Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to construction and, more particularly, to hinges for doors, windows or the like. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the construction of buildings and homes, in general, it is often expedient, upon the addition of doors and windows, especially those that are relatively heavy or large in size, to use revolving hinges that allow for adjustment of the shared positions of the fixed frame and mobile frame (or leaf). Specifically, this adjustment compensates for any bending of the door or window assembly, and/or to enables proper operation, even in the case of orthogonal imperfections in the door or window relative to their respective horizontal plane. 
         [0003]    The hinge generally allows for three possible adjustments: two adjustments of the mutual positions of the hinge bodies in two directions crosswise to the axis of the hinge pin (generally, one substantially “lateral” direction parallel to the plane of the door or window, and one direction orthogonal to said plane, these adjustments allowing the right pressure to be provided on the closure seal around the door or window), and one vertical adjustment of the mutual positions of the hinge bodies in the hinge axis direction. 
         [0004]    The hinges of known type, as a rule, do not allow for any independent crosswise adjustments. At the most the mutual positions of the hinge bodies only can be adjusted simultaneously in both directions, which limits the actual range of the allowable adjustments. 
         [0005]    An example of a type of adjustable hinge that attempts to overcome this drawback is described in the European patent EP 0 837 206, for instance. This document discloses a hinge consisting of an upper hinge body and a lower hinge body connected by a revolving pin. The upper hinge body is formed with a housing for inserting the revolving hinge pin. Inserted respect to the axis of the pin. This sleeve is narrower in dimensions than the housing in which it is inserted, but it is constantly in contact with the walls of the housing, whatever position it occupies therein. Moreover, the sleeve has a base block at the top with a toothed lateral surface that engages with position references on the walls of the housing. To make a crosswise adjustment of the position of the hinge bodies, it is necessary to raise the sleeve with the pin and rotate it by the required amount, corresponding to the translation that the user wishes to obtain due to the eccentricity between the sleeve and the pin, and then lower it again so that the toothed surface engages with the corresponding references on the housing. To lock the sleeve in position inside the housing, it is necessary to maintain a thrust that holds the base block against said references. 
         [0006]    Clearly, such a hinge structure is complicated and it also does not allow for continuous crosswise adjustments, because the position of the sleeve, and consequently of the pin, is defined by the toothed surface. 
         [0007]    Moreover, it should be emphasised that the recovery of any slack in the coupling between the sleeve and the housing is not particularly effective, being left to the thrust exerted on the base block that is not completely integral with the sleeve. Said slack needs to be avoided because it can lead to a faulty functioning of the door or window and the risk of breakages is increased. 
         [0008]    Another solution for a hinge is illustrated, for instance, in the European patent EP 1 061 221. Said document discloses a hinge in which the upper hinge body includes a housing for a sleeve integral with the head of the pin revolving inside the hinge. This sleeve is off-centre with respect to the axis of the pin and, in practical terms, it constitutes a cam that is in contact with the walls of the housing at four points that are angularly spaced at 90° angles to one another, i.e. at the vertices of a cross. The sleeve—housing coupling is such that, once the sleeve is rotated (the pin cannot move because it is constrained to the translation of the lower hinge body), the housing displaces as a function of the eccentricity in the crosswise direction of adjustment. Once the adjustment has been made, the sleeve is pushed against the surface of the housing by means of a locking dowel. The thrusting action of the dowel coincides with the line passing through two points corresponding to opposite points of contact between the sleeve and the housing. This thrust enables the sleeve, and consequently also the pin, to be locked in position in relation to the upper body of the hinge, but it is unable to take up any slack in the coupling between the housing and the sleeve. In fact, the slack is taken up in one direction only, i.e. that of the thrust, and not in the direction orthogonal thereto, which effectively makes the recovery in only one direction pointless. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hinge for doors and windows that effectively compensates for slack upon coupling of the hinge components so as to avoid any malfunction or breakage. 
