Patent Publication Number: US-2007103041-A1

Title: Device for opening and closing a movable furniture part, and furniture part

Description:
The invention relates to a device for opening and closing a movable furniture part according to Claim  1 , and a furniture part according to Claim  22 .  
      Devices for opening and closing drawers, doors, leaves, or other movable furniture parts are known. For example, for esthetic reasons it is possible that such furniture parts do not have handles and are provided with so-called touch latch fittings, whereby the drawer, door, or leaf is pressed in by a specified distance and is then pulled out or opened by means of a mechanism having energy storage.  
      A disadvantage of the prior art is that these devices require a relatively large release path, and in particular cannot be released and locked from any given pressure point on a drawer front, door, or the like with overall consistently short release paths and using the same forces.  
      It is also disadvantageous that the stored potential energy must be converted to kinetic energy for the movable furniture part over a relatively short acceleration path. To accomplish a desired wide swing-out of the movable furniture part, a high velocity must be reached over a short acceleration path. This requires a powerful energy storage element which, however, must be reloaded over a short path and with an unacceptably great force when closed by the user.  
      The object of the invention is to provide a device for opening and closing a movable furniture part or the like which allows the movable furniture part to be opened and closed by manual activation at any given location on said furniture part, with a small opening and closing pressure and a short release path, whereby the opening path of the movable furniture part is relatively large. To this end, the approach is designed to be economical and retrofittable, and, if required by the furniture manufacturer, easily adaptable to the width of the furniture part or usable for various standard fittings.  
      This object is achieved by claims  1  and  22 .  
      Practical refinements of the invention are stated in the dependent claims.  
      The invention is first directed to a device for opening and closing a movable furniture part, in particular a drawer, door, leaf, or the like, it being possible to lock and release the movable furniture part and to push in and then extend the furniture part by a specified distance. An important aspect of the invention is that the device has at least one locking element, and at least one push-out element which is separated from the locking element. The push-out element is used in particular to move, i.e., push out or eject, the closed and unlocked movable furniture part in the opening direction. The movable furniture part may thereby be set in motion from a stationary position. In the closed position the movable furniture part may be locked or arrested with respect to a stationary furniture body, for example, it being possible to release the lock or the arrest by means of a release action, such as by hand directly on the movable furniture part or, for example, by activating an unlocking switch. A mechanical locking element in particular may be considered for the lock. However, other locking elements are also possible which may include, for example, a magnetic or electric lock.  
      For narrow furniture parts a locking element having one push-out element may be sufficient. For larger dimensions of a movable furniture part, multiple locking elements and/or push-out elements are also possible.  
      By use of the push-out element, the movable furniture part which has just previously been unlocked is to be moved from a closed position over a first partial distance of the entire possible opening path in the opening direction. The push-out element in particular imparts momentum to the movable furniture part by which the beginning, i.e., the first segment, of the opening motion of the movable furniture part is initiated. In particular, the push-out element should not be in contact with the movable furniture part over the entire opening motion or the entire opening path of the movable furniture part. Likewise, the extended push-out element may be in contact with the movable furniture part over the last segment of the closing motion, or has already returned to its starting position.  
      A significant advantage of the system according to the invention is that installation may be improved as a result of the separation between the locking element and the push-out element, and in particular less space is sacrificed for the movable furniture part; i.e., an ejection path of the movable furniture part from a closed position to an open position is improved.  
      In particular, it is possible to influence the release or unlocking action, i.e., the device, by external application of force indirectly or directly on the front panel of the movable furniture part, particularly by a user.  
      It is particularly advantageous for the push-out element to comprise a cylinder and a piston rod which may be moved therein. In this manner, a component may advantageously be used as a push-out element which is insertable as a standard component in a comparatively advantageous manner. Thus, as the result of its conforming shape or external dimensions such a push-out element may be easily mounted in particular at locations on the furniture part or on fittings or guides present thereon, on which similarly shaped or other similar insertable components, such as pads, may be located for damping the motion of the movable furniture part. As a result of the piston rod moving while the cylinder remains stationary, or vice versa, contact of the piston rod or of the cylinder with a counterpart section moves the movable furniture part in the opening direction when the piston rod and cylinder move relative to one another by spring impingement, for example. This relative motion is generally not possible in the locked state.  
