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This application is a Continuation of International application No. PCT/AT2009/000205, filed May 19, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a damping device comprising a damper which is arranged at a first part of an article of furniture or furniture fitting (collectively, an article of furniture) and which is actuated by a second part of an article of furniture or furniture fitting and in that case damps a relative movement of the two parts. 
     Moreover, the invention concerns a furniture hinge, a pull-out-guide assembly for drawers, and an actuating mechanism for moving a furniture flap having a damping device of the kind to be described. 
     It is known in the state of the art for articles of furniture or furniture fittings to be provided with a damping device so that a damped movement of the movable furniture part or the furniture fitting into at least one end position can take place. In that case, an actuating element associated with the damping device is acted upon by an abutment portion or by the movable furniture part itself, as from a given relative position of the furniture fitting, and that initiates the beginning of the damping process. However, when using furniture fittings with integrated damping function, the furniture part to be moved can be braked excessively so that the resulting closing and opening time of the movable furniture part exceeds a tolerable magnitude. In the extreme case, it is even possible that no complete movement at all of the movable furniture part is possible, to the desired end position. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a damping device of the general kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, while avoiding the aforementioned disadvantage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, that object is achieved in that the damping device has a coupling which can be switched by way of a—preferably manually actuable—switching member and by way of which the damping action of the damper can be deactivated. 
     By virtue of a—preferably manual—actuation of the switching member, the damper in a first switching position of the switching member of the switchable coupling can damp a relative movement of the two parts of the article of furniture or of the furniture fitting. However, in a second switching position of the switching member of the switchable coupling, the damper does not exert any damping action on the two parts of the article of furniture or the furniture fitting. 
     The switching member of the switchable coupling therefore enables the user to decide whether the damper should generate a damping action or not. The switching member couples and uncouples the coupling and therefore determines whether the flow of force introduced into the damping device is to be cut or to be connected, if desired. It is therefore preferably provided that the damper damps the relative movement of the two parts when the coupling is closed, and the damping action is deactivated when the coupling is open. 
     In principle two different variants can be embodied. In a first variant of the invention, the first part of the article of furniture or furniture fitting can act on the damper by way of a movable actuating element, wherein the switchable coupling is arranged between the actuating element and the damper. The actuating element is motionally coupled to the damper in a first switching position of the switchable coupling, and the actuating element is freely movable independently of the damper in a second switching position of the switchable coupling. In other words, transmission of the flow of force to the damper can be interrupted from the outset by such an arrangement of the switchable coupling between the actuating element and the damper. 
     In a second variant of the invention, the damper has two damping components which are mounted movably relative to each other in a damping stroke. The switchable coupling arrests one of the two damping components in a first switching position of the switching member so that, in the damping stroke (i.e., in a damping direction of movement) a relative movement takes place between the two damping components and thus a damping action of the damping device is provided. On the other hand, the switchable coupling releases the damping component in a second switching position of the switching member so that in the damping stroke (i.e., in the same damping direction of movement) no relative movement of the two damping components takes place and thus there is no damping action provided by the damping device. In other words, one of the two damping components can be arrested by a coupling in the switched-on condition, in which case the other damping component can rotate in the damping stroke relative to the first damping component which is arrested in that fashion. Arranged between the two damping components is a preferably viscous damping fluid. Upon a relative movement of the two damping components, shearing forces act on that damping fluid and cause the damping action. In the disengaged condition of the switchable coupling, in contrast, the two damping components remain in their relative position with respect to each other, and no shearing forces act on the damping medium arranged between the damping components, whereby also no damping action is generated. 
     The switchable coupling can be in the form of a force-locking coupling device which can be user-operated by the switching member. In that respect it may be desirable if the switchable coupling comprises a plurality of coupling elements, by which a clamping connection can be made between one of the damping components and a holding portion in the first switching position of the switching member. In the second switching position of the switching member, the coupling elements are movable into a position in which the damping component does not couple to the holding portion. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the holding portion can be formed by the damper housing, by a central projection or by another—preferably stationary—structure of the damping device. 
