EP3936691B1

EP3936691B1 - Hinge

Info

Publication number: EP3936691B1
Application number: EP21179233.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Juan Jose MUÑOZ GARCIA
Original assignee: Federal Signal Vama SA
Current assignee: Federal Signal Vama SA
Priority date: 2020-07-09
Filing date: 2021-06-14
Publication date: 2025-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-14
Also published as: ES2890548A1; ES2890548B2; EP3936691A1

Description

The invention consists of a hinge which enables the articulated joining between a first component and a second component, such that it enables collapsing between said first and second components, and such that it also enables relative sliding between the first and second components in a linear direction and in rotation by torsion.
The invention is applicable in any sector of the industry wherein performing the articulated joining between a first and a second component is required; more specifically, the invention is applicable in the articulation between components of a barrier for controlling the passage of vehicles, which form articulated modules, such that they enable the modules to be folded and unfolded. Furthermore, in the unfolded position of the modules, it enables the modules to be better adapted to the irregularities of the terrain wherein the barrier is mounted, when a vehicle passes over the modules.

Technical problem to be resolved and background of the invention

In the state of the art, the use of different types of hinges is known which enable the articulation between two components to be performed, such that they can be collapsed into a folded position, wherein the components are arranged contiguously one on top of the other. In the state of the art, hinges are very well known. For instance, a patent application with publication number FR1409898A discloses a hinge having two bodies joined in a sliding manner only. A patent with publication number US7010834B2 discloses a hinge having two bodies joined in a rotating manner only. Further movements between parts of the hinges can also be found in the state of the art, like the biaxial hinge disclosed in the patent application with publication number US2020/0040626A1 .
In the state of the art, no type of hinge is known which, in addition to enabling the components to be arranged contiguously one on top of the other in the folded position, also enables relative sliding between the first and second components in the linear direction and in rotation, providing two more movements; the torsional movement and the linear displacement between the components.

Description of the invention

To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the invention provides a hinge according to claim 1.
This configuration provides the advantage that the components, apart from being able to be folded and unfolded, can further have sliding displacements between the components, both in the rotational direction, by torsion, and in the linear direction.
According to the invention, the parallel bodies comprise a threaded blind hole wherein the screws are fastened, such that said screws are arranged in the slots of each of the parallel bodies, in order to enable the aforementioned sliding.
In order to facilitate and guide rotational sliding between the parallel bodies, it is envisaged that the slots have an arched configuration.
It is also envisaged that the parallel bodies can include a through hole, by means of which it enables the first component to communicate with the second component, for example it can be for the passage of cables from the first component to the second component, and thus enable control and/or power functions of different devices that may include the first and second components therein to be performed.
The supports are arranged to be fastened to the first and second components in a removable manner such that it enables a variable number of components to be joined, some arranged after others, and it also enables the components to be folded, some on top of others, occupying less space.

Description of the figures

To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this specification is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, wherein, by way of illustration and not limitation, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the hinge.
Figure 2 is a view of the hinge of the previous figure mounted on a first and a second component.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the previous figure, wherein the folding between the first and second components has started.
Figure 4 is a side view of the previous figure wherein the first and second components have been completely collapsed, being arranged one on top of the other.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of sliding of the parallel bodies, by torsion of the first and second components.
Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 2, wherein linear sliding occurs between the first and second components.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The invention is described below based on the aforementioned figures.
The hinge 1 is configured to join in an articulated manner a first component 2 to a second component 3, by means of two parallel bodies 4, which are joined with the possibility of sliding by means of two screws 5, which are fastened to the opposing body 4 in a threaded blind hole 5, such that the screws 5 are housed in a slot 7, provided in each of the bodies 4, and such that said screws 5 can be displaced along the slots 7. These slots 7 are substantially parallel and are arranged in proximity to the opposite sides of each of the parallel bodies 4.
Furthermore, each of the bodies 4 has a rotation shaft 8, by means of which they are retained in corresponding supports 9 on which they are articulated. The two supports 9 of one of the parallel bodies 4 are fastened on the first component 2 and the other two supports 9 of the other parallel body 4 are fastened on the second component 3, such that by means of this configuration it enables the articulated collapsing movement to be performed between the first component 2 and the second component 3, around the rotation shafts 8, and such that it also enables relative sliding between the two parallel bodies 4, both in rotational movement (Figure 5), when a torsional movement is applied between the first and second components, such that they can rotate with a torsion angle in both directions; such as when a linear displacement movement (Figure 6) is applied between said first and second components, according to the direction of the slots 7, enabling rotational and linear sliding between said first and second components. The slots 7 are slightly arched in order to facilitate the torsional movement between the first and second components. The sliding movements between the bodies 4 are guided and limited by the length and configuration of the slots 7.
In the case in which the invention is applied, for example to a barrier for controlling the passage of vehicles, the collapsing movement enables the components making up modules of the barrier to be unfolded, in order to place the barrier on the road, and it further enables the rotational and linear sliding movement to be performed between said first and second components, when a vehicle passes over the modules of the barrier, which enables the barrier to support the weight of the vehicles when they pass over the area wherein a hinge is arranged. Furthermore, the collapsing movement enables the modules to be folded, occupying less space for the transport and storage thereof.
Optionally, the parallel bodies 4 are equipped with a through hole 10, by means of which, for example, it enables the passage of cables from the first to the second component, for applications wherein this is required.
Figure 2 shows the first component 2 and second component 3 in an extended position arranged one after the other, and Figure 3 shows the beginning of the collapsing movement between the first component 2 and second component 3, which enables them to be arranged one on top of the other, as represented in Figure 4.
Figure 5 shows a possible case of sliding of the parallel bodies 4 of the hinge 1 in torsional movement between the first and second components, where in the case of the application thereof to a barrier for controlling the passage of vehicles, this torsional movement occurs, for example, when a vehicle passes over the area of the hinge.
Figure 6 shows an example of linear sliding, without torsion, between the first and second components, where in the case of the application thereof to a barrier for controlling the passage of vehicles, it occurs when a vehicle passes over one of the components.
The supports 9 are removable, enabling the hinge to be removed, as well as enabling a variable number of components to be joined, some arranged after others, depending on the length which is required. Furthermore, it also enables the components to be folded some on top of others, as described. This configuration also enables one of the components to be removed and replaced with another one.

Claims

A hinge (1) for articulated joining between a first component (2) and a second component (3); characterised in that it comprises:
- two parallel bodies (4), joined in a sliding manner by means of

- two screws (5) housed in a slot (7) of each of the parallel bodies (4), through which they can run, enabling relative rotational and linear sliding between said first and second components (2, 3), wherein each of said parallel bodies (4) comprises

- a rotation shaft (8), which is retained in

- two supports (9) on which they are articulated, wherein the two supports (9) of one of the parallel bodies (4) are arranged to be fastened to the first component (2) and the other two supports (9) of the other parallel body (4) are arranged to be fastened to the second component (3), in order to enable collapsing between the first and second components (2, 3) one on top of the other;
wherein the parallel bodies (4) comprise a threaded blind hole (6) wherein the screws (5) are fastened, being arranged in the slots (7) of each of the parallel bodies (4).
The hinge of claim 1, wherein the slots (7) are arched.
The hinge of claim 1, wherein the parallel bodies (4) are equipped with a through hole (10), in order to enable the first component (2) to communicate with the second component (3).
The hinge of the preceding claims, wherein the supports (9) are arranged to be fastened in a removable manner in the first and second components (2, 3), enabling a variable number of components to be joined, some arranged after others, and enabling the components to be folded, some on top of others.