Hinge for windows / door / shutters

Abstract

Hinge (1) for windows / doors / shutters comprising a first hinge element (2) provided with a first internal side (3) and an opposite first external side (4) and formed by a first external hull (5), which defines a guide seat (6) opening on the first internal side (3) and extended along a main first extension axis (X) parallel to the lying plane (α) on which the first internal side (3) itself is substantially extended, and by a first adjustment body (7), which is slidably inserted along the first extension axis (X) in the guide seat (6). The hinge (1) comprises a second hinge element (8) and articulation means (9), which movably connect the first hinge element (2), at the first adjustment body (7), and the second hinge element (8) between a closed position and at least one open position. The first hinge element (2) comprises an adjustment device (10) provided with a thrust element (11), slidably connected to the first external hull (5) along a movement direction (W) transverse to the first lying plane (α), and an insert (12), integral with the first adjustment body (7) in translation along the first extension axis (X). On at least one between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12) a first tilted surface (13) being extended, which is tilted with respect to the first extension axis (X) and to the first lying plane (α) and placed in abutment against the other between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12). The aforesaid thrust element (11) is actuatable to translate along the movement direction (W), with the first tilted surface (13) extended on one between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12) which slides against the other between the thrust element (11) and the insert (12), in order to move, through the insert (12), the first adjustment body (7) to translate in the guide seat (6) along the first extension axis (X).

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge for windows / doors / shutters, according to the preamble of independent claim no. 1.

[0002] The hinge in question is advantageously intended to be used to rotatably connect together a wing of a window / door / shutter and a fixed frame of the same window / door / shutter, wherein the wing can for example be that of a door, a window, a French window or a wardrobe.

[0003] The hinge which is the subject of the present invention is advantageously but not exclusively of the type known in the technical jargon of the sector as "concealed" or even "invisible", as it is not visible from the outside once the wing is placed in a closed position, since all the elements which form the hinge are substantially recessed inside the wing and the frame.

[0004] The hinge in question therefore advantageously falls in the field of windows / doors / shutters, in the field of production and assembly of accessories for windows / doors / shutters and more in general in the field of interior design and the production of windows / doors / shutters and furniture.State of the art

[0005] As is known in the field of windows / doors / shutters, hinges usually consist of two hinge elements, one of which is intended to be fixed to a wing and the other to a fixed frame, and articulation means, which comprise for example one or more articulation arms to allow a rotation of the wing with respect to the frame, usually of approximately 180° around a hinge axis.

[0006] In the case of the present invention, reference will preferably be made, although not exclusively, to a concealed (or invisible) type hinge, in which the hinge elements are recessed inside corresponding housings created in the wing and in the frame so that only the articulation arms between the two elements of the hinge itself protrude outside the aforesaid housings.

[0007] In more detail, one of the two hinge elements, in particular the one intended to be recessed in a respective housing of the fixed frame, is placed to allow an adjustment of the height of the wing itself with respect to the floor.

[0008] In particular, in order to allow the aforesaid height adjustment, such a hinge element is provided with an external hull, intended to be fixed in the respective housing, and with an adjustment body, slidably associated with the external hull along a vertical direction, mechanically connected to the articulation arms and provided with slotted holes, which are elongated along the vertical direction and crossed by fixing screws inserted in corresponding threaded holes made on the external hull.

[0009] Thereby, by loosening the fixing screws it is possible to translate the adjustment body with respect to the external hull thanks to the slotted holes and, furthermore, by tightening the fixing screws it is possible to lock the adjustment body in position once the desired height for the wing has been reached.

[0010] The hinge for windows / doors / shutters of the known type briefly described above has proven to be not free from drawbacks in practice.

[0011] The main drawback is that the adjustment body is locked in position to the external hull only thanks to the friction force that develops between the adjustment body pressed by the heads of the fixing screws and the external hull.

[0012] Therefore, particularly heavy wings, for example around 80 kg or more, tend to be dragged downwards by their own weight even when the fixing screws are tightened, until the wing rests with its lower edge on the floor or until the upper edge of the slotted holes comes to abut against the stem of the respective fixing screws.

[0013] A further drawback is that, in the case of particularly heavy wings, it is necessary to employ more than one operator to install the window / door / shutter, at least one of whom must keep the wing at the desired height and one who must lock the adjustment body in position.

[0014] Furthermore, even when employing more than one installation operator, the task of maintaining the wing raised to the exact desired height until all the fixing screws were tightened has proved to be very tiring, in the case of a heavy wing.

[0015] Furthermore, hinges are known in the field, as for example emerges from prior art documents EP 3103948, DE 202006004198 and CN 103061629, which are provided with a hinge element with a vertical adjustment body to which the hinging means are connected. In order to make this adjustment body translate vertically, the hinge includes at least one movement mechanism provided with a wedge with a tilted surface placed to act against a corresponding tilted surface of the same adjustment body. However, these hinges described in the above-mentioned prior art patents have some drawbacks, as they are not compatible with a variation of the position of the aforesaid adjustment body (and therefore of the door wing) along a horizontal direction, thus making the installation of the wing on the fixed frame of the door particularly complicated.Presentation of the invention

[0016] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks manifested by the known solutions discussed above, by providing a hinge for windows / doors / shutters, which is suitable for windows / doors / shutters having particularly heavy wings, for example around 80 kg or more.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which allows the height of the wing of the window / door / shutter to be easily adjusted, even when the aforesaid wing is particularly heavy.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which allows the height of the wing of the window / door / shutter to be adjusted in an extremely precise manner, even when the aforesaid wing is particularly heavy.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is simple and economical to produce.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is operationally wholly reliable.Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The technical features of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly seen from the contents of the claims set out below and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent a purely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of the hinge for windows / doors / shutters, in the open position, which is the subject matter of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of the hinge of Figure 1, where the section is made along the line II-II in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail from Figure 2 of the hinge of Figure 1, where the enlarged detail corresponds to ring III of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an axonometric view of a thrust element of an adjustment device of the hinge of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a side view of the thrust element of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of an insert of the adjustment device of the hinge of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a front view of the insert of Figure 6; Figures 8 to 10 each show a sectional side view of a part of the hinge of Figure 1, where the thrust element is placed in different positions along a movement direction thereof to set different positions of the insert along a main extension direction of a corresponding first hinge element of the hinge which is the subject matter of the present invention. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0022] With reference to the attached drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is the subject matter of the present invention.

[0023] The hinge 1 in question is intended to movably connect together a wing and a frame of a window / door / shutter, so as to allow opening and closing an opening delimited at least partially by the aforesaid frame, wherein the wing can for example be that of a door, a window, a French window or a piece of furniture.

[0024] The hinge 1 in question comprises a first hinge element 2, which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the wing or on the frame, extended lengthwise along a main first extension axis X thereof and depthwise along a second extension axis Y thereof orthogonal to the aforesaid first extension axis X between a first internal side 3, extended substantially on a first lying plane α parallel to the first extension axis X, and a first external side 4, opposite the first internal side 3 and intended to be directed towards the bottom of the containment housing.

[0025] Advantageously, the first hinge element 2 also extends widthwise along a third extension axis Z orthogonal to the main first extension axis X and to the second extension axis Y.

[0026] Furthermore, such a first hinge element 2 comprises at least one first external hull 5 and a first adjustment body 7.

[0027] The first external hull 5 defines a first guide seat 6, which extends along the first extension axis X and opens on the first internal side 3, and is provided with at least one bottom wall 21, which is placed to delimit the first guide seat 6 in a position opposite the first internal side 3.

[0028] In more detail, the first external side 4 of the first hinge element 2 is defined by the bottom wall 21.

[0029] The first adjustment body 7 is also slidably inserted, at least along the first extension axis X, in the first guide seat 6 of the first external hull 5.

[0030] The hinge 1 according to the invention further comprises a second hinge element 8, which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the other between the wing and the frame, and articulation means 9, which movably connect the first hinge element 2, at the first adjustment body 7, and the second hinge element 8 between a closed position and at least one open position.

