Hinge device, kit of parts and locker

Abstract

A hinge device (44a-44c) for interconnecting a leaf (40) and a stationary and continuous hinge rod (20), the hinge device comprising an opening (72) for receiving a bolt (48) fixed to the leaf when the hinge device is connected to the hinge rod; and a rod structure (58a; 58b) configured to be moved from a disconnected state (60) for receiving the hinge rod in a receiving direction (56) to a connected state (70) where the rod structure at least partly encloses the hinge rod to provide a rotatable connection between the hinge device and the hinge rod for rotation around the longitudinal axis; wherein the rod structure in the connected state forms at least one bush (64a, 64b) at an end (62a, 62b) of the hinge device with respect to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the at least one bush is arranged to carry a weight of the leaf.

Description

[0001] HINGE DEVICE, KIT OF PARTS AND LOCKER

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to hinges. In particular, a hinge device for interconnecting a leaf and a hinge rod, a kit of parts for a locker comprising a leaf and such hinge device, and a locker comprising such kit of parts, are provided.

[0004] Background

[0005] A locker may comprise a plurality of compartments and a door leaf associated with each compartment. In some lockers of this type, each door leaf is hinged on a common hinge rod passing through all compartments. Such hinge rod may be referred to as a continuous hinge rod. In other lockers of this type, a unique hinge rod is provided for each compartment. In any case, some adjustments of a door leaf configuration in such lockers, for example a replacement of a door leaf, may be tricky.

[0006] Summary

[0007] One object of the invention is to provide an improved hinge device.

[0008] This object is achieved by the hinge device according to claim 1.

[0009] The invention is based on the realization that by providing a hinge device composed of two bodies that can be snap-fitted around a hinge rod and that includes an opening for receiving a bolt fixed to a leaf, the hinge device enables a more secure design and the hinge device can be connected to the hinge rod and to the leaf in a less complicated manner.

[0010] According to a first aspect, there is provided a hinge device for interconnecting a leaf and a hinge rod, the hinge device comprising an opening for receiving a bolt fixed to the leaf when the hinge device isconnected to the hinge rod; and a rod structure configured to be moved from a disconnected state for receiving the hinge rod in a receiving direction, generally transverse to, or transverse to, a longitudinal axis of the hinge rod, to a connected state where the rod structure at least partly encloses the hinge rod to provide a rotatable connection between the hinge device and the hinge rod for rotation around the longitudinal axis.

[0011] By virtue of the rod structure configured to receive the hinge rod in the receiving direction in the disconnected state, the hinge device enables interconnection of the leaf and the hinge rod without requiring a use of circumferentially closed holes in the hinge device and / or in the leaf for receiving the hinge rod along the longitudinal axis. Such circumferentially closed hole is closed throughout 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis. The hinge device thereby greatly facilitates replacement of the hinge device and / or of the leaf since these parts can be replaced without having to withdraw the hinge rod out from a locker.

[0012] The rod structure enables the hinge device to be clipped around the hinge rod. When engaged, the hinge device and the hinge rod may form a hinge for the leaf. The hinge device may be moved by hand from the disconnected state to the connected state, such as by one hand. The hinge rod may be stationary and the hinge device may rotate relative to the hinge rod. The hinge rod may be a continuous hinge rod passing through several compartments of a locker.

[0013] By securing a fastener, such as a nut, to the bolt when received through the opening in the connected state of the hinge device, the hinge device becomes fixed to the leaf. The opening may or may not be closed. In some examples, at least two hinge devices are used for each leaf.

[0014] The rod structure may be configured to adopt the connected state by a snap-fit connection. Thus, in the connected state of the rod structure, the hinge device is held to the hinge rod and the connected state is maintained by the snap-fit connection.The hinge device may comprise a first body and a second body configured to adopt a closed state where the rod structure adopts the connected state. In the closed state, the first and second bodies may be mated with each other. The first and second bodies may be moved to the closed state from an open state where the rod structure adopts the disconnected state.

