Patent Application
20200367649
The invention concerns an arrangement comprising a first extension guide for a movable furniture part and an entrainment member for a drive device for moving the movable furniture part in relation to a furniture carcass. The entrainment member comprises an entrainment projection that can be actively connected to the drive device, and a first fastening device is provided with a part which is arranged on the entrainment member and a part which is arranged on the first extension guide, by means of which the entrainment member can be fastened to the first extension guide. One part of the first fastening device is embodied as a pin, and one part is embodied as a pin-receiving element corresponding to the pin. The pin is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide and the pin receiving element comprises an insertion channel for the pin, which insertion channel comprises a bottleneck. In addition, the invention concerns an item of furniture with such an arrangement and a method for fastening an entrainment member of such an arrangement on an extension guide of such an arrangement.
For many years, drive devices have been known in the industry of furniture fittings by way of which a movement of a movable furniture part is supported mechanically. For this purpose, ejection devices in the form of so-called touch latch mechanisms or also retraction devices are known. Mostly, these drive devices are arranged on the furniture carcass or on the movable furniture part. Such drive devices are actively connected with an entrainment member which e. g. in the case of a drive device arranged on the movable furniture part is associated to the furniture carcass or to a carcass rail of an extension guide.
A generic arrangement is disclosed in the FIGS. 1 to 10 of WO 2016/000003 A1. This document shows an entrainment member which can be brought from a release position into a fixed position with the rail by a fastening movement, wherein the fastening movement is carried out in a horizontal plane. This means, in this case the drive device is arranged on the bottom side of a drawer base or is connected to the drawer rail and can be actively connected to the entrainment member attached to the carcass rail. The entrainment member comprises an entrainment pin. A first connecting piece is provided for the fastening of the entrainment member to the rail, which first connecting piece is protruding vertically from a plate-shaped base region of the entrainment member. This first connecting piece comprises a neck area in the form of a cylinder with a substantially square-shaped base area. A second and a third connecting piece are bent out from or punched out from the holding plate of the entrainment member. During a fastening movement along a straight line when inserting the entrainment member into the rail, the neck area of the entrainment member exactly fits through a bottleneck which the connecting counter piece is forming on the rail. As soon as the pre-mounting state is reached after this insertion, the second part of the fastening movement is carried out in the horizontal plane by a swivelling movement around the vertical axis formed by the first connecting piece. At the end of this swivelling movement the second connecting piece reaches a friction-type connection with the second connecting counter piece and also the third connecting piece reaches a friction-type connection with the third connecting counter piece, whereby the fixed position is reached. Per se, this swivelling fastening movement is advantageous as this movement can also be carried out in a quite simple and uncomplicated manner in the case of an already integrated extension guide. In addition, a safe connection is given by the neck area fitting through the bottleneck and the subsequent swivelling movement.
However, it is disadvantageous in this embodiment that for one side of an extension guide an entrainment member has to be used which is mirror-inverted to the other side of the extension guide. This means, two different types of entrainment member must be provided for each drawer. Therefore, the production effort is higher. Also, the warehousing is virtually doubled.
In contrast, the FIGS. 11 to 13 of the WO 2016/000003 A1 show an entrainment member according to which a purely linear fastening movement is given. In this design example connecting counter pieces in the form of U-shaped lugs are formed on the bottom of the rail. These connecting counter pieces form the guiding elements for the entrainment member. Slightly bent connecting pieces are formed on the holding plate of the entrainment member. By inserting the entrainment member during the fastening movement the slightly bent connecting pieces reach a position between the connecting counter pieces and the bottom of the rail. As a consequence, the fixed position is reached without swivelling. A ribbed surface is formed each on the bottom of the connecting counter piece and on the upper side of the connecting piece. These ribbed surfaces are meshing or locking with each other so that a positive-locking holding between the entrainment member and the rail is guaranteed. On the one hand, it is disadvantageous in this design example that during fastening both connecting pieces have to be threaded at the same time which can lead to quite some problems due to the limited space and due to the unclear visibility in this region of the drawer. On the other hand, it is disadvantageous that by the locking via the ribbed surfaces a later loosening is virtually not possible without damage. For such a loosening the lug must be forced apart or the slightly bent connecting piece must be somehow pressed downwardly with an external force so that the single teeth of the ribbed surface can be released from each other. Thus, the FIGS. 11 to 13 of this document only show a variant for a one-time fastening of the entrainment member.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement compared to the prior art. In particular, the fastening shall be carried out as simple as possible, uncomplicated and in a safe manner. In addition, a double warehousing shall be prevented. Moreover, the fastening of the entrainment member shall be as simple as possible and the entrainment member shall be detachable.
