Patent Publication Number: US-10321759-B2

Title: Guide device for guiding a furniture pull-out that is moveable relative to a furniture body

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) to German Application No. 20 2015 006 278.4 filed on Sep. 4, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a guide device for guiding a furniture pull-out, which can be moved in relation to a furniture body, said guide device comprising at least one guide unit, which has a body rail, which can be fastened to the furniture body, and at least one running rail, which is displaceably mounted relative to the body rail, and comprising a functional device, which comprises at least a first functional element, which can be fastened to the moveable furniture pull-out, and at least one body-sided second functional element, both functional elements being guided on one another during the retraction movement and/or the extension movement of the furniture pull-out. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Guide devices for guiding a furniture pull-out, which can be moved in relation to a furniture body, for example, pull-out guides for drawers, have already been known for a long time. Furthermore, it is known to equip such guide devices with functional devices, for example, with a self-retracting device, by means of which the moveable piece of furniture, in particular, the drawer, after a certain closing travel of the drawer, retracts automatically or in a power-assisted manner into the closed position. 
     In addition, it is known to provide guide devices with functional devices in the form of a damping device, by which it is possible to damp the retraction and/or extension movement of the moveable piece of furniture into the closing and/or opening position. Furthermore, it is known to provide adjustment devices, with which the position of the moveable piece of furniture with respect to the guide device can be changed. Such adjustment devices include, in particular, side, depth, height and/or tilt adjustment devices. 
     Usually several of the aforementioned functional devices are combined with each other. In this case the task of keeping the functional devices functionally effective during the side, depth and/or height adjustment of the moveable piece of furniture with respect to the guide device is often a problem, if said functional devices consist of components, which are moved on the furniture pull-out and, therefore, are moved with it at the same time, and stationary components, since the moveable piece of furniture will jump off the converging track of the components as a result of the adjustment. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a guide device of the type, described in the introductory part of the specification, in such a way that the functional devices, which are arranged on the guide device, are reliably effective, even in the event that the position of the associated moveable piece of furniture is adjusted. 
     The guide device of the invention is characterized by the feature that it has a catch device, which has a bearing mechanism, by means of which the first or second functional element can be moveably hung, and a control surface, which is formed on the first and/or second functional element and by means of which the moveable first functional element can be captured in order to subsequently guide on the second functional element. As a result, the catch device makes it possible to guarantee that the functional device is functionally effective, even if the moveable piece of furniture is adjusted in its position, for example, in relation to the guide device, for example, by carrying out a side adjustment and/or a tilt adjustment of the moveable piece of furniture with respect to the guide device. Thus, the catch device makes sure that the component of the functional device that is disposed on the moveable piece of furniture comes into contact with the component, which is disposed on the guide device, in such a way that the functional device is functionally effective. 
     In a further development of the invention the pull-out-sided first functional element can be suspended from the furniture pull-out by means of the bearing mechanism in a manner allowing movement relative to the furniture pull-out, and the body-sided second functional element can be fastened stationarily relative to the furniture body via a mounting mechanism. Therefore, it is useful for one of the functional elements to be hung rigidly and the other to be hung moveably. Preferably the pull-out-sided first functional element is hung moveably, while the body-sided second functional element is fastened rigidly. As an alternative, however, it is also conceivable to fasten the pull-out-sided first functional element rigidly to the furniture pull-out and to fasten the body-sided second functional element moveably to the furniture body. 
     In a particularly preferred manner the control surface is formed on the body-sided second functional element. Therefore, the second body-sided functional element can provide a constraining guide for the pull-out-sided first functional element. 
     It is possible that the control surface has an inclined section that extends at an angle in relation to the direction of movement of the furniture pull-out. This arrangement makes it easier to move the pull-out-sided first functional element, which is moved at the same time that the furniture pull-out is moved, into the constraining guide of the second functional element. 
