Patent Application
20150002008
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 10 2013 010 577.3 filed Jun. 26, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a carcass rail for a guiding apparatus and to a guiding apparatus, an item of furniture and a method for producing a carcass rail.
The most varied designs of carcass rails are known in the area of furniture construction. As a component part, for example of a guiding unit of a guiding apparatus for a movable furniture part such as, for example, a drawer, they are generally realized for mounting on a furniture carcass in order to mount the movable furniture part there in a predetermined position so as to be displaceable. In this case, one of the functions of the carcass rail is to transmit different force actions onto one or several mounting positions at which the carcass rail is fixedly mounted with a furniture carcass. On the one hand, it is desired in this connection that the carcass rail is deformed as little as possible when there are changes in the force action. On the other hand, the carcass rail is to be comparatively space-saving and is to have relatively little impact on the appearance of an item of furniture, in particular of the furniture carcass.
A known design of carcass rails includes, for example, a profile rail, produced for example from sheet metal, and one or several mounting brackets which are connected to the profile rail. In this case, designs are known both where a mounting bracket is rigidly connected to a profile rail and such where different positions of a profile rail can be adjusted on a mounting bracket. Such designs can be linked to a comparatively high level of expenditure on production and to a requirement for a large amount of material.
The object of the present invention is to provide a carcass rail which is improved for an efficient and cost-efficient production of items of furniture which have a movable furniture part.
The invention proceeds from a carcass rail for a guiding apparatus, by way of which a movable furniture part during opening and/or closing is guidable on a furniture carcass of an item of furniture. The carcass rail is provided with a cross sectional profile which has several even profile portions which extend along a longitudinal axis of the carcass rail, wherein in each case two of the profile portions are connected together by means of a bending edge which extends along the longitudinal axis. In addition, a first of the profile portions is a side portion of the cross sectional profile which in the mounted state is provided for arrangement on a side wall portion in the furniture carcass.
The core of the invention is that at least one free-standing mounting strap for an assembly on a side wall portion of the furniture carcass is realized on the first profile portion, said mounting strap being connected integrally and continuously on the one side to the remaining carcass rail, in particular to the first profile portion, and extending over a part portion of the longitudinal axis of the carcass rail. In this case, several mounting straps, separated from one another, can also be realized standing freely and extending over a part portion of the carcass rail, each of which is connected together integrally and on one side with the remaining carcass rail and in particular with first profile portion.
The integral connecting between the mounting strap and the remaining carcass rail presents the advantage that at least one region of the carcass rail, which is provided for mounting the carcass rail on the furniture carcass, for example using fastening elements, is connected to the remaining carcass rail by a homogeneous material connection. As a result, the mounting strap and the remaining carcass rail are connected in a comparatively reliable manner, hardly any or absolutely no movement play being able to be formed at the connection as at a connection with adjoining boundary faces, for example at a screw-type connection or at, for example, a rivet connection. The advantage of the integral connection compared to a weld connection is that there is hardly any or there is no creation of thermally loaded points which differ from the surrounding material by means of changed material characteristics such as, for example, elasticity or ductility. Consequently, even the risk of a connection between a carcass rail and a mounting element mounted thereon rupturing is avoided on the carcass rail according to the invention.
In addition, the carcass rail and in particular part of the mounting means can be realized advantageously in a space-saving manner because the placing in position and connecting of additional material for a mounting element such as, for example, a mounting bracket is no longer required.
The use of material can be adapted in a comparatively better manner to a load-bearing capacity striven for by using a free-standing mounting strap which extends over a part portion of the longitudinal axis of the carcass rail. Thus, the mounting strap and the connection thereof to the remaining carcass rail can be restricted to a surface, the size of which is sufficient to avoid cracking and breaking off at the mounting means, for example at a hole or similar openings, under predetermined loads. This leads to the further advantage that the carcass rail according to the invention can be produced in a comparatively material-saving manner. Consequently, a comparatively small weight and a reduced space requirement can be achieved, as a result of which a carcass rail according to the invention also offers advantages with reference to packaging and transport.
The free-standing mounting strap provides the advantage that mounting means, which are arranged on the mounting strap, can be comparatively easy to reach during assembly or disassembly and can be positioned so as to be easily seen on the carcass rail. To this end, the mounting strap is preferably realized protruding beyond an outer contour or a portion of an outer contour of the remaining carcass rail.
The mounting strap is preferably realized so as to stand out freely from a top edge of the first profile portion. In particular, the mounting strap is bent off together with the first profile portion on a bending edge of a second profile portion. In this way, the mounting strap can project advantageously beyond further profile portions of the carcass rail and, where applicable, even beyond further rails which are mounted displaceably on the carcass rail, in particular in the case of assembly on a carcass of an item of furniture.
In addition, the mounting strap can be connected to the remaining carcass rail, in particular to the first profile portion, by means of at least one bending edge. Consequently, it is achievable, for example, that once the mounting strap has been mounted on the furniture carcass, the first profile portion is arranged standing out from a surface of the furniture carcass at a predefined angle. In addition, one or several bending edges and connecting portions lying therebetween can be provided for the purpose of arranging the first profile portion at a predefined spacing from the furniture carcass.
A preferred design of the invention is that the mounting strap is arranged on a laterally protruding region of a center profile portion, hereafter called the center portion, of the carcass rail. A center portion connects profile portions of the carcass rail, between which the center portion is arranged and which are connected together by the center portion. The center portion is arranged, in particular, between side portions. In this case, it is preferred, in particular, for the center portion to be widened in the part portion of the longitudinal axis over which the mounting strap is realized at right angles to the longitudinal axis. The widened center portion, in conjunction with the mounting strap, can form a mounting bracket which is continuously integral with the carcass rail and holds the remaining carcass rail at a predefined spacing from an inside surface of the furniture carcass. As a result, using the carcass rail according to the invention, a pull-out rail, for example can be arranged at such a spacing from a, for example, side wall that, for example, a bottom of a drawer rests on the pull-out rail and can be supported by the same.
In order to achieve a method of construction that saves material, the mounting strap is realized over a part portion, i.e. part of an overall length, of the carcass rail along the longitudinal axis of the same and not over its overall length. When only one mounting strap is realized connected integrally and continuously on one side on the carcass rail, the mounting strap and correspondingly the part portion can, for example, be extended over more than half the overall length of the carcass rail. The mounting strap is preferably extended over a maximum of half the length of the carcass rail along the longitudinal axis. In particular, the mounting strap is realized over less than half, preferably over less than a third, in a particularly preferred manner over less than a quarter and where applicable over a tenth or less of the overall length of the carcass rail over a correspondingly long part portion. A length of the part portion for the mounting strap can be determined by, for example, one single element of the mounting means being realized on the mounting strap with a predetermined load-bearing capacity. In particular when the mounting strap extends over less than half of the overall length of the carcass rail, in particular of the first profile portion, several mounting straps can be provided in an advantageous manner. As a result, the carcass rail is comparatively light and space-saving. Furthermore, it can be produced, where applicable, with an advantageously small amount of material scrap.
A preferred design of the carcass rail provides that, with reference to the longitudinal axis, the mounting strap is realized in a front end region of the carcass rail which is provided for arrangement in the front region of the furniture carcass. Through a comparatively space-saving design of the mounting strap, it is possible to mount the carcass rail in the front region of the furniture carcass in an advantageously unobtrusive manner. In this case, a dimension of the mounting strap can be restricted to, for example, a predetermined material thickness, in particular of a metal sheet, from which the carcass rail is produced. To support the carcass rail in a sturdy manner, a mounting device, e.g. in the form of a hole for screw-fastening or in the form of a recess for a, for example, plug-in connection, can be realized in the remaining region of the carcass rail to one side of the part portion for the mounting strap. The mounting device is preferably integrally formed on the carcass rail.
The mounting strap can be arranged plane-parallel to one of the profile portions, in particular to a further side portion. As a result, an arrangement of the carcass rail in the course of assembly on the furniture carcass can be advantageously checked in a comparatively simple manner by way of the mounting strap. When the mounting strap is realized in particular on a top edge of the first profile portion, a concentration of carrying forces on a comparatively narrowly defined region of the carcass rail and distortions of the carcass rail produced as a result can be avoided in an advantageous manner.
Reinforcement is preferably realized on the mounting strap and/or on the first profile portion, in particular in the part portion of the longitudinal axis of the carcass rail. For this purpose, the profile portion which is continuously connected to the mounting strap can have a channel-like arch which extends transversely, in particular at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the carcass rail. The reinforcement preferably extends from the first profile portion as far as into a further profile portion by way of which the first profile portion is connected to a bending edge. In this case, the bending edge is preferably interrupted by the arch. Where applicable, the reinforcement, in particular the channel-shaped arch, can extend as far as into the mounting strap. Through the channel-like arch, the carcass rail can be reinforced on the part portion in such a manner that carrying forces are distributed comparatively favorably onto the remaining carcass rail and that a concentration of stresses in the material of the carcass rail is avoidable. Through the integral design of the mounting strap on the carcass rail, force distribution is easier to calculate, as a result of which the use of material and the design of a reinforcement on the carcass rail according to the invention can be designed in a comparatively more efficient manner. The reinforcement in the part portion in the vicinity of the mounting strap can also be realized by an additionally mounted reinforcement element which, for example, is welded-on or, for example, riveted-on in the part portion, in particular on a bending edge.
At least one mounting element, for example a hole for screw-fastening, is preferably realized on the mounting strap. The mounting element can, for example, be a hole, an elongated hole, a dowel, a journal, a threaded journal or, a hook. In this case, the mounting strap can also have several mounting elements and, where applicable, different mounting elements.
In addition, it is preferred for one of an offset and a bend to be realized on a connection between the mounting strap and the remaining carcass rail. In particular, a bend can be realized between the mounting strap and the first profile portion. As a result, a connection between the mounting strap and the remaining carcass rail can be realized in a reinforced and comparatively more solid manner in order to achieve an advantageously uniform distribution of carrying forces between the mounting strap and the remaining carcass rail. In order to reduce a risk of cracking or rupture on the one-sided and integral connection between the free-standing mounting strap and the remaining carcass rail, a bend can be pulled in a linear manner along one or several edges, the rectilinear bend preferably being realized beyond a connection point at which a boundary edge of a profile portion and a boundary edge of the mounting position meet one another.
A guiding apparatus with a carcass rail according to the invention, in particular according to one or several of the aforementioned designs can be constructed in a comparatively space-saving and light manner. An item of furniture with a carcass rail according to the invention consequently enables improved use of space in particular in the furniture carcass, as a result of which comparatively more stowing space for example in movable furniture parts such as, for example, a drawer can be provided. In this case, guiding of the movable furniture part can be realized in an unobtrusive manner as regards the appearance of the item of furniture according to the invention.
A further object of the invention consists in a method for producing a carcass rail, where a sheet metal plate, from which the carcass rail is formed, is separated out from a metal sheet. For the method, in this case, it is essential that the mounting strap is bent off from a sheet portion from which a profile portion of the carcass rail is realized. In this connection, the mounting strap can be bent off together with the first profile portion from the sheet portion for a profile portion in order to realize the mounting strap and the first profile portion, for example, plane-parallel with respect to one another. As a result, the number of bending edges can be kept comparatively small in order to produce the carcass rail in an advantageously simpler manner.
The sheet metal plate is realized with an outline which includes a preferably rectangular base portion for realizing profile portions of the carcass rail. In this case, a rectangular surface for the base portion can be inscribed into the outline of the sheet metal plate. The long sides of the rectangular base portion can be realized, in particular separated out from a metal sheet, according to a length specification for the carcass rail. The rectangular base portion is separated out from a metal sheet with a tongue-shaped projection, the tongue-shaped projection standing out in a free standing manner from a side edge in particular on a long side of the rectangular base portion.
The sheet metal plate can be separated out from a metal sheet with a, for example, L-shaped outline. In order to produce a carcass rail with several, in particular two free-standing mounting straps, the sheet metal plate can be separated out from a metal sheet with a, for example, F-shaped outline. A carcass rail with more than two mounting straps is separated out from a metal sheet with a corresponding number of projections which protrude laterally in a tongue-shaped manner on one side of a rectangular basic form.
A particularly preferred design of the invention provides that between the side projections, which protrude on a side edge of a rectangle which is inscribed into the outline of a first sheet metal plate for a first carcass rail, intermediate spaces are realized into which at least part of the tongue-shaped projections of a second sheet metal plate can extend for a second carcass rail. As a result, during the separating out process the separating forms of two sheet metal plates are arranged in such a manner that the outlines of the sheet metal plates lie rotated with respect to one another by an angle of 180′ in a plane of the metal sheet in order to reduce material scrap with a material-saving design of the carcass rail.
The separating form can be realized on a tool of a, for example, stamping press. In addition, the separating form can be predefined, in particular programmed, as a tool path of a cutting tool, for example of an X-ray head of a laser cutting device.
In order to develop the production of the carcass rail according to the invention in a rational manner, out of one metal sheet two interlocking sheet metal plates as rough forms for two carcass rails are separated out in particular in one production step. Outlines of two sheet metal plates are preferably arranged in such a manner that on the separating form at least one common separating line is realized between both sheet metal plates, on which separating line the outlines of the two sheet metal plates cover one another. The two sheet metal plates are preferably separated from one another at a continuous common separating line.
For separating out, the sheet metal plate can be, for example, punched from a metal sheet or can be cut out by laser cutters and, in particular, milling machines.
In this case, the sheet metal plate is preferably produced from steel plate.
For comparatively simple production, the sheet metal plate is separated out of a metal sheet with boundary edges arranged at right angles with respect to one another. Protruding and pulled-in corners are preferably rounded on the outline of the sheet metal plate in order to reduce the risk of cracking and rupture on the carcass rail under load.
The invention is explained below by way of several exemplary embodiments which are described by way of drawings. The exemplary embodiments are shown not true to scale in the drawings.
a shows a schematic front view of a cross section at right angles to a longitudinal axis of a guiding apparatus according to the invention;
b shows a schematic front view of a cross section at right angles to a longitudinal axis of a guiding apparatus according to the invention;
Each guiding unit 4 includes a carcass rail 5 according to the invention, an intermediate rail 6 as well as a load rail 7. The load rail 7 can be mounted on the bottom or side of the drawer 3. The carcass rail 5 is realized for mounting on a right-hand side wall (not shown). In this case, the carcass rail, in the mounted state, abuts against the side wall by way of a side profile portion 8 and a mounting strap 12, the mounting strap 12 being realized with mounting means for assembly.
The carcass rail 5 is preferably produced from a metal sheet, preferably sheet steel. The carcass rail 5 has several profile portions 8, 9, 10 and 11 which can all be realized, for example, over an overall length L of the carcass rail in the longitudinal direction of a front boundary edge 26 as far as up to a rear boundary edge 27. The profile portions 8, 9, 10, 11 are continuously connected together on bending edges 17, 18 and 19 and are bent off with respect to one another, in particular at right angles. The bending edges 17, 18 and 19 extend preferably parallel to a longitudinal axis of the carcass rail 5. Of the bending edges at least one extends preferably at least over the overall length L of the carcass rail. Because the bending edges 17, 18 and 19 provide a considerable contribution to strength and sturdiness, it is preferred when the majority of them and in particular all of them are realized extending at least over a large part of the overall length L of the carcass rail 5. In the design shown, all the bending edges 17, 18, 19 and the profile portions 8, 9, 10, 11 extend from a front boundary edge 26 as far as up to a rear boundary edge 27.
The side profile portion 8 is provided for the purpose of abutting against an even surface of a side wall 39 once the carcass rail 5 has been mounted in the furniture carcass 2. The side profile portion 8 is connected to a center profile portion 9 at right angles by means of the bending edge 17. The center profile portion 9 and the profile portion 10 are connected together by means of a further bending edge 18. The center profile portion 9 is provided for the purpose of supporting the profile portions 10 and 11 and for keeping them at a horizontal spacing, which is predefined by the spacing between the bending edges 17 and 18, from the side profile portion 8 and, after assembly, from a side wall 39 of a furniture carcass 2.
The profile portion 10 forms together with the profile portion 11a region of the carcass rail 5 which is provided for a displaceable bearing arrangement of an intermediate rail 6 and a pull-out rail (load rail 7). Surface regions 11a, 11b on the profile portion 11 and where applicable also surface regions 10a, 10b on the profile portion 10 are preferably provided as running surfaces for the roller element cages 16, in particular for roller elements includes therein (not shown) and can be processed for this purpose, for example, smoothed or, for example, provided with a thread (not shown).
A mounting strap 12 is realized on the side profile portion 8 in a front part portion C of the carcass rail 5 which reaches to the front boundary edge 26. The mounting strap 12 is realized from a metal sheet portion which is connected continuously and integrally to the side profile portion 8 and projects over a top boundary edge 24 of the side profile portion 8 and, in this case, extends as far as up to a top edge 28 of the mounting strap 12. In this case, the mounting strap 12 is free-standing, it being defined in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the carcass rail by an upwardly-projecting piece of the front boundary edge 26 of the carcass rail and laterally by a boundary edge 29 which connects the top boundary edge 28 of the mounting strap 12 with the top boundary edge 24 of the side profile portion 8.
Two bends 22 and 23, which are realized as offset steps which extend in opposite directions, are realized on the mounting strap 12 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carcass rail. As a result, the mounting strap is arranged offset inwardly toward the profile portion 10 in the region of the mounting means 15 by a spacing in the order of magnitude of a material thickness, in particular plate thickness, the mounting strap 12 being arranged in the region of the mounting means 15 plane-parallel to the first profile portion 8. When the carcass rail is mounted, edges of the step-shaped bends 22 and 24 abut in all circumstances against an even mounting region (not shown) of the furniture carcass 2. Through corresponding strong fastening of mounting elements, in particular screws, the mounting strap can be, in particular, elastically sagged in the region of the mounting means, for example the holes 15, as a result of which fastening forces are initially transmittable only by means of pressing on the step-shaped bends 22 and 23 and, where applicable, also by the profile portion of the carcass rail 5 abutting onto a side wall 39 of a furniture carcass 2. In the case of comparatively strong loads on the carcass rail 5, the fastening of the carcass rail 5 with the furniture carcass 2 as a result can be somewhat flexible in order, for example, to avoid a break-out of fastening means such as, for example, a screw (not shown) or, for example, a dowel (not shown). In addition, the mounting strap 12 is reinforced by the bends 22 and 23 in such manner that a comparatively favorable distribution of mounting and carrying forces onto the mounting strap 12 and onto the first profile portion 8 is achievable.
Because comparatively high loads can occur in the front part portion C of the carcass rail 5—in particular when, for example, the drawer 3 is pulled-out—the connection of the mounting strap 12 and of the first profile portion 8 to the center profile portion 9 is provided with a channel-shaped arch 13, by means of which the connection between the profile portions over the bending edge is reinforced. As a result, increased loadability of the carcass rail, in particular in the region of the bending edge 17 can be achieved in a advantageous manner in order to prevent or at least to reduce the bending edge bending under admissible loads.
The mounting strap has mounting means in the form of several holes 15 which are provided for mounting with, for example, screws and, for example, dowels. In this case, mounting means can also be realized in the form of engagements for, for example, fastening hooks and the like. Deviating from the design shown here, the mounting means can also include, for example, a hook which is punched out on the mounting strap.
The profile portion 8 extends over a large part of the length of the carcass rail 5 up to a height A, whilst the mounting strap 12 projects beyond the height A as far as up to the top boundary edge 28. As can be seen particularly clearly in
On account of the front arrangement on the front boundary edge 26, the mounting strap is provided in particular for receiving carrying forces which act on the front rail portion, in particular the part portion C. To support the carcass rail in a region in the vicinity of the rear boundary edge 27, a recess 14, which is adapted, for example, to a mounting adapter (not shown) which is provided for mounting on one of a rear region of a furniture carcass 2, a rear wall and, a cross strip 38, is realized on the center profile portion 9 according to
By way of the carcass rail 5 which is shown in
The boundary edges 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 of the two sheet metal plates are preferably arranged in such a manner that in particular between the two sheet metal plates 31 and 32 no region of the metal sheet 30 remains unutilized. Consequently, the L-shaped outlines of the two sheet metal plates 31 and 32 are arranged rotated with respect to one another by 180° in a plane parallel to the metal sheet. In this case, the two boundary edges 24 of the two metal sheets 31 and 32 are moved to coincide with one another. In addition, in each case the boundary edge 29 of the one and the boundary edge 27 of the other of the sheet metal plates 31 and 32 are arranged covering one another. As a result, a closed, rectangular surface region, in which the two sheet metal plates 31, 32 contact one another with no intermediate space and consequently advantageously without any material scrap, is defined on the metal sheet 30 by the boundary edges 25, 26 and 28 of two sheet metal plates 31 and 32 together.
The two sheet metal plates 31 and 32 are separated out from the metal sheet 30. In this case, during the course of separating the sheet metal plates 31, 32 out of the metal sheet, mounting means, in particular in the form of holes 15, can also be realized out of a sheet metal portion of the sheet metal plates 31 and 32 which is provided as a mounting strap 12.
For this purpose, the sheet metal plates 31 and 32 can be, for example, punched or cut out of the metal sheet 30 using one of a milling machine (not shown) and a laser beam (not shown). For this purpose, for example, a punch (not shown) is realized in such a manner that consequently the two sheet metal plates 31 and 32, which have been rotated with respect to one another about 180° and abut against one another, are punched out together from the metal sheet 30 in particular in one operating cycle of a punching apparatus (not shown), the two sheet metal plates 31 and 32 preferably being separated from one another at the same time.
Furthermore, the positions of bending edges 17, 18 and 19 are recorded on the metal sheet 30 as interrupted lines. Once the two sheet metal plates 31 and 32 have been separated out and, where applicable, subsequently detached from one another, the sheet metal plates 31, 32 are bent at the bending edges 17, 18 and 19. In this case, the bending edges 17, 18, 19 can be realized by press braking and, for example, by rolling, in particular cold rolling. In this case, the mounting strap 12 is bent off from a profile portion 9 in the case of each of the metal sheet parts. In particular, the mounting strap 12 is bent off from the profile portion 9 together with a first profile portion 8, as a result of which the mounting strap 12 is realized so as to be protruding upward and standing freely from a height A of a top boundary edge 24 of the profile portion 8.
The sheet tongues for the mounting straps 12 and 34 are connected homogeneously to the profile portion. Once the sheet metal plates 31 and 32 have been separated off, the mounting straps 12 and 34 are bent off together with the profile portion 8 at a bending edge 17 of a profile portion 9.
The center profile portion 9 is widened in a part portion C, as a result of which the profile portion is defined on one side of two separated side profile portions 8 and 40. In this case, the side profile portion 40 is connected to the center profile portion 9 by means of a bending edge 41. A mounting strap 12 with mounting means in the form of several holes 15 is realized on the side profile portion 8 above a height A. The height A preferably lies above the profile portions 10 and 11. The side profile portion 8 and the mounting strap 12 are bent off together from the center profile portion 9 at a bending edge 17, as a result of which the mounting strap is moved into a free-standing position and is connected integrally to the remaining carcass rail 5. Through the widening of the center profile portion 9 in the part portion C, the profile portion is realized in portions as a free-standing supporting arm, by way of which the rail region with the side profile portion 40 can be mounted, for example, at a predetermined spacing from a, for example, side wall 39 of a furniture carcass 2.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2013 010 577.3 | Jun 2013 | DE | national |