According to the invention it is provided that the entrainment member comprises a part of a second fastening device, which is embodied as a pin or as a pin-receiving element, for optional fastening of the entrainment member to a second extension guide which is substantially laterally reversed in relation to the first extension guide. The part of the first fastening device, which is arranged on the entrainment member, is arranged on the entrainment member such that it is laterally reversed in relation to the part of the second fastening device, arranged on the entrainment member.
By way of this second fastening device which is formed mirror-symmetrically to the first fastening device on the entrainment member, the same entrainment member can be fastened via this second fastening device to a second extension guide on the opposite side correspondingly. Thus, two substantially identical entrainment members can be used, wherein one entrainment member is fastened to the first extension guide via a first fastening piece and the other entrainment member can be fastened to the second extension guide via the part of the second fastening device. Therefore, no double warehousing is necessary. In addition, a simple detachable fastening is reached by means of the pin and the pin-receiving element. Moreover, the possible swivelling movement simplifies the fastening process.
The arrangement is not obvious from a combination of the two design examples of the WO 2016/000003 A1. In theory, a person skilled in the art could indeed replace the two bent connecting pieces of the FIGS. 11 to 13 each by a first connecting piece of the design example according to the FIGS. 1 to 10. As a consequence, however, there would not be a safe connection as for the first connecting pieces with the neck regions and the corresponding bottlenecks a swivelling movement is indeed mandatory for a positive-locking holding. If, thus,—as in the FIGS. 11 to 13—the linear fastening movement is carried out, theoretically arranged first connecting pieces could not be fastened in a positive-locking manner with the neck region.
Basically, there are two design possibilities—which are alternative to each other—concerning the pin and the pin-receiving element. According to a first variant it is provided that the parts of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device formed on the entrainment member are embodied as pins and that the pin-receiving element is arranged on the extension guide. According to a second variant it can be provided the other way round that the parts of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device formed on the entrainment member are embodied as pin-receiving elements and that the pin is arranged on the extension guide
All of the examples mentioned in this application and all detailed definitions of the pin and the pin-receiving element apply for each of these parts, independent from the position where the pin and where the pin-receiving element is arranged. This means, if the pin is described with reference to an arrangement on the entrainment member, this applies—as long as it makes logical sense—also the other way round when arranging the pin on the extension guide. Also, the described fastening movement applies analogously for both exemplary embodiments.
Preferably, parts of exactly two fastening devices (namely of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device) are embodied on the entrainment member.
Preferably, only one pin or one pin-receiving element is arranged on the first extension guide. This means, a part of exactly one fastening device is embodied on the extension guide.
As in the assembly condition only one part of both fastening devices arranged on the entrainment member fulfils a function, it is preferably provided that in the assembly condition of the arrangement the part of the second fastening device arranged on the entrainment member is distanced from the part of the first fastening device arranged on the extension guide. This means that the pin or the pin-receiving element of the second fastening device is functionless or connectionless to the respective extension guide.
The entrainment member per se can be formed arbitrarily, as long as the entrainment member comprises the entrainment projection and both parts of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the entrainment member comprises a base plate. This base plate preferably can be embodied as sheet metal. Preferably, this sheet metal has a substantially constant sheet thickness. This sheet thickness is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm and is preferably between 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm. Concretely, a sheet thickness of 0.8 mm is provided.
In a similar manner also the extension guide comprises rails in the form of a sheet metal. Also, here the sheet thickness, e. g. of the components of a carcass rail, is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
The entrainment projection can be formed as an integral part of this base plate. For example, the entrainment projection can also be stamped out and bent open or bent from the base plate. Preferably, however, the entrainment projection is formed as an attachment part which is separate from the base plate. Preferably, this attachment part is made of plastic.