[0015] The first body and the second body may be configured to be connected to each other in the closed state by a snap-fit connection. The snap-fit connection may comprise a male part, such as a flexible lever, and a female part, such as a groove, configured to be releasably engaged by the male part. In some variants, the hinge device comprises two snap-fit connections, such as two pairs of a male part and a female part. In these variants, each of the first and second bodies may comprise both a male part and a female part.

[0016] The first body and second body may have an identical design. This provides for a very efficient manufacture and storage since only one type of component needs to be handled. The hinge device of this variant is therefore particularly cost-effective.

[0017] The hinge device may be constituted by the first body and the second body. That is, the hinge device may not comprise any further components in addition to the first and second bodies.

[0018] The opening may be elongated in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis when the hinge device is coupled to the hinge rod. The opening may also be elongated in a direction generally transverse to the receiving direction.

[0019] The rod structure in the connected state may form at least one bush. The at least one bush may at least partly enclose the hinge rod. The at least one bush may be formed at an end of the hinge device with respect to the longitudinal axis. The at least one bush may be arranged to carry a weight of the leaf. Each bush may protrude along the longitudinal axis.Each hinge device may comprise a wing. In these cases, both the at least one bush and the wing may form the rod structure. Moreover, in these cases, the opening may be provided in the wing and / or the rod structure may be provided at least partly in the wing.

[0020] Each bush may protrude from the wing along the longitudinal axis. For example, a first bush may protrude from the wing in a first direction along the longitudinal axis, and a second bush may protrude from the wing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the longitudinal axis.

[0021] A length of each bush along the longitudinal axis may be at least io % and / or less than 25 % of a length of the wing along the longitudinal axis.

[0022] Alternatively, or in addition, a length of each bush along the longitudinal axis may be at least 5 % and / or less than 20 % of a length of the hinge device along the longitudinal axis, for example in case the hinge device comprises two bushes.

[0023] The rod structure in the connected state may form a first bush and a second bush at opposite ends of the rod structure along the longitudinal axis. With this variant, the hinge device can be used in two different ways in relation to a single bolt. In a first way, the first bush is active (e.g., the leaf rests thereon) and the second bush is passive. In the second way, the second bush is active and the first bush is passive. In both ways, the bolt is received through the opening, but in different directions.

[0024] For a leaf comprising two bolts fixed thereto, the hinge device of this variant can be used in four different positions. In this manner, the plurality of bushes provide a redundancy that contribute to extend a life of the hinge device.

[0025] The entire hinge device may be molded, e.g., injection molded. The material may for example be nylon.

[0026] According to a second aspect, there is provided a kit of parts for a locker, the kit of parts comprising a hinge device according to the first aspect and theleaf. The leaf may be made of sheet metal. The leaf may for example be a door leaf or a window leaf.

[0027] The kit of parts may further comprise the bolt fixed to the leaf. The bolt may be oriented in a direction transverse to a main extension plane of the leaf.

[0028] According to a third aspect, there is provided a locker comprising the kit of parts according to the second aspect. The locker may further comprise the hinge rod.

[0029] The leaf may comprise a tab protruding in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis. Due to the tab protruding in parallel with the longitudinal axis, the tab can fully or partly protect the hinge rod, making the hinge rod less accessible for tampering attempts. Thus, security of the locker is improved. The locker may comprise a plurality of kits of parts connected to the hinge rod. Each tab may cover an associated bush, for example along a major portion of the bush along the longitudinal axis, such as along at least 8o % of the bush along the longitudinal axis, such as along an entire portion of the bush along the longitudinal axis.

[0030] The locker may comprise a plurality of hinge rods. In these cases, a plurality of kits of parts may be connected to each hinge rod.