     It is particularly preferred that the second functional element has a control element, which is designed, in particular, in the manner of a web having a bottom side, on which the control surface is formed. It is particularly preferred that the inclined section of the control surface is located on the control element, and that preferably the second functional element has a check surface that is located opposite the control surface and that forms together with the control surface a kind of guide channel in order to guide the pull-out-sided first guide element. The check surface may also have an inclined section that forms together with the inclined section of the control surface a kind of retraction funnel. 
     In a further development of the invention the body-sided second functional element has a mounting interface for fastening, in particular, without a tool to the furniture body or to a mounting angle bracket, which can be fastened to the furniture body, or to a mounting section of the body rail. 
     For a further development of the invention the second functional element is designed as a flat body, in particular, in the manner of a plate. 
     It is possible that the body-sided second functional element has at least one fastening interface for fastening accessory parts thereto. Then at least one accessory part can be fastened in a fast and easy way to the body-sided second functional element via the at least one fastening interface. It is expedient for the accessory carrier to have a plurality of fastening interfaces, so that it is possible to fasten a plurality of accessory parts to said accessory carrier. If there is a plurality of fastening interfaces, then it is possible to populate all of the fastening interfaces with accessory parts or, depending on the specific requirements, only the respective fastening interface that is required for the associated accessory part. 
     In a further development of the invention the pull-out-sided first functional element has a base section, which can be rigidly fastened to the furniture pull-out, and a movement section, which is moveably hung in relation to the base section, where in this case the movement section can be moved between a starting position and functional positions, which are, in particular, farther away from the base section. In principle, the movement section can occupy any functional position between the starting position and an end position, which is defined by the maximum stroke between the base section and the movement section. 
     It is possible that the bearing mechanism have at least one spring element having a spring force that acts on the movement section in the direction of the starting position. It is expedient for the movement section to have a guide section, which is assigned to the control surface and which is guided on the control surface. 
     In a further development of the invention the bearing mechanism is designed to hang the movement section in a manner allowing a swiveling motion in relation to the base section. 
     In a particularly preferred manner the bearing mechanism has a hinge that is effective between the base section and the movement section. 
     It is possible that the bearing mechanism is designed for a linearly moveable suspension of the movement section in relation to the base section. 
     In a further development of the invention the functional device is designed as a damping device in order to damp the opening movement of the moveable piece of furniture. Preferably in this case a clamping roller is provided on one of the functional elements, in particular, on the first functional element, and a clamping wedge, which interacts with the clamping roller, is provided on the other one of the functional elements, in particular, on the second functional element. The result of this arrangement is a kind of mechanical brake, which checks the outward extension movement of the furniture pull-out into the open position. It goes without saying that it is also possible to employ the functional devices in a different way. For example, the damping device could also be used to damp the closing movement of the furniture pull-out. Furthermore, it is possible to design the functional device as a self-retracting device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in greater detail below. The drawings show in: 
         FIG. 1  a diagrammatic representation of a first exemplary embodiment of the inventive guide device with a first and second functional element of the functional device. 
         FIG. 2  an exploded representation of  FIG. 1 , where in this case the pull-out-sided first functional element is just about to enter into engagement with the body-sided second functional element of the functional device. 
         FIG. 3  a representation of the guide device from  FIG. 2 , with the pull-out-sided first functional element being retracted into the body-sided second functional element. 
         FIG. 4  a perspective representation of the functional device of the inventive guide device with the two functional elements disengaged. 
         FIG. 5  a perspective representation of the functional device from  FIG. 4 , with the pull-out-sided first functional element engaged with the body-sided second functional element. 
         FIG. 6  an exploded perspective representation of the functional device from  FIG. 4 , with the pull-out-sided first functional element being guided on the body-sided second functional element. 
         FIG. 7  a front view of the functional device from  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  a plan view of the functional device from  FIG. 4 , with the two functional elements disengaged. 
         FIG. 9  a plan view of the functional device from  FIG. 8 , with the pull-out-sided first functional element engaged with the body-sided second functional element. 
