FURNITURE DRIVE

A furniture drive includes base body to be fixed to a furniture carcass, an actuating arm to be fixed to a movable furniture part, and a locking device for locking the actuating arm to the base body. The locking device includes a locking element movable between a locking position, in which the actuating arm is locked to the base body, and a demounting position, in which the actuating arm can be demounted from the base body. An actuating device can preferably be actuated with a tool, for moving the locking element from the locking position into the demounting position. The furniture drive includes a releasable securing device configured to prevent a movement of the locking element from the locking position into the demounting position upon an actuation of the actuating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a furniture drive for movably supporting a furniture part relative to a furniture carcass. The furniture drive includes at least one base body configured to be fixed to and/or within the furniture carcass, at least one actuating arm configured to be fixed to the movable furniture part, and at least one locking device for locking the at least one actuating arm to the at least one base body. The at least one locking device includes at least one locking element movable between a locking position, in which the at least one actuating arm is locked to the at least one base body, and a demounting position, in which the at least one actuating arm can be demounted from the at least one base body. The furniture drive further includes at least one actuating device, preferably configured to be actuated with the aid of a tool, for moving the at least one locking element from the locking position into the demounting position.

Moreover, the invention concerns an item of furniture comprising a furniture carcass, a furniture part movably supported relative to the furniture carcass, and at least one furniture drive to the type to be described.

A furniture drive comprising a base body and an actuating arm configured to be releasably fixed to the base body is disclosed in the WO 2006/053352 A1 reference, for example. The separate configuration between the base body and the actuating arm has the particular advantage that the constructional size of the furniture drive can be divided into two constructional units, and that different types of base bodies can be combined with different types of actuating arms.

A drawback of known constructions is the fact that upon a release of the locking between the base body and the actuating arm, there is also the danger that the operator will be surprised by the suddenly released weight of the furniture part connected to the actuating arm, and the actuating arm with the furniture part can no longer be held by the operator. This can lead to a crash of the furniture part and to damages to the furniture part, to injuries of the assembling personnel and damages to objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a furniture drive of the type mentioned in the introductory part, thereby avoiding the above-discussed drawbacks. In particular, the safety for an operator shall be increased.

According to the invention, the furniture drive includes at least one releasable securing device configured to prevent a movement of the at least one locking element from the locking position into the demounting position upon an actuation of the actuating device.

In other words, a releasable securing device is provided, the releasable securing device preventing a release of the locking, even when the actuating device for moving the locking element into the demounting position is actuated, for example with the aid of a tool. For a successful separation between the base body and the actuating arm, at least one further action is thus required for an operator.

This further action can be, for example, an additional relative movement, in particular a lifting movement, of the actuating arm relative to the base body. Only after an additional relative movement of the actuating arm, initiated by the operator, a movement of the locking element into the demounting position can be made possible.

According to an embodiment, the releasable securing device includes at least one bearing contour configured to bear against the at least one locking element under an influence of a force of gravity acting to the at least one actuating arm, and possibly under an influence of a force of gravity of the furniture part to be fixed to the at least one actuating arm.

According to possible embodiments:the at least one bearing contour is liftable from the at least one locking element by a movement of the at least one actuating arm against the force of gravity, and/orthe at least one bearing contour includes at least one recess in which the at least one locking element can be at least partially arranged, and/orthe at least one actuating arm has a first end to which the movable furniture part can be fixed, and a second end on which the at least one bearing contour is arranged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1ashows an item of furniture1comprising a furniture carcass2and a movably-supported furniture part3, the furniture part3being in the form of a furniture flap3aelevatable relative to the furniture carcass2. The movable furniture part3can have a one-piece configuration or, as an alternative, can also include two or more movable furniture parts3.

A furniture drive4for moving the movable furniture part3is fixed to each of the opposing sidewalls of the furniture carcass2. Each of the furniture drives4includes at least one pivotally supported actuating arm5, and a pivoting movement of the two actuating arms5can be synchronized to one another via a pivotable synchronization shaft6.