[0031] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0033] Fig. 1: schematically represents a front view of a locker according to the prior art;

[0034] Fig. 2: schematically represents a partial perspective and partially exploded rear view of the locker;

[0035] Fig. 3: schematically represents a front view of a locker according to one example in accordance with the invention;

[0036] Fig. 4: schematically represents a partial perspective rear view of thelocker in Fig. 3;

[0037] Fig. 5: schematically represents a partial rear view of the locker in Fig. 3; Fig. 6: schematically represents a perspective view of a hinge device according to one example when first and second bodies are in an open state;

[0038] Fig. 7: schematically represents a perspective view of the hinge device when the first and second bodies are in a closed state;

[0039] Fig. 8: schematically represents a top view of a hinge device according to a further example when the first and second bodies are in an open state;

[0040] Fig. 9: schematically represents a perspective view of the hinge device in Fig. 8 when the first and second bodies are in a closed state; Fig. 10: schematically represents a top view of a hinge device according to a further example when a rod structure is in a disconnected state; Fig. 11: schematically represents a top view of the hinge device in Fig. 10 when the rod structure is in a connected state; and

[0041] Fig. 12: schematically represents a front view of a locker according to a further example in accordance with the invention.

[0042] Detailed Description

[0043] In the following, a hinge device for interconnecting a leaf and a hinge rod, a kit of parts for a locker comprising such hinge rod, and a locker comprising a leaf and such hinge device, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0044] Fig. 1 schematically represents a front view of a locker 10 according to the prior art. The locker 10 comprises a plurality of compartments 12, here six, and a door leaf 14, a lockable handle 16 and a shelf 18 associated with each compartment 12.

[0045] The locker 10 further comprises a hinge rod 20. The hinge rod 20 is inserted into the locker 10 from above and is then fixed. The hinge rod 20 defines a longitudinal axis 22. The hinge rod 20 passes through all door leaves 14 andthrough all shelves 18. The hinge rod 20 is therefore referred to as a continuous hinge rod.

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically represents a partial perspective and partially exploded rear view of the locker io. The locker io comprises a plurality of hinge devices 24. Each hinge device 24 comprises a bush 26 and a bracket 28. Each bush 26 passes through a circumferentially closed hole 30 in the door leaf 14 and through the bracket 28. The hinge rod 20 is inserted through each bush 26 and through each circumferentially closed hole 30 along the longitudinal axis 22.

[0047] Each bracket 28 also receives a bolt 32 fixed to the door leaf 14 that is threadingly engaged by a nut 34. The brackets 28 are used for aligning the door leaf 14 with respect to the hinge rod 20. Fig. 2 further shows a main extension plane 36 of the door leaf 14. The bolt 32 extends in parallel with the main extension plane 36.

[0048] As can be gathered from Figs. 1 and 2, the hinge rod 20 passes through each door leaf 14, here through the circumferentially closed holes 30, the brackets 28 and the bushes 26. Thus, the door leaf 14 cannot be replaced without sliding the hinge rod 20 out of the door leaves 14, the brackets 28 and the bushes 26. This typically requires the entire hinge rod 20 to be pulled out from the locker 10, which in turn often requires the locker 10 to be laid horizontally on the floor since a ceiling height is often limited.

[0049] Fig. 3 schematically represents a front view of a locker 38a according to the invention. Mainly differences of the locker 38a with respect to the locker 10 will be described. The locker 38a comprises a plurality of door leaves 40, here one associated with each compartment 12. As shown, a shape of each door leaf 40 differs from a shape of each door leaf 14, in particular adjacent to the hinge rod 20. Each door leaf 40 here comprises a tab 42 protruding in parallel with the longitudinal axis 22 to protect the hinge rod 20. Security of the locker 38a is thereby improved since, in comparison with in the locker 10, the hinge rod 20 is less exposed.Fig. 4 schematically represents a partial perspective rear view of the locker 38a. The locker 38a comprises a plurality of hinge devices 44a. In this example, two hinge devices 44a (Fig. 5) are associated with each door leaf 40 but only one hinge device 44a or more than two hinge devices 44a may alternatively be used to interconnect the hinge rod 20 and one of the door leaves 40.