      In principle, the push-out element may have an alternative design, having, for example, an ejecting or pushing element in a non-cylindrical guide.  
      It is also advantageous for the push-out element to be mounted on a guide by means of which the movable furniture part is movably guided relative to a body. Thus, the push-out element may be positioned, for example, on a drawer guide for a drawer which is slidably accommodated on a furniture body. A guide may include one component or multiple components, for example. Drawer guides in particular may have a body rail that is fastened to the stationary furniture body, a drawer rail that is fastened to the movable drawers, and, optionally, a center rail which acts between same.  
      By use of this system the push-out element may be accommodated in a particularly space-economizing manner or on existing components, for example within the external contour thereof.  
      In one preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, the push-out element(s) together with a stop are integrated into a drawer guide. The push-out element(s) or the (at least one) locking element preferably act indirectly or directly between the movable furniture part and the stationary furniture part, for example the furniture body. The push-out element may, for example, be integrated into the drawer guide, such as indirectly or directly on the drawer rail, body rail, or center rail.  
      It is particularly advantageous for the push-out element to be included in a component that is separated from the locking element. As an inherent, i.e., intrinsic, component which forms a functional part, the push-out element may advantageously be manufactured or independently installed on the device, or later removed. In its design as a separate part, the push-out element may also be easily removed from its attachment point at any time, which is advantageous for assembly, functional inspection, or repair or replacement of the element, for example. Furthermore, as a result of the separate push-out element the extent of the spatial separation of the locking element and the push-out element may be realized in a variable manner.  
      The push-out element preferably is provided at a distance from the locking element. These elements may be accommodated in various ways as a result of the separation of the push-out element from the locking element. In particular, the two elements are positioned without contacting, or closely adjacent to one another. The distance may, for example, be within the range of a length of a guide rail for a drawer rail, or of a width, height, or length dimension of the movable furniture part.  
      The push-out element is advantageously positioned at a distance from the locking element in the locked state of the movable furniture part. This is particularly advantageous with regard to a space-economizing arrangement of the device, in particular in the locked state of the movable furniture part. As the result of the closed position on the body, the furniture parts meet one another in a compact relative position, in which case in particular optimal use must be made of the available installation space.  
      In a further embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, the push-out element is positioned at a distance from the locking element in the unlocked state of the movable furniture part. In this manner the attachment of the push-out element and of the locking element may be adapted to spatial requirements in a particularly flexible manner. For example, the push-out element may be advantageously attached to the movable furniture part or to a part that is mounted on the movable furniture part, whereas the locking element is positioned on stationary parts, for example a furniture body. Thus, for example, the push-out element may be advantageously mounted in the partially or completely open state of the movable furniture part, in particular to achieve spatial correction of the push-out element and locking element, or to make optimal use of the available space.  
      It is further proposed that the device comprises a locking unit having at least two locking elements which are coupled to one another in a synchronous and essentially play-free manner by use of path- and/or force-transmitting means, and has at least one push-out element that is separated from the locking elements. The path- and/or force-transmitting means may be attached between the locking elements in a form-fit or friction-fit manner, for example, or in such a way that they are adjustable in width or length. A movable furniture part may be very precisely and reliably held locked in a closed position by means of two locking elements in a locking unit which are connected by means of a torsion rod, for example. Thus, for example, by use of the two locking elements a particularly secure locked position may be established, which may be advantageous for heavily loaded movable furniture parts, for example.  
      In addition, double or, if needed, multiple security in the locked state may be provided by the (at least two) locking elements. Advantageously, one push-out element that is separated from the locking elements is generally sufficient to move the movable furniture part from the released closed position to the open position following the unlocking action.  
