Abstract:
An adjustable hinge fixture that includes a base plate for adjustable fixation to an article of furniture, a connecting plate assembly including a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a top portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls, and an adjustment screw operable to move the connecting plate assembly relative to the base plate about a curved region of the connecting plate assembly. The connecting plate assembly has a projection through a curved region to a lower portion of the projection positioned between the side walls and generally parallel to the top portion. The curved region is elastically deflectable to permit the lower and top portions to move relative to each other. The lower portion is adjustably connected to the base plate.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to adjustable hinges and more particularly relates to adjustable hinges and self-closing adjustable hinges that are adjustable in multiple directions. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0004]    Furniture, such as cabinets or the like, generally must be individually adjusted to compensate for unavoidable manufacturing tolerances. Such adjustment is generally required in two or more dimensions, and if the door has two or more hinges as is usually the case, must be carried out on each hinge with respect to the other hinges. Hinges today generally suffer from various disadvantages including difficulty of installation, undesirable correlation between adjustments in different directions which require multiple readjustments in small increments, coordination of these adjustments collectively with respect to the other hinges, complex construction and correspondingly high manufacturing costs, and instability of the selected adjustments. 
         [0005]    Adjustable hinges may but are not required to include self-closing mechanisms. Hinges having self-closing mechanisms are known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,290,167; 4,376,324; 4,716,622; 5,027,474; and 5,617,612 each disclose hinges having a self-closing mechanism. These references are incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0006]    Hinges are commonly manufactured with connecting parts of two lengths. The first connecting part length is approximately 65 millimeters and is commonly known as a “long arm.” The second connecting part length is approximately 36 millimeters and is commonly known as a “short arm.” Today, short arm hinges require a gap of at least 5 millimeters between connected pieces of furniture, such as between a door and a frame, in a closed position. 
         [0007]    Thus, as noted above, there currently exists numerous deficiencies in the adjustable hinges that are known in the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable hinge fixture that includes a base plate for adjustable fixation to an article of furniture, a connecting plate assembly including a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a top portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls, and an adjustment screw operable to move the connecting plate assembly relative to the base plate about a curved region of the connecting plate assembly. The connecting plate assembly has a projection through a curved region to a lower portion of the projection positioned between the side walls and generally parallel to the top portion. The curved region is elastically deflectable to permit the lower and top portions to move relative to each other. The lower portion is adjustably connected to the base plate. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an adjustable hinge that includes an adjustable hinge fixture, a door-related part secured to a second article of furniture, and a linkage means for movably interconnecting the door-related part and the adjustable hinge fixture. The adjustable hinge fixture includes a base plate for adjustable fixation to an article of furniture, a connecting plate assembly including a generally U-shaped cross-section formed by a top portion and a pair of spaced apart side walls, and an adjustment screw operable to move the connecting plate assembly relative to the base plate about a curved region of the connecting plate assembly. The connecting plate assembly has a projection through a curved region to a lower portion of the projection positioned between the side walls and generally parallel to the top portion. The curved region is elastically deflectable to permit the lower and top portions to move relative to each other. The lower portion is adjustably connected to the base plate. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable hinge in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an adjustable hinge in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of an adjustable hinge in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a base plate of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a top view of a base plate of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of adjustment screw of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of an eccentric of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a connecting plate assembly of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7B  is a side view, partially in section, of a connecting plate assembly of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7C  is a top view of a connecting plate assembly of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7D  is a rear view of a connecting plate assembly of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7E  is a top view of a connecting plate assembly and base plate of an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7F  is a cross-sectional view through the connecting plate assembly and base plate of  FIG. 7E  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7G  is a cross-sectional view through the connecting plate assembly and base plate of  FIG. 7E  illustrating an eccentric having a rivet according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an adjustable hinge in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4  and  8 , an adjustable hinge according to an embodiment of the present invention as indicated overall by  10  is shown. The adjustable hinge  10  serves for pivotally connecting a piece of furniture. For instance, in one embodiment, the adjustable hinge  10  may be used to pivotally connect a cabinet door to a door opening of which is confined by a frame. The adjustable hinge may also be a self-closing adjustable hinge. The adjustable hinge  10  includes a door-related part  12 , a connecting plate assembly  14 , a hinge arm  16  and a base plate  18 . In one embodiment, the adjustable hinge  10  is arranged such that the gap between the cabinet door and the door opening is reduced and/or substantially eliminated. The adjustable hinge  10  is also arranged such that its overall longitudinal length is reduced. In one embodiment, the connection plate assembly  14  has a length of approximately 36 millimeters. However, other lengths are possible within the scope of the invention. It is of course to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above identified connecting components and that other connecting components may be used within the scope of the present invention. Each of the adjustable hinge  10  components may be made from any material. In one embodiment, the components of the adjustable hinge  10  are made from metal formed from pressure casting or stamping. 