[0050] The locker 38a comprises a kit of parts 46. The kit of parts 46 of this example comprises the door leaf 40 and the hinge device 44a. The kit of parts 46 of this example further comprises two bolts 48 fixed to the door leaf 40. As shown, each bolt 48 is oriented transverse to the main extension plane 36, here also transverse to the longitudinal axis 22.

[0051] Each hinge device 44a of this example comprises first and second bodies 50a, 50b providing two snap-fit connections 52a. In Fig. 4, the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in a closed state 54 where they mate with each other with the snap-fit connections 52a engaged. In the closed state 54, the hinge device 44a is connected to the hinge rod 20. The nut 34 threadingly engages the bolt 48 and clamps the hinge device 44a to the door leaf 40.

[0052] Fig. 4 further shows a receiving direction 56. The receiving direction 56 is a direction in which the hinge device 44a can receive the hinge rod 20 when a rod structure 58a thereof adopts a disconnected state 60 (Fig. 6). The receiving direction 56 of this example is transverse to the longitudinal axis 22.

[0053] Fig. 4 shows first and second ends 62a, 62b of the hinge device 44a that are opposite with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis 22 when the hinge device 44a is clipped around the hinge rod 20.

[0054] Each hinge device 44a of this example comprises a first bush 64a at the first end 62a and a second bush 64b at the second end 62b. As shown, the first and second bushes 64a, 64b are integrally formed with the hinge device 44a. In the closed state 54 of the first and second bodies 50a, 50b, each of the first and second bushes 64a, 64b of this example encloses the hinge rod 20.When the hinge device 44a is clipped onto the hinge rod 20, here when the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are moved into the closed state 54 such that the snap-fit connections 52a lock, two actions occur simultaneously, namely the hinge device 44a encloses and engages the hinge rod 20, and the first and second bushes 64a, 64b are established. Thus, the hinge device 44a does not require a dedicated handling of bushes.

[0055] Each hinge device 44a of this example further comprises a wing 65. The wing 65 is here oriented in parallel with the longitudinal axis 22 and protrudes away from the longitudinal axis 22.

[0056] The door leaf 40 of this example is made of a cut and folded sheet metal. Due to the hinge device 44a, no circumferentially closed holes 30 need to be provided in the door leaf 40 which instead enables an easy provision of the tab 42 by folding the sheet metal.

[0057] In contrast to the door leaf 14, the door leaf 40 does not have any circumferentially closed holes 30 for receiving the hinge rod 20. Instead, the door leaf 40 comprises an aperture 66 on each side for receiving the hinge rod 20. In contrast to the circumferentially closed holes 30, the apertures 66 are open in the receiving direction 56.

[0058] Fig. 5 schematically represents a partial rear view of the locker 38a. The door leaf 40 rests on the first bush 64a of the lower hinge device 44a (to the right in Fig. 5). If the first bush 64a should wear out or break, the hinge device 44a can be released by unscrewing the nut 34 and rotating the hinge device 44a such that the first bush 64a becomes passive (positioned to the left in Fig. 5) and the second bush 64b becomes active (positioned to the right in Fig. 5). Should the second bush 64b then wear out or break, the right hinge device 44a may be swapped with the left hinge device 44a to provide two new first and second bushes 64a, 64b.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 5, each of the first and second bushes 64a, 64b protrudes from the wing 65 in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis 22. In this specific and non-limiting example, a length of each of the first and secondbushes 64a, 64b along the longitudinal axis 22 is 15 % of a length of the wing 65 along the longitudinal axis 22, and 11 % of a length of the hinge device 44a along the longitudinal axis 22. Fig. 5 further shows that the tab 42 covers at least 80 % of a length of the first bush 64a along the longitudinal axis 22.

[0060] The door leaf 40 can easily be replaced, for example due to abuse, without having to pull out the hinge rod 20. The hinge device 44a thus enables an improved serviceability of the locker 38a. Due to the hinge device 44a being configured to receive the hinge rod 20 in the receiving direction 56, the hinge rod 20 does not have to pass through any circumferentially closed hole 30 in the door leaf 40, through a bracket 28 or through a bush 26.

