U.S. patent application number 11/431858 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for hinge particularly for box-like bodies.
Invention is credited to Fulvio Soncini.
Application Number | 20060283869 11/431858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37572363 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060283869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Soncini; Fulvio |
December 21, 2006 |
Hinge particularly for box-like bodies
Abstract
A hinge for a box-shaped body, comprising two mutually opposite
rigid or semirigid flaps, which are suitable to be inserted and
concealed in corresponding seats respectively of a first
containment part and of a second closure part of the box-shaped
body. The flaps are each provided with at least one engagement
portion which is contoured so as to engage and slide tangentially
on a flat longitudinal pivoting element, which has a circular
arc-shaped cross-section which defines the rotation axis for the
flaps and for the respective associated parts of the box-shaped
body.
Inventors: |
Soncini; Fulvio; (Mestre,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MODIANO & ASSOCIATI
Via Meravigli, 16
MILAN
20123
IT
|
Family ID: |
37572363 |
Appl. No.: |
11/431858 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/836 ; 206/6;
206/6.1; 220/4.21; 220/4.22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/005 20130101;
B65D 11/1866 20130101; B65D 2543/0012 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 43/166 20130101; E05D 7/12 20130101; A45C 11/16
20130101; B65D 2543/00101 20130101; E05Y 2600/53 20130101; A45C
11/04 20130101; B65D 43/168 20130101; B65D 43/167 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/836 ;
206/006.1; 206/006; 220/004.22; 220/004.21 |
International
Class: |
B65D 8/18 20060101
B65D008/18; B65D 51/04 20060101 B65D051/04; B65D 6/28 20060101
B65D006/28; A45C 11/04 20060101 A45C011/04; B65D 43/14 20060101
B65D043/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2005 |
IT |
PD2005A000149 |
Feb 23, 2006 |
IT |
PD2006U000032 |
Claims
1. A hinge for a box-shaped body having a first containment part
and a second closure part, constituted by two mutually opposite
rigid or semirigid flaps suitable for insertion and concealment in
corresponding respective seats of said first and second containment
and closure parts; a flat longitudinal pivoting element having a
circular arc-shaped cross-section which defines the rotation axis
for said flaps and for the respective associated containment and
closure parts of a box-shaped body, said flaps being each provided
with at least one engagement portion which is contoured so as to
engage and slide tangentially on said flat longitudinal pivoting
element.
2. The hinge of claim 1, wherein each said flap is formed by at
least one plate, laterally to which said at least one engagement
portion for engagement and sliding on the arc-shaped pivoting
element protrudes, each said plate being provided with at least one
elastically deformable tooth for snap engagement with a
corresponding abutment provided in each one of said respective
seats of said first and second containment parts.
3. The hinge of claim 1, wherein each flap is constituted by at
least two plates, which are arranged longitudinally in series and
are mutually coupled by way of a protrusion, which protrudes
longitudinally from a first one of said at least two plates in
order to be forced in a complementarily shaped hole of an
associated subsequent second one of said at least two plates.
4. The hinge of claim 3, wherein a first one of said at least two
plates which are mutually opposite with respect to said pivoting
element is provided with an engagement portion and a second one of
said at least two plates is provided with two spaced additional
said engagement portions, which protrude from the opposite second
plate, said engagement portion forming a male element of a coupling
in which a female element is constituted by said additional
engagement portions.
5. The hinge of claim 3, said at least one engagement portion for
engagement and tangential sliding on said flat longitudinal
pivoting element is constituted by an arc-shaped tab, which
protrudes laterally from a plate of said at least two plates to
which the tab is rigidly coupled, said at least one portion being
further provided with a gap which is shaped complementarily with
respect to said flat longitudinal pivoting element in order to
engage therewith by interference, said gap having an opening for
tangential sliding on said flat longitudinal pivoting element.
