EP2537440B1 - Plinth with supported screw - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a niche closure part, in particular a niche closure part for covering a gap between a first device and a second device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a niche closure part.

Niche lock parts fulfill various tasks in a built-in unit. There are niche fasteners that fixed a built-in device to a niche wall of the furniture so that the built-in unit can not be moved out, on the other hand, there are niche end parts, which are used for positioning. For this purpose, the user can position the niche closure part on the niche wall by pressing and thus specify the desired position for the built-in appliance in the niche. Niche end pieces can also be used to remove dirt and to blind a gap between the niche wall and the Eirlbaugerät.

However, conventional niche end parts can only fulfill one of the above objects.

Conventional niche end parts are usually releasably fixed to the niche wall of the cabinet via a through-hole and a screw guided through the through-hole. On the built-in device, the fixation can also be done via a detachable screw or via a releasable locking connection.

In order to release the built-in appliance fixed from the furniture recess via a latching connection, the niche closure part must first be completely detached from the niche wall. However, the danger of the corresponding screw falling down and being lost is very high. Many detent connections also engage in the surface of the built-in appliance. They lock with the built-in device only when the niche closure part is screwed into the niche wall and firmly anchored. This makes exact positioning of the niche end part together with the built-in device in the niche difficult. An execution of the connection between Niche closure and the built-in device as a detachable screw connection leads to more Schraubaufwand. The screw itself is difficult to access in the corner between the built-in device and the niche wall for the screwdriver for turning the screw and a hand for holding the screw, thereby making the furniture construction not only tedious but also complicated.

A separation between niche closure parts for fixing the built-in appliance and niche closure parts for veneering the gap therefore has the advantage in the prior art that the niche closure parts can be adapted to the requirements during assembly. The niche closure part during fixation must be light and handy, while the veneering of the fixed built-in device can easily be done with a bulky and large niche closure part. Due to the separation, however, the assembly costs and the space required increase. The additional niche termination also causes additional costs.

For the depth positioning of the built-in device in the niche it is admittedly known to provide a positioning aid in the form of a projecting arm with a notch, which can be applied to an edge of the niche wall at the niche entrance to indicate with the niche closure part the exact position of the built-in appliance, However, the projecting arm must be removed to minimize the risk of injury after completion of positioning and leaves a visible and unaesthetic burr. An alternative measurement of the depth position of the built-in unit leads to a disproportionate installation effort, especially for professional furniture construction.

NL 6 709 103 A relates to joints for expansion joints in floors, walls, ceilings and other parts of building structures, in which at one of the two joint forming parts, a resilient holding part is fixed, which has a flange which on a ceiling portion of the part by means of one or more screws and optionally attached using dowels of known type.

DE 35 16 546 A1 relates to a closure device for a furniture part on a vertical niche rear wall, which has a carrier strip fastened to a worktop, for example by means of screws.

The invention has for its object to combine as many of the above tasks in a niche final part of a built-in device, and yet to make it easy to handle.

A built-in device is understood to mean a device that is installed in a furniture conversion. In particular, a built-in appliance is understood to mean a built-in household appliance that is used for household management, such as a dishwasher, a cooking appliance or a refrigeration appliance. Under a refrigeration device is in particular a household refrigeration appliance understood, so a refrigerator used for household management in households or possibly in the catering sector, and in particular serves food and / or drinks in household quantities at certain temperatures to store, such as a refrigerator, a freezer , a fridge freezer or a wine storage cabinet.

The object is achieved by a niche closure part for covering a gap between a first device and a second device having a base body for covering the gap and an opening in the base body for receiving a retaining element which fixes the base body to the first device, comprising a retaining element, which is arranged in the opening, wherein the holding element is a screw and the base body has a base plate and wherein the opening is adapted to hold the holding element in a position not fixed to the first device, characterized in that the base plate has a cylindrical and round formed trained Haltedom, which is also hollowed out inside cylindrical, wherein the cross section of the cylindrical shape has the same circumference, as the screw head of the screw.

• Bereitstellen des Nischenabschlussteiles mit einem Grundkörper zum Abdecken des Spaltes und einer Öffnung in dem Grundkörper zur Aufnahme eines Halteelementes, das den Grundkörper an der ersten Vorrichtung (4) fixiert, mit einem Halteelement in der Öff-nung, wobei die Öffnung ausgebildet ist, das Halteelement in einer nicht an der ersten Vorrichtung fixierten Stellung zu halten und wobei das Halteelement eine Schraube ist
• Herstellerseitiges Vormontieren des Halteelements

The object is further achieved by a method for producing a niche closure part for covering a gap between a first device and a second device, comprising the steps:

• Providing the niche closure part with a base body for covering the gap and an opening in the base body for receiving a retaining element which fixes the base body to the first device (4) with a retaining element in the base body Opening, wherein the opening is formed to hold the holding member in a position not fixed to the first device and wherein the holding member is a screw
• Manufacturer-side pre-assembly of the retaining element

Due to the fact that the opening is designed to hold the retaining element, it can be pre-assembled by the manufacturer, and is therefore immediately available on site when building a piece of furniture. This reduces the installation effort of the furniture in many ways. On the one hand, the furniture construction is self-explanatory. Smaller fasteners such as screws, which are usually very similar and are difficult to distinguish on a picture assembly instructions of laymen, can be pre-assembled in place, which can be dispensed with an extra explanation in the assembly instructions. This noticeably reduces the search effort during installation and lowers the costs for furniture assembly, especially in the case of specialist installation. Furthermore, errors are minimized, which may arise during the picking of small parts for a furniture to be built and during assembly, which in particular reduces the risk of warranty claims. In addition, the kits of the furniture are better verifiable for completeness, since the small parts no longer need to be picked in an extra bag but the place where they are to be installed, are already pre-assembled. The niche closure part according to the invention can be implemented in any desired system, which appreciably increases recognition for the person skilled in the art and thus reduces the fear of contact with the niche closure part according to the invention.

