The present invention relates to a pivoting fitting, especially for furniture, comprising a first pivoting lever which can be moved about an axis of rotation in relation to a second pivoting lever, wherein a blocking device is provided in order to block in a blocking position a rotational motion of the first pivoting lever in relation to the second pivoting lever in a first direction of rotation and to enable said rotational motion in an opposite second direction of rotation, and to a piece of furniture and a motor vehicle with at least one respective pivoting fitting.
WO 2007/088128 discloses a pivoting fitting in which a first tab is pivotably arranged in relation to a second tab. The two tabs can be latched in different angular positions via a latching mechanism, wherein latching in opposite directions is possible. There is a disadvantage in the latching of the tabs in relation to each other in that fixing of the tabs in relation to each other is only possible in predetermined angular positions. It is sometimes desirable in a fine setting of headrests or armrests to provide a finer possibility for adjustment than via the latching mechanism. Furthermore, there is frequently the problem in such pivoting fittings that a rotational motion of the tabs is only possible in a predetermined angular range, according to the construction of the piece of furniture, which limits the adjusting possibilities, and therefore increases the number of different embodiments for different angular ranges.
Motor vehicle seats with respective pivoting fittings are generally known.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a pivoting fitting in which a first pivoting lever and a second pivoting lever are provided with a more flexible possibility for adjustment.
This object is achieved by a pivoting fitting with the features of claim 1.
A blocking device is provided in accordance with the invention in order to block in a blocking position a rotational motion of the first pivoting lever relative to the second pivoting lever in a first rotational direction, wherein an infinitely variable adjustment of the blocking position is possible by a switching element which deactivates the blocking device for an adjusting process of the first pivoting lever in relation to the second pivoting lever in the first direction of rotation. As a result, the first pivoting lever can be adjusted in an infinitely variable manner relative to the second pivoting lever, so that an adjustment in all desired angles is possible. Furthermore, the first pivoting lever and the second pivoting lever can be twisted circumferentially, i.e. they can carry out an adjustment of 360° and more. Limit stops are not necessary in the fitting in accordance with the invention, but may still be advantageous in specific applications. As a result, the pivoting fitting can be used for setting backrests, headrests, armrests or other components in which an infinitely variable adjustment is desirable. Only one fitting is to required in order to cover all imaginable pivoting angles in headrests, armrests, backrests or the like. The maximum pivoting angle can be formed by add-on parts and not by the fitting itself.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocking device comprises a clamping axle surrounded by a loop, which can be applied in a clamping manner around the clamping axle. A stable fixing by the blocking device can thus be achieved, which engages around the clamping axle with the loop according to the principle of the loop spring. The angle of wrap of the loop can be more than 180°, especially more than 270°, wherein also several rotations of the loop around the clamping axle are possible.
The switching element is preferably arranged on the loop, and in a first position a clamping fixing of the loop on the clamping axle is enabled and a tightening of the loop is blocked in the second position in order to prevent a clamping fixing of the loop on the clamping axle. The switching element thus predetermines whether the loop blocks a rotational motion of the pivoting levers or an adjusting process can be initiated when the loop is arranged in the second position. A pivoting lever can rotatably be mounted on a first arm of the loop and be in engagement with a second arm of the loop in order to fix the loop in the first direction of rotation on the clamping axle and to release the same in the second direction. The loop can be fixed in a clamping manner or released depending on the direction of the force on the pivoting lever in order to enable a rotational motion relative to the clamping axle in one direction of rotation and to prevent a rotational motion relative to the clamping axle in the opposite direction of rotation.
After an adjusting process, the switching element activates the blocking device in order to block a rotational motion of the first pivoting lever relative to the second pivoting lever. Such an activation can be produced for example by a movement of the first pivoting lever in relation to a second pivoting lever in the second direction of rotation, e.g. by only a few degrees so that the switching element terminates the adjusting process again. A control element can thus be provided in order to actuate the switching element. The control element can be rotatable at least in sections together with one of the two pivoting levers. For this purpose, the control element can be coupled via a coupling to one of the pivoting levers, so that no further components are necessary for actuating the blocking device.
For the purpose of a compact configuration, the control element can be coupled to the first pivoting lever via the coupling, whereas the second lever is rotatably mounted on the loop. The control element thus follows the movement of the first pivoting lever, while a rotational motion of the second pivoting lever depends on whether or not the blocking device is activated.
According to a further embodiment, the switching element can be fixed in a clamping manner in the position for deactivating the blocking device. The switching element can be formed as a pin which is pretensioned by a spring in the position in which the blocking device is effective. As a result of the clamping fixing of the pin, it can be fixed at least for one adjusting process with the pretensioned spring, wherein the spring ensures after the termination of the adjusting process that the pin is pressed directly into the blocking position when the first pivoting lever is slightly moved in relation to the second pivoting lever in the second direction of rotation.
The control element can comprise a guide bevel for reliable switching in order to actuate the switching element during a rotational motion. The control element can be rotated via the coupling by a pivoting lever, especially a friction coupling with a spring.
A projection is preferably formed on the second pivot lever, which projection engages in a receptacle on the second arm of the loop and moves the second arm of the loop in relation to the first arm during a rotational motion of the first pivoting lever in relation to the second pivoting lever in the first direction of rotation in order to fix the loop in a clamping manner around the clamping axle. In this process, the projection can be arranged adjacent to the clamping axle, thus providing advantageous lever conditions and a compact configuration.
The control element is preferably rotatable in a pivoting range, which is limited by two stops. The maximum adjusting range of the pivoting levers is predetermined by the stops, wherein different pivoting ranges can be realised by exchanging the control element. Handling is simpler by providing a stop, because the user perceives a defined starting and end position during the return by one or two stops.
For the purpose of the stable fixing of the pivoting lever on the loop it can be rotatably mounted in a slotted receptacle of the loop. As a result, transverse forces can also be transmitted from the pivoting lever to the loop.
A relevant advantage of the fitting in accordance with the invention is that in a piece of furniture or in a vehicle seat two substantially identical fittings can be used. This substantially reduces the amount of production work and the production costs for the fitting. In addition, the producer of the furniture or motor vehicle seat is offered the advantage that only one universally usable fitting needs to be held on stock.
The invention will be explained below in closer detail by reference to an embodiment shown in the enclosed drawings, wherein:
A pivoting fitting 1 comprises a first pivoting lever 2 and a second pivoting lever 3, which are pivotable in relation to each other about a rotational axis. Such a pivoting fitting 1 can be used for example in furniture, for the adjustable fixing of armrests, headrests or other components.
The second pivoting lever 3 is fixed on a loop 4, which surrounds a clamping axle 5. The first pivoting lever 2 is fixed to the clamping axle 5. The second pivoting lever 3 is rotatably mounted about a pivot 6 on the loop 4. The pivoting range of the second pivoting lever 3 can be limited relative to the loop 4 by a pin 8 in form of a journal. The pivoting range of the second pivot lever 3 relative to the loop 4 can be a few degrees, e.g. 1° to 8°, especially 2° to 5°. A projection 7 is integrally attached to an inner end of the second pivoting lever 3, which projection is arranged adjacent to the pivot 6.
The clamping axle 5 comprises a cylindrical section 50 which is surrounded by a circular receptacle 40 on the loop 4. A retaining section 51 for a switching mechanism is further formed between the cylindrical section 50 and the jagged pin 52.
The second pivoting lever 3 comprises a bearing opening 30, which is placed on the pivot 6 on the loop 4. An upwardly protruding pin 8 is further arranged on the loop 4, which is inserted into an opening 31 in form of an oblong hole or an opening formed with play in relation to the pin 8. As a result, the second pivoting lever 3 can be pivoted relative to the loop 4 in a predetermined angular range. The second pivoting lever 3 further comprises openings 32 for mounting further components.
The loop 4 and the clamping axle 5 form a blocking device, by means of which a rotational motion of the first pivoting lever 2 in relation to the second pivoting lever 3 is blocked in a first direction of rotation and is enabled in a second direction of rotation. The blocking device can be deactivated for an adjusting process via a switching element 10. The switching element 10 is arranged adjacent to a control element 14, which is connected via a coupling in form of a corrugated spring 15 to the first pivoting lever 2. The coupling can also be realised in a different way, e.g. as a friction coupling. The corrugated spring 15 is clampingly inserted between a retaining ring 16, which is adjacent to the clamping axle 5, and the control element 14, so that during a rotational motion of the clamping axle 5 the control element 14 is moved by frictional forces with the clamping axle 5 and the first pivoting lever 2 until a further rotational motion is prevented, e.g. by a stop. In addition, a cover 17 is present so that the pivoting mechanism does not come into contact with other components such as fillings of upholstered pieces of furniture for example.
The function of the switching element 10 is explained in closer detail by reference to
In the inactive position, the middle section of the switching element 10 is situated with a wall 60 adjacent to a wall 48 on the second arm 42. The wall 48 is formed in a setback manner, so that the gap 44 in the region of the wall 48 is greater than in the remaining area. The wall 48 is connected via a step 49 to a wall 55 of the arm 42. If the wall 48 and the wall 60 are situated opposite each other, as illustrated in
In
If the first pivoting lever 2 is now moved relative to the second pivoting lever 3 in the first direction of rotation, the switching element 10 remains fixed in a clamping fashion between the first arm 41 and the second arm 42 until the user moves the first pivoting lever 2 relative to the second pivoting lever 3 slightly in the second direction of rotation. The clamping of the switching elements 10 in the clamping gap 44 is then released by the expansion of the clamping gap 44 by the action of the force F1 on the projection 7 and the arms 41 and 42 can spread apart slightly, which releases the wall 60 from the clamped fixing with the wall 55, and the switching elements 10 can now be pressed upwardly out of the receptacle 45 as a result of the force of the spring 13. As a result, the first arm 41 can now be compressed again relative to the second arm 42 under loading in the first direction of rotation and block the loop 4 on the clamping axle 5.
In the illustrated embodiment, a corrugated spring 15 is used for coupling the control element 14 to the first pivoting lever 2 and the clamping axle 5. It is obvious that other coupling elements can also be provided.
Furthermore, a different switching mechanism can be used instead of the illustrated switching element in order to block or deactivate a clamping effect of the loop 4 for an adjusting process.
The mechanical details of the pivoting fitting 1′ are shown in
The first pivoting lever 2 comprises a hexagonal receptacle 20′, which can be inserted onto a hexagonal pin 52′ of the clamping axle 5′, so that the first pivoting lever 2 and the clamping axle 5′ are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner. Furthermore, a similarly hexagonal holding section 51′ is provided at the bottom end of the clamping axle 5′.
The second pivoting lever 3 is fixed to a loop 4′, which encloses with a cylindrical receptacle 40 a similarly cylindrical section 50′ of a clamping axle 5′. The second pivoting lever 3 is inserted into a slotted receptacle 62 on the loop 4′ and is rotatably mounted there. A bearing opening 30 is formed on the second pivoting lever 3 for this purpose, which is penetrated by a pivot 6, which is inserted into an opening 61 on the loop 4′ and rotatably mounts the second pivoting lever 3. The pivot 6 can be secured by a nut 64 with a washer 63 against axial displacement. Openings 32 for mounting further attachment parts are further formed on the second pivoting lever 3, and a projection 7 is formed in the region into which the loop 4′ protrudes.
The loop 4′ and the clamping axle 5′ form a blocking device for the pivoting levers 2 and 3, which blocks in a first direction of rotation and allows a rotation in a second direction of rotation, wherein the blocking device can be deactivated via a switching element 10′ for an adjusting process. The switching element 10′ is formed as a pin which is pretensioned by a spring 13 towards a control element 14′. The switching element 10′ is arranged in a receptacle 45 adjacent to a gap 44 between two arms 41 and 42 of the loop 4′.
The control element 14′ is rotatably mounted on the clamping axle 5′ and comprises an opening for this purpose, which is penetrated by a section 54 of the clamping axle 5′. The control element 14′ comprises two stops 56 and 57 on an annular section, which can rest on a projection 53 on the clamping axle 5′, so that the rotational range between the control element 14′ and the clamping axle 5′ is limited. As in the preceding embodiment, the control element 14′ comprises a web 18′ extending perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the clamping axle 5′, on which a guide bevel 25′ is integrally attached. The web 18′ and the guide bevel 25′ are used for switching the pretensioned switching element 10′ on the loop 4′. In order to avoid an axial displacement of the control element 14′, a retaining ring 16 is mounted adjacent to the control element 14′ on the section 54 of the clamping axle 5′. Furthermore, a spring 58 is arranged between two retaining rings 16, wherein the spring 58 pretensions the control element 14′ in a direction of rotation. For this purpose, a bent end section 59 of the spring 58, which is made of wire, is inserted into an opening on the web 18′, and an opposite end of the spring 58 is retained on a receptacle 46′ of the loop 4.
In order to pretension the loop 4′ towards the first pivoting lever 2, a corrugated spring 15 is provided on the loop 4′ on the side facing away from the pivoting lever 2, which corrugated spring is arranged between two washers 9′. A retaining ring 16 is provided again on the axially outer side on a retaining section 51′ of the clamping axle 5′.
The actuation of the second pivoting lever 3 makes the projection 7 selectively compressing or widening the loop 4′, wherein the pivoting levers 2 and 3 are blocked relative to each other by the compression of the loop 4′. Only when the second pivoting lever 3 is pivoted in the opposite direction will the projection 7 press on the arm 42 of the loop 4′, so that it widens slightly and permits a pivoting movement. If the second pivoting lever 3 is now pivoted in the unblocked direction of rotation, then this can occur to such an extent until the control element 14′ moves with the stop 56 against the projection 53. The control element 14′ is then no longer co-rotated under a further pivoting movement of the second pivoting lever 3, but remains rigidly on the clamping axle 5′. The guide bevel 25′ thus comes into engagement with the switching element 10′, which is pressed downwardly, as shown in
In
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2015 100 527.1 | Jan 2015 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2016/050190 | 1/7/2016 | WO | 00 |