[0031] In more detail, once the hinge 1 in question has been installed, the first external hull 5 will be inserted in the corresponding containment housing made on the wing or on the frame with the first external side 4 thereof facing towards the bottom of the aforesaid containment housing and with the first extension axis X thereof oriented vertically, so that it is possible to adjust the height at which the wing is located with respect to the floor by translating the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X in the first guide seat 6 defined by the first external hull 5. In particular, the first hinge element 2 is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the frame and the second hinge element 8 is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the wing.

[0032] In more detail, the articulation means 9 are placed to guide the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 to move with respect to each other between the closed position and the at least one open position by means of a rotational motion (in the case where the hinge 1 in question is for example a traditional visible hinge), in particular around a rotation axis parallel to the main first extension axis X of the first hinge element 2, or by means of a compound roto-translation motion (in the case where the hinge 1 in question is for example an invisible hinge), in which in particular one of the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 moves with respect to the other by rotating around a rotation axis which is parallel to the main first extension axis X and which translates along a curved or circular trajectory on a plane orthogonal to the aforesaid main first extension axis X.

[0033] Advantageously, the articulation means 9 comprise one or more articulation arms 34, which are mechanically connected at their end portions, by means of hinge pins parallel to the main first extension axis X, on one side to the first hinge element 2, in particular to the first adjustment body 7 of the latter, and on the other side to the second hinge element 8, in particular to a second adjustment body 41 of the latter which will be better described below, in at least a rotatable manner (and possibly also a sliding manner, with one or more of the hinge pins capable of translating along corresponding guides made on the first adjustment body 7 and / or on the second hinge element 8, in particular on the second adjustment body 41 of the second hinge element 8). Such articulation arms 34 can possibly be hinged together at the center (if more than one articulation arm 34 is provided and not just one). Thereby, the aforesaid articulation arms 34 are in particular placed to guide the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 to move with respect to each other between the closed position and the open position by means of a compound roto-translation motion.

[0034] For example, the articulation means 9 comprising the aforesaid articulation arms 34 are of the type with seven fulcrums.

[0035] Alternatively, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the articulation means 9 can be of any other type, for example with five fulcrums or of a type that combines fulcrums together with sliding components.

[0036] The second hinge element 8 advantageously extends in length along a fourth main extension axis S thereof which is parallel to the main first extension axis X of the first hinge element 2 and in depth along a fifth extension axis T which is orthogonal to the aforesaid fourth extension axis S between a second internal side 35, extending substantially on a second lying plane β which is parallel to the fourth extension axis S, and a second external side, opposite the second internal side 35 and intended to be directed towards the bottom of the respective containment housing. Preferably, in the closed position, the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 are placed with their first and second internal sides 3, 35 close together and facing each other and with the first and second lying planes α, β substantially parallel.

[0037] Furthermore, in the open position, the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 are placed with the first and second internal sides 3, 35 distanced from each other.

[0038] For example, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures and as visible in particular in Figure 1, the articulation means 9 are placed to allow a 180° rotation between the first and second hinge body 2, 8 from the closed position to a maximum open position, so that in the aforesaid maximum open position the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 are placed next to each other with the first and second lying planes α, β substantially coplanar and with the first and second internal sides 3, 35 facing in the same direction.

[0039] Advantageously, the first adjustment body 7 of the first hinge element 2 defines a first housing seat 37 and the second hinge element 8 defines a second housing seat 38, which first and second housing seats 37, 38 are preferably communicating with each other in the closed position, so that in the closed position the articulation means 9 (in particular the articulation arms 34 thereof) are contained in the aforesaid first and second housing seats 37, 38.

[0040] Furthermore, the second hinge element 8 preferably comprises a second external hull 39, which defines a second guide seat 40 extending along said fifth extension axis T and opening on the second internal side 35, and a second adjustment body 41, which is slidably inserted, at least along the fifth extension axis T, in the second guide seat 40 of the second external hull 39. Furthermore, the second hinge element 8 preferably extends widthwise along a sixth extension axis U orthogonal to the fourth main extension axis S and to the fifth extension axis T.

[0041] In more detail, the articulation means 9 movably connect the first hinge element 2, at the first adjustment body 7, and the second hinge element 8, at the second adjustment body 41, between a closed position and at least one open position.

[0042] Thereby, by translating the second adjustment body 41 along the fifth extension axis T in the second guide seat 40 of the second external hull 39, it is advantageously possible to adjust the distance in the closed position between the first and second lying planes α, β respectively of the first and second internal sides 3, 35, that is, in particular the distance in the closed position between the side of the frame to which the hinge 1 in question is fixed and the wing.

[0043] Advantageously, the second hinge element 8 comprises adjustment means placed to precisely set the position of the second adjustment body 41 along the fifth extension axis T in the second guide seat 40 of the second external hull 39, which adjustment means will not be described in detail below as they are already generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0044] In particular, the second housing seat 38 is obtained on the second adjustment body 41 of the second hinge element 8.

[0045] According to the idea underlying the present invention, the first hinge element 2 comprises at least one adjustment device 10 provided with at least one thrust element 11, which is slidably connected to the first external hull 5 along a movement direction W transverse to the first lying plane α of the first internal side 3, and with an insert 12, which is integral with the first adjustment body 7 at least in translation along the main first extension axis X.

[0046] More specifically, the expression "integral at least in translation along the main first extension axis X" must be understood to mean that the insert 12 and first adjustment body 7 will always move together along the main first extension axis X when one of the two is pushed to translate along it and that they may possibly be able to move with respect to each other when one of the two is pushed to translate along a different axis, for example along the second extension axis Y. Furthermore, always according to the idea underlying the present invention, on at least one between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 is extended a first tilted surface 13, which is tilted with respect to the main first extension axis X and to the first lying plane α and is susceptible to being placed in abutment against the other between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12.

[0047] Furthermore, the thrust element 11 is actuatable to translate along the movement direction W, with the first tilted surface 13 extended on one between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 sliding against the other between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12, to move, through the insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 to translate in the first guide seat 6 along the first extension axis X.

[0048] Thereby, when the hinge 1 in question is installed with the main first extension axis X of the first hinge element 2 oriented vertically and with the thrust element 11 placed below the insert 12 integral at least in translation along the first extension axis X with the first adjustment body 7, the weight force that is discharged from the wing onto the first adjustment body 7 is supported by the same thrust element 11 which generates a reaction force (unlike the hinges of the known art which only provided for a friction force), consequently making the same hinge 1 in question suitable for windows / doors / shutters having particularly heavy wings, for example around 80 kg or more.

[0049] Furthermore, the placement of the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 (of which at least one is provided with the first tilted surface 13 to transform the translation of the thrust element 11 along the movement direction W into a translation of the insert 12 along the first extension axis X) advantageously allows the height of the wing to be adjusted with respect to the floor more easily with respect to the prior art, since the weight of the wing is discharged onto the thrust element 11 even during the height adjustment step, making it easier for operators to bring the wing to the desired height with respect to the floor.

[0050] Advantageously, in order to uniformly distribute the forces due to the weight of the wing, the first tilted surface 13 extends on the thrust element 11 and a second tilted surface 14 extends on the insert 12, which is parallel to the first tilted surface 13, directed towards the first tilted surface 13 and can be placed to abut against the first tilted surface 13.

[0051] Thereby, the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 are not in contact with each other only at one point, but along at least part or the entire extension of the first and second tilted surfaces 13, 14 depending on the position of the thrust element 11 along the movement direction W and of the insert 12 along the first extension axis X, thus avoiding a particularly high concentration of stresses on a restricted area.

[0052] In more detail, the thrust element 11 can be actuated to translate along the movement direction W, with the first tilted surface 13 sliding on the second tilted surface 14, to move, through the insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 to translate in the first guide seat 6 along the main first extension axis X.

[0053] Preferably, in order to simplify the operation of the thrust element 11 to translate along the corresponding movement direction W, the aforesaid movement direction W is parallel to the second extension axis Y and orthogonal to the main first extension axis X and to the first lying plane α of the first internal side 3 of the first hinge element 2.

