrical, and also has a circular section.

[0109] Advantageously, the recess 36 has a cylindrical form, and is provided with a diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the first cavity 31, 32.

[0110] More in detail, each separation wall 35 defines a shoulder placed to connect between the respective first housing cavity 31, 32 and the respective recess 36. Preferably, the main portion 600 of the pin 60 is placed in abutment against the aforesaid shoulder.

[0111] Preferably, the two recesses 36 which are made from the opposite separation walls 35 are through recesses. In other words, the two first housing cavities 31, 32 are communicating with each other by means of the two recesses 36, as is visible in figure 4.

[0112] Advantageously, the main portion 600 of the pin 60 has a first section, inserted within the first magnetic elements 400 and provided with a first diameter, and a second section, inserted within the second magnetic elements 500 and provided with a second diameter. Preferably, at least the second diameter of the second section is smaller than the internal diameter of the annular second magnetic elements 500, in a manner such to not slide internally against the latter.

[0113] In particular, the second diameter of the second section is different from the first diameter of the first section and preferably it is smaller than the latter. Preferably, the main portion 600 of the pin 60 is inserted with its first section to size within the first magnetic elements 400.

[0114] In accordance with the second embodiment, illustrated in figures 5-7, each hinging element 6 comprises a ball 7, preferably made of steel.

[0115] In particular, the ball 7 is interposed between the first end magnetic element 401 of the first magnetic elements 400 and the second end magnetic element 501 of the second magnetic elements 500, so as to at least partially engage the respective through openings of the first and second end magnetic elements 401, 501.

[0116] More clearly, the first and second end magnetic elements 401, 501 are placed at a distance from each other that is smaller than the diameter of the ball 7.

[0117] Advantageously, the through opening of each first and second end magnetic elements 401, 501 has a diameter smaller than the aforesaid diameter of the ball, such that the ball 7 is prevented in its movement along the main extension direction X once it is interposed between the first and the second end magnetic element 401, 501.

[0118] In accordance with such second embodiment, the first magnetic elements 400 comprise only one annular magnetic element (the first end magnetic element 401), and preferably the second magnetic elements 500 comprise only one annular magnetic element (the second end magnetic element 501). Advantageously, indeed, the other first and second magnetic elements 400, 500 (in addition to the ends) have a solid cylindrical, not annular shape.

[0119] In accordance with a third embodiment, illustrated in figures 8-10, each hinging element 6 comprises a tapered element 8, preferably made of steel or of magnetic material, i.e. advantageously it is a magnet.

[0120] Advantageously, the tapered element 8 has a conical or frustoconical shape, preferably with circular base.

[0121] In particular, each tapered element 8 is connected, preferably magnetically, to a respective second magnet 51, 52. More in detail, the tapered element 8 is extended with frustoconical shape between a base portion 80, connected to a second magnetic element 500 of the second magnet 51, 52, and a tapered portion 81.

[0122] Of course, without departing from the protective scope of the present invention, in the event in which the tapered element 8 is itself a magnet, such tapered element 8 coincides with the respective second magnet 51, 52.

[0123] Preferably, the tapered portion 81 of the tapered element 8 has a smaller diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the through opening of the respective first end magnetic element 401, such that is can be inserted in the latter, thus engaging the end magnetic element 401.

[0124] Otherwise, the base portion 80 of the tapered element 8 preferably has greater diameter which is larger than the diameter of the through opening of the respective first end magnetic element 401, such that the tapered element 8 is prevented in its movement along the main extension direction X.

[0125] Advantageously, in accordance with such embodiment the second magnets 51, 52 comprise only one second magnetic element 500, preferably cylindrical, which is housed in the respective second housing cavity 201, 202, and with which the respective tapered element 8 is connected, preferably magnetically.

[0126] Preferably, the first magnetic elements 400 comprise only one annular magnetic element (the first end magnetic element 401), and the other first magnetic elements 400, have a solid cylindrical, not annular shape.

[0127] Advantageously, in accordance with the above-described second and third embodiments, the first magnets 41, 42 comprise four non-annular magnetic elements 400, interposed between the respective separation wall 35 and the respective first end magnetic element 401.

[0128] Also forming the object of the present invention is a method for assembling a hinge 1 of the above-described type, regarding which the same reference numbers will be maintained for the sake of description simplicity.

[0129] The present method comprises a step of arranging a first element 21 of the support body 2, a subsequent step of assembling the central body 3 and mounting the central body 3 on the first element 21 of the support body 2, and finally fixing the second element 22 of the support body 2 on the first element 21, with the central body 3 interposed between the latter.

[0130] In particular, the step of arranging the first element 21 provides for introducing the second magnets 52 into the respective second housing cavity 202, while the step of arranging the second element 22 provides for introducing the second magnets 51 into the respective second housing cavity 201.

[0131] In particular, the step of assembling the central body 3 provides for introducing the first magnets 41, 42 into the respective first housing cavities 31, 32 and inserting the hinging elements 6. Suitably, the introduction of the first magnets 41, 42 into the respective first housing cavities 31, 32 and of the hinging elements 6 can occur in the order indicated or in the reverse order.

[0132] In order to mount the hinge on a window / door / shutter 100 or a furniture piece, as illustrated for example in a schematic manner in figure 11, between the step of assembling the central body 3 and the step of mounting the central body 3 on the first element 21 of the support body 2, a step is advantageously provided for fixing the central body 3 to the wing 102 of the window / door / shutter 100 (or of the furniture piece).

