The present invention relates to a hinge for a door of an oven or the like.

The invention also relates to an oven provided with such a hinge.

In the sector of production of hinges for oven doors, one of the main problems is linked to the structural complexity of these hinges, which inevitably has repercussions on the production costs.

Hinges for oven doors are generally constituted by:

- a first arm, to be fixed to the door for closing the chamber of the oven,

- a second arm, articulated to the first, to be fixed to the structure of the chamber of the oven.

Between the first and the second arm a kinematic mechanism is interposed, which generally also comprises a spring, which is adapted to allow the rotation of the first arm on the second arm via a controlled movement, thus ensuring positions of stable equilibrium for the door, both when in abutment on the chamber of the oven and when in the fully open position with respect thereto, as well as in intermediate positions.

Conventional hinges, especially in the past, took up considerable space for the two arms, and consequent complexity in production and in coupling with the chamber of the oven.

In order to overcome this drawback, for example, the hinge is known described in Italian patent application no. PD2006A000034, by this same applicant, which has a second arm of reduced space occupation, which is shaped for an easy and rapid fixing to the chamber of the oven.

Nowadays, ovens are widespread which have one or more switches, for commanding some functions, which can be actuated with the closing/opening of the door such as, for example, switching on/off the light in the oven, closing the valve for delivering gas, etc.

Normally, such switches are arranged in the region of the chamber of the oven where the door abuts against it, which therefore actuates the switch, but this entails that the switch is visible from outside the oven with a consequent, unpleasant visual impact.

Ovens are also known which have these switches inside the structure of the chamber of the oven, but in this case the switch is actuated by a pusher element, associated with the hinge, having considerable dimensions and space occupation, which entails difficulties in production and in fixing the hinge to the chamber of the oven.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a hinge for a door of an oven which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a hinge for a door of an oven that makes it possible to actuate a switch that is present inside the structure of the chamber of the oven, but which is concealed from view.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge for a door of an oven that makes it possible to actuate a switch inside the structure of the chamber of the oven, but which is simpler in terms of construction than similar, conventional hinges, and takes up less space.

A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge for a door of an oven that is highly reliable, easy to implement and of low cost.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a hinge for a door of an oven, of the type comprising:

- a first arm, which has an elongated shape and is to be fixed to the structure of said door of said oven,

- a second arm, which is hinged to said first arm and is to be fixed to the chamber of said oven, said second arm being provided internally with a space,

- a kinematic mechanism adapted to manage the relative angular position of said first arm on said second arm, said kinematic mechanism comprising:

- a slider element, which can translate substantially in the direction of extension of said first arm for association with guiding means which are provided on said first arm,

- a linkage element, which is hinged respectively to said second arm and to said slider element, said linkage element being arranged at least partially within said space in said second arm,

- an intermediate body, which is hinged to said slider element, said intermediate body having a cam-like coupling with said second arm which is adapted to ensure a position of stable equilibrium of said first arm on said second arm,

- elastic means, which are coupled to said first arm and which act by traction on said intermediate body, said hinge being characterized in that it comprises a pusher element configured to slide within said second arm.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the hinge for a door of an oven according to the invention, which is illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

- Figures la and lb are each a perspective view of a hinge for a door of an oven according to the invention, in a first configuration;

- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hinge of Figures la and lb;

- Figure 2a shows an enlarged portion of Figure 2;

- Figure 3 is a view of a detail inside a door hinge, according to the invention, in an application of use in the configuration of Figures la and lb; - Figure 4 is a view of a detail inside a door hinge, according to the invention, in an application of use in a second configuration.

The accompanying figures show a hinge 10, according to the invention, for the door 12 of an oven 11.

The hinge 10 comprises:

- a first arm 13, which has an elongated shape and is to be fixed to the structure of the door 12 of the oven 11,

- a second arm 14, hinged to the first arm 13, to be fixed to the chamber of the oven 11.

The hinging between the first arm 13 and the second arm 14 occurs by way of a first pivot 15.

