Abstract:
A fastening device connects two wall parts of a furniture part, in particular a rear wall to a side wall of a drawer. The fastening device has at least one locking projection resilient about an imaginary spring axis on one wall part, which locking projection can be locked—preferably detachably—into a locking receptacle fastened to or formed on the other wall part. The imaginary spring axis of the locking projection is at an angle—preferably substantially at a right angle—from a wall of the wallpart. The locking receptacle is formed on the other wall part as an opening, and an imaginary normal on the opening is substantially parallel to the imaginary spring axis of the resilient locking projection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention concerns a fastening device for connecting two wall parts of a furniture part, in particular a rear wall to a side wall of a drawer. The fastening device on a wall part has at least one resilient latch which is resilient about a notional spring axis and which is —preferably releasably—latchable into a latching receiving means provided or fastened to the other wall part. 
     Furthermore, the invention concerns a connecting fitting for transversely connecting two wall parts of a furniture part with a fastening device of the kind to be described. The invention further concerns a drawer and an article of furniture having a connecting fitting of the specified kind. 
     Fastening devices of that kind already form part in large numbers of the state of the art. Thus, for example, DE 32 18 504 C2 of 25 Mar. 1993 discloses a fastening device, by means of which a rear wall can be connected to a side wall of a drawer. In that case, the fastening device has two resilient latches arranged at a wall of the drawer, which correspond to recesses in a further wall. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide a fastening device which is improved over the state of the art. 
     This object is therefore achieved in that the notional spring axis of the resilient latch is provided transversely—preferably substantially at a right angle—relative to a wall of the wall part. The latching receiving means on the other wall part is in the form of an opening, and a notional normal to the opening extends substantially parallel to the notional spring axis of the resilient latch. 
     In other words, this means that the push-on direction of the latching receiving means extends substantially parallel—not at a right angle—to the notional spring axis of the resilient latch and thus a joining direction extends substantially parallel to the notional spring axis of the resilient latch and thereby the latching receiving means is movable in a sole single joining direction until reaching an end latching position over the resilient resilient latch, and that permits extremely simple assembly. 
     As a result, the longitudinal extent of the resilient latch is not at a right angle to the wall of the wall part but preferably extends substantially parallel to that wall. Thus, the width of the wall part has no influence on the possible length of the resilient latch. In that way, even very narrow wall parts can also be connected to a further wall part, with such a fastening device. 
     In the fastening devices belonging to the state of the art, in contrast, the width of the wall part is directly related to the length of the resilient latch as those resilient latches are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the wall of the wall part and can extend therefore at a maximum over the width of the wall part, without in that case projecting beyond the wall part. 
     The fastening device thus provides a compact solution for a fastening device for connecting two wall parts of a furniture part. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening device has at least one second resilient latch whose notional spring axis is provided transversely—preferably substantially at a right angle—to a wall of the wall part. A more stable fastening device can be achieved by means of a second resilient latch. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the two resilient latches can be substantially parallel to each other and be connected together. That measure can also contribute to a more stable structure for the fastening device. 
     Furthermore, a limb can be provided between the two resilient latches. The provision of a limb between the two resilient latches can also enhance the stability of the fastening device. 
     It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the fastening device is in one piece. A one-piece embodiment of the fastening device can contribute to reducing the fitment times. 
     Preferably, the fastening device is made from plastic material. The structure of plastic material simplifies manufacture of the fastening device as it can be produced for example in an injection molding process. 
     In that respect, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the resilient latch has an inclined surface, wherein a portion of the inclined surface rises towards the wall part and another portion rises from the notional spring axis towards the free end of the resilient latch. The configuration of two different portions of the inclined surface makes it possible on the one hand for the latching receiving means to be pushed on towards the wall part over a portion of the inclined surface, over the resilient latch, and can then be latched, while on the other hand for the latched latching receiving means to be released from the resilient latch again, more specifically when the latching receiving means is pushed over the second portion of the inclined surface, that rises from the notional spring axis towards the free end of the resilient latch. That makes it possible to achieve destruction-free separation of the latching receiving means from the fastening device. 
     It has further proven to be advantageous if the latching receiving means on the other wall part is in the form of a through opening. A latching receiver in the form of a through opening can be technically readily implemented and can afford advantages in regard to stability. 
