Furniture hinge with damping adjustment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a furniture hinge that is suited for changing damping course of the furniture door in the closing direction. The inventive furniture hinge comprises; a housing; a hinge arm that is connected to the furniture door from the one end and connected to said housing in an axially rotatable manner from the other end by means of a first rotating pin; a power unit having at least one spring that creates force on said hinge arm, and that is connected between a lever arm that is capable of accommodating a power adjustment thereon and a third rotating pin in an axially rotatable manner; a movement arm that is connected to said hinge arm from one end in an axially rotatable manner, that is connected to said lever arm from the other end in an axially rotatable manner, and that enables the power transmission between said power unit and hinge arm; a damping element located on said lever arm for damping the furniture door that is being closed over the furniture body; and a damping adjustment on said lever arm for the purpose of changing the position of a cylinder belonging to the damping element with respect to the lever arm.

Claims

1. A furniture hinge configured to provide movement of a furniture door between open and closed positions on a furniture body, the furniture hinge comprising; a housing; a hinge arm including a first end and a second end, the first end of the hinge arm being configured to be connected to the furniture door, the second end of the hinge arm being rotatably connected to the housing; a lever arm including a power adjustment, the lever arm rotatably connected to the housing; a movement arm including a first end and a second end, the first end of the movement arm being rotatably connected to the hinge arm, the second end of the movement arm being rotatably connected to the lever arm; a power unit rotatably connected to the lever arm and rotatably connected to the housing, the power unit including at least one spring configured to generate a spring force against the lever arm and through the movement arm to the hinge arm; a damping element including a cylinder, the damping element located on the lever arm and configured to dampen movement of the furniture door in a closing direction; and a damping adjustment located on the lever arm and configured to change a position of the cylinder and a damping course of the damping element relative to the lever arm.

2. The furniture hinge of claim 1, wherein the damping adjustment includes: a sliding element configured to move linearly on the lever arm; and an adjustment piece configured to change a position of the sliding element with respect to the lever arm.

3. The furniture hinge of claim 2, wherein: the sliding element is mounted on the lever arm and configured to move with the adjustment piece.

4. The furniture hinge of claim 2, wherein: the sliding element is mounted on the lever arm and configured to move linearly on the lever arm in an opposite direction from a direction in which the adjustment piece is adjusted relative to the sliding element when the damping course is adjusted.

5. The furniture hinge of claim 1, further comprising: a sliding element mounted on the lever arm and configured to move with the cylinder of the damping element.

6. The furniture hinge of claim 1, wherein: the power adjustment includes an adjustment element configured to change a connection point between the power unit and the lever arm.

7. The furniture hinge of claim 1, wherein: the power adjustment includes a threaded screw positioned on the lever arm in an endless rotatable manner, and a holder movably received on the threaded screw.

8. The furniture hinge of claim 1, wherein: the power unit is configured to keep the hinge arm in any intermediate position between the closed position and the open position.

9. The furniture hinge of claim 1, further comprising: an opening angle adjuster configured to adjust a fully open position of the furniture door.

10. The furniture hinge of claim 1, further comprising: a damper configured to dampen movement of the furniture door in an opening direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a view of the furniture hinge according to the present invention wherein the inventive furniture hinge is mounted on a furniture.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the perspective view of the furniture hinge shown in FIG. 1 wherein the inventive furniture hinge is detached from the furniture.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the perspective view of the furniture hinge shown in FIG. 2 wherein one of the mounting plates of the housing is removed.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the perspective view of the inventive furniture hinge wherein the lever arm of the inventive furniture hinge is being provided separately from the furniture hinge and wherein the damping adjustment is being made by means of an adjustment tool in a representative manner.

