Hinge having pinch protection and method for displacing securing parts of a hinge

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge for connecting two securing arts for directly or indirectly securing to two furniture parts pivotable relative to each other, the securing parts being pivotably connected to each other by means of a connecting assembly. It is thereby provided that a linear guide element is disposed on each of the two securing parts, said elements interacting to form a linear guide, and that the hinge comprises a guide device implemented for displacing the linear guide depending on the pivot position of the securing parts relative to each other. The invention further relates to a method for displacing a first securing part of a hinge in an articulated manner relative to a second securing part. The hinge and the method enable a pivotable connection between furniture parts having at least a reduced risk of injury.

Claims

1. A hinge for connecting first and second furniture parts pivotable relative to each other, the hinge comprising: a first securing part configured to be secured to the first furniture part; a second securing part configured to be secured to the second furniture part; a linear guide including first and second linear guide elements connected to the first and second securing parts, respectively; a pivoting guide element including a lever of constant length pivotably connected to the first securing part at a first pivotal axis fixed relative to the first securing part, and to the second securing part at a second pivotal axis fixed relative to the second securing part, the pivoting guide element being configured such that the first and second linear guide elements are linearly displaceable relative to each other depending upon a pivot position of the first and second securing parts relative to each other; and wherein the pivoting guide element and the linear guide are configured such that: in an extended position of the linear guide the first and second securing parts are pivoted relative to each other such that when the first and second furniture parts are mounted on the first and second securing parts the first and second furniture parts are aligned in one plane; and in a retracted position of the linear guide the first and second securing parts are pivoted relative to each other such that when the first and second furniture parts are mounted on the first and second securing parts the first and second furniture parts are at an angle to each other.

2. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising: a pivot bearing pivotably connecting the first linear guide element to the first securing part, the pivot bearing being linearly displaceable relative to the second securing part.

3. The hinge of claim 1, wherein: the first securing part is pivotably connected directly or indirectly to the first linear guide element.

4. The hinge of claim 1, further comprising: a pivot bearing pivotably connecting the first linear guide element to the first securing part, the pivot bearing having a pivot bearing axis spaced from the first pivot axis.

5. The hinge of claim 4, wherein: the first pivot axis, the pivot bearing axis, and the second pivot axis are all oriented parallel to each other.

6. The hinge of claim 4, wherein: the first pivot axis is pivotably disposed about the pivot bearing axis.

7. The hinge of claim 1, wherein: the linear guide is configured such that the linear guide is oriented parallel to or at least nearly parallel to a surface of the second furniture part connected to the second securing part when the hinge is mounted on an item of furniture.

8. The hinge of claim 1, wherein: the second securing part includes a mounting surface configured to bear on the second furniture part; and the first pivot axis is disposed to one side of the linear guide toward the mounting surface, and the second pivot axis is disposed to another side of the linear guide away from the mounting surface.

9. The hinge of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the first and second securing parts includes elongated holes elongated parallel to the linear guide and configured to receive fasteners such that a furniture part secured to the at least one of the first and second securing parts can be adjusted in position parallel to the linear guide.

10. The hinge of claim 1, wherein: the pivoting guide element includes a contact surface configured to bear on the first furniture part when the first furniture part is secured to the first securing part and the linear guide is retracted.

11. The hinge of claim 1, wherein: the first linear guide element bears on the first securing part in an end position of a pivot range of the hinge when the linear guide is extended.