      In a further embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, at least one locking element has a stop mechanism, such as a heart-shaped cam or ratchet. In particular, one locking element has a stop mechanism, and the other locking element or the other locking elements are provided without a stop mechanism. When, for example, one locking element has a stop mechanism and another locking element is provided without a stop mechanism, the entire system may have a design that is simple and unsusceptible to malfunction. A faulty release of the locking element can thus be avoided, according to which the locked state is specified only by the locking element together with the heart-shaped cam or ratchet. However, all locking elements may have, for example, a spring-loaded or gravity-actuated locking mechanism which is used in particular to automatically assist the actual unlocking process. Thus, a small force which is negligible compared to the actual ejecting force from the push-out element may act relatively briefly on the movable furniture part in the opening direction. In principle, many other locks or stop mechanisms are possible for the locking elements. For example, two locking elements may be connected via a connecting element or torsion rod in a friction-fit or form-fit manner, the width or length, for example, of the torsion rod being adjustable by use of a telescoping system, among others, for the adjustment.  
      According to a further advantageous embodiment there are two push-out elements for each movable furniture part, preferably one for each side of the movable furniture part. The push-out elements may be attached directly to the movable furniture part, or to the stationary furniture part or a component mounted thereon. It is also possible to attach the push-out elements to a guide rail or fitting connected to the movable furniture part. The ejecting motion of the movable furniture part may thus be achieved in a particularly precise and smooth manner. In particular, jamming of the movable furniture part as the result of one-sided application of force, for example, may be avoided during ejection. The push-out elements in particular may act simultaneously or in an identical manner, although in principle these elements may also exert different ejecting forces or may act in a time-offset or sequential manner.  
      The opening path of the movable furniture part is influenced in particular by the power of the energy storage element or the length of the plunger or piston rod of the push-out element, among other factors. These parts are preferably attached to the push-out element so as to be replaceable or adjustable in length.  
      It is also advantageous for the power of the energy storage element for the push-out element to be adjustable. In this manner it is possible to influence the intensity of the ejection of the movable furniture part or the opening path of the movable furniture part produced by the push-out element. Thus, in particular an ejection characteristic or ejection force may be adjusted or adapted to various difficult-to-move furniture parts or masses, or to frictional resistances when the furniture part is moved.  
      It is further proposed that a push-out element is indirectly or directly mounted on a drawer rail.  
      It is possible for the push-out element to have good accessibility from a user side of the drawer, in particular when the drawer is at least partially open. This may be particularly advantageous for replacement of the push-out element or for repairs. It is also not necessary to remove the drawer for this purpose. In principle, it is also possible for the push-out element to be attached directly to the drawer.  
      In one alternative embodiment, the push-out element is indirectly or directly mounted on a body rail. The push-out element or at least one of multiple push-out elements may be attached at different locations on the body rail or the stationary furniture body. Thus, multiple attachment points, in particular offset in the opening direction, are possible for the push-out element by means of which the device may be advantageously used in a flexible manner, i.e., for different furniture systems.  
      In a further preferred embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention, the push-out element is mounted on a guide rail, and a coupling part which is provided on the ejector for the push-out element may be coupled to and uncoupled from another guide rail. Thus, for example, for furniture having furniture parts which are movable on guide rails, such as drawers, a number of different attachment variations may be implemented.  
      It is advantageous for the push-out element to be mounted on a guide rail which is attached to the furniture body, whereby the coupling part may be coupled and uncoupled with respect to a guide rail which is attached to the movable furniture part. In principle, a reversed attachment is also possible in which, for example, the push-out element is fastened to a guide rail which is attached to the movable furniture part, and the coupling part may be coupled and uncoupled with respect to a guide rail which is attached to the body. The coupling and uncoupling may be performed, for example, by means of a catch element matched to the coupling part.  
      In a further advantageous embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, the locking unit or the locking element is indirectly or directly mounted on a stationary furniture part, preferably a body, and in a closed position engages with the movable furniture part or with the drawer rail.  
      The reverse may also be advantageous and is not excluded, whereby the locking element or locking elements are indirectly or directly mounted on the movable furniture part, preferably on the back side, and in the closed position engage with the stationary furniture part, preferably engaging directly with the body or indirectly with a component fastened thereto.  