(5) FIG. 5 shows the sectional view of the lever arm shown in FIG. 4 from a different angle.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(6) 10 Furniture Hinge 11 Furniture Body 12 Furniture Door 20 Hinge Arm 21 First Rotating Pin 22 Protrusion 30 Sliding Element 31 Damping Adjustment 32 Adjustment Piece 33 Damping Element 33.1 Cylinder 33.2 Piston Rod 33.3 Contact Surface 34 Support Surface 40 Lever Arm 41 Second Rotating Pin 42 Projection 43 Power Adjustment 44 Adjustment Element 45 Gaps 46 Stopper 47 Threaded Screw 50 Housing 51 Mounting Plate 51.1, 51.2, 51.3, 51.4, 51.5, 51.6, 51.7 Fixing Recesses 52 Screw 53 Connection Portions 60 Movement Arm 61 Plate 62 First Joint 63 Second Joint 64 Stopping Element 70 Support Piece 71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4, 71.5, 71.6, 71.7 Mounting Recesses 80 Power Unit 81 First Casing 82 Second Casing 83 Third Rotating Pin 84 Spring 85 Connection Element 86 Holder 90 Opening Angle Adjustment 91 Body 92 Adjusting Means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows the furniture hinge (10) of the invention in a manner in which the furniture hinge is attached to a furniture body (11) wherein the hinge arm (20) holds the furniture door (12) in an open position at any intermediate location.

(8) FIG. 2 shows the furniture hinge (10) of the invention together with housing (50) positioned thereon. Said housing (50) carries the parts located on the furniture hinge (10) and it is also utilized for the connection of the furniture hinge (10) to the furniture body (11).

(9) Said housing (50) comprises two reciprocally positioned mounting plates (51) wherein elements of the furniture hinge (10) are carried therebetween. Said mounting plates (51) are connected to one another over a support piece (70) in a manner that there is a distance therebetween (FIG. 3).

(10) Said mounting plates (51) comprises seven fixing recesses (51.1, 51.2, 51.3, 51.4, 51.5, 51.6, 51.7) that are formed so as to ensure that these recesses will correspond to one another. The number of said fixing recesses (51.1, 51.2, 51.3, 51.4, 51.5, 51.6, 51.7) may be selected to be more or less than seven. The furniture hinge (10) is mounted on the furniture body (11) by means of fixing recesses (51.1, 51.2, 51.3, 51.4, 51.5, 51.6, 51.7) and by screws (52) that are passed through mounting recesses (71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4, 71.5, 71.6, 71.7) corresponding to them on said support piece (70). Based on the user preference, the furniture hinge (10) may be screwed on the furniture body (11) by using the entirety or a few of said fixing recesses (51.1, 51.2, 51.3, 51.4, 51.5, 51.6, 51.7) and mounting recesses (71.1, 71.2, 71.3, 71.4, 71.5, 71.6, 71.7). In the representative embodiment being provided in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, preferably two screws are utilized for the connection of the furniture hinge (10).

(11) FIG. 3 shows a view illustrating the internal mechanism and the other rear mounting plate (51) of the furniture hinge (10) wherein one of the mounting plates (51) is removed.

(12) As it can be seen in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the hinge arm (20) of the furniture hinge (10) is connected in an axially rotatable manner between mounting plates (51) of said housing (50) by means of a first rotating pin (21). By “axially rotatable” it is meant that the element is rotatable about an axis of rotation. Said first rotating pin (21) is riveted on the reciprocally positioned mounting plates (51) at both ends. Connection portions (53) are provided on each of the mounting plates (51) in order to ensure the connection of said first rotating pin (21) to the mounting plates (51). Said connection portions (53) may be formed either by means of bending of the mounting plate (51) therein or by connecting (welding) an additional piece on the respective portion of the mounting plate (51). Thus, the connection of said hinge arm (20) can be securely mounted between the mounting plates (51). Said hinge arm (20) can be connected in an axially rotatable manner between mounting plates (51) or it may also be directly or indirectly connected to the furniture door (12) from the other end thereof (FIG. 1).

(13) Said hinge arm (20) can be provided as having a variable length, preferably in a telescopic structure. Thus, the furniture hinge (10) is rendered compatible to be used in furniture of different sizes. Since the hinge arm (20) has a variable length, the furniture hinge (10) which can be utilized in cabinets with foldable doors illustrated in FIG. 1, may become compatible for use in single-door cabinets with a simple adjustment to be made in the length of the hinge arm (20). Opting for a hinge arm (20) of this type may facilitate making adjustments including height, depth, etc.