[0061] Fig. 6 schematically represents a perspective view of the hinge device 44a. In Fig. 6, the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in an open state 68 and the rod structure 58a adopting the disconnected state 60 can be seen. In the disconnected state 60, the rod structure 58a can receive the hinge rod 20 in the receiving direction 56. The rod structure 58a is a structure of the hinge device 44a for engaging the hinge rod 20. When the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in the closed state 54, like in Figs. 4 and 5, the rod structure 58a adopts a connected state 70 (Fig. 7) enclosing the hinge rod 20 to provide a rotatable coupling between the hinge device 44a and the hinge rod 20. The rod structure 58a of this example is composed of two half cylinders, one on each of the first and second bodies 50a, 50b.

[0062] In this example, the first and second bodies 50a, 50b have an identical design providing for a very efficient production and storage. Thus, any description given of the first body 50a also applies to the second body 50b. Each of the first and second bodies 50a, 50b of this example is injection molded in nylon. The hinge device 44a has a very cost-effective design. Moreover, the hinge device 44a is strong and is easy to assemble and adjust.

[0063] The hinge device 44a comprises an opening 72, here extending through both the first and second bodies 50a, 50b when these are in the closed state 54. The opening 72 is here provided in the wing 65. In Figs. 4 and 5, the opening72 receives the bolt 48 therethrough. The opening 72 of this example is circumferentially closed and is elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 22, and here also to the receiving direction 56, when the hinge device 44a is connected to the hinge rod 20. By virtue of the opening 72, a position of the door leaf 40 relative to the hinge rod 20 can be adjusted, e.g., in a left / right direction (up / down direction in Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 6, each snap-fit connection 52a of this example comprises a groove 74 and a flexible lever 76 configured to engage an associated groove 74 when the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in the closed state 54.

[0064] Fig. 7 schematically represents a perspective view of the hinge device 44a when the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in the closed state 54 and the rod structure 58a has adopted the connected state 70 by the snap-fit connections 52a. The first and second bodies 50a, 50b can be moved from the open state 68 to the closed state 54, such that the rod structure 58a moves from the disconnected state 60 to the connected state 70, by hand. The snap-fit connections 52a make it much easier to assemble the door leaf 40. Once the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are held together around the hinge rod 20 by the snap-fit connections 52a, the hinge device 44a does not need to be held by hand when screwing the nut 34 onto the bolt 48.

[0065] Fig. 8 schematically represents a top view of a hinge device 44b according to a further example. Mainly differences of the hinge device 44b with respect to the hinge device 44a will be described. The hinge device 44b of this example comprises a living hinge 78 interconnecting the first and second bodies 50a, 50b. Moreover, the hinge device 44b comprises only one snap-fit connection 52a. In Fig. 8, the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in the open state 68 and the rod structure 58a is in the disconnected state 60.

[0066] Fig. 9 schematically represents a perspective view of the hinge device 44b in Fig. 8 when the first and second bodies 50a, 50b are in the closed state 54 and the rod structure 58a is in the connected state 70.Fig. io schematically represents a top view of a hinge device 44c according to a further example. Mainly differences of the hinge device 44c with respect to the hinge device 44a will be described. The hinge device 44c of this example comprises a single body 50c and a rod structure 58b. The rod structure 58b comprises resilient first and second halves 80a, 80b also forming a further example of a snap-fit connection 52b. In Fig. 10, the first and second halves 80a, 80b are deformed to expand by the hinge rod 20 such that the rod structure 58b adopts the disconnected state 60.

[0067] Fig. 11 schematically represents a top view of the hinge device 44c. The hinge device 44c has been moved closer to the hinge rod 20 in the receiving direction 56 such that the first and second halves 80a, 80b snap around the hinge rod 20 in the connected state 70 of the rod structure 58b. At this point, also the first and second bushes 64a, 64b, formed by the first and second halves 80a, 80b, snap around the hinge rod 20.

