Abstract
A furniture hinge includes a first fitting portion configured to be fixed to a first furniture part, a second fitting portion configured to be fixed to a second furniture part, at least one hinge axis by which the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are hingedly connected to one another, and at least one adjustment device for adjusting a position of the first fitting portion relative to the second fitting portion. The adjustment device includes at least one movably-supported adjustment element, and the position of the first fitting portion relative to the second fitting portion can be adjusted by an actuation of the at least one adjustment element. Upon actuation of the at least one adjustment element, the position of the first fitting portion and the position of the second fitting portion can be synchronously and symmetrically adjusted in relation to the at least one hinge axis.
Claims
1. A furniture hinge, comprising: a first fitting portion configured to be fixed to a first furniture part, a second fitting portion configured to be fixed to a second furniture part, a hinge axis hingedly connecting the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion to one another, an adjustment device for adjusting a position of the first fitting portion relative to the second fitting portion, the adjustment device including a movably-supported adjustment element, and configured such that the position of the first fitting portion relative to the second fitting portion is adjustable by an actuation of the adjustment element, wherein, upon the actuation of the adjustment element, the position of the first fitting portion and the position of the second fitting portion are synchronously and symmetrically adjusted relative to the hinge axis.
2. The furniture hinge according to claim 1, wherein each of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are adjustable in a direction extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the hinge axis upon an actuation of the adjustment element.
3. The furniture hinge according to claim 1, wherein each of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion is linearly displaceably adjusted upon an actuation of the adjustment element.
4. The furniture hinge according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment element is rotationally supported.
5. The furniture hinge according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission mechanism for converting a rotational movement of the adjustment element into a linear movement of the fitting portions.
6. The furniture hinge according to claim 5, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a threaded spindle configured to be rotated by a rotational movement of the adjustment element.
7. The furniture hinge according to claim 6, wherein the transmission mechanism further includes at least two threaded nuts supported on the threaded spindle, the at least two threaded nuts being adjustable along the threaded spindle by an actuation of the adjustment element.
8. The furniture hinge according to claim 7, wherein a first one of the at least two threaded nuts is connected to the first fitting portion in a movement-coupled manner, and a second one of the at least two threaded nuts is connected to the second fitting portion in a movement-coupled manner.
9. The furniture hinge according to claim 7, wherein a first one of the at least two threaded nuts is connected to the first fitting portion in a movement-coupled manner via a first pivotally supported lever, and a second one of the at least two threaded nuts is connected to the second fitting portion in a movement-coupled manner via a second pivotally supported lever.
10. The furniture hinge according to claim 8, wherein the first fitting portion includes an inclined first guide, and the second fitting portion includes an inclined second guide, wherein the first one of the at least two threaded nuts is displaceably supported along the first guide of the first fitting portion, and the second one of the at least two threaded nuts is displaceably supported along the second guide of the second fitting portion.
11. The furniture hinge according to claim 6, wherein the transmission mechanism includes at least three threaded nuts supported on the threaded spindle, wherein two threaded nuts of the at least three threaded nuts are connected to one of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion in a movement-coupled manner.
12. The furniture hinge according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment element is a first adjustment element, the furniture hinge further comprising a second adjustment element for adjusting a relative position of the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion.
13. The furniture hinge according to claim 12, wherein the first adjustment element and the second adjustment element are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the hinge axis of the furniture hinge.
14. The furniture hinge according to claim 1, further comprising a height adjustment device for adjusting a height position of the first fitting portion relative to the second fitting portion.
15. An item of furniture comprising: a furniture carcass; at least two furniture parts movably-supported relative to the furniture carcass; and the furniture hinge according to claim 1 hingedly connecting the at least two furniture parts to one another.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Further details and advantages of the invention result from the following description of figures, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an item of furniture comprising a furniture carcass and two furniture parts movably-supported relative to the furniture carcass,
(3) FIG. 2a-2d show the furniture parts with two gaps having a different width, and an exploded view of the relevant components of the furniture hinge,
(4) FIG. 3a, 3b show a possible embodiment of the furniture hinge in an exploded view and in a perspective view, and
(5) FIG. 4a, 4b show a further embodiment of the furniture hinge with different relative positions of the fitting portions to one another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(6) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an item of furniture 1 comprising a furniture carcass 2, and two furniture parts 3a, 3b in the form of door wings are movably supported relative to the furniture carcass 2. By a guide system 4, the furniture parts 3a, 3b are movable between a first position, in which the furniture parts 3a, 3b are aligned substantially coplanar to one another, and a second position, in which the furniture parts 3a, 3b are aligned substantially parallel to one another. In the parallel position to one another, the furniture parts 3a, 3b can be inserted into a lateral insertion compartment 26 of the furniture carcass 2. The guide system 4 includes a first guide rail 5a and a second guide rail 5b extending substantially at a right angle to one another in a mounted position. The furniture parts 3a, 3b are displaceably supported between the first position and the second position along the guide rails 5a, 5b. The two furniture parts 3a, 3b are hingedly connected to one another by a plurality of furniture hinges 6. The furniture hinges 6 are arranged on the rear side of the furniture parts 3a, 3b and are spaced from one another in a height direction. By at least one adjustment device 21 (FIG. 2d) of the furniture hinge 6, a width of a, preferably substantially vertically extending, gap 7 formed between the furniture parts 3a, 3b can be adjusted. This adjustment is implemented such that the position of the first furniture part 3a and the position of the second furniture part 3b can be synchronously and symmetrically adjusted relative to a hinge axis 11 of the furniture hinge 6. The symmetrical adjustment is especially advantageous, because the furniture parts 3a, 3b in the second position, in which the furniture parts 3a, 3b are aligned substantially parallel to one another, shall also adopt a flush position to one another. With a non-symmetrical adjustment of the furniture hinge 6, the hinge axis 11 of the furniture hinge 6 would be displaced relative to the furniture parts 3a, 3b such that a parallel position of the furniture parts 3a, 3b to one another would be prevented. This could then cause stress or blockage of the furniture parts 3a, 3b, leading to an unfavorable kinematics of the furniture parts 3a, 3b.
