Abstract:
A retaining and adjusting device is provided for displaceable furniture parts, in particular for a leaf that is hinged so that it can pivot horizontally on an item of furniture, e.g. for a leaf of an upper cupboard. The device includes at least one control lever, whose length can be adjusted and which can be hinged on the part, the length of the control level and/or the position of the bearing point of the control lever being adjustable when the furniture part is closed.

Description:
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/AT2005/000352, filed Sep. 2, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a retaining and adjustment device for movable furniture parts, in particular for a furniture flap horizontally pivotally connected to a furniture body, e.g. for a flap of an overhead cabinet, which includes at least one actuating arm which can be coupled to the furniture part and which is length-adjustable. The invention further relates to a piece of furniture with a furniture body and a folding flap which includes a first partial flap, which is fixed about a horizontally disposed first axis to a cupboard cover of the furniture body, and a second partial flap, which is pivotably connected about a horizontally disposed second axis with the first partial flap. 
     Furthermore the present invention relates to a method for adjustment of a length-adjustable actuating arm and a further method for setting the bearing point position of an actuating arm connected to a movable furniture part. 
     To move movable furniture parts, in particular furniture flaps of the aforementioned type, so-called cover positioning devices are used, which include an actuating arm to pivot the furniture flap from a closed into an open position. Usually, the cover positioning device has a core which is fixed to a side wall of the furniture body, while the actuation arm projecting out of the core is movably connected to the furniture flap or to a partial flap thereof. As the sizes of the furniture body and/or the furniture flaps vary, there is also variation in the length of the adjustment lever arm required to move the movable furniture part from the completely closed position into the completely open position. Hence length-adjustable actuation arms have already become known in the art, in order to adapt flaps of varying size to various body sizes. In the solutions known in the state of the art, however, the adjustment process has proved to be excessively complicated and time-consuming, since the length-adjustable actuation arm, on installation, is firstly adjusted approximately in its length and, by multiple opening and closing of the furniture flap, is successively adjusted to the requisite length. This is very time-consuming and optimum adjustment is often only achieved by trained specialist personnel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a retaining and adjustment device of the aforementioned type which is characterised, apart from extremely simple operation, by high precision with respect to optimum length adaptation of the actuation arm. 
     This is achieved according to the invention by the fact that the length of the actuation arm and/or the bearing point position of the actuation arm can be adjusted when the furniture part is closed. 
     The adjustment of the actuation arm according to the present invention can be done without the use of tools, since an automatic adjustment occurs which is triggered by a movement of the furniture part initiated by the user—preferably during the closing movement of the furniture flap. This eliminates multiple readjustment and the associated repetitive opening and closing of the furniture flap. When the furniture flap is in closed condition, the actuation arm is in a “default setting” in which it is pre-fixed. 
     Advantageously, provision is made that the actuation arm has at least two actuation arm parts which slide into each other. The execution can then be such that at least two actuation arm parts frictionally engage with each other in order to pre-fix the adjusted length of the actuating arm. Although the actuating arm can alter its length due to the frictional engagement, when reaching the default position it adopts its adjusted position. 
     In construction terms, provision may advantageously be made that the frictional engagement is preferably brought about by a spring-loaded pressure element, which is pressed onto the inner wall of the actuation arm. The spring-loaded pressure element can, for example, be made from plastic with high friction coefficients. As an alternative, in principle all frictional engagement connections known in the state of the art may be used. 
     If the length of the actuation arm is set on reaching the final closed position of the flap, access to the actuation arm can be restored by opening the flap, in which case it is advantageous for the length of the actuating arm to be finally fixable by a stop device. It can then be advantageous if the stop device has a tension lever to enable rapid fixation. 
     As an alternative or addition to the actuation arm described above, another refinement of the invention is characterised in that the bearing point position of the actuating arm can be fixed by a fixation device arranged on the movable furniture part, whereby an actuation member of the fixation device can be actuated from the outside when the furniture part is closed. This means that the bearing location of the attached actuating arm on the furniture flap can be varied and also prefixed. 
     The inventive piece of furniture is characterised in that it has a furniture body and a folding flap, whereby the folding flap comprises a first partial flap which is fixed about a horizontally disposed first axis on a cupboard cover of the furniture body and at least one second partial flap, which is pivotably connected about a horizontally disposed second axis with the first partial flap, wherein there is provided a retaining and adjustment device according to the type described in this specification. 