[0054] In order to keep the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 in a precise position with respect to each other, the thrust element 11 is advantageously provided with two guide grooves 15, which are made adjacent to the first tilted surface 13, carry the first tilted surface 13 interposed therebetween and define two third tilted surfaces 16 parallel to the first tilted surface 13. Furthermore, the insert 12 is advantageously provided with two guide shoulders 17, which are extended projecting from the second tilted surface 14, carry the second tilted surface 14 interposed therebetween, are each provided with a corresponding fourth tilted surface 18 parallel to the second tilted surface 14 and are at least partially inserted in the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11 with the fourth tilted surfaces 18 capable of being placed in abutment against the third tilted surfaces 16.

[0055] Thereby, the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 cannot translate relative to each other parallel to the third extension axis Z, since the guide shoulders 17 of the insert 12 inserted in the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11 prevent such translations.

[0056] Furthermore, when the thrust element 11 is actuated to translate along the movement direction W to push the insert 12 and the first adjustment body 7 to translate along the first extension axis X, the first tilted surface 13 of the insert 11 advantageously slides on the second tilted surface 14 of the insert 12 and the third tilted surfaces 16 of the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11 advantageously slide on the fourth tilted surfaces 18 of the guide shoulders 17 of the insert 12. Advantageously, the first external hull 5 is extended along the main first extension axis X between two opposite first ends 19 and the first adjustment body 7 is extended along the main first extension axis X between two opposite second ends 20, each of which is adjacent to a corresponding first end 19 of the first external hull 5.

[0057] In more detail, the thrust element 11 of the adjustment device 10 is arranged substantially at a respective first end 19 of the first external hull 5 and the first tilted surface 13 of the thrust element 11 is directed towards the bottom wall 21 of the first external hull 5 and towards the second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 adjacent to the first end 19 at which the thrust element 11 itself is substantially placed.

[0058] Furthermore, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 is preferably arranged at a respective second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 adjacent to the first end 19 at which the thrust element 11 is substantially arranged and the second tilted surface 14 of the insert 12 is directed towards the first tilted surface 13.

[0059] In particular, the second tilted surface 14 of the insert 12 is directed towards the first end 19 at which the thrust element 11 is substantially placed and in the opposite direction with respect to the bottom wall 21.

[0060] Preferably, the first hinge element 2 is provided with two fixing flanges 54, which are made in one piece with the first external hull 5, are each placed at a respective first end 19 of the aforesaid first external hull 5 and are each provided with one or more attachment holes 55 intended to be passed through by a corresponding attachment screw to fix the first external hull 5 to the wing or to the frame on which the corresponding containment housing is made. Advantageously, the thrust element 11 is substantially provided with only one degree of freedom to translate along the movement direction W and the adjustment device 10 is provided with an adjustment pin 22, which is extended along the movement direction W, is at least partially threaded, is screwed into a corresponding threaded nut screw hole 23 made on the thrust element 11 and is rotatably connected to the first external hull 5 around the movement direction W to make the thrust element 11 translate along the movement direction W.

[0061] In more detail, the fact that the thrust element 11 is substantially provided with only one degree of freedom to translate along the movement direction W (except for negligible rotations of the thrust element 11 around the movement direction W due to the presence of mechanical clearance which allows the thrust element 11 itself to translate along the movement direction W, reducing any friction as much as possible) means that the adjustment pin 22 and the thrust element 11 itself together form a screw-and-nut mechanism.

[0062] Thereby, the placement of the adjustment pin 22 which engages a hole in the nut screw hole 23 obtained on the thrust element 11 advantageously allows the height of the wing to be adjusted with respect to the floor in a particularly precise manner, since each rotation of the adjustment pin 22 around the movement direction W corresponds to a translation of the thrust elements 11 along this movement direction W equal to the pitch of the thread made on the adjustment pin 22. Advantageously, in order to allow the thrust element 11 to translate along the movement direction W with substantially only one degree of freedom, the first external hull 5 is provided with at least two positioning shoulders 42, each of which is provided with a contact surface opposite the contact surface of the other positioning shoulder 42 and parallel to the movement direction W and, furthermore, the thrust element 11 of the adjustment device 10 is inserted at least in part and substantially to size between the positioning shoulders 42 in a movable manner along the movement direction W.

[0063] In particular, the first guide seat 6 is extended along the main first extension axis X between its two terminal ends and the aforesaid positioning shoulders 42 are positioned at at least one of the two terminal ends of the first guide seat 6.

[0064] Advantageously, an engagement hole 24 is made on the bottom wall 21 of the first external hull 5, which carries the adjustment pin 22 inserted therein so that it can rotate around the movement direction W.

[0065] In more detail, this adjustment pin 22 is extended along the aforesaid movement direction W and has, in particular, a circular section on a plane orthogonal to this movement direction W.

[0066] In particular, the bottom wall 21 is provided with at least one step 44 with increased thickness and the engagement hole 24 is made at the aforesaid step 44 of the bottom wall 21, so as to support the adjustment pin 22 for a length along the movement direction W sufficient to ensure an adequate mechanical resistance to the weight force exerted by the wing on the first adjustment body 7 and, therefore, on the thrust element 11 and on the adjustment pin 22 itself screwed to the thrust element 11.

[0067] Preferably, the engagement hole 24 is a through hole and the adjustment pin 22 is placed to traverse the engagement hole 24 and projects therefrom on the first external side 4 with at least one of enlarged retention section 25 thereof having, on a plane orthogonal to the movement direction W, dimensions greater than the diameter of the engagement hole 24.

[0068] In more detail, the enlarged retention section 25 prevents the extraction of the adjustment pin 22 from the engagement hole 24.

[0069] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the portion of the adjustment pin 22 protecting from the engagement hole 24 on the first external side 4 is beveled to define the aforesaid enlarged retention section 25.

[0070] In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated, the enlarged retention section 25 is defined by a washer welded to the portion of the adjustment pin 22 projecting from the engagement hole 24 on the first external side 4.

[0071] Furthermore, the adjustment pin 22 is advantageously provided with an abutment shoulder 26 placed between the thrust element 11 and the bottom wall 21 and, furthermore, the adjustment device 10 is provided with elastic means 27 interposed between the bottom wall 21 and the enlarged retention section 25 in order to draw the abutment shoulder 26 in abutment against the bottom wall 21 (in particular against the step 44 of the aforesaid bottom wall 21) acting against the enlarged retention section 25.

[0072] In particular, the abutment shoulder 26 divides the adjustment pin 22 into a first portion 45, which advantageously has a substantially cylindrical shape, is placed to traverse the engagement hole 24 and ends with the enlarged retention section 25, and into a second portion 46, which advantageously is placed in the first guide seat 6, is threaded and is inserted into the nut screw hole 23 made on the thrust element.

[0073] Preferably, the elastic means 27 comprise a cup spring 47, which is provided with a central opening 48 traversed by the adjustment pin 22.

[0074] In particular, the aforesaid cup spring 47 is extended along the movement direction W between a larger base placed in contact with the bottom wall 21 and an opposite smaller base placed in contact with the enlarged retention section 25 of the adjustment pin 22 placed to traverse through its central opening 48.

[0075] Thereby, by using a cup spring 47 as elastic means 27, it is possible to firmly maintain the abutment shoulder 26 in abutment against the bottom wall 21, since the cup spring 47 is generally provided with a particularly high rigidity with respect to that of other types of springs or elastic elements in general.

[0076] Advantageously, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 is provided with a protruding portion 28, which protrudes along the main first extension axis X with respect to the corresponding second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7, and with a housing groove 29, which is made in a through manner along the movement direction W at the protruding portion 28 and is susceptible to being at least partially occupied by the adjustment pin 22.

[0077] Thereby, the placement of the housing groove 29 on the protruding portion 28 of the insert 12 means that, during the adjustment of the position of the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X, it is possible to translate the insert 12 between the thrust element 11 and the bottom wall 21 to such an extent that the housing groove 29 itself receives the adjustment pin 22 therein, thus preventing the adjustment pin 22 itself from limiting the maximum possible translation of the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X. Consequently, thanks to the housing groove 29, it is possible to obtain a particularly large maximum translation of the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X, while at the same time keeping the overall length of the first hinge element 2 along the first extension axis X as short as possible.

