Ball hinge for silent operation case

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge comprising a first element (2) and a second element (4), each element being intended to be fixed to a part to be articulated relative to each other, in which the first element (2) comprises a body provided with a male part (6) and the second element (4) comprises a body provided with a female part (8) comprising two parallel flanges (10) between which the male part (6) is inserted, the male part (6) and the female part (10) being articulated relative to each other by means of an axis (16), in which the body of the second element (4) comprises a bore (36) passing through and opening between the flanges (10), in which the second element (4) comprises a ball (38) housed in the bore (36) and held in position in the bore (36) by means of a spring (34) housed in the bore (36),the position of the ball (38) being such that it projects between the flanges (10) and cooperates mechanically with the male part (6) of the first element (2), and in which the second element (4) comprises a cup (50) interposed between the ball (38) and the spring (34). [Fig.2],

Description

Title of the invention: Ball hinge for a silent-operating case TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball hinge and to a box, for example a case, comprising at least one such hinge.

[0002] Timepieces and jewelry are often presented and / or kept in cases. It is required that these cases offer a remarkable aesthetic appearance. It comprises a case receiving the timepiece or the jewelry and a cover closing the case.

[0003] The cover is hinged to the housing by means of at least one hinge.

[0004] In order to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the case both when the lid is open and when the lid is closed, it is desirable to use hinges that are not very visible. Furthermore, in order to provide a feeling of quality when handling the lid, it is sought to use hinges that ensure a hold in the open position or in the closed position.

[0005] There are hinges called "spring-loaded ball hinges" comprising two cylindrical-shaped elements connected to each other by an axis at one of their ends, around which the two elements pivot relative to each other. One of the elements is mounted in a bore made in the housing and the other element is mounted in a bore made in the cover.

[0006] One of the elements comprises a bore opening at both longitudinal ends of the element, a ball is housed in the bore and projects from one of the longitudinal ends and is held in position by a spring mounted in the bore.

[0007] The ball cooperates with the other element and ensures that the elements are held in relative position in two stable positions: folded and deployed.

[0008] This hinge is satisfactory, but when handling it a clicking noise is heard. Such a noise can be detrimental to the impression of quality of the case. Statement of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a hinge exhibiting silent operation.

[0010] The object stated above is achieved by a ball hinge comprising two elements articulated relative to each other, a ball and a spring mounted in one of the elements, the spring applying the ball against the other element. According to the invention, a cup is arranged between the spring and the ball.

[0011] Very advantageously, the cup is made of synthetic material, preferably plastic material.

[0012] The inventors discovered that the noise was generated by the friction between the ball and the spring.

[0013] Thanks to the invention, the actuation of the hinge is silent, which further improves the feeling of quality felt by the user when handling the cover.

[0014] The present invention then relates to a hinge comprising a first element and a second element, each element being intended to be fixed to a part to be articulated relative to each other. The first element comprises a body provided with a male part and the second element comprises a body provided with a female part comprising two parallel flanges between which the male part is inserted, the male part and the female part being articulated relative to each other by means of an axis. The body of the second element comprises a bore passing through and opening between the flanges. The second element comprises a ball housed in the bore and held in position in the bore by means of a spring housed in the bore, the position of the ball being such that it projects between the flanges and cooperates mechanically with the male part of the first element, and the second element comprises a cup interposed between the ball and the spring.

[0015] Advantageously, the cup is made of synthetic material, preferably plastic material, for example POM (polyoxymethylene) or PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the spring is a helical spring and the cup comprises a pin on a face opposite that in contact with the ball, said pin being housed in one end of the helical spring.

[0017] The ball is advantageously retained in the bore on the axis side by machining carried out in the flanges.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the male part comprises two seats for housing a portion of the ball, the two seats being arranged on the male part so that the ball is partly housed in one of the seats in a first relative position of the first and second elements, and in the other seat in a second relative position of the first and second elements.

[0019] Preferably, the first element, the second element and the ball are made of metal.

[0020] For example, the body of the first element and the body of the second element are cylindrical.

[0021] The body of the first element and the body of the second element advantageously comprise a structure on their outer surface.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a case comprising a housing, a cover and at least one hinge according to the invention, connecting the housing and the cover, the body of the first hinge element being secured in a housing in the housing or cover, and the body of the second hinge element being secured in a housing in the cover or cover. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The present application will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows and the attached drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an example of a hinge according to the invention, - [Fig.2] is an exploded view of the hinge of [Fig.l], - [Fig.3] is a side view of an example of a case implementing two hinges of [Fig.l] in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In Figures 1 and 2, an example of a hinge according to the invention can be seen.

