Elevation hinge

Abstract

An elevation hinge where one of the parts moves in connection to a guiding means on another part, and wherein a supporting effect is achieved on an elevation of said moving part. The elevation hinge comprises a first part including at least one guiding means, and a second part including at least one connection element for guiding the second part along the at least one guiding means. The guiding means includes a second portion adapted for guiding the connection element to and from a first portion. Guidance is performed in a linear manner or in a rotational and linear manner, in relation to the first part. A spring is fixed between a connection element and an anchor pin on the first part.

Claims

1. An elevation hinge for at least one of a seat, an armrest, a table and a shelf, the elevation hinge comprising: a first part comprising at least one guiding means; and a second part comprising at least one connection element for guiding the second part along the at least one guiding means, wherein the at least one guiding means of the first part guides the second part via the at least one connection element of the second part, between a standby elevation and a supporting elevation, when the second part is moved by an external force, wherein the at least one guiding means is adapted for guiding the at least one connection element in a linear manner, in a rotational manner or in a linear and rotational manner in relation to the first part, wherein the at least one guiding means comprises: at least one first portion adapted for supporting the at least one connection element when the second part is on the supporting elevation; and at least one second portion adapted for guiding the at least one connection element to and from the at least one first portion in a linear manner or in a rotational and linear manner in relation to the first part, and wherein a distal end of the second part opposite the at least one connection element is lower in the standby elevation than the supporting elevation.

2. The elevation hinge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first portion of the at least one guiding means of the first part, comprises at least one protruding means for locking the guidance of the at least one connection element in a linear manner in relation to the first part.

3. The elevation hinge according to claim 1, further comprising at least one spring between a connection element of the second part and the first part, for applying a force on the connection element when this is on a second portion and guiding the connection element to a first portion.

4. The elevation hinge according to claim 1, wherein the second part has a weight distribution adapted for applying a force on the connection element when this is on a second portion and guiding the connection element to a first portion.

5. The elevation hinge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guiding means of the first part is at least one slot on the first part, and the at least one connection element of the second part is at least one pin on the second part.

6. The elevation hinge according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection element of the second part comprises a nut fastened on the end of the connection element opposing the second part.

7. A chair comprising an elevation hinge comprising: a first chair part comprising at least one guiding means; and a second chair part comprising at least one connection element for guiding the second chair part along the at least one guiding means, wherein the at least one guiding means of the first chair part guides the second chair part via the at least one connection element of the second chair part, between a standby elevation and a supporting elevation, when the second chair part is moved by an external force, wherein the at least one guiding means is adapted for guiding the at least one connection element in a linear manner, in a rotational manner or in a linear and rotational manner in relation to the first chair part, wherein the at least one guiding means comprises: at least one first portion adapted for supporting the at least one connection element when the second chair part is on the supporting elevation; and at least one second portion adapted for guiding the at least one connection element to and from the at least one first portion in a linear manner or in a rotational and linear manner in relation to the first chair part, and wherein a distal end of the second chair part opposite the at least one connection element is lower in the standby elevation than the supporting elevation.

8. The chair of claim 7, wherein the first chair part comprises a first armrest part, and wherein the second chair part comprises a second armrest part.

9. A shelf comprising an elevation hinge comprising: a first shelf part comprising at least one guiding means; and a second shelf part comprising at least one connection element for guiding the second shelf part along the at least one guiding means, wherein the at least one guiding means of the first shelf part guides the second shelf part via the at least one connection element of the second shelf part, between a standby elevation and a supporting elevation, when the second shelf part is moved by an external force, wherein the at least one guiding means is adapted for guiding the at least one connection element in a linear manner, in a rotational manner or in a linear and rotational manner in relation to the first shelf part, wherein the at least one guiding means comprises: at least one first portion adapted for supporting the at least one connection element when the second shelf part is on the supporting elevation; and at least one second portion adapted for guiding the at least one connection element to and from the at least one first portion in a linear manner or in a rotational and linear manner in relation to the first shelf part, and wherein a distal end of the second shelf part opposite the at least one connection element is lower in the standby elevation than the supporting elevation.

10. A table comprising an elevation hinge comprising: a first table part comprising at least one guiding means; and a second table part comprising at least one connection element for guiding the second table part along the at least one guiding means, wherein the at least one guiding means of the first table part guides the second table part, via the at least one connection element of the second table part, between a standby elevation and a supporting elevation, when the second table part is moved by an external force, wherein the at least one guiding means is adapted for guiding the at least one connection element in a linear manner, in a rotational manner or in a linear and rotational manner in relation to the first table part, wherein the at least one guiding means comprises: at least one first portion adapted for supporting the at least one connection element when the second table part is on the supporting elevation; and at least one second portion adapted for guiding the at least one connection element to and from the at least one first portion in a linear manner or in a rotational and linear manner in relation to the first table part, and wherein a distal end of the second table part opposite the at least one connection element is lower in the standby elevation than the supporting elevation.

11. An elevation hinge assembly, comprising: a first part having a first slot and a second slot formed therein, wherein the first slot extends from a standby end to a supporting end and the second slot extends from a first end to a second end; and a second part comprising a first pin and a second pin, wherein the first pin is configured to travel between the standby end and the supporting end within the first slot and the second pin is configured to travel between the first end and the second end within the second slot to permit the second part to pivot and translate relative to the first part between a standby position and a supporting position for supporting an object; wherein the first pin is proximate the standby end of the first slot and the second pin is proximate the first end of the second slot when the second part is in the standby position and not in use for supporting the object; and wherein the first pin is proximate the supporting end of the first slot and the second pin is proximate the first end of the second slot when the second part is in the supporting position.