FIG.1bshows the item of furniture1according toFIG.1awith the furniture part3removed. The two furniture drives4can be configured identical in construction, so that the explanations provided here can be applied to both furniture drives4.

The furniture drive4includes a, preferably substantially cuboidal, base body9configured to be fixed to the furniture carcass2, and a lever5aof the actuating arm5is pivotally supported about a pivoting axis7aon the base body9.

On the contrary, the synchronization shaft6is rotatably supported about a further pivoting axis7c.The pivoting axis7aof the lever5aand the further pivoting axis7cof the synchronization shaft6are arranged laterally offset to one another, preferably mutually spaced apart from each other in a parallel relationship.

The offset arrangement between the pivoting axis7aof the lever5aand the further pivoting axis7cof the synchronization shaft6has the particular advantage that the synchronization shaft6can be arranged on a high location within the furniture carcass2, that is to say adjacent to a top panel2aof the furniture carcass2. Therefore, an increased storage space can be made available within the furniture carcass2.

Further, it can be provided that the further pivoting axis7c,in a mounted condition of the furniture drive4, can be arranged deeper in a direction of the depth of the furniture carcass2, in comparison with a coaxial arrangement between the pivoting axis7aand the further pivoting axis7c.

The actuating arm5can include a fitting portion8configured to be releasably connected to a fitting body (not shown) to be fixed to the furniture part3. The fitting portion8can be hingedly connected to the lever5aof the actuating arm5, and can be configured to be connected to the fitting body to be fixed to the furniture part3without the use of a tool.

FIG.2ashows the furniture drive4for moving the movable furniture part3, in which the actuating arm5and the base body9are separated from each other.

The base body9of the furniture drive4includes two housing walls9a,9bmutually spaced apart from each other in a parallel relationship, each of the housing walls9a,9bhaving a flat-shaped bearing surface configured to bear against a furniture carcass2. In this way, the base body9of the furniture drive4can be fixed either to a first sidewall of the furniture carcass2or, alternatively, to a second sidewall of the furniture carcass2, the second sidewall opposing the first sidewall of the furniture carcass2.

A front opening9cis formed between the two housing walls9a,9bof the furniture drive4, and the actuating arm5at least partially protrudes through the front opening9cin a maximum open position.

In a mounted condition, the actuating arm5is pivotally supported about at least one pivoting axis7aon the base body9.

In the shown embodiment, the actuating arm5includes a plurality of levers5a,5b,5chingedly connected to each other, and at least two of the levers5a,5bof the actuating arm5are releasably connectable to the base body9of the furniture drive4.

The actuating arm5is movable between a closed position and a maximum open position, and the actuating arm5is at least partially arranged within the base body9of the furniture drive4in the closed position.

The levers5a,5b,5cof the actuating arm5can form a four-joint geometry, and one of the four pivot points of the four-joint geometry corresponds to the at least one pivoting axis7aof the actuating arm5.

In the shown embodiment, the actuating arm5is pivotally supported about at least one second pivoting axis7bon the base body9, whereinthe base body9of the furniture drive4has a front opening9c,and the actuating arm5at least partially protrudes through the front opening9cat least in a maximum open position, and the second pivoting axis7bhas a smaller perpendicular distance to the front opening9cthan the first pivoting axis7a,and/orthe base body9of the furniture drive4has an upper side34which, in a fixed condition of the furniture drive4on the furniture carcass2, faces towards a top panel2a(FIG.1a,1b) of the furniture carcass2, the second pivoting axis7bhaving a smaller perpendicular distance to the upper side34than the second pivoting axis7b.

According to an embodiment, the second pivoting axis7bcorresponds to a pivot point of the four-joint geometry of the levers5a,5b,5cof the actuating arm5.

