EP2378042A1

EP2378042A1 - Drawer with locking mechanism, in particular for drawer units for interior fittings of motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP2378042A1
Application number: EP11154232A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adamo Comunello
Original assignee: Francom SpA
Current assignee: Francom SpA
Priority date: 2010-04-13
Filing date: 2011-02-11
Publication date: 2011-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2031-02-11
Also published as: ITPD20100118A1; EP2378042B1; IT1399532B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a drawer with locking mechanism on closing, in particular for drawer units destined for interior fittings of motor vehicles, comprising a load-bearing structure 2 with bottom and two opposite lateral wings 4; two slide guides 5; a locking mechanism positioned under the bottom 3, comprising a pair of locking teeth 11, 12, joined to the guides 5 and a pair of hooking elements 21, 22, joined to the load-bearing structure and movable between a locking position, in which they engage the teeth, and a release position, in which they are disengaged from the teeth. The two hooking elements are composed of two hooks connected to the load-bearing structure 2 to rotate on a plane parallel to the bottom 3. The mechanism comprises elastic means 23, 24 able to hold the hooks in the locking position and a lever mechanism which can be commanded from outside the drawer 1 to move the hooks. The lever mechanism comprises two connecting rods connected to the hooks and a bar connected to the connecting rods which can be moved from outside the drawer. [Fig. 7]

Description

The present invention relates to a drawer with locking mechanism on closing, in particular for drawer units destined for interior fittings of motor vehicles.
The drawer according to the invention finds particular application as a case-holder tray, again with reference to the interior fittings sector for motor vehicles.

State of the art

In the sector of accessories for interior fittings of motor vehicles, drawer units provided with one or more case-holder drawers are known.
A case-holder drawer substantially defines a retractable tray or support plane on which a removable case (such as a toolbox) or any other container of the right shape can be housed. Figure 1 shows an example of a drawer unit A for interiors of motor vehicles, provided with case-holder drawers C and illustrated with a drawer in an open condition and the relative case V partially extracted. Drawer units may be envisaged with normal drawers and with case-holder drawers.
The drawer C is provided with a locking mechanism which permits locking of the drawer in a closed position, preventing the sliding movement of the drawer along the guides fixed to the inner walls of the drawer unit. Considered the loads which the drawer can carry (the cases are often filled with metallic material) the mechanism must be mechanically efficient and robust to ensure functioning over time of the drawer when opening and closing, preventing above all accidental opening of the drawer during movement of the vehicle.
A traditional locking mechanism, illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, is housed in a compartment made under the bottom of the drawer C having a height corresponding to that of the slide guides. The mechanism comprises a pair of teeth D, which are joined to the fixed lateral guides G of the drawer (i.e. destined to be attached to the walls of the drawer unit) and which extend inside the housing compartment. The mechanism further comprises a pair of hooking elements E, which are joined to the drawer and are movable between a locking position, in which they engage on the teeth D so as to block them, and a release position, in which they are disengaged from the teeth D to permit the free movement of the drawer along the guides. The two hooking elements G are dragged in movement between the two aforementioned operating positions by a tilting bar B to which they are joined, which is positioned in the aforesaid housing compartment and is hinged at its two ends to the drawer so as to rotate around an axis X parallel to the bottom of the drawer C. The mechanism comprises a pair of springs M, which act on the bar B so as to keep it in an angular position corresponding to the locking position of the hooking elements, and a rod F, connected to the bar B and movable from outside by means of an actuation button H to contrast the effect of the springs M and thus push the bar B into an angular position corresponding to the release position of the hooking elements.
The locking mechanism described above has shown some functional and structural limitations.
It frequently happens that users try to open the drawer without pressing the actuation button H, for example by directly pulling the handle of the case projecting outwards from the drawer. Often the force applied is so intense as to cause the deformation of the tilting bar. The bar may be bent so markedly as to no longer be able to rotate, thereby preventing opening of the drawer. Traditional drawers and the relative locking system therefore prove insufficiently robust.
As mentioned above, the cases to be housed in the drawer may be considerably heavy. In some circumstances, these may weigh even 50 - 60 kg. This may, over time, cause a marked deformation of the load-bearing structure of the drawer and therefore in particular of the movement bar of the hooking elements. Once the bar has been bent it can no longer freely rotate, preventing opening of the drawer.
In the international patent application W02009/114884 a lockable ejector device for movable furniture parts, in particular drawers sliding on guides, is described. The ejector device is of the type with pressure closing/opening and comprises a locking mechanism of the drawer which is provided with a pair of locking teeth joined to the guides and a pair of hooking elements joined to the bottom of the drawer, movable in a synchronised manner between a locking position, wherein they engage the teeth so as to block them, and a release position in which they disengage the teeth. The locking elements move parallel to the bottom of the drawer. This particular arrangement of the hooking elements in relation to the bottom of the drawer may make the locking mechanism more resistant than the traditional systems described, given that it provides for an arrangement of the locking elements on a plane parallel to that on which the opening force of said drawer is applied.
The solution described in W02009/114884 is not suitable however for furniture destined for interior fittings of motor vehicles. In the first place, the locking mechanism is structured to enable opening/closing from the outside by mere pressure and is therefore not suitable to withstand strong stress or vibrations related to the movement of the vehicle, nor, above all, to ensure locking of the drawer in the event of accidental impact.
The synchronisation mechanism of the locking elements comprises two arms connected to a cogged wheel system anchored to the bottom of the drawer or connected to a rotating rocker arm, hinged to the bottom of the drawer. This complex structure makes the mechanism highly sensitive to vibrations and stress, with the risk of failure or accidental opening of the drawer.