(7) FIG. 2a shows the furniture parts 3a, 3b in a coplanar position to one another, and a vertically extending gap 7 is formed between the furniture parts 3a, 3b. FIG. 2b shows an enlarged view of the region encircled in FIG. 2a, in which a width of the gap 7 between the furniture parts 3a, 3b is set to minimum. By an actuation of the adjustment element 10 of the furniture hinge 6, the furniture parts 3a, 3b can be synchronically and symmetrically adjusted in relation to the hinge axis 11 of the furniture hinge 6 in a lateral direction (X). FIG. 2c shows the furniture parts 3a, 3b, in which the width of the gap 7 between the furniture parts 3a, 3b is set to maximum.
(8) FIG. 2d shows the relevant components of the furniture hinge 6 in an exploded view. The furniture hinge 6 includes a first fitting portion 8 configured to be fixed to the first furniture part 3a and a second fitting portion 9 configured to be fixed to the second furniture part 3b. The first fitting portion 8 and/or the second fitting portion 9 can include at least one or a plurality of fastening location(s) 15 for fixing to the furniture parts 3a, 3b. The fastening location(s) 15 of the fitting portions 8, 9 can be configured, for example, as holes for receiving screws. The fitting portions 8, 9 are hingedly connected to one another by at least one hinge axis 11 having a longitudinal direction (L). In the shown embodiment, the hinge axis 11 is configured as a transmission mechanism including a threaded spindle 11a which is in threading engagement with three threaded nuts 12a, 12b, 12c. By a rotation of the adjustment element 10, the threaded spindle 11a can be rotated, whereby the threaded nuts 12a, 12b, 12c can be moved along the threaded spindle 11a in the longitudinal direction (L). On each of the threaded nuts 12a, 12b, 12c, pins 13a, 13b, 13c are arranged. The pins 13a, 13b, 13c are configured to be guided in or along inclinedly-extending guides (inclined slots) 14a, 14b, 14c of the fitting portions 8, 9. Accordingly, upon a rotation of the adjustment element 10, the threaded spindle 11a can also be rotated, whereby the threaded nuts 12a, 12b, 12c are movable along the threaded spindle 11a. Therefore, the fitting portions 8, 9 can be synchronously and symmetrically adjusted in a lateral direction (X), preferably in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the hinge axis 11, due to the pins 13a, 13b, 13c displaceably supported in the guides 14a, 14b, 14c.
(9) In the shown embodiment, the rotational axis of the adjustment element 10 is arranged coaxial to the longitudinal direction (L) of the hinge axis 11. Alternatively, it is also possible that the rotational axis of the adjustment element 10 and the longitudinal direction (L) of the hinge axis 11 are arranged laterally offset to one another. In the case of a lateral offset between the adjustment element 10 and the threaded spindle 11a, a mechanical transmission (for example a gear transmission or a worm transmission) can be interposed so as to vary the transmission ratio.
(10) In the shown embodiment, the guides 14a, 14b, 14c are each configured as longitudinal holes (slots), preferably having an inclination of approximately 45°. The guides 14a, 14c of the second fitting portion 9 extend substantially parallel to one another, whereas the guide 14b of the first fitting portion 8 is configured to be mirror-symmetrical relative to the guides 14a, 14c of the second fitting portion 9. The threaded nut 12b for guiding the first fitting portion 8 is arranged on a notional middle plane (A) of the hinge axis 11, whereas each of the threaded nuts 12a, 12c is arranged symmetrically to the middle plane (A). In this way, a uniformly-acting and tilting-free adjustment of the fitting portions 8, 9 to one another can be afforded.
