Abstract:
A front of a row of units comprising at least two grooves, the grooves being formed in particular as grip strips (or in particular as design joints), the row of units comprising adjacently arranged modules, grooves of horizontally adjacent panels in a first position of the front being arranged in succession substantially without misalignment and forming a horizontally extending channel, characterized in that these grooves assume, in a second position of the front, a vertical misalignment in the orientation with respect to each other, the front comprising at least one closure means, and at least one of the grooves being closed by the closure means with respect to the subsequent adjacent groove on a free end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/000053 filed Jan. 13, 2014, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 20 2013 100 137.6 filed Jan. 11, 2013, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a front of a row of units. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    FIG. 1 of DE 71 35 927 U presents a front of a row of units that comprises at least two grooves, the grooves being formed, in particular, as grip strips, the row of units comprising adjacently arranged modules, each module comprising a body and at least one panel, the panels forming the front and comprising the grooves, and grooves of horizontally adjacent panels in a first position of the front being arranged in succession substantially without misalignment and forming a horizontally extending channel. If a front of this type in a row of units is used with modules that can be displaced vertically relative to one another, this poses a considerable injury risk to the user in that a finger held in the first position in a transition region of two adjacent grooves will be pinched and, in particular, is subjected to a shear load when one of the modules associated with the grooves is moved vertically. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The object of the invention is to propose a front which is suitable for use in a row of units formed by modules that can be displaced vertically relative to one another and by means of which a risk of injury in the region of the grooves is avoided, without having to depart from the design principle of a front integration of the grooves. 
         [0005]    With the front of a row of units according to the invention the grooves assume, in a second position of the front provided by means of a vertical displacement of a module of the row of units in the orientation with respect to each other, a vertical misalignment, by means of which the horizontally running channel is interrupted at least in part, the front comprising at least one closure means, and at least one of the grooves being closed by the closure means with respect to the subsequent adjacent groove on a free end, in such a way that the channel cannot continue into the adjacent groove. It is, therefore, impossible for a user, either accidentally or deliberately, to hold a finger in a region in which adjacent grooves transition into one another. The risk of an injury to the finger is thus reliably avoided by a minimal constructional effort. The core of the invention is therefore to block the region of the channel, which is the region posing the risk. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a first variant of the present invention, the closure means is formed as a plate and in particular is to be held in the groove with a form fit and/or in particular a frictional fit. It is thus possible with minimal outlay to make fronts formed in accordance with the old principle accident-proof. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a second variant of the present invention the closure means is formed in one piece with the groove. In an embodiment of this type a particularly high ease of cleaning is provided by the one-piece design, since the additional formation of gaps is avoided. Furthermore, this embodiment satisfies a particularly high demand on the assurance of long-term safety, since an unintentional detachment of the closure means is reliably avoided. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a third variant of the present invention the closure means is formed by one of the panels of the front. A variant of this type can be provided without additional component parts and thus promotes an efficient manufacture and assembly of the front. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a fourth variant of the present invention the closure means is formed by a side cheek of one of the modules of the row of units or by an add-on part that is to be secured to one of the modules of the row of units. The formation of the closure means by the side cheek of the module can also be provided without additional component parts and thus promotes an efficient manufacture and assembly of the front. The formation of the closure means by an add-on part that is secured to one of the modules of the row of units also allows a use of fronts designed in accordance with the old principle. 
         [0010]    When forming the closure means over a majority of the side height, preferably over the entire side height of the furniture module, for example, with use of the side cheek as closure means, it is ensured that a shearing or pinching is also avoided when drawers or cupboard doors are open. The side cheek prevents the direct access to a groove or an opening on the adjacent furniture module, and there is generally sufficient space between two adjacent, open drawers to avoid pinching. 