     The coupling elements are therefore operative between the holding portion and one of the damping components, wherein the coupling elements—depending on the respective switching position of the switching member—either produce a clamping connection between the holding portion and one of the damping components or in the other case allow a relative movement between the damping component and the holding portion. 
     The furniture fitting with the damping device according to the invention can either be in the form of a furniture hinge, a pull-out-guide assembly for drawers or in the form of an actuating mechanism for moving a furniture flap. In that case, the damping device in question can be arranged so that it damps a relative movement—in particular a linear movement and/or a pivotal movement—of at least two abutment portions to be fixed to a furniture part. In that respect, in the case of furniture hinges, the relative movement of a hinge cup with respect to a hinge arm can be damped. In the case of a pull-out-guide assembly for drawers, the relative movement of two rails can be dampened and in the case of an actuating mechanism, the pivotal movement of an actuating arm provided for moving the furniture flap can be dampened. For reasons of simplicity the arrangement of a damping device on a furniture hinge is shown in the accompanying drawings. On the basis of the illustrated embodiments the person skilled in the art will directly see how the arrangement of the damping device is to be implemented on a pull-out-guide assembly for drawers or on an actuating mechanism for moving a furniture flap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described with reference to the specific description hereinafter, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 a , 1 b    show highly schematic views of a switchable coupling in two different switching positions, the switchable coupling being operative between the actuating element of the damper and the actual damper, 
         FIGS. 2 a , 2 b    show highly diagrammatic views of a switchable coupling in two different switching positions, wherein the switchable coupling is provided for selectively arresting a damper component, 
         FIGS. 3 a , 3 b    show diagrammatic views of a linear damper with a closed switchable coupling at the beginning and at the end of the damping stroke, 
         FIGS. 4 a , 4 b    show diagrammatic views of a linear damper with the switchable coupling being open, wherein the damping function of the damper is deactivated, 
         FIGS. 5 a , 5 b    show an embodiment of a linear damper with a closed coupling operative between two parts of the piston rod, 
         FIGS. 6 a , 6 b    show the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    with the coupling released, 
         FIG. 7  shows a possible embodiment of a furniture hinge with a damping device according to the invention, 
         FIGS. 8 a , 8 b    show sectional views of the damping device with the coupling released, whereby the damping function is deactivated, 
         FIGS. 9 a , 9 b    show sectional views of the damping device with the coupling closed, wherein a damping function is performed by the damper, 
         FIGS. 10 a , 10 b    show perspective sectional views of the damping device with a closed coupling, whereby a damping function is effected, 
         FIGS. 11 a , 11 b    show perspective sectional views of the damping device with an open coupling, whereby the damping function is deactivated, and 
         FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of a furniture hinge having a damping device and a return mechanism for the actuating element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The fundamental essence of the invention will now be described with reference to the highly diagrammatic views in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    through  FIGS. 6 a    and  6   b:    
       FIG. 1 a    and  FIG. 1 b    show the arrangement of a damping device  1  having a switchable coupling  2  being operative between an actuating element  3  and the actual damper  4 . The damper  4  is mounted to a structure  5  which, for example, is a furniture part or a part of a furniture fitting. The switchable coupling  2  comprises a manually actuable switching member  6  which in  FIG. 1 a    is in a switching position which produces a dampened movement of the actuating element  3 . When the actuating element  3  of the damper  4  is acted upon by a force, the actuating element  3  can be moved into the position shown in dotted line, which is clearly indicated by the arrow shown between the actuating element  3  and the switchable coupling  2 . As the switching member  6  of the switchable coupling  2  is in a first switching position, the flow of force applied by the actuating element  3  is also transmitted to the actual damper  4  (arrow between switchable coupling  2  and damper  4 ), whereby the movement of the actuating element  3  (and therewith the movement of a furniture part or a furniture fitting) is also dampened. 