[0068] Fig. 12 schematically represents a front view of a locker 38b according to a further example in accordance with the invention. Mainly differences of the locker 38b with respect to the locker 38a will be described. The locker 38b comprises a plurality of hinge rods 20, here three. Each hinge rod 20 is stationary and continuous. The locker 38b of this example comprises a plurality of compartments 12, here three, associated with each hinge rod 20. Thus, the locker 38b of this specific and non-limiting example comprises nine compartments 12. A door leaf 40, a lockable handle 16 and a shelf 18 are associated with each compartment 12 in the same way as described in connection with the locker 38a. Also in this example, two hinge devices 44a (Fig. 5) are associated with each door leaf 40 but only one hinge device 44a or more than two hinge devices 44a may alternatively be used to interconnect one of the hinge rods 20 and one of the door leaves 40.

[0069] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intendedthat the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hinge device (443-440) for interconnecting a leaf (40) and a stationary and continuous hinge rod (20), the hinge device (443-440) comprising: - an opening (72) for receiving a bolt (48) fixed to the leaf (40) when the hinge device (443-440) is connected to the hinge rod (20); and- a rod structure (58a; 58b) configured to be moved from a disconnected state (60) for receiving the hinge rod (20) in a receiving direction (56), generally transverse to a longitudinal axis (22) of the hinge rod (20), to a connected state (70) where the rod structure (58a; 58b) at least partly encloses the hinge rod (20) to provide a rotatable connection between the hinge device (443-440) and the hinge rod (20) for rotation around the longitudinal axis (22);wherein the rod structure (58a; 58b) in the connected state (70) forms at least one bush (64a, 64b) at an end (62a, 62b) of the hinge device (443-440) with respect to the longitudinal axis (22); andwherein the at least one bush (64a, 64b) is arranged to carry a weight of the leaf (40).

2. The hinge device (443-440) according to claim 1, wherein the rod structure (58a; 58b) is configured to adopt the connected state (70) by a snap-fit connection (52a; 52b).

3. The hinge device (44a; 44b) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge device (44a; 44b) comprises a first body (50a) and a second body (50b) configured to adopt a closed state (54) where the rod structure (58a) adopts the connected state (70).

4. The hinge device (44a; 44b) according to claim 3, wherein the first body (50a) and the second body (50b) are configured to be connected to each other in the closed state (54) by a snap-fit connection (52a).

5. The hinge device (44a) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first body (50a) and second body (50b) have an identical design.

6. The hinge device (443-440) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (72) is elongated in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis (22) when the hinge device (443-440) is coupled to the hinge rod (20).

7. The hinge device (443-440) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rod structure (58a; 58b) in the connected state (70) forms a first bush (64a) and a second bush (64b) at opposite ends (62a, 62b) of the rod structure (58a; 58b) along the longitudinal axis (22).

8. The hinge device (443-440) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the entire hinge device (443-440) is molded.

9. A kit of parts (46) for a locker (38a; 38b), the kit of parts (46) comprising a hinge device (443-440) according to any of the preceding claims and the leaf (40).

10. The kit of parts (46) according to claim 9, further comprising the bolt (48) fixed to the leaf (40).

11. A locker (38a; 38b) comprising the kit of parts (46) according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The locker (38a; 38b) according to claim 11, further comprising the hinge rod (20).

13. The locker (38a; 38b) according to claim 12, wherein the leaf (40) comprises a tab (42) protruding in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis (22).

14. The locker (38a; 38b) according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the locker (38a; 38b) comprises a plurality of kits of parts (46) according to claim 9 or 10 connected to the hinge rod (20).1615- The locker (38b) according to claim 14, wherein the locker (38b) comprises a plurality of hinge rods (20) and a plurality of kits of parts (46) according to claim 9 or 10 connected to each hinge rod (20).

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