         [0011]    In order to avoid undesired movements beyond this, and therefore to eliminate shearing or pinching and produce operational safety, it is furthermore possible to equip drawers, cupboard doors or the like with contact switches in order to release the movement function so that no open drawers or cupboard doors can lead to injuries in the case of unit movement. The remaining grooves are then additionally secured by closure means according to the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Further details of the invention will be described in the drawing on the basis of schematically illustrated exemplary embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a detail of a row of units with a front according to the prior art in two different positions in order to explain the risk posed by the conventional front; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3-5  show a detail of a row of units with a first variant of a front according to the invention in two different positions and a panel illustrated in isolation; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show a detail of a row of units with a second variant of a front according to the invention in two different positions; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of a row of units with a third variant of a front according to the invention, and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  shows a detail of a row of units with a fourth variant of a front according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a row of units  1  with a front  2  designed in accordance with the prior art in a first position I- 2  and in a second position II- 2  in order to explain the accident risk posed by the front  2  designed in accordance with the prior art.  FIG. 1  shows a detail of the row of units  1  in a perspective view. The row of units  1  comprises the front  2 , a work surface  3 , a right body  4  and a left body  5 . The front  2  comprises a right panel  6  and a left panel  7 . The work surface  3  comprises a right partial surface  8  and a left partial surface  9 . A right module MR of the row of kitchen units  1  here comprises the body  4 , the panel  6  and the partial surface  8 . A left module ML of the row of kitchen units  1  here comprises the body  5 , the panel  7  and the partial surface  9 . In  FIG. 1  the front  2  or the row of units  1  is in the first position I- 2 . The front  2  comprises two grooves  10  and  11 , which are formed by a right grip strip  12  and a left grip strip  13  and form a horizontally running channel  14 . In the first position I- 2  of the front  2  the panels  6  and  7  are each in closed positions, as is given for example with a closed drawer or a closed door. A transition region  15 , which is indicated by a dashed line and which is provided in the channel  14  at the grooves  10  and  11  adjoining one another, represents a danger zone for a finger (not illustrated) of a user, which zone then poses a danger when for example the left module ML is moved downwards in an arrow direction y′ relative to the right module MR together with the panel  7  connected thereto, for example, via a drawer, as is illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the position II- 2  after a displacement path of 2 cm. The channel  14 , with increasing displacement path, loses its consistency, and a misalignment  16  is formed in the channel  14  or between the grooves  10  and  11 , by means of which misalignment an acute risk of crushing or risk of shearing is posed to the finger in the transition region  15 . 
         [0019]      FIGS. 3 and 5  show a row of units  101  with a first variant of a front  102  designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I- 102  and in a second position II- 102 . In addition, a plate  117  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5  is shown in  FIG. 4  in an enlarged manner in a perspective individual illustration.  FIG. 3  shows a detail of the row of units  101  in a perspective view. The row of units  101  comprises the front  102 , a work surface  103 , a right body  104  and a left body  105 . The front  102  comprises a right panel  106  and a left panel  107 . The work surface  103  comprises a right partial surface  108  and a left partial surface  109 . A right module MR of the row of kitchen units  101  here comprises the body  104 , the panel  106  and the partial surface  108 . A left module ML of the row of kitchen units  101  here comprises the body  105 , the panel  107  and the partial surface  109 . In  FIG. 3 , the front  102  or the row of units  101  is in the first position I- 102 . The front  102  comprises two grooves  110  and  111 , which are formed as a right grip strip  112  and left grip strip  113  and form a horizontally running channel  114 . In the first position I- 102  of the front  102  the panels  106  and  107  are each in closed positions, as are given for example with a closed drawer or a closed door. The risk for a finger (not illustrated) of a user posed by a transition region  115 , which is indicated by a dashed line and which is formed in the channel  114  at the grooves  110  and  111  adjoining one another, is eliminated by two closure means V 1 - 111  and V 2 - 110 . Here a right, free end RFE- 111  of the left groove  111  is closed by the closure means V 1 - 111 , and here a left, free end LFE- 110  of the right groove  110  is closed by the closure means V 2 - 110 . Furthermore, a right, free end RFE- 110  of the right groove  110  is also closed by a further closure means V 1 - 110 . Compared with the situation provided with use of a front according to the prior art, as was explained in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the transition region  115  thus no longer poses a danger zone for the finger of a user, which zone then poses a risk when, for example, the left module ML with the left body  105  moves downwards in an arrow direction y′ relative to the right module MR with right body  104  together with the panel  107  connected thereto, for example, via a drawer, as is illustrated in  FIG. 5  with the position II- 102  after a displacement path of 2 cm. A consistency of the channel  114  is absent already in the position I- 102 , such that a misalignment  116  between the grooves  110  and  111  provided when the left module ML is moved also does not pose a danger to the finger of the user. In  FIG. 4 , the closure means V 1 - 110  is illustrated by way of example. The closure means V 1 - 110  is formed, similarly to the other closure means shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , as a plate  117 , which is clamped in the groove or grip strip or is bonded thereto or is connected thereto with the aid of at least one securing means (not illustrated) and in particular is screwed or pinned thereto. In accordance with the invention, also only one closure means may be arranged in the transition region  115 . This can be selectively the closure means V 1 - 111  or the closure means V 2 - 110 . 
         [0020]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show a row of units  201  with a second variant of a front  202  designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I- 202  and in a second position II- 202 .  FIG. 6  shows a detail of the row of units  201  in a perspective view. The row of units  201  comprises the front  202 , a work surface  203 , a right body  204  and a left body  205 . The front  202  comprises a right panel  206  and a left panel  207 . The work surface  203  comprises a right partial surface  208  and a left partial surface  209 . A right module MR of the row of kitchen units  201  here comprises the body  204 , the panel  206  and the partial surface  208 . A left module ML of the row of kitchen units  201  here comprises the body  205 , the panel  207  and the partial surface  209 . In  FIG. 6 , the front  202  or the row of units  201  is in the first position I- 202 . The front  202  comprises two grooves  210  and  211 , which themselves are formed by the panels  206  and  207  as right grip strip  212  and left grip strip  213  and form a horizontally running channel  214 . In the first position I- 202  of the front  202  the panels  206  and  207  are each in closed positions, as are given for example with a closed drawer or a closed door. The risk for a finger (not illustrated) of a user posed by a transition region  215 , which is indicated by a dashed line and which is formed in the channel  214  at the grooves  210  and  211  adjoining one another, is eliminated by two closure means V 1 - 211  and V 2 - 210 . Here a right, free end RFE- 211  of the left groove  211  is closed by the closure means V 1 - 211 , and here a left, free end LFE- 210  of the right groove  210  is closed by the closure means V 2 - 110 . The closure means V 2 - 210  and V 1 - 211  are formed by a left side cheek W 2 - 204  of the right body  204  and by a right side cheek W 1 - 205  of the left body  205 . Compared with the situation provided with use of a front according to the prior art, as was explained in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the transition region  215  thus no longer poses a danger zone for the finger of a user, which zone then poses a risk when, for example, the left module ML with the left body  205  moves downwards in an arrow direction y′ relative to the right module MR with right body  204  together with the panel  207  connected thereto, for example, via a drawer, as is illustrated in  FIG. 7  with the position II- 202  after a displacement path of 2 cm. A consistency of the channel  214  is absent already in the position I- 202 , such that a misalignment  216  between the grooves  210  and  211  provided when the left module ML is moved also does not pose a danger to the finger of the user. In accordance with the invention, also only one closure means may be arranged in the transition region  215 . This can be selectively the closure means V 1 - 211  or the closure means V 2 - 210 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a detail of row of units  301  with a third variant of a front  302  designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I- 302 . The detail shows only a left module ML, which comprises a body  305 , a panel  307  and a partial surface  309 . The front  302  comprises a panel  307 , which with a grip strip  313  forms a groove  311 . 
