BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one drawer pull-out guide, the drawer pull-out guide including a carcass rail configured to be fixed to a furniture carcass and at least one extension rail displaceable relative to the carcass rail, and the drawer pull-out guide includes at least one coupling device configured to releasably couple the extension rail to a drawer.
Moreover, the invention concerns a method for coupling a drawer sidewall or a drawer to an extension rail of a drawer pull-out guide.
According to the prior art, coupling devices (EP 0 421 458 B1, EP 3 167 756 A1, DE 33 47 540 A1, DE 20 2008 006 214 U1, EP 0 421 458 A1) are known for mounting and demounting a drawer in its entirety to and from an extendable rail of a drawer pull-out guide, so that the drawer—for example for cleaning purposes—can be separated from the drawer pull-out guide and can be subsequently again fixed thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to propose an improved coupling device which shall be applicable in a more universal manner.
According to the invention:
- the assembly includes at least one drawer sidewall having a hollow profile made of metal and at least one first coupling element configured to be, preferably releasably, coupled to the coupling device of the drawer pull-out guide, and
- the assembly includes at least one second coupling element which is configured to be fixed to a drawer made of a wood material and which is to be alternatively, preferably releasably, coupled, instead of the at least one first coupling element, to the coupling device of the drawer pull-out guide.
In other words, a coupling device is provided which, on the one hand, is adapted for releasably coupling a sidewall, consisting of a hollow profile, to an extension rail of a drawer pull-out guide, and, on the other hand, is adapted for releasably coupling a drawer, consisting of a wood material, to an extension rail of a drawer pull-out guide.
Therefore, the coupling device is applicable in a more universal manner, without the necessity that two different coupling devices must be provided in order to fulfil these functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1a-1d show a drawer comprising drawer sidewalls and a front panel in a perspective view and enlarged detail views thereof,
FIG. 2a, 2b show the drawer pull-out guide and the drawer sidewall to be coupled to the extension rail in a perspective view and an enlarged detail view thereof,
FIG. 3a, 3b show the coupling operation of the drawer sidewall to the extension rail of the drawer pull-out guide in two different positions,
FIG. 4a, 4b show the coupling lever and the first coupling element in a perspective view and in a coupled condition, and the coupling lever supported on the extension rail in a cross-sectional view,
FIG. 5 show a possible embodiment of a connecting device in an exploded view,
FIG. 6a, 6b show the drawer sidewall in a perspective view from below and an enlarged detail view thereof,
FIG. 7a-7c show the releasable locking of the holding portion of the connecting device in temporally subsequent steps, the holding portion being configured to be fixed to the front panel,
FIG. 8a-8d show a further embodiment of the invention with a drawer consisting of a wood material, the drawer being configured to be releasably coupled to an extension rail of a drawer pull-out guide via the coupling device,
FIG. 9a, 9b show the embodiment according to FIGS. 8a-8d with the second coupling element in an uncoupled and in a coupled condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of a drawer 1 comprising drawer sidewalls 2, a front panel 3 to be connected to the drawer sidewalls 2, a drawer bottom 4 and a rear wall 5.
Each of the drawer sidewalls 2 includes a connecting device 6 for, preferably releasably, connecting the front panel 3 to the drawer sidewall 2. Each of the drawer sidewalls 2 includes a hollow profile 8 made of metal in which the connecting device 6 can be at least partially, preferably substantially entirely, arranged.
The drawer sidewall 2 has a front face 7 facing towards the front panel 3, and the connecting device 6, in a connected condition between the drawer sidewall 2 and the front panel 3, at least partially contacts a rear side of the front panel 3, the rear side of the front panel 3 facing towards the drawer sidewall 2.
The drawer 1 is displaceably supported relative to a furniture carcass (not shown here) via a drawer pull-out guide 9. The drawer pull-out guide 9 includes a carcass rail 10 configured to be fixed to a furniture carcass, and at least one extension rail 11 movable relative to the carcass rail 10. The drawer 1 can be releasably coupled to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9 via a coupling device 18 (FIG. 2a) which is yet to be described.
The drawer 1 includes at least one rear wall 5 to be arranged in a direction extending parallel to the front panel 3. The drawer sidewall 2 can include at least one rear wall holder 12 configured to, preferably releasably, connect the rear wall 5 to the drawer sidewall 2.