         [0010]    Another important object of the present invention is to provide a hinge for doors and windows that is suitable for use even with heavy or large doors and windows, with progressive linear adjustments that are independent of one another and, more precisely, with a linear lateral adjustment (that consequently induces no perpendicular translations), a perpendicular adjustment to enable the right pressure to be exerted on the seal around the door or window, and a vertical adjustment to obtain the right distance from the floor. 
         [0011]    At the same time, an object of the invention is to provide a hinge equipped with easily accessible adjustment means. 
         [0012]    These and other objects, that will be better clarified below, are achieved by an adjustable hinge for doors and windows comprising:
       two hinge bodies for fixing respectively to the fixed frame and to the mobile frame of the door or window,   a revolving pin for pivotally connecting said hinge bodies,   means for adjusting the mutual positions of said two hinge bodies in directions crosswise to the axis of said pin, said means of adjustment comprising a sleeve axially associated with said pin and defining an outer lateral surface for coupling with a corresponding housing defined in a first of said hinge bodies, said sleeve being pivotal inside said housing so that, while remaining constantly in contact with the walls of said housing during its rotation to change position, it can occupy substantially any position required along a limited length of said crosswise adjustment direction, means being provided for reversibly locking said sleeve in the positions it can occupy inside said housing by means of a thrust in a given locking direction,       
 
         [0016]    characterised in that said sleeve comprises at least three distinct portions of contact with the walls of said housing angularly spaced from one another, and when said locking means are in action, at least two of said distinct portions exert a thrusting force—in directions incident to one another—on respective parts of said walls so as to take up any slack in the coupling between the sleeve and the housing in incident directions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    A specific, illustrative adjustable hinge, according to the present invention, is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a hinge, according to one aspect of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the hinge illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a door leaf fit with two hinges, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an exploded axonometric view of a hinge, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a sectional plan view of the upper body of the hinge of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an axial, front sectional view of the hinge illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a sectional plan view of the lower body of the hinge; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a sectional plan view of the upper body with the hinge adjusting sleeve in position “0”; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a sectional plan view of the upper body with the hinge adjusting sleeve in a position of maximum rightward extension; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a sectional plan view of the upper body with the hinge adjusting sleeve in a position of maximum leftward extension; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows schematic a plan view of the upper body with the hinge adjusting sleeve in various adjustment phases; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 12 ,  13  and  14  are sectional plan views, indicating three different positions of inward or outward adjustment of the hinge; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a variation of the hinge adjusting sleeve illustrated generally in  FIGS. 1-14 . 
       
    
    
       [0031]    The same numerals are used throughout the drawing figures to designate similar elements. Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to  FIGS. 1-15 , there is shown generally a specific, illustrative adjustable hinge  10  for doors, windows or the like according to various aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, illustrated generally in  FIG. 1 , the hinge comprises two hinge bodies, an upper body  11  and a lower body  12 , respectively, for respective attachment to a fixed frame  13  and a mobile frame or leaf  14  of the door or window and pivotally connected to one another by a pin  15 . 
         [0033]    Both the upper body  11  and the lower body  12  of the hinge are provided with suitable means  16  for fixing them respectively to the leaf  14  and to the frame  13  of the door or window, such as fixing screws  16   a  and a plate  16   b  for covering the screws  16   a . The plate  16   b  is attached with further screws  16   c  (see  FIG. 5 ) accessible to the operator from the inner side of the door, and thereby also provides protection against burglars. 
         [0034]    First means  17 , described later on with reference in particular to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , for the adjustment of the mutual positions of the two hinge bodies in a direction crosswise to the axis of the pin  15  are associated with the upper body  11 . More in particular, this direction is substantially parallel to the plane of the door or window leaf and is indicated by the letter Z in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 . For the sake of brevity, from now on, the adjustment in said direction Z will be called “lateral adjustment”. 
         [0035]    Second means  18  (see  FIG. 4 ) for the adjustment of the mutual positions of said two hinge bodies  11  and  12  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the door or window leaf  14  (“orthogonal adjustment”) are associated with the lower body  12 . Third means  19  for the adjustment of the mutual positions of said two hinge bodies  11  and  12  in the direction of the axis of the hinge pin (“vertical adjustment”) are also associated with the same lower body  12 . The second and third adjustment means are described later on. 