         [0022]    Closure means V 1 - 311  and V 2 - 311  of the groove  311  are formed here by the panel  307 . The panel  307  is designed such that the grip strip  313  at free ends RFE- 311  and LFE- 311  of the groove  311  formed thereby is closed by the panel  307 . This embodiment again results in the passive pinch or crush or shear protection described with regard to the preceding variants with a front that has adjacently arranged panels that can be displaced relative to one another vertically with the modules. 
         [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a detail of a row of units  401  with a fourth variant of a front  402  designed in accordance with the invention in a first position I- 402 . The detail shows only a left module ML, which comprises a body  405 , a panel  407  and a partial surface  409 . The front  402  comprises a panel  407 , which with a grip strip  413  forms a groove  411 . 
         [0024]    Closure means V 1 - 411  and V 2 - 411  are formed here by the grip strip  413 . The grip strip  413  is designed such that the grip strip  413  at free ends RFE- 411  and LFE- 411  of the groove  411  formed thereby is closed. The grip strip  413  thus has a peripheral edge R 411  surrounding the groove  411 . This embodiment again results in the passive pinch or crush or shear protection described with regard to the preceding variants with a front that has adjacently arranged panels that can be displaced relative to one another vertically with the modules. 
         [0025]    In accordance with the invention, in particular, at least one panel is formed as a decorative panel, which is fixed rigidly to the body, and/or in particular at least one panel is formed as a drawer panel, which together with a drawer box guided on the body is movable relative to the body, and/or in particular at least one panel is formed as a door, which is connected via a movement mechanism to the body and is movable relative to the body in accordance with a kinematics predefined by the movement mechanism. 
         [0026]    The invention is not limited to illustrated or described exemplary embodiments. Rather, it comprises developments of the invention within the scope of the claims. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  row of units 
           2  front 
           3  work surface 
           4  right body 
           5  left body 
           6  right panel 
           7  left panel 
           8  right partial surface 
           9  left partial surface 
           10  right groove 
           11  left grooves 
           12  right grip strip 
           13  left grip strip 
           14  horizontally running channel 
           15  transition region 
           16  misalignment 
         I- 2  first position of  2   
         II- 2  second position of  2   
           101  row of units 
           102  front 
           103  work surface 
           104  right body 
           105  left body 
           106  right panel 
           107  left panel 
           108  right partial surface 
           109  left partial surface 
           110  right groove 
           111  left grooves 
           112  right grip strip 
           113  left grip strip 
           114  horizontally running channel 
           115  transition region 
           116  misalignment 
           117  plate 
         I- 102  first position of  102   
         II- 102  second position of  102   
         V 1 - 111  closure means 
         V 1 - 110  closure means 
         V 2 - 110  closure means 
         RFE- 110  free end of  110   
         LFE- 110  free end of  110   
         RFE- 111  free end of  111   
           201  row of units 
           202  front 
           203  work surface 
           204  right body 
           205  left body 
           206  right panel 
           207  left panel 
           208  right partial surface 
           209  left partial surface 
           210  right groove 
           211  left grooves 
           212  right grip strip 
           213  left grip strip 
           214  horizontally running channel 
           215  transition region 
           216  misalignment 
           217  plate 
         I- 202  first position of  202   
         II- 202  second position of  202   
         VI- 211  closure means 
         V 2 - 210  closure means 
         RFE- 210  free end of  210   
         LFE- 210  free end of  210   
         W 2 - 204  side cheek 
         W 1 - 205  side cheek 
           301  row of units 
           302  front 
           305  body 
           307  panel 
           309  partial surface 
           311  groove 
           313  grip strip 
         I- 302  first position of  302   
         LFE- 311  free end of  311   
         RFE- 311  free ends of  311   
         V 1 - 311  closure means 
         V 2 - 311  closure means 
           401  row of units 
           402  front 
           405  body 
           407  panel 
           409  partial surface 
           411  groove 
           413  grip strip 
         I- 402  first position of  402   
         LFE- 411  free end of  411   
         RFE- 411  free ends of  411   
         R 411  edge around  411   
         V 1 - 411  closure means 
         V 2 - 411  closure means 
         MR right module 
         ML left module 
         y′ arrow direction