FIG. 1b shows the framed region of FIG. 1a in an enlarged view.
FIG. 1c shows the holding portion 13 which is to be fixed to the rear side of the front panel 3, for example via screws 14 and/or dowels.
FIG. 1d shows the holding portion 13 fixed to the rear side of the front panel 3. The connecting device 6 can advantageously include a locking device 29 (FIG. 5) configured to releasably lock the holding portion 13 to the drawer sidewall 2.
FIG. 2a shows the drawer sidewall 2 in a perspective view from above, in which the drawer sidewall 2 can be releasably coupled to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9 via a coupling device 18. In the shown embodiment, a first coupling element 18a is provided, the first coupling element 18a being arranged on the drawer sidewall 2 and being configured to be releasably coupled to a coupling lever 18b of the extension rail 11. In the shown FIG. 2a, the uncoupled condition between the coupling element 18a and the coupling lever 18b is illustrated.
The coupling device 18 with the first coupling element 18a and the connecting device 6 for, preferably releasably, connecting the front panel 3 to the drawer sidewall 2 are combined to a common constructional unit. The coupling lever 18b for releasably coupling to the coupling element 18a is arranged on the extension rail 11 so as to be bendable or pivotally supported about an axis extending vertically in a mounted position.
The drawer pull-out guide 9 can include a height adjustment device 17 having a movable actuating element 17a, and a height position of the drawer 1 relative to the extension rail 11 is adjustable by an actuation of the actuating element 17a.
In the rear region of the extension rail 11, a hook 15 is provided. The hook 15 is arranged with a predetermined distance to the upper side of the extension rail 11 and extends in the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2. In a mounted condition of the drawer sidewall 2, the hook 15 is received within a hole 16 of the rear wall holder 12. The hook 15 defines a rear position of the drawer 1 on the extension rail 11. Moreover, the rear region of the drawer 1 can be stabilized in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2 due to the hook 15 engaging the hole 16.
FIG. 2b shows the framed region of FIG. 2a in an enlarged view. According to an embodiment, the drawer sidewall 2 is substantially cuboidal and/or is substantially rectangular in a cross-sectional plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2.
The connecting device 6 for releasably connecting the front panel 3 includes the coupling device 18 for releasably coupling the drawer sidewall 2 to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9. In the shown embodiment, the coupling device 18 includes at least one first coupling element 18a arranged on the drawer sidewall 2, the first coupling element 18a being configured to be releasably coupled to the coupling lever 18b.
In the shown figure, the first coupling element 18a includes a bearing surface 19, a first abutment surface 20a extending in the longitudinal direction L and/or a second abutment surface 20b extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2.
In the shown configuration, the bearing surface 19 is adapted to bear against the drawer sidewall 2, the first abutment surface 20a is adapted to bear against a vertical limb 23 of the extension rail 11, and the second abutment surface 20b is adapted to bear against the coupling lever 18b. Due to the locking surfaces 22 arranged offset along the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, the drawer 1 can adopt different depth positions in a locked condition with the extension rail 11, so that the front side of the front panel 3 can be aligned substantially in a common plane with adjacent front panels.
Of course, in a kinematic reversal, it is also possible that the coupling lever 18b is arranged on the connecting device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2 and that the coupling element 18a is arranged on the extension rail 11.
Moreover, the first coupling element 18a includes at least one inclined surface 20c configured to deflect the coupling lever 18b against a spring force in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, when the drawer sidewall 2 is coupled to the extension rail 11. After deflection, the coupling lever 18b is automatically lockable to the first coupling element 18a due to the accumulated spring force.
According to an embodiment, the drawer sidewall 2 includes a groove 24 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, the groove 24 being configured to receive an edge of the drawer bottom 4. The groove 24 can include an upper holding limb 24a and a lower holding limb 24b spaced apart from the upper holding limb 24a. The lower holding limb 24b extends substantially parallel to the upper holding limb 24a, and the edge of the drawer bottom 4 can be arranged between the upper holding limb 24a and the lower holding limb 24b.
Preferably, at least one side face of the drawer sidewall 2 is made of an integral one-piece metal portion, and the groove 24, jointly with the two holding limbs 24a, 24b, is formed into the metal portion by bendings.
FIG. 3a shows the coupling of the drawer sidewall 2 in a further position of the drawer sidewall 2 relative to the extension rail 11. By sliding the drawer sidewall 2 onto the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9, the coupling lever 18b is pivoted in a plane extending parallel to the running plane of the extension rail 11 due to the co-operation of the two inclined surfaces 20c, 21, and a force storage member for applying a force to the coupling lever 18b can be loaded thereby.
It can be seen that the front end of the extension rail 11 includes a limb 11a displaceably guided in a guide 25 of the coupling lever 18b. Preferably, the limb 11a descends in a direction towards the front. Due to the limb 11a engaging into the guide 25, the coupling lever 18b is precisely guidable in a lateral direction.
FIG. 3b shows the locked position between the drawer sidewall 2 and the extension rail 11. By a continued movement of the drawer sidewall 2 onto the extension rail 11, the coupling lever 18b can be releasably coupled to the first coupling element 18a by the force of the relaxing force storage member. In the coupled condition, the first abutment surface 20a of the first coupling element 18a bears against the vertical limb 23 of the extension rail 11 so as to stabilize the drawer sidewall 2 in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L.
For example, the coupling lever 18b can include a handle 26 configured for manual actuation, and the coupling between the drawer sidewall 2 and the extension rail 11 is releasable by the handle 26. By a manual actuation of the handle 26 against the resilient force of the coupling lever 18b, the coupling between the drawer sidewall 2 and the extension rail 11 is again releasable.
FIG. 4a shows the coupled condition between the coupling lever 18b and the first coupling element 18a in a perspective view. In the shown embodiment, the first coupling element 18a is arranged on a base body 6a of the connecting device 6, and the base body 6a is to be arranged in a front region of the drawer sidewall 2. The coupling lever 18b with the locking surfaces 22 is supported on a flexure joint 27 which, with this embodiment, forms the force storage member for applying a force to the coupling lever 18b. The coupling lever 18b includes the guide 25 for linearly guiding the limb 11a of the extension rail 11, the guide 25 extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L. The coupling lever 18b is connectable to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9 via at least one fastening portion 28.
FIG. 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling lever 18b arranged on the extension rail 11. It can be seen that the limb 11a of the extension rail 11 descends in a direction towards the front, and the coupling lever 18b is displaceably guided in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L via the limb 11a engaging into the guide 25.
FIG. 5 shows a possible embodiment of a connecting device 6 in an exploded view. The connecting device 6 includes a base body 6a, preferably made of plastic, to be arranged within the hollow profile 8 of the drawer sidewall 2. It can be seen that the first coupling element 18a of the coupling device 18 is arranged on or within the base body 6a of the connecting device 6. The connecting device 6 includes a groove 24 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, the groove 24 being configured to receive an edge of the drawer bottom 4.
According to preferred embodiments, the connecting device 6:
- includes at least one locking device 29 for releasably locking at least one holding portion 13 to be fixed to the front panel 3, preferably the locking device 29 including at least one, preferably spring-loaded and/or displaceably supported, locking element 29a, and/or
- includes at least one adjustment device 31 for adjusting a position of the front panel 3 relative to the drawer sidewall 2 at least in one direction, preferably in a direction extending transversely to a longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, preferably the at least one adjustment device 31 including at least one eccentric 32, and/or
- is substantially entirely received, apart from the coupling device 18, within the drawer sidewall 2 in a mounted condition on the drawer sidewall 2, and/or
- includes a base body 6a, preferably the base body 6a being made of plastic and/or being configured substantially L-shaped.
In the shown embodiment, the locking device 29 includes a locking element 29a pressurized by a spring element 29b, the locking element 29a having a notch 30 configured to receive a bolt 13a of the holding portion 13. When the bolt 13a is introduced into the notch 30, the locking element 29a is moved in an upward direction by the inclined surface 33 against the force of the spring element 29b, and the bolt 13a is subsequently lockable in the notch 30.
The adjustment device 31 can include a rotatable adjustment element 31a having at least one eccentric 32 which can be arranged between the two side limbs of the holding portion 13 extending parallel to each other. By rotating the adjustment element 31a, the holding portion 13 (and therewith the front panel 3) is adjustable in a lateral direction relative to the base body 6a.
FIG. 6a shows the drawer sidewall 2 with the hollow profile 8 in a perspective view from below. In the shown figure, the holding portion 13 to be fixed to the front panel 3 is locked with the locking device 29 of the connecting device 6.
FIG. 6b shows the framed region of FIG. 6a in an enlarged view, in which the front-end region of the drawer sidewall 2 emerges in greater detail. The first coupling element 18a of the coupling device 18 is provided for releasably coupling to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9. The locking element 29a of the locking device 29 projects from the drawer sidewall 2 in a downward direction. The locking between the holding portion 13 and the locking element 29a is releasable by applying pressure to the locking element 29a. The adjustment element 31a of the adjustment device 31 includes a receiver for a tool, and a position of the holding portion 13 is adjustable in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2 by rotating the adjustment element 31a.
FIG. 7a-7c show the releasable locking of the holding portion 13 to be fixed to the front panel 3 with the locking device 6 in temporally subsequent steps.
FIG. 7a shows the holding portion 13 with the bolt 13a configured to be releasably locked, upon inserting, with the locking element 29a of the locking device 29.
FIG. 7b shows that the locking element 29a is moved against the force of the spring element 29b when the bolt 13a abuts against the inclined surface 33 of the locking element 29a. The spring element 29b can be a compression spring. Therefore, the locking element 29a is thus movable in an upward direction against the force of the spring element 29b.
FIG. 7c shows that the bolt 13a of the holding portion 13 is locked by the force of the relaxing spring element 29b. In a locked condition, the bolt 13a of the holding portion 13 is located within the notch 30 of the locking element 29.
FIG. 8a shows a further embodiment with a drawer 1 consisting of a wood material, the drawer 1 being releasably lockable to an extension rail 11 of a drawer pull-out guide 9. The drawer 1 includes drawer sidewalls 2, a rear wall 5 and a drawer bottom 4. In the shown embodiment, the drawer sidewall 2 can be made of a solid wood material. In order for the drawer 1 to be releasably coupled to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9, a second coupling element 18c is provided. The second coupling element 18c is to be fixed to the drawer 1, preferably to a vertical limb 23b (FIG. 8b) of the drawer 1.
FIG. 8b shows the encircled region of FIG. 8a in an enlarged view. According to possible embodiments, the second coupling element 18c:
- is to be arranged on a front end of the drawer 1, and/or
- includes at least one fastening location 39 for fixing the second coupling element 18c to the drawer 1, and/or
- includes a bearing surface 19, preferably the bearing surface 19 being configured to bear against the drawer 1, and/or
- includes an abutment surface 20a extending in the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, preferably the abutment surface 20a being configured to bear against a vertical limb 23 of the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9, and/or
- includes an abutment surface 20b extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2, preferably the abutment surface 20b being configured to be releasably coupled to the coupling lever 18b, and/or
- includes at least one inclined surface 20c configured to deflect the coupling lever 18b against a spring force in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the drawer sidewall 2 when the coupling lever 18b is coupled to the second coupling element 18c.
FIG. 8c shows the second coupling element 18c mounted to the drawer 1, in which the second coupling element 18c is depicted in dashed lines for reasons of improved overview.
FIG. 8d shows the second coupling element 18c mounted to the drawer 1 in a further perspective view from below, that is to say in a viewing direction to the lower side of the drawer bottom 4.
FIG. 9a shows the embodiment according to FIGS. 8a-8d with the second coupling element 18c in an uncoupled condition. For reasons of improved overview, the drawer 1, to which the second coupling element 18c is fixed, is not depicted.
When the drawer 1 is slid onto the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9 for mounting purposes, the inclined surface 21 of the coupling lever 18b abuts against the inclined surface 20c of the second coupling element 18c. As a result, the coupling lever 18b is pivotable against its resilient action in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction L.
FIG. 9b shows the coupled position between the drawer 1 and the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9, in which the abutment surface 20b of the second coupling element 18c is locked with the coupling lever 18b.
The method for coupling a drawer sidewall 2 or for coupling a drawer 1 to an extension rail 11 of a drawer pull-out guide 9 is characterized in that the drawer sidewall 2 or the drawer 1 is releasably coupled to the extension rail by means of the coupling device 18.
With a possible embodiment of the method, the drawer sidewall 2 or the drawer 1 is moved substantially in a direction extending parallel to a longitudinal direction L of the extension rail 11 for coupling, and/or the coupling device 18 includes a spring-loaded coupling lever 18b which is urged against the resilient action upon coupling.
Patent Application
20250134252
