Abstract:
An apparatus for moving a first furniture part in relation to a second furniture part, having two spaced-apart guide devices in which switching devices are provided. A closed position of the first furniture part is predefinable by way of the switching devices. Furthermore, connecting means for a coupled switching movement of the switching devices are provided between the guide devices. According to the present invention, in each case one carry-along element is provided on the guide devices and catching elements for the carry-along elements are present, wherein movements of the catching elements are coupled, wherein one carry-along element interacts with in each case with one catching element at least along one switching path of the switching device and wherein the carry-along elements are separated from the catching elements at least via a movement of the guide devices.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an apparatus for moving a first furniture part in relation to a second furniture part, and a piece of furniture having such an apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A large number of apparatuses, by way of which furniture parts can be moved in relation to one another on a predefined track, are already known from the field of furniture construction. For example, many are provided for guiding the movement of drawers and similar pull-out furniture components on a basic furniture structure. In order that, for example, a drawer can easily be moved into a closed position or moved out of such a position, such guide apparatuses are frequently equipped with pushing-out or retraction devices. Because these usually also comprise a switching mechanism for locking a closed position, they are designated switching devices in the following text. 
         [0003]    Depending on the height/width ratios of a movable furniture part, for example of a drawer, there is a more or less great risk of the piece of furniture jamming in the guide devices, as a result of which movement can be hindered and a guide system may be damaged. For uniform distribution of driving and closing forces, such devices are preferably provided on two sides of movable furniture elements. For a uniform pull-out movement of opposite sides of, for example, a drawer, a plurality of racks attached, for example, to the base can be synchronized via toothed wheels, which are coupled to a common rotary shaft. However, such synchronization devices require a certain amount of installation space and possibly even occasional cleaning and maintenance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which enables reliable opening and closing of a movable furniture part while having a comparatively small space requirement. 
         [0005]    The present invention proceeds from an apparatus for moving a first furniture part in relation to a second furniture part, wherein the apparatus has two spaced-apart guide devices in which switching devices are provided. A closed position of the furniture part is predefinable in this case by way of the switching devices. In addition, connecting means for a coupled switching movement of the switching device are provided between the guide devices. 
         [0006]    The core of the present invention consists in that in each case one carry-along element is provided on the guide devices, in that catching elements for the carry-along elements are present, wherein movements of the catching elements are coupled, wherein one carry-along element interacts with, in each case, one catching element at least along one switching path of the switching device and wherein the carry-along elements are separated from the catching elements at least via a movement, in particular a pull-out movement, of the guide devices. 
         [0007]    During the installation of guide devices, care is generally taken to ensure that, for example, left-hand-side and right-hand-side guide devices and the switching devices thereof are attached and set symmetrically. In use, forces can act asymmetrically on the furniture part and can lead to an offset between switching elements. The present invention is based on the finding that synchronization between switching devices, for example, of a left-hand and right-hand guide device of, for example, a drawer is in many cases necessary only in the region of the switching path of the switching devices, in particular for switching operations for locking and unlocking the closed position. In this case, it is sufficient for interaction between the carry-along elements and the catching elements to be limited substantially to the region of the switching path and for the synchronization elements, such as the carry-along elements and the coupled-together catching elements, to have no influence on movements of the furniture parts with respect to one another in the region of a pull-out movement away from the switching path. 
         [0008]    This affords the advantage that the first furniture part can be moved over a usually longer path of a pull-out movement without being influenced by synchronizing elements and thus without the frictional contribution thereof, while movements are coupled on both sides of interacting switching elements over a comparatively short switching path. Because a synchronizing coupling is provided substantially in the region of a switching path, the catching elements and the carry-along elements can be formed in a comparatively space-saving manner. 
         [0009]    The guide devices may comprise two or more rails and can be configured as, for example, a full-extension mechanism. The switching devices may be opening devices, in particular pushing-out devices, for example, touch-latch units. Furthermore it is possible for the switching devices to be closing devices, in particular automatic retraction units. In this case, the switching devices can support switching operations by way of which the first furniture part can be unlocked from a predefined closed position. Similarly, the first furniture part can be lockable in a predefined closed position of the switching operations by way of the switching devices. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the switching device is formed such that the switching path for a switching operation is comparatively short compared with the path of a pull-out movement. As a result, a comparatively compact construction of the carry-along and catching elements is advantageously possible. 