12. A method of displacing a first securing part of a hinge in an articulated manner relative to a second securing part of the hinge, the first and second securing parts being configured to be secured to first and second furniture parts, respectively, the method comprising: pivoting the first securing part relative to the second securing part by pivoting the first securing part about a first pivotal axis fixed relative to the first securing part at one end of a lever of constant length and by pivoting the second securing part about a second pivotal axis fixed relative to the second securing part at a second end of the lever of constant length; and linearly displacing a pivot bearing attached to one of the first and second securing parts depending on a pivot position of the first securing part relative to the second securing part.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein: the pivot bearing is attached to the first securing part, and when pivoting the first and second securing parts so as to lead to a flat alignment of the first and second furniture parts mounted thereon, a spacing between the pivot bearing and the second securing part is increased, and when pivoting the first and second securing parts so as to lead to a smaller angle between the first and second furniture parts the spacing between the pivot bearing and the second securing part is decreased.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein: when the hinge is installed on the first and second furniture parts, the linearly displacing of the pivot bearing during relative pivoting of the first and second securing parts is in a direction parallel to a surface of the second furniture part on which surface the second securing part is secured.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein: the linearly displacing of the pivot bearing during relative pivoting of the first and second securing parts is caused by a mechanical coupling between the first and second securing parts.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein: the linearly displacing of the pivot bearing depending on the pivot position of the first securing part relative to the second securing part is such that a gap formed between first and second furniture parts connected to each other by the hinge is less than or equal to 6 mm for all pivot positions of the first securing part relative to the second securing part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail below using an embodiment example shown in the drawings. They show:

(2) FIG. 1 A perspective view of a hinge having a linear guide in the extended position thereof,

(3) FIG. 2 A second perspective view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1 having the linear guide extended,

(4) FIG. 3 A side view of the hinge shown in FIG. 1 installed on a closed folding flap,

(5) FIG. 4 The hinge shown in FIG. 3 having the folding flap partially open,

(6) FIG. 5 The hinge shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 having the folding flap opened further, and

(7) FIG. 6 The hinge shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 having the folding flap opened completely.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hinge 10 having a linear guide in the extended position thereof.

(9) A first and a second securing part 20, 30 are associated with the hinge 10. The first securing part 20 comprises a connecting segment 27 on the sides of which flanges 21 are formed. A cantilever 22 is preferably further integrally connected to the connecting segment 27. The connecting segment 27 and the side flanges 21 are flat in design. An elongated hole 26 is formed in each of the side flanges 21. The elongated holes 26 are oriented in the direction toward the second securing part 30. The cantilever 22 is U-shaped in design. Said cantilever comprises a floor 22.1 and side walls 22.2 formed at an angle on opposite edges of the floor 22.1. The side walls 22.2 are thus spaced apart from and opposite each other. The first securing part 20 is implemented here as a stamped sheet metal part. It is also conceivable, however, to produce the securing part 20 of plastic, for example as an injection molded part.

(10) A first linear guide element 23 is pivotably connected to the cantilever 22. To this end, the linear guide element 23 comprises a joint segment 23.1 at the end thereof. The joint segment 23.1 is penetrated by a penetration. Holes aligned with each other are made in the side walls 22.2 of the cantilever 22 in the outer region thereof. The penetration of the first linear guide element 23 is aligned with the holes in the side walls 22.2 of the cantilever 22. A pin guided through the holes and the penetration produces the pivotable connection between the first linear guide element 23 and the cantilever 22. A first pivot bearing 24 between the first linear guide element 23 and the cantilever 22 is thus formed. The pivot bearing 24 has a pivot bearing axis.

(11) The first linear guide element 23 is implemented as a bar-shaped slider. Said element is guided in a second linear guide element 33 opposite the joint segment 23.1 thereof on the second securing part 30. To this end, the second linear guide element 33 is made as a hole, here as a through hole, in the second securing part 30. The first linear guide element 23 is inserted into the second linear guide element 33. Said element is thus laterally guided, that is, transverse to the length thereof, and can be displaced linearly in the direction of the length thereof. The first linear guide element 23 and the second linear guide element 33 form the linear guide.

(12) The second securing part 30 comprises a bearing bracket 32 on the sides of which mounting segments 31 are formed. The mounting segments 31 are flange-shaped in design. Said segments are penetrated by cutouts 35. The cutouts 35 have an elongated shape. Said cutouts are oriented transverse to the orientation of the elongated holes 26 in the flanges 21 of the first securing part 20. Contact segments 36 are formed at the ends of the mounting segments 31 of the second securing part 30. As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 3 through 6, the contact segments 36 protrude past a second mounting surface 34 of the second securing part 30.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, the second linear guide element 33 is formed in the bearing bracket 32 of the second securing part 30.

