Abstract:
A damping device for damping a motion of a movably mounted furniture part or of a movably mounted furniture fitting component of a furniture fitting includes a piston arranged in a fluid chamber. A damping effect is caused by a relative motion between the fluid chamber and the piston and the piston assumes a pressed-in end position relative to the fluid chamber at the end of the damping stroke. The damping device has a locking device which has a locking element that can be operated manually or by means of a tool in order to deactivate the damping effect. The relative position between the fluid chamber and the piston can be releasably locked in the pressed-in end position by the locking element of the locking device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to hinges for furniture or the like which including a damping mechanism for damping a movement of a movable furniture part on a piece of furniture. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     A damping device of the general kind set forth is known for example from WO 2009/140706 A1 to the present applicant, wherein the damping function of the damping device can be deactivated when not in use by way of a switch member to be displaced manually. In that document in the state of the art, in accordance with a variant, the cylinder of the linear damper is arrested by way of the switch member so that the piston can perform a relative movement with respect to the stationary cylinder in the damping stroke, whereby a damping action is also generated. To deactivate the damping function, the switch member is displaced, whereby the cylinder is unlocked. If now the damper is acted upon by force the cylinder will move within the damper housing, but in that case also no damping action is generated in the absence of the relative movement between cylinder and piston. A disadvantage in that case is that the structural space occupied by the damper has to be of relatively large size because of the displaceable cylinder. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a damping device of the general kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantage. 
     The present invention concerns a damping device for damping a movement of a movably mounted furniture part or a movably mounted furniture fitment component of a furniture fitment, comprising a piston arranged in a fluid chamber, wherein a damping action is produced by a relative movement between the fluid chamber and the piston and wherein the piston assumes a pressed-in end position at the end of the damping stroke relative to the fluid chamber and wherein the damping device for deactivation of the damping action has a locking device having an arresting element which is to be actuated manually or with the aid of a tool. 
     In addition the invention relates to a furniture hinge comprising a damping device for damping a closing movement and/or an opening movement of the furniture hinge. 
     According to the invention therefore it is provided that the relative position between the fluid chamber and the piston can be releasably arrested in the pressed-in end position by the arresting element of the locking device—that is to be actuated manually and/or with a tool. 
     In that way it is therefore possible for the damping device to be releasably arrested in the condition of being completely moved in (that is to say when the piston is in or close to the end region of the fluid chamber), in which case the deactivated or compressed damping device can assume a very compact and space-saving position. An advantage here is that the deactivated damping device can remain in its mounting position, wherein a movable furniture part or a movably mounted furniture fitment component cannot act on the retracted damper. 
     The proposed damping device can be used in particular in connection with furniture hinges which have a hinge cup. The hinge cup can be sunk in known manner in a—preferably circular—standard bore in an article of furniture. In that case the damping device can be arranged in the mounting position within the cavity in the hinge cup, wherein the damping device can be acted upon from a predetermined relative position of the furniture hinge, by a hinge lever, which can move into the hinge cup, of the furniture hinge. By virtue of its compact deactivation position the damping device can remain in the hinge cup and can also not be acted upon by the hinge lever in that deactivated operative position. The closing movement and/or the opening movement of the furniture hinge therefore take place in undamped fashion. The damping function can be activated again by displacement of the arresting element, by the arresting action on the piston which is moved completely into the fluid chamber being released again. The damping device can then be moved again back into a readiness position provided for the next damping stroke, for example by means of a return spring. 
     In an embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the piston is arranged stationarily in the mounting position and the fluid chamber is mounted displaceably in the damping stroke relative to the stationary piston. That structure has the advantage that a housing accommodating the fluid chamber can also be used as a slider for applying force. It will be appreciated that, as a mechanical reversal, it is also possible for the fluid chamber to be arranged stationarily in the mounting position and for the piston to be mounted displaceably in the damping stroke relative to the stationary fluid chamber. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the arresting element is in the form of a linearly displaceable switch having at least two switch positions, wherein the damping action of the damping device is activated in a first switch position and the damping action of the damping device is deactivated in a second switch position. In this connection it may be advantageous if the direction of the movement between the first switch position and the second switch position of the switch extends transversely relative to the direction of the damping stroke, preferably substantially at a right angle. In that way the switch can be displaced transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the piston rod without the movement of the switch leading to a relative movement between cylinder and piston. If the damping device is fitted in a hinge cup of a furniture hinge the switch can then be displaced without the damping device being able to move out of the mounting position by virtue of the displacement of the switch. A further advantage is the short switching movement of the switch, that is required for activation and deactivation of the damping function. 
     The fluid chamber can be formed by an internal cavity in a damper housing or the internal cavity in a cylinder. Air, gas or a liquid can be used as the damping fluid. It is also possible to generate a damping action by solid-state friction. 
