Gravity hinge

Abstract

To provide a gravity hinge with a new structure that replaces conventional gravity hinges.SOLUTION: A gravity hinge of the present application including a first member fixed to either one of a periphery of an opening and a door that opens / closes the opening, a second member fixed to the other of them, and a shaft member inserted into both the first and second members to support both of them so that they can move vertically and rotate horizontally, the first member being provided with a storage section that communicates with a space that accommodates the shaft member, the storage section being provided therein with a locking body, the shaft member being provided with a locking recess in which the locking body is accommodated, the locking body being configured to move to a position for engagement with the locking recess or a position for disengagement from the locking recess as the door is opened or closed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a gravity hinge.

Background Art

[0002] For holding a door (e.g., a glass door) used in a bathroom or the like, a hinge member called a gravity hinge is used. As an example of a gravity hinge, there is one developed and patented by the applicant of this application in the past (Patent Document 1).

[0003] The gravity hinge of Patent Document 1 aims to solve the problem that the door does not accidentally open even when a pulling force is generated on the door, and includes a base-side member fixed to the door frame, a door-side member fixed to the door, a shaft member inserted into both the base-side member and the door-side member, and a door holding member for holding the door.

[0004] A base-side cam member is provided on the base-side member, and a door-side cam member is provided on the door-side member. Four gentle inclined surfaces are provided on the upper surface of each of the two cam members, and an inclined surface with a steep gradient (steep gradient portion) is provided on each inclined surface.

[0005] In this gravity hinge, since the rotation of the door in the pulling direction is restricted by the steep gradient portion, the door does not accidentally open even when a pulling force is generated on the door, and inconveniences caused by the door accidentally opening are also less likely to occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By the way, in recent years, the size and weight of doors have been increasing, and there is a demand for gravity hinges with high durability. Although the gravity hinge of Patent Document 1 can withstand an increase in size and weight, due to its structure, the load applied to the steep gradient portion increases, and there is a possibility that wear of this portion will accelerate.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to provide a gravity hinge having a new structure that replaces the conventional gravity hinge.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] The gravity hinge of the present application is a gravity hinge including a first member fixed to either the peripheral edge of an opening or a door that opens and closes the opening, a second member fixed to the other of them, and a shaft member inserted into both the first member and the second member to support both of them so as to be vertically movable and horizontally rotatable. An accommodation portion communicating with a space in the first member where the shaft member is accommodated is provided, a locking body is provided in the accommodation portion, a locking recess in which the locking body is accommodated is provided in the shaft member, and the locking body is configured to move to a position where it is locked in the locking recess or a position where it is disengaged from the locking recess as the door opens and closes.

[0010] In the gravity hinge of the present application, the first member may be provided with a first base and a first cam member, the first base may be provided with a first through portion that constitutes a part of the accommodation portion, and the first cam member may be provided with a second through portion that constitutes a part of the accommodation portion.

[0011] In the gravity hinge of the present application, the second member may be provided with a second base and a second cam member, a protruding portion may be provided on the inner surface of the second cam member, and a notch portion in which the protruding portion is accommodated may be provided on the outer surface of the shaft member.

[0012] In the gravity hinge of the present application, an elastic body that presses the locking body toward the locking recess of the shaft member may be provided in the accommodation portion.

[0013] In the gravity hinge of the present application, the locking recess can also be a groove formed along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the shaft member.

[0014] In the gravity hinge of the present application, the locking body can be a sphere sized to be locked in the locking recess.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] Since the gravity hinge of the present application is configured such that the locking body locks into the locking recess as the door opens and closes, the movement of the door in the closed state can be suppressed by the locking body locking into the locking recess.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] (Embodiment) An example of an embodiment of the gravity hinge 10 of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. The gravity hinge 10 of this embodiment is suitable for holding various doors, particularly glass doors installed in private rooms such as bathrooms.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows the usage state of the gravity hinge 10, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the gravity hinge 10 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the gravity hinge 10 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, 10 is the gravity hinge, X is the door, Y is the door frame, and Z is the door stop provided on the door frame Y.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gravity hinge 10 of this embodiment includes a base side member 30 fixed to the door frame Y, a door side member 40 fixed to the door X, a shaft member 50 inserted into both the base side member 30 and the door side member 40, and a door holding member 60 for holding the door X.

[0020] The base side member 30 includes a base (hereinafter referred to as "base side base") 31 fixed to the door frame Y and a cam member (hereinafter referred to as "base side cam member") 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the base side base 31 includes a vertically long flat plate-shaped fixing portion 31a fixed to the door frame Y and a cylindrical portion 31b provided in the lower half of the fixing portion 31a.