(14) A guide element 40, which may also be referred to as a pivoting guide element 40, produces an articulated connection between the first and the second securing part 20, 30. The guide element 40 is implemented in the form of a lever. Said element comprises a base segment 41 on which two mounting legs 42 running spaced apart from each other are formed. The mounting legs 42 are oriented in the direction toward the first securing part 20. Axis receptacles 47 are formed on the ends of the mounting legs 42. The two first axis receptacles 47 of the two mounting legs 42 are aligned to each other. The guide element 40 is implemented here as a stamped sheet metal part. The two first axis receptacles 47 are formed by bending the end segments of the mounting legs 42 accordingly. It is also conceivable, however, to implement the first axis receptacles 47 as corresponding holes. The first axis receptacles 47 are disposed at the sides of the side walls 22.2 of the cantilever 22. To this end, the two mounting legs 42 are guided past the sides of the first linear guide element 23, starting from the base segment 41. The side walls 22.2 are each penetrated by a further hole aligned with the first axis receptacles 47. An axis is inserted through said holes and the first axis receptacle 47. A first pivot axis 44 is thus formed between the guide element 40 and the first securing element 10. The first pivot axis 44 is spaced apart from the pivot bearing 24. Mounting tabs 43 are formed on the base segment 41 of the guide element 40 opposite the mounting legs 42 and spaced apart from each other. Second axis receptacles 48 are provide at the ends of the mounting tabs 43. The two second axis receptacles 48 are formed by bending the end segments of the mounting tabs 43 accordingly. It is also conceivable, however, to implement the first second receptacles 48 as corresponding holes. The second axis receptacles 48 are disposed at the sides of the bearing bracket 32 of the second securing part 30. The bearing bracket 32 is penetrated by a hole aligned with the second axis receptacles 48. Said hole runs transverse to the length of the second linear guide element 33. A pin is inserted through the hole and the second axis receptacles 48. A second pivot axis 45 is thereby implemented between the guide element 40 and the second securing part 30.

(15) The pivot bearing 24, the first pivot axis 44, and the second pivot axis 45 are identically oriented.

(16) The mounting legs 42 and part of the base segment 41 implement a contact surface 46.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the hinge 10 shown in FIG. 1 having the linear guide extended. As can be clearly seen in the present representation, the second linear guide element 33 is implemented as a through hole through the bearing bracket 32 of the second securing part 30. The first linear guide element 23 is inserted into the second linear guide element 33 and linearly guided therein.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the hinge 10 shown in FIG. 1 installed on a closed folding flap. A first furniture part 11 thereby forms a first partial flap and a second furniture part 12 forms a second partial flap of the folding flap. In the closed state of the folding flap, the two furniture parts 11, 12 are disposed in one plane. The two furniture parts 11, 12 are thereby spaced apart from each other by a gap 13.

(19) The first securing part 20 is installed on the inner side of the first furniture part 11. To this end, the first mounting surface 25 of the first securing part 20 bears on the inner surface of the first furniture part 11. The first mounting surface 25 is formed by the surfaces of the two flanges 21 facing toward the first furniture part 11, the connecting segment 27, and the floor 22.1 of the cantilever 22. The first securing part 20 is connected to the first furniture part 11 by means of suitable securing means which may also be referred to as fasteners, here by means of screws, not shown, guided through the elongated holes 26 in the flanges 21 of the first securing part 20. The elongated holes 26 enable precise alignment of the first securing part 20 relative to the first furniture part 11 in the displacement direction of the linear guide.

(20) The second mounting surface 34 of the second securing part 30 bears on the inner surface of the second furniture part 12. The formed contact segments 36 thereby enclose the edge of the second furniture part 12 oriented toward the gap 13. The second securing part 30 is thereby precisely aligned relative to the second furniture part 12 in the displacement direction of the linear guide. The second securing part 30 is connected to the second furniture part 12 by means of suitable securing means, here by means of screws, not shown, guided through the cutouts 35 in the mounting segments 31 of the second securing part 30. Because of the elongated design of the cutouts 35, the second securing part 30 can be oriented transverse to the displacement direction of the linear guide.

