FR2738867A1 - Swing door with integral hinges - Google Patents

Abstract

The swing door consists of a fixed frame (2) and at least one opening panel (3), turning about vertical hinge pins (7). The fixed frame has a recess (9) which receives a projection (10) on the door edge. Both form a closed cavity (8) in which the hinge pins are concealed. The door edge is in the form of a continuous strip with a slight curvature, engaging with seal strip (13) on the inner edge of the fixed frame when the door is closed. A second seal strip (14) on the opposite side of the frame engages with a straight projecting edge (15) on the door. The lower edge of the door is fitted with a cap to engage with one projecting hinge pin, and has a brush-type draught excluder, while a second pin fits into a socket at the top of the door.

Description

 The present invention relates to an improvement to so-called hinged doors, as opposed to those said to reciprocate, the opening, formed of one or two leaves, is freely articulated around at least one vertical axis, mounted by its ends in a fixed frame or similar supporting structure.

 According to the most conventional solution for making the hinge of a hinged door, a set of hinges is used, each of these being mounted on the door and comprising a first fixed part integral with the frame and a second linked part to the opening, pivoting vis-à-vis the first about a connecting axis stopped vertically, by means of a ring or a jacket introduced into a housing of the hinge and making it possible to adjust the centering of this axis.

 The disadvantage of this assembly is to have the hinge projecting relative to the door by making it accessible externally, which allows any attempted break-in, or even any act of vandalism aimed at deteriorating this joint. The aesthetics of these hinges are also poor; above all, these articulation elements have reduced reliability owing to the fact that the door leaf is suspended on the frame by means of the two parts of the hinge and of its articulation axis, which causes mechanical forces, in particular a sometimes noticeable bending of the axis and requires the use of large sections for the profiles forming the opening and the frame.

 Finally, the possibilities of adjusting and correcting the plumb of the opening, in order to balance the door, are relatively limited.

 In the case of back-and-forth doors, the leaves are hinged using a set of vertical pivots, with a lower part resting on the ground and on which the leaf rests, and a part high, connecting the leaf to the frame or to the supporting structure.

 The essential drawback of this also conventional assembly is that it only applies to this type of door, which is not waterproof. In addition, the support and the guide of the opening by pivots, respectively in the upper part and lower part of the opening, are such that the point of rotation created, along the vertical axis which connects these pivots, is relatively distant from the edge of the frame, so that, in the leaf open position, the width of the passage through the door is penalized.

 The present invention relates to an improvement in the hinge door hinge mechanisms, aiming to fully integrate the parts which ensure the pivoting inside the opening and the frame, so that they are made normally inaccessible from the exterior, thereby ensuring increased protection, the assembly being more aesthetic than in known solutions, without requiring protruding parts breaking the continuity of the opening, this assembly furthermore having greater reliability and better faculties to adjust the verticality of the door.

 The invention is also preferably applied to hinged doors, the frame and the opening of which are arranged so as to produce between them a double sealing barrier, by means of two separate seals carried by the frame and bearing on opening it, or vice versa.

 To this end, the improvement considered, for a swing door of this type, comprising a fixed frame and an opening with at least one pivoting leaf, articulated on the frame around a vertical axis, is characterized in that the frame comprises a open rabbet in which engages a projection of enveloping form of the opening, delimiting with the rabbet a closed cavity inside which is disposed the axis, which is thus permanently invisible from the outside, the rabbet of the frame defining, at the right of the projection of the opening, an opening angle sufficient to allow the free engagement of this projection inside the closed cavity.

 This arrangement makes it possible in particular to place the vertical axis as close as possible to the frame within its rebate, without interfering with the two seals, preferably carried by the frame and in contact, when the door is closed, with a bearing surface and the projection of the opening respectively.

 According to another characteristic, the projection of the opening is constituted by a continuous cover, having a slightly enveloping shape, clipped or otherwise attached to the opening in line with a lateral upright thereof, extending parallel to the 'vertical axis.

 According to another characteristic also, the rebate of the opening comprises grooves for receiving the two seals, which have at least one lip in contact, when the opening is closed, on a bearing surface of the latter d on the one hand, on the projection of enveloping form on the other hand.

 According to yet another characteristic, the lower part of the opening is secured to a nozzle, of the same external shape as the opening, and capable of receiving a boss forming a lower pivot, the latter being carried by a basket fixed to the ground under the opening, this boss allowing the tilting of the plane of the opening in the manner of a ball joint assembly for its initial positioning in the frame.

 Where appropriate, the boss of the lower pivot is associated with a ball bearing, mounted and retained in a housing of the end piece, coaxial with the boss. As a variant and according to a preferred embodiment, the basket comprises a ball joint, the end piece being provided with an axis having a shape complementary to this ball joint, and guided by a ring and by a needle stopper, housed in the end piece .

 In either case, the endpiece is in particular secured to the opening by means of screws and comprises one and preferably two parallel grooves, situated in the plane of the opening and receiving two "brush" seals, sealing the passage under the door.

 Advantageously, the end piece comprises a third seal, also of the brush seal type, of circular shape, disposed around the housing receiving the boss. Finally, the clamp is fixed to the ground by screws passing through oblong grooves allowing a slight transverse movement of the latter vis-à-vis the frame.

 The upper part of the opening is for its part secured to a collar, suitable for receiving a pivot, carried by a support fixed to a cross member forming the upper part of the frame by means of an insert, which is engaged in a groove of the frame and locked in position when the hinge axis is vertical.

 In a preferred embodiment, the support of the upper pivot also includes a brush seal, surrounding this pivot. In addition and in this same embodiment, the collar has a lateral slot, allowing the engagement of the upper pivot received in an internal bore of this collar and immobilized in position by means of a socket, preferably comprising a ring or the like. , mounted in the bore and suitable for locking the pivot therein.

 Advantageously, the ring sleeve has an eccentric internal housing, allowing by rotation of this sleeve the adjustment of the plumb of the pivot and of the opening, the collar comprising a lateral locking screw to immobilize the sleeve.

 Finally and according to yet another characteristic, the support of the upper pivot is adjustable in position relative to the fixed insert immobilized on the cross member of the frame by means of at least one adjusting screw, carried by the support and cooperating with a bore. threaded from the insert, inclined towards the direction of the cross-member.

Other characteristics of the improvement made to hinged doors in accordance with the invention will become more apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which
- Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the frame and the opening of a swing door according to the invention.

 - Figures 2 and 3 are more detailed views, respectively from above and in section through a vertical plane, of the clamp and the end piece carrying the lower pivot of the door of Figure 1.

- Figure 3a is a complementary view, similar to the
Figure 3, but illustrating an alternative embodiment for the end piece and the lower pivot.

 - Figure 4 is a more schematic detail view of the lower pivot in a direction perpendicular to the section plane of Figure 3.

 - Figure 5 is a perspective view, illustrating the mounting of the opening and the frame vis-à-vis the lower pivot of the door.

 - Figures 6 and 7 are views in vertical section, also on a larger scale, of the upper pivot.

 - Figure 8 is a top view of this upper pivot.

 - Figure 9 illustrates the mounting of the upper pivot in its support piece, itself fixed to the upper cross member of the frame by means of the adjustment insert.

 - Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views, to better understand the mounting of the upper pivot of the door according to the invention.

 In Figure 1, the reference 1 designates a hinged door, schematically represented in section by a horizontal plane and comprising a frame 2 and an opening 3, produced in itself well known in the art by means of suitably cut metal profiles to the necessary lengths and assembled to delimit appropriate frames.

 In what follows, the description relates to a door in which the opening comprises a single leaf as shown in Figure 1; it goes without saying that the arrangements envisaged in accordance with the invention can be implemented in an identical manner when the hinged door has two leaves, each of which is articulated separately on the frame.

 The frame 2 is immobilized in a support structure (not shown), while the leaf 3 is housed in the frame by being articulated on the latter along one of its lateral sides 4. The leaf comprises a part solid central unit or, where appropriate, consisting of a glazed surface 5, the assembly being provided with an operating handle 6, making it possible to pivot this opening element for opening the door for example, in the direction of the arrow appearing in the drawing, around a vertical axis designated globally under the reference 7 and the details of which will be explained below.

 According to the invention, the mounting of the opening 3 in the frame 2 is carried out so as to avoid the use of conventional hinges, projecting vis-à-vis the door and thus accessible from the outside, the pivot axis 7 being on the contrary entirely hidden between the opening and the frame, which provides an improved aesthetics, a maximum passage opening when the door is open and better reliability in operation, limiting the bending forces which exert on the pivot axis, when the latter is offset relative to the plane of the opening.

 For this purpose, the frame 2 defines an internal cavity 8 in which is housed the axis 7, this cavity being respectively bordered by an open rebate 9 of the frame and the lateral upright 4 of the opening, the latter having a projection 10 , of enveloping shape, coming to fit in the rebate 9 by closing the cavity 8, which for this purpose has an opening angle sufficient to allow the free movement of the opening vis-à-vis the frame.

 Advantageously, the door 1 considered is arranged to produce a double sealing barrier, the profile of the frame 2 comprising open grooves 11 and 12 respectively, in which are mounted lip seals 13 and 14, bearing for the first on the end part of the projection 10 which penetrates into the cavity 8, for the second on a shoulder 15 integral with the upright 4.

 In Figure 1, the opening 3 of the door is shown in solid lines in the closed position of the door, the pivot axis 7 being completely concealed from the outside in the cavity 8. This same figure also illustrates, in phantom, opening it in the open position of the door, the projection 10, of enveloping shape, pivoting around the axis 7 in the cavity beyond the joint 13, while the shoulder 15 escapes outwardly releasing the seal 14. The projection 10 is preferably constituted by a metal cover, kept fixed on the upright 4 by means of clips or other suitable connecting members (not shown); if necessary, it can be carried out during the manufacture of the metal profile which constitutes the upright 4 itself.

 Figures 2 to 4 illustrate in more detail the structure of the means used to form the lower part of the pivot axis of the opening.

 These means include in particular a clamp 16, consisting of a piece from the foundry and immobilized on the ground 17 by means of screws 18, which are mounted in oblong grooves such as 18a of the clamp, the width of which is such that it allows to adjust laterally and to a certain extent its position to obtain perfect verticality of the pivot axis in combination with the complementary means which form the upper part of this axis and which will be described later.

 In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the clip 16 is integral with a lower pivot 19, extended by a circular boss 20, on which rests a nozzle 21 provided at the lower part of the lateral upright 4 of the opening 3 , behind the projection 10 fixed on this amount.

 This nozzle is fixed to the profile of the upright by means of screws 22 and has a cylindrical housing 21a at its lower part, capable of coming to cover the boss 20 of the clamp.

Advantageously, the housing 21a is provided with a bearing 23, the balls 24 of which bear on the boss, so as to allow rotation without friction of the opening element relative to the frame.

 In another variant, illustrated in FIG. 3a, the general structure of the lug and of the end-piece provided at the lower part of the vertical upright of the opening, is similar to that described above, but comprises a lower pivot 19 provided with a ball joint 20d, the end piece 21 receiving, in its housing 21a, a pin 20a whose lower end has a profile complementary to that of the ball joint 20d. This axis is guided and maintained inside the housing 21 by an external ring 20b and, in the bottom of the housing, by a needle stop 20c.

 The advantage of this embodiment is to allow a significant angular movement between the clamp 16 and the opening 4, so as to facilitate the installation of the latter when the opening and the frame are assembled during assembly of the door.

