Silent-operating ball hinge for storage 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 the other, in which the first element (2) comprises a body having a male part (6) and the second element (4) comprises a body having 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 protrudes between the flanges (10) and cooperates mechanically with the male part (6) of the first element (2), and wherein the second element (4) has a cup (50) interposed between the ball (38) and the spring (34). [Fig.2]

Description

Title of the invention: Silent-operating ball hinge for a storage 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] Watches and jewelry are often presented and / or stored in cases. These cases must have a striking aesthetic appearance. They consist of a box containing the watch or jewelry and a lid closing the box.

[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 it 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, hinges that ensure secure retention in both the open and closed positions are sought.

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

[0006] One of the elements has a bore opening at both longitudinal ends of the element, a ball is housed in the bore and protrudes 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 unfolded.

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

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

[0010] The stated purpose 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 disposed between the spring and the ball.

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

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

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

[0014] The present invention 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 with respect to the other. The first element comprises a body with a male part, and the second element comprises a body with a female part comprising two parallel flanges between which the male part is inserted, the male and female parts being articulated with respect to each other by means of a pin. The body of the second element has a through bore opening between the flanges. The second element comprises a ball housed in the bore and held in position within the bore by means of a spring housed in the bore, the position of the ball being such that it protrudes between the flanges and mechanically cooperates 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 one embodiment, the spring is a helical spring and the cup has a pin on a face opposite to 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 side of the axis by a machining carried out in the flanges.

[0018] In one embodiment, the male part has two seats to house 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 have a structure on their outer surface.

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

[0023] This application will be better understood with the aid of the following description and the attached drawings, in which: - [Fig.1] 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.1], - [Fig.3] is a side view of an example of a case implementing two hinges from [Fig.1] in the open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a hinge according to the invention.

[0025] The hinge C comprises two elements 2, 4 articulated in rotation with respect 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 cross-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 cross-section.

[0030] The female part 8 comprises two parallel flanges 10 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 hole 12 and the male part 6 has a hole 14. When the male part 6 is placed between the two flanges, the holes 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 with a diameter larger than that of the holes 12. When the axis 16 is in place in the holes 12 and 14, the other longitudinal end is deformed to prevent the axis 16 from escaping.

[0032] In [Fig. 3], a case can be seen having two hinges C according to an exemplary embodiment, only one of which is visible. The case comprises a housing 18 and a lid 20 connected to each other by the hinges C.

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

[0034] In the example shown, the case and lid are rectangular in shape. 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 has 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 can be mounted in the housing and the body of the second element can be mounted in the cover.

[0037] The retention of the component bodies within the housing and cover is advantageously ensured by a press-fit assembly; for example, they are pressed in and glued. Preferably, the lateral face of the bodies comprises means 32 to enhance this retention. The means 32 comprise, for example, a knurled structure.

[0038] The hinge C also includes retaining means to ensure retention in the closed and open positions.

[0039] These means comprise a spring 34, a helical spring in the example shown, mounted in a through bore 36 (shown in dashed 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 slightly larger than the distance between the flanges 10 and during its machining it slightly cuts into the inside 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 retaining means also include 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, which abuts against the machining of the flanges, and the plug 40, which is mounted in the second longitudinal end 36.2 and fixed thereto. The plug 40 is, for example, welded or bonded to the body of the second element.

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

[0045] The retaining means also include 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 recesses configured to house a portion of the ball. Alternatively, the seats are bosses and the ball has a hollow to receive one or the other of the bosses.

[0047] The longitudinal end face 44 of the male part connects to the lateral end face 48 by a rounded edge so as to form a smooth 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 has on an opposite face housing the ball a pin 52 that penetrates the spring between the coils, thus securing the cup and facilitating assembly. Indeed, the pin is press-fitted into the end of the spring and forms a single unit that can be easily inserted into the bore 36 after the ball has been inserted 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, the closed position is maintained.

[0052] When the case is to be opened, force is applied to the lid to rotate it. The ball moves out of the seat 46 against the force exerted by the spring and slides or rolls along 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 a right angle to the case, and the first and second elements are aligned.

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

[0054] By way of 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 could have a rectangular cross-section, triangular or square. The shape is chosen based in particular on the space available to insert them.

[0056] Moreover, in the example shown, the two elements have the same length. However, it is possible to consider that one of the elements could be longer than the other.

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

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

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

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

[0061] The first element is produced by machining to create the male part equipped with a Transverse drilling. The outer surface may be partially textured.

[0062] The second element is also machined to form the two flanges, each with a bore and a through bore. The bore, having two areas of different diameters, is made, for example, in two passes. The outer surface may be partially textured.

[0063] The ball is then inserted into the bore. Then the cup is put in place. Next, the spring is inserted into the bore. The spring 34 is then compressed and the plug 40 is inserted into the end of the bore 36 and 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 shaft 16 into the holes and deforming the end of the shaft 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 articulating a lid of a case relative to the case itself. It will be understood that this hinge can be used in other applications.

Claims

Demands

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 with respect to the other, in which the first element (2) comprises a body having a male part (6) and the second element (4) comprises a body having 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 with respect 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 protrudes between the flanges (10) and cooperates mechanically with the male part (6) of the first element (2), in which the second element (4) has a cup (50) interposed between the ball (38) and the spring (34) and in which the ball is retained in the bore on the side of the axis (Y) by a machining made in the flanges (10).

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

4. Hinge according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein the male part (6) has 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.

5. 5. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first element, the second element and the ball (38) are made of metal.

6. 6. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body of the first element and the body of the second element are cylindrical.

7. 7. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the body of the first element and the body of the second element have a structure on their outer surface.

8. 8. Case comprising a housing, a lid and at least one hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, connecting the housing (18) and the lid (20), the body of the first element (2) of the hinge being immobilized in a housing in the housing (18) or the lid (20), and the body of the second element (4) of the hinge being immobilized in a housing in the lid (20) or the housing (18).

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