[0078] In more detail, at least part of the second tilted surface 14 is extended on the protruding portion 28 and the housing groove 29 is made in a through manner along the movement direction W at part of the second tilted surface 14 extending onto this protruding portion 28.

[0079] Advantageously, the first guide seat 6 is extended along the third extension axis Z with a first width thereof and the first adjustment body 7 is provided, along the third extension axis Z, with a second width which is smaller than the first width, so that the first adjustment body 7 is slidable with respect to the first external hull 5 along the third extension axis Z.

[0080] In particular, the first guide seat 7 of the first external hull 5 can be delimited along the third extension axis Z by one or two lateral sides 30 of the same first external hull 5, which extend projecting starting from the bottom wall 21, or from the material of the wing or frame which defines the containment housing in which the first external hull 5 of the first hinge element 2 is inserted. Furthermore, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 is preferably provided with a slotted hole 31, which is elongated along the third extension axis Z, and the adjustment device 10 is also provided with a fixing screw 32, which is placed to traverse the slotted hole 31 and is screwed into a corresponding threaded fixing hole 33 made on the first adjustment body 7. Thereby, by loosening the fixing screw 32 it is possible to slide the first adjustment body 7 into the first guide seat 6 along the third extension axis Z, consequently adjusting the pressure that the wing in the closed position will exert on the seal that extends on the frame, and it is then possible to tighten the fixing screw 33 again to lock the first adjustment body 7 with respect to the insert 12, which is in turn held in position along the third extension axis Z in particular by means of its guide shoulders 17 inserted in the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11, as previously described.

[0081] In more detail, the first adjustment body 7 is provided with a lowered portion 51 at least at one of the second ends 20 thereof, the fixing hole 33 is made at the aforesaid lowered portion 51 and the insert 12 is provided with a fixing portion 52 placed in abutment against said lowered portion 51 and on which the aforesaid slotted hole 31 is made.

[0082] Furthermore, the first adjustment body 7 is preferably provided with at least one positioning wall 53 extended projecting with respect to the lowered portion 51 and the fixing portion 52 of the insert 12 is also placed in abutment against the aforesaid positioning wall 52.

[0083] In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated in the attached figures, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 can be made in a single body with the first adjustment body 7 (consequently not being able to adjust the pressure exerted by the wing in the closed position on the seal by moving the first adjustment body 7 along the third extension axis Z).

[0084] In this case, the second adjustment body 41 of the second hinge element 8 can be slidable with respect to the second external hull 39, not only along the fifth extension axis T, but also along the sixth extension axis U, so as to be able to adjust the pressure exerted by the wing in the closed position on the frame seal. In the above case, therefore, the second guide seat 40 must have a width along the sixth extension axis U which is greater than that of the second adjustment body 41 and the adjustment means of the second hinge element 8 must be placed to allow the position of the second adjustment body 41 to be set in the second guide seat 40 both along the fifth extension axis T and along the sixth extension axis U.

[0085] Advantageously, the first hinge element 2 is provided with two adjustment devices 10, which are preferably mirror images of each other with respect to a plane orthogonal to the main first extension axis X.

[0086] In particular, the thrust element 11 of each adjustment device 10 is placed substantially at a respective first end 19 of the first external hull 5 and the first tilted surface 13 of each thrust element 11 is directed towards the bottom wall 21 and the second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 adjacent to the first end 19 at which the respective thrust element 11 is substantially placed and, furthermore, the insert 12 of each adjustment device 10 is placed at a respective second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 and is directed towards the first tilted surface 13 of the respective thrust element 11.

[0087] Thereby, the hinge 1 in question can be used for both right- and left-opening windows / doors / shutters since, advantageously having two mirrored adjustment devices 10, it will always be provided with a lower adjustment device 10 and an upper adjustment device 10 regardless of the orientation it has once installed with the main first extension axis X in the vertical position.

[0088] In particular, to adjust the position of the first adjustment body 7 along the first extension axis X, the thrust element 11 of the upper adjustment device 10 is translated along the corresponding movement direction W away from the bottom wall 21 in order to allow the lower adjustment device 10 to set the position of the first adjustment body 7 itself by acting on the thrust element 11 thereof and, after having reached the desired height of the first adjustment body 7, the thrust element 11 of the upper adjustment device 10 is translated towards the bottom wall 21 until it abuts against the corresponding insert 12 to lock the first adjustment body 7 in position. Thereby, after the thrust elements 11 of both adjustment devices 10 are placed in abutment against the respective insert 12, the thrust element 11 of the lower adjustment device 10 prevents, through the corresponding insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 from moving downwards along the first extension axis X and the thrust element 11 of the upper adjustment device 10 prevents, through the corresponding insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 from moving upwards along the first extension axis X.

[0089] Therefore, the invention thus conceived achieves the pre-set objects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0022]With reference to the attached drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is the subject matter of the present invention.

[0023]The hinge 1 in question is intended to movably connect together a wing and a frame of a window / door / shutter, so as to allow opening and closing an opening delimited at least partially by the aforesaid frame, wherein the wing can for example be that of a door, a window, a French window or a piece of furniture.

[0024]The hinge 1 in question comprises a first hinge element 2, which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the wing or on the frame, extended lengthwise along a main first extension axis X thereof and depthwise along a second extension axis Y thereof orthogonal to the aforesaid first extension axis X between a first internal side 3, extended substantially on a first lying plane α parallel to the first extension axis X, and a first external side 4, opposite the first intern...

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge for windows / doors / shutters, according to the preamble of independent claim no. 1.

[0002] The hinge in question is advantageously intended to be used to rotatably connect together a wing of a window / door / shutter and a fixed frame of the same window / door / shutter, wherein the wing can for example be that of a door, a window, a French window or a wardrobe.

[0003] The hinge which is the subject of the present invention is advantageously but not exclusively of the type known in the technical jargon of the sector as "concealed" or even "invisible", as it is not visible from the outside once the wing is placed in a closed position, since all the elements which form the hinge are substantially recessed inside the wing and the frame.

[0004] The hinge in question therefore advantageously falls in the field of windows / doors / shutters, in the field of production and assembly of accessories for windows / doors / shutters and more in general in the field of interior design and the production of windows / doors / shutters and furniture.State of the art

[0005] As is known in the field of windows / doors / shutters, hinges usually consist of two hinge elements, one of which is intended to be fixed to a wing and the other to a fixed frame, and articulation means, which comprise for example one or more articulation arms to allow a rotation of the wing with respect to the frame, usually of approximately 180° around a hinge axis.

[0006] In the case of the present invention, reference will preferably be made, although not exclusively, to a concealed (or invisible) type hinge, in which the hinge elements are recessed inside corresponding housings created in the wing and in the frame so that only the articulation arms between the two elements of the hinge itself protrude outside the aforesaid housings.

[0007] In more detail, one of the two hinge elements, in particular the one intended to be recessed in a respective housing of the fixed frame, is placed to allow an adjustment of the height of the wing itself with respect to the floor.

[0008] In particular, in order to allow the aforesaid height adjustment, such a hinge element is provided with an external hull, intended to be fixed in the respective housing, and with an adjustment body, slidably associated with the external hull along a vertical direction, mechanically connected to the articulation arms and provided with slotted holes, which are elongated along the vertical direction and crossed by fixing screws inserted in corresponding threaded holes made on the external hull.

[0009] Thereby, by loosening the fixing screws it is possible to translate the adjustment body with respect to the external hull thanks to the slotted holes and, furthermore, by tightening the fixing screws it is possible to lock the adjustment body in position once the desired height for the wing has been reached.

[0010] The hinge for windows / doors / shutters of the known type briefly described above has proven to be not free from drawbacks in practice.

[0011] The main drawback is that the adjustment body is locked in position to the external hull only thanks to the friction force that develops between the adjustment body pressed by the heads of the fixing screws and the external hull.

[0012] Therefore, particularly heavy wings, for example around 80 kg or more, tend to be dragged downwards by their own weight even when the fixing screws are tightened, until the wing rests with its lower edge on the floor or until the upper edge of the slotted holes comes to abut against the stem of the respective fixing screws.