         [0011]    Bearing means for at least one of the catching elements preferably comprise an attachment element for attaching to a guide device, in particular on a switching device. This advantageously makes it easier to mount and adjust the apparatus according to the present invention. 
         [0012]    On account of manufacturing tolerances, by attaching the guide devices to the furniture parts it is also possible for the switching devices on both sides of a movable furniture part to be offset with respect to one another in relation to the movement direction of a pull-out movement. In order to be able to compensate for positional deviations, for example, with respect to movement-limiting stops, the switching devices preferably have one or more positionable parts. In order to transfer positional corrections to synchronizing elements, too, in particular to at least one of the catching elements, it is preferred for the attachment element to be fixable on a positionable part of the switching device. By way of the positionable part, a closed position can be set on the switching device. Furthermore, a positionable part can be used for adaptation to, for example, a switching path and, for example, to a switching position of the switching device. 
         [0013]    Since a housing, which is provided, for example, for protecting movable parts, is comparatively stable and usually provides a plurality of attachment positions, the positionable part of the switching device is preferably a housing, which surrounds in particular at least a part of the switching device. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, it is preferable for the attachment element to be attachable in a detachable manner. In this case, for example, a basic-furniture-structure rail may be provided for attaching the attachment element. In particular, the attachment element is attachable without tools, as a result of which subsequent installation of the catching elements is more easily possible. 
         [0015]    The catching element can have, for example, a lever, which can be folded over by a carry-along member. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catching element comprises a rotary disk because a comparatively reliable and stable catching region for a carry-along element can be formed thereon. 
         [0016]    Preferably, a catching slot for the carry-along element is provided in the catching element, such that the carry-along element is producible and attachable in a comparatively simple manner, for example, as a hook or, for example, as a carry-along pin. 
         [0017]    In order that comparatively strongly offset movements of the carry-along elements between, for example, two sides can be synchronized, it is preferred for the catching slot to have in a catching position of the catching element, a section which extends parallel to the movement of the carry-along element. As a result, it can be ensured that, when a catching element is activated by a carry-along element, the carry-along element on the other side is likewise already located in the respective catching element. 
         [0018]    Preferably, first movement-limiting stops, by way of which a catching position of the catching element is predefined, are formed on the catching element and on the bearing means. In this case, the catching element may be subjected to a spring force which can hold the catching element in a catching position. Preferably, spring elements and the first movement-limiting stops are present on catching elements of a plurality of guide devices, for example, on both sides of, for example, a drawer, in order to increase the reliability of synchronization. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it is preferred for at least one movement-limiting stop, by way of which a movement of the catching element is limitable when the carry-along element carries the catching elements during a switching movement, to be formed on the catching element and on the bearing means. As a result, in particular when the catching element is under spring force, it is possible to avoid the situation in which the carry-along element is able to leave the catching element in a position which makes it impossible for the carry-along element to be received in the catching element again. 
         [0020]    Preferably, a switching position of at least one of the switching devices is settable parallel to the traveling movement of the first furniture part. Likewise, it is preferred for a closed position and/or a switching path of at least one switching device to be settable parallel to the traveling movement of the first furniture part. As a result, the switching devices can be adapted to, for example, movement-limiting elements, for example, stops, and positional differences, for example, of the guide devices on account of manufacturing tolerances can advantageously be compensated. 
         [0021]    A piece of furniture having an apparatus according to the present invention in at least one of the abovementioned embodiments can be operated in a comparatively reliable manner and as a result advantageously increases the reliability in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The present invention is explained in the following text by way of a plurality of exemplary embodiments with the aid of drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a piece of furniture having a guide system according to one embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the synchronization device of a guide system according to one embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a catching unit of one embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a detail of a guide system according to the present invention, 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a detail of a guide system according to the present invention, 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic, perspective view of a detail of a further embodiment of a guide system of the present invention, 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic, perspective view of a bearing block of the further embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic, perspective view of a guide device having a catching unit in another embodiment of the present invention, and 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic, perspective view of a catching unit and a switching device in the another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a detail of a piece of furniture  1  in the form of a drawer compartment. A rear wall element  2   a,  and a left-hand and a right-hand side wall element  2   b  and  2   c,  a base panel element  2   d  and also two transverse struts  2   e  and  2   f  attached in the region of a top edge of the side wall elements  2   b  and  2   c  surround a space which is provided for a drawer (not shown). 
         [0033]    The compartment bounded by the panel elements  2   a  to  2   f  is equipped with a guide system  3  according to the present invention, which consists of a left-hand side guide device  4   a,  a right-hand side guide device  4   b  and also a synchronization device  5 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plurality of parts of the synchronization device  5  in detail. A left-hand side catching unit  6   a  and a right-hand side catching unit  6   b  are connected together via a coupling shaft  7 . Each of the catching units  6   a,    6   b  comprises a catching element  12 , which is rotatably mounted in a bearing block  11  by way of a pivot pin  15 . The pivot pin  15  is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the coupling shaft  7  via a coupling piece  9 , such that rotary movements of the, for example, left-hand side catching unit  6   a  or the catching element  12  thereof can be transferred without delay to the catching element  12  of the, for example, right-hand side catching unit  6   b.    
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a left-hand side catching unit  6   a  of a guide system  3  according to the present invention. The catching unit has a bearing block  11  which is fastened to a mounting plate  14 . In order to attach the mounting plate to a left-hand side guide device  4   a,  the mounting plate  14  has two bores  14   a  by way of which the mounting plate  14  can be fastened to a guide device  4   a.  By way of the bearing block  11 , a catching element  12  is rotatably mounted by way of a pivot pin  15 . The catching element  12  is in the form of a cylindrical circular disk, from the lateral surface of which catching slots  13  have been cut out. The pivot pin  15  has an asymmetrical section  15   a,  by way of which the pivot pin  15  can be coupled in a rotationally fixed manner to a coupling shaft. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows a detail of a guide system  3  according to the present invention having a right-hand side guide device  4   b  and a right-hand side catching unit  6   b.  A bearing block  11  of the right-hand side catching unit  6   b  is fastened by way of a mounting plate  14  on a basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  of the guide device  4   b.  A catching element  12  is rotatably mounted in the bearing block  11  by way of a pivot pin  15  and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a coupling shaft  7  via a coupling piece  9 . A drawer rail  16   c  is displaceably mounted and guided on the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.  Fastened to the drawer rail  16   c  is a carry-along member  8  in the form of a cylindrical pin, which can act on the catching element  12  in a catching slot  13 . 
         [0037]    A left-hand side guide device  4   a  of a guide system  3  according to the present invention having a left-hand side catching unit  6   a  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The left-hand side guide device  4   a  comprises a basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  on which a drawer rail  16   c  is displaceably mounted and guided in a displaceable manner via an intermediate rail  16   b,  which is movable with respect to both rails. In a rear region of the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a,  a switching unit  20 , which may be, for example, a pushing-out unit, and the catching unit  6   a  are fastened to the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.    
         [0038]    A left-hand side guide device  4   a  of a guide apparatus  3  according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 5  in an extended state, in which the intermediate rail  16   b  and the drawer rail  16   c  have been extended telescopically. Accordingly, a carry-along member  8 , for example, a cylindrical pin attached to the drawer rail  16   c,  is located at an appropriate distance from the catching unit  6   a.  As a result it can be seen that the catching unit  6   a  is fastened to the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.    
         [0039]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show details of a left-hand side guide device  4   a  of a further embodiment of a guide system  3  according to the present invention. In this case, a left-hand side catching unit  6   a  is fastened together with a switching device  20  on a basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  with the aid of a mounting plate  14 . As seen from the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a,  the catching unit  6   a  and the switching device are offset further into the interior of a basic furniture structure (not shown) than a drawer rail  16   c.  As a result the switching device  20  and the catching unit  6   a  can be arranged in the immediate vicinity of one other. 
         [0040]    The catching unit  6   a  comprises a catching element  12  and a bearing block  11 , on which the catching element  12  is mounted rotatably by way of a pivot pin  15  in a cylindrical recess in the bearing block  11 . By way of a coupling piece  9 , the pivot pin  15  is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotary shaft  10  which is provided for coupling to a further catching unit (not shown). 
         [0041]    Formed on the bearing block  11  are stops  18  which, together with stops  17  of the catching element  12 , limit the rotary movements thereof. Arranged between the bearing block  11  and the catching element  12  is a spring  19  which can be clamped between the two parts  11 ,  12  in order to hold the catching element  12  in a catching position, at least as long as a carry-along member  8 , which is in the form of a cylindrical pin here, does not engage in the catching element. 
