Abstract:
The invention proposes a device for a piece of furniture, which comprises a furniture part accommodated in a movable manner on a basic furniture structure, for defining a stop position of the furniture part, having an adjustment unit, which has an adjustable stop and which bounds a furniture-part closing movement which can be executed during normal operation. According to the invention, the adjustment unit comprises a stop part which can be deflected resiliently out of a starting position, wherein the stop position is determined by the extent of deflection in a fixed deflecting position of the stop part.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2010/007666 filed Dec. 16, 2010, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 20 2009 017 319.4 filed Dec. 21, 2009, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to piece of furniture and a device for a piece of furniture. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    For pieces of furniture with a furniture part accommodated in a movable manner on a basic furniture structure, it is known to have devices with an adjustment unit for defining a closing position of the furniture part. The adjustment unit makes it possible to predetermine the end point of a furniture-part closing movement, which can be executed during normal operation of the piece of furniture, by the provision of an adjustable stop which defines the end point. This is necessary, in particular, for pieces of furniture with furniture parts, e.g. drawers, which, in the closed state, can be recessed to their full extent in an accommodating volume of the basic furniture structure. It is customary here for a front side of the furniture part not to project beyond an end side of the basic furniture structure. Furniture parts with a recessible front side, in the case of drawers, are also referred to as “inset drawers”. It is possible here for a front panel to be reduced such that there are no peripheral regions projecting on side walls or a floor of the drawer. It is thus also the case that the projections of the peripheral regions on the front of the drawer, being absent, cannot serve as an abutment surface for contact with a stop, e.g. with an end surface of the basic furniture structure. This means that there is no possible way of defining an end point for the closing movement of the furniture part on the front side of the furniture part or on the basic furniture structure. An end point for the closing movement therefore has to be predetermined at some other location. 
         [0004]    Depending on production tolerances of components and/or deviations in the installation accuracy, for example, of a guide device for the movable furniture part, it may also be the case that the furniture part, in the closed state or in the stop position, is not located in a desired closing position or has been retracted into the basic furniture structure to a different extent in relation to further and/or adjacent furniture parts. This usually results in the front of the piece of furniture being of non-uniform appearance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention, in the case of pieces of furniture of the type mentioned in the introduction, for it to be possible to predetermine a closing situation to an improved extent. 
         [0006]    The invention proceeds, in the first instance, from a device for a piece of furniture, which comprises a furniture part accommodated in a movable manner on a basic furniture structure, wherein the device serves for defining a stop position of the furniture part, having an adjustment unit, which has an adjustable stop and which bounds a furniture-part closing movement which can be executed during normal operation. An essential aspect of the invention is that the adjustment unit comprises a stop part which can be deflected resiliently out of a starting position, wherein the stop position is determined by the extent of deflection in a fixed deflecting position of the stop part. According to the invention, it is advantageously possible for a stop position for the furniture part to be set straightforwardly when the furniture part, which is accommodated in a movable manner, is in the closed state. The adjustment unit may be connected to the movable furniture part or to the basic furniture structure in a fixed position, in particular, directly or also indirectly. The deflectable stop part, in turn, may be supported directly or indirectly on the correspondingly other component of the piece of furniture, that is to say either on the movable furniture part or on the basic furniture structure. For the purpose of defining the stop position, the stop part can be deflected from the starting position, in principle, in two opposite deflecting directions and fixed in a predeterminable deflecting position. However, it is also possible for the stop part to be deflected from the starting position in just one direction. With boundary conditions being otherwise comparable, the maximum adjustment path which can be covered may be greater in the first case, for example double the size, than in the second case. 
         [0007]    In particular, it is advantageous if the defining device or the adjustment unit is designed as a component. This component, depending on the use, may be provided optionally at different locations. 
         [0008]    The device is advantageous, in particular, for a piece of furniture which comprises a front side with a furniture-part front and a basic-furniture-structure front, and outer dimensions of the furniture-part front are smaller than outer dimensions of a free cross section of an accommodating opening at the front of the basic furniture structure which is followed by a space for accommodating the furniture part in the basic furniture structure. It is thus the case that, when the furniture part moves, the furniture-part front is spaced apart, via a comparatively small gap, from portions of the basic furniture structure which bound the accommodating opening. This relates to, for example, reduced drawers or “inset drawers”, which, rather than having a broad front panel, merely have a front panel which is as wide or high as that outer dimension of the drawer body which is given by side parts and floor of the drawer. The adjustment unit according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to set precisely flush recessing of the front side of the furniture part in relation to an end surface of the basic furniture structure and/or in relation to a plane which is aligned therewith or parallel thereto. 
         [0009]    The resiliently deflectable stop part allows a stop position to be set particularly straightforwardly and precisely or, in particular, in a stepless manner. 
         [0010]    Operation of the adjustment unit by an individual takes place, for example, using a straightforward tool or preferably without any tools being used, in particular by a simple hand movement. 
         [0011]    It is particularly preferred if the adjustment unit is present on a coupling means in order for the furniture part to be fitted, in particular in a latchable and releasable manner on a movement rail assigned to the furniture part. The coupling means may be designed, for example, as a latching coupling which is fastened on the underside of a furniture-part floor and, in the installed state, latches into a latching-in portion on the movement rail. Such add-on parts are present in any case and are particularly suitable for accommodating the adjustment unit. Therefore, installation of the adjustment unit readily takes place as the latching coupling is fitted. Moreover, the adjustment unit is usually freely accessible for operation on the underside of the furniture part. With the furniture part closed, the stop part of the adjustment unit is then in operative connection with the basic furniture structure or a guide rail on the basic furniture structure. 
         [0012]    The extent of deflection of the stop part can preferably be predetermined by a changeable-position regulating element which acts on the stop part. It is therefore possible, for example even in the case of constricted space conditions in the region of the stop part, for the latter to be adjusted from a location at a distance therefrom. All that is required for this purpose is for the changeable-position regulating element to be subjected to appropriate action directly or indirectly, which can take place in different ways. The regulating element can thus bridge at least the significant distance between the location of action or operation and the stop part. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, it is proposed that the adjustment unit comprises a basic body with the stop part formed resiliently thereon and the regulating element guided on the basic body. It is thus possible for the adjustment unit to be constructed in a compact manner from a single component. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, it is advantageous if an operating element, which is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation, is provided such that rotation of the operating element causes displacement of the regulating element. It is thus possible for straightforward rotary adjustments, for example by hand, to give rise to displacement of the regulating element and thus to precise fine adjustment of the deflection, or of the extent of deflection, of the stop part. 
         [0015]    Moreover, it is advantageous if the operating element and the regulating element are coordinated with one another such that the axis of rotation of the operating element runs transversely to a displacement direction of the regulating element. It is thus possible, even in the case of spatially difficult boundary conditions, for the regulating element to be displaced in a direction in which it is not possible to act directly on the regulating element. Rather, the regulating element can be displaced by lateral action, even at a correspondingly greater distance. 
         [0016]    In particular, it is advantageous to provide a wedge-gear-mechanism arrangement, via which the rotary movement of the operating element can be converted into an adjustment movement of the regulating element. A wedge-gear-mechanism arrangement is particularly space-saving, straightforward and reliable. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, it is advantageous if a first threaded portion is present on the operating element and a second threaded portion is present on the regulating element, these two threaded portions being coordinated with one another in order to change the position of the regulating element when the operating element is rotated. It is thus possible for an individual to rotate the operating element particularly sensitively, and therefore the regulating element is changed in position, for example displaced, and therefore the stop part can be deflected, in a correspondingly very sensitive or stepless manner. The deflection of the stop part can be adjusted, for example, in the range of a fraction of a millimeter. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, it is proposed that the operating element and the regulating element are coordinated with one another such that the axis of rotation of the operating element is oriented parallel to the displacement axis of the regulating element. This means that, in spatial terms, operation can also be carried out in extension of the longitudinal axis of the regulating element. It is also possible, in this way, for the adjustment unit to be of very space-saving and/or straightforward configuration. 
         [0019]    A further essential aspect of the invention is that the adjustment unit comprises a rotatable operating element by means of which a stop part, which is accommodated in a displaceable manner, can be adjusted in order for the stop position to be determined by the extent of displacement of the stop part, and wherein the axis of rotation of the operating element is oriented in the direction of displacement of the stop part. The displacement arrangement makes it possible to realize a particularly stable design. In contrast to the deflectable stop part, there is no need for any articulation, as a result of which the adjustment unit may be of particularly straightforward and compact design. Nevertheless, here too, very sensitive adjustment of the stop part is possible, as is therefore fine adjustment in respect of the position of the closed furniture part. 
         [0020]    A rotation-prevention means is advantageously provided for the stop part, which is accommodated in a displaceable manner. It can thus be ensured that rotation of the operating element does not give rise to the stop part being rotated along therewith if the two parts are in meshing engagement with one another, e.g. via a threaded arrangement, for an adjustment movement. With the interaction via coordinated threaded portions on the operating element and the stop part, it is additionally possible to realize a self-locking or securing arrangement. Any vibration which may occur during operation and/or impact-like forces during closure of the furniture part cannot give rise to any undesired adjustment of the stop part. 
         [0021]    In principle, it is advantageously also possible, in this respect, to provide a different and/or separate arrangement for automatically securing a set point of the stop part. 
         [0022]    It is advantageous, in addition, if a releasably fitted contact portion is present on the stop part, this contact portion coming into stopping contact, in a stopping situation, with an abutment portion. It is thus possible for example for a contact portion formed from a particular resistant material to be provided in particular also in an exchangeable manner. If appropriate, a damaged contact portion can easily be exchanged. 
         [0023]    The invention also relates to a piece of furniture with one of the devices discussed above. 
         [0024]    It is thus advantageously possible on a piece of furniture for example with a basic furniture structure accommodating a plurality of movable drawers of reduced front-part dimensions, or accommodating a plurality of inset drawers, for a closing or stop position, with the drawer in the closed position in the basic furniture structure, to be adjusted sensitively for each drawer by a respectively associated adjustment unit. As a result, it is possible to set up, with millimeter accuracy, a front side of the piece of furniture with all the drawers having precisely aligned front surfaces, which is advantageous, in particular, from a visual point of view. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    Further advantages and features of the invention will be explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to various exemplary embodiments according to the invention which are shown in the figures. 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective illustration of a latching coupling with an adjustment unit according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows, on an enlarged scale, a perspective illustration of the adjustment unit from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded illustration of the adjustment unit from  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a sectional view through the adjustment unit from  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the latching coupling from  FIG. 1  with an alternative adjustment unit according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded illustration of the adjustment unit from  FIG. 5 , 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a further alternative adjustment unit according to the invention; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded illustration of the adjustment unit from  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a latching coupling  1  (not described any more specifically) with a bracket or adjustment unit  2  according to the invention present thereon. The latching coupling  1  is fitted, for example, on an underside of a drawer of a piece of furniture and serves for connecting the drawer in a latchable manner to a drawer rail, which serves for guiding the drawer in a displaceable manner on a basic furniture structure. The drawer rail is part of a known telescopic full-extension or partial-extension mechanism having guide rails which can be moved relative to one another, and of which a basic-furniture-structure rail is fixed in position on the basic furniture structure. 
         [0035]    The adjustment unit  2  may be accommodated, for example, in a releasable, but fixed, manner on the latching coupling  1 . 
         [0036]    The adjustment unit  2  is produced, in particular, from plastics material and comprises a basic body  3  with a deflectable stop part, which is formed integrally on the basic body and is configured as a stop tongue  4 , which has a flexural articulation provided in its foot region. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1 to 6  each illustrate a neutral starting position of the stop tongue  4 , or a position in which the latter is not flexed and/or not deflected. This corresponds to a setting in which the furniture part, in the closing position, can be retracted to the maximum extent in the basic furniture structure. 
         [0038]    A cap-like and/or releasably plugged-on contact portion  5  is present at the upper free end of the stop tongue  4 . Also present in the basic body  3  are accommodating bores  6 ,  7  which are oriented at right angles to one another, pass through one another and the central axes of which intersect. The accommodating bore  6  accommodates an operating element  8 , which is designed as a regulating screw  8  and interacts with an adjustment bolt  9 , which can be moved in a displaceable manner in the accommodating bore  7  and serves as a regulating element of the adjustment unit  2 . 
         [0039]    The regulating screw  8  has, on its cylindrical outer lateral surface  8   a , an external thread  10  (not illustrated), which is coordinated with an internal thread  11  (not shown either) in the accommodating bore  6 . It is thus possible, by virtue of rotation of the regulating screw  8 , for the latter to be screwed into the accommodating bore  6 , and unscrewed therefrom, to different extents, depending on the direction of rotation. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, for a rotating tool to be applied to a cross-slot-like engagement contour  12  on the outside, and at the end, of the regulating screw  8 . 
         [0040]    Rotation of the regulating screw  8  allows the latter to be moved in arrow direction P 1  (see  FIG. 4 ), and therefore sliding contact between a chamfer  13  running around the front of the regulating screw  8  and a matching chamfer  14  running around the adjustment bolt  9  gives rise to displacement of the adjustment bolt  9  in arrow direction P 2  ( FIG. 4 ). The chamfers  13 ,  14  form active force-transmission or movement-transmission surfaces of a wedge-gear-mechanism arrangement  15  between the regulating screw  8  and the adjustment bolt  9 . 
         [0041]    A contact nose  16 , which is directed toward the stop tongue  4  and is located at the front of the adjustment bolt  9 , which is guided with sliding action in the accommodating bore  7 , thus comes into contact with a free upper end of the stop tongue  4  (see  FIG. 4 ). This means that the stop tongue  4 , which can be deflected resiliently in an articulated manner on a base portion  3   a  of the basic body  3 , is deflected forward, with flexing action, according to arrow P 3  in  FIG. 4 . The contact portion  5  is also moved forward here in direction P 3 , and therefore a deflecting position or an extent of deflection of the stop tongue  4 , and thus a change in position of the stop tongue  4  and of the contact portion  5  are defined. The extent of deflection set correspondingly defines a mechanical stop for a closing movement of the furniture part, which is accommodated in a movable manner on a basic furniture structure. 
         [0042]    The bending characteristics of the stop tongue  4  can be predetermined and/or coordinated by the type or shape, e.g. the material thickness in the foot region of the stop tongue  4  and/or the material selection, of the flexing regions. 
         [0043]    The contact nose  16  is cylindrical and of reduced diameter in relation to the diameter of that part of the adjustment bolt  9  which can be displaced in the accommodating bore  7 . In order for the stop tongue  4  to be flexed, the adjustment bolt  9  has to overcome a spring force or opposing force which acts as a result of the flexing of the stop tongue  4 . In the flexed or deflected state of the stop tongue  4 , the adjustment bolt  9  is subjected permanently to this opposing force. This provides for a self-locking action which, when the regulating screw  8  is not actuated, prevents the adjustment bolt  9  from yielding back in the direction counter to the arrow P 2  and is realized via the external thread  10  and internal thread  11 , which are in meshing engagement. 
         [0044]    The adjustment unit  2  described allows a large number of different stop positions to be set in a sensitive manner. It is thus possible to define the closed state of a front side of the movable furniture part with millimeter accuracy. 
         [0045]    The stop tongue  4  is limited in its deflection path according to arrow  23 , wherein a deflection path from the starting position shown up to a maximum deflection may be a number of millimeters to over a centimeter. The deflection path correlates, as per P 1 , with the adjustment path of the regulating screw  8  in the accommodating bore  6  and, as per P 2 , with the displacement path of the adjustment bolt  9  in the accommodating bore  7 . 
         [0046]    In order for the, for example, somewhat elastic contact portion  5  to be clipped in on the upper region of the stop tongue  4 , the stop tongue  4  is provided correspondingly with incisions or shoulders, which are coordinate with corresponding, slightly compliant fastening jaws  17 ,  18  and  19  on the contact portion  5 . In addition, the contact portion  5  may be of mechanically damping and/or noise-reducing design, for example it may consist of an elastomer material or rubber material. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  shows a horizontal section through the adjustment unit  2  taken through a plane in which are located the two longitudinal axes of the regulating screw  8  and of the adjustment bolt  9 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows, on a latching coupling  1  according to  FIG. 1 , an alternative adjustment unit  20  according to the invention, having a stop tongue  31  which can be deflected resiliently in a manner corresponding to the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . The adjustment unit  20  corresponds to the basic functional principle of the adjustment unit  2 . It is merely the arrangement for acting on the stop tongue  31  which is different. The adjustment unit  20  has a basic body  21  and a displaceably mounted adjustment bolt  22  secured against rotation therein. The displacement direction of the adjustment bolt  22  corresponds to the deflecting direction of the stop tongue  31 . For manual displacement of the adjustment bolt  22  in the longitudinal direction thereof, an adjustment wheel  23  is provided on the basic body, partially recessed in an accommodating hollow  24 . The adjustment wheel  23 , which is configured as a pinion, has a through-passage bore  26  with an internal thread  27 , which interacts with a threaded portion  22   a  formed on the outside of the adjustment bolt  22 , or the adjustment wheel  23  has been screwed on the adjustment bolt  22 . A toothed portion  28  is formed circumferentially around the outside of the adjustment wheel  23 , in order to provide for better manual operation of the adjustment wheel  23 . The front end of the adjustment bolt  22 , this front end being directed toward the stop tongue  31 , is configured as a quadrilateral portion  22   b , which, in the assembled state of the adjustment unit  20 , engages with a small amount of play through a matching quadrilateral hole  29  in the basic body  21  and has its end positioned on an inner side of the stop tongue  31 . On that side of the basic body  21  which is opposite to the stop tongue  31 , moreover, an accommodating opening  30  is present for bearing the adjustment bolt  22 , an end region of the threaded portion  22   a  being supported in this accommodating opening. 
         [0049]    Manual rotation of the adjustment wheel  23  allows the adjustment bolt  22  to be displaced in the direction of double arrow P 4  relative to the basic body  21 . This means that the stop tongue  31  is also deflected resiliently and retained in the flexed position reached. A contact portion  32  is also present on the stop tongue  31 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a third adjustment unit  33  according to the invention, in the assembled state in  FIG. 7  and in an exploded illustration in  FIG. 8 . The adjustment unit  33  can be positioned on a furniture part, in principle, via a latching coupling according to  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
         [0051]    In contrast to the exemplary embodiments according to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the adjustment unit  33 , rather than having a resiliently deflectable stop tongue, has a longitudinally displaceable stop element  34  which is fixed to an adjustment bolt  35  and is guided on a basic body  36  of the adjustment unit  33 . For this purpose, the adjustment bolt  35  is retained in through-passage bores  37  and  38  in the basic body  36 . The through-passage bores  37 ,  38 , which have identical diameters, are aligned with one another and are separated by an accommodating hollow  39  which is located therebetween and is intended for accommodating an adjustment wheel  40  of the adjustment unit  33 . In the downwardly extending portion of the stop element  34 , there is also a guide stub  41 , which is parallel to the adjustment bolt  35  and is guided for movement in a further bore  42  in the basic body  36 . The guide stub  41  is long enough to be accommodated in the bore  42  over the entire possible displacement path of the stop element  34 . Moreover, the guide stop  41  has a somewhat smaller diameter than the adjustment bolt  35 . 
         [0052]    A contact portion  43  is plugged on the stop element  34 , in a manner corresponding to the stop tongues  4  and  31 . 
         [0053]    For displacement of the stop element  34 , an external thread is provided on an outer lateral surface  35   a  of the adjustment bolt  35 , this external thread being designed to match an internal thread  40   a  of a through-passage bore  40   b  in the adjustment wheel  40 . By virtue of rotation brought about by manual operation of the adjustment wheel  40 , the adjustment bolt  35 , and thus the stop element  34 , can be moved back and forth in the direction of the double arrow P 5  in  FIG. 8 , it thus being possible to define a mechanical stop for the movable furniture part. Contact takes place by way of the contact portion  43 . 
       LIST OF DESIGNATIONS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Latching coupling 
           2  Adjustment unit 
           3  Basic body 
           3   a  Base portion 
           4  Stop tongue 
           5  Contact portion 
           6  Accommodating bore 
           7  Accommodating bore 
           8  Regulating screw 
           8   a  Outer lateral surface 
           9  Adjustment bolt 
           10  External thread 
           11  Internal thread 
           12  Engagement portion 
           13  Chamfer 
           14  Chamfer 
           15  Wedge-gear-mechanism arrangement 
           16  Contact nose 
           17  Fastening jaw 
           18  Fastening jaw 
           19  Fastening jaw 
           20  Adjustment unit 
           21  Basic body 
           22  Adjustment bolt 
           22   a  Threaded portion 
           22   b  Quadrilateral portion 
           23  Adjustment wheel 
           24  Accommodating hollow 
           25  External thread 
           26  Through-passage bore 
           27  Internal thread 
           28  Toothed portion 
           29  Quadrilateral hole 
           30  Accommodating opening 
           31  Stop tongue 
           32  Contact portion 
           33  Adjustment unit 
           34  Stop element 
           35  Adjustment bolt 
           36  Basic body 
           37  Through-passage bore 
           38  Through-passage bore 
           39  Accommodating hollow 
           40  Adjustment wheel 
           41  Guide stub 
           42  Bore 
           43  Contact portion