(14) As it can be seen in FIG. 3, said hinge arm (20) is directly or indirectly connected to a movement arm (60) of the furniture hinge (10) from an end thereof by means of a first joint (62) in an axially rotatable manner. Said movement arm (60) is comprised of two reciprocally positioned plates (61). FIG. 3 shows one of said plates (61). Other plate (61) is connected to the other side of the hinge arm (20) via said first joint (62). These plates (61) may preferably be in C form. Said movement arm (60) is connected to a lever arm (40) of the furniture hinge (10) from another end by means of a second joint (63) in an axially rotatable manner. The plates (61) of said movement arm (60) are reciprocally connected to said hinge arm (20) via the first joint (62) and to said lever arm (40) via the second joint (63) in an axially rotatable manner. Said movement arm (60) ensures force transmission between the furniture door (12) and the power unit (80).

(15) Said movement arm (60) may comprise a stopping element (64). Preferably, said stopping element (64) may be a pin extending between two reciprocally positioned plates (61). As said stopping element (64) reinforces the connection of both plates (61), it may also start the damping of the furniture door (12) in upward direction by coming into contact with a damper while the furniture door (12) is being opened in upward direction.

(16) As it can be seen in FIG. 3, said lever arm (40) is connected to said housing (50) in an axially rotatable manner between said mounting plates (51) by means of a second rotating pin (41). Connection of said second rotating pin (41) to the mounting plates (51) may be established over the connection portion (53). Thus, connection of the lever arm (40) to the mounting plates (51) may be established in a secure manner.

(17) Said lever arm (40) is separately shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is the sectional view of the lever arm (40) provided in FIG. 4. As it can be seen in FIG. 5, said lever arm (40) comprises a projection (42). A power adjustment (43) is provided on said projection (42). Said power adjustment (43) comprises an adjustment element (44) and a threaded screw (47) that is connectable to the adjustment element (44). Said threaded screw (47) is positioned to a seat located on the projection (42) in a manner in which the threaded screw (47) may rotate freely and continuously but does not create reciprocating motion when said adjustment element (44) is rotated. There is provided a holder (86) which may advance on said threaded screw (47) while it is rotating. Said holder (86) may be a nut having a threaded inner surface. Said holder (86) is in connection with a power unit (80).

(18) As it can be seen in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, said lever arm (40) has a sliding element (30) that can be linearly moved on said projection (42). Said sliding element (30) cooperates with a protrusion (22) located on the hinge arm (20).

(19) As it is illustrated in FIG. 5, said lever arm (40) comprises a damping adjustment (31) on said projection (42). Said damping adjustment (31) comprises an adjustment piece (32). Above-mentioned adjustment piece (32) has a threaded or toothed structure on its lower edge as seen in FIG. 5. While damping adjustment is being made, the sliding element (30) that is connected to said adjustment piece (32) can linearly move on said projection (42) by means of rotating a screwdriver engaging the adjustment piece (32).

(20) Said lever arm (40) comprises a damping element (33) located on said projection (42). Said damping element (33) comprises a cylinder (33.1) in which a piston can move linearly. Said damping element (33) may be a damping element (33) with liquid flow or air flow. Damping element (33) further comprises a piston rod (33.2). The piston rod (33.2) is in connection with the piston inside the cylinder (33.1) from one end and with the lever arm (40) from the other end. Said cylinder (33.1) is in contact with the sliding element (30) over a contact surface (33.3). While the furniture door (12) is being closed, linear movement of the sliding element (30) on the projection (42) also moves the cylinder (33.1) linearly on the piston rod (33.2). Damping course of the damping element (33) and accordingly of the furniture door (12) in the closing direction is adjusted by means of said damping adjustment (31). The angle in which the damping in the closing direction will start refers to damping course of the damping element (33). Said sliding element (30) and said protrusion (22) are in contact with one another in the course of damping in the closing direction (along the damping course).