         [0042]    The switching device  20  comprises a carrier element  25  in which a cylindrical housing  23  of the switching unit  20  is embedded. The position of the housing  23  is settable parallel to the movement directions of the drawer rail  16   c.    
         [0043]    Formed on the bearing block  11  is a plate-like section  21 , at the end of which there is a bore  21   a.  With the aid of a connecting element  22 , for example, a pin or, for example, a screw, the plate-like section  21  of the left-hand-side-catching unit  6   a  can be fixed to the housing  23  and thus be coupled to a position of a settable element of the switching unit  20 . 
         [0044]    A further way of attaching a left-hand-side catching unit  6   a  to a left-hand-side guide device  4   a  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , which correspond to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  illustrates the view of an underside of the left-hand side guide device  4   a,  which comprises a basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  and a drawer rail  16   c.  Attached to the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  is a switching device  20  having a housing  23  which is accessible through a recess  26  in the underside of the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.    
         [0045]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show only a view of an underside of the catching unit  6   a,  and so only a pivot pin  15  and a mounting plate  14  of the catching unit  6   a  are discernible. Two brackets  14   c  located in a parallel direction in succession are punched out of the mounting plate  14 , wherein the brackets  14   c  curve out towards the top side of the mounting plate. The brackets  14   c  are provided to engage in slots  27  on the underside of the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a,  wherein the brackets  14   c  are formed such that they engage through the slots  27  and in the process can engage behind the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.    
         [0046]    Formed on the mounting plate  14  are two bars  14   b  and  14   d,  which are provided to engage in the recess  26  on the underside of the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.  The bar  14   d  is bent twice and at opposite angles at its end. As a result it is designed to engage behind the recess  26  in the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  in order, for example, to prevent the mounting plate  14  from being removed from the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a.    
         [0047]    The bar  14   b  of the mounting plate  14  is provided to fix the mounting plate  14  to the housing  23  of the switching device  20 . For this purpose, two stops  23   a  are formed on the housing  23 . The bar  14   b  and the stops  23   a  are matched to one another such that the bar  14   b  can engage with negligible or no play between the stops  23   a.  The housing  23  has a threaded section  23   b.  A screw cap  24  having an internal thread (not shown) is screwed onto the threaded section  23   b.  By way of a screw cap  24 , a position of the housing  23  on the basic-furniture-structure rail  16   a  is settable along the longitudinal axis of the housing in the attachment (not shown) thereof and parallel to the direction of movement of the drawer rail  16   c.  By engagement of the bar  14   b,  settings of the position of the housing  23  on the mounting plate  14  and thus on the catching unit  6   a  can be assigned. 
         [0048]    A coupling rod  28  is movably mounted in the housing  23  and can be pushed out or retracted by an energy store, for example, a spring, accommodated, for example, in the housing  23 . A switching mechanism (not shown), which predefines, for example, a closed position or switching position, can be accommodated in the housing. As a result of the engagement of the bar  14   b  in the housing  23 , the position of the catching unit  6   a  is coupled directly to the respective position of the closed position or switching position. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Piece of furniture 
           2   a  Rear wall element 
           2   b  Side wall element 
           2   c  Side wall element 
           2   d  Base panel element 
           2   e  Transverse strut 
           2   f  Transverse strut 
           3  Left-hand side Guide system 
           4   a  Right-hand side Guide device 
           4   b  Guide device 
           5  Synchronization device 
           6   a  Left-hand side Catching unit 
           6   b  Right-hand side Catching unit 
           7  Coupling shaft 
           8  Carry-along member 
           9  Coupling piece 
           10  Rotary shaft 
           11  Bearing block 
           12  Catching element 
           13  Catching slot 
           14  Mounting plate 
           14   a  Bore 
           14   b  Bar 
           14   c  Bracket 
           14   d  Bar 
           15  Pivot pin 
           15   a  Asymmetrical section 
           16   a  Basic-furniture-structure rail 
           16   b  Intermediate rail 
           16   c  Drawer rail 
           17  Stop 
           18  Stop 
           19  Spring 
           20  Switching device 
           21  Plate-like section 
           21   a  Bore 
           22  Connecting element 
           23  Housing 
           23   a  Stop 
           23   b  Threaded section 
           24  Screw cap 
           25  Carrier element 
           26  Recess 
           27  Slot 
           28  Coupling rod