Presentation of the invention

Consequently, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art, by making available a drawer with locking mechanism which is both mechanically more robust and resistant and at the same which guarantees improved functioning even in the case of incorrect use.
A further purpose of the present invention is to make available a drawer with locking mechanism which is easy and economical to produce.
A further purpose of the present invention is to make available a drawer with locking mechanism which can be made to open and close from the outside in an easy and mechanically resistant manner.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid purposes, are clearly evident from the contents of the claims below and the advantages of the same will be made clearer by the following detailed description made with reference to the attached drawings showing one or more embodiments by way of a nonlimiting example, wherein :
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a drawer unit for interior fittings of vehicles provided with case-holder drawers;
- Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of a drawer with a closing system of the traditional type illustrated in a release condition;
- Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of the drawer in the drawing, shown entirely overturned so as to better illustrate the release mechanism structure;
- Figure 4 shows a view partially in cross-section of a detail of the traditional drawer in Figure 2, relative to a hooking element of the locking mechanism of a drawer with a closing system of the traditional type illustrated in a release condition;
- Figure 5 shows a perspective view from above of a drawer according to the invention, shown entirely overturned so as to better illustrate the structure of the locking mechanism;
- Figures 6a and 6b show a perspective view from above of the drawer according to the invention in Figure 5, with the locking mechanism shown respectively in the release condition and in the locking condition;
- Figure 7 shows a perspective view from below of the drawer according to the invention shown in Figure 5;
- Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a detail of the drawer according to the invention in Figure 5, relative to a hooking element of the locking mechanism shown in the release condition, the view being relative to the section plane VIII therein indicated;
- Figure 9 shows a view from above of the drawer in Figure 5 partially in cross-section in correspondence with the support elements of the teeth so as to better emphasise the engagement of the hooking elements with the teeth;
- Figure 10 shows a detail of Figure 9 relative to a hooking element engaged with a locking tooth.

Detailed description

With reference to the appended drawings reference numeral 1 globally denotes a drawer with locking mechanism according to the invention.
The drawer 1 according to the invention has been designed in particular for drawer units utilisable for interior fittings of motor vehicles and finds its particular and preferred application as a case-holder tray. The drawer 1 may advantageously be associated to any suitable furniture structure, such as also a shelving.
Here and henceforth in the description and claims reference will be made to the drawer 1 oriented and positioned in conditions of use. In particular, "longitudinal" direction shall be taken to mean the direction defined by the extraction and closing movement of the drawer, while transversal direction shall refer to the direction orthogonal to such movement. Similarly, reference to an upper and lower position is made in relation to the bottom of the drawer 1.
According to a general embodiment of the invention, the drawer 1 comprises a load-bearing structure 2 in turn comprising a plate-shaped element 3 and two lateral wings 4 opposite each other in a transversal direction and perpendicular to the plate-shaped element.
The plate-shaped element 3 acts as bottom of the drawer. On the plate-shaped element an upper side may be defined, which acts as a support plane for the material to be stored or for a case to house in the drawer, and a lower side, opposite the former, below which the locking mechanism (described in detail further on) is positioned.
Preferably, the plate-shaped element 3 is composed of a metal sheet. In the case in which the plate-shaped element 3 acts merely as a mechanical support and therefore does not define a containment wall, as also in the case in which the drawer is used as a case-holder tray, appropriate relief apertures 3' may be made on the plate-shaped element 3.
As may be observed in particular in Figure 7, each lateral wing 4 may be made from an "L" section attached at the base of the "L" ( for example by means of rivets or welding) along one of the two longitudinal sides of the plate-shaped element 3.
Preferably, the lateral wings 4 extend from the plate-shaped element 3 downwards, that is at its lower side, so as not to reduce the useful space of the drawer 1.
Raised rims 40 and 41 may be provided on the plate-shaped element 3 at the upper side, respectively along the two longitudinal sides and the two transversal sides, useful for example for the correct housing of a case.
Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 7, the load-bearing structure 2 comprises a front wall 7, orthogonal to the aforesaid lateral wings 4 and positioned along the transversal rim of the plate-shaped element 3.
Advantageously, such front wall 7 may suitably shaped so as to permit a case to be housed inside the drawer 1, keeping the handle L on the outside (as shown in Figure 1). Operatively, the handle L may be used as a gripping element to extract the drawer 1, given that the case - once lodged in the drawer 1 - abuts against the inside of such front wall 7.
The drawer 1 comprises two slide guides 5, slidably connected to the two lateral wings 4 and destined for anchoring to a furniture structure to which the drawer 1 is associated.
Preferably, the slide guides 5 are of the telescopic type and comprise, for example, a first guide 5' to be attached to the furniture structure, a second guide 5" to be attached to the drawer and a third intermediate guide 5" ' slidably connected in a telescopic relation to the first and second guide.
The drawer 1 comprises a locking mechanism on closing positioned under the plate-shaped element 3.
According to a general embodiment of the invention, shown in particular in Figures 6a, 6b and 7, the mechanism comprises a pair of locking teeth 11, 12, each joined to one of the slide guides 5 and a pair of hooking elements 21, 22, joined to the load-bearing structure 2.
Operatively, each hooking element 21, 22 is movable between a locking position (shown in Figure 6b), in which it engages on one of the locking teeth 11, 12 and a release position (shown in Figure 6a) in which it is disengaged from the tooth 11, 12.
As may be seen in particular in Figure 7, each locking tooth 11,12 is preferably positioned under the plate-shaped element 3 by means of an overhanging support element 61,62 attached to the portion of the slide guide 5, which must be joined to the furniture structure the drawer is to be associated to. Preferably, the two teeth 11, 12 - substantially orthogonal to the bottom 3 of the drawer 1 - are located in opposite positions in a transversal direction.
According to a general embodiment, the two hooking elements 21, 22 of the locking mechanism are composed of two hooks connected to the load-bearing structure 2 of the drawer to rotate on a plane parallel to the plate-shaped element 3 between the locking position and the release position.
The locking mechanism comprises elastic means 23, 24 suitable to keep the aforementioned hooks 21, 22 in the locking position and a driving lever mechanism which can be commanded from outside the drawer 1 to bring the hooks into the release position countering said elastic means.
The aforesaid lever mechanism comprises a driving bar 25, having a first end 25' accessible from the outside of the drawer 1, and two connecting rods 26, 27, each hinged at the two ends to one of the hooks 21, 22 and to the mobile bar 25.
The bar 25 is translatable in a longitudinal direction X in relation to the drawer 1; the connecting rods 26, 27 transform the translatory movement of the bar 25 into a rotatory movement of the two hooks.
As has been verified experimentally, the locking mechanism thus structured proves much more robust and resistant than the traditional systems. In particular, in the case of incorrect use of the drawer (i.e. the attempt to open it without previously releasing the system), the pull force which needs to be applied to the drawer to deform the components so much as to prevent opening of the drawer is much higher than that of the traditional systems.
This can be explained partly by the fact that - as will be evident from the rest of the description - the components of the closing mechanism lie on the plane on which the force is applied and can thus offer greater resistance.
It has also been seen that mechanically the weakest points of the mechanism are the hinging points of the hooks. Consequently, basically, in the case of incorrect use, the components never reach the point of complete deformation in that the hinges break first. This way the drawer - although damaged - can be extracted easily without having to damage the furniture it is inserted in.
Thanks to the driving lever mechanism, the locking mechanism enables opening and closing of the drawer easily and efficiently.
The lever mechanism has in fact a mechanically simple and intrinsically robust structure thanks to the presence of the driving bar 25 moving in a longitudinal direction. In fact the bar acts as a guide for the movement of the connecting rods preventing inopportune deviations.
The lever mechanism also enables balancing of the forces inside the locking mechanism.
According to a preferred embodiment, the driving rod 25 is slidably connected to the load-bearing structure 2 of the drawer at the already mentioned front wall 7, at a specially provided insertion aperture 8 made therein.
Advantageously, the bar 25 may be slidably connected to such front wall 7 at the insertion aperture 8 by means of a shaped head 9, projecting from the front wall 7 when the hooks 21, 22 are in the locking position (as shown in Figure 6b).
As illustrated in Figure 5, the lever mechanism may be shaped symmetrically to the longitudinal centre line axis M-M of the drawer 1, with the driving bar 25 aligned along such axis M-M.
This configuration of the lever mechanism makes it possible to move the two hooks in synchrony with each other in a mechanically simple manner. The symmetrical structure further prevents having to differentiate the components of the lever mechanism depending on the final positioning sides.
Alternatively, other types of lever mechanisms may be provided, for example of the asymmetrical type.
Preferably, the load-bearing structure 2 comprises at least one transversal stiffening section 50, attached to the lower side of said plate-shaped element 3. Such section is used to strengthen the plate-shaped element 3 to prevent possible deformations due to excessive weights loaded on the drawer 1.
As will be more evident from the rest of the description, the "planar" structure of the locking mechanism according to the invention significantly reduces its size. This is essential to enable insertion of a stiffening section under the plate-shaped element 3 remaining within the height of the slide guides 5 and therefore without having to subtract space from the useful load space of the drawer 1.
Preferably, as shown in the appended drawings, such stiffening section 50 is a square 'C' or 'Q' section provided with support tabs 51, 52. Alternatively, a closed, box-like section may be used.
Advantageously, the section 50 may be attached to the plate-shaped element 3 by means of rivets, in correspondence with the aforesaid support tabs 51, 52. Preferably, the stiffening section 50 is situated on the transversal centre line of the drawer 1, near the locking teeth 11, 12.
Advantageously, the stiffening section 50 extends all along the width of the drawer, from one lateral wing to the other.
In particular, the section 50 may be positioned in such a way as to surmount the bases of the 'L' sections forming the lateral wings 4 of the load-bearing structure and be riveted to the bottom of the drawer at these points of overlap. Preferably, two pins 21', 22' provided with a widened grip head are used for the connection of the two hooks 21, 22 to the stiffening section 50.
Advantageously, the stiffening section 50 is provided with at least one plane surface section 53, parallel to the plate-shaped element 3, in correspondence of which the aforesaid two hooks 21, 22 are hinged.
As shown in the appended drawings, the two hooks 21, 22 may be composed of two flat, appropriately shaped laminas.
In particular, as illustrated in detail in Figure 10, each hook 21, 22 has - on a head portion 29 - a hooking appendage 30 on which a contact rim 31 is defined with the corresponding locking tooth 11, 12.
Preferably, the contact rim 31 lies on a plane parallel to the plate-shaped element 3. As illustrated in detail in Figure 10, the fulcrum or hinge 21', 22' of each hook 21, 22 is positioned between the lateral wing 4 of the load-bearing structure 2 adjacent to the hook 11,12 and a border plane p orthogonal to the plate-shaped element 3.
Such border plane passes through the contact zone of the locking tooth 11, 12 and the aforesaid contact rim 31 and is perpendicular to the rim 31. With this arrangement, a pull force T exerted on the drawer on opening and the corresponding reaction force R of the locking tooth 11, 12 determines on the hook 21, 22 a momentum M of forces favourable to maintaining the hook in the locking position.
This not only helps to make the locking mechanism more resistant in the case of incorrect use of the drawer, but constitutes an additional safety factor compared to the elastic means against accidental opening of the drawer, for example during movement of the vehicle which the furniture with the drawer 1 according to the invention is installed in.
Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 10, the contact rim 31 of the hooking appendage 30 forms an acute angle Q in relation to a perpendicular line to the main extension axis X of the hook 21,22. The position of the border plane p in relation to the lateral wing 4 follows the β angulation of the rim 31, in the sense that the border plane p forms an angle equivalent to the angle β with the lateral wing. Functionally, the angulation of the rim 31 therefore makes it possible to increase the useful positioning space of the fulcrum of the hook 21, 22 and in particular to distance the fulcrum further from the lateral wing 4, while maintaining the play of forces and momentum described above favourable to maintaining the hook in the locking position.
Advantageously, each hook 21, 22 has a draft 32 in correspondence with the aforesaid portion of head 29. When the drawer is closed, the respective locking tooth 11, 12 slides on the aforesaid draft 32 of the hook 21, 22, imposing on the latter a partial rotation such as to enable the complete closure of the drawer. Operatively, therefore, the return of the drawer 1 to the closed position causes the snap coupling of the hooks 21, 22 onto the relative locking teeth 11, 12 thanks to the elastic effect exerted by the elastic means 23,24.
According to a preferred embodiment, the aforesaid elastic means are composed of a pair of springs 23, 24. Each spring 23, 24 is connected in traction at its two ends to one of said hooks 21, 22 and to the load bearing structure 2, preferably to the stiffening element 50.
As illustrated in particular in Figure 7, the driving bar 25 may be provided at its second end 25" with an end stop portion 28 suitable to abut with the stiffening element 50. This way the lever mechanism is prevented from having to withstand excessive mechanical forces in the case in which during opening of the drawer 1 a particularly energic thrust is applied to the bar 25, or in any case greater than that needed to move the hooks. In particular, excessive mechanical forces are prevented from being offloaded onto the hinges 21', 22' of the hooking elements/hooks 21,22.
The present invention relates to a piece of furniture, in particular for interior fittings of motor vehicles, comprising at least one drawer 1 according to one or more of the above claims. Such furniture may be composed in particular of a drawer unit, but may be any suitable furniture, including for example shelving.
The invention makes it possible to achieve numerous advantages, in part already described.
The locking mechanism according to the invention makes the drawer much more resistant and robust, further ensuring functioning even in the case of incorrect use of the same.
The drawer can, in addition, be opened and closed from the outside in a mechanically simple and efficient manner. In particular, the driving lever mechanism adds to the strength of the locking mechanism ensuring balancing of forces.
The drawer is, in addition, more functionally reliable in that any deformation of the bottom is unlikely to cause blocking of the locking mechanism. The rotation movement on a plane parallel to the bottom of the drawer makes the mechanism less prone to influence from deformations of said bottom.
Thanks to the structure of the locking mechanism according to the invention the drawer may be strengthened by the insertion of a stiffening section, without taking from the useful space of the drawer.
The drawer according to the invention is easy and economical to produce. The drawer can in fact be almost entirely made by connecting sheet metal and sections with rivets, a very simple, sturdy, reliable and economical technology.
Lastly, compared to the solutions of the prior art, the increase in weight - essentially related to the presence of the stiffening section - is marginal.
The invention thus conceived achieves the predefined purposes.
Obviously, it may assume, in its practical embodiments, forms and configurations different from those illustrated above while remaining within the present sphere of protection.
Moreover, all the parts may be replaced by technically equivalent parts and the dimensions, forms and materials used may be varied as needed.

Claims

Drawer with locking mechanism on closing, in particular for drawer units destined for interior fittings of motor vehicles, comprising:
- a load-bearing structure (2) comprising a plate-shaped element (3), which acts as bottom, and two opposite lateral wings (4), perpendicular to said plate-shaped element;

- two slide guides (5), slidably connected to said two lateral wings (4) and destined for anchoring to a furniture structure;

- a locking mechanism, positioned under the plate-shaped element (3), comprising a pair of locking teeth (11, 12), each joined to one of said slide guides (5), and a pair of hooking elements (21, 22), joined to said load-bearing structure (2), each hooking element (21, 22) being movable between a locking position, in which it engages on one of said teeth (11, 12) to block it, and a release position, in which it is disengaged from said tooth (11, 12);
the two hooking elements (21, 22) being composed of two hooks connected to said load-bearing structure (2) to rotate on a plane parallel to said plate-shaped element (3) between said locking position and said release position, said drawer being characterised in that the locking mechanism comprises elastic means (23, 24) able to hold said hooks in the locking position and a driving lever mechanism which can be commanded from outside said drawer (1) to bring said hooks into the release position countering said elastic means and in that said lever mechanism comprises a driving bar (25), having a first end (25') accessible from the outside, and two connecting rods (26, 27), each hinged at the two ends to one of said hooks (21, 22) and to said moving bar (25), said bar (25) being translatable in a longitudinal direction in relation to said drawer (1), said connecting rods (26, 27) transforming said translatory movement into a rotatory movement of said hooks.
Drawer according to claim 1, wherein said lever mechanism is shaped symmetrically to the longitudinal centre line axis (M-M) of said drawer (1), said driving bar (25) being aligned on said axis (M-M).
Drawer according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said load-bearing structure (2) comprises at least one transversal stiffening section (50), attached to the lower side of said plate-shaped element (3).
Drawer according to claim 3, wherein said stiffening section (50) is provided with at least one plane surface portion (53), parallel to said plate-shaped element (3), in correspondence of which the two hooks (21, 22) are hinged to said section (50).
Drawer according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said bar (25) defines at a second end (25") a portion of end stop (28) which abuts on said stiffening section (50).
Drawer according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein each hook (21, 22) has a hooking appendage (30) on a head portion (29) on which a contact rim (31) is defined with the corresponding locking tooth (11, 12), said contact rim (31) lying on a plane parallel to said plate-shaped element (3), the fulcrum (21', 22') of said hook (21, 22) being positioned between the lateral wing (4) of said load-bearing structure (2) adjacent to said hook (11,12) and a border plane (p) orthogonal to said plate-shaped element (3), passing through the contact zone of the locking tooth and said contact rim (31) perpendicular to said rim (31), in such a way that a pull force (T) exerted on said drawer on opening and the corresponding reaction force (R) of said locking tooth (11, 12) determines on said hook (21, 22) a momentum (M) of forces favourable to maintaining said hook in the locking position.
Drawer according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein each hook (21, 22) has a draft (32) in correspondence with a portion of head (29).
Drawer according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said elastic means are composed of a pair of springs (23, 24).
Drawer according to claim 8, wherein each spring (23, 24) is connected in traction at its two ends to one of said hooks (21, 22) and to said load bearing structure (2).
Drawer according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said load bearing structure (2) comprises a front wall (7), orthogonal to said lateral wings (4), said driving bar (25) being slidably connected to said front wall (7) at a specially provided insertion aperture (8).
Drawer according to claim 10, wherein said bar (25) is slidably connected to said front wall (7) at said specially provided insertion aperture (8) by means of a shaped head (9), projecting from said front wall (7) when said hooks (21, 22) are in the locking position.
Piece of furniture, in particular for interior fittings of motor vehicles, comprising at least one drawer according to one or more of the previous claims.