The hinge 10 comprises a kinematic mechanism 16 adapted to manage the relative angular position of the first arm 13 on the second arm 14.

In particular, according to a preferred configuration, the first arm 13 has a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section which defines a longitudinal receptacle 17 for the components of the kinematic mechanism 16.

The second arm 14 is hinged to the side walls 18a, 18b of the longitudinal receptacle 17 and has a space 19 inside it.

Specifically, the second arm 14 is constituted by two opposite and mirror-symmetrical plates 20a, 20b which define the space 19 and are joined by a transverse bridge 21.

The plates 20a, 20b, and the bridge 21 are in a single piece, for example made by cutting a metallic lamina and folding it into a U shape.

The shape of each plate 20a, 20b presents:

- a protrusion 22, which is uppermost in the configuration for use, at the bridge 21, and which is adapted to be arranged in anti-extraction abutment against the inner surface of a wall 23 of a seat 24 in the structure of the oven 11 , - a recess 25, which is lowermost in the configuration for use, and which is adapted to accommodate a lower edge 26 of the same seat 24, in the structure of the oven 11.

Furthermore, each plate 20a, 20b has a portion 27 which is coupled to the first arm 13 and is opposite a region 63 which is provided with the protrusion 22 and the recess 25.

The kinematic mechanism 16 comprises a first slider element 28, which can translate substantially in the direction of extension of the first arm 13 for association with guiding means 29 which are provided on the first arm 13.

The first slider element 28 is constituted by a second pivot 30, the ends of which are guided on first parallel slots 31 which constitute the guiding means 29, and which are provided symmetrically on the side walls 18a, 18b, of the receptacle 17 defined on the first arm 13.

Such kinematic mechanism 16 further comprises a plate-shaped linkage element 32, which is hinged respectively to the second arm 14 and to the first slider element 28.

The linkage element 32 is arranged at least partially inside the space 19, and is hinged to the second arm 14 by way of a third pivot 33, which is arranged so as to pass through the plates 20a, 20b, via through holes 3 which are arranged proximate to/at the portion 27 which is coupled to the first arm 13.

The hinge axis of the linkage element 32 on the second arm 14 is axially offset with respect to the hinge axis of the first arm 13 to the second arm 14 and lies on a horizontal plane which is higher, in the configuration for use, than the horizontal plane on which the hinge axis of the first arm 13 to the second arm 14 lies.

In particular, the straight line A that joins the centers of rotation of the linkage element 32 on the second arm 14 and of the first arm 13 on the second arm 14, indicated in Figure 3, is incident to the interface surface between the door 12 and the oven 11 when the door is closed on the chamber of the oven 11.

Furthermore, the kinematic mechanism 16 comprises an intermediate body 34 which is also hinged to the first slider element 28.

Such intermediate body 34 is constituted by a U-shaped lamina between the lateral wings 35 of which the first slider element 28 is arranged, passing through both.

The intermediate body 34 is further provided with a cam-like coupling, indicated with the reference numeral 36, with the second arm 14.

Such cam-like coupling 36 is adapted to ensure a position of stable equilibrium of the first arm 13 on the second arm 14 that corresponds to the closed position of the door 12 on the chamber of the oven 11, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The cam-like coupling 36 comprises a roller, constituted by an auxiliary pivot 37a and a bushing 37b, which can rotate about the auxiliary pivot 37a and is arranged rotatably between the lateral wings 35 of the intermediate body 34.

Such roller is arranged in sliding contact, during part of the relative rotation of the first arm 13 on the second arm 14, with a cusp-shaped portion 38 defined on the edge that is uppermost, in the configuration for use, of the plates 20a, 20b of the second arm 14.

Finally, the kinematic mechanism 16 comprises elastic means 39, which are coupled to the first arm 13 and which act by traction on the intermediate body 34.