         [0036]    The first means  17  of hinge lateral adjustment comprise a sleeve  20  defining an internal seat  21  (or, in other words, a circular blind hole) for coaxially coupling, by interference, with the upper part  15   a  of the revolving pin  15 , and an outer lateral surface for coupling with a corresponding housing  22  passing through the upper body  11 . Clearly, in other embodiments, the pin  15  and sleeve  20  may be made in a single piece or, in any case, be monolithic. 
         [0037]    The sleeve  20  substantially consists of a cylindrical body  20   a  extending over the full length of the upper body  11  of the hinge  10 . A flange  23  abutting against the lower edge of the upper body  11  projects from the lower end of cylindrical body  20   a . At the other end of the sleeve  20 , opposite the flange  23 , a blind hole  24  is formed, shaped to form a hexagon-shaped seat for a wrench. 
         [0038]    The lateral surface of the cylindrical body  20   a  forming the sleeve  20  is formed with three distinct portions  20   b  of contact with the walls of the housing  22 . In the present embodiment, the contact portions  20   b  are longitudinal projections with a semicylindrical shape the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the cylindrical body  20   a . As clearly shown in the figures, the projections  20   b  are equidistant from one another around the cylindrical body  20   a , i.e. they are spaced at an angle of 120°. 
         [0039]      FIG. 15  shows a variation of the sleeve, identified here as  120 , equivalent to the one described above. In this variation the sleeve  120  is still formed with three projections  120   b , but two of them are radiused to one another. 
         [0040]    The sleeve  20  is axially pivotable in the housing  22  and the form of the housing is such that, while the sleeve remains constantly in contact with the walls of the housing during its rotation to change position, it can occupy substantially any position along a limited length in the direction parallel to the plane of the door or window leaf, i.e. the direction Z of lateral adjustment of the first means  17 . See specifically  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 . 
         [0041]    In particular, the shape of the housing  22  is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane parallel to the axis of the pin  15  and is formed with three different sliding grooves for respective projections  20   b . In particular two first grooves  22   a  that are symmetrical to one another in relation to said plane, and one second groove  22   b , extending between the first grooves  22   a . The two first grooves  22   a  are radiused to one another at adjacent ends thereof, while at the opposite ends they have abutments  22   c  for the respective projections  20   b , corresponding to the ends of the pivotal stroke of the sleeve  20 , i.e. the limit stops for the adjustment in the direction of the plane of the door or window leaf  14 . 
         [0042]    The upper hinge body  11  comprises means  25  for reversibly locking the sleeve  20  inside the housing  22  by means of a thrust exerted in a defined locking direction that, in this example, is crosswise to the housing  22  (and also orthogonal to the lateral adjustment direction Z) and lies on its symmetry plane. In  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 , said plane/direction corresponds to the position “0” of the sleeve inside the housing, as explained in more detail later on. 
         [0043]    The locking means  25  comprise, for instance (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), a threaded dowel  26  inserted through a corresponding counter-threaded through hole  27  provided on the side of the upper hinge body  11 . The dowel  26  extends in the housing  22  and abuts against the side of the cylindrical body  20   a  of the sleeve  20 , at a recessed area or gap  22   d  formed an intermediate position in the projections  22   a.    
         [0044]    When the locking dowel  26  pushes against the cylindrical body  20   a  of the sleeve  20 , at least two projections  20   b  exert a thrusting action on the inside wall of the housing  22 , i.e. on the respective grooves  22   a ,  22   b  in two directions incident to one another. In other words, the thrust exerted by the dowel is decomposed along two directions that are not parallel to one another (in the example, the result is achieved because the projections are angularly spaced by 120°; in  FIG. 8 , the arrows showing the thrusting action on the projections for locking the sleeve are indicated by the letter S). The locking dowel thus succeeds completely in taking up any slack due to machining tolerances in the coupling between the sleeve  20  and the housing  22 . 