(21) Said damping element (33) comprises a compression spring that retains the cylinder (33.1) at a main position on the piston rod (33.2). The sliding element (30) continuously is in contact with the damping element (33) over the contact surface (33.3) of the cylinder by means of said compression spring. While the furniture door (12) is being opened, linear movement of the sliding element (30) on the projection (42) in the opposite direction of the damping direction also moves the cylinder (33.1) linearly on the piston rod (33.2) in the opposite direction of the damping direction by means of the compression spring. While the furniture door (12) is being closed, linear movement of the sliding element (30) on the projection (42) in the damping direction also moves the cylinder (33.1) linearly on the piston rod (33.2) in the damping direction.

(22) In case where the damping course is being adjusted, sliding element (30) engages the contact surface (33.3) and slides the cylinder (33.1) on the piston rod (33.2) in the opposite direction of the damping direction when the adjustment piece (32) is linearly moved on the sliding element (30) in the damping direction by rotation of an adjustment tool (screwdriver). Thus, the damping course of the damping element (33) is increased. Inversely, it is also possible to decrease the damping course by means of the adjustment piece (32).

(23) Said lever arm (40) comprises a stopper (46) for limiting the movement of the sliding element (30) in the opposite direction of the damping direction. While the furniture door (12) is switched to open position from closed position, cylinder (33.1) tries to move into its main position by sliding on the piston rod (33.2) in the opposite direction of the damping direction by means of the compression spring of the damping element (33). When the protrusion (22) removes pressure on the support surface (34), sliding element (30) slides on the lever arm (40) in the opposite direction of the damping direction together with the cylinder (33.1). Sliding element's (30) movement in this direction is limited by means of said stopper (46).

(24) As it can be seen in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, said sliding element (30) comprises a support surface (34) that cooperates with the protrusion (22) located on the hinge arm (20). When the furniture door (12) is moved in the closing direction, as of the moment (angle) in which the damping in the closing direction will begin, said protrusion (22) presses onto said support surface (34) and it starts the damping of the furniture door (12) in the closing direction.

(25) When the furniture door (12) is moved in the opening direction, cylinder (33.1) moves in the opposite direction of the damping direction on the piston rod (33.2), namely returns to the main position by means of the compression spring located inside the cylinder (33.1) and the sliding element (30) moves in the opposite direction of the damping direction therewith.

(26) While the furniture door (12) is being closed, when said protrusion (22) presses onto the support surface (34) located on the sliding element (30), sliding element (30), the cylinder (33.1) and the adjustment piece (32) move together in the damping direction as a group. Inversely, while the furniture door (12) is being switched from closed position to open position, adjustment piece (32), cylinder (33.1) and sliding element (30) move together in the opposite direction of the damping direction as a group. Adjustment piece (32), sliding element (30) and cylinder (33.1) continue moving in this direction together until said adjustment piece (32) leans on said stopper (46). Once the adjustment piece (32) leans on said stopper (46) said protrusion (22) separates from the support surface (34). Thus, the sliding element (30) remains in this position.

(27) While the furniture door (12) is being opened, damping element (33) which is released after the pressure of the protrusion (22) onto the support surface (34) is interrupted, returns to its main position by means of the compression spring. Once the damping element is back at its main position, contact between the protrusion (22) and support surface (34) gets interrupted. Said adjustment piece (32) moves together with said sliding element (30).

(28) Said lever arm (40) is configured to be of two pieces and preferably of symmetrical two pieces in a manner to include the damping element (33), power adjustment (43) and the holder (86) therebetween. As it can be seen in FIG. 4, the adjustment element (44) of the power adjustment (43) and the adjustment piece (32) of the damping adjustment (31) may be accessed through the gaps (45) located on said lever arm (40) by means of an adjustment tool such as a screwdriver. End portion of said adjustment tool may get into contact with the adjustment element (44) and the adjustment piece (32). Power adjustment (43) and the damping adjustment (31) of the furniture hinge (10) is performed by means of rotating the adjustment tool which is capable of getting into contact with the adjustment element (44) and the adjustment piece (32).

(29) As it can be seen in FIG. 3, said power unit (80) comprises a first casing (81) and a second casing (82). Said first casing (81) is connected to at least one of the mounting plates (51) and preferably to both mounting plates (51) in an axially rotatable manner over a third rotating pin (83). Said first casing (81) is in a reservoir form wherein at least one spring (84) may be placed. Said spring (84) may preferably be a compression spring. As it can be seen in FIG. 3, in this embodiment of the present invention, two springs (84) are placed into the first casing (81). The other end of said spring (84) is positioned inside the second casing (82) which is in a reservoir form. Said second casing (82) comprises a connection element (85). The connection element (85) is connected with said holder (86) in a manner in which it can perform a rotational movement therewith.

(30) As it can be seen in FIG. 3, said furniture hinge (10) may comprise an opening angle adjustment (90) on the support piece (70). Final opening position of the furniture door (12) in the upward direction may be changed by means of said opening angle adjustment (90). According to an embodiment of the present invention provided in FIG. 3, said opening angle adjustment (90) comprises a body (91) that is capable of moving linearly by means of axially rotating of an adjusting means (92). Said body (91) is supported on the support piece (70) from a portion thereof in a linearly movable manner and comprises a channel therein in which said adjusting means (92) can be positioned. Said body (91) comprises a detachable (releasable) damper thereon. The furniture door (12) can be damped by means of said damper while being opened in the upward direction. Said damper moves together with said body (91). Once a stopping element (64) located on the movement arm (60) hits the damper, damping of the furniture door (12) in the upward direction begins. The furniture door (12) reaches its final opening position when the damping course of the damper comes to an end.

(31) Operation of the inventive furniture hinge (10) is disclosed in more detail below. While said furniture door (12) is being switched from open position to closed position, the hinge arm (20) connected thereto rotates counterclockwise, thereby said movement arm (60) also rotates counterclockwise over the first joint (62). Said movement arm (60) pulls the lever arm (40) simultaneously counterclockwise over the second joint (63) and thus, the lever arm (40) rotates counterclockwise on the second rotating pin (41).

(32) During the closing of the furniture door (12), once the first joint (62) has passed the connection line between the second rotating pin (41) and second joint (63), namely once it surpassed the dead spot, spring (84) belonging to the power unit (80) which is connected between the third rotating pin (83) and the lever arm (40) applies a pulling force to the furniture door (12). Thus, the user can easily switch the furniture door (12) from the open position to the closed position. At this point, slamming of the furniture door (12) to the furniture body (11) is prevented by means of the damping element (33) that becomes activated when the protrusion (22) located on the hinge arm (20) comes into contact with the support surface (34) on the sliding element (30).

(33) Inversely, when it is desired to switch the furniture door (12) from the closed position to open position, said furniture door (12) and accordingly the hinge arm (20) must be drawn back until the force in the power unit (60) is exceeded, namely until the first joint (62) surpasses the connection line between the second rotating pin (41) and the second joint (63). Once the first joint (62) has surpassed the connection line between the second rotating pin (41) and the second joint (63), the force applied by the power unit (80) becomes reversed, thereby retaining the furniture door (12) in the open position again.

(34) Said power unit (80) is capable of securely retaining said hinge arm (20) of the inventive furniture hinge (10) and accordingly the furniture door (12) in any intermediate position between the closed position and the open position (or vice versa).

(35) Final opening position of the furniture door (12) in the upward direction is changed by the opening angle adjustment (90) that is supported by means of the support piece (70). Once the stopping element (64) located on the movement arm (60) hits the damper which positioned on the body (91), damping of the furniture door (12) in the upward direction begins. When the damper comes to the end of the damping course, the furniture door (12) reaches the final opening position. Linear position of the body (91) and hence, the linear position of the damper can be adjusted by means of the adjusting means (92). Thus, both damping point of the furniture door (12) and the final opening position of the furniture door (12) in the upward direction can be changed