Such elastic means 39 take the form of a first spring 40, for traction, which is coupled at its ends respectively:

- to a first coupling portion, constituted by a fourth pivot 41 which is transverse to the side walls 18a, 18b of the receptacle 17,

- to a second coupling portion, constituted by a fifth pivot 42 which is arranged transversely between the wings 35 of the intermediate body 34. One of the peculiarities of the invention consists in that the hinge 10 comprises a pusher element 50, which can slide inside the second arm 14 and is adapted to actuate a switch 51 that is arranged inside the oven 11.

The pusher element 50 comprises:

- a widened portion 57 for association with and coupling to the second arm 14,

- a rod-like portion 58 which extends from the preceding portion, for interaction with a switch 51.

Such pusher element 50 is arranged between the plates 20a, 20b of the second arm 14 and is coupled to them by way of a second slider element 52 which can translate substantially in the direction of extension of the second arm 14 for association with guiding means 53 which are provided on the second arm 14.

Such second slider element 52 is constituted by a sixth pivot 54, the ends of which are guided on second parallel slots 55 which constitute the guiding means 53 and which are provided symmetrically, one on each plate 20a, 20b, of the second arm 14.

In particular, the sixth pivot 54 passes through the pusher element 50 via a through hole 56 arranged at its widened portion 57.

The widened portion 57 of the pusher element 50 is arranged at one end thereof and is shaped at least partially complementarily to the linkage element 32, and interacts therewith.

The linkage element 32 has, proximate to its hinge axis for pivoting to the second arm 14, an extension tab 43 which is adapted to abut as a stroke limit 44 for that linkage element 32 when the first arm 13 is rotated into a position that corresponds to the fully open position of the door 12 with respect to the chamber of the oven 11, as can be seen in Figure 4.

The abutment stroke limit 44 is defined on the widened portion 57 of the pusher element 50 and is constituted by the edge 45, lowermost in the configuration for use, of that widened portion 57. When the tab 43 is in abutment on such stroke limit 44, therefore with the door 12 completely open, the first slider element 28 is in abutment against the ends of the first guiding slots 31 that are lowermost in the configuration for use.

The linkage element 32 comprises a curved portion 47, at the opposite end with respect to the end from which the extension tab 43 extends, which is shaped complementarily to the bushing 37b and interacts therewith.

When, instead, the door 12 is fully closed, the first slider element 28 is in abutment against the ends of the first guiding slots 31 that are uppermost in the configuration for use.

The hinge 10 comprises a second spring 59, which is helical and surrounds the rod-like portion 58 of the pusher element 50, and which is adapted for the elastic return of the pusher element 50, when the door 12 is being opened.

Each one of the second slots 55 has:

- a first longitudinal portion 60 for the sliding of the sixth pivot 54,

- a second longitudinal portion 61, which is longer and wider than the first longitudinal portion 60 and partially constitutes a receptacle for accommodating the second spring 59.

Furthermore, each plate 20a, 20b, has a pair of studs 64a, 64b, proximate to/at the end of the region 63 which is proximate to the switch 51, which extend toward the inside of the space 19 at right angles to the plane of arrangement of the corresponding plate 20a, 20b.

The studs 64a, 64b are adapted to guide the rod-like portion 58 of the pusher element 50, during the sliding of the pusher element toward/away from the switch 51.

In particular, such second spring 59 has an extension comprised between the widened portion 57 of the pusher element 50 and the ends of the second slots 55 that are proximate to/directed towards the studs 64a, 64b. The widened portion 57 of the pusher element 50 has a tab 65 that has an axis of extension substantially parallel to the axis of extension of the rod like portion 58 but which is axially offset and arranged uppermost with respect to the latter in the configuration for use, and which is adapted to abut against the linkage element 32.

The widened portion 57 of the pusher element 50 has a perimetric contour which comprises a substantially step-like region 69 on the uppermost edge proximate to the tab 65.

Furthermore, the hinge 10 comprises safety means for maintaining the first arm 13 in the open configuration with respect to the second arm 14.

Such safety means comprise an arm 66 hinged to the two plates 20a, 20b, by way of a seventh pivot 67, passing through two corresponding through holes 68, one arranged on each plate 20a, 20b.