      It is further provided that the locking element(s) act indirectly or directly between the movable furniture parts and the stationary furniture parts. For example, by means of the locking element the movable furniture part is held in its closed position on a connecting element provided on the movable furniture part.  
      It is further proposed to provide an additional device by which the energy storage element for the push-out element may be brought into its starting position before the movable furniture part is fully closed again.  
      In addition to the device for opening and closing, a separate or integrated device may be present which brings the energy storage element for the push-out element into its starting position, i.e., its loaded position, before the movable furniture part is fully closed again. This is advantageous because it is not necessary for the user to exert additional force or effort when closing the movable furniture part.  
      It is further preferred that a retracting device is indirectly or directly mounted on the locking unit or on at least one locking element, and that the retracting device assists in the conclusion of the closing process for the movable furniture part. The movable furniture part may in particular close automatically and/or in a damped manner, for example by means of an automatic retractor or a motion damper, in particular a fluid damper.  
      This additional device is a mechanical, magnetic, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic device, for example.  
      Alternatively, a retracting device such as a mechanical, magnetic, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic device may be indirectly or directly mounted on the locking units to assist in the conclusion of the closing process for the movable furniture part. This retracting device may be equipped with a tubular motor, for example.  
      The locking element or multiple locking elements are mounted, preferably in a detachable manner, to the corresponding furniture part by snapping on, plugging in, clamping, or screwing, for example.  
      It is also advantageous when the position of each locking element is adjustable in the depth and/or height of the furniture part, preferably independently from the other locking element or the other locking elements.  
      Furthermore, a transport and assembly protection element may be provided which holds the drawer guide in its closed position until the drawer guide is installed in the furniture part.  
      In one alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention for opening and closing a movable furniture part, in particular a door, leaf, drawer, or the like, reliable opening with a widely propelled path and closing by use of acceptable user force are permitted.  
      This embodiment includes at least one push-in element having an energy storage element and a lock which are installed separate from one another, preferably at a considerable distance, i.e., fastened to the furniture part at a distance from one another.  
      The advantage of this device is that conventional fittings and/or hinges may be used, and hinges with pressure springs, for example, are not necessary. This device may thus be used for practically all furniture doors and leaves due to its characteristic adjustability.  
      The device may be influenced by external application of force on the front panel of the movable furniture part, in particular the external application of force by a user.  
      For the device, the push-in element may act at or near the fitting side, and the lock may act at or near the side of the furniture part which is opposite the fitting side.  
      In addition, the push-in element may be separate from the existing furniture fitting.  
      According to one embodiment, the push-in element has a swivel spring mounted in a housing. The housing preferably is indirectly or directly screwed into the cover of the furniture body, at or near the fitting side. This arrangement allows a larger opening path, and at the same time the push-in element remains compact. Other installation options, for example without the use of tools, such as gluing the housing to the furniture part, or press-in dowels, or known quick-mounting fasteners such as expansion anchors are possible.  
      It is further proposed that the opening path and/or the opening force for the movable furniture part are settable or adjustable, preferably by adjustment of the spring. It is advantageous when the elastic force of the push-in element is settable, whereby the rear end of the spring may be positioned in various grids. This allows the same push-in element to be used for light, i.e., small, and heavy, i.e., large, doors or leaves: for a light, i.e., small, movable furniture part a low pretensioning force of the spring is required, whereas for a heavy, i.e., large, movable furniture part a high pretensioning force of the spring is required. The opening force and/or opening speed of the movable furniture part depends on the pretensioning force of the spring, among other factors.  
      The opening path of the movable furniture part depends, among other factors, on the length of the pivot lever of the spring and the working angle of the spring.  
      It is preferable for a roller to be indirectly or directly attached to the spring. The end of the pivot lever preferably presses indirectly against the movable furniture part during the opening process. A roller is indirectly or directly mounted on this end, and is in temporary contact with the movable furniture part.  
      Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide tolerance compensation for the spring end. For example, production tolerances of the spring end may be compensated for, such as by providing a conical bearing or prism bearing in a housing for the spring end, it being possible to support the roller in this housing as well.  