Further, the following arrangements are possible:at least two of the provided levers5a,5bof the actuating arm5, in at least one pivoting position, preferably in each pivoting position, of the actuating arm5are nested into one another, so that the two levers5a,5b,in a view from the side, are configured without a gap to one another, and/orat least one lever5a,5c,in a cross-section, is configured to be U-shaped and a further lever5bcan be arranged or is arranged at least partially between the vertical limbs of the U-shape.

A fastening interface35is arranged on the third lever5c,and the movable furniture part3can be, preferably releasably, fixed to the actuating arm5via the fastening interface35. The first lever5aand the second lever5bare hingedly connected to the third lever5c.The third lever5chas an angled configuration, and two partial portions36a,36bof angled third lever5cenclose an angle of substantially 90° relative to each other.

FIG.2bshows the furniture drive4in a further perspective view, in which the housing wall9ais hidden.

The furniture drive4includes at least one force storage member12for applying a force to the actuating arm5. Preferably, the at least one force storage member12is arranged on the base body9and preferably includes at least one spring element12a.In this way, a weight of the movable furniture part3to be fixed to the actuating arm5can be compensated for.

InFIG.2b, the force storage member12is only schematically depicted and can include, besides mechanical spring elements (in particular helical springs), also a gas pressure spring for example. As an alternative or in addition to the force storage member12, an electric drive for driving the actuating arm5can also be provided.

According to an embodiment, a transmission mechanism17is provided, the transmission mechanism17being configured to transmit a force that can be stored in the at least one force storage member12to the actuating arm5. Preferably, the transmission mechanism17:includes at least one intermediate lever13pivotable about a pivoting axis13a, preferably wherein the at least one force storage member12is connected to the at least one intermediate lever13via an, preferably adjustable, engagement location14, and/orincludes at least one pressure portion15, preferably a rotatable pressure roller, and at least one setting contour16on which the at least one pressure portion15can be displaceably supported upon a movement of the actuating arm5, preferably wherein the at least one pressure portion15is arranged or can be arranged on the at least one intermediate lever13of the transmission mechanism17, and the at least one setting contour16is arranged or can be arranged on the actuating arm5, or vice versa.

In the shown embodiment, the actuating arm5is configured to be releasably connected to the base body9of the furniture drive4via two locking devices37,38separate from each other. At least one of the two locking devices37,38can include at least one fastening portion37a,38aconfigured to be hung into or configured to be slid into the base body9, and/or can include at least one locking element37bpressurized by at least one spring25(FIG.5a).

A first, preferably hook-shaped, fastening portion37aof the lever5bcan be hung into the base body9, for example to a pin arranged on the second pivoting axis7b.The lever5bcan be releasably locked by the spring-loaded locking element37b.

The second fastening portion38aof the other locking device38, in contrast, can be releasably locked to a movable actuating portion22, the actuating portion22being preferably pivotable about the first pivoting axis7a.Preferably, the setting contour16is formed on the movable actuating portion22.

FIG.3ashows the mounting operation of the actuating arm5to the base body9in a first step, in which the fastening portion37aof the locking device37is hung to the pin arranged on the second pivoting axis7b.

To be seen is the locking element37bwhich, for example, is linearly displaceably supported along at least one guide, and is pre-stressed in a direction of the locking position by a spring25. For example, the spring25can be formed by a mechanical spring element or also by a material elasticity of a component. It can be seen that the locking element37bincludes an inclined surface for urging the locking element37bagainst the force of the spring25upon a co-operation with the hinge axis7b.

FIG.3bshows the locking element37blocked to the pivoting axis7b.The locking element37bhas been moved from the position shown inFIG.3adue to its inclined surface against the force of the spring25. Subsequently, the locking element37bhas been brought into a locking position with the pivoting axis7bby a force of the relaxing spring25. The lever5bis now pivotally connected to the pivoting axis7b.

FIG.4a-4cshow the mounting operation of the actuating arm5to the base body9in further steps. Starting from the position according toFIG.3b, the levers5a,5bhave been pivoted relative to the base body9about the pivoting axis7b(FIG.4a). The fastening portion38aof the locking device38is supportable on a guide element39arranged on the actuating portion22, and the laterally protruding locking element38bof the lever5acan be introduced into the recess27aof the actuating portion22.

