DESCRIPTION

[0001] Field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a flap.

[0003] Background art

[0004] Flaps formed by a structure defining an inner compartment and an opening, and a folding door hinged to the structure by means of a hinge, so as to open and close the opening defined by the structure, are known.

[0005] The door is thus rotationally movable with respect to the structure from a vertical closing position to a horizontal opening position under the action of the force of gravity.

[0006] It is known to provide the flaps with damping means configured to counteract the free opening of the door under the action of the force of gravity so as to make the opening movement of the door safer and to avoid sudden openings, impacts, and damage to the flap.

[0007] However, the presence of such damping means considerably affects the aesthetic appearance of the flap, since they are visible and discontinuous with the design of the flap.

[0008] Solution

[0009] It is the object of the present invention to provide a flap such as to obviate at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved flap combining the opposite needs of ensuring a controlled and safe opening movement of the door without simultaneously compromising the aesthetic appearance of the flap.

[0011] These and other objects are achieved by a flap according to independent claim 1.

[0012] The dependent claims relate to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] In order to better understand the invention and appreciate the advantages thereof, some non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a flap according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0015] - figure 2 is a perspective view of a component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention; [0016] - figure 3 is a perspective view of a further component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] - figure 4 is a perspective view of a further component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0018] - figure 5 is a detailed view of the component depicted in figure 4;

[0019] - figure 6 is a perspective view of a component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] - figure 7 is a perspective view of a further component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0021] - figure 8 is a detailed view of a component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] - figure 9 is a top view of the detail depicted in figure 8;

[0023] - figure 10 is a detailed perspective view of a component of a flap, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0024] - figure 11 is a further detailed perspective view of the component depicted in figure 10.

[0025] With reference to the drawings, a flap is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

[0026] Flap 1 comprises a structure 2 and a door 3.

[0027] Door 3 is hinged to structure 2 by means of a hinge 4.

[0028] Hinge 4 defines a hinge axis 5 around which door 3 is rotationally movable with respect to structure 2.

[0029] Door 3 is movable from a vertical closing position to a horizontal opening position under the action of the force of gravity.

[0030] Flap 1 further comprises damping means 6.

[0031] The damping means 6 are configured to dampen the rotation motion of door 3 with respect to structure 2.

[0032] According to an aspect of the invention, hinge 4 defines a housing compartment 7 therein, closed or partially closed in the direction transverse to the hinge axis 5.

[0033] Moreover, the damping means 6 are housed inside the housing compartment 7.

[0034] Advantageously, the damping means 6 are concealed because they are positioned in a housing compartment 7 inside hinge 4.

[0035] On the one hand, this allows to have a flap in which the movement of door 3 is reliable, safe and controlled, and on the other, not to affect the appearance of flap 1 . [0036] Specifically, structure 2 comprises a cover, a base wall opposite to the cover, two opposite shoulders, a bottom wall, and defines an opening opposite to the bottom wall and closable by the door 3.

[0037] According to an embodiment, hinge 4 defines a plurality of housing compartments 7.

[0038] The plurality of housing compartments 7 is defined in a position substantially coaxial to the hinge axis 5.

[0039] According to an embodiment, hinge 4 comprises at least a first hinge body 8 and at least a second hinge body 9 hinged to each other.

[0040] The housing compartment 7 is defined by the at least a first hinge body 8 and the at least a second hinge body 9 so that the damping means 6 are partially housed inside the at least a first hinge body 8 and partially housed inside the at least a second hinge body 9.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the damping means 6 comprise at least one rotating damper.

[0042] Alternatively, the damping means comprise an axial damper.

[0043] In particular, the damping means 6 comprise an axial roll damper, also referred to as an axial barrel damper.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the housing compartment 7 is said coaxial to the hinge axis 5.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the damping means 6 are positioned so that the hinge axis 5 passes through the damping means 6.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the damping means 6 are positioned coaxially to the hinge axis 5.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the damping means 6 comprise from two to six dampers.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the damping means 6 comprise four dampers.

[0049] According to an embodiment, all dampers are positioned coaxially to the hinge axis 5.