6. The hinge of claim 4, wherein a first one of the said two
engagement portions arranged in a female configuration has, on an
arc-shaped edge thereof, a hollow, which is suitable to delimit, in
cooperation with a protrusion which protrudes radially from said
flat longitudinal pivoting element, an opening stroke of the
opposite flaps of the hinge.
7. The hinge of claim 6, wherein a second one of said two
engagement portions arranged in a female configuration has an outer
arc-shaped side thereof which is closed and suitable to receive
from an inside part in abutment a corresponding end of said flat
longitudinal pivoting element.
8. The hinge of claim 3, comprising two pairs of said plates which
are coupled so as to rotate in mutually opposite directions with
respect to said flat longitudinal pivoting element with which the
plates are associated, each pair of said plates being coupled
longitudinally by way of said protrusion and of said
complementarily shaped hole and being composed of a first plate
with a first male sliding portion and of a second plate with two
second female sliding portions.
9. The hinge of claim 1, wherein a center angle of said circular
arc cross-section of said flat pivoting element is at least
90.degree., whereby the second closure part of the box-shaped body
is allowed to open by at least 90.degree. with respect to the first
containment part.
10. The hinge of claim 3, wherein each said plate forms a
monolithic body with the at least one said engagement portion that
protrudes therefrom, said monolithic body being of a molded plastic
material.
11. The hinge of claim 1, wherein each said flap is formed by a
single plate, and by an engagement portion provided laterally to
said single plate for engagement and tangential sliding on the
arc-shaped pivoting element.
12. The hinge of claim 11, wherein each said engagement portion for
engagement and tangential sliding on said flat longitudinal
pivoting element is constituted by an arc-shaped tab, which
protrudes laterally from said single plate to which the tab is
rigidly coupled, said tab being provided with a gap which is shaped
complementarily with respect to said flat longitudinal pivoting
element in order to engage the pivoting element by interference,
said gap having an opening for tangential sliding on said pivoting
element.
13. The hinge of claim 12, comprising a protrusion which protrudes
radially from said pivoting element, each said engagement portions
having, on an arc-like edge thereof, a hollow, said hollow being
suitable to limit, in cooperation with said protrusion, an opening
stroke of the mutually opposite flaps of the hinge.
14. The hinge of claim 13, wherein each of said engagement portions
has an outer arc-shaped side that is closed and suitable to receive
from an inside part, in abutment, a corresponding end of said
pivoting element.
15. The hinge of claim 14, having a center angle of said circular
arc-shaped cross-section of said flat pivoting element that spans
at least 90.degree..
16. The hinge of claim 16, wherein each said single plate forms a
monolithic body with the engagement portion that protrudes
therefrom, said monolithic body being of a molded plastic
material.
17. The hinge of claim 16, wherein said flat pivoting element is
made of plastic material.
18. The hinge of claim 17, wherein said flat pivoting element is
made of a self-lubricating plastic material.
19. The hinge of claim 18, wherein said self-lubricating plastic
material is a filled acetal resin.
20. The hinge of claim 11, wherein said flat pivoting element is
made of a reinforced polyamide.
21. A case constituted by a first containment part, for
containment, and by at least one second closure part, for case
closure, wherein said at least one second closure part is coupled
to the first containment part by way of at least one hinge having
the features of claim 2.
22. The case of claim 21, wherein said seats are provided molded
directly on said first containment part and on said second closure
part of the case.
23. The case of claim 22, having the abutment for said at least one
tooth of said at least one plate is provided molded along with the
seats on the first containment part and second closure part by way
of corresponding undercuts.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a hinge particularly for
box-like or box-shaped bodies.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a case for jewels,
watches, eyeglasses, pens and the like, which has at least one
hinge according to the invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Shops selling valuable articles, such as jewels, watches,
eyeglasses and the like, usually provide the valuable article with
a case/box of matching quality, both in aesthetic terms and in
terms of strength.
