Patent Description:
These pivot hinges are typically mounted to a pivot door. To install the pivot door the pivot pin member is typically coupled with a suitable opening in the structural element, e.g. ceiling or floor or door frame. For example, the pivot pin member could extend from the lower or upper edge of the pivot door. The opening could, for example, be provided in the structural element itself, or in a dedicated mounting plate that is to be fixed to the structural element. Alternatively, the pivot hinge can be mounted to the structural element, e.g. floor, ceiling, or a door frame provided therein or thereon.

The pivot pin member and the opening typically engage such that the pivot pin member has a fixed position relative to the opening, and the pivot door has a fixed position relative to the structural element, e.g. ceiling and/or floor or door frame, apart from rotation around a vertical pivot axis as defined by the pivot pin member. In other words, by using a pivot hinge the pivot door can rotate around the vertical pivot axis and as such can swing between open and closed positions. In doing so, the cam followers then rotate relative to the cam of the pivot pin member.

The cam of the pivot pin member tends to have a shape that is such that in rotating the pivot door - and hence the cam followers - relative to the pivot pin member, the diameter of the cam as seen between the first and second cam followers varies. This means that for one or both of the cam followers their radial position relative to the cam varies in said rotation.

Such pivot hinges are known from e.g. <CIT>. The pivot hinge disclosed in this document has dedicated springs for each of the radially movable cam followers disclosed therein, so as to urge each of the cam followers against the cam. This is disadvantageous as it leads to a pivot hinge having a large footprint.

Document <CIT> discloses a door closing device having the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative pivot hinge. It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact pivot hinge.

This object is achieved by a pivot hinge according to claim <NUM>.

The pivot hinge having the slidable reciprocating member allows for a compact pivot hinge. The spring arrangement is located on one side of the pivot pin member and urges both cam followers - against the cam - by the force being exerted by the spring arrangement on the second end part being transferred to the first end part, which first end part is coupled with the first cam follower - whilst these cam followers are each located on different sides of the pivot pin member. This is advantageous, e.g. as it allows for the vertical pivot axis to be located close to the edge of door, whilst still being able to provide a powerful and/or elongate spring. That is, the distance between the edge of the door leaf and the pivot axis does not rely on the size of the spring arrangement.

A further advantage is that due to the rigid connection between the first and second end parts, the force acting on the second end part equals the force acting on the first end part. This leads to a balanced pivot hinge.

The spring arrangement is, or may be, arranged under pretension, e.g. an adjustable pretension.

The pivot hinge may comprise multiple spring arrangements, e.g. arranged in parallel, for example side-by-side. Each of the spring arrangements may be arranged between the second cam follower and the second end part. Alternatively, the slidable reciprocating member may have one or more further end parts that are rigidly connected to the first end part. The one or more further end parts may e.g. be separate, coupled or integral. The one or more further end parts furthermore being located on the same side of the pivot pin member as the second end part. One or more of the spring arrangements may be arranged between the second cam follower and the one or more further end parts such that the spring arrangements urge both cam followers against the cam as the force being exerted by the spring arrangement(s) on the respective end part(s) is being transferred to the first end part. For example, there may be a dedicated end part per spring arrangement, or per spring.

The pivotal door leaf may be a large and heavy door, e.g. a glass door. The pivotal door leaf may have an outer profile. Then, the casing may be integrated in, or be part of, said outer profile.

The cam has recesses configured to receive both of the cam followers to form holding positions for the door leaf, in opened and closed positions of the door leaf. That is, in rotating the door leaf around the pivot pin member, the cam followers are urged into the recesses by the spring arrangement as they follow and rotate along the contour of the cam. This leads to a holding moment to retain the door leaf in said position. Seen between the first and second cam followers, the recesses essentially lead to the cam locally having a reduced diameter, i.e. an inner diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the cam.

A pair of recesses is provided such that both cam followers are simultaneously retained in such a recess. Multiple pairs of recesses are provided at right angles from each other.

In a further embodiment, the pivot hinge further comprises a slidable guide member that is movably mounted within the slidable reciprocating member, the slidable guide member being coupled with the second cam follower, and the spring arrangement being arranged between the slidable guide member and the second end part. The slidable guide member transfers the spring force to the second cam follower. As such the slidable guide member aids in the radial movement of the second cam follower relative to the pin member as the spring arrangement urges the second cam follower against the cam. Similarly, the slidable guide member aids in the radial movement of the second cam follower relative to the second end part when it compresses the spring arrangement.