     The inventive method of adjustment of a length-adjustable actuation arm is characterised by the following steps:
         The actuation arm is pivotably fixed about a first axis on the furniture body and pivotably fixed about a second axis on the movable furniture part,   The movable furniture part is brought into the closed position, whereby the length of the actuation arm is altered,   The movable furniture part is opened again,   The length-adjustable actuation arm is finally fixed in the length set with the furniture part closed.       

     The inventive method of setting the bearing point position of an actuation arm connected to a movable furniture part is characterised by the following steps:
         The actuation arm is pivotably fixed about a first axis on the furniture body and pivotably fixed about a second axis on the movable furniture part,   The movable furniture part is brought into the closed position, whereby the bearing point position of the actuation arm on the movable furniture part is altered,   The movable furniture part is opened again,   The bearing point position of the actuation arm set with the furniture part closed is finally fixed.       

     Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the description of the figures, making reference to the drawings, which show: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  perspectival exemplary sectional view through a piece of furniture with the retaining and adjustment device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  A lateral view of the furniture from  FIG. 1  at the start of the adjustment process of the actuating arm. 
         FIG. 3  A lateral view of the furniture in a further phase of the adjustment process of the actuating arm. 
         FIG. 4  A lateral view of the furniture with parallel partial flaps. 
         FIG. 5  A lateral view of the furniture with the actuating arm being too short. 
         FIG. 6  A lateral view of the furniture with tension lever locked. 
         FIG. 7  A lateral view of the furniture in the closed position with finally fixed actuating arm. 
         FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  An exemplary embodiment of a length-adjustable actuating arm with various detail views. 
         FIG. 9  A further embodiment of the invention with a fixing device to adjust the bearing point position of the actuating arm in the initial position. 
         FIG. 10  A lateral view of the furniture with the bearing point position of the actuating arm being too low. 
         FIG. 11  The arrangement from  FIGS. 9 and 10  with the bearing point position of the actuating arm being too high. 
         FIG. 12  The arrangement from  FIGS. 9 to 11  with parallel partial flaps. 
         FIG. 13  A continuation of the adjustment process from  FIG. 12  with prefixed actuation member. 
         FIG. 14  A further phase of the adjustment process with finally fixed bearing point position of the actuating arm. 
         FIG. 15  The furniture with finally fixed bearing point position of the actuating arm with closed partial flaps. 
         FIG. 16  A perspectival view of the furniture from  FIGS. 9-15  with a detail view of the fixing device. 
         FIGS. 17   a - 17   e  The fixing device for adjusting and fixing the bearing point position in various views. 
         FIGS. 18   a ,  18   b  A view of the fixing device in a perspectival view and also in an exploded view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspectival sectional view through a piece of furniture  1  which has side walls  2 , a cupboard cover  3  and a drawer base  4 . A movable furniture part  5  comprises a folding flap with two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′, where the first partial flap  6  is fixed about a horizontally disposed first axis  7 . The second partial flap  6 ′ is pivotably connected about a horizontally disposed second axis  7 ′ with the first partial flap  6 . A hinge fitting  8  with two- or three-dimensional adjustment can be provided for the reciprocal connection of the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′. A cover positioning device  9  is fixed to the vertical side wall  2 . The device  9  comprises a core  12  and an actuating arm  10  pivotably connected thereon. No further details of the core  12  will be provided in the course of the present invention, since this is not essential to the invention. It should be noted that this core  12  can in principle have all devices known according to the state of the art. The core  12  can be constructed to such a design that it impacts a force upon the actuating arm  10  with a turning moment such that the furniture flap  5  is retained in each pivoted position relative to the furniture body. The actuating arm  10  is fixed so as to be pivotable in the way known in the art about a first axis on the core  12  and pivotable about a second axis on the furniture flap  5 —in the present case, on the lower partial flap  6 ′—via a fixing element  11 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a lateral view of the inner area of the side wall  2  of the piece of furniture  1 . The upper partial flap  6  of the furniture flap  5  is connected with the underside of the cupboard cover  3  by means of an adjustable hinge  13 . The cover positioning device  9  comprises a core  12  fixed to the side wall  2 , to which the length-adjustable actuating arm  10  is pivotably connected. As the sizes of the furniture body and/or the furniture flaps  6 ,  6 ′ vary, the requisite length of the actuating arm  10  must also be varied, in order to move the furniture flap  5  with its partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ into its completely closed position, so that the partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ lie flat on the front side of the furniture body. The actuating arm  10  has at least one actuating arm part  10 ′, which is pivotably connected via the axis  11 ′ of the fixing element  11  to the partial flap  6 ′ and can be displaced relative to the actuating arm  10 . Preferably, the actuating arm  10  and its actuating arm part  10 ′ can be slid into each other in the manner of a telescope. The actuating arm parts  10 ,  10 ′ are connected to prefix the adjusted length by frictional engagement and can be finally fixed in their position relative to each other by a tension lever  14  of a stop device  15  which is yet to be described. 