Such through holes 68 are arranged on the edge that is uppermost, in the configuration for use, of the plates 20a, 20b, between the protrusion 22 and the cusp-shaped portion 38.

The arm 66, at least partially accommodated between the two plates 20a, 20b, is adapted:

- to abut against the outer surface of the wall 23 of the seat 24 in the structure of the oven 11 in the inactive configuration;

- to interact with the substantially step-like region 69 of the widened portion 57 of the pusher element 50, in the operating configuration, in order to maintain the hinge 10 and the door 12 in the open and stable position and permit the disassembly of the door 12 from the hinge 10.

With reference to Figure 4, in order to activate these safety means it is necessary to manually rotate the arm 66 approximately 180°, in the direction of the arrow K, in order to bring the free end thereof to interact with the substantially step-like region 69 of the widened portion 57.

Activation of the arm 66 makes it possible to maintain the first arm 13 and the second arm 14 spaced apart, and the first spring 40 in traction. The operation of the hinge 10 according to the invention is the following.

The first arm 13 and the second arm 14 are mutually pivoted, while the first spring 40 brings the linkage element 32 into traction by acting on the slider element 28.

Since the hinge axis of the linkage element 32 on the second arm 14 is axially offset and is arranged above the hinge axis of the first arm 13 to the second arm 14, the first spring 40 acts eccentrically on the second arm 14, leading to a rotation of the first arm 13 on the second arm 14.

The action of eccentric traction hypothetically ceases when the direction of traction of the first spring 40 aligns with the straight line A that joins the centers of rotation of the linkage element 32 on the second arm 14 and of the first arm 13 on the second arm 14.

Since this straight line A is incident to the interface surface between the door 12 and the oven 11, when the door is closed on the chamber of the oven 11, such alignment cannot happen and therefore the first arm 13 rotates until the door 12 abuts against the chamber of the oven 11.

When the door 12 is in abutment against the chamber of the oven 11, the bushing 37b is positioned on the part of the cusp-shaped portion 38 that is directed toward the protrusion 22 (as can partially be seen in Figure 3) in order to ensure stability of the closed position of the door 12.

Opening the door 12 is done simply by rotating it downward.

The kinematic mechanism 16 is structured so that the door 12, considering its center of gravity, is always in equilibrium in any angular position comprised between the cusp-shaped portion 38 and the fully open position that corresponds to the abutment of the tab 43 against the stroke limit 44, and when the slider element 28 is in abutment against the lowermost ends of the first slots 31.

Actuation of the switch 51 occurs in the following manner.

When the door 12 is in abutment against the chamber of the oven 11, as shown in Figure 3, then by virtue of the interaction between the tab 65 of the pusher element 50 and the linkage element 32, the pusher element is translated toward the switch 51, pressing it.

When the door 12 is opened, then by virtue of:

- the rotation of the first arm 13 with respect to the second arm 14,

- the simultaneous rotation of the linkage element 32 with respect to the second arm 14,

- the simultaneous elastic return of the second spring 59, the pusher element 50 performs a translational motion in the opposite direction to that of the switch 51 , thus allowing the excursion of the latter, up until the stable configuration corresponding to the opening in full of the door 12 is reached, shown in Figure 4.

In particular, with the door 12 fully opened, the tab 65 of the pusher element 50 does not interact with the linkage element 32 which is arranged, in substance, parallel thereto, with its extension tab 43 in abutment against the stroke limit 44.

In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, a hinge for a door of an oven according to the invention comprises the switch inside it.

In such embodiment the hinge 10 comprises a micro switch which is integrated in the second arm 14, inside the space 19 defined by the plates 20a, 20b.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a hinge for a door of an oven that makes it possible to actuate a switch that is present inside the structure of the chamber of the oven, but which is concealed from view.

With the invention a hinge for a door of an oven has been devised that makes it possible to actuate a switch inside the structure of the chamber of the oven, but which is simpler in terms of construction than similar, conventional hinges, and takes up less space.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102021000016274 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.