[0025] The hinge C comprises two elements 2, 4 articulated in rotation relative to each other around an axis Y.

[0026] The first element 2 comprises a body extending along an axis XL. In the example shown, the body is cylindrical in shape with a circular section.

[0027] The first element 2 comprises, at a longitudinal end 2.1, a male part 6 configured to cooperate with a female part 8 carried by a longitudinal end 4.1 of the second element 4.

[0028] The male part 6 extends along the axis XI

[0029] The second element 4 comprises a body extending along an axis X2. Like element 2, the body of element 4 is cylindrical in shape with a circular section.

[0030] The female part 8 comprises two flanges 10 parallel to each other and extending on either side of the axis X2. The flanges provide a space between them to accommodate the male part 6.

[0031] Each flange 10 has a bore 12 and the male part 6 has a bore 14. When the male part 6 is placed between the two flanges, the bores 12 and 14 are aligned and receive an axis 16 solarizing the first element and the second element between them and forming the axis of rotation Y. In the example shown, the axis 16 has at one longitudinal end a head 16.1 of diameter larger than that of the bores 12. When the axis 16 is in place in the bores 12 and 14, the other longitudinal end is deformed to prevent the axis 16 from escaping.

[0032] In [Fig. 3], we can see a case comprising two hinges C according to an exemplary embodiment, only one is visible. The case comprising a housing 18 and a cover 20 connected to each other by the hinges C.

[0033] The housing and the cover may be made of the same material or different materials, for example wood covered or not, for example with fabric or leather.

[0034] In the example shown, the case has a rectangular shape as does the lid. The case has two holes 22 opening into an upper face of a lateral edge 24 of the case. Each of the holes 22 receives the body of a second element of a hinge C.

[0035] The cover also comprises two holes 26 in a lower face of a lateral edge 28 intended to be opposite the lateral edge 24 of the housing. Each of the holes 26 receives the body of a first element of a hinge C.

[0036] It will be understood that the body of the first element may be mounted in the housing and the body of the second element may be mounted in the cover.

[0037] The bodies of the elements are advantageously held in place in the housing and the cover by force fitting, for example they are driven in and glued. Preferably, the lateral face of the bodies comprises means 32 for increasing this hold. The means 32 comprise, for example, a knurled structure.

[0038] The hinge C also includes holding means to ensure holding in the closed position and in the open position.

[0039] These means comprise a spring 34, a helical spring in the example shown, mounted in a through bore 36 (shown in dotted lines) made in the body of the second element. The bore 36 extends along the axis X2.

[0040] The bore 36 has a longitudinal end 36.1 opening between the flanges and a second longitudinal end 36.2 opening opposite the end carrying the flanges. In the example shown, the diameter of the bore 36 is a little larger than the distance between the flanges 10 and during its production it slightly attacks the interior of the flanges over a short length, this machining of the flanges forms an axial stop for the ball.

[0041] On the side of the second end 36.2, the diameter is slightly larger and receives a plug 40.

[0042] The holding means also comprise a ball 38 intended to cooperate with the first element. The diameter of the bore is sufficient to accommodate the ball 38.

[0043] The ball 38 is mounted in the bore 36 and is interposed between the first end 36.1 of the bore 36 and one end of the spring. The spring 34 is mounted in compression in the bore 36 between the ball 38 in abutment against the machining of the flanges and the plug 40 mounted in the second longitudinal end 36.2 and fixed thereto. The plug 40 is for example welded or glued to the body of the second element.

[0044] The second end of the bore 36 is configured so that the ball 38 projects between the two flanges.

[0045] The holding means also comprise in the male part a first seat (not visible) in a longitudinal end face 44 of the female part, and a second seat 46 in a lateral end face 48 of the female part.

[0046] In this example, the seats are cups configured to accommodate a portion of the ball. Alternatively, the seats are bosses and the ball has a recess to receive one or other of the bosses.

[0047] The longitudinal end face 44 of the male part connects to the lateral end face 48 by a rounding so as to form an edgeless path for the ball. In the example shown, the seats are arranged at right angles to each other so that the position of the cover in the open position is perpendicular to the position of the cover in the closed position.

[0048] According to the invention, a cup 50 is interposed between the end of the spring 24 and the ball 38, so as to form a seat for the ball 38. Preferably, this cup 50 is made of synthetic material, preferably plastic material, advantageously rigid plastic material, for example POM (polyoxymethylene) or PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

[0049] Advantageously, the cup comprises on an opposite face housing the ball a pin 52 penetrating into the spring between the turns, which ensures that the cup is held in place and facilitates assembly. In fact, the pin is force-fitted into the end of the spring and forms a single-piece assembly which can be easily put into place in the bore 36, after insertion of the ball into the bore.