[0133] In addition, following the step of fixing the second element 22 of the support body 2 on the first element 21, the method advantageously provides for a step of inserting the support body 2 assembled within a suitable seat made on the frame 101 of the window / door / shutter 100 (or of the furniture piece).

[0134] The support body 2 thus configured with two elements 21, 22 fixable to each other renders the mounting of the hinge 1 extremely simple and fast.

[0135] Also the configuration of the central body 3 with the first magnets 41, 42 housed in the respective first cavities 31, 32 allows reducing the mounting times, simplifying the operating steps.

[0136] The invention thus conceived therefore attains the pre-established objects.

Claims

1. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters, which comprises: - a support body (2), intended to be fixed to a frame (101) of a window / door / shutter (100), and comprising two lateral hinging portions (2', 2''), which between them delimit a housing seat (200); - a central body (3), intended to be fixed to a wing (102) of said window / door / shutter (100), and such central body (3) is at least partially housed in said housing seat (200), between the lateral hinging portions (2', 2") of said support body (2); said central body (3) extended between two opposite ends (3', 3"), along a main extension direction (X), and being internally provided with two first housing cavities (31, 32), which are accessible on opposite ends (3', 3") of said central body (3); - magnetic hinging means (4), which comprise: - at least two first magnets (41, 42), each of which housed in a respective first housing cavity (31, 32) of said central body (3); - at least two second magnets (51, 52), connected to said support body (2), each at a respective lateral hinging portion (2', 2") of said support body (2), and in which each said second magnet (51, 52) is placed facing a respective said first magnet (41, 42); - two hinging elements (6), each of which placed as a rotatable connection between a first magnet (41, 42) and the respective second magnet (51, 52), in order to hinge said central body (3) to said support body (2) around a rotation axis (R) parallel to said main extension direction (X); in which said first magnets (41, 42) and said second magnets (51, 52) are placed facing each other with equivalent polarities, in order to exert a magnetic repulsion force between each said first magnet (41, 42) and the respective said second magnet (51, 52).

2. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said hinging elements (6) is in contact with the respective said first magnet (41, 42) and with the respective said second magnet (51, 52), in order to guide the rotation of said central body (3) with respect to said support body (2) around said rotation axis (R).

3. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said support body (2) comprises a first element (21), which defines a first lateral hinging portion (2') of said two lateral hinging portions (2', 2"), and a second element (22), fixed to said first element (21), which defines a second lateral hinging portion (2") of said two lateral hinging portions (2', 2'').

4. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each first cavity (31, 32) of said central body (3) is extended from a respective first access opening (34) up to a respective separation wall (35), and said first magnets (41, 42) being housed in said first cavities (31, 32), in abutment against a respective said separation wall (35).

5. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first magnets (41, 42) comprise multiple first magnetic elements (400), magnetically connected to each other and stacked along a direction parallel to said main extension direction (X), in which each said first magnet (41, 42) comprises a respective first end magnetic element (401), which faces a respective second magnet (51, 52); in which each said first end magnetic element (401) has an annular shape, with axis parallel to said main extension direction (X).

6. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 5, characterized in that each said hinging element (6) at least partially engages the respective said first end magnetic element (401) and is mechanically connected to a respective second magnet (51, 52), in order to rotatably connect said first magnet (41, 42) and said second magnet (51, 52).

7. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 6, characterized in that said second magnets (51, 52) comprise multiple second magnetic elements (500), magnetically connected to each other and stacked along a direction parallel to said main extension direction (X), in which each said second magnet (51, 52) comprises a respective second end magnetic element (501), which faces a respective first end magnetic element (401); in which each said second end magnetic element (501) has an annular shape, with axis parallel to said main extension direction (X), and in which each said hinging element (6) at least partially engages the respective said first end magnetic element (401) and the respective second end magnetic element (501), in order to rotatably connect said first magnet (41, 42) and said second magnet (51, 52).

8. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 7, characterized in that said first end magnetic element (401) and said second end magnetic element (501) have an circular annular section, and are provided with a respective through opening which is extended along said main extension direction (X); in which each of said hinging elements (6) is at least partially inserted in the through opening of said first annular end magnetic element (401), and in the through opening of said second annular end magnetic element (501), in order to determine a constraint for the relative movement between said hinging element (6) and said first end magnetic element (401) along a movement direction orthogonal to said main extension direction (X).

9. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 8, characterized in that each of said hinging elements (6) is inserted to size in the through opening of said first annular end magnetic element (401) and in the through opening of said second annular end magnetic element (501).

10. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support body (2) comprises two second housing cavities (201, 202) which are made on respective lateral hinging portions (2', 2") of said support body (2), and in each of which a respective second magnet (51, 52) is at least partially housed.

11. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 10, characterized in that each said hinging element (6) comprises a pin (60), which is extended parallel to said main extension direction (X) between a first end (60'), housed in a respective said first cavity (31, 32), and an opposite second end (60") housed in a respective said second cavity (201, 202).

12. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 11, characterized in that each pin (60) of said hinging element (6) comprises a main portion (600) and a narrow stem (601); said central body (3) being provided with two recesses (36), each of which extended in a depression from a respective said separation wall (35) and houses the narrow stem (601) of the respective said pin (60).

13. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to any one of the claims from 7 to 9, characterized in that said hinging element (6) comprises a ball (7), which is interposed between the first end magnetic element (401) of the first magnetic elements (400) and the second end magnetic element (501) of the second magnetic elements (500).

14. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to claim 6, characterized in that said hinging element (6) comprises a tapered element (8).

15. Hinge for windows / doors / shutters according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hinging elements (6) are made of a metal material, preferably ferromagnetic.

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