         [0045]    The lateral adjustment of the hinge is carried out as follows. The sleeve  20  is coaxial to the hinge pin  15  and it is integral therewith. The pin can rotate inside the lower hinge body  12 . Action can be taken with a wrench in the hexagon-shaped seat in the blind hole  24  at the end of the sleeve  20  to make the sleeve rotate (note that the sleeve cannot translate because it is attached to the pin, which is pivotally connected to the hinge body associated with the fixed door frame). The particular shaping of the housing  22  ensures that the projections  20   b  sliding along the walls of the housing induce a thrust sufficient to achieve a substantial translation of the housing, i.e. of the upper hinge body  11 , in the lateral adjustment direction Z (i.e. the direction parallel to the main plane of the door leaf). 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  shows the respective positions of the sleeve  20  and the upper hinge body  11  in position “0”, i.e. in the position of intermediate adjustment in which the three projections  20   a  are in contact with their respective grooves on the inside walls of the housing  22  and the hinge body can still translate to the right or left of said position. 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  shows the respective positions of the sleeve  20  and the upper hinge body  11  in position “X”, i.e. after maximal rightward displacement, where one projection  22   a  abuts against the corresponding limit stop  22   c . Note that the axis of the pin  15  has been displaced from position “0” to position “X” while sliding in the Z direction; the three projections  22   a  are in a different position, but always abutting with the inside surface of the housing  22 . 
         [0048]    Similarly,  FIG. 10  shows the respective positions of the sleeve  20  and the upper hinge body  11  in position “Y”, i.e. of maximal leftwards displacement, where one projection  22   a  abuts against the corresponding limit stop  22   c . Note that the axis of the pin  15  has been displaced from position “0” to position “Y” while sliding in the Z direction; here again, the three projections are in another different position, but always abutting with the inside surface of the housing  22 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 11  schematically shows the mutual positions of the sleeve  20  and the upper hinge body  11  in any of the different intermediate positions in which they can be adjusted. 
         [0050]    Once the upper hinge body  11  has been suitably positioned in relation to the sleeve  20 , the locking dowel  26  is tightened against the sleeve  20 , thus preventing any mutual movements of the sleeve and the housing and taking up the slack in the coupling between the two. Finally, a small cap C 1  is fitted to cover the housing  22 . 
         [0051]    It should be noted that the respective positions of the sleeve and the housing can be adjusted continuously and not stepwise, so they can occupy any intermediate lateral hinge adjustment position. 
         [0052]    As mentioned previously, second adjustment means  18  are advantageously associated with the lower body  12  for adjusting the respective positions of said hinge bodies  11  and  12  in a direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the door leaf (“orthogonal adjustment”), and third adjustment means  19  are associated therewith for the vertical adjustment of the hinge. The first lateral adjustment means  17 , the second orthogonal adjustment means  18  and the third vertical adjustment means  19  are substantially independent of one another. 
         [0053]    As shown in particular in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7 , the second orthogonal adjustment means  18  comprise a cylindrical cavity  28  passing through the lower hinge body  12  along an axis parallel to the axis of the pin  15 . A sleeve  29  is housed in the cylindrical cavity  28  and is fitted with a flange  30  abutting against the upper end of the lower hinge body  12   
         [0054]    The sleeve  29  is formed with a vertically-extending through hole  29   a , which in turn contains a bushing  31 —made of a self-lubricating plastic material, for instance—pivotally housing the lower part  15   b  of the revolving pin  15 . The bushing  31  is eccentric with respect to the sleeve  29 . The eccentricity between the axis of the bushing  31  and pin  15  and the axis of the sleeve  29  is indicated by the letter E in  FIG. 12 . In this figure the axis of the bushing  31  and pin  15 , and the axis of the sleeve  29  lie on the same plane, which coincides with the direction “Z”, i.e. a direction parallel to the plane of the corresponding door leaf (when closed) passing through the axis of the pin  15 . 
         [0055]    The lower opening  32  in the through hole  29   a  of the sleeve  29  is in the shape of a hexagon to enable the rotation of the sleeve with the aid of a suitable wrench. The bushing  31  on which the pin  15  is supported and rotates is substantially integral with the sleeve  29  so that, when action is taken on the hexagon-shaped lower opening  32 , the bushing  31  is also rotated. 