[0004] Currently known cases are constituted generally by a first
part, predominantly intended for containment, in which the valuable
item is placed, and by at least one second part, designed
predominantly for closure, or lid constituted either by a single
element or by two elements hinged on two mutually opposite sides of
the first part.
[0005] Said at least one second closure part is rigidly coupled to
the first containment part by way of a hinge.
[0006] The most widely used known hinges are predominantly of two
types.
[0007] A first type is constituted by plastic hinges, which are
formed by a plate from which one or more inserts protrude, said
inserts being suitable to be inserted in corresponding seats on the
edges of the first or second parts to be mutually articulated.
[0008] The plate has a lightened linear central portion, which is
designed to be folded through at least 90.degree. and at the same
time forms the rotation axis for the second part for closure onto
the first containment part.
[0009] Although this first type of hinge is cheap and therefore
used extensively, it is subject to breakage, since the lightened
portion on the one hand is easy to bend but on the other hand,
after a certain number of opening and closure cycles, can have
yielded to the point of breaking.
[0010] A second type of hinge is made of metallic material,
constituted by two metallic plates provided with flaps and mated by
means of a pivot.
[0011] Said hinges, therefore, while having a higher quality than
plastic hinges, are very expensive, since they are formed by at
least three components (two plates and the pivot).
[0012] Further, said hinges generally also comprise an elastic
element, which is suitable to keep open the case with which they
are associated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The aim of the present invention is to provide a hinge
particularly for box-like bodies which is capable of obviating the
drawbacks of known types of hinge.
[0014] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to
provide a hinge particularly for box-like bodies which is strong
and resistant over time and at the same time can be concealed
easily in the box-like body in which it is fitted.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinge particularly for a box-like bodies which allows to maintain
the open configuration of the box-like body even in the absence of
dedicated elastic elements.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinge particularly for box-like bodies which can be obtained
cheaply by molding plastic materials.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinge which can be fitted easily in cases for jewels, watches,
eyeglasses, pens and the like.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a case
for jewels, watches, eyeglasses, pens and the like which is
suitable to comprise at least one hinge according to the
invention.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
hinge and a case for jewels, watches, eyeglasses, pens and the like
which comprises at least one such hinge and can be manufactured
cheaply with known systems and technologies.
[0020] This aim and these and other objects, which will become
better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a hinge for box-like
bodies, characterized in that it is constituted by two mutually
opposite rigid or semirigid flaps, which are suitable to be
inserted and concealed in corresponding seats respectively of a
first containment part and of a second closure part of a box-like
body, said flaps being each provided with at least one portion
which is contoured so as to engage and slide tangentially on a flat
longitudinal pivoting element, which has a circular arc-like
cross-section which defines the rotation axis for said flaps and
for the respective associated parts of the box-like body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
become better apparent from the following detailed description of
two preferred but not exclusive embodiments thereof, illustrated by
way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a view of a case provided with two hinges
according to the invention in a first embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a detail of the case in
the closed configuration;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a view of the same detail of FIG. 2 in the open
configuration;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge according
to the invention, in a first embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge according to the
invention in its first embodiment, in a first configuration;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of a hinge according to
the invention in its first embodiment, in a second
configuration;
[0028] FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively a side view and a front view
of a first component of a hinge according to the invention in its
first embodiment;
[0029] FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively a side view and a front view
of a second component of a hinge according to the invention in its
first embodiment;
[0030] FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a side view and a front
view of a third component of a hinge according to the invention in
its first embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the hinge in the configuration of
FIG. 5;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an open box-like body on
which two hinges according to the invention are fitted, in a second
embodiment thereof;
[0033] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a hinge according
to the invention in its second embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an improved hinge according
to the invention in the assembled condition, in its second
embodiment, in a first configuration thereof;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a side view of an improved hinge according to the
invention in its second embodiment, in a second configuration
thereof;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a top view of an improved hinge according to the
invention in its second embodiment, in its second
configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] With reference to the figures, a hinge particularly for
box-like or boxed-shaped bodies according to the invention is
generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in a first
embodiment, which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 13.
