DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a hinge for fixtures. In particular, the present invention relates to a hinge for fixtures, the hinge including an eccentric coupling between at least one respective hinge element and one corresponding pin. In more detail, the present invention refers to a hinge for fixtures, the hinge including an eccentric coupling between at least one respective first hinge element and a corresponding pin, the coupling being conceived in such a way as to simplify the adjustment of the position of a second hinge element with respect to the first hinge element at the time of installation. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the field of doors and windows with leaves of rotatable type, the practice is known of using hinges including essentially two elements, identified for convenience in what follows as upper and lower elements, capable of being fixed respectively to the rotatable leaf and to the fixed structure of the fixture. In their turn, the upper and lower elements are suitable for being secured to each other by means of a fulcrum pin, around which the leaf can be rotated. It is known that at the design stage of profiles for leaves and frames a reference position P ₀ is defined in which each leaf will be coupled to the respective frame in such a way as to be coupled perfectly in the closed position. On the other hand, this does not always happen, because of problems which can be encountered in the course of installation. There exist fixed hinges, in which the upper element can assume only one determinate position, but there also exist adjustable hinges, provided with devices capable of determining the possibility of adjusting the

upper element with respect to the lower element . In some types of hinge, the pin presents a single stretch of constant diameter, but there are others in which this pin extends longitudinally over two coaxial or mutually eccentric stretches, with diameters different from each other. In some cases, as in patent GB1137878, with priority dating from 1965, the pin presents a first cylindrical stretch surmounted by a second eccentric stretch of smaller diameter and capable of being enveloped by a bush which incorporates an axial bearing and is provided with an external grooved sleeve, capable of engaging a conjugate housing formed in the upper element of the hinge. The relative angular position of the bush and the upper element will determine the contact pressure between the rotatable leaf and the frame, and the centring of the leaf on the opening delimited by the frame.

In the case in which the pin is cylindrical, two more recent patents are recalled, and in particular patent EP 387207 of the Italian company FAPIM, and patent EP 794307 of the Italian company GIESSE. In patent ^λ 207, a hinge is described in which both the elements, upper and lower, are coupled to the cylindrical pin by means of respective bushes, each one of which presents an eccentric hole with respect to the respective external cylindrical sleeve. The position of each bush with respect to the corresponding hinge element is adjustable by means of a prismatic axial connection with determinate angular interval, therefore the axis of rotation of the pin can find various distinct positions, to each of which corresponds each of the further positions provided by the coupling between the upper element and the respective bush. The relative position of the bush with respect to the respective upper and lower first elements is controlled by plugs, each one of which engages rigidly the respective upper or lower element and

the respective bush, in such a way as to lock it in rotation.

The same teaching is given also in the more recent patent ^λ 307. In this patent, each bush includes a collar having a toothed base capable of engaging the axial body of the bush according to a plurality of determinate angles, distinguished according to a determinate interval. The position of the axis of the pin can be determined by acting with a screwdriver on the bottom portion of the body of the bush, and then locking this body of the bush in position by means of a locking grub screw carried transverse to the axis by the member, within a threaded hole.

It will be noted that hinges of the type described in patents '207 and ^λ 307 present a considerable complexity of installation, and that the adjustment of the position of the pin within the lower element occurs over a circular path concentric with the axis of the hole in the relative bush, and that therefore every lateral displacement of the position of the axis of the pin corresponds to a transverse displacement of the latter.

Adding that fixtures are designed by assigning to frame and leaf determinate neutral relative positions, which allow correct operation to be obtained in the closed position, and that these positions must be reproduced by means of hinges which must be prepared on site for reasons known by those skilled in the art, it is opportune to note that not all types of installation require hinges of great complexity of preparation, because of the fact that not all adjustments of the position of a leaf with respect to the relative frame have the same importance. Specialising the discussion on leaves of doors and French windows, adjustment is considered indispensable, while according to the opinion of a large number of installers, on other leaves it could be dispensed with if this allowed suitable

reduction in the accuracy of preparation and of the cost of supply. In particular, the adjustment of absolute importance is that which allows the variation of the position of the leaf parallel and transversely to the frame when the leaf is in the respective closed position. In addition, it must be pointed out for this purpose that the hinges which are provided with an adjustment of the position of the vertical axis of the pin over a circular path, possibly continuous, cannot be considered completely satisfactory, given that every displacement parallel to the frame is accompanied by an unwanted variation in the distance between leaf and frame, which for convenience may be designated "collateral effect" according to a terminology widespread in the sector. Adding that by the procedures with which these days fixtures are designed and constructed, observance of the measurements and geometry specified for leaves and frame is very accurate and compliant with the design specifications, it will be appreciated that most frequent experience is to have to eliminate scraping on the floor on opening, or to lower the side which carries the handle, normally opposite the hinge. This confirms that the most important adjustment is the one which controls the axis of the pins of the hinges parallel to the frame, and justifies the request of the average installer for a basic hinge, easy to prepare for fitting, which makes available the adjustments which are statistically most frequently necessary, but not for that reason a less advanced hinge than the hinges most often supplied, a hinge which may be useful in situations in which the type of installation makes it essential to operate effectively on several variables related to each other in a complex way.

By virtue of what has been described above, the problem of adjustable hinges for standard use does not appear to be

of easy solution, given that, apparently, it could be solved by eliminating adjustments, for example of the bushes coupling the pin and one of the relative hinge elements . In view of the situation described above, it would be desirable to have available a hinge for doors and windows which, even if it did not allow perfect resolution of the problem of coupling the leaf to the frame perfectly in the closed position, would allow the minimisation of the deviation of the position of the leaf by this configuration with fewer adjustments than those offered by more complex hinges which, precisely because of this complexity, have a procedure for adjustment which is particularly awkward, therefore usable by particularly expert installers, and for this reason less profitable since less in demand from average installers. Such a hinge, besides allowing the disadvantages typical of the known art illustrated above to be limited or overcome, should present a reduced number of pieces while still maintaining the possibility of effectively performing the adjustment of the axis of the upper element with respect to the lower supporting element .

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hinge for fixtures. In particular, the present invention relates to a hinge for fixtures, the hinge including an eccentric coupling between at least one respective hinge element and one corresponding pin. In more detail, the present invention refers to a hinge for fixtures, the hinge including an eccentric coupling between at least one respective first hinge element and a corresponding pin, the coupling being conceived in such a way as to simplify the adjustment of the position of a second hinge element with respect to the first hinge element at the time of installation.

An object of the present invention is to create a hinge

which, will permit the resolution of the disadvantages set forth above, with a smaller number of pieces by comparison with the hinges of prior art, and which will be capable of satisfying a series of requirements to which in the present state of affairs there is no answer, and therefore capable of representing a new and original source of economic advantage, able to alter the current market in hardware for fixtures and of hinges in particular.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the hinge according to the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description, explained by reference to the attached drawings which illustrate at least one non- limiting example of embodiment, in which identical or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference number. In particular:

- Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a hinge for connecting together a leaf and a frame according to the present invention; - Fig. 2 is a lateral elevation view on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of the hinge in figure l;

- Fig. 3 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale and with parts removed for clarity, of figure 1; - Fig. 4 illustrates schematically positions assumable by leaf and frame by means of the hinge itself;

- Fig. 5 is a view in lateral elevation of a constructional detail taken from figure 3; and

- Fig. 6 is a view in section of figure 5 along a line VI- VI in figure 5 itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In figure 1, no. 1 indicates, in its entirety, a hinge capable of connecting a rotatable leaf 2 to a frame 4 of a window or of a door illustrated in a respective closed

position. Hinge 1, as will be better seen below, allows adjustments of the relative position of leaf 2 and frame 4 in the course of installation with respect to a theoretical reference position P _{0 /} established at the design stage, at which leaf 2 and frame 4 ought to arrive with respective external surfaces 8 and 9, to couple optimally in the closed position according to a direction D parallel to frame 4, and visible only in figure 1. Here and below, every direction transverse to direction D is to be understood as transverse to frame 4.

With reference to figure 2, hinge 1 includes a first support member 10 and a second supported member 30 which are respectively connected rigidly to frame 4 and to leaf 2 and mutually coupled in manner axially fixed and freely rotatable around a pin 50 which, as will be better understood from the description which follows, is shaped to permit the coupling between leaf 2 and frame 4 in such a way as to minimize the deviation from the situation corresponding to position P ₀ . This reference position P ₀ corresponds to a determinate distance between the fixings for first member 10 to the frame and of second member 30 to leaf 2, similarly to every type of hinge for fixtures. Support member 10 has a body 11, which has in its turn a substantially central cylindrical housing 12, having a central axis 15. Member 10 includes, furthermore, an arm 13 for connecting member 10 to frame 4. It should be noted that for convenience body 11 has been represented as of cylindrical form, but that this form is not binding for the typology of member 10, and that arm 13 presents a flange 14 for attachment to frame 4 shaped substantially as an S, and provided with a first stretch substantially parallel to frame 4. Member 30 includes a body 31 the counterpart of body 11 of member 10, provided with a substantially central cylindrical housing, which has an axis 35, and engaged by a

bush 62 having a collar 60 capable of limiting scraping friction on the relative rotation between member 10 and member 30 during the opening of leaf 2 and arm 33.

By virtue of what has been described, pin 50 engages housing 12 of member 10 and bush 62 which is carried by housing 32 of member 30, permitting the position of leaf 2 to be offset relative to frame 4. With particular reference to figure 2, pin 50 has two axial portions 52 and 54, cylindrical and of determinate diameter. It should be noted that the two axial portions 52 and 54 are eccentric to each other by a length El, calculated on the straight line R of minimum distance between longitudinal axes 53 and 55. Accordingly, depending on the position of pin 50 inside the respective housing 12, it will be possible to define different positions of leaf 2 with respect to frame 4, and in particular, more to the right or more to the left with respect to a central position of pin 50, in which straight line R is oriented transversely to frame 4. By so doing it is possible to adjust the position of body 31 with respect to body 11 in such a way as to minimize displacements of leaf 2 from the optimal closure position P ₀ .

It should be noted that the eccentricity El has been represented in figure 2 with proportions which considerably exceed the real proportions, with the aim of facilitating the legibility of the figure itself and of easing comprehension of the present description.

Body 11 has a threaded hole 16 transverse to axis 15 and capable of housing a grub screw 51 whose function is to act as a constraint on the rotation of pin 50 from the angular position chosen with respect to housing 12. To maximize the grip between grub screw 51 and pin 50, the latter has a faceted portion 56 in a substantially median position of the axial portion 52. This portion 56 has a plurality of flats 57 which can be distributed uniformly or

otherwise around axis 53, depending on the needs of the case. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment which it has been decided to use to provide an example of embodiment of the present invention, bush 62 has a hole whose diameter is substantially identical to the diameter of the axial portion 54. Pin 50 has underneath a free end 59 accessible through the lower part of housing 12 presenting, for this purpose, a recess for the head of a screwdriver or a recessed hexagon socket. For convenience, and without implied limitations to the present invention, figure 5 and figure 6 represent the portion of pin 50 with four flats 57 uniformly distributed with respect to axis 53 of the first axial portion 52 of pin 50 itself. Naturally, it is only possible to proceed with altering the angular position of pin 50 after having slacked off grub screw 51 and released the flat 57 engaged by it transversely to axis 53. The ensemble of grub screw 51, threaded hole 16 and faceted portion 56 defines an adjustment assembly 58 of the angular position of pin 50 with respect to member 10, and therefore of the angular position of axis 35 and of the second member 30 with respect to a reference direction. Naturally the particular nature of the adjustment, of orbital type, is such as to make it indifferent whether the direction parallel to frame 4 or the direction perpendicular to this is chosen as reference.

Specifying that the adjustment of the angular position of pin 50 with respect to first member 10 is performed with hinge 1 completely assembled and therefore with second member 30 carried by pin 50, and after positioning leaf 2 with respect to frame 4 by acting on the recess in end 59, in figure 4 it has been decided for practicality to illustrate the adjustment procedures for hinge 1, and the effects of this adjustment on the mutual position of body 11 with respect to body 31, through the mutual positions of

leaf 2 and frame 4, given that frame 4 is the counterpart body of second body 31 and frame 4 is the counterpart of first body 11. That being said, figure 4 gives some reference positions at which leaf 2 can arrive by rotating pin 50 to adjust the closing position of leaf 2 with respect to frame 4. It should be noted that the drawing proportions are not respected in the upper part of figure 4 in which are shown some remarkable positions of leaf 2.

In particular, figure 4 illustrates: the reference position P ₀ in which leaf 2, maintained by pin 50, is separated from frame 4 in an optimal closing position at a reference distance H transversely to frame 4 itself; two positions P _x and P ₂ , symmetrical with respect to position P ₀ , respectively in which leaf 2 is kept at the maximum and at the minimum distance from frame 4 by pin 50, and united by the fact that the eccentricity of pin 50 is located parallel to frame 4. In these positions leaf 2 is separated from frame 4 by a distance Hl which exceeds distance H and is removed by a distance substantially identical to eccentricity El parallel to frame 4. In addition, figure 4 illustrates an intermediate position P ₃ , in which leaf 2 is kept by pin 50 separated from frame 4 by a distance H2 which is less than distance H and is located parallel to frame 4 as in position P ₀ . Naturally the position of leaf 2 is adjustable in a neighbourhood which measures parallel to frame 4 a length equal to twice eccentricity El, and a length equal to eccentricity El transversely to frame 4.

It should be noted that normally the position of axis 15 is centred on the first member 10 and that the fixings of the hinges to the relative leaf and frame are positioned on the basis of this measurement. To minimize the deviation of leaf 2 in the direction transverse to frame 4 with respect to reference position P ₀ in passing between positions P ₁ and P ₂ , axis 15 of hinge 1 has been displaced

with respect to the position centred on body 11, and therefore with respect to the attachment to frame 4 of first member 10, by a fraction of the value of eccentricity El transversely to direction D, and in particular of the difference between distances Hl and H in figure 4. This allows the containment of the transverse displacement of the position of leaf 2 with respect to reference position P ₀ at a value always less than eccentricity El of pin 50. In this way, the displacement of position P ₀ of leaf 2 in the direction transverse to frame 4 becomes a negligible collateral effect of the adjustment of the position of leaf 2 with respect to frame 4 in the respective closed position, and therefore perfectly acceptable because of the particular ease with which the adjustment of hinge 1 can be managed to be performed.

In practice, the difference between distances H and Hl can assume a value of between 0.3mm and 0.7mm, or 0.5mm, in the event that it is preferred to have maximum deviations symmetrical transversely to frame 4 with respect to reference position P ₀ . On the basis of what has been described above, the use of hinge 1 proves to be easily comprehensible and does not require further explanations. In particular, housing 12 is formed in body 11 in such a position as, in use, to keep the effects of an angular variation in the determinate position of pin 50 with respect to body 11 itself, and therefore to frame 4, upon a rotation of body 31, and therefore of leaf 2, around axis 15, to within a neighbourhood of reference position P ₀ , envisaged at the design stage and shared by the constructors of aluminium doors and windows, and also by the constructors of hinges for fixtures.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the hinge 1 here described and illustrated, without for this reason departing from the protective scope

of the present invention.

Naturally, the description given above includes the particular case in which the value of H is nil, and this case corresponds to the substantial coplanarity of surfaces 8 and 9 belonging respectively to leaf 2 and frame 4. In addition it is as well to observe that hinge 1 allows the position of leaf 2 to be adjusted in the respective closed position with great ease, with minimal deviations with respect to reference position P ₀ and with a truly limited cost, given that it includes a smaller number of parts than the hinges normally used for the same purpose. The reduction in the number of parts, together with a more careful definition of the measurements to be taken into account in the design of the hinge and more generally of the respective method of planning the installation, has allowed a new standard to be defined, capable of altering the current market in hinges for fixtures.