       FIG. 3  shows the position of the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ and the actuating arm  10  with its telescoping actuating arm part  10 ′ in a further phase of the adjustment process. In the view shown, the length of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is too short, so that the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ cannot be brought into the intended closed position so that they lie flat on the front face of the furniture body. The partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ can be brought into their closed position by manual pressure on the area of the hinge fitting  8 , whereby the length of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is altered. This is possible due to the frictional connection of the actuating arm  10  with its actuating arm part  10 ′. Preferably, provision is made that the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is in a substantially retracted position at the start of the adjustment process. 
       FIG. 4  shows a lateral view of the piece of furniture  1  in the next phase of the adjustment process. Both partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ of the furniture flap  5  have already been brought into their closed position, the actuating arm  10  and its actuating arm part  10 ′ having changed in their position relative to each other, in this case becoming longer. Both partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ essentially lie flat on the front of the furniture body. 
       FIG. 5  shows a lateral view of the furniture with the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ being too long. When the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is too short or too long in the initial position, the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ are not yet arranged exactly parallel to the furniture body. The unadjusted position of the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ can also be due to the elastic behaviour of the whole system. In order to shorten the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′, the lower partial flap  6 ′ in the area of its lower edge  16  is moved, counter to the direction of the arrow shown, towards the furniture body, while the area of the central pivot point in the proximity of the hinge fitting  8  is pulled outwards with the other hand, and thus moved slightly away from the furniture body again. This reduces the length of the actuating arm  10  with its actuating arm part  10 ′ and the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ can be aligned exactly with the furniture body. The length of the actuating arm  10  for the purpose of intended movability of the furniture flap  5  has now adopted its requisite extent and is prefixed in its length by the frictional connection provided. 
     Should the length of the actuation arm  10 ,  10 ′ be too short in the initial position, the furniture flap  5  would be somewhat arched in relation to the furniture body. In this case, the arched furniture flap  5  is pressed onto the furniture body from outside in the area of the hinge fitting  8 , with the result that the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is lengthened. Both partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ can thus be adapted in parallel fashion to the furniture body. 
       FIG. 6  shows the lateral view of the piece of furniture  1  in a subsequent phase of the adjustment process. The furniture flap  5  is—as shown—again brought into an open position, as the result of which the tension lever  14 —which has previously always been in a relaxed position—becomes accessible. The tension lever  14  is part of a stop device  15 , not shown, by which the length-adjustable actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is finally fixed in the position which has been prefixed during closing of the furniture flap  5 . The tension lever  14  ends substantially flush with the outer area of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′, which can effectively prevent any unintentional opening of the tension lever  14 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a lateral view of the furniture  1  with the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ in the closed position, where the actuating arm  10  has been finally fixed by the tension lever  14  as described in  FIG. 6 . The adjustment process up to the final fixation consists merely of a single closing and a single opening movement. 
       FIG. 8   a  shows an embodiment of a length-adjustable actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′.  FIG. 8   b  and  FIG. 8   c  respectively show the detail D 1  and D 2  from  FIG. 8   a .  FIG. 8   a  shows the actuating arm  10  and its adjustable actuating arm part  10 ′, which are held together by a frictional connection  17 —as shown in  FIG. 8   b —against displacement relative to each other. The frictional connection  17  in the interior of the actuating arm  10  has a retaining part  18 , while a spring element  19  in the form of a pressure spring is housed in a bore. Here the pressure part  20  acted on by the spring element  19  is constantly pressed against the inner side  21  of the actuating arm  10 . So although both actuating arm parts  10 ,  10 ′ can be moved if the frictional forces are overcome, these forces are nevertheless sufficient for a prefixation of the two actuating arm parts  10 ,  10 ′. For final fixation, a stop device  15  is provided, which includes an adjusting rod  22 , on the end of which is moulded a wedge-shaped tension element  23 . If the adjusting rod  22 —as also shown in  FIG. 8   b —is moved to the left by actuation of the tension lever  14 , pressure is exerted via the wedge-shaped area of the tension part  23  on the corresponding area of the clamping element  24 , as the result of which the clamping element  24  is pressed onto the inner wall  21  of the actuating arm  10 , thus enabling stable fixation of the two movable levers  10 ,  10 ′.  FIG. 8   c  shows the detail D 2  from  FIG. 8   a , where this side of the actuating arm part  10 ′ is connected with the core  12  which can be fixed to the furniture body. By actuating the tension lever  14  towards the actuating arm part  10 ′, an eccentric  37  is moved, in which a moulded-on head  38  of the adjusting rod  22  is supported. By moving the eccentric  37 , the adjusting rod  22  is also moved via the head  38  and thus the wedge-shaped tension part  23 —as described above under  FIG. 8   b —is moved. 
