EP2457465A1 - Locking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a touch-latch assembly (2) with locking means for locking the drawer in closed position. An ejection portion provided for ejecting the drawer out of closed portion comprises a force accumulator for providing an ejection effect. An actuating element (3) is provided for transmission of movements of drawer to touch-latch assembly. A damping element is arranged between the catch element (4) and actuating element for attenuating the force exerted on drawer when the drawer is moved to closed position.

Description

The invention relates to a device for locking a first furniture part in a closed position relative to a second furniture part according to the preamble of claim 1 and a piece of furniture.

State of the art

In furniture for example, drawer cabinets closing devices are known in which both a lock in a closed position and an opening of a drawer can be achieved by the drawer is pushed over a short distance of a few millimeters in the body of such a cabinet to a subsequent countermovement to achieve the desired state. Such controllers are also known as touch-latch devices. In the course of the movement of a furniture part this switching operations in the touch-latch device can be triggered, which determine the next state of a moving furniture part. In addition, known movements can be used to generate an energy storage, e.g. mechanical springs, to charge for other predetermined movement, e.g. to open a drawer to provide forces.

The object of the present invention is a device provide for locking a first furniture part in a closed position relative to a second furniture part, which allows a reliable achievement of closed and open states.

This object is achieved by a device for locking a first furniture part in a closed position relative to a second furniture part with the feature of claim 1.

Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the subclaims.

The invention is based on a device for locking a first furniture part in a closed position relative to a second furniture part, wherein the first furniture part is designed to be movable on the second furniture part. In this case, the device comprises a touch-latch arrangement, an actuating element and a catching element. The touch-latch arrangement has locking means, by means of which the first furniture part can be locked in the closed position, wherein after a release of the lock by a triggering operation, the first furniture part can be ejected with ejection means from the closed position, wherein the ejection means comprise a force accumulator for providing an ejection effect and wherein the force accumulator is loadable by the first furniture part is moved from an open position to the closed position, overcoming a counterforce generated by the force accumulator. The adjusting element is intended to transmit movements of the first furniture part to the touch-latch arrangement. The catching element captures the first furniture part during the process in the closed position and couples it at least over part of the travel path of the first furniture part to the actuating element.

The essence of the invention is that a damping element is arranged on the catching element, on the adjusting element and / or between the catching element and the adjusting element and that the damping element is designed to damp impact forces acting on the first furniture element when the first Furniture part moves in the closed position.

In particular, when inserting the first furniture part, e.g. a drawer, from an open position to a closed position, the first furniture part can absorb a comparatively large kinetic energy, so that it is one or more times reflected by mechanical impacts and / or bars by elastic shocks. In the closed position, directional changes of the first furniture part are transmitted to the touch-latch arrangement by the catching device and the actuating element, which can trigger unwanted additional switching operations on the touch-latch arrangement. In particular, such unwanted switching sequences can lead to a renewed ejection of the first furniture part in an unintended open state. As a result, it is sometimes difficult, even with comparatively small insertion movements, to reliably achieve a respective desired closing or open state of the first furniture part.

The arrangement of the damping element on the catch element, on the adjusting element and / or between the catch element and the adjusting element, the damping element is directly in the transmission path of the forces coupling the touch-latch assembly to movements of the first furniture part. The damping element arranged in the region of catching element and / or adjusting element has a direct effect on the coupling by virtue of this position, so that the damping properties can advantageously be matched and adapted precisely to loads to be expected when using a piece of furniture. This has the further advantage that the damping element can be limited to a predetermined size. In addition, it is conceivable that the damping element for additional damping in addition to other damping means, e.g. at an end stop for closing movements of the first furniture part, e.g. on a furniture back wall to use.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the damping element is designed such that it is only in one of two opposite directions, which are parallel to the extension direction, unfolds a damping effect. This offers the advantage that separate damping elements for each of the two directions of movement can each have different shock-absorbing properties. For example, they may differ in the length of the attenuation path until a predominantly attenuation-free direction reversal is achieved. Furthermore, this offers the advantage that several damping elements can be coordinated with one another to a specific sequence of impacts so as to reduce a kinetic energy of the first furniture part by predetermined amounts via predetermined damping paths.

In particular, it is preferred to use a damping element with a comparatively short damping path, which absorbs shocks when the first furniture part is to be retained in a locked position or the closed position. As a result, it is possible to prevent the first furniture part from being reflected so strongly into the second furniture part after a restraining impact that the touch latch arrangement can switch over to the next opening operation and the first furniture part can be switched again from the second furniture part by the touch latch Arrangement is extended. At the same time, the position of the closed position is advantageously comparatively precisely predetermined by such a damping element.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the catching element and the adjusting element can be connected via a coupling, wherein the coupling is designed to release the connection between the catching element and the adjusting element when it exceeds a predetermined force. A coupling with damping element has the advantage that when motion energies occur, of which the damping element can absorb only a small proportion; the coupling may be provided to decouple the furniture parts in order to avoid damage to, for example, locking means of the touch-latch arrangement. Preferably, the coupling comprises a male member and a female member adapted to receive the male member is trained. Such a plug-in coupling offers an advantageously simple structure. Advantageously, the plug element has a tapering towards the end shape. On the one hand, this makes uncomplicated and quick engagement possible. On the other hand, the plug element displace with a, for example, conically tapered tip displaceable or deformable body and thereby make a contribution to the damping by friction on the surface of the plug tip.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the bushing element has elastically yielding retaining elements on an engagement side. In particular, in conjunction with a plug member having a tapered towards the end shape, the plug member when moving into the sleeve member initially move the resilient retaining elements to the side, so that the elastically resilient retaining elements at least partially return to their original position after passing, for example, a widest part of the tip can and thereby hold the plug latching. The resilient retaining elements may be formed by a latching holding the plug such that they hold the plug member only up to a predetermined force in the socket. As a result, the clutch can advantageously be tuned to a predetermined force such that the clutch decouples when overloading forces occur. Preferably, the plug element and / or the socket element consists of an elastically deformable shock-absorbing material. This provides for shocks or forces in which the coupling maintains a connection between catch element and actuator, the advantage that a coupling and damping space saving with the same components of the device can be realized.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention consists in that the device has guide means which, at least in some areas, guide movements of the catching element when the catching element is coupled to the first furniture part. This offers the advantage that movements and shocks to be damped are directed comparatively precisely to the damping element can be. Furthermore, it is preferred that the guide means predetermine a coupling position for the catch element, in which the catch element and the first furniture part can be coupled to one another during an insertion movement and the movements of the catch element at least between the coupling position and a second position corresponding to the closed position of the first furniture part , to lead. As a result, in particular, a clutch is essentially decoupled only when the touch-latch device is in a locked closed state.

embodiment

Figur 1a

schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungsvorrichtung in geöffnetem Zustand,

Figur 1b

schematische perspektivische Ansicht der Verriegelungsvorrichtung im geschlossenen Zustand,

Figur 1c

schematische perspektivische Ansicht der Verriegelungsvorrichtung im Notöffnungszustand,

Figur 2a

schematisch perspektivische Ansicht einer zweiten Verriegelungsvorrichtung,

Figur 2b

schematische perspektivische Ansicht des Details a) aus der Figur 2a.

Two different embodiments will be described below for a more detailed explanation of the invention with the aid of the drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1a

schematic perspective view of a first locking device according to the invention in the open state,

FIG. 1b

schematic perspective view of the locking device in the closed state,

Figure 1c

schematic perspective view of the locking device in the emergency opening state,

FIG. 2a

schematically perspective view of a second locking device,

FIG. 2b

schematic perspective view of the detail a) from the FIG. 2a ,

The FIGS. 1a to 1c show as a first embodiment of an inventive locking device for drawers (not shown). To specify directions, the FIGS. 1a to 1c a tripod, with its x-direction in Direction of closing movements of a drawer points.

The locking device 1 is provided for attachment to a furniture body (not shown). For this purpose, it can be directly attached to a furniture body or indirectly, e.g. via a guide unit, be attached to the furniture body.

The closing device 1 consists of a mounting element 8, in which a mechanical touch-latch unit 2 is installed. From the touch-latch unit 2 protrudes an actuating rod 3, at the end of a cylindrical plug-in element 5 is attached. In the touch-latch unit 2 is a spring (not shown) which exerts ejecting forces on the control rod 3.