[0050] According to an embodiment, flap 1 comprises elastic connection means 10 which connect the door 3 to structure 2.

[0051] The elastic connection means 10 are configured to allow a complete opening of door 3 under the action of the force of gravity, and to return door 3 to the closing position. [0052] Advantageously, the elastic connection means 10 reduce the force required to close the door 3.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the elastic connection means 10 are housed inside the housing compartment 7.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the elastic connection means 10 comprise a torsion spring.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the elastic connection means 10 are positioned coaxially to the hinge axis 5.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the elastic connection means 10 comprise a plurality of torsion springs.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic connection means 10 comprise two torsion springs, each of which positioned at a respective end of door 3, at hinge 5.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the two torsion springs are positioned coaxially to the hinge axis 5.

[0059] According to an embodiment, flap 1 comprises a mechanical stop 1 1 .

[0060] The mechanical stop 1 1 is configured to determine the stroke end of the opening of door 3.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the mechanical stop 1 1 comprises a first stop body 12 connected to a second stop body 13.

[0062] The first stop body 12 is rotationally connected to the second stop body 13.

[0063] The first stop body 12 is connected to structure 2, while the second stop body 13 is connected to door 3.

[0064] According to an embodiment, one of the first stop body 12 and the second stop body 13 defines a recessed track delimited by a stroke-end wall which defines the opening stroke of door 3.

[0065] The other of the first stop body 12 and the second stop body 13 forms a sliding tooth configured to create a sliding geometric connection with the recessed track.

[0066] Advantageously, when opening door 3, the sliding tooth slides into the recessed track, up to abutting against the stroke-end wall so as to avoid a further rotation of door 3 past the stroke end determined by the stroke-end wall.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the mechanical stop 11 is housed inside the housing compartment 7.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the mechanical stop 11 is positioned coaxially to the hinge axis 5. [0069] According to an embodiment, both the first stop body 12 and the second stop body 13 are positioned coaxially to the hinge axis 5 so that the first stop body 12 and the second stop body 13 rotate with respect to each other about hinge axis 5.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the mechanical stop 11 defines a stroke of door 3 of about 90°.

[0071] According to an embodiment, flap 1 comprises a bracket 19 integrated in door 3. [0072] According to an embodiment, bracket 19 comprises at least one rotation pin 17 positioned at hinge 4.

[0073] The rotation pin 17 extends coaxially to the hinge axis 5.

[0074] Moreover, structure 2 comprises a ball 18 positioned at hinge 4.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the rotation pin 17 is positioned in contact with ball 18.

[0076] Advantageously, ball 18 guides the rotation of the rotation pin 17, and therefore of door 3, thus decreasing the frictions generated by the rotation of door 3 with respect to structure 2.

[0077] According to an embodiment, flap 1 comprises an engagement bar 14 configured to connect door 3 to structure 2.

[0078] The engagement bar 14 defines an engagement wall 15 and an opposite fastening wall 16.

[0079] The engagement wall 15 is engaged in structure 2.

[0080] The fastening wall 16 is fastened to hinge 4.

[0081] Specifically, the fastening wall 16 is fastened to the first hinge bodies 8.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the engagement wall 15 defines a cross-shaped section on a plane transverse to hinge 5.

[0083] Specifically, on a plane transverse to hinge 5, the engagement wall 15 defines a profile transverse to door 3 in the closing position, while the fastening wall 16 defines a profile parallel to door 3 in the closing position.

[0084] Advantageously, an engagement bar 14 thus configured ensures high strength and reliability for the movement system of door 3 with respect to structure 2.

[0085] Obviously, those skilled in the art will be able to make changes or adaptations to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of the following claims. Reference numerals

1. Flap

2. Structure

3. Door

4. Hinge

5. Hinge axis

6. Damping means

7. Housing compartment

8. First hinge bodies

9. Second hinge bodies

10. Elastic connection means

11. Mechanical stop

12. First stop body

13. Second stop body

14. Engagement bar

15. Engagement wall

16. Fastening wall

17. Rotation pin

18. Ball

19. Bracket