EP1637677A1 - Locking system for furniture drawers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking system for furniture drawers. The system is of the type that comprise a pull shaft (e) which is connected to each drawer/guide (c) which in turn actuates a corresponding locking device. Moreover, all of the aforementioned locking devices are interconnected, such that the opening of certain drawers prevents the remaining drawers from being opened. The inventive system consists of: a flat support bar (1) which is fixed to the piece of furniture and which defines a track groove (1) comprising at least two segments (11a and 11b), said segments being disposed at an angle to one another; a mobile blocking element (2) comprising two projecting bolts (2a, 2b) which can be guided linearly along the aforementioned track groove (11) when pulled by the movement of the corresponding shaft (e); and aligned mobile arms (3a, 3b) which can move linearly by a maximum amplitude (a) in a vertical track (12) that is defined in the flat support bar (1) on which they are guided. The invention is suitable for office furniture and similar.

Description

The present invention relates to a drawer locking system which prevents the furniture from overturning, especially for drawers of office furniture or the like.

Currently, furniture with drawers or the like is used extensively to archive all kinds of documents (cards, files, etc.) and a large number of devices have been developed which, in order to prevent the rollover, prevent the opening simultaneous multiple drawers, a huge number of Patents can be mentioned on this subject. By way of example and, among others, the following files, both from the applicant himself (EP1059402, U1030864, U 1032265, U1039748) and other proprietors (EP0286199, FR2365677, FR2173463, FR2677071, NL7604359, US4768844) .

In most existing systems, which are part of the current state of the art, the elements of the devices are manufactured according to the size of the furniture or drawers, that is why it is necessary to manufacture for each manufacturer and for each piece of furniture. elements of different sizes, which goes against a standardization and raises the price.

• a) le nombre excessif de composants ou l'emploi de composants complexes ayant une fabrication, un montage et/ou une action difficiles;
• b) des limitations excessives imposées par le fabricant du mécanisme au fabricant du meuble;
• c) des dispositifs d'actionnement et de blocage disposés en sens inverse ou dans des endroits inappropriés;
• d) un manque de sécurité face à des manipulations inadéquates;
• e) une impossibilité d'ouverture en cas de fermeture accidentelle.

Problems inherent in current systems, including systems that are trying to achieve standardization, are:

• (a) the excessive number of components or the use of complex components with difficult manufacture, assembly and / or action;
• (b) excessive limitations imposed by the manufacturer of the mechanism on the furniture manufacturer;
• (c) actuating and locking devices arranged in opposite directions or in inappropriate locations;
• (d) lack of security in the face of inappropriate handling;
• e) impossibility of opening in case of accidental closing.

Other problems and limitations known systems for blocking furniture drawers are purely technical or constructive: one or more parts necessarily move by turning, which complicates excessively the mechanism.

The system which is the subject of the invention goes beyond this problem: it recommends a new locking system for furniture drawers in which all the component parts that move are guided linearly.

• a) une platine portante fixée au meuble et qui définit une rainure-glissière avec, au moins, deux tronçons formant un angle entre eux;
• b) un élément bloquant mobile, muni de deux boulons émergents, qui peuvent se déplacer linéairement guidés par la rainure-glissière mentionnée, étant entraînés par l'axe correspondant, fixé à son tiroir ou son guide, lorsque celui-ci se déplace linéairement;
• c) des bras mobiles alignés entre eux, positionnés un en haut et l'autre en bas, et susceptibles de se déplacer linéairement d'une amplitude maximale (a) sur une glissière verticale définie sur la platine portante où ils sont guidés.

The system according to the invention being one of those which consist of a drive shaft united to each drawer which actuates the corresponding locking device, all the locking devices of all the drawers being all interrelated, so that the opening of one of them prevents that of others, is characterized in that for each drawer / slide, the system comprises:

• a) a bearing plate fixed to the furniture and which defines a groove-slide with at least two sections forming an angle between them;
• b) a movable locking element, provided with two emergent bolts, which can move linearly guided by the groove-slide mentioned, being driven by the corresponding axis, fixed to its drawer or its guide, when it moves linearly;
• c) movable arms aligned with each other, positioned one above and one below, and capable of linearly moving a maximum amplitude (a) on a vertical slide defined on the bearing plate where they are guided.

The width of the groove-slide, the diameter of the drive shaft, the diameter of the bolts and the maximum amplitude of which the arms can move linearly are the same, so that when one of the drawers remains open, the opening of the remaining drawers is blocked.

Said upper movable arms have an extreme ramp where is initially one of the bolts of the blocking element for, when opening one of the drawers, allow its guided movement and thus block the opening of other drawers.

• des moyens de récupération, qui tendent à déplacer dans une seule direction, lors d'une approche verticale, lesdits bras mobiles, les boulons mentionnés se déplaçant horizontalement et laissant libre l'amplitude (a) existant entre deux bras mobiles;
• au moins une barre-tirant associée par ses extrémités à deux bras mobiles de deux platines portantes contiguës.

Additionally, the system includes:

• recovery means, which tend to move in one direction, during a vertical approach, said movable arms, said bolts moving horizontally and leaving free amplitude (a) existing between two movable arms;
• at least one pull rod associated at its ends with two movable arms of two contiguous bearing plates.

Said recovery means consist in particular of springs which abut on the corresponding opposite movable arm and the plate on which it is mounted and the locking element has an extra flat configuration, with its bolts emerging towards the same face.

To better understand the object of the present invention, there is shown on the plans a preferred embodiment of practical embodiment, susceptible of incidental changes that do not denature the foundation.

Figure 1 is a general perspective view and shows schematically the locking system for drawers on furniture subject of the invention with its basic components in operational position, the lower module being in position " open drawer "and the upper in" closed drawer "position.

FIG. 2 is a general view in elevation and shows schematically the locking system for furniture drawers with its basic components and associated with each of the drawers (c), the lower module being in the "open drawer" position and the upper one in the "closed drawer" position.

FIG. 3 shows in detail the front view of a module in motion in the "open drawer" position-FIG. 3A and in movement in the "closed drawer" position-FIG. 3b-for a non-limiting example of practical embodiment. .

Figures 4a and 4b are similar to Figures 3a and 3b but showing a variant to solve an abnormal situation.

The abnormal situation occurs by accident, the bolts (2a), (2b) of the blocking element (2) remaining on the first section (11a) of the sliding groove (11) and the drive shaft (e) on the outside thereof (Figure 4a).

An exemplary practical, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is described below.

The locking system for furniture drawers, according to the invention, is applicable to furniture (M) having drawers which comprise a drive shaft (e) united to the drawer or its guide (c); this drive shaft (e) actuates the corresponding locking device.

• une platine portante (1)
• un élément bloquant (2)
• des bras mobiles positionnés l'un (3a) en position supérieure et l'autre (3b) en position inférieure sur la platine portante (1)

le tout constituant un ensemble modulaire (pour chaque tiroir).According to the invention, the locking system for furniture drawers mainly used on office furniture and the like, correlates with all the drawers (c) of a piece of furniture (M):

• a support plate (1)
• a blocking element (2)
• mobile arms positioned one (3a) in the upper position and the other (3b) in the lower position on the support plate (1)

all constituting a modular assembly (for each drawer).

• des moyens de récupération -ressorts (4)-
• au moins une barre-tirant (5), qui, reliée par ses extrémités à deux bras mobiles (3a), (3b) de deux platines portantes (1) contiguës, constitue le point d'union entre deux ensembles modulaires proches, autrement dit entre deux tiroirs (c) contiguës.

Additionally, are included:

• recovery means -reporting (4) -
• at least one pull rod (5), which, connected at its ends to two movable arms (3a), (3b) of two adjacent bearing plates (1), constitutes the point of union between two adjacent modular assemblies, in other words between two drawers (c) contiguous.

• a) définit une rainure-glissière (11) avec, au moins, un premier tronçon (11a) et un second tronçon (11b) formant un angle entre eux - amplitude angulaire (α)-;
• b) constitue une glissière-guide (12), orthogonale par rapport à l'un des tronçons (11a) de ladite rainure-glissière (11), qui se poursuit aux deux extrémités dans chacun des logements (13) coaxiaux entre eux et avec ladite glissière-guide (12);
• c) dispose d'un boîtier (14) où vient se loger, au moins, un ressort (4).

According to the embodiment shown, each bearing plate (1):

• a) defines a slide groove (11) with at least a first section (11a) and a second section (11b) forming an angle between them - angular amplitude (α) -;
• b) constitutes a guide slide (12), orthogonal to one of the sections (11a) of said groove-slide (11), which continues at both ends in each of the housings (13) coaxial with each other and with said guide rail (12);
• c) has a housing (14) which is housed, at least, a spring (4).

According to the embodiment shown, each locking element (2) is consituté by a one-piece body from which emerge, towards the same side, two bolts (2a), (2b).

According to the embodiment shown, one of the movable arms - positionally the upper movable arm (3a) - forms an extreme ramp (31).

• L'amplitude maximale avec laquelle peuvent se déplacer linéairement les bras mobiles (3a), (3b) et les barres (5) qui y sont associées, le diamètre des boulons (2a), (2b) de l'élément bloquant (2) et le diamètre de l'axe d'entraînement (e) associé au tiroir ou à sa glissière (c) est la même ou pratiquement la même. Elle apparaît indiquée comme cote (a) sur les figures du plan.
• Sont comprises dans l'objet de l'invention toutes autres réalisations pratiques alternatives qui n'en altèrent, n'en changent ni n'en modifie le caractère essentiel proposé ici: par exemple, que la rainure-glissière (11) ait plus de deux tronçons extrêmes formant avec celui-ci des amplitudes angulaires (α), (β) égales ou différentes entre elles et orientées vers un même coôté ou vers des côtés différents.

In the system which is the subject of the invention, the following dimensional ratio is achieved:

• The maximum amplitude with which the movable arms (3a), (3b) and associated bars (5) can move linearly, the bolt diameter (2a), (2b) of the blocking member (2) and the diameter of the drive shaft (e) associated with the drawer or its slide (c) is the same or substantially the same. It appears indicated as dimension (a) in the figures of the plan.
• Included in the subject matter of the invention are all alternative practical embodiments that do not alter, change or modifies the essential character proposed here: for example, that the groove-slide (11) has more than two extreme sections forming with it angular amplitudes (α), (β) equal to or different from each other and oriented toward the same coote or to different sides.

• a) en disposant la platine portante (1) fixée au meuble (M), de sorte que l'un des tronçons (11a) de sa rainure-glissière (11) demeure en position horizontale et que l'autre tronçon (11b) forme un angle (α) par rapport à l'horizontale.
  Les bras (3a), (3b) et les barres (5) associées à eux se déplacent étant guidés verticalement.
• b) dans chaque module, un des bras (3a) tend à s'abaisser en raison de l'action du ressort (4), ce qui oblige les bras restants (3a), (3b) à le faire. L'action des ressorts (4) s'accumule dans l'ensemble du mécanisme;
• c) l'élément bloquant (2) est monté avec ses boulons (2a), (2b) logés dans la rainure-glissière (11).

With these components and this structuring, to obtain the locking system which is the subject of the invention, the assembly takes place:

• a) by arranging the support plate (1) fixed to the furniture (M), so that one of the sections (11a) of its groove-slide (11) remains in a horizontal position and that the other section (11b) forms an angle (α) with respect to the horizontal.
  The arms (3a), (3b) and the bars (5) associated with them move being vertically guided.
• b) in each module, one of the arms (3a) tends to lower due to the action of the spring (4), forcing the remaining arms (3a), (3b) to do so. The action of the springs (4) accumulates in the whole mechanism;
• c) the locking element (2) is mounted with its bolts (2a), (2b) housed in the groove-slide (11).

• a) tous les tiroirs (c) étant fermés, les boulons (2a), (2b) de l'élément bloquant (2) se logent dans le tronçon horizontal (11a) de la rainure-glissière (11) et l'axe d'entraînement (e) demeure placé entre les deux. Dans cette position, les ressorts (4) agissent en faisant s'abaisser tout l'ensemble des barres (5) et des bras mobiles (3a), (3b), de sorte que l'amplitude (a) se retrouve dans la zone la plus élevée du mécanisme;
• b) Au moment d'ouvrir n'importe quel tiroir (c), l'axe (e) entraîne l'élément bloquant (2) en poussant son boulon (2b) qui, dans son déplacement, bute contre la rampe (31) du bras mobile (3a), qui s'élève et élève avec lui le reste des bras mobiles (3a) supérieurs et empêche le déplacement des bras mobiles (3b) inférieurs. L'amplitude (a) s'est déplacée jusqu'à cette zone et y loge le boulon (2a) de l'élément bloquant (2) une fois que l'axe d'entraînement (e) continue son chemin au moment d'ouvrir le tiroir (c) enfin libéré du boulon (2a) -qui s'est logé dans le tronçon (11b) de la rainure-glissière (11)-.

The operation takes place as follows:

• a) all the drawers (c) being closed, the bolts (2a), (2b) of the blocking element (2) are housed in the horizontal section (11a) of the groove-slide (11) and the axis d Training remains in between. In this position, the springs (4) act by lowering the entire set of bars (5) and movable arms (3a), (3b), so that the amplitude (a) is found in the area the highest of the mechanism;
• b) At the moment of opening any drawer (c), the axis (e) drives the blocking element (2) by pushing its bolt (2b) which, in its displacement, abuts against the ramp (31) movable arm (3a), which rises and raises with it the rest of the upper mobile arms (3a) and prevents the movement of the lower movable arms (3b). The amplitude (a) has moved to this area and houses the bolt (2a) of the blocking member (2) once the drive shaft (e) continues its path at the time of open the drawer (c) finally released from the bolt (2a) - which is housed in the section (11b) of the groove-slide (11) -.

As long as a drawer (c) remains open-that is to say with the bolt (2a) clamped between two arms (3a), (3b) as a result of the action of the springs (4) -the others drawers (c) will be kept closed and locked, the remaining arms (3a), (3b) can not be offset, because the corresponding bolt (2b) abuts against the corresponding ramp (31).

According to the variant of Figure 4, the groove-slide (11) has, in addition, in continuity with its section (11a), a third section (11c). The sections (11a), (11c) form an angle (β) between them.

Each blocking element (2) consists of a one-piece body from which two bolts (2a), (2b) emerge towards the same side and at least one of them has a ramp / chamfer (21).

It is also noted that the movable arms (3a) each have an extreme ramp (31a), (31b) in opposition (that is to say having a symmetrical disposition with respect to its axis of displacement) and, at least one pusher (32) disposed on the third section (11c) facing the groove-slide (11).

• a) que les boulons (2a), (2b) présentent une rampe/chanfrein (21), ce qui permet, indifféremment, la disposition d'un même élément bloquant (2) à droite ou à gauche;
• b) que les bras mobiles (31) présentent chacun un poussoir (32) disposé symétriquement, ce qui permet indifféremment de disposer un même bras mobile (3a) à droite ou à gauche.

The variant of FIGS. 4a and 4b implies the fact:

• a) that the bolts (2a), (2b) have a ramp / chamfer (21), which allows, indifferently, the arrangement of the same blocking element (2) right or left;
• b) that the movable arms (31) each have a pusher (32) arranged symmetrically, which allows indifferently to have the same movable arm (3a) to the right or left.

In case of abnormal situation -figures 4a, 4b- where, with any drawer (c) open, the bolts (2a), (2b) of the blocking element (2) are housed in the horizontal section (11a) of the slideway groove (11) and the drive shaft (e) disposed far from them, in this case it is the springs (4) which act by lowering all the bars (5) and movable arms (3a), (3b) so that the amplitude (a) remains in the highest zone of the mechanism, which allows to open another drawer (c) whatsoever.

• a) l'axe (e) d'entraînement pousse tout d'abord la rampe extrême (31b) du bras mobile (3a) pour le soulever dans le guide (12) et ensuite exerce une poussée sur le boulon (2b) pour le soulever sur le troisième tronçon (11c) de la rainure-glissière (11). Cette dernière action est facilitée par la rampe/chanfrein (21) du boulon (2b);
• b) le boulon (2b) étant dépassé par l'axe (e), le poussoir (32) du bras mobile (3a) exerce une pression sur lui grâce à l'action du ressort (4) et l'oblige à revenir à une situation de fonctionnement correct avec le tiroir (C) fermé.

With the solution presented, it is sufficient to close the drawer (C) corresponding to the blocker (2) located in an abnormal position so that:

• a) the drive shaft (e) first pushes the end ramp (31b) of the movable arm (3a) to lift it into the guide (12) and then pushes on the bolt (2b) for the lift on the third section (11c) of the groove-slide (11). This last action is facilitated by the ramp / chamfer (21) of the bolt (2b);
• b) the bolt (2b) being exceeded by the axis (e), the pusher (32) of the movable arm (3a) exerts a pressure on it through the action of the spring (4) and forces it to return to a correct operating situation with the drawer (C) closed.

Claims (10)

Locking system for furniture drawers, from those which include a drive shaft (e) united to each drawer / guide (c) which actuates the corresponding locking device, all the devices of all the drawers being correlated with each other so that the opening of one of them prevents that of the others; characterized by the fact that for each drawer / guide (c), the system consists of: a) a bearing plate (1) fixed to the cabinet and defining a sliding groove (11) with at least two sections (11a) (11b) forming an angle (α) between them; b) a movable locking element (2) provided with two emergent bolts (2a), (2b), which can move linearly guided on said slide groove (11), as being driven by the movement of the corresponding axis (e) ) fixed to the drawer or its guide (c), when it moves linearly; c) movable arms aligned with one another, positioned at the top (3a) and the other at the bottom (3b), and capable of moving linearly with a maximum amplitude (a) on a vertical slide (12) defined on the bearing plate (1) where they are guided. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the width of the groove-slide (11), the diameter of the drive shaft (e), the diameter of the bolts (2a) , (2b) and the maximum amplitude (a) to which the moving arms can move linearly are the same, so that if any drawer (c) is open, the opening of the other drawers is blocked. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the movable arms (3a) mentioned has an end ramp (31) where initially one of the bolts (2b) of the blocking element (2) for, when opening one of the drawers (c) promote its guided movement or so blocks the opening of the remaining drawers. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in particular by the fact that said recovery means are constituted by springs (4) which abut against the corresponding movable arm (3a) and the plate carrier (1) on which it is mounted. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking element (2) has an extra flat configuration and its bolts (2a), (2b) emerge on the same face. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that , on each bearing plate (1), there are recovery means (4) which tend to move in one direction, in a vertical approach, said movable arms (3a), (3b), said bolts (2a), (2b) moving horizontally and leaving free the amplitude (a) existing between two movable arms (3a), (3b). Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at least, a bar-pulling (5) associated by its ends with two movable arms (3a), (3b) of two supporting plates (1) contiguous. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the first claim, characterized in that the groove-slide (11) has, communicating with its horizontal section (11a), a third section (11c) which forms an angle with it, capable of housing a bolt (2b) of the blocking element. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the bolt (2b) of the blocking element (2) which faces the drive shaft (e) has a ramp / chamfer (21) and the upper movable arm (3a) has two opposing lateral ramps (31a), (31b), on which one or other of the bolts (2a), (2b) abuts. Locking system for furniture drawers, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said upper movable arm (3a) has, at least, a pusher (32) disposed on the third section (11c) in front of the groove slide (11).

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