     For resetting the damping device to a readiness position for the next damping stroke it may be advantageous if there is provided a return mechanism—preferably having at least one return spring—, by which the piston—also after the arresting action is released—is movable again into an extended end position relative to the fluid chamber. 
     The furniture hinge according to the invention is characterized by a damping device of the kind described. 
     In a possible development it can be provided that the furniture hinge has a carcass-side fitting member and a hinge cup hingedly connected thereto for fixing to furniture parts, wherein the damping device in the mounting position is arranged substantially completely within the hinge cup, or wherein the damping device—with the fitting member and the hinge cup already hingedly connected together—can be fitted from above into the hinge cup and can be arranged within the hinge cup, wherein the damping device can be connected to the hinge cup by way of cooperating securing means in said mounting position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an article of furniture having a door mounted pivotably by way of furniture hinges relative to a furniture carcass, 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show perspective views of a furniture hinge with a damping device which is to be arranged in the hinge cup and a damping device which is arranged in the hinge cup, 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  show the damping device in a perspective view and enlarged views of the arresting element in two different switch positions, 
         FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  show the damping device in an exploded view, an enlarged detail view of the slider and the arresting element in a perspective view from below, 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  show various longitudinal sections of the damping device, showing time successions of the arresting process for deactivation of the damping function, 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show a furniture hinge with a damping device integrated in the hinge cup and an enlarged detail view thereof, and 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective sectional view of the damping device with a return mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an article of furniture  1 , wherein a movable furniture part  3  in the form of a door  3   a  is mounted pivotably relative to a furniture carcass  2  by way of two or more furniture hinges  4 . In known manner the furniture hinges  4  have a fitting member  5  to be fixed to a frame  2   a  and a hinge cup  6  connected pivotably to the fitting member  5 . Mounted in the internal cavity in the hinge cup  6  is a respective damping device (not visible here), by which a closing movement of the furniture hinge  4  towards the fully closed end position can be damped. Depending on the respective size and weight of the movable furniture part  3 , the damping capacity of the damping devices may not be suitably adapted, that is to say if the damping capacity is excessively strong the movable furniture part  3  can either move into the completely closed position too slowly, or not at all. For that reason the damping action of the damping devices can be completely deactivated by way of a locking device. In that case it may be for example desirable for the damping action of a first furniture hinge  4  to be completely deactivated while a second furniture hinge  4  provides an active damping action which permits a desired damped closing movement of the movable furniture part  3  to the completely closed position. 
       FIG. 2   a  shows a perspective view of a furniture hinge  4 , wherein the hinge cup  6  is connected by way of at least one hinge lever  7  pivotably to the fitting member  5  which is in the form of a hinge arm  5   a . The furniture hinge  4  can be moved into the completely closed position and/or the completely open position by way of a spring device  8 . To damp that spring-assisted movement into the end position or positions, there is provided a damping device  9  having a housing  12  and a slider  13  movable relative thereto. The damping device  9  is either already pre-fitted into the internal cavity  10  in the hinge cup  6 , as from the factory, or alternatively—with the fitting member  5  and the hinge cup  6  fitted in place—it can be inserted from above into the hinge cup  6  in a retrofitting procedure and can be arranged within the hinge cup  6 , in which case the damping device  9  can be releasably connected together in the mounting position by way of cooperating securing means  11   a ,  11   b . In the illustrated embodiment the damping device  9  has first securing means  11   a  in the form of a guide groove which can be releasably connected to securing means  11   b  arranged on the hinge cup  6 , in the form of a securing projection. The damping device  9  has an introduction opening  14 , through which the securing projection  11   b  can be arranged in the guide groove  11   a . For deactivation of the damping function the damping device  9  has a locking device  15  with a displaceable arresting element  15   a  in the form of a switch, by which the slider  13  can be releasably arrested in the completely pressed-in position. 
       FIG. 2   b  shows a perspective view of the furniture hinge  4  with the damping device  9  in the mounting position. The damping device  9  is arranged completely in the internal cavity  10  in the hinge cup  6 . In the closing movement of the furniture hinge  4  the hinge lever  7  abuts the slider  13 , whereby the damping operation is initiated. In the course of the further closing movement the slider  13  can be pressed relative to the housing  12  into a complete end position, wherein that end position can be releasably arrested by the locking device  15 . The slider  13  can no longer be returned in the arresting position, in which case therefore the damping action is deactivated. 
       FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective view of the damping device  9 . It has a housing  12  and a slider  13  displaceable relative thereto. The damping device  9  is in the form of a linear damper and includes a piston rod  17  connected to the housing  12 . In this embodiment therefore it is provided that the piston rod  17  (and therewith a piston connected to the piston rod  17 ) is arranged stationarily in the mounting position while a fluid chamber provided in the slider  13  moves relative to that stationary piston rod  17 . The slider  13  is in the form of a sliding wedge and has an inclined abutment surface  16  which can be acted upon by the hinge lever  7  ( FIG. 2   b ) as from a predetermined relative position of the furniture hinge  4 .  FIG. 3   b  shows an enlarged detail view of the arresting element  15   a  which in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a switch with at least two switch positions. In a first switch position ( FIG. 3   b ) the damping action of the damping device  9  is activated while in a second switch position ( FIG. 3   c ) the damping action of the damping device  9  is deactivated. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows an exploded view of the damping device  9 . Provided in the interior of the slider  13  is at least one fluid chamber in which at least one piston (not visible here) with a piston rod  17  is mounted displaceably. It is possible clearly to see the securing means  11   a  in the form of guide grooves at both sides, by which the slider  13  is displaceable in the damping stroke relative to the securing projections  11   b  of the hinge cup  6 . The securing projection  11   b  can be arranged in the guide groove  11   a  through the introduction opening  14 . The housing  12  has a mounting  18 , to which the piston rod  17  is to be secured. Arranged on the slider  13  is a first fixing element  19  which can be fixed in the pressed-in end position of the slider  13  relative to a second fixing element  20  arranged on the switch  15   a.    
       FIG. 4   b  shows an enlarged detail view of the slider  13 , on which there is provided a first fixing element  19  in the form of a resilient tongue.  FIG. 4   c  shows a perspective view from below of the arresting element  15   a  in the form of a switch. Arranged at the underside of the arresting element  15   a  is a second substantially rigid fixing element  20 , by which the first fixing element  19  of the slider  13  can be fixed in the completely pressed-in end position of the slider  13 . 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  show time successions of the arresting effect for deactivation of the damping action in various cross-sections. It is possible to see in  FIG. 5   a  the slider  13  in which there is provided a fluid chamber  21  in which there is mounted a piston  22  having a piston rod  17 , which in the illustrated embodiment is arranged stationarily. In the closing movement of the furniture hinge  4  the hinge lever  7  ( FIG. 2   b ) impinges on the inclined abutment surface  16  of the slider  13 , whereupon the slider  13  is displaceable relative to the stationary piston  22 . The damping device  9  can also be deactivated with the slider  13  extended, by firstly the arresting element  15   a  which is in the form of the switch being moved into the corresponding deactivation position ( FIG. 5   a ). It is possible to see the fixing element  19  arranged on the slider  13  and the fixing element  20  on the switch  15   a . In the damping stroke firstly the fixing element  19  on the slider  13  abuts the rigid fixing element  20  of the switch  15   a  ( FIG. 5   a ), wherein in the deactivation position of the switch  15   a  the resilient fixing element  19  is movable beyond the rigid fixing element  20 , in which case the resilient fixing element  19  is bendable against the force of its resilient action and the resilient fixing element  19  can be fixed relative to the rigid fixing element  20  due to a snapping back action ( FIG. 5   c ). In  FIG. 5   c  therefore the fixing element  19  arranged on the slider  13  is arrested so that the slider  13  cannot be extended again, for example by a return mechanism. The damping action of the damping device  9  is thus deactivated. By moving the switch  15   a  into an activation position the fixing element  19  is released again so that the slider  13  can be returned again. 
       FIG. 6   a  shows a cross-section through a furniture hinge  4  with the damping device  9  in the mounting position. The furniture hinge  4  has a fitting member  5  which is in the form of a hinge arm  5   a —and which is preferably L-shaped—and which is connected pivotably by way of a hinge lever  7  to a hinge cup  6 . The hinge lever  7  is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation  23  at the hinge cup side.  FIG. 6   b  shows an enlarged detail view of the region circled in  FIG. 6   a . Towards the end of the closing movement the hinge lever  7  meets the inclined abutment surface  16  of the slider  13  and displaces it relative to the stationary piston  22 . The damping stroke of the damping device  9  runs substantially at a right angle relative to the axis of rotation  23 . The slider  13  can be arrested by the switch  15   a  in the pressed-in end position relative to the housing  12  of the damping device  9  whereby the damping action can be deactivated. 
       FIG. 7  shows a longitudinal section of the damping device  9 . The piston  22  with the piston rod  17  is mounted within the fluid chamber  21 . It is possible to see a return mechanism  26  which is arranged outside the fluid chamber  21 , in the form of two return springs which are supported on the one hand against abutments  24  of the housing  12  and on the other hand against counterpart abutments  25  of the slider  13 . After the damping stroke has been performed the slider  13  can be returned again by the return mechanism  26  into a readiness position intended for the next damping stroke. It will be appreciated that it is also possible to arrange a return spring in the interior of the fluid chamber  21 , which spring can be supported on the one hand against the end  30  of the fluid chamber  21  and on the other hand against the piston  22  thereby to push the piston  22  into the readiness position again. 
     The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment but extends to all variants and technical equivalents which can fall within the scope of the accompanying claims. The positional references adopted in the description such as for example up, lateral and so forth are also related to the directly illustrated Figure and are to be appropriately transferred to the new position upon a change in position.