Hinge device for a butterfly-type glass door or the like

Abstract

A hinge device for a closure element (A), such as a hinged door, preferably made of glass, fixed to a fixed support structure (S), such as a frame, preferably made of glass, for controlled rotary opening and closing movements. The device comprises a fixed element (10) that can be fixed to the fixed support structure (S) and a movable element (20) that can be fixed to the closure element (A) and that are mutually coupled to rotate about a longitudinal axis (X) between at least one first open position and one closed position. The movable element (20) comprises an end (22), at least one actuating chamber (21), a shaft (30) inserted in the latter, and an axle (40) that is inserted in the shaft (30) and slides along the axis (X). Furthermore, a pin (41) is provided for operatively connecting the end (22), the shaft (30) and the axle (40), whereby sliding of the axle (40) along the first axis (X) or an axis parallel thereto corresponds to rotation of the movable element (20) and the fixed element (10) about the axis (X). The actuation chamber (21) contains an actuation fluid for hydraulically damping the relative movement of the fixed and movable elements (10, 20) and the elastic damping means (50) in a spatial relationship from the axle (40), whereby the latter abuts the former only when the axle (40) is in the end stop position, so that a user moving the closure element (A) feels the resistance of the elastic damping means (50) only when at least the first open position is reached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of hinges for closing and controlling the hinge-type doors of showcases or similar closing elements, and in particular, to the operation and controlled rotary opening and closing of closing elements such as hinge-type glass doors of showcases fixed to a fixed support structure such as a frame.

Background Art

[0002] It is known to use a showcase made of plexiglass for storing food products such as bread, and the user can easily take the food products by rotating the hinge-type door around a horizontal or vertical hinge axis.

[0003] As is known, a hinge usually has a movable element fixed to a hinge-type door of a showcase or the like and hinged to a fixed element usually fixed to the support frame of the showcase. Such hinges are mainly mechanical and often do not provide any kind of opening and closing control. It is also known that such hinge-type doors may be forced open by inattentive users.

[0004] In fact, such known devices do not provide opening prevention, and thus the hinges of the hinge-type doors may be removed and / or damaged. Furthermore, in light of the above disadvantages, there are also subsequent restrictions on the materials used to make the same, and it is not known to use glass to manufacture the hinge-type doors of the problematic showcases.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a highly functional, easily manufacturable and inexpensive hinge device.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device that enables easy and practical adjustment of the opening and closing of a constrained closing element. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that can ensure the controlled movement of a constrained hinge-type door during both opening and closing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device suitable for the controlled opening and closing of a glass hinge-type door. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device having a minimum number of parts. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device that can maintain an accurate closing position over a long period of time. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device that is extremely safe. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge device that is extremely easy to assemble. These and other objects, which will be further clarified hereinafter, are achieved by a hinge device having one or more of the characteristics described and / or claimed and / or illustrated herein. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined according to the dependent claims.

[0007] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the hinge device according to the present invention, which is shown by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Referring to the above figures, in this specification, a hinge device 1 for a rotatable opening and closing operation in which a closing element A, preferably a butterfly valve door made of glass, is fixed to a fixed support structure S, preferably a frame made of glass, will be described.

[0010] The present invention can include various components and / or similar or identical elements. Unless otherwise specified, it is clear that all the described technical features are common to all similar or identical components and / or elements, so similar or identical components and / or elements are indicated using a single reference number.

[0011] Generally, the hinge device 1 can include a fixed element 10 that can be fixed to the frame S and a movable element 20 that can be fixed to the hinged door A. Preferably, the fixed element 10 and the movable element 20 are coupled to each other so as to rotate about the longitudinal axis X between, for example, a closed position shown in FIG. 7A and at least one open position shown in FIG. 8A.

[0012] Preferably, the fixed element 10 and the movable element 20 can include respective first and second fixing parts 15, 25 for fixing to the frame S and the hinged door A. Preferably, the movable element 20 can include an operating chamber 21 that defines the axis X and a mandrel 40 that is slidable therein between at least two end stop positions.

[0013] The operating chamber 21 can also be provided with elastic braking means 50 that can abut against the mandrel 40 so as to brake the movement of the hinged door A by the user by applying a repulsive force against the movement, as will be described in more detail below. According to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the mandrel 40 can be coupled to the plunger element 42 and they slide integrally along the axis X.

