MODULAR FRICTION HINGE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hinge for articulating a door leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that it comprises two opposing wings with through fixing holes and a reciprocal engagement zone, said reciprocal engagement zone being formed by complementary profiled rings projecting from one of the walls of each of said wings, said rings receiving, in their opposing inner portions, respectively, a stop and friction system consisting of a wedge-shaped stop element and a ring-shaped stop element held in reciprocal connection by means of a screw-nut system. Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: MODULAR FRICTION HINGE Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge for the articulation of panels or leaves, in particular a modular friction hinge. Prior art

[0002] In the wide range of hinges, i.e. devices for articulating panels or leaves in relation to a machine or masonry wall, a category which is attracting increasing interest in order to meet safety requirements in the workplace, there are hinges known as adjustable friction hinges, i.e. hinges traditionally made up of two wings and equipped with a central axis, an intermediate body intended to modulate the friction, for example a screw, being associated with the axis.

[0003] Because the screw acts substantially on the axis, if it is desired to reduce the friction force on the movement of the hinge, it is necessary to loosen the screw and then release the components which constitute the assembly (typically the coupling between the axis and the internal surface of the fixing holes provided on the wings of the hinge).

[0004] Similarly, by increasing the friction (using the screw), it is possible to block the operating mechanism of the hinge by causing the other components of the hinge to seize.

[0005] It is currently impossible to make a precise and easily reversible adjustment, which corresponds to an increasingly frequent requirement of the market, in order to be able to work with extreme precision and in complete peace of mind, and at the same time losing as little time as possible.

[0006] In particular, the need to facilitate the adjustment operations of a modular friction hinge is felt, in order to increase and decrease the resistance exerted by the hinge when opening or closing a leaf or a sash on which said hinge has been installed.

[0007] The present invention therefore aims to produce a hinge equipped with friction means which can be adjusted in a short time, without risk of jamming and with maximum precision.

[0008] Said object is reached by a hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that it consists of two wings provided with a reciprocal engagement zone, said reciprocal engagement zone being made up of profiled and complementary rings projecting from one of the walls of each of the wings, said rings receiving in their inner part, in an opposite manner, one by relative to the other, respectively a wedge-forming stop element and a ring-forming stop element held in reciprocal screw-nut engagement, said screw having its head received in said wedge-forming element and said nut being received in said ring-forming element. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example only and not limitation, with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: [Fig.1] represents an embodiment of the present invention; [Fig.2] is the exploded view of the embodiment of [Fig.1]; [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of [Fig.1]; [Fig.4] is a top view of the embodiment of [Fig.1]; [Fig.5a], [Fig.5b], [Fig.5c], [Fig.5d], [Fig.5e] are side, front, inside and top views of a stop element of the embodiment of [Fig.1]; [Fig.6a], [Fig.6b], [Fig.6c], [Fig.6d], [Fig.6e] are perspective, sectional, top, right side and left side views of a stop ring of the embodiment of [Fig.1].

[0010] Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

[0011] The figures illustrate a hinge with adjustable resistance 1 according to the present invention. The hinge consists of two opposing wings 2a, 2b, each with through mounting holes 3 and a reciprocal engagement zone 4. This reciprocal engagement zone 4 is formed by complementary profiled rings 5, 6 projecting from one of the walls of each wing. In particular, according to the illustrated embodiment, two lateral rings 5, separated by a gap, are provided, extending from the ends of one of the wings, and a ring 6 is provided in the center of the other wing.

[0012] To ensure the stable positioning of the two wings which form the hinge and the mutual engagement, a stop and friction system is provided consisting of the combination of a stop element forming a wedge 7 and a stop element forming a ring 8 complementary and opposed to each other, held in mutual connection by means of a screw 9-nut 10 system.

[0013] The wedge-forming stop element 7 is composed (as can be seen more clearly in Figures 5a to 5d) of two complementary and symmetrical half-elements placed in contact with each other. The following description concerns one of these two half-elements, the other being the mirror image of the first. Each half-wedge that forms the wedge 7 is composed of a substantially cylindrical head 11 provided with four projecting ribs 12 arranged equidistant from the surface of At the base of said cylindrical head 11, a truncated conical extension 13 extends downwards. In the central position, the wedge-shaped stop element 7 is drilled and receives said screw 9 in a suitable housing 7a. A top opening is provided for engaging a specific tool with the head of said screw 9. Said wedge-shaped stop element 7 consists of two halves that engage with each other via the sealed connection of tabs 14 projecting from the side wall of one of said halves with recesses 15 provided on the side wall of the other of said halves.

[0014] For the correct insertion of the wedge-shaped stop element 7 into the rings 5 ​​along the inner wall of said rings 5, four equidistant grooves 16 are provided for receiving said ribs 12.