[0021] In the fixing portion 31a, screw holes 31c are provided in the portion without the cylindrical portion 31b. The base side base 31 is fixed to the door frame Y with screws 31d inserted into the screw holes 31c. The cylindrical portion 31b is provided with a base side accommodating portion 31e having an upper surface opening 31f, and the base side cam member 32 is press-fitted into the base side accommodating portion 31e.

[0022] In the fixing portion 31a, in the portion where the cylindrical portion 31b is provided, a first through portion 31g communicating with the base side accommodating portion 31e of the cylindrical portion 31b is provided. Two first through portions 31g are formed at intervals in the vertical direction. The number of the first through portions 31g may be more or less than this.

[0023] Inside the first through-hole 31g, a locking ball (spherical locking body) 37a and a pressing spring (elastic body) 37b are accommodated. A holding lid 37c is disposed outside the pressing spring 37b and is screwed to the fixing portion 31a. The holding lid 37c fits into a recessed portion 31h formed in the fixing portion 31a so that the surface of the fixing portion 31a and the holding lid 37c are flush when screwed.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the base-side cam member 32 includes a press-fitting portion 32a that fits into the base-side accommodation portion 31e, a large-diameter portion 32b provided above the press-fitting portion 32a, a flange portion 32c provided above the large-diameter portion 32b, and a cam portion 32d that protrudes above the flange portion 32c. The press-fitting portion 32a is cylindrical with a bottomed insertion hole 32e for inserting the shaft member 50, and a vertically long rib 32f is provided on its outer periphery.

[0025] The press-fitting portion 32a is provided with a second through-hole 32g that penetrates in the thickness direction. Two second through-holes 32g are provided at intervals in the vertical direction. The upper second through-hole 32g is provided at a position straddling a part of the press-fitting portion 32a and the large-diameter portion 32b.

[0026] Both second through-holes 32g communicate with two first through-holes 31g formed in the fixing portion 31a of the base-side member 30 and are provided at the same interval as the first through-holes 31g. The number of the second through-holes 32g can be appropriately set according to the number of the first through-holes 31g. A part of the locking ball 37a protrudes from both second through-holes 32g toward the inside of the insertion hole 32e, and the locking ball 37a is locked to the shaft member 50 inside the insertion hole 32e.

[0027] The opening of the second through-hole 32g on the insertion hole 32e side is smaller in diameter than the locking ball 37a, and the locking ball 37a is locked to the periphery of the opening so as not to fall out of the insertion hole 32e of the base-side cam member 32. The locking ball 37a is pressed toward the cylindrical portion 31b side by the pressing spring 37b, and a part of it protrudes into the insertion hole 32e of the base-side cam member 32 and fits into a locking recess 52 of the shaft member 50 described later.

[0028] In this embodiment, the two first through-holes 31g formed in the fixing portion 31a of the base-side member 30 and the second through-holes 32g formed on the circumferential surface of the press-fitting portion 32a of the base-side cam member 32 function as accommodating portions communicating with a space (insertion hole 32e) provided in the first member (base-side member 30) in which the shaft member 50 is received.

[0029] On the upper surface of the cam portion 32d of the base-side cam member 32, four continuous inclined surfaces (hereinafter, each inclined surface is referred to as "first inclined surface 33", "second inclined surface 34", "third inclined surface 35", and "fourth inclined surface 36") are provided. Each of the inclined surfaces 33 to 36 is a gentle inclined surface, and no steep inclined portion with a steeper gradient than other portions such as a conventional gravity hinge is provided.

[0030] The inclined surfaces 33 to 36 form two peak portions (a first peak portion composed of the first inclined surface 33 and the second inclined surface 34 and a second peak portion composed of the third inclined surface 35 and the fourth inclined surface 36) and two valley portions (a first valley portion composed of the fourth inclined surface 36 and the first inclined surface 33 and a second valley portion composed of the second inclined surface 34 and the third inclined surface 35).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the door-side member 40 (second member) includes a door-side base body 41 attached to the door X and a door-side cam member 42 press-fitted into a cylindrical portion 41b of the door-side base body 41. The door-side base body 41 includes a vertically long flat fixing portion 41a fixed to the door X and a cylindrical portion 41b provided on the side of the fixing portion 41a.

[0032] On the back surface side of the fixing portion 41a, two screw receiving portions (not shown) project at intervals in the vertical direction. The cylindrical portion 41b is provided with a door-side accommodating portion 41c having a bottom surface opening 41d, and the door-side cam member 42 is press-fitted into the door-side accommodating portion 41c.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the door-side cam member 42 includes a press-fitting portion 42a that fits into the door-side housing portion 41c and a cam portion 42b that protrudes downward from the press-fitting portion 42a. The press-fitting portion 42a is cylindrical with a bottomed insertion hole 42c for inserting the shaft member 50, and a vertically long rib 42d is provided on its outer periphery.