InFIG.4b, it can be seen that the movable locking element38cis movable along the guide30by the fastening portion38aof the lever5aagainst a force of a spring25(not shown here).

InFIG.4c, it can be seen that the locking element38ccan enter into a locking recess of the fastening portion38adue to the contour formed by the fastening portion38aand due to a force of a loaded spring25. As a result, the lever5acan be releasably locked to the base body9.

FIG.5ashows the furniture drive4in a perspective view, in which the actuating arm5is connected to the base body9of the furniture drive4via at least one locking device38.

The at least one locking device38includes a locking element38cconfigured to be moved between a locking position, in which the at least one actuating arm5is locked to the at least one base body9, and a demounting position, in which the at least one actuating arm5can be demounted from the at least one base body9.

The furniture drive4can include a force adjustment device18for adjusting a force of the force storage member12to the at least one actuating arm5. Preferably, the force adjustment device18:includes at least one rotatably supported adjustment wheel18a,and a force of the force storage member12acting onto the at least one actuating arm5is adjustable by rotating the adjustment wheel18a,and/orincludes at least one threaded spindle18b(FIG.3a,3b) along which an engagement location14of the force storage member12is movable upon an actuation of the force adjustment device18, and/orthe base body9includes a front face having at least one front opening9c(FIG.2) through which the at least one actuating arm5projects in an open position, and an adjustment wheel18aof the force adjustment device18is actuable through the front opening9cfrom a direction extending transversely to the front face.

FIG.5bshows that the actuating drive4further includes at least one actuating device11, preferably to be actuated with the aid of a tool10, for moving the at least one locking element38cfrom the locking position into a demounting position. In the demounting position, the actuating arm5can be de demounted from the base body9.

The actuating device11can include an opening11afor introducing the tool10, and the locking element38cis movable into the demounting position by exerting a force to the locking element38cagainst a resilient action.

For an operator, there are two different possibilities for introducing the tool10. On the one hand, the rotatable adjustment wheel18aof the force adjustment device18can be actuated.

On the other hand, the locking between the actuating arm5and the base body9can be released by an actuation of the actuating device11. If thus the operator inadvertently actuates the actuating device11instead of the force adjustment device18, the locking between the base body9and the actuating arm5could be inadvertently released. A crash of the actuating arm5along with the movable furniture part3would be the result.

FIG.6ashows the furniture drive4in a side view, in which the operator tries to actuate the locking element38cof the locking device38against the force of the spring25(FIG.6b) by introducing the tool10into the opening11a (FIG.5a,5b) of the actuating device11.

FIG.6bshows the region of the locking element38caccording toFIG.6ain an enlarged view. It can be seen that the fastening portion38aof the actuating arm5is received between the stationary guide element39(preferably in the form of a cylindrical pin) and the movable guide element38cof the locking device38.

The furniture drive4includes, in addition to the locking device38, a releasable securing device19configured to prevent a movement of the at least one locking element38cfrom the locking position into the demounting position upon an actuation of the actuating device11.

The releasable securing device19can include at least one bearing contour19aconfigured to bear against the at least one locking element38cunder an influence of gravity on the at least one actuating arm5and possibly under an influence of a weight force of the furniture part3to be fixed to the at least one actuating arm5.

According to an embodiment:the at least one bearing contour19ais liftable from the at least one locking element38cby a movement of the at least one actuating arm5against the force of gravity, and/orthe at least one bearing contour19aincludes at least one recess19cin which the at least one locking element38ccan be at least partially arranged, and/orthe at least one actuating arm5has a first end configured to be fixed to the movable furniture part3, and a second end on which the at least one bearing contour19ais arranged.

In the shown embodiment, the guide30for movably supporting the locking element38c, together with the fastening portion38aof the actuating arm5, jointly form a common bearing contour19afor the locking element38c.