As also shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the end piece 21 advantageously comprises an external return 25 which envelops the vertical axis of articulation, in the extension of the projection 10 of the upright 4. Furthermore, the latter comprises, at its lower part, two parallel grooves 26 and 27 for mounting "brush" seals 28 extending downwards (see
Figure 4), coming to rest on the threshold 16a of the door, covering the claw 16 from above. A third seal 28a (FIG. 2), of circular shape, is preferably also provided under the end piece 21 to extend around its housing 21a receiving the boss 20.

 Figure 5 shows, in perspective view, the mounting of the different parts of the device forming a lower pivot for the door leaf, the shape of the boss 20 making it possible in particular to present the leaf inclined on the vertical to engage the boss in the housing 21a of the end piece 21 to the right of the bearing 24, before it is straightened in its plane and secured to the frame by the upper pivot described below.

 Of course and as described above, the boss 20 and the tip 21 shown here may correspond to the variant of Figure 3a, with a ball joint and a tip provided with an axis of complementary shape.

 Figures 6 to 9 illustrate more particularly the pivot means provided in the upper part of the upright 4 of the opening.

 It comprises in particular a support 29 provided with a pivot 30, which is designed to come to be situated exactly in the extension of the lower pivot 19 of the clamp 16, the two pivots 19 and 30 thus materializing together the vertical pivot axis 7.

 The pivot 30 is designed to engage inside a collar 31 mounted at the upper part of the opening, and comprising a bore 32, the pivot coming to cooperate with the ring 33 of a socket 34 mounted in this bore.

 This socket 34 has a slightly eccentric internal housing, so that its relative rotation, inside the bore 32 of the collar 31, produced using a wrench 35, makes it possible to adjust the positioning of the 'axis of this bushing and consequently of correcting the plumb of the opening 3 relative to the frame 2, in particular to perfect the verticality of the axis connecting the pivots 19 and 30.

 The collar 31 also comprises a lateral slot 36 capable of allowing the engagement of the upper pivot 30 when the door opening is placed in an inclined manner on the lower pivot 19 and then gradually straightened to reach the desired vertical position.

The support 29 has at least one groove 37 for mounting a "brush" seal 38. Finally, the collar 31 is screwed onto the upright 4 of the opening using screws 39. Under these conditions, once the upper pivot 30 placed inside the slot 36, the sleeve 34 is moved vertically and held in the high position by means
of the screw 47, so that this sleeve and the ring 33 which it comprises are centered on the pivot 30. The locking in position of the sleeve 34 is then ensured by a lateral screw 44 which enters a conical groove 44a of the socket 34.

 The support 29 is itself immobilized relative to the frame 2, by means of screws 40 cooperating with an insert 41, able to be mounted in a groove 42 delimited by an internal crosspiece 43 of the profile of the frame.

 In addition, to ensure relative movement of the support 29 relative to the insert 41 fixed in the crosspiece 43, an adjustment screw 45 is advantageously provided, freely passing through a bore 46, this screw being inclined to the horizontal so that that its rotation causes a relative displacement of the support and consequently a suitable position variation of the upper pivot 30, to adjust once the assembly of the opening is completed, the balancing of the latter around the pivot axis 7, thus brought perfectly vertical.

 This produces a hinged door with one or if necessary two leaves, whose joints on the door frame are fully integrated inside the door itself, which largely avoids acts of vandalism aimed at damaging these joints. The assembly has a more aesthetic appearance, in particular by removing the projecting parts vis-à-vis the opening, which is directly carried by the shell in which the frame is mounted.

 The door considered presents a great simplicity of installation and possibilities of adjustment of its balance easy to implement. In addition, it keeps a double sealing barrier between the opening and the frame, the enveloping shape of the cover which constitutes the projection of the opening preventing the user from being able to pinch their fingers between this opening and the sleeping during door operations.

 Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment more specifically described above with reference to the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (15)

 1 - Hinged door with integrated articulation, comprising a fixed frame (2) and an opening (3) with at least one pivoting leaf, articulated on the frame around a vertical axis (7), characterized in that the frame comprises a open rabbet (9) in which engages a projection (10) of enveloping shape of the opening, delimiting with the rabbet a closed cavity (8) inside which is disposed the axis, which is thus permanently invisible from the outside, the rebate of the frame delimiting, to the right of the projection of the opening, an opening angle sufficient to allow the free engagement of this projection inside the closed cavity.  2 - Hinged door according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (10) of the opening (3) is constituted by a continuous cover, having a slightly enveloping shape, reported, for example clipped on the opening to the right of 'a lateral upright thereof, extending parallel to the vertical axis (7).  3 - Swing door according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rebate (9) of the opening (3) comprises receiving grooves (11, 12) for two seals (13, 14), which have at least one lip in contact, when the opening is closed, on a bearing surface (15) thereof on the one hand, on the projection (10) on the other hand.  4 - Swing door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower part of the opening (3) is secured to a nozzle (21), of the same external shape as the opening, and suitable to receive a boss (20) forming a lower pivot (19), this being carried by a crapaudine (16) fixed to the ground (17) under the opening, this boss allowing the tilting of the plane of the opening in the manner a ball joint mounting for its initial installation in the frame.  5 - Swing door according to claim 4, characterized in that the boss (20) of the lower pivot is associated with a ball bearing (23), mounted and retained in a housing (21a) of the end piece (21), coaxial to the boss.  6 - Hinged door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower part of the opening is secured to a nozzle (21) having an internal housing (21a) receiving an axis whose lower part has a complementary shape of a ball joint (20d) provided in the upper part of a pivot (19), so as to allow a wide angular clearance between the opening (4) and a crapaudine (16), fixed to the ground (17) , supporting the pivot.  7 - Swing door according to claim 6, characterized in that the axis comprising the ball joint (20d) is held in the housing (21a) of the end piece (21) by means of an external ring (20b) and a needle stopper (20c).  8 - Swing door according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the end piece (21) is secured to the opening by means of screws (22) and comprises one and preferably two parallel grooves (26, 27), located in the plane of the opening and receiving two "brush" seals (28), sealing the passage under the door.  9 - Swing door according to claim 8, characterized in that the end piece (21) comprises a third seal (28a), also of the brush seal type, of circular shape, arranged around the housing (21a) receiving the boss (20) .  10 - Swing door according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the clamp (16) is fixed to the ground (17) by screws (18) passing through oblong grooves (18a) allowing a slight transverse movement of this vis-à-vis the frame (2).  11 - Swing door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper part of the opening is secured to a collar (31), suitable for receiving a pivot (30), carried by a support ( 29) fixed to a crosspiece (43) forming the upper part of the frame by means of an insert (41), which is engaged in a groove (42) of the frame (2) and locked in position when the axis of articulation is vertical.  12 - Swing door according to claim 11, characterized in that the support (29) of the pivot (30) also comprises a brush seal (38), surrounding this pivot.  13 - Swing door according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the collar (31) has a lateral slot (36), allowing the engagement of the pivot (30) received in an internal bore (32) of this collar and immobilized in position by means of a bush (34), preferably comprising a ring (33) mounted in the bore and suitable for locking the pivot in the latter.  14 - Swing door according to claim 13, characterized in that the sleeve (34) ring (33) has an eccentric internal housing, allowing by rotation of this sleeve the adjustment of the plumb of the pivot (30) and the opening (3), the collar comprising a lateral locking screw (44) to immobilize the sleeve.  15 - Swing door according to claim 11, characterized in that the support (29) of the pivot (30) is adjustable in position relative to the fixed insert immobilized on the cross member of the frame by means of at least one adjusting screw (45), carried by the support and cooperating with a threaded bore of the insert (41), inclined with respect to the direction of the cross-member.