DK178154B1

DK178154B1 - Stina System Hinge

Info

Publication number: DK178154B1
Application number: DK201300248A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Henrik S Møller
Original assignee: Stina System Inventar Aps
Priority date: 2013-04-25
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2015-07-06
Also published as: DK201300248A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heavy duty hinge assembly (1) for hingedly attaching a hinged element (2) such as a cabinet door to a base (3) such as a cabinet body, which hinge assembly (1) comprises a first hinge member (4) and a second hinge member (5), wherein the first hinge member (4) includes a first portion (6) adapted to be attached to a side (3) of the hinged element (2) facing the base (3) and a second portion (8) adapted to be attached to an edge (9) of the hinged element (2), wherein the first hinge member (4) is adapted to be pivotally connected to the second hinge member (5) at the second portion (8) of the first hinge member (4) and to pivot about an axis (10), wherein the second hinge member (5) includes a first portion (11) adapted to attach to an inward-facing side (12) of the base (3), a second portion (13) adapted to attach to a rim (14) at an opening (15) of the base (3) and a third portion (16) projecting outwardly from the second portion (13) in a direction (17) perpendicular to the second portion (13), wherein the hinge assembly (1) further comprises an adjustment mechanism for aligning the hinged element (2) and the base (3) when the hinged element (2) is hingedly attached to the base (3), wherein the first portion (11) of the second hinge member (5) presents an opening (18) for engaging with the adjustment mechanism.

Description

Heavy duty hinge assembly Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a heavy duty hinge assembly for hingedly attaching a hinged element such as a cabinet door to a base such as a cabinet body, which hinge assembly comprises a first hinge member and a second hinge member, wherein the first hinge member includes a first portion adapted to be attached to a side of the hinged element facing the base and a second portion adapted to be attached to an edge of the hinged element, wherein the first hinge member is adapted to be pivotally connected to the second hinge member at the second portion of the first hinge member and to pivot about an axis, wherein the second hinge member includes a first portion adapted to attach to an inward-facing side of the base, a second portion adapted to attach to a rim at an opening of the base and a third portion projecting outwardly from the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the second portion.

Background of the Invention

Present heavy duty hinge assemblies, which are suitable for hingedly attach a heavy hinged element (e.g., equal to or heavier than 45 kg) to a base, are formed such that one of the two members constituting the hinge assembly is externally attached to the base (e.g., by means of a steel plate). This implies no flexibility when assembling and disassembling several hinge modules (e.g., cabinet modules in a kitchen), as the latter shall be assembled and disassembled one at a time. Moreover, the replacement and maintenance of a single module is difficult, as the adjacent module shall always be removed before operating on the module in question. Also, it is not appealing to see a steel plate on the external of a hinge module.

KR 20020013250 A illustrates a hinge assembly that solves some of the aforementioned issues. However, it does not enable an easy adjustment of the alignment of the hinged element to the base.

Hence, there is a need in the technical field of heavy duty hinge assemblies of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the state-of-the-art solutions.

Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a heavy duty hinge assembly, which: (i) offers flexibility and simplicity when assembling, disassembling, replacing and operating maintenance to hinge modules; (ii) ensures a safer and more reliable attachment of a heavy hinged element to the base; (iii) allows precise adjustment of the alignment of a hinged element to the base; and (iv) gives a more appealing look to a hinge module.

Description of the Invention

The aforementioned objects of the invention are achieved by a heavy duty hinge assembly as described in the preamble of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises an adjustment mechanism for aligning the hinged element and the base when the hinged element is hingedly attached to the base, wherein the first portion of the second hinge member presents an opening for engaging with the adjustment mechanism.

Since the hinge assembly by means of the second hinge member is attached internally, and not externally, the base, it becomes simpler to assemble, disassemble, replace and operate maintenance to a hinge module or to the hinge assembly itself, without the need for removing the adjacent module, thus also providing a higher flexibility to a user. Moreover, being the second hinge member attached to the base in two areas (i.e., the inward-facing side of the base and the rim at the opening of the base), and not only in a single area as the prior art envisions, the hinge assembly is able to safely and reliably bear heavier loads. Also, the invention offers a cleaner and more appealing look to a hinge module, as only the third portion of the second hinge member is visible from outside the base. Finally, the hinged element is easily adjustable in its alignment with the base directly from the inside of the base.

In an embodiment of the invention, the adjustment mechanism comprises a screw mounted in a socket, which socket is adapted to be positioned (e.g., via a hole) in the inward-facing side of the base with an opening aligned with the opening at the first portion of the second hinge member, wherein, when the screw through the opening is either loosened or tightened in the socket, the second hinge member is respectively pressed away or towards the inward-facing side of base, so as to adjust the alignment of the hinged element with the base (i.e., lowering or raising the hinged element with respect to the base). Normally, after having mounted a hinged element to a base, the hinged element is not aligned with the base, which is obviously undesirable. Unfortunately, adjustment mechanisms for heavy duty hinge assemblies are currently not available. Generally, adjustment mechanisms for hinges envision a very time consuming operation with many trials, which often does not even provide the expected result. An advantage of this embodiment is to provide an easy adjustment mechanism for heavy duty hinge assemblies, which offers an optimal result in a short time.

Hereafter, the invention will be described in connection with drawings illustrating non-limiting examples of a heavy duty hinge assembly.

Description of the Drawings FIG.l: An example of heavy duty hinge assembly according to the invention.