[0013] A further drawback is that, in the case of particularly heavy wings, it is necessary to employ more than one operator to install the window / door / shutter, at least one of whom must keep the wing at the desired height and one who must lock the adjustment body in position.

[0014] Furthermore, even when employing more than one installation operator, the task of maintaining the wing raised to the exact desired height until all the fixing screws were tightened has proved to be very tiring, in the case of a heavy wing.

[0015] Furthermore, hinges are known in the field, as for example emerges from prior art documents EP 3103948, DE 202006004198 and CN 103061629, which are provided with a hinge element with a vertical adjustment body to which the hinging means are connected. In order to make this adjustment body translate vertically, the hinge includes at least one movement mechanism provided with a wedge with a tilted surface placed to act against a corresponding tilted surface of the same adjustment body. However, these hinges described in the above-mentioned prior art patents have some drawbacks, as they are not compatible with a variation of the position of the aforesaid adjustment body (and therefore of the door wing) along a horizontal direction, thus making the installation of the wing on the fixed frame of the door particularly complicated.Presentation of the invention

[0016] In this situation, the problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of overcoming the drawbacks manifested by the known solutions discussed above, by providing a hinge for windows / doors / shutters, which is suitable for windows / doors / shutters having particularly heavy wings, for example around 80 kg or more.

[0017] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which allows the height of the wing of the window / door / shutter to be easily adjusted, even when the aforesaid wing is particularly heavy.

[0018] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which allows the height of the wing of the window / door / shutter to be adjusted in an extremely precise manner, even when the aforesaid wing is particularly heavy.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is simple and economical to produce.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is operationally wholly reliable.Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The technical features of the invention, according to the aforesaid objects, can be clearly seen from the contents of the claims set out below and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent a purely exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of the hinge for windows / doors / shutters, in the open position, which is the subject matter of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of the hinge of Figure 1, where the section is made along the line II-II in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail from Figure 2 of the hinge of Figure 1, where the enlarged detail corresponds to ring III of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an axonometric view of a thrust element of an adjustment device of the hinge of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a side view of the thrust element of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an axonometric view of an insert of the adjustment device of the hinge of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows a front view of the insert of Figure 6; Figures 8 to 10 each show a sectional side view of a part of the hinge of Figure 1, where the thrust element is placed in different positions along a movement direction thereof to set different positions of the insert along a main extension direction of a corresponding first hinge element of the hinge which is the subject matter of the present invention. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0022] With reference to the attached drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is the subject matter of the present invention.

[0023] The hinge 1 in question is intended to movably connect together a wing and a frame of a window / door / shutter, so as to allow opening and closing an opening delimited at least partially by the aforesaid frame, wherein the wing can for example be that of a door, a window, a French window or a piece of furniture.

[0024] The hinge 1 in question comprises a first hinge element 2, which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the wing or on the frame, extended lengthwise along a main first extension axis X thereof and depthwise along a second extension axis Y thereof orthogonal to the aforesaid first extension axis X between a first internal side 3, extended substantially on a first lying plane α parallel to the first extension axis X, and a first external side 4, opposite the first internal side 3 and intended to be directed towards the bottom of the containment housing.

[0025] Advantageously, the first hinge element 2 also extends widthwise along a third extension axis Z orthogonal to the main first extension axis X and to the second extension axis Y.

[0026] Furthermore, such a first hinge element 2 comprises at least one first external hull 5 and a first adjustment body 7.

[0027] The first external hull 5 defines a first guide seat 6, which extends along the first extension axis X and opens on the first internal side 3, and is provided with at least one bottom wall 21, which is placed to delimit the first guide seat 6 in a position opposite the first internal side 3.

[0028] In more detail, the first external side 4 of the first hinge element 2 is defined by the bottom wall 21.

[0029] The first adjustment body 7 is also slidably inserted, at least along the first extension axis X, in the first guide seat 6 of the first external hull 5.

[0030] The hinge 1 according to the invention further comprises a second hinge element 8, which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the other between the wing and the frame, and articulation means 9, which movably connect the first hinge element 2, at the first adjustment body 7, and the second hinge element 8 between a closed position and at least one open position.

[0031] In more detail, once the hinge 1 in question has been installed, the first external hull 5 will be inserted in the corresponding containment housing made on the wing or on the frame with the first external side 4 thereof facing towards the bottom of the aforesaid containment housing and with the first extension axis X thereof oriented vertically, so that it is possible to adjust the height at which the wing is located with respect to the floor by translating the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X in the first guide seat 6 defined by the first external hull 5. In particular, the first hinge element 2 is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the frame and the second hinge element 8 is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the wing.

[0032] In more detail, the articulation means 9 are placed to guide the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 to move with respect to each other between the closed position and the at least one open position by means of a rotational motion (in the case where the hinge 1 in question is for example a traditional visible hinge), in particular around a rotation axis parallel to the main first extension axis X of the first hinge element 2, or by means of a compound roto-translation motion (in the case where the hinge 1 in question is for example an invisible hinge), in which in particular one of the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 moves with respect to the other by rotating around a rotation axis which is parallel to the main first extension axis X and which translates along a curved or circular trajectory on a plane orthogonal to the aforesaid main first extension axis X.

[0033] Advantageously, the articulation means 9 comprise one or more articulation arms 34, which are mechanically connected at their end portions, by means of hinge pins parallel to the main first extension axis X, on one side to the first hinge element 2, in particular to the first adjustment body 7 of the latter, and on the other side to the second hinge element 8, in particular to a second adjustment body 41 of the latter which will be better described below, in at least a rotatable manner (and possibly also a sliding manner, with one or more of the hinge pins capable of translating along corresponding guides made on the first adjustment body 7 and / or on the second hinge element 8, in particular on the second adjustment body 41 of the second hinge element 8). Such articulation arms 34 can possibly be hinged together at the center (if more than one articulation arm 34 is provided and not just one). Thereby, the aforesaid articulation arms 34 are in particular placed to guide the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 to move with respect to each other between the closed position and the open position by means of a compound roto-translation motion.

[0034] For example, the articulation means 9 comprising the aforesaid articulation arms 34 are of the type with seven fulcrums.

[0035] Alternatively, without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, the articulation means 9 can be of any other type, for example with five fulcrums or of a type that combines fulcrums together with sliding components.

[0036] The second hinge element 8 advantageously extends in length along a fourth main extension axis S thereof which is parallel to the main first extension axis X of the first hinge element 2 and in depth along a fifth extension axis T which is orthogonal to the aforesaid fourth extension axis S between a second internal side 35, extending substantially on a second lying plane β which is parallel to the fourth extension axis S, and a second external side, opposite the second internal side 35 and intended to be directed towards the bottom of the respective containment housing. Preferably, in the closed position, the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 are placed with their first and second internal sides 3, 35 close together and facing each other and with the first and second lying planes α, β substantially parallel.

[0037] Furthermore, in the open position, the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 are placed with the first and second internal sides 3, 35 distanced from each other.

[0038] For example, in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures and as visible in particular in Figure 1, the articulation means 9 are placed to allow a 180° rotation between the first and second hinge body 2, 8 from the closed position to a maximum open position, so that in the aforesaid maximum open position the first and second hinge elements 2, 8 are placed next to each other with the first and second lying planes α, β substantially coplanar and with the first and second internal sides 3, 35 facing in the same direction.

[0039] Advantageously, the first adjustment body 7 of the first hinge element 2 defines a first housing seat 37 and the second hinge element 8 defines a second housing seat 38, which first and second housing seats 37, 38 are preferably communicating with each other in the closed position, so that in the closed position the articulation means 9 (in particular the articulation arms 34 thereof) are contained in the aforesaid first and second housing seats 37, 38.

[0040] Furthermore, the second hinge element 8 preferably comprises a second external hull 39, which defines a second guide seat 40 extending along said fifth extension axis T and opening on the second internal side 35, and a second adjustment body 41, which is slidably inserted, at least along the fifth extension axis T, in the second guide seat 40 of the second external hull 39. Furthermore, the second hinge element 8 preferably extends widthwise along a sixth extension axis U orthogonal to the fourth main extension axis S and to the fifth extension axis T.

