AU2010270426A1

AU2010270426A1 - Catch system

Info

Publication number: AU2010270426A1
Application number: AU2010270426A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andreas Hoffmann
Original assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-07-09
Filing date: 2010-06-23
Publication date: 2012-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-23
Also published as: JP2012531991A; RU2518185C2; KR20120052976A; DE102009026141A1; AU2010270426B2; KR101726990B1; TW201102021A; EP2451312B1; EP2451312A1; RU2012103715A; CN102573568B; WO2011003738A1; CN102573568A; JP5622245B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a catch fitting for a pull-out guide, in particular for drawers, comprising a switching curve (20) in which a switching element (10) is displaceably mounted, wherein the switching curve (20) comprises a loop-shaped segment (23) having a catch depression (26). The switching element (10) can be engaged with the catch depression (26) by a force storage (63). An initiator (30) is provided, by means of which the switching element (10) can be displaced out of the catch depression (26).

Description

CATCH SYSTEM The present invention relates to a catch system, in particular for movable furniture parts, comprising at least two catch fittings, where each catch fitting comprises a switching curve, in which a switching element is displaceably mounted, where each switching curve comprises a loop-shaped segment and a catch depression, and the switching element can be engaged with the catch depression by the force of a force storage device, and each switching element is coupled to a movable furniture part. EP 1 845 821 discloses a closing and opening device for drawer pull-out guides in which a catch mechanism is provided. When closing the drawer, a spring of the ejection device is tensioned and fixed by means of the catch mechanism. For unlocking the catch mechanism, the drawer is pressed in against the force of the spring so that a switching element is moved in a switching curve from the engaged position in order to then be moved by the spring in the opening direction. A disadvantage with this closing and opening device is that the unlocking is accomplished manually by pressing in the drawer. Specifically in the case of wider drawers where closing and opening devices are arranged on both sides, it can occur that the closing and opening device is only unlocked on one side whilst the switching element remains engaged on the other side. As a result, opening is prevented and in addition, the 3058105_1 (GHMatters) P89100AU - 2 components of the fitting are exposed to high forces which can lead to damage. It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a catch system for movable furniture parts which ensures a synchronous unlocking of catch fittings. This object is solved with a catch system having the features of claim 1. According to the invention, in the catch system an initiator is provided on each catch fitting, by means of which the switching element can be moved out from the catch depression, where a controller is provided by which means the initiator of the catch fittings can be actuated for unlocking the switching elements. As a result, an unlocking of all the catch fittings can be accomplished simultaneously as a result of a pre-determined momentum. In particular in the case of wide drawers and also in other applications, a synchronous unlocking and parallel guidance of a movable furniture part can thus be ensured. In one embodiment the controller is coupled to at least one optical, acoustic, electrical or magnetic sensor. By this means, different switching signals can be delivered to the controller, which then in turn actuate the individual initiators on the catch fittings. The controller can be coupled to a plurality of drives by which respectively one initiator can be moved. The drives can be configured, for example, as lifting magnets, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric drives or other drives. 3056105.1 (GHMatten) P89100AAU -3 If the controller is provided with a sensor for determining the distance of the movable furniture part, the catch fittings can simplify the handling, for example, if, by pressing in the drawer, the controller receives the signal that the user would now like to open the drawer, so that all the catch fittings are then automatically unlocked. The user then need not rely only on the mechanical unlocking of the catch fittings but can be assisted by the initiators. The initiator on each catch fitting can be configured as a slider which is mounted displaceably along a receptacle on a component having a switching curve. A pivotable arrangement of the initiator is also possible. In order to ensure a reliable unlocking under a tensile force on a furniture part such as a drawer and avoid damage caused by an overload, each switching curve can be displaceably mounted on a catch fitting and be pre tensioned in an initial position by means of a force storage device, e.g. in the form of a rubber element or a tension or compression spring. It is thereby ensured that an unlocking of the respective catch fitting is ensured at a pre-determined force. In one embodiment an optical or acoustic device can be switched on at the same time upon an actuation of the initiator. For example, when opening the drawer, the controller can deliver a signal to a light source which is then supplied with power and lights up the drawer. In addition, acoustic signals can accompany the control. 3058105.1 (GHMallers) P89100.AU - 4 The invention is explained in detail hereinafter with reference to several exemplary embodiments by reference to the appended drawings. In the figures: Figures 1A and 1B show two views of a drawer with pull out guides; Figure 2A shows a perspective view of a catch fitting mounted on a pull-out guide; Figure 2B shows a perspective view of the catch fitting of Figure 2A; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the catch fitting from Figure 2; Figures 4A and 4B show views of the switching curve with a view of the switching element of the catch fitting from Figure 2; Figures 5A to 5D show several perspective views of the component with the switching curve with a view of the initiator; Figures 6A to 6D show several views of the switching curve during the unlocking of the switching element; Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the initiator and the component with the switching curve in perspective view according to Fig. 3; Figures 8A to 8D show several views of the catch fitting during unlocking of the switching element; Figures 9A to 9D show several views of the catch fitting with a switch during unlocking of the switching element; 3058105.1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU - 5 Figure 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram for the control of the triggering of the catch fitting; Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a modified catch fitting; Figures 12 to 17 show several views of the two catch fittings of a catch system according to the invention in different positions and Figures 18A and 18B show another embodiment of an item of furniture with the catch system; Figure 19 shows a schematic circuit diagram for the synchronous triggering of catch fittings. A drawer 93 is held displaceably on a furniture body by means of a catch system, where for this purpose a first pull-out guide 1 is provided on a left side wall 91 and a second pull-out guide 1 is provided on a right side wall 92, where the side walls 91 and 92 support a base 90. A pull-out guide 1 shown in Figure 2A comprises a fixed guide rail 2 which can be mounted on a furniture body. A slide rail 3 is mounted displaceably on the guide rail 2 either directly or via a central rail, on which a projecting activator 17 is fixed. The activator 17 can be coupled to an entrainer 7 which is displaceable along a curve guide 5 of a housing 4. The housing 4 can be fixed on the guide rail 2. 3056105_I (GHMattes) P89100 AU - 6 A further housing 6 of a spring element is fixed on the housing 4. The housing 6 can be engaged with a support 65 which is formed integrally with the housing 4 (Figure 3). The entrainer 7 is coupled to a rod 60 which is received with a thickened spherical-head-like end section 61 in a dome-shaped receptacle. The end section 61 can be received in a seamless, positive or non-positive manner. The rod 60 is connected to a disk 62 on the opposite side to the end section 61 on which one end of a spring 63 abuts. The opposite end of the spring 63 is supported on a cover 64 or housing base of the housing 6. The entrainer 7 further has a side arm 8 on which a coupling element 9 is fixed. The coupling element 9 is connected to a switching element 10 which is configured as metal wire having a bent end section 11. The bent end section 11 of the switching element 10 engages in a switching curve 20 which is formed integrally with a component 18. The component 18 is displaceably mounted on a groove-shaped receptacle 16 on the housing 4. In this case, the component 18 is pre-tensioned by means of a spring 45 in an initial position, where this is fixed at one spring end 46 on a holder 48 on the housing 4. An opposite spring end 47 of the spring 45 is fixed on the component 18. A base 12 is formed on the receptacle 16 of the housing 4 which is spaced apart from the component 18. As a result it is possible that the switching element 10 formed as wire can be moved between the base 12 and the component 18 via the switching curve 20, where the bent end section 11 engages in the switching curve 20. Furthermore, the base 12 3058105_1 (GHMatter) P89100AU prevents the escape of the bent end section 11 from the switching curve 20. The switching element 10 can be unlocked from an engaged position by means of an initiator 30, where the initiator for this purpose is coupled via a linkage 51 to a lifting magnet 50. The lifting magnet 50 has an internal restoring device. The function of the catch fitting 15 with the switching curve 20 and the switching element 10 is explained in detail with reference to Figure 4. In an initial position a drawer 93 coupled to the slide rail 3 is located in a closed position and the switching element 10 is held in the switching curve 20 such that it is engaged. For this purpose the bent end section 11 lies in a catch depression 26 of the switching curve 20 and is pressed into the catch depression 26 by the force of the spring 63 via the rod 60, the entrainer 7 and the further coupling elements. The switching curve 20 in the housing 18 is formed to be groove-shaped and comprises a loop-shaped section 23. When the drawer 93 is to be opened from this closed position (Figure 4A), this can be accomplished by an unlocking of the switching element 10 by pressing the drawer in the closure direction towards the furniture body so that the bent end section 11 is moved towards a run-in slope 28 on the switching curve 20 which has the result that the switching element 10 is pivoted and engages in a receptacle 27, which is disposed offset to the catch 3058105_1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU - 8 depression 26 (Figure 4B). When the drawer 1 is released, the switching element 10 can now be moved back in the loop shaped section 23 of the switching curve 20 as a result of the force of the compressed spring 63 until the switching element 10 is moved into an outlet. During a closing movement of the drawer, the switching element 10 is moved along the switching curve 20 into the loop-shaped section 23 to a branch 24 which is located adjacent to a groove-shaped receptacle 25. In the area of the branch 24, the switching element 12 is therefore initially moved into the projection 25 until a front panel of the drawer hits against the furniture body. After release by the user, the drawer 1 is moved back as a result of the force of the compression spring 63 until the end section 11 is moved towards the catch depression 26 so that the position shown in Figure 4A is reached. In Figures 5 and 6 the component 18 with the switching curve 20 is shown in different positions of the end section 11 of the switching element 10 in order to achieve an unlocking of the switching element 10 and a corresponding opening of a push element mounted on the pull-out guide in another manner. An initiator 30 is displaceably mounted on the component 18 by means of which the end section 11 can be moved out from the catch depression 26. In Figures 5A and 6A the end section 11 of the switching element 10 is located in the catch depression 26 and the initiator 30 is located in an initial position. 3056105_1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU - 9 For unlocking the switching element 10, the initiator 30 is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the component 18 so that according to Figure 6B the end section 11 of the switching element 10 can be moved out from the catch depression 26 and pressed against the run-in slope 28. During a further displacement of the initiator 30 according to Figure 5C, the end section 11 is finally pressed out from the catch depression 26 and moved around a tip 29 at the edge of the catch depression 26 into the loop-shaped section 23. The initiator 30 is thereby disposed offset to the run-in slope 28 and advantageously has a stop 31 which is bevelled in the direction of the tip 29 (see Figure 7). Due to the force of the spring 63 the switching element 10 now moves in the direction of the opening along the loop shaped section 23 of the switching curve 20 (Figure 6D). In Figure 7 the initiator 30 is shown in detail. The initiator 30 is configured to be substantially plate-shaped and is displaceably mounted on a receptacle 40 of the component 18 with the switching curve 20. A step 35 is provided on the initiator 30, on which a web is formed which at the end forms a stop 31 for the end section 11 of the switching element 10. Furthermore, a projection 32 is provided on the initiator 30 which is guided in the substantially rectangular receptacle 40 on the component 18. A side arm 34 projects laterally on the initiator 30 which passes through an open edge section 41 on the recess 40. An opening 42 is formed on the receptacle 40 through which the step 35 and the web with the stop 31 is introduced. The initiator 30 is displaceable by means of electromechanical or electromagnetic means which are 3056105_1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU - 10 coupled to the side arm 34. For this purpose a lifting magnet 50 is provided which is energised via a controller as required. The controller can be coupled to sensors for detecting electrical, optical or acoustic pulses, in order to bring about an unlocking. Figures 8A to 8D show the catch fitting during the unlocking of the switching element 10. In Figure 8A the initiator 30 is located in an initial position and the switching element 10 is locked on the catch depression 26. For unlocking the lifting magnet 50 is energised and by means of a linkage 51 that is coupled to the side arm 34 pushes the initiator 30 against the opening direction. As a result, the end section 11 of the switching element 10 is moved out from the catch depression 26 into the loop-shaped section 23 as shown in Figures 6A to 6D. After switching off the energising of the lifting magnet 50, the initiator 30 is then moved, e.g. under the action of a spring by an internal restoring device in the form of a spring back into the initial position. The unlocked switching element 10 is now moved as a result of the force of the spring 63 in the opening direction. In an end position the entrainer 7 is parked on an end section of the curve track and the slide rail 3 of the pull-out guide can move independently of the entrainer 7 in the opening direction. In this release variant no panel gap is required for release since the lifting magnet, for example can be triggered by means of an external switch. When a tensile force is applied to a front panel of a drawer, this can be displaced against the force of the 3056105_1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU - 11 spring 45 by means of the displaceable mounting of the component 18. In such an overload situation the initiator 30 can remain stationary and form a stop for the switching element 10 in the opening direction so that an unlocking according to the sequences of Figures 6B and 6C is brought about as a result of the relative motion between component 18 and switching element 10. Figure 9A to 9D show the catch fitting during unlocking with a switch 70 which comprises a sensor 71 by means of which a movement of the component 18 can be detected. The unlocking of the switching element 10 by displacement of the component 18 (overload) can also optionally be brought about by displacement of the initiator 30 contrary to the opening direction. For this purpose the switch 70 can by means of a sensor 71 detect a pulling movement or pulling force on the component 18 which then causes a controller to actuate the lifting magnet 50. As a result the initiator 30 is displaced by the lifting magnet 50 (Figure 9B and 9C) and unlocks the switching element 10, as has already been explained with reference to Figures 6B and 6C. After unlocking the component 18 is moved by the force of the spring 45 and the initiator 30 is moved by the internal restoring device back into the initial position (Figure 9D). Figure 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the controller. The switch 70 comprises a sensor and/or a sensing device and is coupled via a controller to the lifting magnet 50 by which means the initiator 30 can be 3056105_1 (GHMatters) P89100 AU - 12 moved. The lifting magnet 50 is connected to a power supply 75 and can be energised to actuate the initiator 30. Figure 11 shows a modified embodiment of the catch fitting 15' in which the same components are designated with the same reference numbers as in the preceding exemplary embodiment. On the housing 4 a component 18' with the switching curve is not displaceably mounted, but on the component 18' a head section 19' is provided at the end which is fixed on a holder 48' of the housing 4. As a result, the component 18' is fixed on the housing 4 so that an unlocking of the switching element 10 can only take place by the steps in Figures 4 and 6. In the exemplary embodiments shown the switch 70 can be coupled to mechanical, optical or acoustic sensors which bring about an unlocking of the switching element 10 depending on the application. Alternatively, for example, the lighting in the drawer can be switched on by means of the switch 70. Other functions can also be activated by the switch 70. Instead of the lifting magnet 50, another drive can be provided for movement of the initiator 30, e.g. a pivoting magnet. The initiator 30 can be mounted pivotably instead of linearly. The drive for movement of the initiator 30 is not restricted to a lifting magnet and other adjusting drives are also feasible. An unlocking for several switching elements 10 simultaneously from catch fittings 15, 15' can be effected by a switch 70, as is explained hereinafter. 3058105_1 (GHMMtters) P89100.AU - 13 Figures 12 to 17 each show the catch system with a left catch fitting and a right catch fitting in different positions. In Figure 12 the catch system with the two catch fittings is located in a rest position in which a drawer 93 is located in the closed position in front of a furniture body. Figure 13 shows a position in which a drawer 93 was triggered manually on the left side by pressing in the front panel, so that on this side the switching element 10 is moved out from the catch depression 26 on the catch fitting 15. On the right side on the other hand the movement of the drawer has not brought about any unlocking of the switching element 10, on the contrary the component 18 is pulled out slightly as a result of the impending shear force of the already triggered catch fitting on the drawer 93 whilst the initiator 30 remains rigid and forms a stop for the switching element 10. When observing the individual catch fitting 15 which is not yet triggered, the shear force of the already triggered catch fitting 15 acts on the spring-loaded displaceable component 18 of the catch fitting 15 which is not yet triggered. The movement of the component 18 with the switching curve 20 is detected by the switch 70 which abuts with the switch or sensor 71 against the component 18. As shown in Figure 14, as a result of the detection of a relative movement of the component 18 by the switch 70, a signal is delivered to a controller by means of which the initiator 30 on the right side is now triggered. The lifting magnet 50 is triggered for this purpose, which 3058105_1 (GHMotters) P89100 AU - 14 magnet moves the initiator 30 in Figure 14 to the right via the rod 51 so that the switching element 10 is also unlocked on the right side. After unlocking the switching element 10 on the right side of the catch fitting 15, the component 18 is then moved again into the initial position as a result of the force of the spring 45. As a result, the sensor 71 of the switch 70 goes back into the initial position again. As a result, the switch 70 can now deliver another signal to the controller that the component 18 is back in the original position again. After unlocking the switching elements 10, the entrainers 7 are now moved parallel to one another in the opening direction so that the activators 17 and the slide rails 3 can be moved jointly with the drawer 93. The initiators 30 also move back into the initial position after switching off the lifting magnet 50. Figure 17 shows the end position in which the entrainers 7 are parked on a curved end section of a guide track and wait until they enter into an engaged position again due to a closure movement of the drawer 9. Figures 18A and 18B show a modified exemplary embodiment for a catch system in which two pull-out guides 1 are provided which however are not arranged laterally adjacent to one another, but above one another. Such pull-out guides 1 are used in particular for apothecary cabinets in which the height is many times the width. The pull-out guides 1 are each fixed on a side wall 61 of a furniture body, where 3056105_1 (GHManers) P89100.AU - 15 a mesh 94 shown only in part is located on a slide rail 3 of each pull-out guide 1. Such pull-out guides for vertical pushes are frequently also disposed diagonally. Figure 19 shows the synchronous triggering of at least two catch fittings 15, 15' according to the invention. In order to achieve a high switching security, a synchronous triggering of the lifting magnets 50 is fundamentally brought about by means of the sensors 71 and the switch 70 as well as the controller 76. A voltage supply 76 is required to operate the system. The activation of a sensor 71 always brings about a triggering of all the lifting magnets 50 connected for a drawer 93. Instead of two pull-out guides 1, more than two pull-out guides 1 can be used in a catch system according to the invention. In addition, the catch system can also be used for hinge elements in which a pivoting movement is provided instead of a linear displacement movement. 305eO5_1 (GHMatters) P89100 AU - 16 Reference list 1 Pull-out guide 2 Guide rail 3 Slide rail 4 Housing 5 Curve guide 6 Housing 7 Entrainer 8 Side arm 9 Coupling element 10 Switching element 11 End section 12 Base 15 Catch fitting 16 Receptacle 17 Activator 18 Component 18' Component 19 Head section 19' Head section 20 Switching curve 23 Loop-shaped section 24 Branch 25 Receptacle 26 Catch depression 27 Receptacle 28 Run-in slope 29 Tip 3056105_1 (GHMatiers) P89100.AU - 17 30 Initiator 31 Stop 32 Outlet 35 Step 40 Receptacle 41 Edge section 42 Opening 45 Spring 46 Spring end 47 Spring end 48 Holder 48' Holder 50 Lifting magnet 51 Linkage 60 Rod 61 Side wall 62 Disk 63 Spring 64 Cover 65 Support 70 Switch 71 Sensor 75 Power supply 76 Controller 90 Bottom 91 Side wall 92 Side wall 93 Drawer 94 Mesh 3056105.1 (GHMatters) P89100AU - 18 3056105S1 (GHMailem) P80100.AU - 19 Figure captions Fig. 12 Left Right Fig. 13 Left Right Fig. 14 Left Right Fig. 15 Left Right Fig. 16 Left Right Fig. 17 Left Right 3050105.1 (GHMatters) P89IOOAU

Claims

1. Catch system, in particular for movable furniture parts, comprising at least two catch fittings (15, 15'), wherein each catch fitting (15, 15') comprises a switching curve (20), in which a switching element (10) is displaceably mounted, wherein each switching curve (20) comprises a loop-shaped segment (23) having a catch depression (26), and the switching element (10) can be engaged with the catch depression (26) by a force storage device (63), and each switching element (10) is coupled to a movable furniture part, characterised in that an initiator (30) is provided on each catch fitting (15, 15'), by means of which the switching element (10) can be moved out from the catch depression (26), wherein a controller (76) is provided by which means the initiator (30) of the catch fittings (15, 15') can be actuated for unlocking the switching elements (10).

2. The catch system according to claim 1, characterised in that the controller is coupled to at least one optical, acoustic, electrical or magnetic sensor.

3. The catch system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the controller is coupled to a plurality of drives (50) by which means respectively one initiator (30) can be moved. 3058105_1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU - 2

4. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the controller is provided with a sensor for determining the distance of the movable furniture part.

5. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that each initiator (30) is configured as a slider which is mounted displaceably along a receptacle (40) on a component (18) having the switching curve (20).

6. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the initiators (30) can each be moved by means of a drive.

7. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the initiators (30) can each be moved by means of a lifting magnet (50).

8. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in the initial position the initiators (30) form a stop for the switching element (10).

9. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the switching curves (20) are pre-tensioned in an initial position by means of a force storage device.

10. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the switching curves (20) are 3056105_1 (GHMatters) P89100.AU -3 pre-tensioned in an initial position by means of a spring (45).

11. The catch system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that an optical or acoustic device can be switched on at the same time upon an actuation of the initiator (30) by the controller (76).

3058105.1 (GHMalters) P89100.AU