The cylindrical plug-in element 5 is part of a plug-in coupling 6, which can completely accommodate the plug-in element 5 in a socket 7. The plug-in coupling 6 is used with proper use of a piece of furniture connecting the control rod 3 with a catch element 4, wherein the plug-in coupling 6 and the catch element 4 via a joint (not shown) are interconnected. The joint allows the catch element an in FIG. 1a assume the insertion position shown.

The coupling-in position of the catching element 4 is predetermined by a guide rail 9, which is formed on the mounting element. The joint and the guide rail allow the catching element 4 in the coupling position a position in which a catching claw 10 of the catching element 4 is issued protruding beyond the profile of the guide rail 9 in the y-direction. Thereby, e.g. a sufficiently long pin (not shown) as a driver at a e.g. Drawer (not shown), which is guided along when closing the drawer close to the guide rail 9, freely engage in the catch claw 10.

By driving the Fangelements 4 at a slide-in movement via the plug-in coupling 6 and the control rod 3 is moved along. When inserting the control rod 3 is in the touch-latch unit 2 is not shown spring element tense. In addition, can be driven within the touch-latch unit 2 by inserting the control rod 3, not shown mechanical switching mechanism so that the touch-latch unit 2 switches to a locked state, which can hold a drawer closed, for example.

The locking device in the locked state, ie in the closed state, is in FIG. 1b shown. In this state, the touch-latch unit 2 is under tension, because the switching mechanism of the touch-latch unit 2 blocks an expansion and thus a relaxation of the spring. Due to the increased spring tension on the rear derailleur in the touch-latch unit 2 a locking state is therefore stabilized against slight shocks and shocks. An accommodation of energy storage, eg spring elements, in the touch-latch unit 2 is not mandatory, but it has the advantage that it can be avoided that other parts of a piece of furniture are under mechanical tension.

The cylindrical plug-in element 5 consists of a resilient material, which preferably has a strong frictional effect in combination with the material of the socket 7. A deformation of the plug-in element 5 and a frictional action between the plug-in element 5 and the socket 7 contribute to the damping of shocks which can occur in the case of a movement of a movable furniture part coupled to the catching element 4, the plug-in coupling 6 and the control rod 3.

The position of the closing state is a comparatively short distance, eg a few millimeters, for example 3 - 4 mm, away from an end stop. The distance serves as a switching path by which a movable furniture part is to be inserted into a furniture body, so that an unlocked state of the touch-latch unit 2 can be achieved. When unlocked, the movable furniture part can be unhindered and easily pulled out of the furniture body to open or extend, the extension preferably by the force of a ejection spring in particular to the Reaching the coupling position is supported by the catch element 4. In this case, the plug-in coupling 6 and in particular the damping plug-in element 5 provides a gentle transfer of coupling forces to the touch-latch unit 2, as long as the catching element is engaged with the movable furniture part when properly pulled out a movable furniture part.

Over the parts 3,4,6 of the closure device 1 not only impact forces, e.g. be damped at a retracting movement. For with a movement of a furniture part entering in the x direction, the kinetic energy of the furniture part can be completely absorbed after a first impact only with comparatively gentle use. Usually, however, part of the kinetic energy and thus the furniture part, e.g. a drawer, itself reflected, so that it moves in the opposite direction after a first push.

However, even with complete damping is to be noted that a spring element such as the touch-latch unit 2 is under such a dampened shock under greatest tension and the spring first accelerates the control rod 3 in the opposite direction x until the previously activated locking state of the Derailleur attacks and aborts a continuation of an extension movement by blocking the control rod 3 abruptly. The furniture part thus remains in a closed position. Due to the blocking occur on the control rod 3, the plug-in coupling 6 and the catch element 4 tensile forces that can reduce the plug-in coupling 6 by damping deformation and friction again, so that a further reversal of the movement of the furniture part and the parts coupled thereto 3.4 , 6 better prevent the locking device. This in turn prevents that the switching mechanism of the touch-latch unit 2 in the next state in which the furniture part is ejected to open, can be switched on. The plug-in coupling 6 therefore makes a contribution as a damping element to more accurately observe the order of the switching states of the touch-latch unit 2, by moving energies and pulses of the latter Furniture part, which can cause a skipping of switching states, receives and destroyed.

However, if the kinetic energy of a furniture part exceeds the damping capacity of the plug-in coupling 6, the plug-in element 5 and the socket 7 can be released when blocking an extension movement of the furniture part. This condition is in the Figure 1c shown. As a result, damage to the touch-latch unit 2 can be prevented.

The FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment of a closing device 1 according to the invention, wherein also in these figures, neither a furniture body nor a movable furniture part are shown. In FIG. 2b is a section A of FIG. 2a shown enlarged, which is the focus of the following description, since the locking device in the in FIG. 2a shown elements a great match with the embodiment of FIGS. 1a to 1c having.

The FIG. 2b showed a coupling 6 with a conical plug-in element 15 and a socket 7, which are rotatably connected to each other via a hinge 12. The plug element 15 forms an arrowhead-like end of an actuating rod 3, which can engage between a left-hand jaw 13 and a right-hand jaw 14 of the socket 7. The plug-in element 15 is preferably made of the same, comparatively hard plastic as the socket 7, so that the plug-in element 15 when coupling the socket 7 to the control rod 3 can press the two jaws 13 and 14 comparatively easy to the side. The claws 13, 14 are formed on their side facing the inner receiving portion of the socket 7 side as barbs, which retain the male member 15 after a complete engagement up to a predetermined force. In this case, the barbs of the jaws 13, 14 strike an annular damping element 16, which is located at a connection point of the plug element 15 with the control rod 3. In the case of jerky tensile loads, the barbs of the claws 13, 14 do not strike the plug element 15 directly but the annular damping element 16 Shock loads damped. As a result, the damping element 16, together with the force acting in the x-direction of the spring element of the touch-latch unit 2, that when used properly caused by a blocked control rod shocks can no longer produce reversing movement, by further switching the touch-latch unit 2 can cause a re-ejection. However, if forces occur in such a shock, which exceed the predetermined amount, push the damping element 16 and the plug element 15, the claws 13,14 to the side and thus decouple the catch element 4 from the control rod 3, that the mechanical parts of the locking device. 1 are effectively protected against overloading and consequent damage.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

closing device

2

Touch-latch unit

3

control rod

4

catching element

5

plug-in element

6

plug-in coupling

7

receptacle

8th

mounting element

9

guide rail

10

catch claw

11

Führungahaken

12

joint

13

claw

14

claw

15

plug-in element

16

damping element

Claims (11)

Device (1) for locking a first furniture part in a closed position relative to a second furniture part, wherein the first furniture part is movably guided on the second furniture part, with a touch-latch arrangement (2) with locking means, via which the first furniture part in the closed position is lockable and after a cancellation of the lock by a triggering operation, the first furniture part with ejection means from the closed position is ejected, wherein the ejection means comprise a force storage device for providing an ejection effect and the energy storage is loadable by the first furniture part from an open position to the closed position below Overcoming a counterforce generated by the force accumulator is moved, with an actuating element (3) which is provided for transmitting movements of the first furniture part to the touch-latch arrangement (2),
and with a catch element (4), which catches the first furniture part in the process in the closed position and coupled to the actuating element (3), characterized in that on the catch element (4), on the adjusting element (3) and / or between the catch element (4 ) and the adjusting element (3) a damping element (5,16) 'is arranged and that the damping element (5,16) is adapted to attenuate acting on the first furniture element jerky forces when the first furniture part moves in the closed position. Device (1) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that the catch element (4) and the adjusting element (3) via a coupling (6) are connectable, wherein the coupling (6) is adapted to when a predetermined force is exceeded, the connection between the catch element (4) and the actuating element (3) can be reconnected. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling (6) comprises a damping element (5,16) which is adapted to dampen impact forces. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling (6) comprises a plug element (5, 15) and a socket element (7) which is designed to receive the plug element (5). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug element (15) has a tapering towards the end shape. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bush element (7) on an engagement side elastically yielding retaining elements (13,14). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug element (5,15) and / or the sleeve member (7) consists of an elastically deformable, shock-absorbing material. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping element (5,16) is designed such that it develops a damping effect only in one of two opposite directions, which are parallel to the extension direction. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises guide means (9,11) which at least partially movements of the Fangelements (4) lead, when the catch element (4) is coupled to the first furniture part. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide means predetermine a coupling position of the catching element (4), in which the catching element (4) and the first furniture part can be coupled together during an insertion movement and the movements of the catching element (4) at least between the coupling position and a second Position corresponding to the closed position of the first furniture part lead. Furniture with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10.

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