The slidable guide member may further advantageously add stability to the spring arrangement and/or the compressing thereof by the second cam follower and/or the radial movement of the second cam follower due to the spring force. The slidable guide member may e.g. be made of a metal material such as steel, or a plastic material, for example polyoxymethylene (POM). A plastic material is advantageous for reducing friction in a sliding movement.

In a practical embodiment, the slidable guide member is elongate and has a bore in which the spring arrangement is received. This is for example advantageous for protecting the spring arrangement and/or providing further stability and stiffness to the spring arrangement so as to prevent undesired deformation thereof, e.g. out of plane deformation relative to the plane in which the spring arrangement is compressed/elongated.

In a further embodiment, the slidable reciprocating member has sliding faces that are in sliding engagement with the casing. This sliding engagement may be a direct engagement between the slidable reciprocating member and the casing, or an intermediate guiding surface may be provided therebetween. The sliding faces may e.g. be provided in a lower part and/or an upper part of the slidable reciprocating member and be in sliding engagement with a lower and/or upper part of the casing. The sliding faces may be provided, e.g. additionally, on the first end part and/or second end part. The slidable reciprocating member may e.g. be made of a metal material such as steel, or a plastic material, for example POM. A plastic material is advantageous for reducing friction in a sliding movement.

To further facilitate the sliding movement of the slidable reciprocating member, the sliding faces of the slidable reciprocating member and/or the part that the respective sliding faces are in sliding engagement with, e.g. the lower and/or upper part of the casing, may be provided with friction reducing measures. These measures may e.g. relate to surface treatment of surfaces of the casing and/or the slidable reciprocating member, for example with a friction reducing coating. In particular, the surfaces that are in sliding engagement. For example, the material of which the slidable reciprocating member and/or the casing are made may be treated with material hardening and/or impregnation , e.g. with a co-polymer.

The casing is provided with inner ribs to slidably support the slidable reciprocating member.

In a practical embodiment, the spring arrangement comprises a coil spring, for example two concentric coil springs or two parallel coil springs. Parallel coil springs may be arranged side-by-side. The spring or springs, e.g. coil spring or coil springs, are chosen so as to fit the spring requirements, e.g. the stiffness, for the pivotal door leaf. Arranging multiple coil springs concentrically allows for using an appropriate combination of standard springs so as to meet said requirements without the need for designing a dedicated spring for the situation at hand. In an embodiment, the slidable reciprocating member has one or more tension rods for connecting the first end part and the second end part. The first end part and second end part may e.g. be made of a metal material such as steel, or a plastic material, for example POM, and the tension rods may e.g. be made of steel, preferably stainless steel. The tension rods may form an outer contour for the slidable reciprocating member, or the tension rods may be received within the outer contour of the slidable reciprocating member. Furthermore, the tension rods may extend on an outer side of the cam, or the tension rods may be received in a recess in the cam.

In embodiments, the slidable guide member has sliding faces that are in sliding engagement with the tension rods and/or sliding faces that are in sliding engagement with the casing. This sliding engagement may be a direct engagement between the slidable guide member and the tension rods and/or the casing, or an intermediate guiding surface may be provided therebetween. These sliding faces may e.g. be provided in a lower part and/or an upper part of the slidable guide member and be in sliding engagement with a lower and/or upper part of the casing and/or the tension rods. The sliding faces of the slidable guide member that are in engagement with the casing may be aligned with the sliding faces of the slidable reciprocating member such that these faces may e.g. be supported by the same inner ribs of the casing.

To further facilitate the sliding movement of the slidable guide member, the sliding faces of the slidable guide member and/or the part that the respective sliding faces are in sliding engagement with, e.g. the lower and/or upper part of the casing, may be provided with friction reducing measures. These measures may e.g. relate to surface treatment of surfaces of the casing and/or the slidable guide member, for example with a friction reducing coating. In particular, the surfaces that are in sliding engagement. For example, the material of which the slidable guide member and/or the casing are made may be treated with material hardening and/or impregnation, e.g. with a co-polymer.

In a further embodiment, the cam followers are cam wheels. That is, the cam wheels rotate about their own vertical body axes as a result of their engagement with the cam in rotation around the vertical pivot axis. This for example reduces wear due to friction between the cam followers and the cam. The cam wheels may e.g. be made of steel, preferably stainless steel and the cam may e.g. be made of steel. The cam wheels may be provided with bearings. Alternatively, one or more of the cam followers are stationary pins that do not rotate about their own vertical body axes.