         FIG. 10  a plan view of the functional device from  FIG. 4 , with the pull-out-sided first functional element being guided on the body-sided second functional element. 
         FIG. 11  a plan view of the functional device from  FIG. 4 , in the course of exercising the function of the functional device. 
         FIG. 12  a perspective representation of the body-sided second functional element mounted on an associated body-sided furniture component. 
         FIG. 13  a perspective representation of the pull-out-sided first functional element of the functional device, shown in  FIGS. 1 to 12 , and 
         FIG. 14  a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive guide device with a second embodiment of the pull-out-sided first functional element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 13  show a first exemplary embodiment of the guide device  11  according to the invention. In this case the guide device  11 , which is shown and described only for illustrative purposes, is used to guide a furniture pull-out in the form of a drawer that can be moved in relation to a furniture body. 
     The drawer is displaceably mounted in relation to a furniture body  80  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) by means of the guide device  11 . The guide device  11  comprises a plurality of guide units  13 , of which two guide units  13  are assigned to the side edges of the drawer that are opposite each other. In the drawing a single guide unit  13  is shown only in schematic form, but the other guide unit, which is assigned to the opposite side edge of the drawer, is constructed in the same way. 
     Each of the guide units  13  has a body rail  14 , which can be configured, for example, as a bent-over sheet metal component. The body rail  14  is fastened via a suitable fastener to an associated side wall of a drawer holder, which is designed in the furniture body, in such a way that said body rail is fixed in position. A central rail (not depicted) is displaceably mounted on the body rail  14 , and on this central rail in turn a pull-out rail  70  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) is displaceably guided by a bearing mechanism. The pull-out rail is assigned to the drawer and extends below the drawer bottom  15  in the depth direction. The combination of body rail  14 , central rail and pull-out rail is called full extension. However, it is also conceivable to use the guide units  13  without the central rail. 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 1 , the drawer comprises not only the drawer bottom  15 , but also a drawer front in the form of a front panel  16  and a drawer rear wall  17 . Between the front panel  16  and the drawer rear wall  17  there extend two drawer side parts  18 , which are opposite each other, and each of these drawer side parts extends in the pull-out direction of the drawer. In  FIGS. 1 to 3  only one drawer side part  18  is shown. The drawer side part  18  can be designed as a side frame or as a side wall. In the illustrated example the drawer side part  18  is designed as a side fame, in which the adjustment devices  19  for adjusting the position of the drawer in relation to the guide device  11  are received. 
     As shown in schematic form in  FIG. 1 , the adjustment devices  19  comprise a height and/or tilt adjustment unit  20 , which can be operated by the user via an actuating element  21 , which may be found in the side frame, in order to adjust the tilt of the drawer in relation to the guide unit  13 . The tilt adjustment of the drawer is carried out, in particular, with the objective of achieving at the front panel  16  in the retracted state of the drawer a visually uniform joint appearance in relation to the adjacent furniture body. 
     Furthermore, the guide device  11  comprises a functional device  22 , which has at least a first functional element  23 , which can be fastened to the drawer, and at least one body-sided second functional element  24 , where both first and second functional elements are guided on one another during the inward retraction and/or outward extension movement of the furniture pull-out. 
     In the case of the example the functional device  22  is designed as a damping device for damping the opening movement of the drawer. As shown, in particular, in  FIGS. 8 to 11 , a clamping roller  25  is located on one of the functional elements  23 ,  24 , expediently on the pull-out-sided first functional element  23 , and a clamping wedge  26 , which interacts with the clamping roller  25 , is located on the other one of the functional elements  23 ,  24 , preferably on the body-sided second functional element  24 . 
     The clamping roller  25  and the clamping wedge  26  form a mechanical damping device in the manner of a brake. In the course of moving inwards, the clamping roller  25  is wedged at the clamping wedge  26  as a result of the tapering clamping gap  27 . This arrangement makes sure that the outward extension movement of the drawer into the opening position is slowed down and, as a result, is damped. 
