PULLOUT GUIDE

A pullout guide for domestic appliances or furniture includes three rails mounted so they are movable in relation to one another, where a third rail is fixed on a body of the domestic appliance, a first rail is connected to a thrust element and a catch mechanism to latch the first rail in a predetermined position in relation to a second rail. A locking mechanism is provided to lock the second rail against a movement in relation to the third rail in the predetermined position.

The present invention relates to a pullout guide, in particular for domestic appliances or furniture, which comprises at least three rails mounted so they are movable in relation to one another, wherein one rail can be fixed on a body and one rail is connectable to a thrust element, and which comprises a catch mechanism, to latch a first rail in a predetermined position in relation to a second rail.

WO 2010/060724 discloses a pullout guide, in which catch means, are provided between the individual rails, which enable the movable slide rail to be latched in a pulled-out position. The catch elements comprise spring elements in this case, which can be fixed on corresponding catch recesses or projections. Latching the slide rail in one or more positions is possible using this arrangement, however, the catch forces can only be vaguely determined, because in particular in the case of a full pullout having at least three rails, two catch means are provided, wherein one of the two catch means must be disengaged to move the slide rail. It is not defined which catch means act with which catch force, so that high tolerances are present in the forces for movement out of the catch position. In addition, the problem exists that during the retraction or extension of the slide rail, latching in an intermediate position must be canceled, which is perceived as annoying during a continuous movement.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a pullout guide which has a defined sequence control and in which the catch forces can be predefined.

This object is achieved with a pullout guide having the features of claim1.

According to the invention, the pullout guide comprises a catch mechanism and a locking mechanism, wherein a first rail can be latched in a predetermined position in relation to a second rail via the catch mechanism and the second rail is locked against a movement in relation to a third rail in a predetermined position via the locking mechanism. Thus, in a pullout guide made of at least three rails, a sequence control is produced such that firstly the catch mechanism is disengaged, and then in a second step the locking mechanism is unlocked. The locking mechanism prevents a movement of the second rail in relation to the third rail from occurring in the predetermined position. The forces for disengaging the catch mechanism can therefore be set comparatively precisely, since only the tolerances of a single catch mechanism must be taken into consideration.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking forces for locking the second rail in relation to the third rail are greater than the catch forces of the catch mechanism for latching the first rail on the second rail. For the subject matter of the present application, the catch mechanism and the locking mechanism can be constructed fundamentally similarly, wherein the locking mechanism require significantly higher unlocking forces, for example, at least 20% greater unlocking forces than the catch mechanism. A defined sequence control during the movement of the pullout guide may thus also be ensured.

According to a further embodiment, an unlocking element is provided, to unlock the locking mechanism and enable a movement of the second rail in relation to the third rail. Such an additional unlocking element prevents incorrect actuations in the pullout guide, wherein the unlocking element for the locking mechanism is preferably provided on the first rail. The unlocking element can then be moved together with the first rail, wherein a locking element is movable perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the rails via the unlocking element, for example. This enables a particularly reliable function of the pullout guide and unlocking which is nearly force-free and is almost imperceptible to the user.

For a simple mechanical embodiment of the locking mechanism, it can have a locking element which engages directly on the second or third rail. For example, the locking mechanism can comprise a pivotable lever, which is insertable with a projection into a recess on the second or third rail.

In an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism has a locking element, which engages, for example, on a sliding element, a roller body cage, or a roller body between the second and the third rail. This enables a particularly compact structure, wherein the locking element can engage through a recess or opening in one of the rails to reach the roller body cage or the roller body. The locking element can be implemented in this case as a bendable lever, which has an actuating section, on which an unlocking element can engage. Unlocking of the locking mechanism can thus be performed using little force.