       FIG. 1 b    in contrast shows the switching member  6  of the switchable coupling  2  in a second switching position. In that switching position of the switching member  6 , a movement of the actuating element  3  (arrow between actuating element  3  and switchable coupling  2 ) is not transmitted at all to the actual damper  4 . The actuating element  3  can admittedly move freely within predetermined limits independently of the damper  4 , but that movement is not damped by the damper  4 . The interrupted flow of force between the switchable coupling  2  and the damper  4  is symbolically indicated by the illustrated cross. 
       FIG. 2 a    and  FIG. 2 b    show highly diagrammatic views of a second variant of the invention. In this case, the damping device  1  also includes an actuating element  3  which can be acted upon by a furniture part (not shown) or by a part of a furniture fitting. In contrast to  FIG. 1 a    and  FIG. 1 b    the actuating element  3 —at least during the damping stroke—is operatively connected to a damping component  4   a  of the damper  4 . A movement of the actuating element  3  into the position shown in the dotted line therefore also leads to a movement of the damping component  4   a . In the illustrated embodiment, the damper  4  is in the form of a rotational damper with two damping components  4   a ,  4   b  which are rotatable relative to each other. A damping fluid  7  (for example a silicone oil or a damping medium of high viscosity) is operative between those two damping components  4   a ,  4   b . What is essential is that the switchable coupling  2  with the switching member  6  is operative between the second damping component  4   b  and a—preferably stationary—structure  5 . In  FIG. 2 a   , the switching member  6  is in a switching position in which the switchable coupling  2  arrests the second component  4   b , as is shown by the illustrated cross between the second damping component  4   b  and the switchable coupling  2 . When therefore the first damping component  4   a  is moved by a movement of the actuating element  3 , that involves a relative movement between the first damping component  4   a  and the arrested second damping component  4   b . During that movement, shearing forces act on the damping medium  7 , and they produce a dampened movement of the first damping component  4   a  (and thus the actuating element  3 ). In  FIG. 2 b    in contrast, the switching member  6  is in a switching position which does not cause a damping action on the part of the actuating element  3 . In that switching position of the switching member  6 , the second damping component  4   b  of the damper  4  is not arrested by the coupling  2 . When now a movement of the actuating element  3  is transmitted to the first damping component  4   a , that movement is also transmitted by way of the viscous damping medium  7  to the second damping component  4   b , whereby the second damping component  4   b  also moves with the first damping component  4   a  by virtue of the acting damping medium. Therefore in  FIG. 2 b   , the two damping components  4   a ,  4   b  remain in their relative position with respect to each other. As in that case, no relative movement of the two damping components  4   a ,  4   b  takes place, there is also no damping action generated by the damper  4 . The actuating element  3  can admittedly move within predetermined limits in  FIG. 2 b   , but it will be appreciated that that movement is not dampened. 
       FIG. 3 a    and  FIG. 3 b    are highly diagrammatic views showing an embodiment having a linear damper. The damping device  1  comprises a housing  8  in which a cylinder  9  of the linear damper is arranged movably—in particularslidably. A piston  10  is mounted slidably within the cylinder  9  in a per se known manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element  3  is in the form of a piston rod  3   a . A switchable coupling  2  having a switching member  6 , whereby the cylinder  9  can be arrested relative to the housing  8 , is only diagrammatically indicated. The arrested position of the cylinder  9  is shown in  FIG. 3 a   . When now the actuating element  3  in the form of the piston rod  3   a  is pushed in, in the direction of the illustrated arrow X, by a furniture part or by a furniture fitting during the damping stroke, then the movement of the piston  10  is braked by the presence of a damping fluid  7  in the interior of the cylinder  9 . There can therefore be a dampened movement of the piston rod  3   a  to the end position of the piston  10  as shown in  FIG. 3   b.    
       FIG. 4 a   , in contrast, shows that the switching member  6  of the switchable coupling  2  has been moved into a second switching position, whereby the arresting action between the housing  8  and the cylinder  9  has been removed. Accordingly, cylinder  9  is substantially freely slidable within the housing  8 . When now starting from  FIG. 4 a   , the actuating element  3  in the form of the piston rod  3   a  is acted upon by a force so that the cylinder  9  can be pushed entirely into the housing  8 , without in that situation the relative position of the piston  10  in relation to the cylinder  9  substantially changing. The movement of the piston rod  3   a  with released coupling  2  as shown in  FIG. 4 b    therefore takes place in a substantially unbraked fashion. 
       FIG. 5 a    and  FIG. 5 b    show a further embodiment of a damping device  1  according to the invention. The damper  4  is in the form of a linear damper comprising a cylinder  9  and a piston  10  slidable therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element  3  is in the form of a piston rod having two parts  3   a  and  3   b  being movable relative to each other. A diagrammatically illustrated coupling  2  is operative between the two parts  3   a  and  3   b  of the piston rod.  FIG. 5 a    shows the coupled condition of the coupling  2  in which the two parts  3   a  and  3   b  of the piston rod are held non-slidably relative to each other. A movement initiated in the direction X is therefore dampened, in which case the piston  10  is movable in the cylinder  9  to the end position shown in  FIG. 5   b.    
       FIG. 6 a    and  FIG. 6 b    show the embodiment of  FIG. 5 a    and  FIG. 5 b    with an open coupling  2 . In that switching position of the coupling  2 , the two parts  3   a  and  3   b  of the piston rod are displaceable relative to each other in the case of a movement initiated in the direction X. When therefore a movable furniture part or a furniture fitting acts on the piston rod in the direction X, then only the two parts  3   a  and  3   b  are displaced relative to each other. Accordingly, the position of the piston  10  relative to the cylinder  9  remains substantially unchanged by virtue of the fluid pressure in the cylinder  9 , wherein there is also no damping of the introduced movement. An embodiment of the coupling  2  provides that the two parts  3   a ,  3   b  are movable—preferable pivotally connected—relative to each other. By way of example in that respect, it is possible to provide a structure in which, in a first rotational position of the part  3   b  relative to the part  3   a , it is possible to provide a closed coupling with parts  3   a  and  3   b  which are immovable relative to each other. In a second rotational position of the part  3   b  relative to the part  3   a  (which differs from the first rotational position), it is possible in contrast to provide an open coupling  2  which allows an axial movement of the two parts  3   a ,  3   b . As also in all other embodiments, the switching member  9  can be either in the form of a separate part of the damping device  1  or also in the form of an integral part of the damping components or the actuating element  3  (in the present case integrally with one of the two parts  3   a ,  3   b  of the piston rod). 
       FIG. 7  shows a specific possible embodiment by means of a furniture hinge  11 . The furniture hinge  11  includes in a per se known manner a hinge arm  12  which can be releasably clipped to a base plate  14  to be secured to the furniture carcass  13 . The hinge arm  12  is coupled to a hinge cup  16  by way of an inner hinge lever  15   a  and an outer hinge lever  15   b . Arranged at the hinge cup  16  is a flange  17 , and a damping device  1  is disposed under the flange  17  and at a lateral outside wall of the hinge cup  16 . In the illustrated embodiment, the damping device  1  is in the form of a rotational damper having an actuating element  3 . The actuating element  3  is supported rotatably relative to the hinge cup  16  and in the course of the closing movement of the furniture hinge  11 , is acted upon by the outer hinge lever  15   b  as from a given relative position of the furniture hinge  11 . The rotatable actuating element  3  can therefore be pushed into the hinge cup  16  by the outer hinge lever  15   b  during the damping stroke movement, in which case that movement can take place, in accordance with the aspect of the present invention, selectively in a dampened or undampened fashion. That is made possible by a switching member  6  which can be actuated manually and which in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a displaceable switch having two switching positions. The switching member  6  is arranged, for example, on the hinge cup  16 , but an arrangement on the hinge arm  12  is equally possible. The damping device  1  can also be arranged on the hinge arm  12 . 
       FIG. 8 a    and  FIG. 8 b    show a vertical section through the hinge cup  16  of  FIG. 7 , at the damper side. A damping device  1  is secured to the lateral outside wall of the hinge cup  16  and beneath the flange  17 , the damping device  1  being in the form of a rotational damper. The damping device  1  includes a first damping component  4   a  in the form of an annular part. The actuating element  3  shown in  FIG. 7  is non-rotatably connected to the first damping component  4   a  so that the first damping component  4   a  moves with the actuating element  3 . In addition the damping device  1  includes a second damping component  4   b  arranged coaxially with the first damping component  4   a . The first damping component  4   a  and the second damping component  4   b  as well as the actuating element  3  are therefore movable about a common axis of rotation. Between the two damping components  4   a ,  4   b  there is an annular free space for accommodating a damping medium  7 . The damping components  4   a ,  4   b  have tooth arrangements directed towards each other to increase the shearing forces acting on the damping medium  7 . It is also possible to see a holding portion  18  which is in the form of a central rigid projection. The holding portion  18  can also equally be formed by a housing portion of the damping device  1 . Arranged around the peripheral edge of the central holding portion  18  are coupling elements  20  which are spaced by a cage  19  and which can be in the form of balls, rolls or cylindrical rollers. The coupling elements  20  can be seen as having round shapes in this vertical section, while the portions of the cage  19  form substantially trapezoidal shapes. The function of the coupling element  20 —depending on the respective switching position of the actuating member  6 —is to produce a clamping connection between the inner damping component  4   b  and the rigid projection-shaped holding portion  18 . 
     The region circled in  FIG. 8 a    is shown on an enlarged scale in  FIG. 8 b   , and  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    do not involve any arresting of the inner damping component  4   b . When the actuating element  3  shown in  FIG. 7  is acted upon, the outer damping component  4   a  which is non-rotatably connected to the actuating element  3  is also rotated, wherein the inner damping component  4   b  is rotated by way of the viscous damping medium  7 , by the open coupling  2 . Therefore  FIGS. 8 a  and 8 b    do not involve any relative movement between the outer damping component  4   b  and the inner damping component  4   a , and so there is also no dampened movement of the actuating element  3 . It is possible to see in  FIG. 8 b    the central holding portion  18 , around the peripheral edge of which there are recesses  21  for receiving the coupling element  20 . In  FIG. 8 b    the coupling elements  20  are disposed in those recesses  21  so that there is not a force-locking connection between the rigid holding portion  18  and the inner damping component  4   b.    
       FIG. 9 a    and  FIG. 9 b    in contrast show the coupled position of the coupling elements  20 . Due to displacement of the switching member  6  the cage  19  was rotated by way of a transmission mechanism in the clockwise direction—preferably within an angular range of between 0° and 30°. A transmission mechanism which cannot be seen in greater detail here therefore converts a linear movement of the switching member  6  into a rotary movement of the cage  19 . A detail view on an enlarged scale of the region circled in  FIG. 9 a    is shown in  FIG. 9 b   . It is possible to see a relative position of the cage  19  with respect to the central holding portion  18 , that is altered in relation to  FIG. 8 b   , so that now the coupling elements  20  come to bear against inclined surfaces  22  on the holding portion  18 . Thus, the coupling elements  20  are connected in force-locking relationship both to the holding portion  18  and also to the inner damping component  4   b . In that way, therefore, the inner damping component  4   b  is arrested relative to the rigid holding portion  18 . When now a movement is initiated by way of the actuating element  3  shown in  FIG. 7 , the outer damping component  4   a  again moves with the actuating element  3 . As however the inner damping component  4   b  is arrested shearing forces act on the damping medium  7  so that the outer damping component  4   a  (and therewith the actuating element  3 ) is damped. 
       FIG. 10 a    and  FIG. 10 b    show views of the clamping position—similarly to  FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b   —but as a perspective view. It is possible to see the damping device  1  with the two mutually rotatable damping components  4   a ,  4   b  and the switchable coupling  2  with the switching member  6 . A damping medium  7  is operative between the damping components  4   a ,  4   b .  FIG. 10 b    shows a view on an enlarged scale of the circle shown in  FIG. 10 a   . It is possible to see the central holding portion  18  with its tooth arrangements  21  arranged thereon and its inclined surfaces  22 . Arranged around the holding portion  18  are a plurality of coupling elements  20  which as shown in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    are wedged between the inclined surfaces  22  of the holding portion  18  and the inner damping component  4   b  so that there is a damping action on the part of the damping device  1 . 
     In  FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b   , in contrast, the coupling elements  20  are within the recesses  21  in the holding portion  18  so that the inner damping component  4   b  is not arrested in relation to the holding portion  18 . Upon a movement of the outer damping component  4   a , therefore the inner damping component  4   b  can also be rotated, in which case the damping components  4   a ,  4   b  remain in their relative position with respect to each other so that the movement of the actuating element  3  is not damped. 
       FIG. 12  shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the furniture hinge  11 . Reference  23  generally identifies a return mechanism by which the actuating element  3  of the damping device  1  is movable after damping has occurred into a starting position for the next damping stroke again (preferably being movable back again). In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element  3  has a two-part structure and includes the two parts  3   a  and  3   b  to be connected together. The return mechanism  23  includes a stationary return housing  24  in which a rotor  25  is rotatably supported, with the part  3   a  of the actuating element  3 . A return spring  26  in the form of a torsion spring is operative between the stationary return housing  24  and the rotatable rotor  25 , the return spring  26  being loaded up during the damping stroke and subsequently thereto rotating the actuating element  3  back into a starting position for the next damping stroke again. The return mechanism  23  for ordinary return of the actuating element  3  after damping has been effected is only shown by way of example and can be replaced by numerous alternative structures. 
     The damping device  1  in contrast includes the preferably stationary holding portion  18  with the recesses  21  thereon and inclined surfaces  22  ( FIG. 10 b   ). Fitted on around the holding portion  18  is the cage  19  which is provided for supporting and spacing the coupling elements  20  (not shown here). The part  3   b  of the actuating element  3 , that can be connected to the part  3   a , includes the outer damping component  4   a . It is also possible to see the inner damping component  4   b  which depending on the respective switching position of the switching member  6  can be selectively couplable to the holding portion  18 . A loop-shaped part  27  forming the transmission mechanism between the switching member  6  and the cage  19  is on the one hand pushed on to the cage  19  and on the other hand is coupled with its free end to the switching member  6 . It is also possible to see a closure element  28  which prevents the damping medium  7  from escaping from the damper. A cover  29  forms the outer termination of the damping device  1 , a seal  30  being arranged between the inner damping component  4   b  and the cover  29 . A switch housing  31  serves for supporting the switch member  6  on the hinge cup  16 . There is also a spring  32  by which the cage  19  (and therewith the coupling elements  20 ) can be biased in the direction of the arresting position so as to ensure direct onset of the damping stroke upon a corresponding actuation of the actuating element  3 . The actuating element  3  and the damping components  4   a ,  4   b  are mounted rotatably about a common axis of rotation R. The damping device  1  and the return mechanism  23  are arranged as mutually separate units on oppositely disposed side walls of the hinge cup  16 . 
     The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments and includes or extends to all variants and 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. The proposed damping device  1  can be arranged per se on an article of furniture or furniture part, or can also form part of a furniture fitting.

Summary:
A damping device with damper is arranged on a first part of a piece of furniture or furniture fitting, operable by a second part of a piece of furniture or furniture fitting thus damping a relative movement of both parts. The damping effect of the damper may be deactivated by a switchable coupling switched by a preferably manually operated switch body.