     Hence, in order to guarantee the function of the functional device  22 , which is designed as a damping device, there is the requirement that the clamping roller  25  must come into engagement with the clamping wedge  26 . Therefore, it is necessary that the pull-out-sided first functional element  23 , which is moved at the same time that the drawer moves, comes into engagement with the body-sided second functional element  24  in such a way that the clamping roller  25  and the clamping wedge  26  are effective. 
     Therefore, the functional device  22  has a catch device  28 , which has a bearing mechanism, by means of which the first or second functional element  23 ,  24  can be hung in a manner allowing movement, and has a control surface  29 , which is formed on the first and/or second functional element  23 ,  24 , and this control surface is used to capture the moveable first functional element  23 , in order to subsequently guide the second functional element  24 . 
     In particular,  FIG. 13  shows a first embodiment of the pull-out-sided first functional element  23 . The first functional element  23  is suspended from the drawer by a bearing mechanism in a manner allowing movement in relation to the drawer. For this purpose the first functional element  23  has a plate-like base section  29  having a top side, from which a particularly cube-shaped mounting web  30  projects upwards. The mounting web  30  has, in particular, two mounting openings  31 , in order to pass through a suitable fastener, for example, fastening screws, as a result of which the base section and, thus, the first functional element  23  can be fastened to the drawer. 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the first functional element  23  is assigned to the drawer rear wall  17 , with the mounting web  30  adjoining the outer face of the drawer rear wall  17  and being fastened there by the fastener. In contrast, the base section  29  projects at right angles from the mounting web  30  and extends below the drawer rear wall  17  in the region underneath the drawer bottom  15 . 
     Furthermore, the first functional element  23  has a movement section  32 , which is hung in a manner allowing movement in relation to the base section  29 . The movement section is also designed in the manner of a plate and is arranged at a distance opposite the base section  29 . 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 13 , the movement section  32  is suspended from the base section  29  by the bearing mechanism in a manner allowing a swiveling motion. The bearing mechanism comprises a hinge  33 , which is effective between the base section  29  and the movement section  32 . The hinge  33  is disposed in the region of one of the side edges of the drawer in such a way that on the side of the first functional element  23  that is opposite the hinge  33 , an opening, which extends in the pull-out direction, is formed between the base section  29  and the movement section  32  of the first functional element  23 . The hinge  33  comprises a hinge axis  34 , which connects the two hinge-sided ends, which face each other, of the base section  29 , on the one hand, and of the movement section  32 , on the other hand. Said hinge axis prevents the freely hanging movement section  32  from disconnecting itself from the base section  29 . The hinge side of the first functional element  23  forms a kind of book spine, as a result of which the movement section  32  can be swung out and away from the base section  29 . 
     Furthermore, the hinge  33  has two hinge legs  35 , which are arranged on the base section  29  on opposite transverse sides and which project away from the base section  29 . These hinge legs plunge into corresponding hinge retainers  36 , which are disposed on the two opposite transverse sides on the movement section  32  and which open in the direction of the base section  29 . When the movement section  32  is swiveled about the hinge axis  34  in relation to the base section  29 , the legs  35  move a little way out of the associated hinge retainers. 
     As shown, furthermore, in  FIG. 13 , there is at least one spring, in particular, a tension spring  37 , between the base section  29  and the movement section  32  of the first functional element  23 . This tension spring makes sure that the movement section  32  of the first functional element  23  snaps back into its starting position, when it is not engaged with the second functional element  24 . 
