Abstract:
A fixing device for fixing a front panel on a drawer includes a furniture fitting which is preassembled on the front panel. The furniture fitting has at least one connecting piece which projects from the front panel and a pin which runs transverse to the connecting piece. A catching device is associated with the drawer. The catching device automatically retains the furniture fitting when the furniture fitting is inserted, and the catching device has a movable spring-loaded catching element which is triggered by the pin and which retains the pin. The catching element is moved along a guiding plate. A deflecting element is provided on a guiding plate face near the front panel for deflecting the furniture fitting which is preassembled in the front panel. The deflecting element is formed as a projection which projects laterally.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a fixing device for fixing a front panel to a drawer, in particular to a drawer side wall. The device includes at least one furniture fitting pre-mounted to the front panel, with the furniture fitting having at least one leg projecting from the front panel, and a pin extending transversely relative to the leg. A catch device is associated with the drawer, and when the furniture fitting is pushed in the catch device, the catch device automatically holds the furniture fitting. The catch device has a movable spring-loaded catch element which can be triggered by the pin and holds the pin, and the catch element is movable along a guide plate. 
     The invention further concerns a drawer side wall having such a fixing device, a drawer having such a drawer side wall, and an article of furniture having at least one such drawer. 
     Fixing devices for fixing a front panel to a drawer are known in large numbers from the state of the art. Those fixing devices serve for fast assembly of the drawer and in the normal case are of such a design configuration that they can also be released again to disassemble the drawer again. A disadvantage which often arises in that case is that erroneous triggering of the catch devices can occur, where the pin of the furniture fitting is not yet accommodated in the catch element of the catch device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide a fixing device for fixing a front panel to a drawer, which is improved over the state of the art. 
     Provided on the guide plate is at least one deflection element against the furniture fitting pre-mounted in the front panel, and the deflection element is in the form of a laterally projecting projection—preferably in the form of a knob. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous triggering of the catch device as the pre-mounted furniture fitting is deflected by the deflection element and thus the furniture fitting—more specifically its leg or legs—cannot trigger the spring-loaded catch element. 
     Preferably, the laterally projecting projection has a height which is at least as great as a thickness of the catch element. 
     It is particularly preferred in that respect that the height of the laterally projecting projection together with a width of the guide plate is at least as great as an internal space width of the furniture fitting. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the deflection element is in the form of a nose. 
     Particularly preferably, at least two—preferably three and more—deflection elements are provided on the guide plate. 
     In a preferred embodiment, at least two deflection elements are in the form of a nose and at least two—preferably three and more—deflection elements are in the form of laterally projecting projections—preferably knobs. 
     In addition, preferably the catch element is plate-shaped and parallel to the guide plate and preferably slides along the guide plate. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the catch element has a catch opening at its free end. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the catch element is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation. 
     It has found to be particularly advantageous if the fixing device has two catch elements which are plate-shaped and parallel to the guide plate and which preferably slide at both sides along the guide plate. 
     In that respect, particularly preferably the at least two—preferably three or more—deflection elements are provided at both sides on the guide plate. 
     In that respect, it is particularly preferable if the overall height of projections projecting at both sides on the guide plate together with the width of the guide plate is at least as great as the internal space width of the furniture fitting. 
     In that respect it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fixing device has an unlocking device for the catch device, which fixing device permits intended release of the furniture fitting from the catch device. The unlocking device releases the catch element and the pin of the furniture fitting. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the unlocking device has a tool receiving means for a tool, which is accessible from outside and by way of which the unlocking device is actuable. 
     It has further proven to be advantageous if the fixing device has a height adjusting device and/or a lateral adjusting device for the furniture fitting on the front panel. 
     It has been found to be advantageous if a spacing of a free end of the leg of the furniture fitting from a rear side of the furniture fitting, that is towards the front panel, is greater than a spacing of the pin of the furniture fitting from the rear side of the furniture fitting, that is towards the front panel. 
     Furthermore, a drawer side wall can have at least one fixing device for fixing a front panel to a drawer by at least one of the described embodiments. 
     It has been found to be particularly advantageous if a latching position, in which the pin of the furniture fitting latches in a latching receiving means of the catch device, is at a spacing relative to the front edge of the drawer side wall, that is less than 15 mm—preferably less than 10 mm. 
     Particularly preferably, a latching travel from the front edge of the drawer side wall to the latching position is less than 15 mm—preferably less than 10 mm. 
     In that respect it has been found to be particularly advantageous if an introduction position, in which the pin of the furniture fitting is in the catch opening of the catch element of the catch device, is at a spacing relative to the front edge of the drawer side wall, that is less than 25 mm—preferably less than 10 mm. 