A stop is preferably provided on a bendable spring web of the locking element, to limit the maximum bending movement. This prevents a bendable spring web from being plastically deformed by an excess bending load and then protruding in an undesired manner from a rail. A bending movement of 2 mm to 6 mm is usually sufficient for the unlocking, so that stronger through bending can be prevented by the stop. Furthermore, an end of a spring web which can be lifted off of the rail can be implemented as bent, in particular, it can engage in a receptacle or recess on the rail. In this way, the end is prevented from being unintentionally lifted off of the rail during a cleaning operation. Such a bending safeguard can also be provided by a profile on the rail, so that the end of the spring web is arranged in a protected manner.

To enable a movement of the pullout guide out of the predetermined position, the catch mechanism preferably has a spring element, which is bent before reaching the predetermined position of the first and the second rails, to then engage behind a catch means. The catch means can be implemented on one of the rails, however, a sliding element, a roller body, or a projection or a recess on a roller body cage can also be used as the catch means, for example.

The roller bodies can have various geometries, for example, they can be embodied as spherical, in the form of rollers, or in the form of drums.

Catch and/or locking elements can be fixed in a friction-locked, form-fitting, or integrally-joined manner on the respective rail of the pullout guide.

To reduce tolerances, the catch mechanisms can have springs which are installed under pre-tension of the springs.

A fastening section can be enclosed by a relieving opening; A shape of the relieving opening can be dimensioned by ascertaining the tension curves inside the catch mechanism. Tension fractures are avoided by the introduction and implementation of the relieving opening.

The locking element, the locking mechanism, and/or the spring element of the catch mechanism are preferably produced from a metal plate or wire, so that the pullout guide is also usable at higher temperatures. The pullout guide is preferably used for displacing a cooked material carrier in an oven. The pullout guide can also be used, of course, in other domestic appliances, furniture, or other units for displaceable mounting of objects. The pullout guide can be sterilized in an autoclave and is therefore suitable for use in the medical field and in laboratories. Furthermore, the pullout guide is suitable for use in clean rooms.

A pullout guide1comprises a rail2, which can be fixed on a body of a piece of furniture or a domestic appliance, and which is usually arranged in a stationary manner, a rail3, which is implemented as a middle rail, and a rail4, which is also referred to as a slide rail, on which thrust elements, such as drawers, cooked material carriers, or other components are mounted so they are movable.

As shown inFIG. 2, a catch mechanism10having a bendable spring element11, which engages through an opening13in the first rail4with a projection12, is located on the first rail4. Furthermore, a locking mechanism20is provided, which acts between the second rail3and the third rail2. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the catch mechanism10on the second rail3or the third rail2and to provide the locking mechanism on the first rail4. Only the exemplary embodiments shown are explained hereafter, wherein it is also possible to change the position and the arrangement of the respective catch mechanism and/or locking mechanism, depending on which structural specifications exist for the respective pullout guide.

The pullout guide1is shown in a pulled-out position inFIG. 3. A plug7, which protrudes upward on the first rail4, is used for mounting a thrust element, for example, a cooked material carrier, while a plate15is fixed on the first rail4on the opposing front side. Embossed areas or profiles8are provided on the middle second rail3, which are used as a stop for a roller body cage, which is arranged between the first rail4and the second rail3. A further embossed area9is located on the first rail4, which also forms a stop for the roller body cage. Further embodiments or stops are provided, but are not shown. The catch mechanism10is provided in the rear region of the first rail4, while the locking mechanism20is arranged in the rear region of the second rail3.

FIG. 4shows the locking mechanism20, which is active in particular in the pulled-out position, like the catch mechanism10. The locking mechanism20comprises a lever21, which is mounted so it is pivotable, and which is mounted so it is rotatable with an axis22in a middle region of the second rail3, wherein the axis22is arranged adjacent to a rear end of the second rail3. A laterally protruding projection23is arranged on the lever21, which engages in a recess24on the third rail2in the locked position. Furthermore, a further projection25is implemented on the opposing side, which is used for unlocking the locking mechanism20. In the locking position, the second rail3cannot be moved in relation to the third rail2, since the projection23is held in the receptacle24.