     It is expedient for there to be two tension springs  37 , of which the one is assigned to the transverse side and the other is assigned to the other transverse side of the first functional element  23 . The tension springs  37  can be separate parts with respect to the base section  29  and the movement section  32 . These tension springs can be fastened, on the one hand, to the base section  29  and, on the other hand, to the movement section  32  in such a way that they can be disconnected. For example, these tension springs can be clipped into retainers, which are provided for this purpose. It is possible that the tension springs  37  are made of the material of the first functional element  23 , which is made of a synthetic plastic material. However, as an alternative, it is also possible to make the tension springs  37  of other materials, for example, a metal material. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 13 , the aforementioned clamping roller  25  is on board the first functional element  23 , and, in particular, it is positioned there in a rotating manner on a pin-like roller bearing  38 , which projects upwards from the top side of the movement section  32 . The clamping roller  25  is made expediently of a rubber material. 
     As shown, in addition, in  FIG. 13 , there is a guide section  39  on the longitudinal side of the movement section  32  that faces away from the hinge. Said guide section comes to rest against the aforementioned control surface  60  of the second functional element  24  and is guided there. The guide section  39  has an external guide web  40 , which forms a long-sided termination of the movement section  32 . The guide web  40  is spaced apart from the clamping roller  25 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12  as an example, the body-sided second functional element  24  is fastened to the body rail  14 . For this purpose the body rail has a plurality of mounting angle brackets  41 , which are arranged one after the other in succession in the longitudinal direction of the body rail  14 . Of the mounting angle bracket  41 , only one mounting angle bracket or, more specifically, the foremost mounting angle bracket is shown on the body rail in  FIG. 12  merely for illustrative purposes. The mounting angle bracket  41  has a mounting leg  42 , which has a plurality of fastening holes  43 , which are arranged, for example, one after the other in rows. These fastening holes can be used to fasten the mounting angle bracket  41  via a suitable fastener, for example, screws, to an associated side wall of a drawer holder (not depicted), which is designed in the furniture body, in such a way that the mounting angle bracket is fixed in position. 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 1 , the second functional element  24  extends below the drawer bottom  15  of the drawer. 
     The mounting angle bracket  41  has a functional leg  44 , which projects at an angle, in particular, at right angles from the mounting leg  42  and to which the second functional element  24  can be fastened. The second body-sided functional element  24  is designed as a flat body, for example, in the form of a carrier plate. The second functional element  24 , which can also be referred to as the accessory carrier, is made expediently of a synthetic plastic material. 
     On a top side  45  of the second functional element  24  there is a mounting interface  45  for mounting the second functional element  24  on the functional leg  44  of the mounting angle bracket  41 . The mounting interface  45  has first and second holders  46   a,    46   b,  which overlap the functional leg  44  of the mounting angle bracket  41  in the mounted state of the second functional element  24 . 
     The second functional element  24  has a slot  47 , which extends transversely to its longitudinal extent and which is open towards a longitudinal side of the second functional element  24 . 
     The slot  47  divides the second functional element  24  into a first and a second carrier part  48   a,    48   b.  The two carrier parts  48   a,    48   b  can be moved relative to each other in such a way that the distance between the two holders  46   a,    46   b  for mounting the second functional element  24  on the associated functional leg  44  can be enlarged with simultaneous widening of the slot  47 . The two carrier parts  48   a,    48   b  are connected together via a solid hinged joint  49  at the base of the slot  47  in such a way that they can be moved. In addition, the rear section is designed to be springy/resilient. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 12 , the second functional element  24  has a control element  50 , which is designed in the manner of a web having a bottom side, on which the control surface  60  is formed. 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 6  and also in  FIG. 8 , the web-like control element  50  extends on one of the longitudinal sides of the second functional element  24 . However, at that location said control element does not extend parallel to the opposite longitudinal side, but rather protrudes outwardly into a direction of retraction  51  ( FIG. 8 ) of the first functional element  23 . 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 6 , the control surface  60  at the control element  50  has a funnel-shaped retraction region  52 , which is formed by an inclined section  53 , which extends at an angle, on the control surface  60  and a corresponding inclined section  54  on a check surface  55 , opposite the control surface  60 . 