[0014] The mandrel 40 can include a portion 43 that can be provided with a housing hole 43''' into which the pin 41 can be inserted. The portion 43 can further include an end 43'' that is preferably screwed to the plunger element 42.

[0015] Advantageously, the mandrel 40 can further comprise a portion 44 preferably having an end 44' coupled to the plunger element 42, for example by screwing, and an opposite end 44'' suitable for abutting against the elastic braking means 50.

[0016] In particular, as shown in Figure 2B, the working chamber 21 can comprise a housing region 51 capable of accommodating the elastic braking means 50. These can comprise a pressing member 52 and a braking element 53 suitable for occupying the housing region 51 upon compression, such as a disc spring washer as shown in Figure 4B or a polyurethane elastomer body as shown in Figure 2B.

[0017] Such a braking element 53 can provide a high resilience force with minimal compression. Advantageously, the working chamber 21 can contain a working fluid for the hydraulic braking of the movement of the movable element 20 about the axis X. Advantageously, the plunger element 42 can divide the working chamber 21 into first and second variable volume compartments 23', 23'', which can be arranged to be in fluid communication using valve means 60.

[0018] Such valve means 60 can comprise a calibrated opening 62 and an opening 61 with a shutter 61' which can open when the hinge door is open and close when the hinge door A is closed, in order to force the working fluid to flow exclusively through the second calibrated opening 62, as disclosed in International Application PCT / IB2015 / 050603, International Application PCT / IB2017 / 05836 or Italian Application 102,018,000,008,233.

[0019] Preferably, the opening 61 and the shutter 61' can form part of a check valve. Even more preferably, the calibrated opening 62 can have a suitable size, optionally a small diameter, so as to brake the closing of the hinge door A according to the desired degree. Advantageously, the hinge device 1 can comprise a shaft 30 inserted into the working chamber 21 along the axis X.

[0020] The shaft 30 can comprise a connecting portion 31 for connecting the fixed element 10 and the movable element 20. The shaft 30 can also comprise a tubular working portion 32 on the opposite side of the connecting portion 31. Advantageously, the tubular working portion 32 can comprise a pair of slots 34 facing each other.

[0021] Each slot 34 can comprise a portion 35 extending along an axis X' parallel to the axis X and a portion 37 extending along the axis Y. Preferably, the axis Y can project onto the axis X' such that an angle α greater than 90° can be set between the portion 35 and the portion 37, particularly as shown in FIG. 1C.

[0022] It is clear that the angle α can be substantially equal to 90° without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims. Advantageously, a portion 36 defining an axis Z substantially transverse to the axes X' and Y can be interposed between the portion 35 and the portion 37.

[0023] The portion 36 can comprise a guide surface 36' inclined corresponding to the axis Z. According to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the working chamber 21 can further comprise an end 22 with a pair of actuator slots 24. Preferably, the slots 24 can face each other and be arranged to rotate around the axis X.

[0024] More specifically, the slots 24 can expand in the right or left direction. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the slots 24 can have a leftward expansion. Advantageously, the mandrel 40 can be inserted into the tubular actuating part 32 so that the pin 41 can slide along slots 24 and 34.

[0025] In particular, each pair of slots 24 and 34 can constitute a single guide element for the pin 41. More specifically, while the hinge door A is moving, and thus when the fixed element 10 and the movable element 20 rotate around the axis X, the slot 24 can guide the movement of the pin 41 along the slot 34.

[0026] However, it is clear that a single pair of slots can be formed in the tubular actuating part 32 or the movable element 20 without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims. Furthermore, it is clear that two or more slots can be formed in the tubular actuating part 32 and / or the end 22 without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims.

[0027] Operationally, in particular as shown in FIG. 8A, when the hinge door A is moved to open, for example, by an angle β of 0° to 85°, the pin 41 can slide along the part 35, and the mandrel 40 can move from a first end stop position where the end 43´ is proximal to the connection part 31 of the shaft 30 to a second end stop position where the end 43´ is distal therefrom.