[0041] In more detail, the articulation means 9 movably connect the first hinge element 2, at the first adjustment body 7, and the second hinge element 8, at the second adjustment body 41, between a closed position and at least one open position.

[0042] Thereby, by translating the second adjustment body 41 along the fifth extension axis T in the second guide seat 40 of the second external hull 39, it is advantageously possible to adjust the distance in the closed position between the first and second lying planes α, β respectively of the first and second internal sides 3, 35, that is, in particular the distance in the closed position between the side of the frame to which the hinge 1 in question is fixed and the wing.

[0043] Advantageously, the second hinge element 8 comprises adjustment means placed to precisely set the position of the second adjustment body 41 along the fifth extension axis T in the second guide seat 40 of the second external hull 39, which adjustment means will not be described in detail below as they are already generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0044] In particular, the second housing seat 38 is obtained on the second adjustment body 41 of the second hinge element 8.

[0045] According to the idea underlying the present invention, the first hinge element 2 comprises at least one adjustment device 10 provided with at least one thrust element 11, which is slidably connected to the first external hull 5 along a movement direction W transverse to the first lying plane α of the first internal side 3, and with an insert 12, which is integral with the first adjustment body 7 at least in translation along the main first extension axis X.

[0046] More specifically, the expression "integral at least in translation along the main first extension axis X" must be understood to mean that the insert 12 and first adjustment body 7 will always move together along the main first extension axis X when one of the two is pushed to translate along it and that they may possibly be able to move with respect to each other when one of the two is pushed to translate along a different axis, for example along the second extension axis Y. Furthermore, always according to the idea underlying the present invention, on at least one between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 is extended a first tilted surface 13, which is tilted with respect to the main first extension axis X and to the first lying plane α and is susceptible to being placed in abutment against the other between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12.

[0047] Furthermore, the thrust element 11 is actuatable to translate along the movement direction W, with the first tilted surface 13 extended on one between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 sliding against the other between the thrust element 11 and the insert 12, to move, through the insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 to translate in the first guide seat 6 along the first extension axis X.

[0048] Thereby, when the hinge 1 in question is installed with the main first extension axis X of the first hinge element 2 oriented vertically and with the thrust element 11 placed below the insert 12 integral at least in translation along the first extension axis X with the first adjustment body 7, the weight force that is discharged from the wing onto the first adjustment body 7 is supported by the same thrust element 11 which generates a reaction force (unlike the hinges of the known art which only provided for a friction force), consequently making the same hinge 1 in question suitable for windows / doors / shutters having particularly heavy wings, for example around 80 kg or more.

[0049] Furthermore, the placement of the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 (of which at least one is provided with the first tilted surface 13 to transform the translation of the thrust element 11 along the movement direction W into a translation of the insert 12 along the first extension axis X) advantageously allows the height of the wing to be adjusted with respect to the floor more easily with respect to the prior art, since the weight of the wing is discharged onto the thrust element 11 even during the height adjustment step, making it easier for operators to bring the wing to the desired height with respect to the floor.

[0050] Advantageously, in order to uniformly distribute the forces due to the weight of the wing, the first tilted surface 13 extends on the thrust element 11 and a second tilted surface 14 extends on the insert 12, which is parallel to the first tilted surface 13, directed towards the first tilted surface 13 and can be placed to abut against the first tilted surface 13.

[0051] Thereby, the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 are not in contact with each other only at one point, but along at least part or the entire extension of the first and second tilted surfaces 13, 14 depending on the position of the thrust element 11 along the movement direction W and of the insert 12 along the first extension axis X, thus avoiding a particularly high concentration of stresses on a restricted area.

[0052] In more detail, the thrust element 11 can be actuated to translate along the movement direction W, with the first tilted surface 13 sliding on the second tilted surface 14, to move, through the insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 to translate in the first guide seat 6 along the main first extension axis X.

[0053] Preferably, in order to simplify the operation of the thrust element 11 to translate along the corresponding movement direction W, the aforesaid movement direction W is parallel to the second extension axis Y and orthogonal to the main first extension axis X and to the first lying plane α of the first internal side 3 of the first hinge element 2.

[0054] In order to keep the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 in a precise position with respect to each other, the thrust element 11 is advantageously provided with two guide grooves 15, which are made adjacent to the first tilted surface 13, carry the first tilted surface 13 interposed therebetween and define two third tilted surfaces 16 parallel to the first tilted surface 13. Furthermore, the insert 12 is advantageously provided with two guide shoulders 17, which are extended projecting from the second tilted surface 14, carry the second tilted surface 14 interposed therebetween, are each provided with a corresponding fourth tilted surface 18 parallel to the second tilted surface 14 and are at least partially inserted in the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11 with the fourth tilted surfaces 18 capable of being placed in abutment against the third tilted surfaces 16.

[0055] Thereby, the thrust element 11 and the insert 12 cannot translate relative to each other parallel to the third extension axis Z, since the guide shoulders 17 of the insert 12 inserted in the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11 prevent such translations.

[0056] Furthermore, when the thrust element 11 is actuated to translate along the movement direction W to push the insert 12 and the first adjustment body 7 to translate along the first extension axis X, the first tilted surface 13 of the insert 11 advantageously slides on the second tilted surface 14 of the insert 12 and the third tilted surfaces 16 of the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11 advantageously slide on the fourth tilted surfaces 18 of the guide shoulders 17 of the insert 12. Advantageously, the first external hull 5 is extended along the main first extension axis X between two opposite first ends 19 and the first adjustment body 7 is extended along the main first extension axis X between two opposite second ends 20, each of which is adjacent to a corresponding first end 19 of the first external hull 5.

[0057] In more detail, the thrust element 11 of the adjustment device 10 is arranged substantially at a respective first end 19 of the first external hull 5 and the first tilted surface 13 of the thrust element 11 is directed towards the bottom wall 21 of the first external hull 5 and towards the second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 adjacent to the first end 19 at which the thrust element 11 itself is substantially placed.

[0058] Furthermore, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 is preferably arranged at a respective second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 adjacent to the first end 19 at which the thrust element 11 is substantially arranged and the second tilted surface 14 of the insert 12 is directed towards the first tilted surface 13.

[0059] In particular, the second tilted surface 14 of the insert 12 is directed towards the first end 19 at which the thrust element 11 is substantially placed and in the opposite direction with respect to the bottom wall 21.

[0060] Preferably, the first hinge element 2 is provided with two fixing flanges 54, which are made in one piece with the first external hull 5, are each placed at a respective first end 19 of the aforesaid first external hull 5 and are each provided with one or more attachment holes 55 intended to be passed through by a corresponding attachment screw to fix the first external hull 5 to the wing or to the frame on which the corresponding containment housing is made. Advantageously, the thrust element 11 is substantially provided with only one degree of freedom to translate along the movement direction W and the adjustment device 10 is provided with an adjustment pin 22, which is extended along the movement direction W, is at least partially threaded, is screwed into a corresponding threaded nut screw hole 23 made on the thrust element 11 and is rotatably connected to the first external hull 5 around the movement direction W to make the thrust element 11 translate along the movement direction W.

[0061] In more detail, the fact that the thrust element 11 is substantially provided with only one degree of freedom to translate along the movement direction W (except for negligible rotations of the thrust element 11 around the movement direction W due to the presence of mechanical clearance which allows the thrust element 11 itself to translate along the movement direction W, reducing any friction as much as possible) means that the adjustment pin 22 and the thrust element 11 itself together form a screw-and-nut mechanism.

[0062] Thereby, the placement of the adjustment pin 22 which engages a hole in the nut screw hole 23 obtained on the thrust element 11 advantageously allows the height of the wing to be adjusted with respect to the floor in a particularly precise manner, since each rotation of the adjustment pin 22 around the movement direction W corresponds to a translation of the thrust elements 11 along this movement direction W equal to the pitch of the thread made on the adjustment pin 22. Advantageously, in order to allow the thrust element 11 to translate along the movement direction W with substantially only one degree of freedom, the first external hull 5 is provided with at least two positioning shoulders 42, each of which is provided with a contact surface opposite the contact surface of the other positioning shoulder 42 and parallel to the movement direction W and, furthermore, the thrust element 11 of the adjustment device 10 is inserted at least in part and substantially to size between the positioning shoulders 42 in a movable manner along the movement direction W.