         [0056]    With reference to the orthogonal adjustment of the hinge,  FIG. 12  shows the intermediate position of the hinge in which the eccentricity E is aligned with the direction Z. From the intermediate position, a rotation of the sleeve induces an angular displacement of the eccentricity and a consequent revolution of the axis of the pin  15  on a circular path with a radius E. Depending on the direction of rotation, the axis of the pin  15  may consequently come to be displaced forwards or backwards in a direction orthogonal to the direction Z, i.e. it may be brought closer to or further away from the door frame.  FIG. 13  shows a clockwise rotation of the sleeve such that the pin  15  is displaced (in Z′) from the direction Z towards the door frame.  FIG. 14  shows an anticlockwise rotation of the sleeve such that the pin  15  is displaced (in Z″) from the direction Z away from the door frame. 
         [0057]    A screw  33  engages with the sleeve  29  through a counter-threaded through hole  34  in the side of the lower hinge body  12 . One end of the screw  33  is inserted in a semicircular groove  35  formed on the lateral surface of the sleeve  29  and abuts against the sleeve  29  to lock it in position and take up any slack on the coupling between the cylindrical cavity  28  and the sleeve  29 . The ends  36  of the groove  35  define the limits stops for the rotation of the sleeve and consequently the ends of stroke for the orthogonal adjustment of the hinge. There is a further semicircular groove  35   a  on the sleeve  29 , symmetrical to the groove  35  in relation to a vertical plane, enabling the sleeve to be used for both rightward and leftward opening hinges. 
         [0058]    The internal lower portion  37  of the through hole  29   a  in the sleeve  29  is threaded for coupling with a small counter-threaded cylinder  38 , with a blind backing plate  38   a  that has a hexagonal shape to allow for the insertion of a suitable wrench. The bushing  31 , and therefore the pin  15 , rest on said small cylinder  38 . Together, the small cylinder  38  and the internal lower portion  37  of the through hole  29   a  constitute the above-mentioned third adjustment means of vertical hinge adjustment  19 . In fact, by acting on the small cylinder  38 , the bushing  31  with the pin  15 , and consequently also the upper hinge body  11 , is displaced upwards or downwards. 
         [0059]    Once the orthogonal and vertical adjustments are carried out, a lower cap C 2  is inserted to cover the cylindrical cavity  28 . 
         [0060]    The hinge thus conceived enables the proposed objects of the invention to be achieved. In fact, this hinge structure enables the respective positions of the hinge bodies to be adjusted independently, thereby succeeding in completely taking up the slack due to manufacturing tolerances, entirely to the advantage of a greater durability of the hinge assembly. 
         [0061]    In particular, this hinge enables a lateral adjustment of the respective positions of the hinge bodies that is extremely precise (because it is not stepwise) and that is particularly effective in taking up the slack, this latter action taking place “automatically” with the locking of the hinge bodies in the required position. Moreover, the range of adjustment is extremely precise thanks to the presence of limit stops on the adjustment elements, thereby any problems of erroneous hinge adjustments are avoided. 
         [0062]    It has to be pointed out that the terms “upper” and “lower”, “right” and “left”, as used in the present specification, are to be understood with reference to the corresponding sides of the drawings in which the hinge of the invention is shown. 
         [0063]    Clearly, the hinge thus conceived may undergo numerous modifications and variants, all coming within the scope of the present invention; moreover, all the components may be substituted with other, technically equivalent elements, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0064]    In practical terms, any materials may be used, providing they are compatible with the intended use, and they may be of any shape and size, according to need and the state of the art. 
         [0065]    Where the characteristics and techniques mentioned in any of the claims are followed by reference signs, these have been included merely as an example and for the sole purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims and they shall consequently not be construed to limit the interpretation of the element they identify. 
         [0066]    Various modifications and alterations to the present invention may be appreciated based on a review of this disclosure. These changes and additions are intended to be within the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: 4