[0038] The hinge 10 is constituted by two mutually opposite rigid
or semirigid flaps 11 and 12, which are suitable to be inserted and
concealed in corresponding seats 13 and 14, respectively of a first
containment part 15 and of a second closure part 16 of a box-like
body 22.
[0039] In the exemplary embodiment described here, the box-like
body 22 is a case, of the type for jewels or other similar
valuables.
[0040] Each of the flaps 11 and 12 is provided with at least one
engagement portion 17, 18 or 19, described in greater detail
hereinafter, which is contoured so as to engage and slide
tangentially on a flat longitudinal pivoting element 20.
[0041] The pivoting element 20 has a circular arc-like
cross-section, so as to define the rotation axis 21 for the flaps
11 and 12 and for the respective associated parts 15 and 16 of the
box-like body 22.
[0042] Each flap 11 and 12 is formed by two plates, respectively 24
and 26 for the first flap 11 and 25 and 27 for the second flap
12.
[0043] The plates 24 and 26 of the first flap 11, like the plates
25 and 27 of the second flap 12, are arranged longitudinally in
series and are mutually coupled by way of a protrusion 31, which
protrudes longitudinally from a first plate 25 and 26 in order to
be forced in a complementary shaped hole 32 of the associated
subsequent second plate 24 and 27.
[0044] An engagement portion 17, or two engagement portions 18 and
19, for engagement and sliding on the arc-like pivoting element 20,
protrude laterally to each plate.
[0045] Each plate 24, 25, 26 and 27 is provided with two
elastically deformable teeth 28 for snap engagement with a
corresponding abutment 29 in the corresponding receptacle 13 or 14
for said plate.
[0046] The plates are mutually opposite in pairs with respect to
the pivoting element 20.
[0047] Of two plates which are mutually opposite with respect to
the pivoting element 20, a first plate 24 and 27 has a sliding or
engagement portion 17, which forms the male element of a coupling
in which the female element is constituted by two spaced additional
sliding or engagement portions 18 and 19, which protrude from the
opposite second plate 25 and 26.
[0048] Each one of the engagement portions 17, 18 and 19 for
engagement and tangential sliding on the flat longitudinal pivoting
element 20 is constituted by an arc-like tab, which protrudes
laterally from the respective plate 24, 25, 26 and 27 to which it
is rigidly coupled, and is provided with a gap 33 or 34, which is
shaped complementarily with respect to the element 20, so as to
engage therewith with interference.
[0049] The gap 33 and 34 has an opening 35 for tangential sliding
on the pivoting element 20.
[0050] The gap 34, differently from the other gap 33, is closed on
the outer side 39 of the sliding portion 18 on which it is
provided.
[0051] Of the two engagement or sliding portions 18 and 19 arranged
in a female configuration, a first portion 19 has, on an arc-like
edge 36 thereof, a hollow 37, which is suitable to limit, in
cooperation with a protrusion 38 which protrudes radially from the
pivoting element 20, the opening stroke of the mutually opposite
flaps 11 and 12 of the hinge 10.
[0052] In the other, second portion 18 of the two sliding portions
18 and 19 arranged in a female configuration, the outer arc-like
side 39 is closed (so as to form the gap 34) and suitable to
receive from the inside, by abutment, the corresponding end of the
pivoting element 20.
[0053] Therefore, as a whole, the hinge 10 comprises two pairs of
plates 24 and 26, and 25 and 27, which are coupled in a
configuration such as to rotate in mutually opposite directions
with respect to the pivoting element 20 with which they are
associated.
[0054] Each pair of plates is coupled longitudinally by means of
the protrusion 31 and the corresponding hole 3.
[0055] For each pair, a first plate 24 or 27 has a first male
sliding portion 17, while the second plate 25 or 26 has two second
female sliding portions 18 and 19.