[0063] In particular, the first guide seat 6 is extended along the main first extension axis X between its two terminal ends and the aforesaid positioning shoulders 42 are positioned at at least one of the two terminal ends of the first guide seat 6.

[0064] Advantageously, an engagement hole 24 is made on the bottom wall 21 of the first external hull 5, which carries the adjustment pin 22 inserted therein so that it can rotate around the movement direction W.

[0065] In more detail, this adjustment pin 22 is extended along the aforesaid movement direction W and has, in particular, a circular section on a plane orthogonal to this movement direction W.

[0066] In particular, the bottom wall 21 is provided with at least one step 44 with increased thickness and the engagement hole 24 is made at the aforesaid step 44 of the bottom wall 21, so as to support the adjustment pin 22 for a length along the movement direction W sufficient to ensure an adequate mechanical resistance to the weight force exerted by the wing on the first adjustment body 7 and, therefore, on the thrust element 11 and on the adjustment pin 22 itself screwed to the thrust element 11.

[0067] Preferably, the engagement hole 24 is a through hole and the adjustment pin 22 is placed to traverse the engagement hole 24 and projects therefrom on the first external side 4 with at least one of enlarged retention section 25 thereof having, on a plane orthogonal to the movement direction W, dimensions greater than the diameter of the engagement hole 24.

[0068] In more detail, the enlarged retention section 25 prevents the extraction of the adjustment pin 22 from the engagement hole 24.

[0069] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the portion of the adjustment pin 22 protecting from the engagement hole 24 on the first external side 4 is beveled to define the aforesaid enlarged retention section 25.

[0070] In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated, the enlarged retention section 25 is defined by a washer welded to the portion of the adjustment pin 22 projecting from the engagement hole 24 on the first external side 4.

[0071] Furthermore, the adjustment pin 22 is advantageously provided with an abutment shoulder 26 placed between the thrust element 11 and the bottom wall 21 and, furthermore, the adjustment device 10 is provided with elastic means 27 interposed between the bottom wall 21 and the enlarged retention section 25 in order to draw the abutment shoulder 26 in abutment against the bottom wall 21 (in particular against the step 44 of the aforesaid bottom wall 21) acting against the enlarged retention section 25.

[0072] In particular, the abutment shoulder 26 divides the adjustment pin 22 into a first portion 45, which advantageously has a substantially cylindrical shape, is placed to traverse the engagement hole 24 and ends with the enlarged retention section 25, and into a second portion 46, which advantageously is placed in the first guide seat 6, is threaded and is inserted into the nut screw hole 23 made on the thrust element.

[0073] Preferably, the elastic means 27 comprise a cup spring 47, which is provided with a central opening 48 traversed by the adjustment pin 22.

[0074] In particular, the aforesaid cup spring 47 is extended along the movement direction W between a larger base placed in contact with the bottom wall 21 and an opposite smaller base placed in contact with the enlarged retention section 25 of the adjustment pin 22 placed to traverse through its central opening 48.

[0075] Thereby, by using a cup spring 47 as elastic means 27, it is possible to firmly maintain the abutment shoulder 26 in abutment against the bottom wall 21, since the cup spring 47 is generally provided with a particularly high rigidity with respect to that of other types of springs or elastic elements in general.

[0076] Advantageously, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 is provided with a protruding portion 28, which protrudes along the main first extension axis X with respect to the corresponding second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7, and with a housing groove 29, which is made in a through manner along the movement direction W at the protruding portion 28 and is susceptible to being at least partially occupied by the adjustment pin 22.

[0077] Thereby, the placement of the housing groove 29 on the protruding portion 28 of the insert 12 means that, during the adjustment of the position of the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X, it is possible to translate the insert 12 between the thrust element 11 and the bottom wall 21 to such an extent that the housing groove 29 itself receives the adjustment pin 22 therein, thus preventing the adjustment pin 22 itself from limiting the maximum possible translation of the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X. Consequently, thanks to the housing groove 29, it is possible to obtain a particularly large maximum translation of the first adjustment body 7 along the main first extension axis X, while at the same time keeping the overall length of the first hinge element 2 along the first extension axis X as short as possible.

[0078] In more detail, at least part of the second tilted surface 14 is extended on the protruding portion 28 and the housing groove 29 is made in a through manner along the movement direction W at part of the second tilted surface 14 extending onto this protruding portion 28.

[0079] Advantageously, the first guide seat 6 is extended along the third extension axis Z with a first width thereof and the first adjustment body 7 is provided, along the third extension axis Z, with a second width which is smaller than the first width, so that the first adjustment body 7 is slidable with respect to the first external hull 5 along the third extension axis Z.

[0080] In particular, the first guide seat 7 of the first external hull 5 can be delimited along the third extension axis Z by one or two lateral sides 30 of the same first external hull 5, which extend projecting starting from the bottom wall 21, or from the material of the wing or frame which defines the containment housing in which the first external hull 5 of the first hinge element 2 is inserted. Furthermore, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 is preferably provided with a slotted hole 31, which is elongated along the third extension axis Z, and the adjustment device 10 is also provided with a fixing screw 32, which is placed to traverse the slotted hole 31 and is screwed into a corresponding threaded fixing hole 33 made on the first adjustment body 7. Thereby, by loosening the fixing screw 32 it is possible to slide the first adjustment body 7 into the first guide seat 6 along the third extension axis Z, consequently adjusting the pressure that the wing in the closed position will exert on the seal that extends on the frame, and it is then possible to tighten the fixing screw 33 again to lock the first adjustment body 7 with respect to the insert 12, which is in turn held in position along the third extension axis Z in particular by means of its guide shoulders 17 inserted in the guide grooves 15 of the thrust element 11, as previously described.

[0081] In more detail, the first adjustment body 7 is provided with a lowered portion 51 at least at one of the second ends 20 thereof, the fixing hole 33 is made at the aforesaid lowered portion 51 and the insert 12 is provided with a fixing portion 52 placed in abutment against said lowered portion 51 and on which the aforesaid slotted hole 31 is made.

[0082] Furthermore, the first adjustment body 7 is preferably provided with at least one positioning wall 53 extended projecting with respect to the lowered portion 51 and the fixing portion 52 of the insert 12 is also placed in abutment against the aforesaid positioning wall 52.

[0083] In accordance with a different embodiment not illustrated in the attached figures, the insert 12 of the adjustment device 10 can be made in a single body with the first adjustment body 7 (consequently not being able to adjust the pressure exerted by the wing in the closed position on the seal by moving the first adjustment body 7 along the third extension axis Z).

[0084] In this case, the second adjustment body 41 of the second hinge element 8 can be slidable with respect to the second external hull 39, not only along the fifth extension axis T, but also along the sixth extension axis U, so as to be able to adjust the pressure exerted by the wing in the closed position on the frame seal. In the above case, therefore, the second guide seat 40 must have a width along the sixth extension axis U which is greater than that of the second adjustment body 41 and the adjustment means of the second hinge element 8 must be placed to allow the position of the second adjustment body 41 to be set in the second guide seat 40 both along the fifth extension axis T and along the sixth extension axis U.

[0085] Advantageously, the first hinge element 2 is provided with two adjustment devices 10, which are preferably mirror images of each other with respect to a plane orthogonal to the main first extension axis X.

[0086] In particular, the thrust element 11 of each adjustment device 10 is placed substantially at a respective first end 19 of the first external hull 5 and the first tilted surface 13 of each thrust element 11 is directed towards the bottom wall 21 and the second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 adjacent to the first end 19 at which the respective thrust element 11 is substantially placed and, furthermore, the insert 12 of each adjustment device 10 is placed at a respective second end 20 of the first adjustment body 7 and is directed towards the first tilted surface 13 of the respective thrust element 11.

