IMPROVED SPRING HINGE WITH A DAMPER

Abstract: The present invention refers to a hinge for doors having a spring with a damper, being made up by two cylindrical bodies (1, 2), solidarized respectively with the blades (3,4) for ancho­ ring to the door and frame respectively. One of said cylin­ drical bodies (1, 2) constitutes a tight chamber (5), by means of clo­ sure and caps (6, 7), inside which is placed a piston (8) laterally related with the cylinder by means of longitudinal guides (9) which hinder the rotation of the piston (8). Said piston (8) presents an axial threaded pitch (10), through which it is left mounted in a spindle (11) with an ample thread pitch, which spindle (11) forms the extreme part of an axial shaft (12) which passes through a central perforation (13) of one of the closure caps (6) of said tight chamber (5). All of it is disposed in a mode that the rotation of the se­ cond cylindrical body (2) of the hinge through the coupling of its blade (4) corresponding to the door, performs a torsion effort of the spring (19), whilst a rotation of the central shaft (12) takes place in the tight chamber (5) which is occupied by an oleo-hydraulic fluid.

Description: The present invention for which the privilege of a patent is requested as indicated in the title of this specification consists of an improved spring hinge with a damper. At the present state of the art are known various types of hinges incorporating a braking device to damp the closing of the door and which are generally formed by a cylindrical body, from which project the blades for fixation to the door and frame respectively, and which body is divided into two longitudinal chambers whereby the oil fows, passing from one chamber to the other through perforations, at least one of said chambers being equipped with a valve element which permits the fluid to pass one way only. This type of hinge presents the serious inconvenience of having a complex structure, which makes difficult their present manufacture, and as well, involves big losses of oily fluid resulting in a deterioration of the normal operation of the hinge. On the other hand, a checking device for doors and the like according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, e.g. from GB-A-509,157. In this document a non-return valve is combined with a checking device which consists of a small outlet port provided in the worm spindle, the effective aperture of this port being adjustable by a screwed rod terminating at one end partly over the said outlet port. This non-return valve comprises a valve in the form of a cylindrical collar loose on the said centre member and accommodated in a cylindrical cap on the piston, said valve being free to move axially a limited amount within the boss or cap. However, such a checking device does not solve the problem of the eventual weakening of the force of the spring with advancing wear of the door. In order to eliminate these inconveniences, the present invention brings to the market a new structural and functional configuration of a spring hinge with a damper, the braking effect of which is provided by the axial movement of a piston, due to turning of a central shaft under the action of a tension spring, and which piston is moved in a chamber full of an oleohydraulic fluid, the capacity of which may be regulated to vary the closing speed of the door, in combination with the regulation of the torsional stress in the spring, for which purpose the hinge incorporates special means, for re-tightening of the spring in accordance with the working conditions of the door. This object is achieved by a spring hinge with a damper, having two cylindrical bodies respectively connected to anchoring blades for attachment to a door and a frame, one of the cylindrical bodies constituting a tight chamber, through closure caps on its ends; the tight chamber containing an oleohydraulic fluid and a piston which is laterally engaged with a first cylindrical body through longitudinal guides which hinder the rotation of the piston, whilst at the same time said piston presents an axial threaded bore, through which it remains mounted on a spindle with a course thread pitch, which spindle is made up by the extremity of an axial shaft which passes through a central perforation in one of said closure caps of said tight chamber. Said shaft passes through a cylindrical bushing anchored to said cap, which bushing acts simultaneously to ensure a tight closure and as an anchoring means of the end of a helicoidal cylindrical spring extending coaxially of said shaft. The rotation of the second cylindrical body of the hinge, by coupling of its corresponding blade for instance to the door, provides a torsional load on the spring, whilst at the same time a rotation of the central shaft transmits to the piston of the first cylindrical body an axial movement. Said piston has axial bypass valve members, co-operating with small perforations, to provide a damping action in the recuperation of the torsion spring or closure of the hinge, favouring in the sense of valve opening the opening of the door and hinge. The spring hinge is characterized in that the central perforation provides a seat for an axial retention ring of said shaft held between seals the cylindrical bushing is anchored to the cylindrical cap on the side remote from the tight chamber, this bushing acting also as an axial retention of said retention ring of the shaft and serving also as a pivotal support for the second cylindrical body of the hinge. The helicoidal cylindrical spring is anchored by welding to the cylindrical bushing on one end, the opposite end being joined by welding to the disc of the circular crown, external teeth on the crown engaging axially with complementary formations on a closure cap of the end of the second cylindrical body of the hinge, whilst radially inner formations in said circular crown couple with radially outer formations on a ring on said shaft, the latter passing with ample clearance through an axial perforation of said closure cap, and a threaded extremity of the shaft extending through a central perforation of the second cap. A nut threaded on the extremity of the shaft acts on the second cap to perform the retention and axial mounting of the second cylindrical body of the hinge on the said pivotal support of the first cylindrical body, there remaining interposed between the cylindrical bodies an axial friction washer. The capacity of the tight chamber is regulated by a piston 4 threaded to a central perforation of the closure cap of the free end of the first cylindrical body; the circular crown being provided with an axially extending neck externally faceted, which is housed with clearance in the central axial perforation in the closure cap, to allow after removal of said external nut and second cap, the actuation of the crown by a tubular key, whereby after the axial compression of the spring and rotation of the circular crown, the torsional stress in the spring can be regulated, the circular crown being thereafter withdrawn into engagement in a new position with the closure cap. To aid in the understanding of the idea exposed, it is enclosed to the present specification as an integral part of same, a set of drawings including Figures 1 to 4 in which the object of the invention has been represented, without the understanding that the alluded graphic representation constitutes a limitation of the peculiar characteristics of this application. The first drawing represents a side elevation view and a longitudinal section of the hinge. In it, it is seen that the latter is externally formed by two cylindrical bodies coupled lengthwise by a friction washer, each of which is extended laterally into a blade for fixation to the door, respectively the frame. The lower cylindrical body is closed by two end closure caps, between which a tight chamber is formed, which is full of an oleohydraulic fluid, and inside of which a piston is axially guided, and moved. The cited piston presents an a axial threaded bore, which is screwed into the end spindle of a central shaft which crosses the closure cap and extends longitudinally until it projects from the upper closure cap of the second cylindrical body. Said shaft is equiped, close to the spindle, with a ring mounted in a housing on the closure cap of the first cylindrical body and acts as a journal for the second cylindrical body to turn on the first and then passes through a bushing associated with the closure cap of the first cylindrical body, and which bushing acts as closure of the second cylindrical body. Mounted and joined by welding to said bushing, is the end of a torsion spring, the opposite end of which is joined to a circular crown with external teeth which engage internal formations on the closure cap. Said circular crown presents, likewise, inner formations which couple with formations on a ring of the central shaft, which shaft passes through the faceted neck of the crown, and projecting from the central perforation of the cap of the cylindrical body. The projecting end of the shaft is advantageously threaded to be fitted with a nut which fixes the position of the shaft or axle of rotation of the first cylindrical body on the second one. The second figure represents a side elevation view, top and bottom view of the closure cap of the second cylindrical body. In it, is noted that the cited cap of cylindrical shape presents an external threading, to screw into the lateral inner surface of the second cylindrical body. Said cap is extended, on one of its bases, into a peripheral toothing, among which teeth are recesses designed to receive the external teeth of the circular crown for the fixation of the central shaft. Said cap presents a wide central perforation to receive the circular crown for retention of the shaft or turning axle of the cylindrical bodies which constitute the hinge. The third figure represents a side elevation, and top and bottom view of the circular crown for fixation and retention of the central shaft. In it, is noted that said circular crown presents an external toothing, which teeth engage the recesses between the formations of the closure cap. Likewise, the inner bore of the crown presents formations which couple with formations of a ring on the central shaft. The cited circular crown is extended on one of its bases into an externally faceted neck, to allow the actuation of said crown by a tubular key, after it has been loosened from its coupling with the closure cap. To the opposite base of the crown is welded an end of the torsion spring. The fourth figure represents a side elevation, top and bottom view of the piston housed in the first cylindrical body of the hinge. In it, it is noted that the piston presents a circular section, which is diametrically extended, into in two opposite extensions which are housed in internal longitudinal guides of the cylindrical body, which hinder the rotation of said piston. The cited piston presents a central bore with an inner helicoidal thread, for mounting on the end spindle which is part of the central shaft. Around said bore and in a diametrically opposed arrangement, the piston bears some axial bypass valves, which remain open one way only for passage of the fluid, whilst in the opposite direction, they remain closed. Said piston incorporates, in an orthogonal arrangement with said valves, two small perforations which allow fluid to pass, when the valves are closed. Once being detailed the figures making up the set of drawings, we shall enumerate the different elements which constitutes the object of the invention. The spring hinge with a