[0015] Opposite the wedge-forming stop element 7, as illustrated in figures 6a to 6e, is the ring-forming stop element 8, consisting of an elongated cylindrical element, also having ribs 17 along the lateral wall corresponding to the bottom surface, said ribs 17 being able to engage with complementary grooves arranged in the ring 5. The ring 8 receives the nut 10 in its inner part.

[0016] In particular, the nut 10 is inserted through the receiving slot 18 and held in a stable position in a profiled recess 19 in order to maintain said nut 10 in a fixed and stable position. On its upper surface, the cylindrical body provides a series of four longitudinal slots 20 intended to provide greater elasticity to the insert of said ring.

[0017] The cross-section of [Fig.4] shows the particular shape of the ready-to-use structure. In particular, the arrangement of each of the constituent elements of the present invention is defined, namely the rings 5 ​​and 6, which respectively receive the wedge-forming insert 7, the ring-forming insert 8 and the screw-nut system which allows the two inserts to be connected.

[0018] In particular, the particular profile of the wedge-forming insert 7 finds a first stop point in the contact between the rib and the groove, as can be clearly seen, then the cylindrical head 11 is received in the ring 6, the frustoconical extension extending beyond half of its length, allowing air to circulate in the ring 6.

[0019] As for the insert forming ring 8, it finds a first stop point in the contact between the rib 16 and the groove 12, then will insert itself into the ring 6. The screw 9 is in static contact with the nut 10.

[0020] The wedge-forming insert elements 7 and ring-forming elements 8 are inserted into the main hinge body in such a way that the presence of the stop and friction system cannot practically be distinguished, the two elements visible from the outside having substantially the appearance of plugs closing the reciprocal engagement track between the two wings.

[0021] During assembly, the operator must insert the screw 9 in the middle of the two elements constituting the wedge-forming insert 7 and the nut 10 in the ring-forming insert 8 and insert them into the ring-forming elements 5 of the wing 3 and then engage them reciprocally by ordinary screwing.

[0022] In operation, the adjustment of the rotation speed of the movable leaf relative to the fixed structure, as well as the blocking force exerted on the movement, is carried out by tightening the screw, which brings the wedge 7 and the ring 8 closer together until they come into contact and then inserts the wedge into the ring, with the consequent widening of the upper surface of the insert forming the ring 8, thanks to the presence of the four slots, which give the insert forming the ring greater elasticity.

[0023] Enlarging, at least partially, the insert forming the ring creates a friction surface against the wall of the rotating hinge wing, resulting in a decrease in the opening maneuverability. Similarly, a reduction in tension leads to an increase in the maneuverability of the movable wing and a greater speed in the opening and closing operations of the panel.

[0024] As can be understood, the device thus created allows for precise adjustment of the rotational speed and ensures rapid change of friction opposing the rotation, simply by adjusting a screw. In all cases, the risk of the hinge system seizing is limited, or even eliminated, since the slight gap between the reciprocal engagement elements that constitute the friction allows the hinge to move freely again.

[0025] Consequently, the predefined object was obtained by a simple solution, easy to implement and at the same time easily reversible, in case of jamming problems.

[0026] It is understood that the solution described herein is only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that there are various other equivalent solutions, provided that they do not fall outside the scope of protection of the present invention, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that it consists of two opposite wings (2a, 2b) having through fixing holes (3) and having a reciprocal engagement zone (4), said reciprocal engagement zone (4) being made up of profiled and complementary rings (5, 6) projecting from one of the walls of each of said wings, said rings receiving, in their inner part, opposite each other, respectively a stop and friction system consisting of a wedge-shaped stop element (7) and a ring-shaped stop element (8) held in reciprocal connection by means of a screw-nut system (9, 10),characterized in that said wedge-shaped stop element (7) consists of two halves which engage with each other via a sealed connection of tabs (14) projecting from the side wall of one of said halves with recesses (15) provided on the side wall of the other of said halves.

2. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall according to claim 1 for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that said wedge-forming stop element (7) is composed of a substantially cylindrical head (11) provided with four projecting ribs (12) arranged equidistant from the bottom surface of said cylindrical head (11), a frustoconical extension (13) extending downwards.

3. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall according to claim 1 for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that, along the inner wall of said rings (5), four equidistant grooves (16) for receiving said ribs (12) for inserting said wedge-forming stop element (7) into said rings (5) are provided.

4. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall according to any one of the preceding claims for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that said stop element forming a ring (8) is opposed to said stop element forming a wedge (7), said stop element forming a ring (8) being made of an elongated cylindrical element, having ribs (17) along the lateral wall corresponding to the bottom surface, said ribs (17) being capable of engaging with complementary grooves arranged in said ring (5).

5. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall according to claim 4 for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall, characterized in that said stop element forming a ring (8) receives in its inner part the nut (10).

6. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall according to claim 5, characterized in that said nut (1) is received in a recess (19) provided in correspondence with a receiving slot (18).

7. Hinge for articulating a leaf with respect to a fixed wall according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the upper surface of said stop element forming a ring (8) has, in its upper part, four longitudinal slots (20).

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