      In one preferred embodiment the lock is a magnetic lock; i.e., a magnetic lock is provided which is known as such. Compared to a mechanical lock, such a lock has advantages in that it allows a simple and effortless adjustment, primarily a height or side adjustment, of the movable furniture part.  
      However, other arrangements and/or designs of the push-in element and the lock are not excluded. The push-in element could, for example, be mounted on the movable furniture part and temporarily pressed indirectly or directly onto the furniture body. The function of this device is not changed, regardless of whether the push-in element and/or the lock are both mounted in the upper or lower section of the furniture part, or are mounted in an offset manner with one element above and one element below. The positioning of the elements on opposite sides as mentioned above is advantageous, but is a recommendation only, not a strict requirement. The push-in element and lock could be provided on the same furniture side.  
      The invention is further directed to a piece of furniture or furniture part, in particular a furniture drawer, door, leaf, or the like, characterized in that the furniture part is equipped with one of the above-referenced devices for opening and closing.  
      The invention in particular encompasses a movable furniture door or leaf which is connected to a furniture body by means of fittings, whereby the furniture part has one of the above-referenced devices.  
      The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to various exemplary embodiments and description of further advantages and features, whereby the embodiments are provided by way of example and are not to be construed as limiting. 
    
    
      The figures show the following:  
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of a drawer in a body, in the pulled-out position;  
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective illustration of a furniture drawer in a furniture body, with an embodiment of the locking unit;  
       FIG. 3  shows a detailed view of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  shows a drawer guide in the closed position, with an embodiment of a push-out element and a locking unit;  
       FIG. 5   a  shows a detailed view of the locking unit of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 5   b  shows a side view of the locking element of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  shows a drawer guide in a partially pulled-out position, with an embodiment of a push-out element and a locking unit;  
       FIG. 7   a  shows a detailed view of the locking unit of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 7   b  shows a side view of the locking element of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  shows a furniture body having a device for opening and closing a furniture door, comprising a push-in element and a lock, with the furniture door completely open;  
       FIG. 9  shows the arrangement according to  FIG. 8 , with the furniture door in the opening process;  
       FIG. 10  shows a cutaway detail from  FIG. 9 , with the push-in element in the furniture body;  
       FIG. 11  shows the push-in element from  FIG. 10 , with the housing for the push-in element open;  
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the push-in element from  FIG. 10 ; and  
       FIG. 13  shows a view of a swivel spring having a roller for the push-in element according to  FIG. 10 . 
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows the body  2  (schematically illustrated) with a lower furniture drawer  1  in the fully pulled-out state, having a drawer guide  19  as pull-out mechanism, whereby the upper drawer has been removed and is not illustrated.  
      The drawer  1  opens when the user presses the front panel  18  of the drawer.  
       FIG. 2  shows the rear side of a drawer  1  in the body  2 , together with a locking unit  4 . The locking unit  4  comprises two locking elements  6  which are connected in an essentially play-free manner by means of a torsion rod  5 . The torsion rod  5  makes a form-fit connection with the locking elements  6 . The locking elements  6  are screwed to the body  2  via brackets  130  [sic;  30 ]. The locking bar  10  in the housing  7  of the locking element  6  engages with the drawer rail  22  (see  FIG. 3 ).  
      The reverse is also possible if the locking unit  4  is mounted to the back wall  3  and the locking bar  10  indirectly or directly engages with the body  2 .  
       FIG. 4  shows the closed position of a drawer guide  19  having a body rail  20 , center rail  21 , and drawer rail  22 . The push-out element  23  is mounted on the front end of the drawer rail  22 . The push-out element  23  comprises a cylinder  26  and a piston rod  24  (which may also be a plunger), and an energy storage element  25 , in this case a tensioned spring, which is mounted between the cylinder base and the piston rod  24 . The piston rod  24  pushes against a stop  27  on the body rail  20 . It is also possible for the piston rod  24  to be connected to an extension element which pushes against the stop  27 .  
      Between the drawer rail  22  and the body rail  20  is mounted a transport and assembly protection element  28 , which is to be removed before operation of the drawer or drawer rail  19 .  