[0028] More specifically, when the hinge door A is in a first open position corresponding to an angle β of, for example, 85°, the end 44´´ of the mandrel 40 contacts the pressing member 52. Starting from this angle, the hinge door A can be braked only by the action of the aforementioned hydraulic circuit and can be automatically closed.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 9A, when the hinge door A is moved to open by an angle β of 85° to 110° corresponding to the third open position, the pin 41 can slide along the portion 36, and the mandrel 40 can move from the second end stop position to the third end stop position by the subsequent compression of the braking element 53.

[0030] Therefore, starting from a value of β of 85° to 110°, the hinge door A can be automatically closed by the action of the braking means 50 that pushes the pin 41 to abut against the guide surface 36' that guides the pin 41 along the portion 35 and reaches the aforementioned first open position. Starting from such a position, the hinge door A can reach the closed position as described above.

[0031] Furthermore, such closing can be appropriately braked by the aforementioned hydraulic circuit. As shown in FIGS. 10A to 11A, when the hinge door A is moved to open by an angle β of 110° to 180° corresponding to the second open position, the pin 41 can slide along the portion 36, and the mandrel 40 can move from the third end stop position to the fourth end stop position by the subsequent further compression of the braking element 53.

[0032] In particular, when the opening angle β exceeds 110°, the hinge door A is locked at the reached position due to the repulsive force generated by the braking element 53 that pushes the pin 41 to abut against the abutting surface 37' of the portion 37, as particularly shown in FIGS. 10A to 11A.

[0033] Thereafter, the user has to manually return the hinge door A to an angle β of 110°, and starting from this angle β, the hinge door A can be automatically closed as described above. While the hinge door A is open, for an opening angle β of 85° to 180°, it is obvious that the user can feel the resistance to the increasing movement due to the gradually increasing repulsive force generated by the progressive compression of the braking element 53. This resistor prevents the user from forcibly opening the hinge door A and ensures that the hinge door A does not come off the hinge.

[0034] It is clear that the described hinge device 1 can guarantee the controlled rotary opening and closing movement of the closing element A, in particular the glass hinge door.

[0035] In light of the above, it is clear that the present invention achieves a predetermined objective. The present invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are included in the concept of the invention outlined in the appended patent claims. Without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended patent claims, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can vary according to technical requirements.

Claims

Claim 1 In a hydraulic hinge device for performing a controlled rotational opening and closing movement of a closing element (A), preferably a hinged door made of glass, fixed to a fixed support structure (S), preferably a frame made of glass, - a fixing element (10) that can be fixed to the fixed support structure (S), - a movable element (20) that can be fixed to the closing element (A), wherein the movable element (20) and the fixing element (10) are interconnected so as to rotate around a first longitudinal axis (X) between at least one first open position and one closed position, and one of the movable element (20) and the fixing element (10) comprises at least one working chamber (21) that defines the first longitudinal axis (X), the movable element (20), - a shaft (30) coaxially inserted into the at least one working chamber (21), comprising a connecting portion (31) for operably interconnecting the fixing and movable elements (10, 20), and further comprising a tubular working portion (32), the shaft (30), - a first end stop position proximal to the connecting portion (31) of the shaft (30) corresponding to one of the at least one open position and one closed position, and a second end stop position distal from the connecting portion (31) of the shaft (30) corresponding to the other of the at least one open position and one closed position, a mandrel (40) telescopically inserted into the tubular working portion (32) so as to slide along the first longitudinal axis (X), wherein a pin (41) operatively connecting the tubular working portion (32) and the mandrel (40) is provided so as to correspond to the rotation of one of the movable element (20) and the fixing element (10) around the first longitudinal axis (X) by the slide of the mandrel (40) along one of the first longitudinal axis (X) or an axis parallel thereto, the mandrel (40), A hinge device comprising The at least one working chamber (21) includes a working fluid for hydraulic braking of the mutual movement of the fixed and movable elements (10, 20) and at least one plunger element (42) coupled to the mandrel (40) so as to move integrally along the first longitudinal axis (X), wherein at least one such plunger element (42) divides the at least one working chamber (21) into at least one first and a second variable volume compartments (23′, 23″) which are preferably adjacent and in fluid communication with each other, and valve means (60) are provided for controlling the flow of the working fluid between the first and second variable volume compartments (23′, 23″). Furthermore, the at least one working chamber (21) includes elastic braking means (50) in a spatial relationship with the mandrel (40), the latter or the plunger element (42) abutting against the former only when the mandrel (40) is in the second end stop position, so that the user moving the closing element (A) feels the resistance of the elastic braking means (50) only when reaching one of the closed position and the first open position. The mandrel (40) has an end (43′) inserted into the tubular working part (32) of the shaft (30) including the pin (41), and the tubular working part (32), and one of the movable element (20) and the fixed element (10) is provided with at least a pair of first actuator slots (24) rotating around the first longitudinal axis (X), and the pin (41) is inserted into the first actuator slots (24) so as to slide therethrough when the fixed and movable elements (10, 20) rotate relative to each other around the first longitudinal axis (X), a hinge device. Claim 2 The at least one working chamber (21) includes at least one end (22) facing each other on the other side of the movable element (20) and the fixed element (10), the shaft (30) is coaxially inserted into the at least one working chamber (21) at the end (22), and one of the at least one end (22) of the working chamber (21) and the tubular working portion (32) of the shaft (30) is provided with the first actuator slot (24), and the other of the at least one end (22) of the working chamber (21) and the tubular working portion (32) of the shaft (30) is provided with at least a pair of second guide slots (34), and the pin (41) slides through the first actuator slot (24) and the second guide slots (34). The hinge device according to claim 1.