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the control surface  60  on the bottom side of the control element  50  and the opposite check surface  55  form a kind of guide channel  56 , in order to guide the guide section  39  of the first functional element  23 . Opposite the retraction region  52 , the control surface  60  and the check surface  55  form an extension region  57 , which is also in the shape of a funnel. 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 1 , the drawer is initially in the closed position, shown in  FIG. 1 , i.e., completely retracted into the associated drawer holder. The two functional elements  23 ,  24  are far away from each other, because the second functional element  24  is in the region of the front panel  16  of the drawer, whereas the first functional element  23  is assigned to the drawer rear wall  17 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show the situation, in which the drawer is pulled out in the direction of its open position, immediately before the first functional element  23  comes into contact with the second functional element  24 . As stated above, in order to damp the outward extension movement into the open position it is necessary that the clamping roller  25  comes into contact with the clamping wedge  26 . If at this point a tilt adjustment of the drawer is carried out, as shown in schematic form in  FIG. 3 , by moving the front panel  16  downwards and correspondingly by moving the drawer rear wall  17  upwards, then there is the requirement that the functional device  22 , which is designed as the damping device, must remain functionally effective even during this tilt adjustment. However, this function is guaranteed by means of the catch device  28  and the two functional elements  23 ,  24 . Irrespective of the tilt of the drawer, the guide section  39  on the movement section  32  of the first functional element  23  enters into the funnel-like retraction region  52  on the first functional element  23 , and the guide section  39  rests with its top side against the control surface  60  of the bottom side of the control element  50 , as a result of which the first functional element  23  is then automatically guided by the control surface  60 . 
     If the first functional element  23  is located further upwards in accordance with  FIG. 3  as a result of the tilt adjustment, then the movement section  32  swings away from the base section  29 , which is stationary in relation to the drawer, i.e., is swung away from the stationary base section  29  by means of the hinge  33 . In any event the stroke of the movement section  32  is adjusted with respect to the base section  29  in such a way that said stroke is greater than the adjustment travel during the tilt adjustment, so that it is always guaranteed that the first functional element  23  enters into the guide channel  56  on the second functional element  24  and is guided at that location. 
     As the sequence of  FIGS. 8 to 11  shows, during the retraction movement of the first functional element  23 , the clamping roller  25 , which is disposed on the movement section  32 , comes into contact with the outer face of the control element  50 , which forms the clamping wedge  26 . When the first functional element  23  continues to move further into the guide channel  56 , the clamping gap  27  decreases, so that the result is a clamping effect, which in turn causes the drawer to slow down. Since the web-like control element  50  is elastically resilient to some extent and since the clamping roller is also made of a rubber material, the braking process does not take place abruptly, but rather slowly. 
       FIG. 14  shows a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive guide device  11 , which differs from the above described first exemplary embodiment in that another embodiment of the first functional element  23  is used. In contrast to the above described first exemplary embodiment, the base section  29  and the movement section  32  of the first functional element  23  are not hung in a manner allowing a swiveling motion in relation to each other, but rather are hung in a manner allowing a linear motion in relation to each other. 
     As shown, in particular, in  FIG. 14 , there are two upwardly opened retainers  58  on the top side of the movement section  32  of the first functional element  23 , and the respective leg springs  59  can be inserted into the said retainers and fastened there. On the other hand, the two leg springs  59 , which are disposed on the opposite transverse sides of the second functional element  24 , are fastened to the base section  29 . Consequently the leg springs  59  have a first leg  61 , which is assigned to the movement section  32 , and a second leg  62 , which is assigned to the base section  29 , and these first and second legs can be spread far apart from each other. Therefore, during the inward retraction movement of the first functional element  23  in accordance with a tilt adjustment of the drawer shown in  FIG. 3 , the two legs  61 ,  62  spread apart, and the movement section  32  is moved linearly away from the base section  29 , so that it can move into the retraction region  52  of the first functional element  23 .