     It has proven to be advantageous if the fastening device is adapted to be releasable without a tool. Disengagement of the fastening device from its latched condition, without a tool, can contribute to short dismantling times, which can have the effect of reducing costs. 
     Preferably, the fastening device can be located at the side wall of a drawer, and the latching receiver can be located at the rear wall of a drawer. 
     Protection is also claimed for a connecting fitting for transversely connecting two wall parts of a furniture part with a—in particular two—fastening device of the above-indicated kind. 
     In that respect, the connecting fitting is preferably in one piece. The design configuration in the form of a one-piece connecting fitting can contribute to reducing production costs as it can be produced in an inexpensive injection molding process. 
     A drawer can also have at least one—in particular two—connecting fittings of the above-indicated kind. 
     An article of furniture can also have at least one drawer of the above-indicated kind. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described by means of the specific description with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a connecting fitting with two fastening devices, 
         FIG. 2   a  shows a further perspective view of a connecting fitting as shown in  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 2   b  shows a detail view of a fastening device of a connecting fitting as shown in  FIG. 2   a,    
         FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective view of two wall parts of a furniture part with a connecting fitting with two fastening devices, the two wall parts being in the separated condition, 
         FIG. 3   b  shows a perspective detail view of  FIG. 3   a,    
         FIG. 4   a  shows a perspective view of two wall parts as shown in  FIG. 3   a  but in the connected condition, 
         FIG. 4   b  shows a detail view of the  FIG. 4   a  fastening device, 
         FIG. 5  shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a resilient latch, 
         FIG. 6   a  shows a plan view of two wall parts of a furniture part in the non-fastened position, 
         FIG. 6   b  shows a perspective view of the two wall parts as shown in  FIG. 6   a,    
         FIG. 6   c  shows a detail view of  FIG. 6   b,    
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a drawer, and 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of an article of furniture with three drawers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a connecting fitting  1  for transversely connecting two wall parts  103  and  104  (not shown here) (see  FIGS. 3   a ,  4   a  and  6   b ) of a furniture part  101  (not shown) (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) with two fastening devices  2  and  2 ′. Both the fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ are in one piece, and also the entire connecting fitting  1 . In that respect, plastic is preferably used as the material for the fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ and for the connecting fitting  1 . 
     This  FIG. 1  shows the fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ for connecting two wall parts  103  and  104  of a furniture part  101 , in particular a rear wall  111  (see for example  FIG. 3   a ) to a side wall  112  (see for example  FIG. 3   a ) of a drawer  102  ( FIG. 7 ). The fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ on a wall part  104  each have at least one resilient latch  3  and  3 ′ which is resilient about a notional axis A (see  FIG. 2   b ) and which is latchable—preferably releasably—in a latching receiver  30  and  30 ′ (see  FIG. 3   a ) provided on or fixed to another wall part ( 103 ). The notional spring axis A of the resilient latches  3  and  3 ′ is disposed transversely—preferably substantially at a right angle—to a wall  140  (see  FIG. 3   a ) of the wall part  104 . In this preferred embodiment, the fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ each have at least also a respective second resilient latch  4  and  4 ′ whose notional spring axis B (see  FIG. 2   b ) is disposed transversely—preferably substantially at a right angle—to a wall  140  of the wall part  104 . In this arrangement, the resilient latches  3  and  3 ′ and  4  and  4 ′ respectively are arranged substantially symmetrically. 
     Provided between the two resilient latches  3 ,  4  and  3 ′,  4 ′ respectively is a limb  5  and  5 ′ respectively which contributes to enhancing the stability of the respective fastening device  2  and  2 ′. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the connecting fitting  1  serves to connect a rear wall  111  to a side wall  112  of a drawer  102  (see in that respect  FIGS. 3   a  and  4   a ). For that purpose, the connecting fitting  1  is fastened to the side wall  112  and then the rear wall  111  can be fastened to the connecting fitting  1 . 
       FIG. 2   a  shows a perspective view of a connecting fitting  1  as just described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2   b  shows a perspective detail view of the circled region in  FIG. 2   a.    
     The fastening device  2  in this preferred embodiment has two resilient latches  3  and  4  which are connected together by a connecting portion  7 . The fastening device  2  is thus of a U-shaped cross-section. Arranged on the connecting portion  7  is a limb  5  projecting between the two resilient latches  3  and  4 . The two resilient latches  3  and  4  in this case have a resilient configuration, wherein the resilient latch  3  is resilient about a spring axis A and the resilient latch  4  about a spring axis B. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the two spring axes A and B are disposed transversely—preferably substantially at a right angle—to a wall (not shown)  140  (see  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a  and  4   b ) of a wall part  104  (see  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a  and  4   b ). 