[0034] On the inner wall of the insertion hole 42c of the door-side cam member 42, a protruding portion 42e that fits into a notch portion 51 of the shaft member 50 described later is provided. The protruding portion 42e has a rectangular shape, and when the protruding portion 42e fits into the notch portion 51, the shaft member 50 is positioned, and the locking concave portion 52 is fixed at a position facing the locking ball 37a.

[0035] The cam portion 42b of the door-side cam member 42 is provided with four continuous inclined surfaces (hereinafter, each inclined surface is referred to as a "first inclined surface 43", "second inclined surface 44", "third inclined surface 45", and "fourth inclined surface 46"). Each of the inclined surfaces 43 to 46 is a gentle inclined surface, and no steep inclined portion with a steeper gradient than other portions such as a conventional gravity hinge is provided.

[0036] The inclined surfaces 43 to 46 form two peak portions (a first peak portion composed of the first inclined surface 43 and the second inclined surface 44 and a second peak portion composed of the third inclined surface 45 and the fourth inclined surface 46) and two valley portions (a first valley portion composed of the fourth inclined surface 46 and the first inclined surface 43 and a second valley portion composed of the second inclined surface 44 and the third inclined surface 45).

[0037] The shaft member 50 connects the base-side member 30 and the door-side member 40. As an example, the shaft member 50 shown in FIGS. 3 and 7(a) and 7(b) is a vertically long rod-shaped member. One end side of the shaft member 50 (the lower end side in the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 7(a) and 7(b)) is tapered to a pointed end.

[0038] A rectangular notch 51 is provided at a position above half of the shaft member 50, and a locking recess 52 having a substantially V-shaped (groove-shaped) cross section is provided at a position below half. The notch 51 and the locking recess 52 are provided at the same position in the circumferential direction. In other words, their centers are arranged on the same axis. Note that the locking recess 52 may be other than a groove, for example, a circular recess in which the locking ball 37a fits.

[0039] The locking recess 52 is a groove in which the locking ball 37a locks, and the notch 51 is a portion for restricting the rotation of the shaft member 50 (preventing it from rotating) so that the position of the locking recess 52 faces the locking ball 37a. The shaft member 50 is positioned by the protruding portion 42e fitting into the notch 51 and fixed at a position where the locking recess 52 faces the locking ball 37a.

[0040] The door holding member 60 is a member for holding the door X in cooperation with the fixing portion 41a of the door side member 40. As an example, the door holding member 60 shown in FIG. 3 includes two plate-shaped packings 61 applied to both surfaces of the door X, two cylindrical packings 62 covering the outer periphery of the screw receiver portion, a clamping piece 63 disposed on the opposite side across the door X from the fixing portion 41a of the door side member 40, two fixing screws 64 for fixing the fixing portion 41a, the plate-shaped packing 61, the door X, the plate-shaped packing 61, and the clamping piece 63, a washer 65 to be interposed when the fixing screw 64 is fixed, and a cover 66 covering the clamping piece 63.

[0041] The plate-shaped packing 61 is a rubber material of approximately the same size as the fixing portion 41a and is a member applied to the front and back surfaces of the door X. The shape of the plate-shaped packing 61 is an example, and other shapes may be used.

[0042] For the plate-shaped packing 61, materials other than rubber such as resin or vinyl can also be used. The two plate-shaped packings 61 are provided with through holes 61a through which the fixing screws 64 can pass, with a space therebetween in the vertical direction. The position and number of the through holes 61a may be determined according to the door X.

[0043] The cylindrical packing 62 is a member that covers the outside of the screw receiving portion and fits into a through hole (not shown) provided in the door X. The cylindrical packing 62 absorbs the impact applied to the periphery of the through hole provided in the door X and the screw receiving portion. As the cylindrical packing 62, a resin-made one, a vinyl-made one, a rubber-made one, or the like can be used.

[0044] The clamping piece 63 is directed from the opposite side of the fixing portion 41a of the door side member 40 toward the door X and clamps the door X in cooperation with the fixing portion 41a. As an example, the clamping piece 63 shown in FIG. 3 is a vertically long thin plate material having the same shape as the plate-shaped packing 61. The clamping piece 63 is provided with through holes 63a through which the fixing screws 64 can pass, at intervals in the vertical direction. The position and number of the through holes 63a may be determined according to the door X.

[0045] The cover 66 is a member that covers the clamping piece 63. As an example, the cover 66 shown in FIG. 3 is a vertically long dish-shaped member that covers the outer surface and the outer peripheral surface of the clamping piece 63. By covering the clamping piece 63 with the cover 66 after fixing with the fixing screws 64, the fixing screws 64 and the like can be hidden.

[0046] When using the door holding member 60 having the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, plate-shaped packings 61 are arranged on both outer sides of the door X, and in a state where the outer sides of the plate-shaped packings 61 are sandwiched between the fixing portion 41a and the clamping piece 63, the door X can be held by screwing the fixing screws 64 inserted from the outside of the clamping piece 63 into the screw receiving portion of the door side member 40.