FIG.2: Outside view of a hinge assembly mounted on a cabinet with the door closed. FIG.3: Outside view of a hinge assembly mounted on a cabinet with the door opened. FIG.4: Inside view of a hinge assembly mounted on a cabinet with the door closed. FIG.5: Inside view of a hinge assembly mounted on a cabinet with the door opened. FIG.6: Top view of a hinge assembly mounted on a cabinet with the door opened.

Detailed Description of the Invention

An embodiment of a hinge assembly according to the invention is shown in FIG.l, whereas FIGs. 2-6 show different views of the hinge assembly when mounted on a cabinet or similar. In general, reference number 1 refers to the entire hinge assembly, while reference number 2 refers to the hinged element, e.g., the door of a hinge module 26 such as a cabinet, and reference number 3 refers to the base, e.g., the body of a cabinet.

On FIGs. 1-6 it can be seen that the third portion 16 of the second hinge member 5 may project for a length (at least) equal to the width of the edge 9 of the hinged element 2, so that the hinged element 2 may be pivoted about the axis 10 for being conveniently positioned in front of the base 3.

On FIGs. 1-6 it can be seen that the first hinge member 4 is provided with one or more knuckles 20’ (e.g., one) for engaging with one or more knuckles 20”, 20”’ (e.g., two) provided at the second hinge member 5, wherein a pin is inserted through the knuckles 20’,20”, 20”’ for releasably connecting the first and the second hinge members 4,5 and enabling the first hinge member 4 to pivot with respect to the second hinge member 5 about the axis 10. The pin may also be fixedly mounted in the knuckles 20’,20”, 20’”, so that the first and the second hinge members 4,5 are fixedly connected. Note that the first hinge member 4 may pivot about the axis 10 of at least 270°, wherein 0° corresponds to the hinge module 26 being closed and 270° corresponds to the hinge module 26 being completely opened.

On FIGs. 1-6 it can be seen that the hinge assembly 1 may further comprise a first attachment means 21 for attaching the first portion 6 of the first hinge member 4 to the hinged element 2 and a second attachment means 22 for attaching the first portion 11 of the second hinge member 5 to the base 3, wherein the first and second attachment means 21,22 are each applied via one or more holes 30,31,32,33 performed throughout the hinged element 2 and the side of the base 3. Consequently, a firmer attachment of the first and second hinge members 4,5 respectively to the hinged element 2 and the base 3 is achieved. The attachment means 21,22 may be one or more bolts 23,24 (e.g., two), which are fixed by nuts. In particular, the bolts 23,24 may be welded on the same plate 25 for providing a better look to the hinge module 26.

On FIGs. 1,3,5,6 it can be seen that the second portion 8 of the first hinge member 4 may have one or more holes 29 (e.g., one) for attaching the second portion 8 of the first hinge member 4 to the edge 9 of the hinged element 2 and the second portion 13 of the second hinge member 5 may have one or more holes 27,28 (e.g., two) for attaching the second portion 13 of the second hinge member 5 to the rim 14 of the base 3.

In general, each set of holes 27,28; 29; 30,31; 32,33 (ref. FIG.l) may be one or more for providing the best fastening in any situation.

On FIG.6 it can be seen the socket 19, which accommodates a screw (not shown in FIGs. 1-6) and is positioned in a hole at the inward-facing side 12 of the base 3, wherein its opening is aligned with the opening 18 at the first portion 11 of the second hinge member 5. Note that the screws that are adapted to be inserted in the holes 27,28 (ref. FIG.l) may be loosened when the hinged element 2 has to be adjusted in its alignment with the base 3 and tightened when the hinged element 2 is aligned with the base 3.

The first and the second hinge members 4,5 can be made of stainless steel or coated steel, and produced by casting for achieving a harder and more resistant construction. Nevertheless, they may also be produced by moulding.

Claims

Strong hinge assembly (1) for hinged attachment of a hinged member (2), such as a cabinet door, to a base (3), such as a cabinet body, which hinge assembly (1) comprises a first hinge member (4) and a second hinge member ( 5), wherein the first hinge member (4) comprises a first portion (6) arranged to be secured to a side (7) of the hinged member (2) facing base (3) and a second portion (8) arranged to be attached to an edge (9) of the hinged member (2), wherein the first hinge member (4) is arranged to be pivotally connected to the second hinge member (5) at the second portion of the first hinge member (4). (8), and to pivot about an axis (10), wherein the second hinge member (5) comprises a first portion (11) arranged to be secured to an inward-facing side (12) of base (3), a second portion ( 13) arranged for attachment to a rim (14) at an opening (15) of base (3) and a third portion (16) projecting outwardly; the second portion (13) in a direction (17) perpendicular to the second portion (13), characterized in that the hinge assembly (1) further comprises an adjustment mechanism for aligning the hinged member (2) and base (3) when the hinged member (2) is hingedly attached to the base (3), wherein the first portion (11) of the second hinged member (5) has an opening (18) for engagement with the adjustment mechanism.

Hinge assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism comprises a screw mounted in a socket (19), said socket (19) being arranged to be placed in the inward-facing side (12) of the base (3) with a opening in line with the opening (18) at the first portion (11) of the second hinge member (5), wherein when the screw through the opening (18) is either loosened or tightened in the socket (19), the second hinge member (5) becomes respectively pressed away from or toward the inward-facing side (12) of base (3), thereby aligning the alignment of the hinged member (4) with base (3).