[0087] Thereby, the hinge 1 in question can be used for both right- and left-opening windows / doors / shutters since, advantageously having two mirrored adjustment devices 10, it will always be provided with a lower adjustment device 10 and an upper adjustment device 10 regardless of the orientation it has once installed with the main first extension axis X in the vertical position.

[0088] In particular, to adjust the position of the first adjustment body 7 along the first extension axis X, the thrust element 11 of the upper adjustment device 10 is translated along the corresponding movement direction W away from the bottom wall 21 in order to allow the lower adjustment device 10 to set the position of the first adjustment body 7 itself by acting on the thrust element 11 thereof and, after having reached the desired height of the first adjustment body 7, the thrust element 11 of the upper adjustment device 10 is translated towards the bottom wall 21 until it abuts against the corresponding insert 12 to lock the first adjustment body 7 in position. Thereby, after the thrust elements 11 of both adjustment devices 10 are placed in abutment against the respective insert 12, the thrust element 11 of the lower adjustment device 10 prevents, through the corresponding insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 from moving downwards along the first extension axis X and the thrust element 11 of the upper adjustment device 10 prevents, through the corresponding insert 12, the first adjustment body 7 from moving upwards along the first extension axis X.

[0089] Therefore, the invention thus conceived achieves the pre-set objects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0022]With reference to the attached drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates a hinge for windows / doors / shutters which is the subject matter of the present invention.

[0023]The hinge 1 in question is intended to movably connect together a wing and a frame of a window / door / shutter, so as to allow opening and closing an opening delimited at least partially by the aforesaid frame, wherein the wing can for example be that of a door, a window, a French window or a piece of furniture.

[0024]The hinge 1 in question comprises a first hinge element 2, which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the wing or on the frame, extended lengthwise along a main first extension axis X thereof and depthwise along a second extension axis Y thereof orthogonal to the aforesaid first extension axis X between a first internal side 3, extended substantially on a first lying plane α parallel to the first extension axis X, and a first external side 4, opposite the first intern...

Claims

1. Hinge (1) for windows / doors / shutters, intended to movably connect together a wing and a frame of a window / door / shutter, and such hinge (1) comprises: - a first hinge element (2), which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on said wing or on said frame and is extended lengthwise along a main first extension axis (X) thereof and depthwise along a second extension axis (Y) thereof orthogonal to said first extension axis (X) between a first internal side (3), extended substantially on a first lying plane (α) parallel to said first extension axis (X), and a first external side (4), opposite said first internal side (3) and intended to be directed towards the bottom of said containment housing; said first hinge element (2) comprising at least: - a first external hull (5), which defines a first guide seat (6) extended along said first extension axis (X) and opening on said first internal side (3) and is provided with at least one bottom wall (21) placed to delimit said first guide seat (6) in a position opposite said first internal side (3); - a first adjustment body (7), which is slidably inserted, at least along said first extension axis (X), in the first guide seat (6) of said first external hull (5); - a second hinge element (8), which is intended to be embedded in a respective containment housing made on the other between said wing and said frame; - articulation means (9), which movably connect said first hinge element (2), at said first adjustment body (7), and said second hinge element (8) between a closed position and at least one open position; said first hinge element (2) comprising at least one adjustment device (10), which is provided at least with: - a thrust element (11), which is slidably connected to said first external hull (5) along a movement direction (W) that is transverse with respect to the first lying plane (α) of said first internal side (3); - an insert (12), which is integral with said first adjustment body (7) at least in translation along said main first extension axis (X); on at least one between said thrust element (11) and said insert (12), a first tilted surface (13) being extended, which is tilted with respect to said main first extension axis (X) and to said first lying plane (α) and is susceptible of being placed in abutment against the other between said thrust element (11) and said insert (12); said thrust element (11) being actuatable to translate along said movement direction (W), with said first tilted surface (13) extended on one between said thrust element (11) and said insert (12) which slides against the other between said thrust element (11) and said insert (12), in order to move, through said insert (12), said first adjustment body (7) to translate in said first guide seat (6) along said main first extension axis (X); said hinge (1) being characterized in that said first hinge element (2) is extended widthwise along a third extension axis (Z) orthogonal to said main first extension axis (X) and to said second extension axis (Y); said first guide seat (6) extended along said third extension axis (Z) with a first width thereof and said first adjustment body (7) being provided, along said third extension axis (Z), with a second width smaller than said first width, such that said first adjustment body (7) is slidable with respect to said first external hull (5) along said third extension axis (Z); the insert (12) of said adjustment device (10) being provided with a slotted hole (31), which is elongated along said third extension axis (Z), and said adjustment device (10) being provided with a fixing screw (32), which is placed to traverse said slotted hole (31) and is screwed in a corresponding threaded fixing hole (33) made on said first adjustment body (7).

2. Hinge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, on said thrust element (11), said first tilted surface (13) is extended and on said insert (12) a second tilted surface (14) is extended, which is parallel to said first tilted surface (13), is directed towards said first tilted surface (13) and is susceptible of being placed in abutment against said first tilted surface (13); said thrust element (11) being actuatable to translate along said movement direction (W), with said first tilted surface (13) which slides on said second tilted surface (14), in order to move, through said insert (12), said first adjustment body (7) to translate in said first guide seat (6) along said main first extension axis (X).

3. Hinge (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said thrust element (11) is provided with two guide grooves (15), which are made adjacent to said first tilted surface (13), carry said first tilted surface (13) interposed therebetween and define two third tilted surfaces (16) parallel to said first tilted surface (13); said insert being provided with two guide shoulders (17), which are extended projecting with respect to said second tilted surface (14), carry said second tilted surface (14) interposed therebetween, each have a corresponding fourth tilted surface (18) parallel to said second tilted surface (14) and are at least partially inserted in the guide grooves (15) of said thrust element (11) with said fourth tilted surfaces (18) susceptible of being placed in abutment against said third tilted surfaces (16).

4. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first external hull (5) is extended along said main first extension axis (X) between two opposite first ends (19) and said first adjustment body (7) is extended along said main first extension axis (X) between two opposite second ends (20), each of which adjacent to a corresponding first end (19) of said first external hull (5).

5. Hinge (1) according to claim 2 or 3 and claim 4, characterized in that the thrust element (11) of said adjustment device (10) is substantially placed at a respective first end (19) of said first external hull (5) and the first tilted surface (13) of said thrust element (11) is directed towards the bottom wall (21) of said first external hull (5) and towards the second end (20) of said first adjustment body (7) adjacent to said first end (19), at which said thrust element (11) is substantially placed; the insert (12) of said adjustment device (10) being placed at a respective second end (20) of said first adjustment body (7) adjacent to said first end (19), at which said thrust element (11) is substantially placed and the second tilted surface (14) of said insert (12) being directed towards said first tilted surface (13).

6. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said thrust element (11) is substantially provided with only one degree of freedom in order to translate along said movement direction (W) and said adjustment device (10) is provided with an adjustment pin (22), which is extended along said movement direction (W), is at least partially threaded, is screwed into a corresponding threaded nut screw hole (23) made on said thrust element (11) and is rotatably connected to said first external hull (5) around said movement direction (W) in order to make said thrust element (11) translate along said movement direction (W).

7. Hinge (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, on the bottom wall (21) of said first external hull (5), an engagement hole (24) is made, which carries said adjustment pin (22) inserted therein in a rotatable manner around said movement direction (W); said engagement hole (24) being a through hole and said adjustment pin (22) being placed to traverse said engagement hole (24) and projecting therefrom onto said first external side (4) with at least one enlarged retention section (25) thereof having, on a plane orthogonal to said movement direction (W), dimensions greater than the diameter of said engagement hole (24).

8. Hinge (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said adjustment pin (22) is provided with an abutment shoulder (26) interposed between said thrust element (11) and said bottom wall (21) and said adjustment device (10) is provided with elastic means (27) interposed between said bottom wall (21) and said enlarged retention section (25) in order to draw said abutment shoulder (26) in abutment against said bottom wall (21) by acting against said enlarged retention section (25).

9. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first hinge element (2) is provided with two adjustment devices (10), which are mirrored with respect to each other, with respect to a plane orthogonal to said main first extension axis (X).

Images