       FIG. 9  shows an advantageous refinement of the invention in which the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is adjustable when the furniture part  5  is closed. The lateral view shown again shows a side wall  2  of the piece of furniture  1  with cupboard cover  3  and cabinet base  4 . A movable furniture part  5  in the form of two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ is attached to a hinge  13  fixed to the underside of the cupboard cover  3 . The two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ are connected to each other via a horizontal axis with an adjustable two- or three-dimensional hinge fitting  8 . A core  12  of a cover positioning device  9  with which an actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is rigidly connected, is fixed to the side wall  2 . The actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is connected to the lower partial flap  6 ′, where the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ can be fixed by a fixing device  26  arranged on the lower partial flap  6 ′, whereby an actuation member  25  of the fixing device  26  can be actuated from outside when the furniture part  5  is closed. This fixing device  26  provided at the bearing point position is preferably provided when the actuating arm  10  is not length-adjustable, but has a length already provided in the scope of delivery of the furniture according to the size of the flap. This adjustment of the bearing point position serves, in the present case, to equalise slight dimensional and production tolerances of the furniture system. 
       FIG. 10  shows a lateral view of the furniture  1  from  FIG. 9  in a further step of the adjustment process for pre-fixation of the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′. In the view shown, the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is set too low in relation to the lower partial flap  6 ′, hence both partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ are unable to lie flat on the furniture body. The remedy for this is that the bearing part  27  is vertically adjustable within the fixing device  26  with respect to the partial flap  6 ′, as long as the actuation member  25  is not in a clamping connection with the fixing device  26 . The actuation member  25  protrudes beyond the lower edge of the cabinet base  4 , so that this is actuatable even when the furniture flap  5  is closed. As in  FIG. 3 , when there is too short an actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′, both partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ are moved in the direction of the closed position by pressure on the furniture flap  5  in the area of the hinge fitting  8 , as the result of which, when the length of the adjustment lever arm  10 ,  10 ′ cannot be adjusted, the bearing part  27  slides upwards in relation to the fixing device  26  and therefore to the partial flap  6 ′. 
       FIG. 11  shows a position of both partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ where the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is set too high with respect to the lower partial flap  6 ′. As in  FIG. 5 , when there is too long an actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′, the lower partial flap  6 ′ in the area of the lower edge—in the present case on the actuation member  25 —is moved towards the furniture body counter to the direction of the arrow shown, while at the same time the partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ are drawn slightly outwards with the other hand in the area of the hinge fitting  8 , so that with an actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ which is invariable in length, the bearing part  27  slides downwards slightly in relation to the lower partial flap  6 ′. 
       FIG. 12  shows the position of the partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ in a further phase of the adjustment process for prefixation of the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ in which the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ lie flat on the front of the furniture body. Now the actuation member  25  can—as indicated—be actuated with the furniture flap  5  closed, by being pushed vertically upwards. 
       FIG. 13  shows the continuation of the adjustment process of the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′. By pressing on the actuation member  25  of the fixing device  26 , the bearing part  27  has been prefixed and thus is in a “default setting”. The actuation member  25  substantially abuts on the lower edge of the cabinet base  4 . 
       FIG. 14  shows a continuation of the adjustment process after the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ have again been brought into an open position. The final fixation of the bearing part  27  can now be made by the actuation member  25  by bringing this completely into its final position. The length of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ with the described adjustment of its bearing point enables an intended open and closed position of the flaps  6 ,  6 ′. 
       FIG. 15  shows the closed position of the two partial flaps  6 ,  6 ′ with fixed position of the bearing part  27 , on which the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is pivotably connected. In the final fixation, the actuation member  25  of the fixing device  26  has been pushed so far into the fixing device  26  that it is no longer visible from the outside. This method of adjustment of the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ can either be used when the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ cannot be adjusted in length or—if necessary—also when a length-adjustable actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ is used. 
       FIG. 16  shows a perspectival view of the furniture  1  from  FIGS. 9 to 15  with a partly dismantled detail view D 3  of the adjustment and fixation of the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′. The cover positioning device  9  comprises a core  9 , not described in more detail, which is fixed to one side wall  2  of the furniture  1 . Furthermore, the cover positioning device  9  includes an actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ which is pivotably connected via a coupling piece  28  with the bearing part  27  of the fixing device  26 . The fixing device  26  is arranged on the back of the lower partial flap  6 ′ and includes the actuation member  25  in the form of a movable lever, which, when actuated, effects a clamping of the bearing part  27 . 
       FIGS. 17   a  to  17   e  show various views of the fixing device  26  for the adjustment and fixation of the bearing point position of the actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′ connected to the movable furniture part  5 .  FIG. 17   a  shows a perspectival view of the fixing device  26 ,  FIG. 17   b  the fixing device  26  without cover frame  29  in untensioned condition,  FIG. 17   c  the fixing device  26  with partly dismantled cover frame  29  in tensioned condition, while  FIG. 17   d  is a sectional view along the axis C-C from  FIG. 17   b  of the fixing device  26  in untensioned condition and  FIG. 17   e  is a sectional view along the axis B-B from  FIG. 17   c  in tensioned condition. 
       FIG. 17   a  shows the perspectival view of the fixing device  26  in which the bearing part  27  is supported so as to be vertically adjustable. The adjustment path here is preferably limited to a small area, as only small tolerances are equalised. A cutaway view of the fixing device  26  from the front is shown in  FIG. 17   b . The bearing part  27  has a vertical bar  34 —not shown in this figure—which is housed between two clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ which are arranged parallel to each other in a clamping mechanism. The position of the bearing part  27  is fixable by the clamping mechanism, where the actuation member  25  is in direct contact with the two clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′. The two toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ are acted on by the force of a spring element  31  so that they are forced outwards, as the result of which the vertical bar  34  of the bearing part  27  is not clamped. The bearing part  27  can thus be movably retained in the position shown in  FIG. 17  within a partial area of the toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′. The toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ have slanted areas  33 ,  33 ′ in their lower area. When the actuation member  25  is moved upwards, pressure is exerted against the force of the spring element  31  via the arranged slanted areas  33 ,  33 ′, as the result of which these two toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ are pressed together to clamp the vertical bar  34  in between. This tensioned position is visible from  FIG. 17   c .  FIG. 17   d  shows a top view along the axis C-C from  FIG. 17   d , where the toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ are somewhat distanced from the vertical bar  34 .  FIG. 17   e  shows a top view along the axis B-B from  FIG. 17   c , where the toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ abut on the vertical bar  34 , thereby clamping it. 
       FIG. 18   a  shows the fixing device  26  with the bearing part  27  which can be fixed by the actuation member  25  in a perspectival view.  FIG. 18   b  shows an exploded view of the fixing device  26  with the cover frame  29 , which has a vertical slot  36 . In the assembled condition, the bearing part  27  projects through this slot  36 . On the back side of the bearing part  27  is provided a vertical bar  34 , which can be clamped by the toothed clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′. In the upper area, the clamping jaws  32 ,  32 ′ are held together by a connection part  35  and screwed onto the fixing frame  30 , so that the actuation member  25 , which can be actuated when the furniture flap  5  is closed, can fix the bearing part  27  in its position. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes or extends to all technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the following claims. The positional details which are selected in the description, such as for example above, under, lateral, etc. relate to the usual installation position or to the directly described and illustrated figure and, if there is any change in position, should be transferred logically to the new position. The use of the inventive retaining and adjustment device is not limited solely to use with folding flaps  5 , but in principle encompasses all—including one-piece—furniture flaps  5  which are moved by an actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′. In the process for adjustment of the length-adjustable actuating arm  10 ,  10 ′, this is preferably in a retracted condition in the original position. The process can, however, also be executed such that the adjustment lever arm  10 ,  10 ′ is brought from an extended position into a retracted position.