[0047] The configuration of the above embodiment is an example, and the configuration of the gravity hinge of the present application is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. The gravity hinge of the present application can be modified by omitting, replacing, adding, etc. the configuration within the range that can achieve the intended purpose.

[0048] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the locking ball 37a is used as the locking body is taken as an example. However, the locking body can be replaced with a three-dimensional structure other than a sphere, a pin-shaped object, or the like. Further, when a sphere is used as the locking body, the sphere does not necessarily have to be a perfect sphere, and an ellipsoid (prolate spheroid) or the like may be used.

[0049] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the pressing spring 37b (coil spring) is used as the elastic body is taken as an example. However, the elastic body can be replaced with a spring material other than a coil spring. In addition, it can be replaced with something other than a spring material, such as a foam or a rubber material.

[0050] (Operation) Next, the operation of the gravity hinge 10 of the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 8(a) shows a state where the door X is open. In this state, the locking ball 37a is not locked in the locking recess 52 and is in contact with the curved surface portion of the shaft member 50.

[0051] When a closing force is applied to the door X in this state, the shaft member 50 rotates together with the door-side base body 41 and the door-side cam member 42, the locking recess 52 moves to the position facing the locking ball 37a, and the locking ball 37a pressed by the pressing spring 37b is locked in the locking recess 52.

[0052] On the other hand, when an opening force is applied to the door X from the closed state as shown in FIG. 8(b), the shaft member 50 rotates together with the door-side base body 41 and the door-side cam member 42, the locking ball 37a disengages from the locking recess 52, and the door X rotates in the opening direction. The locking ball 37a disengaged from the locking recess 52 abuts against the curved surface portion of the shaft member 50 and fits into the second through portion 32g against the pressing force of the pressing spring 37b.

Industrial Applicability

[0053] The gravity hinge 10 of the present application can be used as a hinge member for various doors X. For example, it can be particularly preferably used as a hinge member for a door installed in a private room that requires ventilation by a ventilation means, such as a bathroom.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0054] 10 Gravity hinge 30 Base side member 31 Base side base body 31a Fixing part 31b Cylindrical part 31c Screw hole 31d Screw 31e Base side accommodating part 31f Upper surface opening part 31g First through part 31h Concave part 32 Base side cam member 32a Press-fitting part 32b Large diameter part 32c Flange part 32d Cam part 32e Insertion hole 32f Rib 32g Second through part 33 First inclined surface 34 Second inclined surface 35 Third inclined surface 36 Fourth inclined surface 37a Locking ball (locking body) 37b Pressing spring (elastic body) 37c Pressing cover 40 Door side member 41 Door side base body 41a Fixing part 41b Cylindrical part 41c Door side accommodating part 41d Bottom surface opening part 42 Door side cam member 42a Press-fitting part 42b Cam part 42c Insertion hole 42d Rib 42e Protruding part 43 First inclined surface 44 Second inclined surface 45 Third inclined surface 46 Fourth inclined surface 50 Shaft member 51 Notch part 52 Locking concave part 60 Door holding member 61 Plate-shaped packing 61a Through-hole 62 Cylindrical packing 63 Clamping piece 63a Through-hole 64 Fixing screw 65 Washer 66 Cover X Door Y Door frame Z Door stop

Claims

1. In a gravity hinge comprising a first member fixed to either the periphery of an opening or a door for opening and closing the opening, a second member fixed to the other of them, and a shaft member inserted into both the first member and the second member to support them so as to be vertically movable and horizontally rotatable, the first member is provided with a housing portion communicating with a space in which the shaft member is received, a locking body is provided in the housing portion, the shaft member is provided with a locking recess in which the locking body is received, the locking body moves to a position where it locks in the locking recess or a position where it disengages from the locking recess as the door opens and closes, characterized gravity hinge.

2. In the gravity hinge according to Claim 1, the first member includes a first base body and a first cam member, the first base body is provided with a first through portion constituting a part of the housing portion, the first cam member is provided with a second through portion constituting a part of the housing portion, characterized gravity hinge.

3. In the gravity hinge according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the second member includes a second base body and a second cam member, a protruding portion is provided on the inner surface of the second cam member, a notch portion in which the protruding portion is received is provided on the outer surface of the shaft member, characterized gravity hinge.

4. In the gravity hinge according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, an elastic body for pressing the locking body toward the locking recess of the shaft member is provided in the housing portion, characterized gravity hinge.

5. In the gravity hinge according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the locking recess is a groove formed along the axial direction on the outer periphery of the shaft member, characterized gravity hinge.

6. In the gravity hinge according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the locking body is a sphere sized to be lockable in the locking recess, characterized gravity hinge.

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