      The locking bar  10  of the locking element  6  engages with the rear end of the drawer rail  22 . The stop surface  14  of the locking bar  10  is situated at the end of the drawer rail  22 , illustrated as a stop  16 . The blocking surface  15  of the locking bar  10  holds the drawer rail  22  on the stop  17  thereof, in this case inside the drawer rail. This stop  17  may already be present in the rail and may also have another function, or it may be a dedicated connecting element.  
       FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  show the locking element  6  in the locked position. This locking element  6  has a heart-shaped cam  11  as a blocking mechanism in the housing  7  for the locking element  6 . The locking element (not illustrated here) on the other end of the torsion rod  5  does not have a blocking mechanism. A bolt  12  is mounted in the oblong hole  13  in the locking bar  10  and locks in the heart-shaped cam  11 . The locking bar  10  is supported by a spring  8 . This spring  8  is supported on the rotational axis  9  for the torsion rod  5  and is also connected to the housing  7  for the locking element  6 .  
       FIG. 6  shows the same drawer guide  19  as in  FIG. 4 , without the transport and assembly protection element and in the partially extended position. The push-out element  23  is extended, the spring  25  is released, and the piston rod  24  is extended and no longer pushes against the stop  27 . The drawer rail  22  has separated from the locking element  6 .  
       FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show the unlocked locking element  6 . The bolt  12  is in another position in the heart-shaped cam  11 .  
      The positioning of the elements of the device for opening and closing is illustrated by way of example only, and other variants are not excluded. It is important that each element acts indirectly or directly between a stationary part and a movable part.  
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show a furniture body  101  having a door  102  which is connected to the interior of the furniture body  101  by means of hinges  125 , during the opening process ( FIG. 9 ) and in the open state ( FIG. 8 ). These furniture parts are equipped with a device for opening and closing. This device comprises a press-in element  106  and a lock  123 .  
      This press-in element  106  is mounted in the furniture body  101 , in this case on the cover  103  near the fitting side  104  of the furniture body  101 . The advantage of this arrangement is that the opening region of the furniture part can be larger than if the press-in element  106  were mounted on or near the opposite side of the fitting side  105  of the furniture body  101 . At the same time the press-in element  106  remains a small and compact element.  
      The lock  123  preferably is provided on the other side of the furniture part relative to the positioning of the press-in element  106 , in this case on the side of the furniture parts  101 ,  102  opposite the fitting side  105 , and in the lower corner.  
      The lock  123  may be a part known as such. In this case a magnetic lock is preferably used. This has the advantage that the adjustment of the movable furniture part, a height or side adjustment of approximately ±3 mm, for example, may be easily made. The magnet surfaces  124   a ,  124   b  for both parts of the lock  123  are appropriately dimensioned so that they are always in contact within the desired adjustment tolerances when the movable furniture part is closed. For a mechanical lock, in which the catch mechanism contains a hook, for example, closing and locking may be difficult or faulty due to extreme adjustments of the movable furniture part.  
      The lock  123  holds the furniture door  102  closed. When the user presses the furniture door  102  in the opposite direction of the opening process, the lock  123  releases and the press-in element  106  presses on the furniture door  102 .  
       FIGS. 10 through 12  illustrate detailed views of the press-in element  106 . The press-in element  106  is composed of a swivel spring  107  accommodated in a housing  108 .  
      In this case the press-in element  106  is screwed into the furniture body  101  via the attachment device  122   a ,  122   b ,  122   c . A distance of 32 mm is preferably provided between the attachment devices  122   a  and  122   b  so that conventional equipment may be also used for the installation of other fittings.  
      The housing  108  for the press-in element  106  comprises two halves  108   a ,  108   b  which are connected by a film hinge  109 . Snap-in connections  121   a ,  121   b  are provided in the housing  108  so that the two halves  108   a ,  108   b  may be closed and/or opened without the use of tools.  
      The housing  108  for the press-in element  106  is designed such that the inner workings of the mechanism are concealed and/or protected.  