damper, is made up by two cylindrical elements -1- and -2-, respectively connected to anchoring blades 3,4 for attachement to the door and frame respectively. The cylindrical body -1- constitutes a tight chamber -5- as it is closed at the ends by closure caps -6- and -7- respectively, enclosing a piston -8-, provided with diametrically opposed extensions, which are housed between longitudinal guides -9- of the cylinder, which hinder the rotation of the piston. Said piston presents a central threaded bore -10- through which it remains mounted on a spindle -11- with a course thread pitch, which spindle is an end part of axial shaft -12-. Said axial shaft passes through a central perforation -13- of the closure cap -6-, where there exists a seat for a retention ring -14- of said shaft between seals -15- and -16-. The cited shaft passes, in turn, through a cylindrical bushing -17- anchored to said cap, by means of anchoring organs -18-. Said bushing acts simultaneously as a complementary tight closure and axial retention for the ring of the shaft, as a pivotal support for the second body of the hinge and as an anchoring means to which is welded the end of a helicoidal spring -19- mounted coaxial with said shaft. The opposite end of said spring is joined by welding to the disc of a circular crown -20-, which external toothing -21- engages the inner surface -22- of a closure cap -23- at the end of the cylindrical body -2-. The inner formations -24- of said circular crown couple with the radially outer formations on a ring -25- of the central shaft. Said central shaft passes through the bore of the circular crown which is mounted in the wide perforation -26- of the closure cap, and the threaded end of the shaft extends through the central perforation -27- of a second axially acting cap -28- of the cylinder, where it is fitted with an external nut -29-. Said nut fixes the position of the shaft, to perform the retention and axial mounting of the cylindrical body -2- of the hinge, on the said pivotal support of the cylindrical body -1-, there remaining interposed between both bodies, an axial friction washer -30-. The chamber -5- formed by the cylindrical body -1-, is full with an oleohydraulic fluid, inside of which in the piston -8- moves axially, for which purpose it is provided with some axial bypass valves -31- in combination with some thin perforations -32-. The capacity of said chamber may be regulated by means of a piston-cap -33-, threaded to a central perforation -34- of the end closure cap -7-. Said closure cap and end of the cylindrical body -1-, are closed on the outside by a countercap -36- through which passes the faceted head of the cap allowing the regulation of the volume of the chamber. Likewise, it has been provided that the circular crown -20- is equipped with an externally faceted neck -35- which is housed with clearance in the perforation -26- of the closure cap -23- fastened to the cylindrical body by means of the upper bolts -37- and which neck can be reached by removal of the second cap -28- in order to to regulate, by means of the adequate tool, the torsional stress in the torsion spring. All of it is set forth in a way that the hinge is mounted on the door in a conventional mode, screwing a blade to the frame and the other to the edge of the door, or either welding them in case of metal doors. One must be cautious in that said hinge be mounted in the folded position, that is, in a closed door position, so that the placement work be comfortable. Once the hinges have been mounted, the operation is the following: When the door is opened, the cylindrical body -2- of the hinge, which blade -4- is fastened to the door, will turn above the cylindrical body -1-, which blade -3- is anchored to the door frame. During said turn, the spring -19- will load itself, whilst at the same time the central shaft -12- is turning, which will transmit to the piston -8- an upwards axial movement by the thread, on spindle -11-. In said upwards movement of the piston, the valves -31- will be opened, the oleohydraulic fluid passing rapidly, towards the lower area of the piston. When the door is released, the force of the spring will tend to close the door suddenly, inverting the turn of the shaft, which will move the piston -8- downwards. In said movement, the pressure of the oil will close the valves -31- which act one way only, and the resistance of the compressed oil will counter the force of the spring. The oil will pass slowly through the perforations -32- of the piston, being provided the damping action in the recuperation of the tension in the spring, and slowly closing the door. In the event of the possible weakening of the force of the spring with advancing wear of the door, the hinge provides an efficient and comfortable system to regulate it at will. Therefor, the upper nut -29- will have to be unthreaded, and the second cap -28- will have to be removed, which operations must be carried out with the door closed. Once the cap has been removed, the faceted neck -35- of the circular crown can be reached with a suitable tool, which crown will previously be pushed by hand downwards, to extract it from the recesses of the closure cap 23. Once the circular crown has been released from its engagement, the wrench may be given as many turns as desired to tighten the spring taking care that the teeth of the crown 20 coincide again with the formations or recesses 22 of the closure cap. Likewise, if the spring has sufficient force, but the door closes very slowly or fast, the oil volume of the chamber may be regulated to cure these defects. To that purpose, the lower countercap 36 will be unthreaded, when the piston cap 33 is given a turn to the left, the door will close faster, andwhen the cap is turned to the right, or screwed, the door will close more slowly.