FIGS. 5 and 6show the pullout guide1in the pulled-out position, in which both the locking mechanism20and also the catch mechanism10are active, wherein the first rail4was omitted for the illustration. The spring element11fixed on the first rail4is fixed with an end section14on the first rail4(not shown) and, on the opposite side, a projection12protrudes inward and presses there against a roller body cage5behind a spherical roller body6. During the movement of the first rail4, the roller body cage5is moved with the roller bodies6along the second rail3and the first rail4until the rearmost roller body6deflects the bendable spring element11outward and the projection12then latches behind the first roller body6. To disengage the catch mechanism10from the catch position, the first rail4must now be moved back in the closing direction, whereby the projection12is deflected outward by the rearmost roller body6, against the force of the spring element11. Due to the comparatively exact guiding of the roller body6between the first rail4and the second rail3, the deflection of the spring element11is exactly defined during the latching or unlatching, so that the catch forces can be set accordingly. Of course, it is also possible, instead of latching the spring element11on a roller body6, to also perform latching on a projection or a recess on the roller body cage5. Runways30for roller bodies6are provided on the rail3.

To move the pullout guide1back into the retracted position, firstly the first rail4is moved in relation to the second rail3, wherein the catch mechanism10disengages. The position shown inFIGS. 7 and 8is then reached, in which the rear end of the first rail4approaches the locking mechanism20. A recess, on which an intake bevel26for the projection25is arranged, is implemented on the rear side on the first rail4. Due to a movement of the first rail4in the closing direction, the projection25is guided along the intake bevel26, whereby the pivotable lever21is lifted. Due to the lifting of the lever21, the projection23moves out of the recess24and the locking mechanism20is unlocked. While the projection25is still guided along the intake bevel26inFIG. 9, the position is shown inFIG. 10in which the pin-shaped projection25is held in a slotted horizontal receptacle27of the first rail4. In this position, the locking mechanism20is located in the unlocked position and the projection23is arranged above the recess24. The second rail3can thus now be moved in relation to the third rail2, until the first rail4is arranged in the retracted position. The retracted position can be specified, for example, by stops in the form of profiles8,9and18,19.

FIG. 11shows a rear side view of the pullout guide1, in which the projection23of the locking mechanism20is shown in the lifted position, wherein the projection25arranged on the opposing side is held on the receptacle27. The second rail3has two sections31and32, which are cross-shaped in cross section, and on each of which three curved runways for spherical roller bodies6are implemented. The roller bodies6are held in this case on a roller body cage5, the movement of which is limited by profiles9or19in the longitudinal direction of the rails2,3, and4.

In the following exemplary embodiments, the same reference signs are used for identical components, wherein essentially only the modified components are explained in their function hereafter.

In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 12of a pullout guide1′, a catch mechanism10is provided, which is implemented as in the first exemplary embodiment.

However, a modified locking mechanism40is provided between the second rail3and the third rail2.

FIG. 13shows the pullout guide1′ with the locking mechanism40, which comprises a bendable spring web41, which engages through the third rail2with a projection42. On the side facing away from the projection42, a fastening section43is provided, on which the spring web41is fixed on an outer side of the third rail2, for example, by welding or gluing. A roller body cage5having a plurality of roller bodies6is provided between the third rail2and the second rail3, wherein a recess44of the locking mechanism is arranged in the roller body cage5.

A roller body cage5having a plurality of roller bodies6is also located between the first rail4and the second rail3, wherein an unlocking element45for unlocking the locking mechanism40is implemented integrally with the roller body cage5.

FIGS. 14 and 15show the locking mechanism40in a locked position, while the catch mechanism10has already been disengaged and the first rail4has been moved in the closing direction. The unlocking element45on the roller body cage5is now located adjacent to the spring web41, wherein intake bevels46are implemented on the unlocking element45, which are used for the purpose of moving the spring web41outward, to move the projection42out of the recess44on the roller body cage5. The unlocking element45acts in this case on an actuating section48, which is implemented integrally with the spring web41. As can be seen in the enlarged view ofFIG. 16, the actuating section48is located with an angled projection between the first rail4and the third rail2and can therefore be engaged with the intake bevels46of the unlocking element45. During the passage over the unlocking element45, the projection42is briefly moved out of the recess44in the roller body cage5, so that then the second rail3can be moved in the closing direction in relation to the third rail2. An opening47for the passage of the projection42is provided on the rail4.