     In a preferred embodiment, an introduction travel from the front edge ( 200 ) of the drawer side wall ( 100 ) to the introduction position ( 202 ) is less than 25 mm—preferably less than 10 mm. 
     It has further proven to be advantageous if a triggering position, in which the pin of the furniture fitting triggers the catch element of the catch device, is at a spacing relative to the front edge of the drawer side wall, that is less than 25 mm—preferably less than 15 mm. 
     It has been found to be advantageous if a triggering travel from the introduction position to the triggering position is greater than 1.5 mm—preferably greater than 2.5 mm. 
     In addition, preferably a closure position in which the pin of the furniture fitting was pulled by the catch element of the catch device into the catch device is at a spacing relative to the front edge of the drawer side wall, that is less than 30 mm—preferably less than 20 mm. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous if a closure travel from the triggering position to the closure position is greater than 6 mm—preferably greater than 7 mm. 
     Particularly preferably, a closure reserve position, in which the pin of the furniture fitting is pulled by the catch element of the catch device into the catch device beyond the closure position into the catch device, is at a spacing relative to the front edge of the drawer side wall, that is less than 30 mm—preferably less than 20 mm. 
     In that respect it has been found to be particularly advantageous if a closure reserve travel from the closure position to the closure reserve position is less than 2 mm—preferably less than 1 mm. 
     In addition, a drawer can have at least one drawer side wall as set forth in at least one of the described embodiments. 
     Specifically, protection is also claimed for an article of furniture having at least one drawer with a fixing device as set forth in one of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter by the specific description with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a , 1 b    show a perspective view of an article of furniture with drawers, 
         FIGS. 2 a , 2 b    show a perspective view of a drawer side wall, 
         FIG. 3 a    shows a perspective view of a fixing device, 
         FIG. 3 b    shows a further perspective view of the fixing device of  FIG. 3   a,    
         FIG. 4 a    shows a perspective view of a fixing device in which the furniture fitting is against a deflection element, 
         FIG. 4 b    shows a detail view of  FIG. 4   a,    
         FIG. 5 a    shows a perspective view of a fixing device in which the furniture fitting is against a further deflection element, 
         FIG. 5 b    shows a detail view of  FIG. 5   a,    
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective exploded view of a fixing device, 
         FIGS. 7 a -7 f    show plan views of the fixing operation at different positions of the furniture fitting relative to the catch device according to the state of the art, and 
         FIGS. 8 a -8 g    show plan views of the fixing operation at different positions of the furniture fitting relative to the catch device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1 a    shows a perspective view of an article of furniture  110 . In this case, the article of furniture  110  has a furniture carcass  103  and three drawers  102 . The drawers  102  in turn have drawer side walls  100  and front panels  101  fixed thereto. In this arrangement, the front panels  101  were fixed to the drawer side walls  100  of the drawer  102  by way of fixing devices (not shown here). 
       FIG. 1 b    shows the article of furniture  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 a   , wherein the uppermost front panel  101  has not yet been fixed to the drawer  102  or its two drawer side walls  100 . 
     In this embodiment, it is possible to see, on the front panel  101 , four pre-mounted furniture fittings  20 , by way of which the front panel  101  is fixed to the drawer side walls  100 . 
       FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    show perspective views of a drawer side wall  100  with a fixing device  1  arranged therein. In this case, provided in the drawer side wall  100 , is the catch device  10  which catches the furniture fitting  20  and thus connects the front panel  101  (not shown here) to which the furniture fitting  20  is normally pre-mounted to the drawer side wall  100 . 
       FIG. 3 a    shows a perspective view of the fixing device  1  comprising the catch device  10  which is usually mounted in a drawer side wall  100  (not shown here) and the furniture fitting  20  which is usually fixed pre-mounted to a front panel  101  (not shown here). 
     To align the front panel  101 , the catch device  10  has a height adjusting device  50  and a lateral adjusting device  60 . 
     To unlock an already fixed furniture fitting  20  from the catch device  10 , the catch device  10  has an unlocking device  40  which permits intentional release of the furniture fitting  20  from the catch device  10 , in which case the unlocking device  40  releases the catch element  11  of the catch device  10  and thereby the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20 . In this preferred embodiment, the unlocking device  40  is provided with a tool receiving element  22  which is accessible from the outside, whereby the unlocking device  40  can be actuated by a tool. 
     The fixing device  1  for fixing a front panel  101  to a drawer  102 , in particular to a drawer side wall  100 , has in this embodiment at least one furniture fitting  20  which is pre-mounted to the front panel  101 . The furniture fitting  20  has at least one leg  21  and  22  projecting from the front panel  101 , and a pin  23  extending transversely relative to the leg  21  or  22  respectively and a catch device  10  associated with the drawer  102  (not shown). The catch device  10  automatically holds the furniture fitting  20  when it is pushed in, and the catch device  10  has a movable spring-loaded catch element  11  which can be triggered by the pin  23  and which holds the pin  23 . The catch element  11  is movable along a guide plate  12 , wherein provided at a side  13  of the guide plate  12 , that is associated with the front panel  101 , there is at least one deflection element  2 —in this preferred embodiment a plurality of deflection elements  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8  and  9 —against the furniture fitting  20  pre-mounted in the front panel  101 . 
     In this preferred embodiment, two deflection elements  2  and  3  are in the form of noses  32  and  33  and permit easier introduction of the furniture fitting  20  or the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  into the catch device  10 . 
     The further deflection elements  4 ,  5 ,  6  (or  7 ,  8  and  9 , see  FIG. 3 b   ) are in this case in the form of laterally projecting projections  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49 . 
     In this preferred embodiment, the laterally projecting projections  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49  are also in the form of knobs. It will be appreciated that the laterally projecting projection  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49  are in the form of legs or the like. The only important consideration in that respect is that they project laterally from the guide plate  12  and thus can prevent erroneous triggering of the catch element  11  by the legs  21  and  22  of the furniture fitting  20 —which would occur if the furniture fitting  20  is not fitted accurately into the catch device  10  (see in that respect  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    and  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   ). 
     To exclude erroneous triggering of the catch element  11 , the laterally projecting projections  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49  are of a height which is at least as great as the thickness of the flat, plate-shaped catch element  11 . 
     In this embodiment, the plate-shaped catch element  11  is parallel to the guide plate  12  and slides along the guide plate  12 . 
     In this case, in the front region the catch element  11  has a catch opening  14  at its free end, into which the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is introduced. 
     In this preferred embodiment, there are two catch elements  11  and  11 ′ (catch element  11 ′, see  FIG. 3 b    and  FIG. 6  respectively) which can slide at both sides along the guide plate  12 . To prevent erroneous triggering at both sides, therefore, the laterally projecting projections  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49  are also provided at both sides on the guide plate  12  and can thus prevent the legs  21  and  22  of the furniture fitting  20  from coming into contact with the catch elements  11  and  11 ′, which prevents erroneous triggering. 
       FIG. 3 b    shows a further perspective view of the fixing device as shown in  FIG. 3 a   . It is now possible to see the second catch element  11 ′ at that rear side. So that no incorrect triggering of the spring-loaded catch element  11 ′ by the legs  21  or  22  of the furniture fitting  20  can occur, the guide plate  12  carries the three deflection elements  7 ,  8  and  9  which in this preferred embodiment are in the form of laterally projecting projections  47 ,  48  and  49 . Otherwise the foregoing description relating to  FIG. 3 a    also correspondingly applies here. 
       FIG. 4 a    and its detail view of  FIG. 4 b    show perspective views of how the deflection element  4  can prevent erroneous triggering of the catch element  11  by the leg  21  of the furniture fitting  20 , insofar as the leg  21  is against the deflection element  4  which in this preferred embodiment is in the form of a laterally projecting projection  44 . Thus, the leg  21  cannot pass behind the deflection element  4  and as a result, contact in relation to the catch element  11  by the leg  21  can be prevented. 
     Thus, erroneous triggering by the furniture fitting  20  from below in the direction of the catch element  11  is not possible. 
       FIG. 5 a    and its detail view in  FIG. 5 b    show perspective views illustrating how the deflection element  6  prevents erroneous triggering by the furniture fitting  20  from above as the leg  21  of the furniture fitting cannot move past the deflection element  6  which is in the form of a laterally projecting projection  46 . Thus, the leg  21  cannot touch the catch element  11 . 
     In this view of the furniture fitting  20 , it can be clearly seen that the spacing of the free end  26  of the legs  21  and  22  from the rear side  25  of the furniture fitting  20 , that is (i.e., towards the front panel) is greater than the spacing of the pin  23  from the rear side  25  of the furniture fitting, that is towards the front panel. This provides that the legs  21  and  22  penetrate into the catch device  10  further than the pin  23 . That is a reason why erroneous triggering effects by the legs  21  and  22  can occur as they penetrate into the catch device  10  before the pin  23 . 
     A further reason why erroneous triggering effects can be avoided is that the overall height of two projections  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49  projecting on both sides from the guide plate  11  together with the width of the guide plate  11  is at least as great as the internal space width of the furniture fitting  20 . As a result, the furniture fitting  20  cannot move past the projecting projections  44 ,  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48 ,  49 . In this embodiment, the internal space width of the furniture fitting  20  substantially corresponds to the length of the pin  23 , and the space extends from one leg  21  to the other leg  22 . 
     It will be appreciated that, in a further embodiment, it would also be conceivable that laterally projecting projections would be provided only on one side of the guide plate  12 , then it would be precisely the height of one of the laterally projecting projections together with the width of the guide plate  12  that is at least as great as the internal space width of the furniture fitting  20  in order to prevent erroneous triggering. 
     The deflection element  5 —in the form of a laterally projecting projection  45 —is intended to prevent erroneous triggering by a straight furniture fitting  20 —that is to say which is introduced horizontally—(this is not shown). 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective exploded view of the catch device  10  and a perspective view of the furniture fitting  20 . Here, it is now possible to clearly see the two catch elements  11  and  11 ′—spring-loaded by way of the spring  17 —with their catch openings  14 , which are arranged at both sides on the guide plate  12  and thus contribute to a stable structure. 
     Shown on the guide plate  12  are the three deflection elements  4 ,  5  and  6  which prevent erroneous triggering of the catch element  11  if the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is not correctly introduced into the guide path  16  of the guide plate  12 . Provided on the rear side of the guide plate  12  are the three deflection elements  7 ,  8  and  9  which prevent erroneous triggering of the catch element  11 ′ if the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is not correctly introduced into the guide path  16  of the guide plate  12 . 
     In that case, provided at the beginning of the guide path  16  of the guide plate  12 , is a latching opening  15  provided for receiving the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  if locking of the fixing device  1  is not wanted. That situation occurs specifically when the furniture fitting  20  is released from the catch device  10  and can thus move into that waiting position, whereupon the front panel can subsequently be removed with the furniture fitting  20  from the drawer (not shown here) (see for that purpose also  FIG. 8 c   ). 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7 a  through 7 f    to describe the fixing operation of a furniture fitting  20  in a catch device  10  according to the state of the art in order subsequently to set out the differences and advantages of the novel fixing device  1  with reference to  FIGS. 8 a    through  8   g.    
       FIG. 7 a    shows a furniture fitting  20  which has not yet been introduced into the catch device  10  but which is still disposed with its pin  23  behind the front edge  300  of the side wall of the drawer. That catch device  10  which belongs to the state of the art also has a catch element (not shown) which is spring-loaded by way of a spring  17  and which is intended to catch and lock the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20 . 
     In  FIG. 7 b   , the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is at the position of the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall and is now introduced—as shown in  FIG. 7 c   —into an introduction passage of the catch device  10 —until reaching its introduction position  302 . In the fixing device  1  belonging to the state of the art, that introduction position  302  is already at a spacing C relative to the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall of more than 20 mm. In this specific example the distance is 29.8 mm. 
     The introduction travel—from the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall to the introduction position  302 —is 29.8 mm. 
     A further forward displacement of the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  into the introduction passage of the catch device  10  moves the pin  23  to its triggering position  303  in which the dead-center position of the catch element  11  will be overcome—as shown in  FIG. 7 d   . That triggering position  303  is already at a spacing D relative to the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall of more than 25 mm. In this specific example that distance is 30.8 mm. 
     The triggering travel—from the introduction position  302  to the triggering position  303 —is 1 mm. 
       FIG. 7 e    now shows how the spring  17  has pivoted the catch element of the catch device  10  and has thereby pulled the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  into the catch device  10 —as far as its closure position  304 . That closure position  304  is already at a spacing E relative to the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall of more than 30 mm. In this specific embodiment that distance is 35.8 mm. 
     The closure travel—from the triggering position  303  to the closure position  304 —is 5 mm. 
     In  FIG. 7 f   , the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is in its closure reserve position which is already at a spacing of more than 35 mm relative to the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall. In this specific embodiment, this distance is already 37.8 mm. 
     The closure reserve travel—from the closure position  304  to the closure reserve position  305 —is 2 mm. 
       FIGS. 8 a  through 8 g    now show the above-mentioned positions and travels on the novel fixing device  1 . 
       FIG. 8 a    shows the fixing device  1  in which its furniture fitting  20  and its pin  23  which extends transversely to the insertion direction have not yet reached the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall. 
     Provided in the catch device  10  is the spring  17  which can pivot the catch element  11  about its axis of rotation A by a lever mechanism as soon as the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is in the catch opening  14  of the catch element  11  and triggers pivotal movement of the catch element  11 . 
     The catch device  10  further has the guide plate  12  which has an introduction passage in which the latching opening  15  is provided in its front region and the guide path  16  for the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is provided in its rear region. 
     It can again be clearly seen from this view of the furniture fitting  20  that the spacing of the free end  26  of the legs  21  and  22  from the rear side  25  of the furniture fitting  20 , that is towards the front panel, is greater than the spacing of the pin  23  from the rear side  25  of the furniture fitting  20 , that is towards the front panel (see in that respect the specific description of  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   ). 
     In  FIG. 8 b   , the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is at the position of the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall and is inserted into the latching opening  15  in the next step, as shown in  FIG. 8 c   . In order to avoid any erroneous triggering of the catch element  11  of the catch device  10 , the guide plate  12  has laterally projecting deflection elements  4 ,  5  and  6  which prevent the leg  21  of the furniture fitting  20  from being able to come into contact with the catch element  11  of the catch device  10 —which would cause erroneous triggering. 
     Accordingly, the furniture fitting  20  can only be correctly inserted into the catch device  10  and pass into the latching position  201  in the latching receiving opening  15 . 
     That latching position  201  is at a spacing B relative to the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, wherein in this specific embodiment the distance is 3.8 mm. 
     The latching travel—from the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall to the latching position  201 —is 3.8 mm. 
       FIG. 8 d    now shows how the furniture fitting  20  and its pin  23  have been advanced into the introduction passage of the catch device  10  to such an extent that it has reached its introduction position  202  in which the pin  23  is already in the catch opening  14  of the catch element  11  of the catch device  10  but the catch element  11  has not yet moved. 
     That introduction position  202  is at a spacing C relative to the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall of less than 25 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, in this specific embodiment the distance is 4.2 mm. If for that purpose the introduction position in the fixing device belonging to the state of the art and described in  FIG. 7 c    is compared thereto it will be seen that its introduction position is at a spacing C which is more than 7 times as great as in the present novel fixing device as described in  FIG. 8   d.    
     The introduction travel—from the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall to the introduction position  202 —is 4.2 mm. In the state of the art, the introduction travel was 37.8 mm (see the specific description relating to  FIG. 7 c   ). 
       FIG. 8 e    shows how the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is disposed in the triggering position  203  in which the catch element  11  is pivoted about its axis of rotation A by the spring  17  of the catch device  10  at the lever mechanism thereof and thereupon pulls the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  into the catch device  10 —as shown in  FIG. 8   f.    
     In that respect the triggering position  203  is at a spacing D relative to the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall of less than 25 mm, preferably less than 10 mm, in this specific embodiment this distance is even only 7.4 mm. In comparison therewith—as described in  FIG. 7 d   —the triggering position in the case of the fixing device belonging to the state of the art is already spaced at more than 30 mm relative to the front edge  300  of the drawer side wall (spacing D). 
     The triggering travel—from the introduction position  202  to the triggering position  203 —is 3.2 mm. In the state of the art, in contrast, the triggering travel was only 1 mm (see the specific description of  FIG. 7 d   ). 
     After the spring  17  has pivoted the catch element  11  about its axis of rotation A and has pulled the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  into the catch device  10 , the pin  23  is in its closure position. In that closure position, the pin  23  is at a spacing E relative to the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall of less than 30 mm, preferably less than 20 mm. In this specific embodiment, this distance even involves only 14.6 mm. If the closure position  304  of the fixing device belonging to the state of the art is compared thereto, as shown in  FIG. 7 e   , it will be seen that this spacing E is more than 20 mm greater than in the present fixing device  1 . 
     The closure travel—from the triggering position  203  to the closure position  204 —is 7.2 mm. In the state of the art, in contrast, the closure travel was 5 mm (see the specific description of  FIG. 7 e   ). 
       FIG. 8 g    now shows the closure reserve position  205  in which the pin  23  of the furniture fitting  20  is at a spacing F relative to the front edge  200  of the drawer side wall and which is also less than 30 mm—preferably less than 20 mm. In this specific embodiment it is exactly 15 mm, which is less than half of that which the fixing device belonging to the state of the art requires (see the description of  FIG. 7 f   , spacing F: 37.8 mm). The closure reserve serves to be able to compensate for dimensional tolerances. 
     The closure reserve travel—from the closure position  204  to the closure reserve position  205 —is 0.4 mm. In the state of the art the closure reserve travel in contrast was 2 mm (see the specific description of  FIG. 7 f   ). 
     This means that the present fixing device  1  is much more compact than the fixing devices belonging to the state of the art.