         [0029]    The door-related part  12  includes a top portion  70  having circular holes  72  and  74 , and a cup or disc portion  68 . The door-related part  12  is secured to a piece of furniture, such as a cabinet door, by screws, dowels or the like, which are projected through the holes  72  and  74 . The cup or disc portion  68  of the door-related part  12  is inserted into a recess of the piece of furniture (e.g., the cabinet door). 
         [0030]    The hinge arm or linkage  16  pivotally interconnects, at opposite ends of the hinge arm  16 , the door-related part  12  and the connecting plate assembly. The hinge arm  16  is pivotally connected to the door-related part  12  by links  52  and  50  to form a four-bar linkage. Links  52  and  50  protrude through side walls of the cup or disc portion  68  of the door-related part  12 . The connecting plate assembly  14  is pivotally connected to the hinge arm  16  by a hinge pin  48 . It is of course to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-identified connections between the connecting components and that other connections may to used within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7G , the connecting plate assembly  14  of the adjustable hinge  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in various perspectives and views. The connecting plate assembly  14  generally has a U-shaped cross-section configuration defined by a pair of opposing side walls  44   a  and  44   b , and a top portion  35  along a longitudinal center axis. The top portion includes a screw thread opening  36  and an access opening  38 . In one embodiment, the access opening  38  has a generally rectangular shape. An elongated portion  42  extends from the top portion  35  through a curved region  41  to an end portion  43  that is substantially parallel to the top portion  35  along the pair of opposing side walls  44   a  and  44   b . The elongated portion  42  is provided with a cam hole  40  positioned below the access opening  38 . According to the present invention, the curved region  41  is configured to allow the top portion  35  to be angularly displaced in a vertical direction relative to the elongated portion  42  as described below. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , perspective and top views of the base plate  18  of the adjustable hinge  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention are respectively shown. The base plate  18  includes an elevated section or boss  56  and wing portions  54   a  and  54   b  that extend transversely of the center axis on opposite sides of the base plate  18 . 
         [0033]    The elevated section  56  is generally configured such that it may be fitted between the side walls  44   a  and  44   b  of the connecting plate assembly  18 . Each connecting wing portion ( 54   a  and  54   b ) includes an elongated slot ( 62  and  64 ) and a downward extending flap ( 66   a  and  66   b ) which is configured to rest against the door frame at a side facing the door. The base plate  18  is adjustably secured to the frame such that the U-shaped elevated section  56  extends in a direction that is longitudinal of the center axis by screws or the like projected through the elongated slots  62  and  64 . The elongated slots  62  and  64  of the base plate  18  are arranged such that base plate  18  may be aligned or properly adjusted on the frame in a direction that is transverse of the center axis. The elevated section  56  includes an elongated open slot  60 , extending in a direction that is longitudinal of the center axis, and a cam hole  58 . The elongated open slot  60  is configured to hold an adjustment screw  26  in place when the elevated section  56  is positioned between the side walls  44   a  and  44   b  of the connecting plate assembly  18 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6B , an eccentric  20  is provided with a screw head  22  and a protruding off-center cam  24 . The eccentric  20  movably connects the connecting plate assembly  18  to the base plate  18  with the cam  24  projected through the cam holes  40  and  58  of the connecting plate assembly  18  and the base plate  18 , respectively. The eccentric  20  is arranged such that the plate assembly  18  may be aligned or properly adjusted in a longitudinal direction of the center axis. In one embodiment, the elongated portion  42  of the connecting plate assembly  18  is adjustably secured to the base plate  18  between the screw head  22  and a rivet head, larger than the cam hole  58 , formed by the deformation of an end portion  23  of the cam  24  using an orbital riveter or the like, as shown in  FIG. 7G . Optionally, the eccentric  20  may utilize a bolt or other securing mechanism instead of a rivet head. The components of the adjustable hinge  10  are arranged such that turning the screw head  22  of the eccentric  20  results in the displacement of the connecting plate assembly  18  on the base plate  18  in a direction that is longitudinal of the center axis. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6A , an adjustment screw  26  is provided with a screw head  28  and a shaft  32 . The adjustment screw  26  includes a threaded portion  30  and a circular holding disk  34 , each having larger diameters than the shaft  32 , at opposite ends of the shaft  32 . The adjustment screw  26  is arranged such that the plate assembly  18  may be aligned or properly adjusted in a vertical direction relative to the base plate  18 . In one embodiment, the threaded portion  30  operatively engages the screw thread opening  36  of the plate assembly  18 , and the shaft  32  is situated between the open slot  60  of base plate  18  and secured thereto in a vertical direction by the threaded portion  30  and the disk  34 . Turning the screw head  28  of the adjustment screw  26  results in the top portion  35  of the connecting plate assembly  18  and the base plate  18  being titled with respect to each other about the curved region  41  of the elongated portion  42  such that the top portion  35  of the connecting plate assembly  18  is angularly displaced in a vertical direction relative to the base plate  18 . Such angular displacement being centered at the curved region  41  of the elongated portion  42 . 
         [0036]    Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the disclosed concept, the invention may be practiced otherwise then as specifically described.