3. The first actuator slot (24) has a deployment portion in the right or left direction, and the second guide slot (34) includes at least one first portion (35) defining a second axis (X') substantially parallel or slightly inclined with respect to the first longitudinal axis (X). The pin (41) slides through at least one first portion (35) of the second guide slot (34) to enable the closing element to move between the first open position and the closed position. The hinge device according to claim 2.

4. The second guide slot (34) further includes a second portion (37) angularly spaced from the first portion (35) so as to define a third axis (Y), and the pin (41) enables the closing element to move between the second open position and the closed position through the at least one first portion (35) so as to pass through the first open position. The pin (41) slides within the second portion (37) of the second guide slot (34), and the third axis (Y) is substantially perpendicular or slightly inclined with respect to the first longitudinal axis (X) such that when the closing element is in the second open position, the pin (41) abuts against the abutting surface (37') of the second portion (37) under the thrust of the elastic braking means (50). The hinge device according to claim 3.

5. The second guide slot (34) further comprises a third portion (36) interposed between the first and second portions (35, 37), and the pin (41) slides within the first, second, and third portions (35, 36, 37) of the second guide slot (34) to pass through the first open position and at least one third open position interposed between the first and second open positions, enabling movement of the closing element between the second open position and the closed position. The third portion (36) defines a fourth axis (Z) transverse to the second and third axes (X′, Y), such that when the closing element is in the third open position, the closing element closes towards the first open position, and the pin (41) abuts against a guide surface (36′) of the third portion (36) inclined corresponding to the fourth axis (Z) so as to be automatically pushed towards the first portion (35) by the elastic braking means (50). The hinge device according to claim 4.

6. The mandrel (40) comprises a first portion (43) including a first end (43′) integrally coupled to the pin (41) and an opposite second end (43″) mutually coupled to the plunger element (42). Further, the mandrel (40) comprises a second portion (44) including a third end (44′) mutually coupled to the plunger element (42) and an opposite fourth end (44″) capable of abutting against the elastic braking means (50). The first portion (43), the plunger element (42), and the second portion (44) move integrally along the first longitudinal axis (X). The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The working chamber (21) comprises a housing region (51) for the elastic braking means (50), which latter comprises at least one pressing member (52) and a braking element (53). The at least one pressing member (52) can mutually abut against the fourth end (44″) of the second portion (44) of the mandrel (40) when the closing element (A) reaches the first open position. The braking element (53) is preferably a disc spring washer or a polyurethane elastomer body. The hinge device according to claim 6.

8. The hinge device according to claim 7, wherein the braking element (53) is a polyurethane elastomer body suitable for completely occupying the housing region (51) when the polyurethane elastomer body is once compressed by the at least one pressing member (52).

9. The hinge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve means (60) comprises at least one first and at least one second opening (61, 62) for fluidly connecting the first and second variable volume compartments (23', 23''), and the at least one first opening (61) can be opened when the closing element (A) is opened and can be closed so as to force the working fluid to flow only through the second opening (62) when the closing element (A) is closed, and the at least one first opening (61) is provided with at least one shutter (61').

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