The cam may have sliding faces that are in sliding engagement with the casing. These sliding faces and/or the part of the casing that the respective sliding faces are in sliding engagement with may be provided with friction reducing measures as discussed previously, e.g. for the slidable guide member or the slidable reciprocating member.

The invention further relates to a pivotal door leaf provided with a pivot hinge as discussed herein.

In an embodiment, the pivot hinge is mounted to the lower edge of the door leaf, e.g. in a corner region between the inner side edge and the lower edge of the pivotal door leaf.

In a further embodiment, the pivot hinge is mounted such that the hinge extends along the lower edge of the pivotal door leaf and the first cam follower is located near the inner side edge of the door leaf. Due to the pivot hinge having the slidable reciprocating member that urges both cam followers against the cam, the vertical pivot axis as defined by the pivot pin member may then be located close to the inner side edge of the door, whilst the spring arrangement is located on the opposite side of the pivot pin member.

The invention further relates to a structural element and a pivotal door leaf connected to the structural element via a pivot hinge as discussed herein, wherein the casing is mounted to either the door leaf or to the structural element, for example at the lower edge of the door leaf or embedded in a floor below the lower edge of the door leaf.

The invention will be explained further with reference to the drawings, in which like reference symbols designate like parts. In these drawings:.

In <FIG> is shown a pivot hinge <NUM> having a pivot pin member <NUM> for pivotally connecting a pivotal door leaf with a structural element, the door leaf having an upper edge, lower edge, an inner side edge and an outer side edge, and the pivot pin member <NUM> defining a vertical pivot axis PA for the door leaf. The pivot hinge <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM> configured to be mounted to either the door leaf or the structural element, for example to the lower edge of the door leaf, the pivot pin member <NUM> being configured to be fixed to the other of the door leaf or the structural element.

The pivot hinge <NUM> is suitable to be mounted to the lower edge of the door leaf, e.g. in a corner region between the inner side edge and the lower edge of the pivotal door leaf. For example, the pivot hinge may be mounted such that the hinge extends along the lower edge of the pivotal door leaf and the first cam follower <NUM> is located near the inner side edge of the door leaf.

The pivot pin member <NUM> can be seen in <FIG> to have a cam <NUM>, the pivot hinge <NUM> comprising a first cam follower <NUM> on a first side of the pivot pin member <NUM> and a second cam follower <NUM> on a second side of the pivot pin member <NUM> opposite the first side. The cam followers <NUM>, <NUM>, are both movable in a radial direction relative to the cam. The cam followers may be cam wheels.

The pivot hinge <NUM> comprises a spring arrangement <NUM> adapted to urge a cam follower <NUM> or <NUM> against the cam <NUM>. The cam <NUM> has recesses <NUM>, <NUM> configured to receive one or both of the cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> to form holding positions for the door leaf, e.g. in opened and/or closed positions of the door leaf, or positions therebetween.

The pivot hinge <NUM> is shown to comprise a U-shaped mounting member <NUM> that is fixed to the casing <NUM> at the upper part 2a. In this mounting member <NUM> the pivot pin member <NUM> is received, at an upper end thereof, such that the pivot pin member retains its orientation relative to the casing <NUM>.

The pivot hinge <NUM> further comprises a slidable reciprocating member <NUM> being arranged within the casing <NUM> and being movably mounted therein. The slidable reciprocating member <NUM> has a first end part <NUM> and a second end part <NUM> that are rigidly connected to one another. As such the slidable reciprocating member has a predetermined, fixed length L. The first end part <NUM> is coupled with the first cam follower <NUM>, and the spring arrangement <NUM> is arranged between the second cam follower <NUM> and the second end part <NUM>, such that the spring arrangement <NUM> urges both cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> against the cam <NUM>.

In <FIG> is shown an outward radial state of the cam followers <NUM>, <NUM>, that is the cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> are urged outward by an outer local diameter of the cam <NUM> and the spring arrangement <NUM> is compressed by the second cam follower <NUM>. Due to the rigid connection between the first end part <NUM> and the second end part <NUM>, the outward radial movement of the first cam follower <NUM> leads to a sliding movement of the slidable reciprocating member <NUM>, whilst the spring force of spring arrangement <NUM> is transferred from the second end part <NUM> to the first cam follower <NUM> so as to urge it against the cam <NUM>. In <FIG> is shown an inward radial state of the cam followers <NUM>, <NUM>, in which the spring arrangement <NUM> urges the followers <NUM>, <NUM> against the cam at an inner local diameter which is smaller than the outer local diameter of the position of the cam <NUM> of <FIG>.

It can be seen in <FIG> that the slidable reciprocating member <NUM> has one or more tension rods <NUM>, <NUM> for connecting the first end part <NUM> and the second end part <NUM>
The slidable reciprocating member <NUM> has sliding faces <NUM> that are in sliding engagement with the casing <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is provided with inner ribs <NUM> to slidably support the slidable reciprocating member <NUM>. These inner ribs <NUM> may be provided on a lower part 2a of the casing <NUM> (e.g. shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) and/or on an upper part 2a of the casing <NUM> (e.g. shown in <FIG>).

The pivot hinge <NUM> further comprises a slidable guide member <NUM> that is movably mounted within the slidable reciprocating member <NUM>, the slidable guide member <NUM> being coupled with the second cam follower <NUM>, and the spring arrangement <NUM> being arranged between the slidable guide member <NUM> and the second end part <NUM>.

The slidable guide member <NUM> may have sliding faces that may be in sliding engagement with the tension rods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (a potential fourth tension rod to form a symmetric arrangement is not shown in the figures).

In this embodiment the first cam follower <NUM> is retained on the first end part <NUM>, and the second cam follower <NUM> is retained on the slidable guide member <NUM>.

The slidable guide member <NUM> has sliding faces <NUM> that are in sliding engagement with the casing <NUM>, shown here for lower part 2a thereof. The sliding faces <NUM> of the slidable guide member <NUM> are aligned with the sliding faces <NUM> of the slidable reciprocating member <NUM> such that these faces are supported by the same inner ribs of the casing.

In the embodiment of <FIG> the slidable guide member <NUM> is elongate and has a bore in which the spring arrangement <NUM> is received. The spring arrangement <NUM> here comprises a coil spring, for example two concentric coil springs.

In <FIG> are shown a cam <NUM> and cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> for a pivot hinge according to the invention. The cam <NUM> has recesses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> configured to simultaneously receive both of the cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> on either side of the cam <NUM> so as to form holding positions for the door leaf, e.g. in opened and/or closed positions of the door leaf.

In <FIG> is schematically shown an exploded view of pivot hinge <NUM>.

In <FIG> is shown another embodiment of a pivot hinge <NUM> according to the invention. The pivot hinge <NUM> has a pivot pin member <NUM> for pivotally connecting a pivotal door leaf with a structural element, the door leaf having an upper edge, lower edge, an inner side edge and an outer side edge, and the pivot pin member <NUM> defining a vertical pivot axis PA for the door leaf. The pivot hinge <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM> configured to be mounted to either the door leaf or the structural element, for example to the lower edge of the door leaf, the pivot pin member <NUM> being configured to be fixed to the other of the door leaf or the structural element.

The casing comprises an upper part 302a and a lower part 302b.

The pivot pin member <NUM> can be seen in <FIG> to have a cam <NUM>, the pivot hinge <NUM> comprising a first cam follower <NUM> on a first side of the pivot pin member <NUM> and a second cam follower <NUM> on a second side of the pivot pin member <NUM> opposite the first side. The cam followers <NUM>, <NUM>, are both movable in a radial direction relative to the cam <NUM>.

The pivot hinge <NUM> is suitable to be mounted to the lower edge of the door leaf, e.g. in a corner region between the inner side edge and the lower edge of the pivotal door leaf. For example, the pivot hinge <NUM> may be mounted such that the hinge <NUM> extends along the lower edge of the pivotal door leaf and the first cam follower <NUM> is located near the inner side edge of the door leaf.

The pivot hinge <NUM> comprises spring arrangements <NUM>, <NUM> adapted to urge a cam follower <NUM> or <NUM> against the cam <NUM>. The spring arrangements <NUM>, <NUM> here each comprise a coil spring. The coil springs are arranged side-by-side, separated by block <NUM>. The cam <NUM> has recesses <NUM>, <NUM> configured to receive one or both of the cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> to form holding positions for the door leaf, e.g. in opened and/or closed positions of the door leaf, or positions therebetween.

The spring arrangements <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged side-by-side within the casing <NUM>.

The cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with bearings 305b and 306b respectively.

The pivot hinge <NUM> further comprises a slidable reciprocating member being arranged within the casing <NUM> and being movably mounted therein. The slidable reciprocating member has a first end part <NUM> and a second end part <NUM> that are rigidly connected to one another. The slidable reciprocating member further has a third end part <NUM> that is rigidly connected to the first end part <NUM>. As such the slidable reciprocating member has a predetermined, fixed length. The first end part <NUM> is coupled with the first cam follower <NUM>,
The spring arrangement <NUM> is arranged between the second cam follower <NUM> and the second end part <NUM>, and the spring arrangement <NUM> is arranged between the second cam follower <NUM> and the third end part <NUM>, such that the spring arrangement <NUM> and/or spring arrangement <NUM> urge both cam followers <NUM>, <NUM> against the cam <NUM>.

The slidable reciprocating member has tension rod <NUM> for connecting the first end part <NUM> and the second end part <NUM>, and the slidable reciprocating member has tension rod <NUM> for connecting the first end part <NUM> and the further end part <NUM>
The slidable reciprocating member has sliding faces, e.g. <NUM>, that are in sliding engagement with the casing <NUM>. The surfaces being in sliding engagement may be treated with a surface treatment, for example a friction reducing coating.

The casing <NUM> may be provided with inner ribs <NUM> to slidably support the slidable reciprocating member. These inner ribs <NUM> may be provided on a lower part 302a of the casing <NUM> (e.g. shown in <FIG>) and/or on an upper part 302a of the casing <NUM>.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, the lower part 302a of the casing is provided with a recess, here demarcated between the ribs <NUM>, so as to facilitate the sliding movement of the slidable reciprocating member. The slidable reciprocating member may be in sliding engagement with - i.e. direct contact with - the ribs <NUM> and/or the recess, or the slidable reciprocating member may slide in such a manner that there is no direct contact between the slidable reciprocating member and the ribs <NUM> and/or the recess.

The pivot hinge <NUM> further comprises a slidable guide member <NUM> that is movably mounted within the slidable reciprocating member, the slidable guide member <NUM> being coupled with the second cam follower <NUM>, and the spring arrangements <NUM>, <NUM> being arranged between the slidable guide member <NUM> and the respective end parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

The slidable guide member <NUM> is elongate and has two bores in which the tension rods <NUM>, <NUM> are received.

Tension rods <NUM>, <NUM> are received in a recess 304c between upper part 304a and lower part 304b of the cam <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Pivot hinge (<NUM>;<NUM>) having a pivot pin member (<NUM>;<NUM>) for pivotally connecting a pivotal door leaf with a structural element, the door leaf having an upper edge, lower edge, an inner side edge and an outer side edge, and the pivot pin member defining a vertical pivot axis for the door leaf,
wherein the pivot pin member has a cam, the pivot hinge comprising a first cam follower on a first side of the pivot pin member and a second cam follower on a second side of the pivot pin member opposite the first side, the cam followers (<NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>;<NUM>) both being movable in a radial direction relative to the cam,
wherein the pivot hinge further comprises:
- a casing (<NUM>;<NUM>) configured to be mounted to either the door leaf or the structural element, for example to the lower edge of the door leaf, the pivot pin member being configured to be fixed to the other of the door leaf or the structural element,
- a spring arrangement (<NUM>;<NUM>) adapted to urge a cam follower against the cam,
- a slidable reciprocating member being arranged within the casing and being movably mounted therein, wherein the slidable reciprocating member has a first end part (<NUM>;<NUM>) and a second end part (<NUM>;<NUM>) that are rigidly connected to one another, wherein the first end part is coupled with the first cam follower and wherein the spring arrangement is arranged between the second cam follower and the second end part, such that the spring arrangement urges both cam followers against the cam,
characterized in that, the cam has pairs of recesses (<NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) at right angles to each other, each pair of recesses being configured to receive both of the cam followers (<NUM>,<NUM>; <NUM>;<NUM>) to form holding positions for the door leaf in opened and closed positions of the door leaf, and wherein the casing is provided with inner ribs (<NUM>) to slidably support the slidable reciprocating member, which inner ribs (<NUM>) are provided on a lower part (2b;302b) of the casing and/or on an upper part (2a;302a) of the casing.