[0056] The center angle of the circular arc along which the
cross-section of the flat pivoting element 20 lies is at least
90.degree., as shown by way of example in FIG. 11.
[0057] This angle allows the second closure part 16 of the box-like
body 22 to open by at least 90.degree. with respect to the first
containment part 15.
[0058] Opening overtravel, which would cause the extraction of the
sliding portions 17, 18 and 19 from the pivoting element 20, is
prevented by the protrusions 38 and by the hollows 37 against which
it abuts.
[0059] Each plate 24, 25, 26 and 27 is monolithic with the at least
one sliding portion 17, 18 and 19 that protrudes from it.
[0060] Each monolithic body is therefore obtained advantageously by
molding plastic material.
[0061] The flat pivoting elements 20 also is made of plastic
material.
[0062] In particular, the flat pivoting element 20 is made of
self-lubricating plastic material, such as for example a filled
acetal resin.
[0063] As an alternative, the flat pivoting element 20 is made of
reinforced polyamide.
[0064] The various components of the hinge 10 can be assembled
easily by hand or by means of an automated process.
[0065] The large friction surface between the element 20 and the
sliding portions 17, 18 and 19 causes the box-like body 22 to
remain open even without specific elastic elements that maintain
said open configuration.
[0066] The hinge 10 according to the invention, therefore, has the
low-cost advantages of plastic hinges but the structure having
mutually opposite and separate flaps which can slide on a pivoting
element allows to achieve the durability of the more valuable
hinges made of metallic material.
[0067] Further, the hinge 10, by way of the pivoting element 20
having a circular arc-like cross-section, can be fitted easily in
the box-like body so that it is absolutely invisible from the
outside when the body 22 is in the closed configuration.
[0068] The element 20 in fact projects the axis of rotation 21
outward, at the facing edges of the first part 15 and the second
part 16 of the box-like body 22, and said edges are therefore free
from any hinge component and are esthetically more uniform and
pleasant.
[0069] In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the hinge
110 according to the invention is again constituted by two mutually
opposite rigid or semirigid flaps 111 and 112 respectively, which
are suitable to be inserted and concealed in corresponding seats, a
first one 13 and a second one 14 respectively, of a first
containment part 115 and of a second closure part 116 of a box-like
body 122.
[0070] The first flap 111 and the second flap 112 are each provided
with a portion, respectively 118 and 119, which is contoured so as
to engage and slides tangentially on a flat longitudinal pivoting
element 120.
[0071] In a manner similar to the first embodiment described above,
the pivoting element 120 has a circular arc-like transverse
cross-section and defines the rotation axis 121 for the flaps 111
and 112 and for the respective associated parts 115 and 116 of the
box-like body 122.
[0072] Each of the first flaps 111 and 112 is formed substantially
by a single plate, laterally to which the respective portion 118 or
119 for engagement and sliding on the arc-like pivoting element 120
is arranged.
[0073] Each engagement and sliding portion 118 and 119 is
constituted by an arc-like tab, which protrudes laterally from the
plate which forms the corresponding flap 111 or 112 to which it is
rigidly coupled.
[0074] Said arc-like tab is provided with a gap 133, which is
shaped complementarily with respect to the pivoting element
120.
[0075] The gap 133 has an opening 135 for tangential sliding on the
pivoting element 120.
[0076] Each of the two tangential sliding portions 118 and 119 has,
on an arc-like edge 136a and 136b respectively, a hollow 137a and
137b, which is suitable to limit, in cooperation with a protrusion
138a and 138b which protrudes radially from the pivoting element
120, the opening stroke of the mutually opposite flaps 111 and 112
of the hinge 110.
[0077] In this second embodiment of the invention, in each of the
two tangential sliding portions 118 and 119 the outer arc-like
side, 139a for the first sliding portion 118 and 139b for the
second sliding portion 119, is closed and suitable to receive from
the inside, in abutment, the corresponding end of the pivoting
element 120.
