Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for releasably coupling a drawer to a rail, which can be pulled out in a longitudinal direction, of a drawer pull-out guide. The apparatus has a holding part which interacts with a mating holding part in the coupled state in order to establish the releasable connection. At least that region of the holding part which comes into contact with the mating holding part is made flexible, preferably by attaching a flexible piece of material, so that any longitudinal play of the drawer which may occur in relation to the rail can be compensated.

Description:
This application is a Continuation of International application No. PCT/AT2009/000143, filed Apr. 9, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns an apparatus for releasably coupling a drawer to a rail, which can be pulled out in a longitudinal direction, of a drawer pull-out guide. The apparatus comprises a holding portion which in the coupled condition co-operates with a counterpart holding portion to produce the releasable connection. 
     The invention further concerns a drawer having an apparatus according to the invention for releasably coupling a drawer to a rail of a pull-out guide. 
     In accordance with the state of the art, coupling apparatuses are known, by which a drawer can be fitted or removed in its entirety to or from a rail of a drawer pull-out guide so that the drawer—for example, for cleaning purposes—can be completely released from the drawer pull-out guide and can then be re-secured thereto. In that case the drawer pull-out guide is pre-mounted to the article of furniture, whereupon in the mounting procedure the drawer to be fastened is pushed on to the pull-out guide until automatic latching of the drawer to the pull-out rail which is in the closed position takes place. Examples of such a securing arrangement are shown in EP 0 421 458 B1 and in DE 20 2007 006 549 U1 to the present applicant. In that case, latching is effected by latching portions, the displaced abutment surfaces of which are latched in successive relationship in an opening in the rail and thereby, when the drawer is pushed in, provide for gradual latching with a steady reduction in the clearance between the drawer and the pull-out guide. In general, it is desirable for the drawer in the coupled condition to be connected fixedly and substantially play-free to the rail of the pull-out guide so that upon actuation of the drawer in normal use there is no relative movement with respect to the rail. Such a relative movement would have a troublesome effect on operating comfort and convenience of the drawer. 
     Coupling apparatuses having a resilient latching hook or a latching pawl for releasably coupling a drawer to a rail of a drawer pull-out guide are known for example from DE 94 09 899 U1 and DE 93 14 893 U1. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose an apparatus of the general kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, by which the drawer can be substantially play-free connected to the rail of the pull-out guide. 
     In an advantageous configuration in accordance with the invention, the object is achieved in that at least that region of the holding portion, that comes into contact with the counterpart holding portion, is of a yielding nature, preferably by the mounting of a yielding material portion so that a longitudinal play which possibly occurs of the drawer in relation to the rail can be compensated. 
     The present invention is therefore based on the basic idea that a resiliently yielding region is operative between the regions of the holding portion and the counterpart holding portion—which implement the releasable connection between the drawer and the rail. The resiliently yielding region acts virtually as a cushion between the holding portion and the counterpart holding portion. The arrangement of such a cushion means that it is possible to effectively compensate for tolerances between the drawer and the rail. Thus, any longitudinal play which possibly occurs in respect of the drawer in relation to the rail can be compensated whereby the drawer can be play-free connected to the rail of the pull-out guide. 
     The resiliently yielding region can be associated either with the holding portion or the counterpart holding portion. A one-piece configuration of the yielding region with the holding portion and/or the counterpart holding portion is also conceivable. In that respect, a structurally simple configuration provides that to give the cushioning effect there can be a separate yielding portion comprising an elastically yielding plastic material (preferably rubber-elastic material). 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the holding portion is associated with a coupling apparatus to be secured to the drawer, and the counterpart holding portion is associated with the rail. In that respect, it may be desirable if in the mounted position the coupling apparatus is arranged at the underside of a drawer bottom and laterally at the front end of the drawer bottom. In that case, in the course of the mounting operation, the drawer can be pushed on to the rail of the drawer pull-out guide until an abutment associated with the rail limits the displacement travel of the drawer. The abutment is disposed in a per se known manner at the rear end of the rail. The abutment has a pin which can pass into an opening provided in the drawer rear wall. The abutment arranged on the rear end of the rail therefore fixes the drawer at its rear end while the front end of the rail can be coupled by way of the provided coupling apparatus to the front end of the rail. It can desirably be provided that the holding portion has at least one abutment which in the coupled condition of the apparatus is in contact by way of the yielding material portion with the front end of the rail or an edge of the rail. An embodiment of the invention can provide that the abutment is arranged at the bottom of a receiving slot of the coupling apparatus or the rail. The receiving slot permits, in particular, laterally stable holding of the coupling apparatus (and therewith the drawer) in relation to the rail. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that in the coupled condition of the drawer to the rail the yielding material portion is arranged between the abutment of the coupling apparatus and the front end, preferably the front face, of the rail. 
     For fitting and removing the drawer without using a tool, the coupling apparatus can have at least one springy latching portion or at least one latching portion which can be acted upon by a spring and which is latchable into preferably an opening in the rail of the drawer pull-out guide. In this connection, it may be desirable if the latching portion has at least one and preferably a plurality of abutment surfaces which can be brought into contact with an edge of the opening. In that respect, it may be desirable if the abutment surfaces are arranged in mutually displaced relationship in the pull-out direction of the drawer. The abutment surfaces which are displaced in the pull-out direction of the drawer permit sequential latching engagement of the latching portion on the rail, whereby the play between the drawer and the pull-out guide can also be reduced. 
     In a particular embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the latching portion is movable by a release portion so that the coupled condition of the latching apparatus is releasable. To release the coupling it may be possible for the release portion to be formed by a pivotal lever or a bendable lever. Such coupling apparatuses with a latching portion are already known in many configurations in the state of the art and therefore do not need to be described in greater detail at this point. 
     It should be noted that the holding portion can be associated with the drawer pull-out guide and the counterpart holding portion can be associated with the drawer. The drawer according to the invention is characterised in that it has an apparatus of the described kind. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to the specific description hereinafter. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an article of furniture with drawers which can be fitted to and removed from a drawer pull-out guide, in their entirety, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a drawer secured to the drawer pull-out guide, 
         FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b  are views of the underside of the drawer and a detail view thereof on an enlarged scale, 
         FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  are views of the underside of the drawer in the mounted condition, 
         FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  are views of the underside of the pull-out guide with the mounted coupling apparatus, 
         FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  are various views of the coupling apparatus, and 
         FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  are perspective views of the rear side of the drawer in the mounted condition on the drawer pull-out guide. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an article of furniture  1  having a plurality of drawers  2  which are arranged displaceably relative to the furniture carcass by way of drawer pull-out guides  3 . The drawer pull-out guide  3  includes a carcass rail  4  to be secured to the furniture carcass and at least one rail  5  which is displaceable relative to the carcass rail and which can be connected to the drawer  2  by way of a coupling apparatus that is still to be described. Two drawer pull-out guides  3  are respectively associated with each drawer  2  and are pre-fitted at mutually opposite side walls of the furniture carcass. The drawers  2  can be mounted to and removed from the movable rails  5  without using a tool so that the drawers  2  are completely removable from the pull-out guides  3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a drawer  2  coupled to the drawer pull-out guide  3 . The drawer  2  includes a front panel  2   a , side walls  2   b , a drawer bottom  2   c  and a drawer rear wall  2   d . It is possible to see the stationary carcass rail  4  and the rail  5  which is displaceable relative thereto. Arranged at the rear end of the rail  5  which can be pulled out is an abutment having a pin  6 —which is preferably adjustable in height—and which in the mounted condition of the drawer  2  is disposed in an opening provided for same in the drawer rear wall  2   d . The pin  6  can be adjusted in respect of height by the adjusting wheel  15  so that in that way the inclination of the drawer  2  relative to the rail  5  of the drawer pull-out guide  3  (and therewith the gap configuration) can be adjusted. When fitting the drawer  2  it is pushed on to the rail  5  which is in the closed position until the pin  6  passes into the provided opening in the drawer rear wall  2   d  and thus defines the rear end abutment. The front region of the drawer  2  is coupled to the front end of the rail  5  which can be pulled out, by way of the coupling apparatus that is still to be described. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a view of the underside of the drawer  2 . Mounted at the underside of the drawer bottom  2   c  in the immediate proximity of the front panel  2   a  is an apparatus  7  for releasably coupling the drawer  2  to the rail  5  (not shown here) of the drawer pull-out guide  3 . The apparatus  7  includes a resilient or spring-loadable latching portion  8  which in the course of the mounting procedure can be automatically latched to the rail  5 . To release the arresting action, there is provided a release portion  17  in the form of a pivotal lever which is to be operated manually so that the coupling between the apparatus  7  and the rail  5  can be released.  FIG. 3   b  shows a view on an enlarged scale of the region circled in  FIG. 3   a . The apparatus  7  includes a U-shaped holding portion  9  having a receiving slot  10 , at the bottom of which is arranged an abutment  11  for the rail  5 . When mounting the drawer  2  therefore the front end of the movable rail  5  (which in the illustrated embodiment forms the counterpart holding portion) is introduced into the receiving slot  10  until the latching portion  8  can be automatically latched with its abutment surfaces  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c  arranged in a stepped configuration, with an edge or abutment surface of the rail  5 . In the mounted condition the abutment surfaces  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c  extend transversely—preferably at a right angle—to the longitudinal extent of the rail  5 . The abutment surfaces  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c  which are displaced in the depth direction of the rail  5  permit gradual latching of the drawer  5  with a sequential reduction in the play between the drawer  2  and the rail  5 . It will be appreciated that a latching portion  8  with only one abutment surface  8   a  is also possible. What is of relevance now is a resiliently yielding region  12  which in the illustrated embodiment is embodied by the arrangement of a yielding material portion of plastic. That region  12  is arranged in the illustrated Figure in the receiving slot  10  so that the non-yielding abutment  11 —when the drawer  2  is in the mounted condition—is in contact by way of that resiliently yielding region  12  with the counterpart holding portion (not shown here) of the rail  5 . 
       FIG. 4   a  is a view from below illustrating the mounting condition of the drawer  2  to the rail  5 . It is possible to see the carcass rail  4  which is to be secured to the furniture carcass, with the rail  5  displaceable relative thereto. The apparatus  7  for releasably coupling the drawer  2  to the rail  5  is fixedly secured at the underside of the drawer bottom  2   c  in the immediate proximity of the front panel  2   a . The latching portion  8  is anchored by way of one of the abutment surfaces  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c  shown in  FIG. 3   b  in an opening in the rail  5 . To release the arresting action there is a release portion  17  which is in the form of a pivotal lever whereby the latching portion  8  is releasable relative to the rail  5 . 
       FIG. 4   b  shows the region circled in  FIG. 4   a  on an enlarged scale. It shows the resiliently yielding region  12  arranged between the rigid abutment  11  of the apparatus  7  secured to the drawer bottom  2   c  and the rigid counterpart holding portion  13  of the rail  5 . That yielding region  12  which is operative as a cushion between the abutment  11  and the counterpart holding portion  13  of the rail  5  makes it possible to compensate for length tolerances so that the drawer  2  can be connected in play-free relationship to the displaceable rail  5  of the drawer pull-out guide  3 . To release the arresting action, the release portion  17  is pushed by hand about the pivot axis S in the direction of the illustrated arrow X whereupon the latching portion  8  is moved out of the opening in the rail  5  so that the drawer  2  can be removed completely from the drawer pull-out guide  3 , for example for cleaning and servicing purposes. 
       FIG. 5   a  also shows a view from below of the drawer pull-out guide  3  in the coupled condition with the apparatus  7 . For the sake of clarity, the drawer  2  is not shown. It is possible to see the latching portion  8  which is latched to the extendable drawer  5 , wherein the latching portion  8  can be released by actuation of the release portion  17 .  FIG. 5   b  shows a detail view on an enlarged scale of the coupled apparatus  7 . It is possible to see the receiving slot  10  which receives the front end of the rail  5  which can be pulled out. The abutment  11  arranged at the bottom of the receiving slot  10  forms the holding portion which in the mounted condition is in contact with the counterpart holding portion  13  of the rail  5  by way of the yielding region  12 . The resiliently yielding region  12  in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a separate plastic portion comprising rubber-elastic material. It is equally possible for the resilient region  12  to be in one piece with the abutment  11  or also to be in the form of part of the counterpart holding portion  13  of the rail  5 . 
       FIG. 6   a  shows a perspective view from above of the apparatus  7  to be secured to the drawer bottom  2   c . It is possible to see the movable latching portion  8  with its displaced abutment surfaces  8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c . In the course of mounting the drawer  2  the front end of the rail  5  is introduced into the receiving slot  10  of the apparatus  7 , where the yielding region  12  is also disposed for compensating for length tolerances which occur. 
       FIG. 6   b  shows a detail view on an enlarged scale of the apparatus  7 . It is possible to clearly see the receiving slot  10  with the resiliently yielding region  12  for cushioning the abutment  11 .  FIG. 6   c  shows a perspective view of the apparatus  7  from below. The apparatus  7  is fixed with the flat side illustrated to the underside of the drawer bottom  2   c . It is possible to see a resilient portion  14  for acting on the latching portion  8 .  FIG. 6   d  shows a detail view on an enlarged scale of the region circled in  FIG. 6   c , with the rigid abutment  11  which is cushioned by the rubber-elastic material of the resilient region  12 . 
       FIG. 7   a  shows a view of the drawer  2  in the region of the drawer rear wall  2   d . The rear fixing of the drawer  2  relative to the rail  5  is effected by way of a horizontally oriented pin  6  which in the mounted condition is received in an opening in the drawer rear wall  2   d . It is possible to see a rear abutment  16  against which the drawer rear wall  2   d  bears. The rear rigid abutment  16  limits the displacement travel of the drawer  2  in the depth direction of the article of furniture  1 . The pin  6  is adjustable in height by the adjusting wheel  15  so that the inclination of the drawer  2  is adjustable.  FIG. 7   b  shows a view on an enlarged scale of the region circled in  FIG. 7   a.    
     The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment but includes or extends to all technical equivalents which can fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto. The positional references adopted in the description such as for example up, down, lateral and so forth are also related to the directly described and illustrated Figure and are to be appropriately transferred to the new position upon a change in position.