FIG. 17shows the pullout guide1′ in a rear side view, wherein it can be seen that the inwardly oriented actuating section48is pressed outward as it passes over the unlocking element45, whereby the projection42simultaneously moves out of the recess in the roller body cage5. Simultaneously, the roller body cage5can be moved freely or moved by a profile on the second rail3in the closing direction.

FIG. 18shows the roller body cage5, which is arranged between the first rail4and the second rail3. A plurality of pockets60for receiving a spherical roller body are implemented on the roller body cage5. Furthermore, a downwardly protruding web-shaped unlocking element45is provided, on which the intake bevels46are formed.

FIG. 19shows a further exemplary embodiment of a pullout guide1″, in which the catch mechanism10is implemented as in the first exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, a roller body cage5, which has an unlocking element45having intake bevels46, as is also shown inFIG. 18, is arranged between the first rail4and the second rail3.

The pullout guide1″ comprises a modified locking mechanism50, which is attached on the outside on the third rail2. The locking mechanism50comprises a bendable spring element51, which has a projection52on one side, which engages through an opening53in the third rail2and has a clamp-type section54on the rear end, which is arranged adjacent to a plate15of the pullout guide1″, another arrangement is also conceivable.

The clamp-type section54encloses the third rail2in a U-shape and can be fixed by welding or gluing on the third rail2. An actuating section58, which is movable via the unlocking element45, is implemented on the spring element51above the projection52. As inFIG. 21, the recess53in the third rail2is shown, through which the projection52engages. Furthermore, one end55of the clamp-type section54is shown, which encloses the rail2in a U-shape. It is also conceivable that instead of the clamp-type section54, an angled L-shaped region or region shaped in another manner presses against or encloses the rail.

As can be seen inFIG. 22, the unlocking element45having the intake bevels46is located in a region of the actuating section58, so that when passing over the unlocking element45, the actuating section58is pressed outward, whereby the projection52is also moved out of a recess in the roller body cage5between the second rail3and the third rail2. The locking mechanism50can thus be unlocked, so that the second rail3can then be moved in relation to the third rail2.

FIG. 23shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a pullout guide1′″, in which the rails2,3, and4are shown in a retracted position. The pullout guide1″ comprises a catch mechanism10, which is implemented as in the preceding exemplary embodiments, but additionally has an unlocking element75, which protrudes downward from the spring web11. Furthermore, a modified locking mechanism70is provided, which has an oblong spring web71, which is fixed with an end section72on the third rail2. The spring web71is aligned in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the third rail2and can be bent outward in the region of a projection74. Instead of an oblong spring web71, a clamp-type locking mechanism as already described is also conceivable here.

FIGS. 24 and 25show the locking mechanism in detail, wherein the pullout guide1″ is located in a pulled-out position, in which the locking mechanism70is active. The locking mechanism70comprises an actuating section73, which is arranged adjacent to a projection74. The actuating section73and the projection74are produced by stamping and bending and are located at different heights. The projection74forms the actual locking element, which presses against an embossed area77of the second rail3, as shown inFIG. 25. This prevents the second rail3from moving in the closing direction when the locking mechanism70is active.

To unlock the locking mechanism70, the first rail4is moved in the closing direction until the position shown inFIGS. 26 and 27is reached. In this position, the unlocking element75with the intake bevels76engages on the actuating section73, which is thus pressed outward during a movement of the third rail4in the closing direction, so that the projection74disengages from the embossed area77on the second rail3. The blockade of the second rail3in the closing direction is thus canceled and the second rail3can now be moved in the closing direction, wherein the actuating section73, after passing over the second intake bevels76, enables a movement of the projection74inward, wherein then the embossed area77is already arranged on the opposite side of the projection74.

FIGS. 28 to 30show a modified embodiment, in which the actuating section73and the projection74are not arranged one over another, as inFIG. 27, but rather adjacent to one another, wherein a modified locking mechanism70′ is provided, on which a spring web71′ having an integrally implemented projection74and an integrally implemented actuating section73are provided, which act in the function as in the preceding exemplary embodiments, however. During the movement of the first rail4in the closing direction, an unlocking element75implemented on the spring web, and having intake bevels, causes a movement of the actuating section73outward, whereby the projection74disengages from the embossed area77on the second rail3. The blockade of the middle second rail3is thus canceled and the pullout guide can be moved completely into the retracted position.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, a catch mechanism10is located in each case between the movable first rail4and the middle second rail3. The locking mechanism is arranged between the second rail3and the rail2which can be fixed on a body. Of course, it is also possible to arrange the catch mechanism10between the rail which can be fixed on the body and the middle second rail3, and to provide the locking mechanism in each case between the second rail3and the movable rail4.

FIGS. 31 to 37show a further exemplary embodiment of a pullout guide, in which a catch mechanism10is provided on three rails2,3, and4, which is implemented as in

FIG. 30and has, in addition to the bendable spring element11and the projection12, an unlocking element75having an intake bevel76. A locking mechanism80, which has a bendable spring web81, which has a fastening section83on one end and a projection82spaced apart from the fastening section83, is arranged spaced apart from the catch mechanism10. As shown in particular inFIG. 35, the fastening section83has a narrow folded edge95transversely to the rail2, which is used for pre-tension, to ensure a secure contact of the spring web81and the rear locking spring end after they are welded on, and therefore to prevent undesired bending.FIG. 31shows the pullout guide in a retracted position in this case.

As is visible from the enlarged detail view ofFIG. 32, the catch mechanism engages with the projection12behind a roller body6, which is implemented as a ball, and therefore latches the rail4on the rail3.

FIG. 33shows the locking mechanism, which is fixed on the rail2. A projection82is implemented on the bendable spring web81, which protrudes essentially perpendicularly from the strip-shaped spring web81and engages between the rails2and4. A recess85for receiving an embossed area77on the rail3is provided on the projection82, this recess being enclosed by a further projection84. Furthermore, a stop89is erected from the projection82, which prevents the projection82from being deflected by more than a specific amount by the rail2. For the unlocking operation, for example, the projection82is deflected between 2 mm and 6 mm, so that the stop89is used for the purpose of limiting the bending movement, to avoid plastic deformation of the bendable spring web81.FIGS. 34 to 36show the pullout guide in a pulled-out position, wherein the locking mechanism80is locked. For this purpose, an embossed area77on the rail3engages in the recess85between the projections82and84. The rails2and3thus cannot be moved in relation to one another, while the rail4implemented as a slide rail can be moved into a retracted position after overcoming the catch forces. During a closing movement, the rail4then arrives at the locking mechanism80, wherein intake bevels86and87, which come into contact with the intake bevels76of the unlocking element75, are implemented on the sides opposite to the projections82and84, so that the projections82and84are moved outward by the rail2, at most until the stop89limits the movement, and the embossed area77moves out of the recess85, so that the rails2and3can be moved in relation to one another. The rail3can then subsequently also be moved in the closing direction.

FIG. 37shows the pullout guide during an extension movement of the rails3and4, wherein, on the rail3, the embossed area77presses against the intake bevel87of the projection82, so that the spring web81is bent away from the rail2corresponding to the illustration of the arrow. The rail3can thus be moved further in the extension direction until the embossed area77engages in the recess85between the projections82and84. The rails2and3are therefore locked against one another. To limit the bending movement outward, a stop89is implemented by an angled web on the projection84, which prevents the spring web81from being moved away manually from the rail2farther than required for the unlocking operation or the latching operation.

FIG. 38shows the pullout guide ofFIGS. 31 to 37with the locking mechanism80, which has a bend88facing toward the rail2on the side opposite to the fastening section83. A terminal edge of the bend88thus presses with a defined pre-tension against the rail2, which is to prevent the spring web81from unintentionally being engaged behind during a cleaning operation and therefore bent away from the rail2.

The lifting safeguard shown inFIG. 38can be further improved according toFIGS. 39A and 39Bin that an angled area90is arranged on the spring web81on the side opposite to the fastening section83, which faces toward the rail2and engages therein in a recess91or a receptacle. The free end of the bendable spring web81is thus poorly accessible from the outside and cannot unintentionally be lifted. Depending on the positioning, a desired spring pre-tension can be set by contact of the angled area90on the front recess edge.

An alternative for the lifting safeguard is shown inFIG. 40. The bendable spring web81is overlapped by an end edge of an embossed area94, which protrudes outward from the rail2and prevents a gap93between the end edge92and the rail2being engaged in unintentionally during cleaning.

FIGS. 41 to 43show a sixth exemplary embodiment of a catch mechanism100, which interacts with a locking mechanism80, as was described above. The catch mechanism100is formed from a bendable metal plate, which is fixed at fastening sections102and103on the rail4. An angled projection112is implemented in a middle region of the catch mechanism, which engages in an opening of the rail4and can be latched therein on a roller body6or a roller body cage. The projection112has intake bevels on opposing sides, to enable latching and disengagement of the latching. A spring web113, which can be deflected transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rail4, adjoins the projection112. A deflection A of the bendable spring web is illustrated by an arrow, it occurs approximately 90° to the pullout direction. The spring direction therefore results transversely to the rail4. A region101is used for supporting the spring web113and extends it on the side facing away from the projection112. The spring rate can thus be increased, or the spring action can be embodied as softer. Furthermore, the region101offers tool advantages due to symmetry to the adjacent region during the manufacturing of left and right parts, wherein identical tools can be used over many process steps. Furthermore, more exact positioning of the component before it is welded on can be performed, the region101is therefore used as a positioning aid before the fastening on the rail4. A plate-shaped section103, which is connected to an unlocking element75having intake bevels76on opposing sides, is implemented on the side diametrically opposite to the region101. The region101is not connected in this case to the rail4, but rather presses freely thereon.

The above-described measures on the catch mechanism100in comparison to the above-described exemplary embodiment result in lengthening of the service life and reduction of the risk of incorrect operation or damage of the catch mechanism.

FIGS. 44A and 44Eshow a seventh exemplary embodiment of a catch mechanism200, which interacts with a locking mechanism80, as was already described above. Identical reference signs are used for already described regions having identical function. A region201comes into contact on the rail4and is used as a carrier for the intake bevels76and the unlocking element75. The fixing of the catch mechanism200on the rail4is performed on a fastening section202, preferably by welding. The fastening section202is enclosed by a relieving opening204, which is implemented nearly in the form of a kidney or semicircle. The relieving opening204was dimensioned by ascertaining the tension curves within the catch mechanism. A spring web203, which connects the fastening section202to the projection112, is arranged in each case on both sides of the relieving opening. The projection12has a nearly kidney-shaped contour114. A soft sequence of the latching or unlatching operation is ensured by the contour114. Tension fractures are avoided due to the introduction and embodiment of the relieving opening204.

In addition, a predetermined catch position in the completely extended position of the pullout guide1,1′,1″,1″′ is provided in the illustrated exemplary embodiments. Of course, it is also possible to provide the predetermined catch position at another position and/or to arrange multiple catch positions on the movement path of the pullout guide.

The pullout guides1,1′,1″,1′″ can be produced completely from metallic components, since both the catch mechanism and also the locking mechanism are preferably produced from stamped and bent metal plates. The pullout guides1,1′,1″,1″′ can thus preferably be used for domestic appliances, such as ovens, in particular they have a high temperature resistance. Usage for other fields, such as furniture, refrigerators, or other intended uses, is also possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS