Patent Publication Number: US-2022218106-A1

Title: Pull-out guide for a drawer

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pull-out guide for a drawer, comprising a carcass rail configured to be arranged on a side of a furniture carcass, and a drawer rail configured to be arranged on a drawer, the drawer rail being displaceably supported on the carcass rail in an opening- and closing direction. The drawer rail has an upper side facing towards the drawer and a lower side spaced from the upper side by at least one side limb. The pull-out guide further comprises a bearing device for a synchronization rod of a synchronization device, the bearing device including a fastening region for the synchronization rod. Moreover, the invention concerns an arrangement comprising two such pull-out guides, and an item of furniture comprising a drawer and an arrangement of the mentioned type. 
     In order to move movable furniture parts, in particular drawers, relative to a furniture carcass, the movable furniture parts are usually movably supported in an opening- and closing direction via pull-out guides, the pull-out guides comprising a carcass rail and a drawer rail. With such furniture fittings, synchronization devices are frequently provided so as to allow a smooth opening and closing on both sides, and helping to prevent an inclination, and, therewith, a jamming of the drawer. 
     An example for such a furniture fitting is disclosed in EP 3 282 895 B1. A drawback with this furniture fitting is the fact that the drive devices in the form of ejection devices arranged on both sides are relatively broad and take up much space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an alternative or an improved arrangement, respectively, with respect to the prior art. In particular, the space requirement shall be as small as possible. 
     This is accomplished by a pull-out guide in which the fastening region (preferably extending horizontally in the installation position), is arranged below the underside of the drawer rail. 
     Therefore, it is possible for the synchronization rod to span the drawer rail. This, in turn, results in that possibly provided drive devices can be arranged between the drawer rail and the furniture carcass. 
     The terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “upper side” and “underside” always refer to the installed condition of the pull-out guide and of the furniture fitting, respectively, in the furniture carcass. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening region is arranged between the drawer rail and the carcass rail. Therefore, a possibly provided drive device can be arranged between these two rails, for which reason the entire unit can be configured very narrow. This means that the maximum width, measured in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the opening direction, of the pull-out guide including the carcass rail, the drawer rail, the bearing device and a possibly provided drive device is less than 100 mm, preferably less than 75 mm. It can be particularly preferred that this width lies in a region between 40 mm and 70 mm. 
     In order to provide a transmission of movement from the synchronization rod to further components, the fastening region can be that region in which the synchronization rod contacts the bearing device. 
     The bearing device has to be configured such that the synchronization rod can be supported thereon and can be fixed in the fastening region. Preferably, the bearing device includes a carrier arranged on the carcass rail or on the drawer rail, and a receiving portion for the synchronization rod, the receiving portion being movably, preferably pivotally, supported on the carrier. 
     When the receiving portion is pivotally supported, preferably the rotational axis extends in a horizontal direction and perpendicular to the opening direction of the drawer. 
     The synchronization rod can be configured to be connected to the bearing device, for example, via a snap-connection device. Likewise, also other releasable connection variants are possible. In fact, it is possible that the fastening region is configured in the form of a protrusion on which the synchronization rod can be fixed. However, it is particularly preferred that the fastening region is configured as a recess in the receiving portion. 
     Protection is also sought for an arrangement comprising two pull-out guides according to the invention, the pull-out guides being configured to be mounted to opposing sides of a furniture carcass. 
     It is particularly preferred that this arrangement, besides the two pull-out guides, also includes a synchronization device including a synchronization rod for synchronizing movements of the drawer rail or of movements of possibly provided drive devices. 
     Further, it is preferable that the synchronization rod has two ends, and is supported via their ends in the fastening regions of the bearing devices, the synchronization rod extending below the drawer rails. This means that the synchronization rod does not extend between the drawer rails or above the drawer rails, but rather entirely below these drawer rails. Thereby, it can be particularly preferred that the synchronization rod is aligned horizontally in the installed condition and entirely extends vertically below the drawer rails in the installed position. 
     It is particularly preferred that the arrangement also includes at least one drive device for the drawer, the at least one drive device being preferably mounted to one of the carcass rails. Preferably, the arrangement includes two drive devices (each mounted to one of the carcass rails) for the drawer. 
     It is possible that at least one drive device is configured as a retraction device configured to retract the drawer from an open position into the closed position. However, according to a preferred embodiment, the at least one drive device is configured as an ejection device for ejecting the drawer. The ejection device is configured to be unlocked by applying pressure to the drawer when located in the closed position, and the drawer can be moved from the closed position in the opening direction and can be brought into an open position by the unlocked ejection device. 
     According to a specific embodiment, it is preferable that the at least one drive device configured as an ejection device includes a housing, an ejection slider movably supported in the housing, an ejection energy storage member fixed to the housing and to the ejection slider, a heart-shaped guide track formed in the housing, a locking pin configured to be locked in a locking recess of the guide track, and a control lever movably supported on the ejection slider, the control lever having the locking pin. 
     For the sake of a simple and space-saving construction, it is preferable that the housing forms the carrier of the bearing device. Accordingly, the receiving portion of the bearing device is movably supported directly in the housing. 
     For a simple transmission of movement between the synchronization rod and the drive device, it is preferable that a coupling element is formed or arranged on the receiving portion. The coupling element is preferably gear-shaped and is configured to be coupled in a movement-transmitting manner to a coupling element, preferably shaped as a toothed rack. It is particularly preferred that the coupling element is arranged or formed on a synchronization slider movably supported, preferably linearly, on the housing. 
     The precise alignment and position of the synchronization rod is, in fact, arbitrary, as long as a synchronized transmission of movement between both sides of the pull-out guide can be provided. It is preferable that the synchronization rod (in an installed condition) is aligned horizontally and perpendicularly to the opening- and closing direction. 
     Protection is also sought for an item of furniture comprising a furniture carcass, at least one drawer (movable in the opening direction), and an arrangement of the described type. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following with the aid of the description of figures and with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an item of furniture comprising a plurality of movable furniture parts in the form of drawers, 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a drawer with drawer pull-out guides and drive devices for a movable furniture part, 
         FIG. 3  shows an arrangement comprising two drive devices synchronized by a synchronization rod, 
         FIG. 4  shows a carcass rail in a perspective view, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of pull-out guide with the bearing device and the synchronization rod not yet arranged, 
         FIG. 6  is a detail of  FIG. 5 , 
         FIG. 7  shows a pull-out guide with the bearing device and the synchronization rod attached, 
         FIG. 8  is a detail of  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  shows the pull-out guide in a different perspective view, 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the pull-out guide, 
         FIG. 11  is a detail of  FIG. 10 , and 
         FIG. 12  is a top view onto a drive device with the bearing device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows, very generally, an item of furniture  8  comprising a furniture carcass  9  and, in total, four movable furniture parts in the form of drawers  2 . Each of the drawers  2  consists of at least a sliding container  10  and a front panel  11 . The drawers  2  are fixed to the furniture carcass  9  via a (drawer) pull-out guide  20  comprising a drawer rail  13  and a carcass rail  14  (and possibly a central rail, not shown). 
     With the uppermost drawer  2 , a drive device  1  is schematically depicted. The drive device  1  includes a housing  3 . In this case, this housing  3  is arranged on the drawer rail  13  (in the schematic illustration according to  FIG. 1 , the housing  3  corresponds to the drawer rail  13 ). The drive device  1  includes an ejection device  4 , and the ejection slider  41  and the ejection energy storage member  42  of this ejection device  4  are schematically depicted. The locking device  5  includes a guide track  52  formed in the housing  3 , and the locking pin  51  guided in the guide track  52  (the guide track  52  being, in this case, heart-shaped). An entrainment member  15  is arranged on the carcass rail  14  (or on the furniture carcass  9  itself), the ejection device  4  being at least over a region in engagement with the entrainment member  15 . However, the arrangement may also be reversed. This means that the drive device  1  is associated to the carcass rail  14 , whereas the entrainment member  15  is associated to the movable furniture part. The uppermost drawer  2  is located in the open position OS. 
     When the drawer  2  is moved from the open position OS in the closing direction SR, the locking pin  51  is displaced in a closing section of the guide track  52 . Thereby, the ejection storage member  42  can be tensioned by a relative movement between the ejection slider  41  and the housing  3 . 
     In the closed position SS (third drawer  2  from above), the ejection energy storage member  42  is fully tensioned. This closed position SS can be achieved by an exclusive manual closing movement. Alternatively, the drawer  2  can be moved or retracted into the closed position SS by the schematically depicted retraction device  16 . The retraction device  16 , if present, is integrated into the pull-out guide  20 . 
     Starting from that closed position SS, the drawer  2  reaches an overpressing position ÜS (lowest drawer  2  in  FIG. 1 ) by applying pressure to the drawer  2 . As a result, unlocking of the locking device  5  can be provided. After the overpressing in the closing direction SR has been performed, as soon as the operator does no longer apply a pressure to the drawer  2 , the drawer  2  is ejected by the drive device  1  in the opening direction OR. Therefore, the drawer  2  reaches the open position OS according to the second drawer  2  from above. In this position, the drawer  2  can be gripped, for example via the front panel  11 , and can be further moved manually into the position according to the first drawer  2  from above. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a drawer  2  with the sliding container  10  and a front panel  11 . Moreover, an arrangement comprising two pull-out guides  20  with each two drawer rails  13  and two carcass rails  14  is shown, and each of a drawer rail  13  and a carcass rail  14  of the pull-out guide  20  is provided on both sides of the drawer  2 .  FIG. 2  further shows a drive device  1 . The drive device  1  is arranged on the carcass rail  14 . This drive device  1  (or its housing  3 , respectively) extends in the closing direction SR of the drawer  2 . In particular with smaller or narrower drawers  2 , it can be sufficient when only one drive device  1  is associated to the drawer  2 . The drive device  1  can be associated, as shown, to the right-sided pull-put guide  20  (but also to the left-sided pull-out guide  20 ). 
     With broader or larger drawers  2 , respectively, it can be advantageous, in particular for preventing inclined positions or jamming of the drawer  2  within the furniture carcass  9 , when drive devices  1 ,  1 ′ are provided on both sides of the drawer  2 , the drive devices  1  and  1 ′ being synchronized with one another. In  FIG. 3 , suitable thereto, an arrangement  7  comprising a (first) drive device  1  and a second drive device  1 ′ is shown. These two drive devices  1  and  1 ′ are connected to one another via a synchronization rod  65  (this arrangement  7  forms part of a superordinate arrangement comprising two pull-out guides  20  and as well as the arrangement  7 ). More specifically, sections of the opening movement and of the closing movement of the drive devices  1  and  1 ′ are synchronized with one another. The first drive device  1  is configured to be mirror-symmetrical to the second drive device  1 ′. Besides, the drive devices  1  and  1 ′ are configured so as to be identical. 
       FIG. 4  shows, in a perspective view, a profiled-shaped carcass rail  14 . The carcass rail  14  can be mounted to a sidewall of a furniture carcass  9  via the vertical side limb V. The carcass rail  14  includes a guiding section F on which a drawer rail  13  (for example via corresponding rollers) is movably supported and guided. In one end region, the carcass rail  14  includes a recess A. In a region of this recess A, a bearing device  17  is connectable with the carcass rail  14 . In the installed condition, this recess A is located on a side of the carcass rail  14  facing away from the front panel  11 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the carcass rail  14 , together with the drawer rail  13  movably supported thereon. In one end region, the drawer rail  13  includes a connecting device  23  for releasably connecting a drawer  2  to the drawer rail  13 . In the other end region, it can be seen that a bearing device  17  is arranged on the carcass rail  14 . A synchronization device  65  is also shown. However, the synchronization device  65  is not yet connected and not yet in contact with the bearing device  17 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , a detail of  FIG. 5  is shown. For example, the (horizontally aligned) upper side O and the (vertically aligned) side limb S of the drawer rail  13  can be seen. Further, the carrier  18  and the receiving portion  19  collectively forming the bearing device  17  are depicted. The drawer rail  13 , the carcass rail  14  and the bearing device  17  collectively form a pull-out guide  20 . A recess is formed in the receiving portion  19 . The surface of that recess forms the fastening region B contacting the synchronization rod  65  when the synchronization rod  65  is attached. The fastening region B is located between the drawer rail  13  and the carcass rail  14 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the synchronization rod  65  is depicted in a position attached on the bearing device  17 . More specifically, a form-locking support between the synchronization rod  65  and the receiving portion  19  is provided. 
     In  FIG. 8 , a detail of  FIG. 7  is shown. Besides the upper side O and the side limb S, the (horizontally aligned) underside U of the drawer rail  13  can be seen. The side limb S connects the upper side O to the underside U. The synchronization rod  65  contacts the fastening region B of the receiving portion  17  of the bearing device  17 . The fastening portion B is arranged (in the installation position horizontally) below the underside U of the drawer rail  13 . Therefore, the synchronization rod  65  (entirely) extends below the drawer rail  13 . The carrier  18  of the bearing device  17  is part of a housing  3  of a drive device  1 ,  1 ′. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of pull-out guide  20  seen from a different viewpoint. In addition to the two rails  13 ,  14  and the synchronization rod  65 , a drive device  1 ,  1 ′ can also be partially seen. This drive device  1 ,  1 ′ is arranged between the drawer rail  13  and the carcass rail  14 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a side view of the pull-out guide  20  according to  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a detail of  FIG. 10  illustrating the region of the bearing device  17 . The synchronization rod  65 , shown in a cross-sectional view, is held in the fastening region B of the receiving portion  19  of the bearing device  17 . Outer surfaces of the synchronization rod  65  contact the fastening region B. The carrier  18  forms part of the housing  3 . In  FIG. 11 , the carcass rail  14  and the drawer rail  13  can be further seen. It is essential that the fastening region B (just as the synchronization rod  65 ) is arranged below the underside U of the drawer rail  13 . As a result, the synchronization rod  65  extends below the drawer rail  13  and “spans” the drawer rail  13 . Therefore, the drive device  1 ,  1 ′ can be arranged between the carcass rail  14  and the drawer rail  13 , whereby a small space requirement can be provided. This means that it is not necessary for the drive device  1 ,  1 ′ to be arranged on a side of the drawer rail  13  facing away from the carcass rail  14 . This would lead to an overall broader construction. 
       FIG. 12  shows a top view onto a part of the drive device  1 ,  1 ′ with the bearing device  17 . More specifically, the heart-shaped guide track  52  is shown, the guide track  52  being arranged in the housing  3 . The locking pin  51  is located in a position after overpressing and unlocking has been performed, and the ejection movement takes place upon unlocking. The locking pin  51  contacts the entrainment element  64  of the synchronization slider  63 . Therefore, the region of the synchronization slider  63 , on which the toothed rack-shaped coupling element  22  is arranged, is also moved. In the illustration according to  FIG. 12 , the individual teeth of the tooth rack-shaped coupling element  22  cannot be seen, because the teeth protrude from the drawing plane in a downward direction. On the contrary, at least one tooth of the gear-shaped coupling element  21  can be seen. By a linear movement of the coupling element  22 , the teeth mesh with one another, thereby rotating the gear-shaped coupling element  21 . Due to the fact that the gear-shaped coupling element  21  is connected to the receiving portion  19 , the receiving portion  19  pivots relative to the carrier  18  of the bearing device  17  accordingly. In the shown embodiment, the carrier  18  and the housing  3  of the drive device  1 ,  1 ′ are formed together so as to have an integral one-piece configuration. The synchronization slider  63  (with the entrainment element  64 ), jointly with the two coupling elements  21 ,  22  and the synchronization rod  65  (not shown here), collectively form the synchronization device  6 . In this case, the synchronization device  6  serves for synchronizing the drive devices  1 ,  1 ′ arranged on both sides of a drawer  2 . 
     However, it is also equally possible that the synchronization device  6  only serves for synchronizing the movement of the two drawer rails  13 . This corresponds to a so-called side-stabilization. 
     LIST OF REFERENCES 
       1  drive device 
       2  drawer 
       3  housing 
       4  drive device 
       41  ejection slider 
       42  ejection storage member 
       5  locking device 
       51  locking pin 
       52  guide track 
       53  control lever 
       6  synchronization device 
       63  synchronization slider 
       64  entrainment element 
       65  synchronization rod 
       7  arrangement 
       8  item of furniture 
       9  furniture carcass 
       10  sliding container 
       11  front panel 
       13  drawer rail 
       14  carcass rail 
       15  entrainment member 
       16  retraction device 
       17  bearing device 
       18  carrier 
       19  receiving portion 
       20  pull-out guide 
       21  coupling element 
       22  coupling element 
       23  connecting device 
     OS open position 
     SS closed position 
     ÜS overpressing position 
     SR closing direction 
     OR opening direction 
     O upper side 
     S side limb 
     U underside 
     B fastening region 
     V vertical side limb 
     A recess