(11) FIG. 3a shows a possible embodiment of a furniture hinge 6 in an exploded view. Each of the two fitting portions 8, 9 can have a two-part or a multi-part configuration and includes a fitting element 8a, 9a pivotally arranged about the hinge axis 11. Adjustment plates 8b, 9b are arranged on the fitting elements 8a, 9a, the adjustment plates 8b, 9b being configured to be adjustable in a direction extending perpendicular to the hinge axis 11. The adjustment plates 8b, 9b can be configured to be identical as the fitting portions 8, 9 shown in FIG. 2d. In the shown figure, in addition to the first adjustment element 10, a second adjustment element 10a is provided. The hinge axis 11 configured as a threaded spindle 11a is configured to be rotated by a rotation of the first adjustment element 10 as well as by a rotation of the second adjustment element 10a. The first adjustment element 10 and the second adjustment element 10a are spaced from one another along the hinge axis 11 of the furniture hinge 6. Moreover, the two adjustment elements 10, 10a are arranged to be actuated from different directions, for example from above and from below in the mounted position. Upon a rotation of one adjustment element 10, 10a, the threaded nuts 12a, 12b, 12c supported on the threaded spindle 11a can be moved. The pins 13a, 13b, 13c of the threaded nuts 12a, 12b, 12c shown in FIG. 2d are displaceably guided in the inclined guides 14a, 14b, 14c and move the two adjustment plates 8b, 9b synchronically and symmetrically relative to the hinge axis 11.
(12) The fitting element 8a pivotable about the hinge axis 11 includes a first U-shaped section 20a in which a second U-shaped section 20b of the adjustment plate 8b is displaceably guided. This allows a precise linear movement of the adjustment plate 8b relative to the fitting element 8a in a direction extending perpendicular to the hinge axis 11. For a height adjustment of the fitting portions 8, 9 to one another, a further adjustment plate 8c having a third U-shaped section 20c is provided. The third U-shaped section 20c of the adjustment plate 8c is received with clearance in a height direction within the second U-shaped section 20b of the adjustment plate 8b. A height adjustment device 16 is arranged on the fitting element 8a, and a height position of the two fitting portions 8, 9 to one another can be adjusted by the height adjustment device 16. The height adjustment device 16 includes a pin 18 configured to be linearly displaceable upon a rotation of a tool receiving device 17. The pin 18 engages into an inclinedly extending guide 19 arranged on the adjustment plate 8c. Upon a rotation of the tool receiving device 17, the pin 18 is displaced with respect to the guide 19 of the adjustment plate 8c, whereby the fitting element 8a, jointly with the adjustment plate 8b, can be elevated and lowered relative to the adjustment plate 8c due to the height clearance which is present between the second U-shaped section 20b and the third U-shaped section 20c. In this way, the two furniture parts 3a, 3b, in a connected condition with the fitting portions 8, 9, can be adjusted relative to one another in a height direction.
(13) FIG. 3b shows the furniture hinge 6 according to FIG. 3a in a perspective view. It can be clearly seen that the second U-shaped section 20b of the adjustment plate 8b is glidingly guided within the first U-shaped section 20a of the fitting element 8a. The third U-shaped section 20c of the adjustment plate 8c is received within the second U-shaped section 20b of the adjustment plate 8b with a clearance in the height direction. This allows the relative position between the fitting element 8a and the adjustment plate 8c to be adjusted in a height direction by rotating the tool receiving device 17. Moreover, a, preferably curved-shaped, cover 22 is provided, the cover 22 being configured to be releasably connected, preferably snapped, to the furniture hinge 6. By the lengthy cover 22, a gap 7 formed between the furniture parts 3a, 3b can be at least partially covered. According to an embodiment, it can be provided that a pivotal movement of the cover 22 about the hinge axis 11 is coupled to a movement of the furniture hinge 6, so that the cover 22 also adopts a different pivotal position depending on the position of the fitting portions 8, 9 to one another.
(14) FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b show a further embodiment of a furniture hinge 6 with two different relative positions of the fitting portions 8, 9 to one another. The fitting portions 8, 9 include fitting elements 8a, 9a which are pivotally supported about the hinge axis 11. Adjustment plates 8b, 9b are arranged on the fitting elements 8a, 9a, the adjustment plates 8b, 9b being displaceably supported relative to the fitting elements 8a, 9a. Here, the hinge axis 11 is again configured as a threaded spindle 11a on which two threaded nuts 12a, 12b are supported. Instead of the inclinedly extending guides 14a, 14b, 14c, two pivotable levers 23a, 23b are here provided for converting a linear movement of the adjustment plates 8b, 9b. A first lever 23a, one the one hand, is pivotally connected to the threaded nut 12b, and, on the other hand, is pivotally connected to the adjustment plate 8b by a first joint 24a. The second lever 23b, one the one hand, is pivotally connected to the threaded nut 12a, and, on the other hand, is pivotally connected to the adjustment plate 9b by a second joint 24b. By a rotation of an adjustment element 10, 10a, the threaded nuts 12a, 12b are movable along the threaded spindle 11a. The adjustment plates 8b, 9b can be moved by the levers 23a, 23b relative to the fitting elements 8a, 9a with a high force transmission. The adjustment plates 8b, 9b can be precisely guided relative to the fitting elements 8a, 9a by at least one linear guide 25a, 25b in a direction extending perpendicular to the hinge axis 11.
(15) Moreover, it can be provided that, in addition to the adjustment device 21 for adjusting a lateral position of the fitting portions 8, 9 to one another and in addition to the height adjustment device 16, a further adjustment device (not shown in the drawings) can be provided for adjusting the fitting portions 8, 9 in a depth direction to one another.