The base plate as a whole is formed substantially flat. Preferably, the base plate is extending along a plate plane. In particular, the main part of the flat surface of the base plate is extending parallel to this plate plane.
Particularly preferred, the plate plane is oriented parallel to the longitudinal extension of the extension guide and horizontally in the assembly condition of the arrangement.
According to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the base plate has a height—measured right-angled to the plate plane—of four sheet thicknesses at maximum, preferably of three sheet thicknesses at maximum.
Preferably, the base plate in the region of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device has a height of two sheet thicknesses at maximum. As a consequence, the present arrangement can be used in the item of furniture in a very space-saving manner.
The parts of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device arranged on the entrainment member can be formed separately from the base plate. This means, these parts for example can be connected detachably with the base plate. Preferably, however, the parts of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device arranged on the entrainment member are formed in one piece with the base plate. If these parts are formed as pins, these pins can be embossed into this base plate correspondingly. If these parts are formed as pin-receiving elements, these elements can be stamped out or formed into the base plate correspondingly.
For a simple design, preferably the entrainment member comprises a central plane of symmetry which is right-angled to the plate plane. Particularly preferred, in the fastening state, the plane of symmetry is oriented right-angled to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide.
The fastening state is a state in which the entrainment member is situated in a connected position with the extension guide. This means the entrainment member is connected in a fixed manner (however detachable) with the extension guide.
In comparison, the assembly condition is a state in which the whole arrangement, thus the extension guide together with the entrainment member, is mounted to the furniture carcass of the item of furniture. This assembly condition can also be referred to as mounting position. This assembly condition is of importance especially for the definition of the terms “horizontal” and “vertical”.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the part of the first fastening device arranged on the entrainment member and the part of the second fastening device arranged on the entrainment member in each case are arranged on a side of the plane of symmetry laterally reversed to each other.
In principle, it is possible that an entrainment member comprises more than one entrainment projection. If two entrainment projections are provided, these two projections should be arranged each on one side of the plane of symmetry laterally reversed to each other. Preferably, however, it is provided that the plane of symmetry leads through the entrainment projection. In this case it is particularly preferred that only one entrainment projection is embodied on the entrainment member.
For a further preferred exemplary embodiment, the plane of symmetry divides the entrainment member into a first symmetry area and a second symmetry area. Thus, not only the two parts of the first fastening device and of the second fastening device are arranged laterally reversed to each other, but the whole entrainment member simply has two symmetry areas.
It is possible in general that the entrainment member itself is not formed completely mirror-symmetrically. Thus, asymmetric components can be arranged on the entrainment member depending on the intended use and depending on the possible applications. Particularly preferred, the two symmetry areas of the entrainment member are embodied mirror-symmetrically to each other.
Particularly preferred, in the fastening state of the arrangement, the pin rests on the pin-receiving element. In this case there can be a friction-type connection per se. Preferably, however, there is a positive-locking connection between the pin and the pin-receiving element at least in a movement direction right-angled to the longitudinal extension of the extension guide.
The pin of the fastening device is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide so that a connection is possible with the corresponding counter piece. Preferably, in the assembly condition of the arrangement, the pin is projecting vertically from the entrainment member or from the first extension guide.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the pin comprises a central pin axis.
The pin axis can be oriented e. g. in a region from 45° to 135° in relation to the plate plane. Preferably, the pin axis is oriented right-angled to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide. In addition, the pin axis oriented vertically in the assembly condition.
Further, the pin can comprise a lateral surface which is formed around the pin axis and which fully encloses the pin axis in radial direction. Thus, the pin is at least partially formed as a cylinder in a geometrical sense.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the lateral surface deviates from a circular shape in a cross section which is right-angled to the pin axis. Put in other words, this means that the length of a first straight connection line which is oriented right-angled to the plane of symmetry and parallel to the plate plane and which line is running from a first position of the lateral surface through the pin axis till a position of the lateral surface opposite to the first position is larger than the length of a second straight connection line which is oriented obliquely to the plane of symmetry and parallel to the plate plane and which line is running from a second position of the lateral surface through the pin axis till a position of the lateral surface opposite to the second position.