Claims: Spring hinge with a damper, having two cylindrical bodies (1, 2), respectively connected to anchoring blades (3, 4) for attachment to a door and a frame, one of the cylindrical bodies (1, 2) constituting a tight chamber (5), through closure caps (6, 7) on its ends; the tight chamber (5) containing an oleohydraulic fluid and a piston (8) which is laterally engaged with the first cylindrical body (1) through longitudinal guides (9) which hinder the rotation of the piston (8), whilst at the same time said piston presents an axial threaded bore (10), through which it remains mounted on a spindle (11) with a course thread pitch, which spindle (11) is made up by the extremity of an axial shaft (12) which passes through a central perforation (13) in one (6) of said closure caps (6, 7) of said tight chamber (5), said shaft (12) passing through a cylindrical bushing (17) anchored to said cap (6), which bushing (17) acts simultaneously to ensure a tight closure and as an anchoring means of the end of a helicoidal cylindrical spring (19) extending coaxially of said shaft (12), the rotation of the second cylindrical body (2) of the hinge, by coupling of its corresponding blade (4) for instance to the door, provides a torsional load on the spring, whilst at the same time a rotation of the central shaft (12) transmits to the piston (8) of the first cylindrical body (1) an axial movement, said piston (8) having axial bypass valve members (31), cooperating with small perforations (32), to provide a damping action in the recuperating of the torsion spring (19) or closure of the hinge, favouring in the sense of valve opening the opening of the door and hinge, characterized in that the central perforation (13) provides a seat for an axial retention ring (14) of said shaft (12) held between seals (15, 16), the cylindrical bushing (17) is anchored to the cylindrical cap (6) on the side remote from the tight chamber (5), this bushing (17) acting also as an axial retention of said retention ring (14) of the shaft (12) and serving also as a pivotal support for the second cylindrical body (2) of the hinge; in that the helicoidal cylindrical spring (19) is anchored by welding to the cylindrical bushing (17) on one end, the opposite end being joined by welding to the disc of a circular crown (20), external teeth (21) on the crown (20) engaging axially with complementary formations on a closure cap (23) of the end of the second cylindrical body (2) of the hinge, whilst radially inner formations (24) in said circular crown (20) couple with radially outer formations on a ring (25) on said shaft (12), the latter passing with ample clearance through an axial perforation (26) of said closure cap (23), and a threaded extremity of the shaft (12) extending through a central perforation (27) of a second cap (28); a nut (29) threaded on the extremity of said shaft (12) acting on the second cap (28) to perform the retention and axial mounting of the second cylindrical body (2) of the hinge on the said pivotal support of the first cylindrical body (1), there remaining interposed between the cylindrical bodies (1, 2) an axial friction washer (30); the capacity of the tight chamber (5) being regulated by a piston cap (33) threaded to a central perforation (34) of the closure cap (7) of the free end of the first cylindrical body (1); the circular crown (20) being provided with an axially extending neck (35), externally faceted, which is housed with clearance in the central axial perforation (26) of the closure cap (23), to allow after removal of said external nut (29) and second cap (28), the actuation of the crown (20) by a tubular key, whereby after the axial compression of the spring (19) and rotation of the circular crown (20), the torsional stress in the spring (19) can be regulated, the circular crown (20) being thereafter withdrawn into engagement in a new position with the closure cap (23).

Inventors: BEBEK VUKSIC, ZELJKO
Applicants: BEBEK VUKSIC, ZELJKO
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E05F3
IPC codes: E05F3