[0078] The center angle of the circular arc on which the
cross-section of the flat pivoting element 120 lies spans
90.degree., allowing a 90.degree. opening of the second closure
part 116 of the box-like body 122 with respect to the first
containment part 115, as shown in FIG. 14.
[0079] In this second embodiment also, each plate which forms one
of the flaps 111 and 112 is monolithic with the respective sliding
portion 118 or 119 that protrudes from its, said monolithic body
being obtained by molding plastic material.
[0080] The flat pivoting element 120 also is made of plastic
material, preferably self-lubricating plastic material.
[0081] Said self-lubricating plastic material is a filled acetal
resin.
[0082] As an alternative, the flat pivoting element 120 is made of
reinforced polyamide.
[0083] The hinge 110 according to the invention in its second
embodiment is therefore stronger, since the flaps are composed of a
single plate and not of a plurality of plates arranged side by side
as in the first embodiment of the hinge cited above.
[0084] The hinge 110 according to the invention is at the same time
easier to install with respect to the hinge described above, since
it is constituted by a smaller number of components.
[0085] The present invention also relates to a case for jewels,
watches, eyeglasses, pens and the like, of the type constituted by
a first part 15 or 115, predominantly for containment, and by a
second part 16 or 116, predominantly for closure.
[0086] The case, i.e., respectively the box-like body 22 and 122,
depending on whether the embodiment of the invention is the first
one or the second one, is characterized in that the closure part 16
or 116 is rigidly coupled to the containment part 15 or 115 by way
of two hinges 10 or 110 according to the invention as described up
to now.
[0087] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, which relate to the first
embodiment of the invention, although what has been explained
applies also to the box-like body 122 of FIG. 14, the seats 13 and
14 are obtained directly on the first part 15 and on the second
part 16 of the case 22 during molding.
[0088] At the same time, the abutments 29 for the teeth 28 of the
plates 24, 25, 26 and 27 of the first embodiment 10 of the
invention, and for the equivalent teeth 128a and 128b of the plates
111 and 112 of the second embodiment 110 of the invention, are
formed by means of corresponding undercuts.
[0089] The hinge 10 and 110 according to the invention described
here can also be provided with such dimensions that it can also be
applied in order to provide the articulation between the doors and
the containment body of a piece of furniture, a wardrobe and other
similar furniture complements.
[0090] In order to provide the hinge 10 or 110 for example on a
piece of furniture, it is sufficient to form, on the facing edges
of the door and of the body of the piece of furniture, the seats 13
and 14 as described above for the plates, and provide holes, in
said seats, such as to produce the abutments 29, which are
essential for the grip of the teeth 28.
[0091] In practice it has been found that the invention thus
described solves the problems noted in known types of hinge for
cases for jewels, watches, eyeglasses, pens and other similar
valuables.
[0092] In particular, the present invention provides a hinge
particularly for box-like bodies which is strong and resistant over
time and at the same time can be easily concealed within the
box-like body in which it is installed.
[0093] Moreover, the present invention provides a hinge
particularly for box-like bodies which allows to maintain the open
configuration of the box-like body even in the absence of dedicated
elastic elements.
[0094] Further, the present invention provides a hinge particularly
for box-like bodies which can be obtained cheaply by molding
plastic materials.
[0095] Further, the present invention provides a hinge which can be
installed easily in cases for jewels, watches, eyeglasses, pens and
the like.
[0096] Moreover, the present invention provides a case for jewels,
watches, eyeglasses, pens and the like which comprises at least one
hinge according to the invention.
[0097] Moreover, the present invention provides a hinge and a case
for jewels, watches, eyeglasses, pens and the like which comprises
at least one of said hinges, which can be manufactured cheaply with
known systems and technologies.
[0098] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous
modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of
the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with
other technically equivalent elements.
[0099] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are
compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be
any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
[0100] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No.
PD2005A000149 and Italian Utility Model Application No.
PD2006U000032 from which this application claims priority are
incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *