Patent Abstract:
A hinge, for a movable furniture part, in particular, a door or flap, that is fastened to a body of an item of furniture, wherein the hinge has a first attachment element, which is connected pivotably to a second attachment element via a joint mechanism, wherein the joint mechanism comprises at least one articulated lever, which is mounted pivotably on the first attachment element via a first bearing element. The hinge is characterized in that the articulated lever is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the first bearing element.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 20 2015 105 233.2 filed Oct. 5, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a hinge for a movable furniture part that is fastened to a body of an item of furniture, and an item of furniture comprising such a hinge. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A known hinge for a movable furniture part that is fastened to a body of an item of furniture comprises a hinge arm which is connected pivotably to a hinge cup via a joint mechanism. The hinge arm is fastened, for example, to a furniture body and the hinge cup is fastened to a furniture door. The joint mechanism comprises a four-bar linkage, and, during the closure of the furniture door, the four-bar linkage couples to a damping element which is formed on the hinge cup. In this way, a movement of the furniture door is damped in the process of closing the furniture door. 
         [0004]    A disadvantage is that the damping element, in the assembled state, is arranged protruding from the surface of the furniture body on the hinge. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is to improve a hinge for a movable furniture part fastened to a body of an item of furniture. 
         [0006]    The present invention proceeds from a hinge for a movable furniture part, in particular, a door or flap, that is fastened to a body of an item of furniture. The hinge has a first attachment element, which is connected pivotably to a second attachment element via a joint mechanism, wherein the joint mechanism comprises at least one articulated lever, which is mounted pivotably on the first attachment element via a first bearing element. 
         [0007]    When the hinge is in the assembled state on the item of furniture, the first attachment element is advantageously fastened to the movable furniture part, e.g. a door, and the second attachment element is fastened to the furniture body. A closing movement of the movable furniture part from an open position to a closed position on the furniture body thus corresponds, for example, to a closing movement of the hinge. 
         [0008]    The essential aspect of the present invention is now considered to be that the articulated lever is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the first bearing element. 
         [0009]    In this way, a pivoting movement of the articulated lever can be converted or transformed into a rotation movement of the bearing element. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the joint mechanism comprises a first articulated lever and a second articulated lever. The joint mechanism can be configured, in particular, as a four-bar linkage. 
         [0011]    A first articulated lever can be connected rigidly to the first bearing element. Advantageously, the first articulated lever is plugged, bonded, screwed, riveted and/or welded onto the first bearing element. 
         [0012]    In an advantageous variant of the present invention, the first bearing element has an eccentric member, which acts on a damping element. In this way, a rotation movement of the joint mechanism of the hinge can be converted into an, in particular, linear damping movement of the hinge. In particular, a rotation movement of the bearing element can be converted into an, in particular, linear damping movement of the damping element. The damping movement of the damping element takes place, for example, along an axis of the damping element. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the damping element is arranged rigidly, for example, plugged, screwed and/or riveted, on an outer face of a side wall of the housing, in particular, in a fixed position relative to a housing of the first attachment element. The first attachment element is configured as a hinge cup, for example. 
         [0014]    It is also conceivable that the damping element is arranged in the interior of the housing of the first attachment element, for example, on an inner face of the side wall of the hinge cup. 
         [0015]    It is moreover proposed that the eccentric member is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the first bearing element. This has the advantage that a rotation of the bearing element is converted directly into a rotation of the eccentric member. For example, the eccentric member is bonded, screwed, riveted and/or welded onto the first bearing element. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, it is advantageous that the first attachment element comprises a panel element, and the damping element, in the assembled state of the hinge on the item of furniture, is formed on the first attachment element on the side face of the panel element facing toward the item of furniture. 
         [0017]    The first attachment element comprises, for example, a hinge cup and the panel element. By way of the panel element, the first attachment element can be secured on the item of furniture, for example, on the flap or door. For example, the panel element is designed in several parts. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the damping element is arranged on the panel element in such a way that, in the assembled state of the hinge or of the first attachment element on the item of furniture, the damping element is not visible to a person using the item of furniture. 
         [0019]    For example, the damping element is arranged on the outer face of the side wall of the hinge cup in such a way that, in the assembled state of the hinge on the item of furniture, the damping element is concealed by the panel element and is not visible to a person using the item of furniture. The reason for this is, for example, that, looking at the item of furniture from above, the panel element of the hinge fitted on the item of furniture protrudes past the contour of the damping element. 
         [0020]    It also proves advantageous that the first bearing element is configured as a shaft. For example, the first bearing element is mounted so as to be movable on the first attachment element, in particular, so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, for example. An articulated lever connected to the bearing element is thus mounted pivotably, and an eccentric member connected to the bearing element is thus mounted rotatably. In this way, a torque of the articulated lever can advantageously be transmitted via the shaft to the eccentric member. 
         [0021]    An advantageous embodiment of the hinge is characterized in that a damping element and/or a bearing element and/or an eccentric member can be retrofitted on the hinge. In this way, the function of the hinge can be extended according to requirements. 
         [0022]    The hinge can be configured in such a way that a damping element and/or a bearing element and/or an eccentric member is arranged exchangeably or releasably. Advantageously, a hinge function of the hinge is provided without an arranged damping element and/or an arranged eccentric member. 
         [0023]    In an advantageous variant of the hinge, the eccentric member is arranged on the first bearing element on an outer face of the housing of the hinge, e.g. an outer face of a hinge cup. In this way, the eccentric member can act directly on the damping element. For example, the eccentric member is rigidly connected to the damping element. 
         [0024]    It is also advantageous that the eccentric member has a guide member. 
         [0025]    Advantageously, the guide member is configured as an outer track or slotted guide. For example, the guide member is arranged on a side surface or on an outer edge of the eccentric member in such a way that the eccentric member acts on the damping element, particularly during a rotation movement of the bearing element. 
         [0026]    In an advantageous variant of the eccentric element, the guide member, in particular, the outer track or the slotted guide, executes an eccentric movement. The outer contour of the eccentric member, viewed from the side, can have a droplet shape, and the guide member can be configured as a partial area of the droplet contour. In this way, an action of the eccentric member on the damping element, for example, in the course of a closing movement, can be strengthened. 
         [0027]    According to an advantageous modification of the present invention, a guide element is formed on the damping element. 
         [0028]    The guide element is preferably configured in such a way that the guide member and/or the eccentric member and/or the bearing element are coupled to the guide element such that a closing movement of the hinge, in particular, of the joint mechanism of the hinge, is damped, or, in the assembled state of the hinge on the item of furniture, a closing movement of the movable furniture part is damped. 
         [0029]    It is also conceivable that the damping element and the eccentric member are connected to each other via the guide member and/or the guide element, in particular, rigidly connected to each other. 
         [0030]    For example, a slotted guide and/or a contour is formed on the guide element. 
         [0031]    The eccentric member and/or the guide member cooperate with the slotted guide and/or the contour of the guide element, for example, in such a way that the rotation movement of the bearing element and/or of the eccentric member is converted into a linear movement of the guide element. It is thus possible to achieve a damping action of the damping element during a closing movement of the hinge and/or, in the assembled state of the hinge on the item of furniture, during a closing movement of the movable furniture part. 
         [0032]    It is also advantageous that a control member is formed on the eccentric member. 
         [0033]    The control member is formed on the eccentric member and/or on the bearing element, for example, in such a way that it acts eccentrically on the damping element. Advantageously, it is an eccentrically arranged pin which moves in the guide element arranged on the damping element, for example, a slotted guide of the guide element. 
         [0034]    It is further proposed that the joint mechanism comprises a second bearing element, and a further eccentric member is formed on the second bearing element. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the second bearing element is formed on the second attachment element, and the first articulated lever is connected pivotably to the second attachment element via the second bearing element. Moreover, a further damping element can be present on the second attachment element and can advantageously cooperate with the further eccentric member of the second bearing element. This has the advantage that both a closing movement and also an opening movement of the hinge is damped and/or, in the assembled state of the hinge on the item of furniture, a closing and opening movement of the movable furniture part is damped. 
         [0036]    It also proves advantageous that the second bearing element is arranged on the first attachment element. 
         [0037]    For example, the second bearing element is mounted movably as a shaft on the first attachment element; alternatively, the second bearing element can also be configured as a stationary joint axle and/or bearing bolt and/or bearing pin. 
         [0038]    In another advantageous embodiment of the hinge, the second articulated lever of the joint mechanism is coupled to the second bearing element, in particular, rigidly connected thereto. 
         [0039]    By means of a differently configured rotation movement of the first bearing element in relation to a rotation movement of the second bearing element during a closing or opening movement of the hinge and/or an advantageous configuration of a single eccentric member on the first and on the second bearing element, the single eccentric member can advantageously execute an eccentrically acting movement and couple to a damping element in such a way that a movement of the hinge is damped and/or, in the assembled state of the hinge on the item of furniture, a movement of the movable furniture part is damped, in particular, a closing movement of the hinge and/or of the movable furniture part. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0040]    Further features and advantages of the present invention are explained in more detail on the basis of illustrative embodiments depicted schematically in the figures. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 1-4  each show in a perspective view, and in different positions (except for  FIGS. 1 and 2  which show an open position), a first variant of a hinge according to the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIGS. 5-6  each show in a perspective view, in an open position, a second variant of a hinge according to the present invention, the hinge being shown only partially in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 7-8  each show the hinge from  FIG. 5  in a perspective view in a closed position, the hinge being shown only partially in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of an item of furniture with two hinges, in an open position of a furniture door; 
           [0045]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of the hinge from  FIG. 5  in an open position; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the hinge from  FIG. 5  in a closed position; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the hinge from  FIG. 5  in an exploded representation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    A hinge  1  according to the present invention comprises an attachment element, which is formed as hinge arm  2 , a further attachment element, which is formed as housing  3 , consisting of a hinge cup  4 , and a panel element  5  arranged on the hinge cup  4 , and articulated levers  6 ,  7  which form parts of a four-bar linkage and connect the hinge arm  2  and the housing  3  in an articulated manner via bearing elements  8 - 11  ( FIGS. 1-4 ). 
         [0049]    On an outer face  12  of the housing  3 , in particular, of the hinge cup  4 , an eccentric member  13  is arranged on the extended bearing element  10 . The eccentric member  13  is connected rigidly to the bearing element  10 , particularly in a rotationally fixed manner. The bearing element  10  is preferably configured as a shaft and is mounted rotatably on the hinge cup  4 . Moreover, the bearing element  10  is connected to the articulated lever  6  in a rotationally fixed manner. 
         [0050]    The bearing element  11  is configured, for example, as a bolt or shaft and is pinned in a rotationally fixed manner to the hinge cup  4 . The articulated lever  7  is mounted rotatably on the bearing element  11 . 
         [0051]    Moreover, a damping element  14  comprising a housing  15  and a damper ram  16  is formed on the outer face  12  of the housing. The damping element  14  is advantageously configured as an oil damper. 
         [0052]    A holding member  17  in the form of a pin can be arranged fixedly on the outer face  12  of the housing  3 . The holding member  17  is connected to the damper ram  16  of the damping element  14  by a spring  18 . 
         [0053]    The hinge arm  2  of the hinge  1  can be pivoted from an open position of the hinge  1  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) via an intermediate position ( FIG. 3 ) to a closed position ( FIG. 4 ) and/or vice versa. 
         [0054]    In the open position, the eccentric member  13  and the damper ram  16  of the damping element  14  are not in contact with each other; in particular, the two are not coupled to each other. The spring  18  is untensioned, or is at least under comparatively slight pretensioning, and the damping element  14  is situated in a pretensioned state. 