The lateral surface for example can be formed rectangular or oval in the cross section which is right-angled to the pin axis. Particularly preferred, the lateral surface—in the cross section right-angled to the pin axis—comprises two flattened areas on radially opposing sides and two convex areas on radially opposing sides
Further, the shortest straight connection line—which is leading through the pin axis—between the flattened areas is shorter than the shortest straight connection line—which is leading through the pin axis—between the convex areas.
Preferably, the flattened areas are oriented obliquely, preferably in an angle region between 35° and 55°, to the longitudinal extension of the extension guide. This applies when the pin is arranged on the entrainment member. In the case of a pin arranged on the extension guide, the flattened areas are oriented right-angled to the longitudinal extension.
Concerning the pin-receiving element of the fastening device, the pin-receiving element is preferably formed in the entrainment member or in the first extension guide, wherein a recess edge of the pin-receiving element is embodied on the entrainment member or on the first extension guide.
The most important feature of the pin-receiving element is that it comprises an insertion channel for the pin with a bottleneck. In addition, the pin-receiving element comprises a bearing region for the pin, which bearing region is separate from the insertion channel. Particularly preferred, the bearing region is formed by a substantially circle-shaped recess edge of the pin-receiving element. This recess edge describes approximately a ¾ circle in the bearing region.
In order to reach a relative simply detachable and positive-locking fastening of the entrainment member on the extension guide, preferably the minimal clear width in the area of the bottleneck of the insertion channel is smaller than the minimal clear width in the bearing region. Preferably, the relation on the minimal clear width in the area of the bottleneck to the minimal clear width in the bearing region is between 1 to 8 and 7 to 8, preferably between 2 to 5 and 4 to 5.
Preferably, the minimal clear width in the area of the bottleneck is positioned obliquely, preferably in an angle region between 35° and 55°, to the longitudinal extension of the extension guide. This applies when the parts of the fastening devices on the entrainment member are embodied as pin-receiving element. When the part of the (first) fastening device on the extension guide is embodied as pin-receiving element, preferably the minimal clear width is oriented parallel to the longitudinal extension.
For a fastening movement which is as simple as possible, preferably the insertion channel comprises a broader, preferably tapering in the direction of the bottleneck, threading region adjacent to the bottleneck. This threading region is preferably arranged on the side of the bottleneck which is remote from the bearing region. Thus, the pin can be correspondingly moved at the beginning of the fastening movement via the threading region in the direction of the bottleneck.
The pin and the pin-receiving element per se can be arranged and oriented arbitrarily as long as a simple fastening movement is guaranteed. Particularly preferred, during a mounting movement, the pin can pass the bottleneck of the pin-receiving element only when the entrainment member is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide. Particularly preferred, during this mounting movement, during which the pin can pass the bottleneck of the pin-receiving element, the plane of symmetry of the entrainment member is oriented in an angle between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°, to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide.
Per se, it is sufficient when the fastening of the entrainment member to the extension guide is carried out only via the first or the second fastening device. Preferably, however, for an even safer hold, the entrainment member comprises a, preferably tongue-shaped, clamping element which is separate from the parts of the fastening devices and which is connected to the extension guide in the assembly condition. In particular, this clamping element rests on a clamping counter surface or on a clamping element counter piece of the extension guide.
The clamping element can be arranged on an arbitrary position of the entrainment member. Preferably, the plane of symmetry is running centrally through the clamping element.
For the first extension guide, preferably this extension guide comprises a carcass rail and a drawer rail which is movable relative to the carcass rail. A central rail can be provided optionally for a full extension.
If a drive device is associated to the movable furniture part, preferably the part of the first fastening device arranged on the first extension guide is arranged on the carcass rail.
The part of the fastening device arranged on the extension guide (preferably on the carcass rail) can be formed as a separate attachment part for the extension guide.
Preferably, however, the part of the (first) fastening device arranged on the carcass rail is formed integrally with the carcass rail, preferably is formed into the carcass rail.
