A hinge device includes a first fixed tubular half-shell having a working chamber defining a longitudinal axis, a second tubular half-shell rotatable about the longitudinal axis, a pivot rotating unitary with the latter which includes a single pass-through actuating member having a helical shape, a plunger member slidable along the longitudinal axis, and a tubular bushing having a pair of guide cam slots. A pin inserted within the pass-through actuating member is provided to allow the mutual engagement of the pivot and the bushing. The first tubular half-shell includes an end portion susceptible to rotatably support the pivot, the second tubular half-shell and the bushing are coaxially coupled to each other, and the bushing and the first tubular half-shell are mutually unitarily coupled.

A closing device includes a torque storing mechanism, a first and a second actuation member which are both rotatable with respect to the supporting frame and a mechanical connector piece which is rotatable with respect to the supporting frame and configured for being mechanically fixed to the second hinge member which is fixed to the closure member. A first locking mechanism enables to lock the mechanical connector piece either to the first actuation member or to the second actuation member and a second locking mechanism enables to lock the supporting frame to the second actuation member when the connector piece is locked to the first actuation member and to the first actuation member when the connector piece is locked to the second actuation member. In this way, the closing device is suited for left and right turning closure members without requiring an extra gearing to reverse the rotation direction.

A closing device includes a torque storing mechanism, a first and a second actuation member which are both rotatable with respect to the supporting frame and a mechanical connector piece which is rotatable with respect to the supporting frame and configured for being mechanically fixed to the second hinge member which is fixed to the closure member. A first locking mechanism enables to lock the mechanical connector piece either to the first actuation member or to the second actuation member and a second locking mechanism enables to lock the supporting frame to the second actuation member when the connector piece is locked to the first actuation member and to the first actuation member when the connector piece is locked to the second actuation member. In this way, the closing device is suited for left and right turning closure members without requiring an extra gearing to reverse the rotation direction.

A hinge comprising: a first hinge member (110) comprising a cylinder barrel (117) having a longitudinal direction (118); a second hinge member (111) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (110); and a dashpot interposed between said hinge members (110, 111) and configured for damping a closing movement of said closure member. The dashpot comprises a closed cylinder cavity formed within the cylinder barrel (117); a damper shaft (124) which extends into the cylinder cavity and is connected to the second hinge member (111); and a piston (147) within said cylinder cavity. The hinge members (110, 111) are made of a synthetic material and the damper shaft (124) is made of metal.

A hinge comprising: a first hinge member (110) comprising a cylinder barrel (117) having a longitudinal direction (118); a second hinge member (111) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (110); and a dashpot interposed between said hinge members (110, 111) and configured for damping a closing movement of said closure member. The dashpot comprises a closed cylinder cavity formed within the cylinder barrel (117); a damper shaft (124) which extends into the cylinder cavity and is connected to the second hinge member (111); and a piston (147) within said cylinder cavity. The hinge members (110, 111) are made of a synthetic material and the damper shaft (124) is made of metal.

A dashpot comprising: a closed cylinder cavity and a damper shaft (24) which are rotatable with respect to one another; a piston (47) which is slideable between two extreme positions; and a motion converting mechanism to convert the relative rotation between the cylinder barrel (17) and the damper shaft (24) into a sliding motion of the piston (47). The motion converting mechanism comprises two co-operating screw threads, one (58) being provided on an outer wall of the piston (47) and the other one being provided on an inner wall of the cylinder barrel (17) or on an inner wall of a plastic tubular element fixed to the cylinder barrel. By providing the screw thread (58) on the outside of the piston (47), the diameter of the screw thread (58) is increased thereby increasing its lead and thus causing a higher volume of hydraulic fluid to be displaced during operation of the dashpot.

A hydraulically damped hinge comprising: a first hinge member (5) having a cylinder barrel (17) forming a first knuckle of the hinge; a second hinge member (6) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (5) and comprising a second and third knuckle (20, 21) which are situated at opposing ends (22, 23) of the cylinder a barrel (17); a torsion spring (79) within a double-wall portion of the cylinder barrel (17) and having a first extremity connected to the first hinge member (5) and a second extremity (81); a dashpot within the cylinder barrel (17); and a rotatable tensioning element (83) within the double-wall portion of the cylinder barrel (17) and fixed to the second knuckle (20) and to the second extremity (81) of the torsion spring (79). The rotatable tensioning element (83) allows tensioning the torsion spring (79) during assembly of the hinge. Placement of the rotatable tensioning element (83) avoids needing to provide a recess in the second knuckle (20) thereby improving the overall strength of the second hinge member (6).

A hydraulically damped hinge comprising: a first hinge member (5) having a cylinder barrel (17) forming a first knuckle of the hinge; a second hinge member (6) pivotably mounted on the first hinge member (5) and comprising a second and third knuckle (20, 21) which are situated at opposing ends (22, 23) of the cylinder a barrel (17); a torsion spring (79) within a double-wall portion of the cylinder barrel (17) and having a first extremity connected to the first hinge member (5) and a second extremity (81); a dashpot within the cylinder barrel (17); and a rotatable tensioning element (83) within the double-wall portion of the cylinder barrel (17) and fixed to the second knuckle (20) and to the second extremity (81) of the torsion spring (79). The rotatable tensioning element (83) allows tensioning the torsion spring (79) during assembly of the hinge. Placement of the rotatable tensioning element (83) avoids needing to provide a recess in the second knuckle (20) thereby improving the overall strength of the second hinge member (6).