         [0055]    The two identical hinges  1  are mounted on an item of furniture  19 , connecting the furniture door  20  to the furniture body  21  in an articulated manner ( FIG. 9 ). When a user closes the furniture door  20  on the item of furniture  19 , the hinge  1  is also moved from the open position to the closed position via the intermediate position. 
         [0056]    The eccentric member  13  has, in a side view, a droplet-shaped contour, for example. A partial area of the droplet-shaped contour is an outer edge of an eccentrically acting surface  22  of the eccentric member  13 . The partial area can be circular or elliptic in outline or have another curved shape. 
         [0057]    The eccentric member  13  is arranged on the bearing element  10  in such a way that a rotation of the bearing element  10  and therefore of the eccentric element  13 , in particular, during a closing movement of the hinge  1 , brings the surface  22  e.g. in the area of the intermediate position of the hinge  1  in contact with a pressing surface  23  of the damper ram  16 . Once the contact is made, the eccentric element  13  exerts through the surface  22  a pressing force on the damper ram  16  during the further closing movement. In this way, the rotation movement of the bearing element  10  is converted into a linear movement of the damper ram  16 . 
         [0058]    On account of the damping, elastic and/or resilient configuration of the damping member  14 , the damper ram  16  counteracts the pressing force of the eccentric member  13  with an oppositely directed and advantageously lesser force. In this way, the closing movement of the hinge  1  is damped, and therefore, for example, also the closing movement of the furniture door  20 . 
         [0059]    In the closing movement of the hinge  1 , the spring  18  is tensioned by the movement of the damping member  14 . In this way, the spring  18  additionally counteracts the closing movement of the hinge  1  and therefore, for example, also the closing movement of the furniture door  20  with an advantageous damping action. 
         [0060]    Advantageously, during opening of the hinge  1 , the spring  18  supports a relaxation of the damping element  14  by a tensile force which, for example, is directed counter to the direction of the pressing force on the damper ram  16 . In this way, the damper ram  16  of the damping element  14  returns comparatively more quickly to a starting position for a renewed closing operation. 
         [0061]    In a further variant of a hinge  24 , a pin-shaped control member  26  is arranged eccentrically on a further eccentric disk  25 , which is arranged on the bearing element  10 . The control member  26  is arranged, for example, at a distance from a rotation axis of the bearing element  10  on the eccentric disk  25 . In this way, during a rotation of the eccentric disk  25  about a rotation axis of the bearing element  10  configured as a shaft, the control member  26  moves in a circular path about the rotation axis ( FIGS. 5-7 ). 
         [0062]    A guide element  29  in the form of a plate with a banana-shaped inner contour or with a curved oblong hole is arranged on a damper ram  27  of a damping element  28  of the hinge  24 . The control member  26  is guided in the inner contour of the guide element  29 . Moreover, the damping element  28  is secured by screws  30 ,  31  on the underside of the panel element  5  so as to be concealed from a user when the hinge  24  is in the assembled state on the item of furniture  19  ( FIG. 8 ). 
         [0063]    By virtue of the, for example, at least partial circular movement of the control member  26  in an opening or closing movement of the hinge  24  and the advantageous configuration of the inner contour of the guide element  29 , the control member  26  can be coupled to the guide element  29  in such a way that a rotation movement or pivoting movement of the hinge arm  2  of the hinge  24  is converted into a linear movement of the damping element  28 . In this way, an opening and/or closing movement of the hinge  24  is advantageously damped. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 ,  24  hinge 
           2  hinge arm 
           3  housing 
           4  hinge cup 
           5  panel element 
           6 - 7  articulated lever 
           8 - 11  bearing element 
           12  outer face 
           13  eccentric member 
           14 ,  28  damping element 
           15  housing 
           16 ,  27  damper ram 
           17  holding member 
           18  spring 
           19  item of furniture 
           20  furniture door 
           21  furniture body 
           22  surface 
           23  pressing surface 
           25  eccentric disk 
           26  control member 
           29  guide element 
           30 - 31  screw element

Technology Classification (CPC): 4