[0050] The operation of the hinge will now be described in relation to the case of [Fig.3].

[0051] In the closed position, the cover is folded down onto the housing. The first and second elements are oriented at right angles to each other and the ball is housed in the seat 46. Due to the force exerted by the spring on the ball, it is maintained in the closed position.

[0052] When the case is to be opened, a force is exerted on the lid to make it pivot. The ball leaves the seat 46 by moving against the force exerted by the spring and slides or rolls on the edge of the male part until it reaches the other seat, thus locking the lid in the open position. In this example, the lid is at right angles to the case and the first and second elements are aligned.

[0053] Thanks to the invention, the lid is handled without generating noise at the hinges.

[0054] For example, the elements are made of metal, for example stainless steel, for example SUS304 or 316L.

[0055] In the example shown, the elements have a cylindrical shape. Any other shape is possible, for example, they can have a rectangular, triangular or square section. The shape is chosen in particular according to the space available to insert them.

[0056] Furthermore, in the example shown the two elements have the same length. However, one element may be longer than the other.

[0057] In the example shown, the body is in a single part and the spring is received entirely in the bore. Alternatively, the body is in two parts, each of the parts comprising a portion of the bore.

[0058] Alternatively, the ball is replaced by a cylindrical element, roller type, which could roll like the ball. The shape of the bore 36 would be adapted.

[0059] We will now describe an example of assembly of the hinge according to the example shown.

[0060] We start with pieces of cylindrical metal from a metal bar.

[0061] The first element is produced by machining to produce the male part provided with a cross drilling. The outer surface can be partly structured.

[0062] The second element is also produced by machining to form the two flanges each provided with a drilling and the through bore. The bore having two zones of different diameter is produced for example in two passes. The outer surface can be partly structured.

[0063] The ball is then introduced into the bore. Then the cup is put in place. Then the spring is introduced into the bore. The spring 34 is then compressed and the plug 40 is introduced into the end of the bore 36 and is secured in the bore 36 for example by gluing or welding.

[0064] The two elements 2, 4 are then assembled by placing the male part between the two flanges, inserting the axis 16 into the holes and deforming the end of the axis so that it does not escape.

[0065] The hinge is ready for use.

[0066] The hinge according to the invention has been described in an application of articulation of a cover of a case relative to the casing of a case. It will be understood that this can be used in other applications.

Claims

Claims

1. Hinge comprising a first element (2) and a second element (4), each element being intended to be fixed to a part to be articulated relative to each other, in which the first element (2) comprises a body provided with a male part (6) and the second element (4) comprises a body provided with a female part (8) comprising two parallel flanges (10) between which the male part (6) is inserted, the male part (6) and the female part (10) being articulated relative to each other by means of an axis (Y), in which the body of the second element (4) comprises a bore (36) passing through and opening between the flanges (10), in which the second element (4) comprises a ball (38) housed in the bore (36) and held in position in the bore (36) by means of a spring (34) housed in the bore (36),the position of the ball (38) being such that it projects between the flanges (10) and cooperates mechanically with the male part (6) of the first element (2), and in which the second element (4) comprises a cup (50) interposed between the ball (38) and the spring (34).,

2. Hinge according to claim 1, wherein the cup (50) is made of synthetic material, preferably plastic material, for example POM (polyoxymethylene) or PEEK (polyetheretherketone).

3. A hinge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring (34) is a helical spring and the cup (50) comprises a pin (52) on a face opposite that in contact with the ball (38), said pin (52) being housed in one end of the helical spring.

4. Hinge according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3, in which the ball is retained in the bore on the side of the axis (Y) by machining carried out in the flanges (10).

5. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the male part (6) comprises two seats (42, 46) for housing a portion of the ball, the two seats (42, 46) being arranged on the male part (10) so that the ball (38) is partly housed in one of the seats (42, 46) in a first relative position of the first (2) and second (4) elements, and in the other seat in a second relative position of the first and second elements.

6. 6. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the first element, the second element and the ball (38) are made of metal.

7. 7. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the body of the first element and the body of the second element are cylindrical.

8. 8. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the body of the first element and the body of the second element comprise a structure on their outer surface.

9. 9. Case comprising a housing, a cover and at least one hinge according to one of claims 1 to 8, connecting the housing (18) and the cover (20), the body of the first element (2) of the hinge being immobilized in a housing in the housing (18) or the cover (20), and the body of the second element (4) of the hinge is immobilized in a housing of the cover (20) or of the housing (18).

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