(21) The gap 13 is selected to be smaller than the width of a finger. The width of the gap 13 is preferably a maximum of 6 mm. The width of the gap 13 is determined by the setting of the linear guide. The setting of the linear guide is defined by the mechanical coupling of the two securing parts 20, 30. Said mechanical coupling is produced here by the guide element 40. The guide element 40 forms a lever. Said element connects the two securing parts 20, 30. To this end, said element is coupled to the first securing part 20 in an articulated manner by the first pivot axis 44, and coupled to the second securing part 30 in an articulated manner by the second pivot axis 45. The guide element 40 intersects the displacement path of the linear guide. The first pivot axis 44 is spaced apart from the pivot bearing 24 of the hinge 10. The first pivot axis 44 is thereby disposed between the pivot bearing 24 and the second securing part 30 in the setting of the hinge shown, wherein the two furniture parts 11, 12 are disposed in one plane. The pivot bearing 24 forms the center of rotation of the hinge 10.

(22) In the setting of the hinge 10 shown in FIG. 3, wherein the two furniture parts 11, 12 are aligned to each other in one plane, the first linear guide element 23 bears on the cantilever 22 in the embodiment example shown, here on the pivot axis of the cantilever 22. A stop of the hinge 10 is thereby implemented. The edge of the furniture part 11 facing the gap 13 thus cannot be pivoted further about the pivot bearing 24 in the direction toward the first linear guide element 23. The orientation of the two furniture parts 11, 12 in one plane thus forms an end position of the pivot range of the hinge 10.

(23) FIG. 4 shows the hinge 10 shown in FIG. 3 having the folding flap partially open. The two furniture parts 11, 12 are thereby pivoted about the pivot bearing 24 of the hinge 10 relative to each other by external actuation, starting from the closed position of the folding flap shown in FIG. 3. Said pivot motion pivots the first pivot axis 44 about the pivot bearing 24. The first pivot axis 44 is mechanically connected by the guide element 40 to the second pivot axis 45 fixed to the second securing part 30. The spacing between the first pivot axis 44 and the second pivot axis 45 is thereby fixedly defined. The first pivot axis 44 is thus also guided on a circular path about the pivot axis 45 by the pivot motion of the actuating parts 20, 30 relative to each other. The simultaneous circular motion of the first pivot axis 44 about the pivot bearing 24 and the second pivot axis 45 requires that the spacing between the pivot bearing 24 and the second pivot axis 45 changes, and is reduced here. The linear guide provides the necessary degree of freedom to this end. The linear guide is thus displaced by the pivoting of the securing elements 11, 12. By actuating the folding flap, the pivot bearing 24 is also pivoted about the first pivot axis 44. At the same time, the pivot bearing 24 is guided on a linear path by the linear guide. The displacing of the linear guide depends on the pivot position of the two securing parts 20, 30 relative to each other. When pivoting the furniture parts 11, 12 and thus the securing parts 20, 30 from the position thereof shown in FIG. 3, wherein the furniture parts 11, 12 are disposed in one plane, into the pivot position shown in FIG. 4, wherein the furniture parts 11, 12 and thus the securing parts 20, 30 are oriented at an angle to each other, the first linear guide element 23 is inserted into the second linear guide element 33. By actuating the hinge 10, the pivot bearing 24 is thus also linearly displaced. The linear displacing thereby takes place due to the orientation of the linear guide parallel to the inner surface of the second furniture part 12 on which the second securing part 30 is installed.

(24) The displacement path of the linear guide depending on the pivot motion of the securing parts 20, 30 relative to each other is defined by the spacing of the pivot bearing 24 and the pivot axes 44, 45 relative to each other. A greater spacing between the pivot bearing 24 and the first pivot axis 44 leads to a greater linear motion of the linear guide for a given pivot motion of the securing parts 20, 30.

(25) The linear displacement of the pivot bearing 24 also linearly changes the position relative to each other of the furniture parts 11, 12 connected to the securing parts 20, 30. The gap 13 implemented between the furniture parts 11, 12 is thereby changed. For known hinge embodiments having rotary axes not linearly displaceably disposed, the gap 13 increases when the hinge is opened, so that a user is able to reach into the gap 13 with the fingers. The fingers can then be pinched when closing such a hinge, potentially leading to severe crushing and thus to injuries due to the large lever formed by the furniture parts 11, 12. Due to the linear displacement of the center of rotation of the hinge 10 according to the invention, the gap 13 remains so small over the entire motion sequence when actuating the hinge 10 that it is not possible to reach through. The gap 13 preferably has a maximum width of 6 mm over the entire pivot range of the hinge 10. Injury to a user can thereby be safely avoided.

(26) It is possible to implement the gap 13 according to an embodiment variant of the invention, not shown, wherein said gap has a gap width changing continuously over the depth thereof as implemented for furniture parts 11, 12 disposed in one plane. For example, the gap 13 can be wedge-shaped in design. To this end, the edges of the furniture parts 11, 12 facing toward each other can be implemented accordingly, or suitably shaped strips and/or surfaces can be disposed at the edges. The inclination of the edges or strips is thereby selected so that the opposing furniture parts 11, 12 do not collide during the pivot motion. Such a design of the gap 13 prevents the gap 13, as shown in FIG. 4, from opening so wide toward the outside in a position of the first furniture parts 11, 12 oriented at an angle to each other that a finger can be partially inserted. The risk of injury can thereby once again be reduced.

(27) FIG. 5 shows the hinge 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 having the folding flap further open. The furniture parts 11, 12 are oriented at an angle of 90° to each other here. The pivot bearing 24 is drawn tightly against the second securing part 30 by the linear guide. The gap 13, now formed between the edge of the second furniture part 12 and the inner surface of the first furniture part 11, thereby remains so small that reaching through with a finger or a hand is safely prevented. The first pivot axis 44 is pivoted about the pivot bearing 24. Said axis is thus disposed in the gap 13. The guide element 40 has a curved shape. To this end, the mounting legs 42 and the mounting tabs 43 are formed on the base segment 41 at an angle to each other. The second pivot axis 45 is disposed on a region of the bearing bracket 32 of the second securing part 30 disposed as far as possible from the inner surface of the second furniture part 12. The second pivot axis 45 is further provided in a region of the bearing bracket 32 facing toward the first securing part 20. By positioning the second pivot axis 45 spaced apart from the inner surface of the second furniture part 30 and as close as possible to the gap 13, and because of the curved shape of the guide element 40, the mounting legs 42 enter into the gap 13 at an acute angle. The desired small gap width of a maximum of 6 mm is thereby made possible.

(28) FIG. 6 shows the hinge 10 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 having the folding flap opened completely. The first furniture part 11 is now pivoted by an angle of greater than 90° relative to the second furniture part 12, starting from the flat orientation of the two furniture parts 11, 12 shown in FIG. 1. The inner surface of the first furniture part 11 bears on the contact surface 46 of the guide element 40. A fixed end position of the pivot motion of the hinge 10 is thereby defined. The pivot bearing 24 is displaced directly against the second securing part 30. The first linear guide element 23 is correspondingly displaced along the second linear guide element 33 implemented as a through hole and protrudes out of the rear side thereof. In the present end position of the hinge 10, the width of the acutely tapered gap 13 is also so small in regions that reaching through with a finger or a hand is safely avoided.

(29) In the embodiment example shown, the linear displacement of the linear guide is brought about by the guide element 40 depending on the pivot setting of the two furniture parts 11, 12 to each other. Other arrangements enabling such a linear displacement depending on the pivot position are also conceivable, however, such as in the form of a gear or gear rack drive, an electric motor drive, or a cable pull, each acting on the linear guide. The embodiment example shown further shows the use of the hinge 10 on a folding flap, wherein the closed state is formed by two partial flaps (furniture parts 11, 12) disposed in one plane. The hinge 10 according to the invention can, however, also be used for other items of furniture, for example in which the closed state is achieved having furniture parts 11, 12 disposed at an angle relative to each other. One such item of furniture, for example, can be a chest having a hinged cover.