Up to here, the present invention and the arrangement have been described with exactly one entrainment member and exactly one extension guide. In order to have a fully functioning furniture fitting for a movable furniture part in form of a drawer a second extension guide is provided which is formed laterally reversed to the first extension guide. In addition, preferably a second entrainment member for the second extension guide is provided, wherein the second entrainment member is formed identically to the entrainment member of the first extension guide. As a consequence, a particularly simple warehousing is possible.
Particularly preferred, the part of the first fastening device arranged on the second extension guide simultaneously forms a part of the second fastening device.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, at least one drive device, preferably an ejection device, for moving the movable furniture part relative to the furniture carcass is provided, wherein the drive device can be actively connected to the entrainment member.
For a secure and constant movement of the movable furniture part, one drive device is provided for each extension guide. These two drive devices are actively connected to the respective entrainment member.
Protection is also sought for an item of furniture comprising a furniture carcass, a movable furniture part (in particular a drawer) and an arrangement according to the invention.
According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, two drive devices, preferably arranged on the bottom side of the movable furniture part embodied as a drawer, can be provided. A first drive device is associated to the first extension guide and to the entrainment member, and a second drive device is associated to the second extension guide and to the second entrainment member.
Further, at least in a closed position of the movable furniture part, the first drive device rests on the entrainment member and the second drive device rests on the second entrainment member. In particular, the entrainment members and the drive devices are abutting each other during an unlocking movement and a subsequent opening movement. In the case of a further opening and also during a part of the closing movement, there can also be a freewheel during which the drive devices are not in contact with the entrainment members.
When the drive device is embodied as an ejection device, preferably this ejection device comprises an ejection force storage member, a movable ejection element which is force-actuated by the ejection force storage member and a locking device for locking the ejection element in the locking position. Preferably, the ejection element can be unlocked by over-pressing the drawer into an over-pressing position beyond a closed position of the drawer and that—when the ejection element is unlocked—the drawer is movable in opening direction by way of the ejection force storage member and the ejection element.
Moreover, protection is sought for a method for fastening an entrainment member of an arrangement according to the invention to a first extension guide of an arrangement according to the invention. For this method, the entrainment member can be brought from a pre-fastening state, in which the entrainment member is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the first extension guide, by means of the first fastening device into a fastening state with the first extension guide. This is carried out by moving the pin through the bottleneck of the insertion channel and by a subsequent swivelling around the pin of the first fastening device. Thus, the pin forms a kind of a swivelling axis, wherein by way of this swivelling a positive-locking connection between the pin and the pin-receiving element is established as then the relatively broad regions of the pin rest on the recess edge of the bearing region and a movement of the pin through the bottleneck is prevented.
Preferably, a second entrainment member, which is formed identically to the (first) entrainment member, can be brought from a pre-fastening state, in which the second entrainment member is positioned obliquely to the longitudinal extension of a second extension guide, by means of the part of the second fastening device arranged on the second entrainment member and by means of the part of the first fastening device arranged on the second extension guide into a fastening state with the second extension guide. This is carried out by moving the pin through the bottleneck of the insertion channel and by a subsequent swivelling around the pin of the first fastening device.
Further details and advantages of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiments by way of example illustrated in the drawings, in which:
A perspective view of an item of furniture 19 with—in this case—two movable furniture parts 2 in the form of drawers is illustrated in
An arrangement 1 together with a drive device 5 is illustrated in a perspective view in
The arrangement 1 together with the drive device 5 is illustrated in
A fastening movement of the entrainment member 4a on the first extension guide 3a is illustrated in perspective in the
In
In
An intermediate position ZW of the fastening movement is illustrated in
The fastening state B is reached in
The two extension guides 3a and 3b as well as the two entrainment members 4a and 4b are illustrated in
A view from below corresponding to
The two extension guides 3a and 3b as well as the two entrainment members 4a and 4b are illustrated in
A view from below corresponding to
The cross section A-A corresponding to
The cross section C-C corresponding to
An entrainment member 4a of a second, alternative exemplary embodiment is illustrated in perspective in
Only an angular mounting element 28 of the carcass rail 17 is illustrated in
The pin 9 formed on the mounting element 28 is visible in the cross section D-D of the
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 50018/2018 | Jan 2018 | AT | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/AT2018/060306 | Dec 2018 | US |
| Child | 16925935 | US |