Therefore, if a person tries to push the locking element38cout from the locking position by exerting a force with the aid of the tool10, a movement of the locking element38cin a direction of the demounting position is prevented. The locking element38cis namely arrested between the recess19cand the fastening portion38aof the actuating arm5and can thus not further be moved along the guide30into the demounting position. The locking between the base body9and the actuating arm5, despite an actuation of the actuating device11, is further maintained by the releasable securing device19.

FIG.7ashows the furniture drive4in a side view. For releasing the locking, the actuating arm5has firstly to be moved in the opening direction OR (thus in a direction of the depicted arrow).

FIG.7bshows the region of the locking element38caccording toFIG.7ain an enlarged view. By a movement of the actuating arm5in the opening direction OR, the fastening portion38aof the actuating arm5is tilted about the guide element39in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby releasing the locking element38cfrom the recess19cof the bearing contour19a. Only now, a movement of the locking element38calong the guide30into the demounting position is possible in order for the actuating arm5to be demounted from the base body9of the furniture drive4.

According to possible embodiments, the guide30:is at least partially configured as an elongated hole, and/oris arranged on the base body9, preferably on a pivotable actuating portion22, of the base body9, and/orincludes at least one recess19cin which the at least one locking element38ccan be at least partially arranged.

With further embodiments, the actuating device11:is configured to be actuated in an open position of the at least one actuating arm5, and/oris arranged on a front face, facing towards an operator in a mounted position, of the10furniture drive4, and/orincludes at least one opening11a for introducing a tool10, and the at least one locking element38cis configured to be actuated with the aid of the tool10introduced into the opening11a.

With further embodiments:the at least one locking device38includes at least one fastening portion38aarranged on the actuating arm5, the fastening portion38abeing configured to be hung into and/or configured to be slid into the base body9of the furniture drive4, and/orthe at least one locking device38includes at least one fastening portion38aarranged on the actuating arm5, the fastening portion38abeing received between the locking element38cand a guide element39of the furniture drive4in a locked position of the actuating arm5, and/orthe at least one locking device38includes at least one spring25, the at least one spring being configured to push the at least one locking element38cin a direction of the locking position, and/orthe at least one locking element38cof the at least one locking device38is configured as a, preferably cylindrical, pin.

FIG.8ashows a side view of the furniture drive4with the securing device19in a slightly modified embodiment.

FIG.8bshows the region of the locking element38caccording toFIG.8a, in which the recess19cfor partially receiving the locking element38cis not arranged on the guide30as in the previous embodiment, but is rather arranged on the actuating arm5. However, the functionality of the securing device19is basically identical.

In a locked condition of the actuating arm5, the locking element38cis received between the fastening portion38aof the actuating arm5and the guide30. A movement of the locking element38cinto the demounting position is prevented, because the locking element38cis arrested between the recess19cof the fastening portion38aand the guide30.

FIG.9ashows the embodiment of the furniture drive4according toFIGS.8a,8b, in which the locking between the base body9and the actuating arm5can only be released by additionally lifting the actuating arm5in the opening direction OR.

FIG.9bshows the region of the locking element38caccording toFIG.9a. By lifting the actuating arm5in the opening direction OR, the fastening portion38ais tilted about the guide element39, preferably in the form of a cylindrical pin, in a counter-clockwise direction.

Due to the tilting movement of the fastening portion38aabout the axis formed by the guide element39, the path for the locking element38cinto the demounting position along the guide30can be unblocked. Now, the locking element38ccan be moved against a force of the spring25into the demounting position by exerting a force with the aid of the tool10in order to demount the actuating arm5from the base body9.

Accordingly, the actuating arm5can only be demounted from the base body9when the movable furniture part3, in an open condition, is firstly moved further in the opening direction OR, and then the actuating device11for releasing the locking is to be actuated. This constitutes a significant safety aspect, because the operator must necessarily grasp the actuating arm5and/or the furniture part3connected therewith. Therefore, the movable furniture part3can be secured against a crash.