WO2008031954A2 - Hinge assembly for coplanar fixing - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a hinge assembly for articulating, relative to a first part (13), a second part (15) that extends generally in a plane (23). The hinge comprises a mounting (3) designed to be fixed to the first part and a hinge body (5) articulated to the mounting about an axis parallel to said plane. The connection between the body and the second part (15) is made by a clamping action and/or an action of relevant movement followed by a mutual clamping, or a clamping of this second part to at least one interposed connecting part (27), this being in said plane of this second part or in a direction having a component in this plane.

Description

 HINGE ASSEMBLY WITH COPLANAR FASTENING

The invention relates to the field of hinges, in particular hinges for bathroom elements, for mounting pivoting windows showers or baths, for example.

Are concerned a hinge as such and an assembly comprising at least one such hinge and the aforementioned element articulated mount.

A hinge is known for articulating, with respect to a first element, a second element extending generally in a plane, the hinge comprising a support adapted to be fixed to the first element and a hinge body articulated on the support along a parallel axis. said plane, the hinge body being adapted to be closely connected to the second element.

A problem here relates to the connection between said second element and the hinge body.

Traditionally, screws pass through the hinge body and the second element which have been drilled accordingly, perpendicularly to the plane of the second element and the hinge axis. An object of the invention is to provide a discrete link, efficient, reliable, easy to achieve and commercially competitive.

One proposed solution is that:

the hinge body / second element connection is made by at least one connecting element which, in the plane of this second element or in a direction having a component in this plane, creates a pressure on this element and the hinge body,

* by its displacement followed by its blocking in said plane or in said direction, * and / or, in an approach a priori less efficient, by elastic clamping, being interposed between said second element and the hinge body. Favorably:

- The hinge body will have a raised shape adapted to engage in a recessed complementary shape of the second element, open laterally, for the engagement of said body,

and the hinge body will generally extend in a plane and present, peripherally, on its edge, a hollow profile from which emerges, in said plane and in a direction transverse to that along which the hinge body is to engage in said recessed form of the second element, a bearing protruding element adapted to act locally on the periphery of the recessed form of the second element, thereby locking the latter with the hinge body, by pressing in this plane.

For such an assembly together of the hinge and the second element, it is recommended that their connection is achieved by a clamping effect, and / or relative movement and blocking, between them or between the second element and at least one intermediate connecting element. , in said plane of this second element or in a direction having a component in this plane. Note that the expression "in the plane" or "parallel to said plane" are synonymous here. The essential is the orientation in this plan. Typically, it will be the plane of the window to be mounted and / or that which contains, or is parallel to, the axis of articulation (simple or not) of the hinge body relative to the support and in which extends globally this hinge body.

Furthermore, and preferably, the aforementioned connecting element will comprise at least one support piece on the second element, guided displacement, at the periphery of the hinge body, in a direction parallel to said plane, under the action of a pressure means mounted on the hinge body.

Thus, disassembly of the second element will be easy, without altering the discretion of the assembly, and the clamping effect will be achieved in a powerful way. In addition, it is recommended that the support element passes through a passage of the hinge body to emerge locally through the recessed profile thereof, the support element being moved by a preferably mounted pressure means. mobile, in said plane, inside the hinge body against which it is supported.

This will combine discretion, efficiency and simplicity of realization.

Favorably, the support piece will also provide an outer support song having a bevel profile and the second element will present, facing, a complementary bevel edge.

Alternatively or additionally, the edge of the hinge body will also have a bevel profile. It is also possible that the hollow profile of this slice of the hinge body, and / or externally the support member has a U-shape.

It will be noted that, although inclined with respect to the above plane, the slope (s) of said bevels do not call into question the tightening that is considered here ensured globally in said plane.

In addition, all the more with double V-shaped bevels, one will obtain a terminal guide and a high lateral support, with a relative centering effect between the second element and the hinge body.

With the U-profile alternative, especially with a hollow groove profile at the periphery of the hinge body, on its edge, and / or on the outer side of the support element, an effect can be achieved. comparable, the centering is a priori less effective.

To achieve a compact hinge, so discreet, with economical manufacturing conditions, while facilitating assembly / disassembly of the elements constituting the hinge, it is furthermore recommended that the aforesaid pressure means be mounted in an internal passage of the body of hinge which intercepts another inner passage of this body extending in said plane and receiving a shaft for pivoting of the hinge body and the second element connected thereto, relative to the support, about said hinge axis, said traversing shaft part of the support around which the hinge body is articulated.

To facilitate the control of the support piece and the access to the pressure piece by the user, it is furthermore recommended that a means of return of angle be interposed between the pressure piece and the support piece. . It will also be noted that different relative holding solutions between the hinge body and the second articulated mounting element have been envisaged, preferably in connection with a recessed hollow shape in this second element.

We can cite :

a clamping hold, via said abutment and pressure elements mentioned above, the bearing element possibly being a movable post engaging in a complementary cut made locally in the abovementioned recessed form, or a more elongated piece; preferably moved by the above-mentioned angle-translation system,

- Hold by clamping via an H-shaped joint, U or V, interposed between the edges of the second element and the hinge body.

In the even more detailed description which follows, reference will be made to various exemplary embodiments illustrated without limiting scope.

In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 shows in perspective a hinge according to the invention on which a second element, here a window, can be hingedly mounted,

- Figures 2 to 4 are respectively a sectional view in the general plane of the hinge body and the glass (plane II-II), and a rear view in the direction of arrow III of Figure l _r and a section part of the window in the section plane of FIG.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment: according to a front view for FIG. 5 and following section VI-VI for FIG. FIG. 7 schematizes yet another variant embodiment, always in cross-section like FIGS. 2 and 6,

FIG. 8 shows again, according to the same section plane, another alternative embodiment of the hinge body,

- And Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment similar to that of Figure 2, but with a double up / down. 1 to 3, the hinge 1 comprises a support 3 on which a hinge body 5 is articulated by means of a shaft 7 (FIG. 2 only) engaged in a passage 9 formed partly in the central wing. 3a of the support 3, partly in the two lateral wings, respectively upper and lower, 5a, 5a 'of the body 5.

Favorably, the body 5 is monobloc, in one piece.

The axis 9a of the passage 9 defines the axis of rotation of the body 5 with respect to the support 3.

2 and 3, screws 17a, 17b make it possible to tighten more or less the shaft 7 against a roller 19 subjected to the counter-thrust of elastic means 21a, 21b, thus making more or less free the rotation about the axis 9a.

Transversally, here perpendicularly, to the central wing 3a, the support 3 comprises two transverse wings 3bl, 3b2. These wings are traversed by orifices 11 for attachment, via screws, to the first element 13 (FIG. 1), such as a wall, to which it is desired to link in a mobile manner, via this hinge, a second element 15, such as a window or other wall.

The wings 3bl, 3b2 define a wall plate, the elements 21a, 21b a roller spring and the element 3a is often referred to as a node.

The connection between the body 5 and the element 15, hereinafter referred to as "glass", will be effected by clamping, here following the engagement of the body, which forms a protruding structure, in the recessed shape 15a that is present element 15, locally, on one of its sides. In general, this element 15 is plane. This plane is here marked 23 and is also the one in which the body 5 of the hinge generally extends (see FIG. 2). It is in this plane 23 that the fixing between the hinge and the pane 15 will take place, the recessed shape 15a being open at 150, for the engagement of the body 5.

Figure 1, peripherally, on its edge, the hinge body 5 has a groove 25, here U-profile, along its three sides and is engaged with a slight clearance in the complementary hollow shape 15a.

Locally, on one of the sides, at 27, is shown in FIG. 1 a part or support member which stands inside the groove 25, in the plane 23 and transversely, here perpendicularly, to the direction 29 (FIGS. 2 and 4) in which the body 5 engages in said shape 15a.

Figures 2 and 3, there is the support element 27 and the groove 25.

The element 27 is guided in the direction 29a perpendicular to 29, along the plane 23, by the walls inner side of the body, such as 31a, 31b

(FIG. 2) under the control of the pressure element 33.

This pressure element, here a screw engaged in an internal passage 35 of the body 5, is mounted in the plane 23, parallel to the engagement direction 29.

It leads to the hidden song 25a and is maneuverable externally there. It acts axially, here on an angle piece 37 which defines a shim whose inclined slope 37a transmits the movement to that of the part 27 which therefore defines a kind of clamping jaw.

Inner passages 9 and 35 intersect. Figure 3 shows the commitment and the blocking of the window 15 in the groove 25 between the projecting lateral flanges 25b, 25c of this groove whose outer edges are flush with the opposite faces of the window. The action of pressure on this glass of the jaw 27 is also clearly seen in the plane 23. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the same hinge system as FIGS. 1 to 3, except that the aforementioned groove, here marked 45 , is chamfered profile bevel, more precisely V, in this favorable example.

A complementary wedge V centered, projecting, 150a, appears on the edge of the pane 15, all along the edge of its recessed cutout 15a. '

On the outer edge 27b bearing oriented facing the edge 150a of the window, the support piece 27 is itself bevelled profile, such as V (Figure 6). The arrows 41a, 41b1, 41b2 show, FIG. 6, that the action of the screw 33 towards the window, in the direction of the arrow 41a, and therefore in the plane 23, provokes, by the in this plane, the transverse displacement of the bearing piece 27 (arrow 41b2 towards the bottom) with, by reaction, an upward pressure, in the direction of the opposite coplanar arrow 41bl.

Figure I ₁ of the hinge, only the body 5 is schematized.

The pressure screw 33 acts directly against the support element 50, end profile 51 V, provided to engage in the manner of a pin in the cutout 53 of the pane 15 whose side walls, such as 53a for those we see, are also in V, but salient.

The locking cutout 53 opens out at the edge of the window pane, around the periphery of its recessed shape 15a, and is formed, in the plane 23, perpendicular to the direction of engagement with the hinge body 5 in this hollow form.

Rather than complementary bevel shapes, U-shaped edges on one side and straight edges on the other could have been suitable.

Once engaged in the cutting plane, in the plane 23, the post 50 clamps and blocks together the window 15 and the hinge. 8, the tightly maintained, still generally in the plane 23, between the hinge, via its hinge body 5, and the generally planar element to maintain an articulated manner, such as the window 15, is provided by means of a elastic seal 55 in the form of a ribbon. This seal is interposed, in a compressed state and in the plane 23, between the respective edges of the window and the body 5, at the location of their aforementioned interengaged shapes recessed and raised.

It is in the space reserved between them, of manufacture, that is interposed, tight, the joint. In section, perpendicular to the plane 23, the seal may have a double groove profile in H.

The edges, respectively of the glass and the hinge body 5, along their respectively recessed and raised shapes (see here cut-out 15a of the window) will then preferably be straight.

One can also imagine a U-shaped groove on the periphery of the body 5, as Figure 3, or on the glass (more delicate however), the seal can then be U-profile engaging on one side between the wings 25b, 25c of the groove of the body and receiving the other edge of the window, between its own side wings.

This solution is simpler mechanically and provides the same clamping effect in the plane 23 as the previous ones. It dispenses pressure and support organs.

The elastic pressure is provided by the seal 55, along the two main directions of jamming figured 55a, 55b, perpendicular to the engagement direction 29. This solution is however less discreet.

In all the aforementioned cases, disassembly of the window 15 is possible, all the more easily with the solutions bearing element 27 or 50, by unscrewing the screw 33, and thanks to the slight clearance between the interengaged shapes hollow and protruding. In variants, we could have: - invert the protruding and recessed shapes between the window 15 and the hinge body 5,

- invert the protruding and recessed forms between the V-shaped edges of the glass and the hinge body.

Furthermore, the pressure element 33 bearing, in order to act, in the hinge body, a traction member rather than a thrust member could be suitable.

In addition, in all the examples, the two faces of the hinge body, including the lateral extensions 25b, 25c (FIGS. 1 and 3), are substantially level with, that is to say, substantially flush with, those of the window. , thus making the editing even more discreet. FIG. 9 shows a solution corresponding to that of FIG. 2, except that there are two support elements, or sliding runners 27a, 27b each operating and mounted as the bearing element 27 of this FIG. 2, respectively at the top and bottom of the hinge body 5.

Two control assemblies 100a, 100b are provided, each identical to the control assembly 100 of FIG. 2 (which comprises the members 33, 37) and making it possible, from the outside of the hinge body 5, to act on the movement of the elements 27a, 27b in the general plane 23 of the window to be maintained.

It will be noted that the two support elements 27a, 27b are mounted in two opposite directions, in the general plane 23 of the part 15, through two respectively upper and lower openings of the body, opening into the bottom of the portions respectively upper and lower part of the body 5 at the place of its groove 25.

Thus, one could initiate the coplanar clamping for example down, by acting on the drive screw 33b of the pad 27b, and continuing this clamping by the upper pad 27a via the screw 33a.

Claims

A hinge assembly for articulating, relative to a first member (13), a second member (15) extending generally in a plane (23), the hinge comprising a support (3) adapted to be attached to the first member and a hinge body (5) articulated on the support along an axis parallel to said plane, the hinge body (5) being connected to said second element, characterized in that this connection is made by at least one connecting element (27, 50, 55) which, in said plane of the second element or in a direction (29a, 41b1, 41b2, 55a, 55b) having a component in this plane (23), creates a pressure on this second element (15) and the hinge body (5), by its displacement followed by its blocking in said plane or along said direction, and / or by elastic clamping, being interposed between said second element (15) and the hinge body (5). 2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge body (5) is in one piece. 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting element (27, 50, 55) comprises at least one support piece (27, 50) on the second element (15), displaceable so guided, at the periphery of the hinge body (5), in a direction (29a, 41b1, 41b2, 55a, 55b) parallel to said plane, under the action of a pressure means (33) mounted on the hinge body ( 5). 4. The assembly of claim 3, characterized in that the support piece (27, 50) comprises a song (150a) bearing surface having a bevel profile and the second element (15) has, facing, a complementary bevel edge (150a). 5. An assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that: - For their connection between them, the second element (15) and the hinge body (5) have, at least locally, in said plane, one a hollow form (15a) open on one side, the other a complementary shape in relief engaged in the hollow form (15a), and, in a guided manner, the support piece (27, 50) is mounted transversely, such as perpendicularly, to the direction (29) in which the raised shape is engaged in the recessed form (15a), through said side opening (150). 6. Assembly according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the pressure means (33) is movably mounted in said plane (23). 7. Assembly according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the pressure means (33) is mounted in an inner passage (9) of the hinge body (5) which intercepts another inner passage (35) of this body extending in said plane (23) and receiving a shaft (7) for pivoting the hinge body (5) and the second element (15) connected thereto, relative to the support (3), about said axis (9a) articulation, this shaft (7) passing through a portion of the support (3) around which the hinge body is articulated. 8. Assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that a deflection means (37) is interposed between the pressure member (33) and the support piece (27, 50). . 9. An assembly according to claim 5, or one of claims 6, 7 attached to this claim 5, characterized in that: the hollow form (15a) has locally, in said plane (23), a cutout (53) opening into said recessed shape and extending transversely to said direction (29) according to which the relief shape is engaged in the recessed shape, through said side opening, and the support element (27, 50). defines a tenon (50) which, under the action of the pressure means (33) engages in said cut, to clamp or lock together the hinge body (5) and the second member (15). 10. An assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the hinge body (5) and the second element (15) have as a bevel profile a V-shaped profile. 11. The assembly of claim 1, characterized in that: - the second element (15) and the hinge body (5) have at least locally, in said plane, one a hollow form (15a) open d ' one side, the other a complementary shape in relief, the raised form engages, in said plane, that in hollow, in this engaged state of said shapes one in the other: a seal (55) is interposed between the respective delimiting edges of said recessed (15a) and raised shapes, as connecting element (27, 50 , 55), and this seal is then in a compressed state, in a direction (55a, 55b) parallel to said plane, to ensure said clamping force in this plane, the seal (55) has at the outer and / or inner periphery a hollow profile in U and / or a V-shaped profile, hollow or projecting, and, at least if such a protruding profile is provided, the edge of the hinge body (5) and / or that of the second element (15) that engage said gasket has (s) a hollow profile. 12. The assembly of claim 1, characterized in that: the hinge body (5) and, locally, the second element (15) have, in said plane (23), respectively a relief shape and a recessed shape (15a) open on one side in which the shape in relief of the hinge body is engaged, - The hinge body, which extends generally in said plane, has peripherally a hollow profile wafer having the outer edges each flush with one of the two opposite faces of the second element (15), peripherally or in the immediate vicinity. from the periphery of said recessed shape (15a) of the second member in which the hinge body is mounted. A hinge for articulating, relative to a first member (13), a second member (15) extending generally in a plane (23), the hinge comprising a support (3) adapted to be fixed to the first member (13). ) and a hinge body (5) articulated on the support (3), along an axis (9a) parallel to said plane (23), the hinge body being adapted to be tightly connected to the second element, characterized in that, the hinge body (5) having a shape adapted to engage in a recessed complementary shape of the second member (15), laterally open thereto for this, the hinge body (5) extends in a plan (23) and has, peripherally, on its edge, a recessed profile from which emerges, in said plane and in a direction transverse to that according to which the hinge body (5) must engage in said recessed shape (15a) of the second element (15), a protruding bearing element (27, 50) adapted to act locally on the periphery of the recessed shape (15a) of the second element (15), blocking the latter with the body hinge (5), by pressure in this plane (23). 14. Hinge according to claim 13, characterized in that the support element (27, 50) passes through a passage (31a, 31b) of the hinge body (5) to emerge locally through the recessed profile of the hinge body (5). ci, the support member being moved by a pressure means (33) movably mounted in said plane (23), inside the hinge body against which it bears. 15. Hinge according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the hollow profile of the edge of the hinge body (5), and / or externally the bearing element (27, 50), has (s) a U-shaped hollow profile or bevelled profile (150a). 16. Assembly according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the hinge body (5) is in one piece.