     In this case, the inclined surface  20  of the resilient latch  3  has a first portion  21  which extends substantially in the same direction as the notional spring axis A. In the case of resilient latches belonging to the state of the art, these are normally displaced through about 90° relative to each other (strictly speaking, through 90° minus the angle of the rise of the portion of the inclined surface). In addition, the inclined surface has a second portion  22  which rises from the notional spring axis A or B towards the free end  6  of the respective resilient latch  3  and  4  (see in that respect  FIG. 3   b ). In this preferred embodiment, that (second) portion  22  of the inclined surface  20  makes it possible for the fastening device  2  to be releasable without a tool (see in that respect, the specific description of  FIGS. 5 ,  6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c ). 
       FIG. 3   a  shows a perspective view of two wall parts  103  and  104  in a condition of being released from each other. In this preferred embodiment, the wall part  104  is in the form of a side wall  112  of a drawer  102  (not shown), the other wall part  103  is in the form of a rear wall  111 . The connecting fitting  1  is pre-mounted to the side wall  112 . The connecting fitting  1  has two fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ corresponding to a respective latching receiver  30  and  30 ′ of the rear wall  111 . In this preferred embodiment, the latching receivers  30  and  30 ′ are in the form of openings  31 —strictly speaking in the form of a through opening  32 —(see  FIG. 3   b ). In this case, the through openings  32  forming the latching receivers  30  and  30 ′ are disposed in the latching plate  8  such that an entire edge of the through opening  32  is located in a plane substantially perpendicular to notional spring axes A and B (explained below) of respective latches  3  and  4  (see  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ). For connecting the two wall parts  103  and  104 , the latching plate  8  is pushed over the two fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ and, after it has pressed the resilient latches  3  and  4 , and  3 ′ and  4 ′ respectively of the fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ together, latches behind the resilient latches  3 ,  4  and  3 ′,  4 ′ respectively of the two fastening devices  2  and  2 ′. That provides a stable connection of the two wall parts  103  and  104 , or the side wall  112  to the rear wall  111  (see  FIG. 4   a ). 
       FIG. 3   b  shows a detail view of the fastening device  2  as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
     The fastening device  2  for connecting two wall parts  103  and  104  of a furniture part  101  (not shown) (see  FIG. 8 ) is intended in this preferred embodiment to connect the rear wall  111  to the side wall  112  of a drawer  102  (not shown) (see  FIG. 7 ). In this preferred embodiment, the fastening device  2  has a first resilient latch  3  and a second resilient latch  4 , wherein the two resilient latches  3  and  4  are respectively adapted to be resiliently movable about the notional spring axis A and B. In this case the notional spring axes A and B of the resilient latches  3  and  4  are provided transversely—preferably substantially at a right angle—to the wall  140  of the wall portion  104 —in this case the side wall  112 . The latching receiver  30  is provided on the other wall part  103  in the form of an opening  31 , and a notional normal N to the opening  31  extends substantially parallel to the notional spring axes A and B of the resilient latches  3  and  4 . As a result, a joining direction X extends substantially parallel to the notional spring axes A and B of the resilient latches  3  and  4  so that the latching receiver  30  can be moved in a sole single joining direction X until reaching an end latching position, over the two resilient latches  3  and  4 , and that thus permits extremely quick and simple assembly. 
     By virtue of this arrangement of the spring axes A and B, the longitudinal extent of the resilient latch  3  and  4 —from the notional spring axes A and B towards the free end of the resilient latches  3  and  4 —has no influence on the maximum wall thickness of the side wall  112 . That makes it possible for narrow side walls  112  and  112 ′ (see  FIG. 7 ) to be produced in the case of a drawer, which is both aesthetically attractive and also leads to a space saving in the interior of the drawer. 
     Assembly of the two wall parts  103  and  104  is performed as described below.  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show the two separated wall parts  103  and  104 —i.e., the mutually separated side wall  112  and rear wall  111 .  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show the side wall  112  and the rear wall  111  being connected together and latched in place by the connecting fitting  1  and the fastening devices  2  and  2 ′ thereof. For fastening the rear wall  111  to the side wall  112 , the rear wall  111  or its latching plate  8  is pushed with the two latching receivers  30  and  30 ′ thereof, which are in the form of through openings  32 , over the resilient latches  3 ,  4  and  3 ′,  4 ′ respectively in a sole single joining direction X until reaching an end latching position. For that purpose, the resilient latches have a portion  21  of an inclined surface  20  which rises towards the wall  140  of the wall part  104 —in this embodiment, the side wall  112 . 
     While the latching plate  8  is being pushed over the resilient latches  3 ,  4  and  3 ′,  4 ′, respectively, it compresses the resilient latches  3 ,  4  and  3 ′,  4 ′ respectively until it has moved beyond them and then is placed behind the resilient latches and the resilient latches  3 ,  4  and  3 ′,  4 ′ respectively are relieved again by virtue of their spring action. Thus, the latching plate  8  and therewith the rear wall  111  is fastened to the side wall  112 . 
     As can be clearly seen from  FIG. 3   b , the first resilient latch  3  has not only a first portion  21  of the inclined surface  20  which rises in the direction towards the wall  140  of the side wall  112 , but also a second portion  22  of the inclined surface  20  which rises substantially parallel towards the wall  140  of the wall portion  104 —in this embodiment in the form of the side wall  112 . That second portion  22  of the inclined surface  20  makes it possible for the connection between the two wall parts  103  and  104  by the connecting fitting  100 , after assembly has been effected, to also be separated from each other again and therefore dissembled (see the specific description relating to  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  and  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 5  shows a diagrammatic view of a resilient latch  3  as has been mentioned in the foregoing description. The resilient latch  3  is pivotable about a notional spring axis A. The resilient latch  3  has an inclined surface  20 , and the inclined surface  20  has two different portions  21  and  22 . In this case, the first portion  21  of the inclined surface  20  rises in the direction of (is inclined toward) the wall  140  of the wall part  104  and serves as an inclined introduction portion. When the latching plate  8  is pushed in (see  FIGS. 3   a  and  4   a ), the latching plate  8  pivots the resilient latch  3  about the notional spring axis A and thus compresses the fastening device  2  (not shown). After the latching plate  8  has passed beyond the tip of the resilient latch  3 , the spring action of the resilient latch  3  is relieved again and the latching plate  8  is fastened behind the resilient latch  3  as the resilient latches have opened up. Thus, the latching plate  8  can no longer be pulled over the resilient latch  3  (see in that respect  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). 
     For again releasing the latching plate  8 , the resilient latch  3  has a second portion  22  of the inclined surface  20 , which rises from the notional spring axis A towards the free end  6  of the resilient latch  3 . That portion  22  serves as an inclined disengagement portion. When now the rear wall  111  is pivoted in the direction of the side wall  112  and thus towards the resilient latch  3 , the resilient latch  3  is again compressed by the latching plate  8  and the rear wall  111  can be removed from the side wall  112  or the connecting fitting  1  again. 
     That dismantling process is shown in  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c , in which the wall part  103  already has an angle differing from a right angle relative to the wall part  104 . The latching plate  8  compresses the fastening device  2 —or its resilient latches  3  and  4  again, thereby permitting removal of the wall part  103 . That is made possible by the second portion  22  (see  FIGS. 3   b  and  5 ) of the inclined surface  20 , which rises from the notional spring axis A (see  FIGS. 2   b  and  5 ) towards the free end (is inclined towards the free end) of the resilient latch  3  and  4 . This therefore provides a fastening device which is both compact and also releasable again. 
       FIG. 7  shows a furniture part  101  having wall parts  103 ,  104  and  104 ′. In this case, the wall parts  104  and  104 ′ are in the form of side walls  112  and  112 ′ and the wall parts  103  is in the form of a rear wall  111 . The side wall  112  is connected to the rear wall  111  by a connecting fitting according to the preceding description. The side wall  112 ′ is connected to the rear wall  111  by a connecting fitting  1 ′ which is admittedly not of an identical structure to the connecting fitting  1  but is in substance similar thereto.  FIG. 8  shows an article of furniture  100  having a furniture carcass  110 . The article of furniture  100  further has three furniture parts  101 ,  101 ′ and  101 ″ in the form of drawers  102 ,  102 ′ and  102 ″ —as just described with reference to  FIG. 7 .