      The pretensioning force for the press-in element  106  may be set by placing the rear free end  112  of the swivel spring  107  in various positions. The housing  108  has catch positions  111   a ,  111   b ,  111   c , and the rear free end of the spring  112  is brought into one of these positions  111   a ,  111   b ,  111   c  by the user or installer. In position  111   a  the spring has a larger pretensioning force than in position  111   b  or  111   c . This adjustment is made without the use of tools. To enable better gripping of the rear free end of the spring  112  by the user or installer during adjustment, ribs or an additional cap may be provided on this spring end  112 .  
      The pretensioning force is adjusted without uninstalling the press-in element, and a cover element  110  is connected to one side of the housing  108  by means of a film hinge  113 , and on the other side the projection  110   a  of the cover element  110  locks in a locking means  114  in the housing  108 .  
      At least as long as the pivot lever  115  for the spring  107  remains in contact with the furniture door  102 , the furniture door  102  will automatically open. The length and end position of this pivot lever  115  determine the opening angle of the movable furniture part  102 .  
      The swivel spring  107  together with the roller  117  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In this case the swivel spring  107  is indirectly connected to a roller or a roller element  117 . This roller  117  presses on the movable furniture part, in this case the furniture door  102 . This roller  117  results in better transmission of the opening pressure from the spring  107  to the furniture door  102 , since the prevailing contact between the press-in element  106  and the furniture door  102  is a rolling instead of a sliding contact. To this end, the wider the roller  117  the longer the contact line between the roller  117  and the furniture door  102 , resulting in a smaller pressure and thus less wear, primarily on the furniture door  102 .  
      The end  116  of the pivot lever  115  is curved. To compensate for production tolerances of this end  116 , it is advantageous for tolerance compensation means to be provided in the housing  118 . The housing  118  has a prism holder  119  in which the end  116  of the pivot lever  115  is supported; i.e., the pivot lever  115  is held or guided in the prism holder  119  by means of two points  120   a ,  120   b , and the right-angled region  116  of the spring has some play in the prism holder  119  in the housing  118 .  
      Another possibility for the bearing of the end  116  of the pivot lever  115  would be a conical bearing, whereby the pivot lever  115  is held or guided over a circumferential line.  
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       1 . Furniture drawer  
       2 . Body  
       3 . Back wall  
       4 . Locking unit  
       5 . Torsion rod  
       6 . Locking element  
       7 . Housing  
       8 . Spring  
       9 . Rotational axis  
       10 . Locking bar  
       11 . Heart-shaped cam  
       12 . Bolt  
       13 . Oblong hole  
       14 . Stop surface  
       15 . Stop surface  
       16 . Stop  
       17 . Stop for the connecting element  
       18 . Front panel  
       19 . Drawer guide.  
       20 . Body rail  
       21 . Center rail  
       22 . Drawer rail  
       23 . Push-out element  
       24 . Piston rod  
       25 . Energy storage element  
       26 . Cylinder  
       27 . Stop  
       28 . Transport and assembly protection element  
       29 . Device for opening and closing  
       30 . Bracket  
       101 . Furniture body  
       102 . Furniture door  
       103 . Cover  
       104 . Fitting side  
       105 . Side opposite from the fitting side  
       106 . Press-in element  
       107 . Swivel spring  
       108 . Housing  
       108   a . Housing  
       108   b . Housing  
       109 . Film hinge  
       110 . Cover element  
       110   a . Cover element  
       111 . Catch position  
       111   a . Catch position  
       111   b . Catch position  
       111   c . Catch position  
       112 . Rear spring end  
       113 . Film hinge  
       114 . Locking means  
       115 . Pivot lever  
       116 . Front spring end  
       117 . Roller  
       118 . Housing  
       119 . Prism holder  
       120 . Support point  
       120   a . Support point  
       120   b . Support point  
       121 . Snap-in connection  
       121   a . Snap-in connection  
       121   b . Snap-in connection  
       122 . Attachment device  
       122   a . Attachment device  
       122   b . Attachment device  
       122   c . Attachment device  
       123 . Lock  
       124 . Magnet surface  
       124   a . Magnet surface  
       124   b . Magnet surface  
       125 . Hinge