12. The elevation hinge assembly of claim 11, wherein the supporting end of the first slot is positioned above the standby end of the first slot relative to a horizontal plane.

13. The elevation hinge assembly of claim 11, wherein the first slot further comprises a protrusion positioned near the supporting end, the protrusion configured to prevent translational movement of the second part relative to the first part.

14. The elevation hinge assembly of claim 11, wherein the first part further comprises a spring coupled to the second pin of the second part.

15. The elevation hinge assembly of claim 11, wherein the second pin is proximate the second end of the second slot when the second part is in an intermediate position between the standby position and the supporting position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1A-B illustrate a first embodiment of the elevation hinge when not in use;

(3) FIG. 2A-B illustrate a first embodiment of the elevation hinge when in use;

(4) FIG. 3A-B illustrate a second embodiment of the elevation hinge when not in use;

(5) FIG. 4A-B illustrate a second embodiment of the elevation hinge when in use; and

(6) FIG. 5A-G illustrates an embodiment where the second part is moved to a horizontal supporting elevation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Some embodiments of the present solution are herein described.

(8) A first embodiment is illustrated on FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the embodiment on a standby elevation, when not in use. For example, if the second part 2 would have a seat attached to it, then these figures would illustrate the seat on a lowered position, pointing to the ground. On FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrations are presented for this embodiment on the supporting elevation, when it is being used.

(9) In this embodiment, the first part 1 has two slots as guiding means 3. The second part 2 has two pins, each as a connection element 4, for guiding the second part 2 along the two slots on the first part 1. Each pin from the second part 2 connects to a slot on the first part 1.

(10) On one portion, the slots are adapted to guide the second part 2 in relation to the first part 1 in a rotational manner, in order to rotate to and from the supporting elevation, at which the second part 2 is supported. Furthermore, one of the slots also includes a first portion 5, on one end, for supporting the second part 2. One of the slots also comprises a second portion 6 where the second part 2 is guided in relation to first part 1 in a rotational and linear manner. Also observable on the first portion 6 is a protrusion for locking the guidance of a pin in a linear manner in relation to the first part 1.

(11) A spring 7 applying tension to one of the pins is also shown on this embodiment on FIGS. 1B, 2A and 2B. This spring applies a force on one of the pins and guides it to the first portion 5 at the supporting elevation. On the figures, the spring is fixed between a pin on the second part 2 and an anchor pin 72 on the first part 1.

(12) A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the embodiment at a standby elevation, when not in use, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show the embodiment at a supporting elevation, when in use. This second embodiment is similar to the first one, but the second part 2 is ready for supporting a weight, without needing any additional part being attached to it, e.g. a seat or a shelf. In this embodiment, the second part 2 is itself an armrest. A protrusion is also observable on the first portion 6 for locking the guidance of a pin in a linear manner in relation to the first part 1.

(13) The pins that connect the second part 2 to the slots on the first part 1 include nuts fastened on the end of the pin opposing the second part 2 in relation to the slot.

(14) FIGS. 5A-G show a sequence of positions of the second part 2 moving between the standby elevation and the supporting elevation.

(15) On FIG. 5A, the second part 2 starts on a vertical, standby position, where it points to the floor. The two connection elements 4 that connect the second part 2 to the guiding means 3 on the first part 1, in this case this is two slots, are positioned at the respective ends of said slots.

(16) When observing FIG. 5B taking FIG. 5A as the previous state, a first movement is perceivable, as having been performed by the second part 2. It is observable that the second part 2 was guided in a linear and rotational manner in relation to the first part 1. With this embodiment, not only a rotation occurred around a pivot point, but also said pivot point has moved in relation to the first part 1.

(17) FIGS. 5C, 5D and 5E show the second part 2 in intermediate positions, being moved in a rotational manner in relation to the first part 1.

(18) FIGS. 5E and 5F show the second portion 6 on the outer slot guiding the outer connection element 4 to the first portion 5 in a rotational and linear manner in relation to the first part 1. The linearity of the movement in relation to the first part 1 is observable by comparing the positions of both connection elements 3 on the two figures. Furthermore, the skilled person will easily see that this radial displacing behaviour can also be achieved with a second portion 6 which only guides the second part 2 on a linear manner in relation to the first part 1. For example, by adapting the outer slot with a cornered portion, instead of a curved portion like the one shown for the second portion 6 on the FIGS. 5A to 5G.

(19) FIGS. 5F and 5G show the second part 2 reaching the supporting elevation by means of the connection elements 3 reaching the first portion 5. During this transition, the protrusion observable on the beginning of the first portion 5 was overpassed. Once the second part 2 reaches the first portion 5 a supporting effect is produced and also, due to the protrusion on the first portion 5, a locking effect, which locks the guidance of the connection elements 4 in a linear manner in relation to the first part 1. If this embodiment was used on a chair, for example by fixing a seat to the second part 2, then the protrusion would avoid that the seat would suddenly become unsupported when a user was seated, due to horizontal movements of the seat.

(20) It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb comprise and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.