The first device is, for example, a niche wall of the furniture and the second device is a built-in device to be accommodated in the niche, in particular a built-in electrical appliance, such as a built-in refrigerator. Alternatively, however, the niche termination part can also be attached such that the first device is the built-in device, and the second device is the niche wall.

In a development of the invention, the screw can be screwed with a screwing direction into the first device, wherein the opening is designed to hold the screw in the screwing direction. In this way, the screw can be screwed immediately and without further holding with another hand in the first device, whereby For example, with the freed hand, the furniture can be held on itself to protect it from strong vibrations by screwing.

In a further development of the invention, the base body has a receiving element which guides the opening, the screw having a screw head which is held by the opening in the receiving element. By holding the screw on the screw head can be avoided that it slips to the side during initial screws and falls down. This minimizes the risk that is lost by a clumsy handling, such as the screwdriver, the screw held in the opening.

In a preferred further development of the invention, the opening tapers from the screw head in the screwing direction. In this way, a stopper for the screw head is provided, with which the niche closure part can be pressed against the first device. In addition, the taper can also be used as a further holding element to hold the screw in the receiving element not only on the screw head but also on the thread, whereby the screw is also better managed.

In a particularly preferred further development of the invention, the receiving element is seen in the screwing of the screw arranged on one side of the body, which lies on the back of the body. In this way, the receiving element is hidden from the user, so that not only the Risk of injury to the receiving element is reduced, the body thus receives a smoother appearance and it can accumulate less dirt on the surface of the body.

In another embodiment of the invention, the base body may be formed as a plastic injection molded part. In this way, the main body is given a high elasticity for holding the retaining element, so that the retaining element can be securely held in the opening during transport. Moreover, the niche termination is inexpensive to manufacture, and remains lightweight and handy to mount between the first and second devices.

The plastic injection-molded part can be made, for example, of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

In a further embodiment of the invention, the niche closure part may have a cover element for covering the opening. In this way, the niche closure part will not only lose a higher quality optics, it may also accumulate less dirt in the opening whereby, for example, the fastener is protected from rust and the furniture is easier to clean.

In a further development of the embodiment of the invention, the cover member may be pivotally mounted to the base body on the base body. In this way, the cover can be preassembled on the base body, so that there are the same advantages that were already mentioned at the outset with regard to the fastener held in the opening.

In a preferred embodiment of the embodiment, the cover may be integrally formed with the main body, resulting in a particularly simple production of the main body with the cover.

In an advantageous development of the embodiment, the cover can be welded to the base body.

In another refinement of the embodiment, the niche closure part may have a fixing side directed toward the first device on the base body, the covering element being provided, as seen from the base body, for pivoting beyond the fixing side. In this way, the cover member can also be used as a positioning aid, since it can be applied to an edge of the first device. Thereby, the niche termination part is not only suitable for fixing the first and second devices and covering the gap between the first and second devices, it can also be used for positioning the second device on the first device. In this way, less tools for connecting the first and second device is necessary, which possibly also leads to a lower picking effort. In addition, less preparatory measures, such as a scribing of the depth position, necessary and left after assembly less waste, if for the depth positioning a special tool must be provided by the manufacturer or if the depth positioning is performed via a above-mentioned projecting arm, which Depth positioning is removed. Ultimately, the burr mentioned in this context is also avoided.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover on its side facing away from the base body on a notch, which can be placed in an edge of the first device, such as the niche wall of the furniture. In this way, the cover is better secured during the positioning process against slipping.

In an additional embodiment of the invention, the base body may have a latching element which is provided for latching with a counterpart arranged in the gap on the second device. Due to the locking element, the connection between the second device and the niche closure part no longer needs to be screwed, which saves assembly time. In addition, the connection of the second device with the niche closure part is also possible in hard to reach places, such as in the gap. The locking connection also makes it possible to build the connecting element between the second device and the niche closure part in one piece, which saves costs in production.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the latching element is directed to the fixing side, so that the latching element when removing the first device can be easily pressed against the second device to release the latching connection of the second device.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a built-in furniture with a niche and a built-in appliance received in the niche, wherein the niche and the built-in appliance are connected to each other via a niche closure part according to the invention.

The object of the invention and its developments are described below with reference to drawings. The same or similar parts have the same reference numerals in the figures shown.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiel eines Nischenabschlussteils zwischen einer Nischendecke und einem Einbaugerät in einer Schnittansicht;
• Figur 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel eines Nischenabschlussteils mit einem geöffneten Abdeckelement zwischen einer Nischendecke und einem Einbaugerät in einer Schnittansicht; und
• Figur 3 eine schematische Darstellung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel des Nischenabschlussteils mit geschlossenem Abdeckelement.

Show it:

• FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a niche closure part between a niche ceiling and a built-in appliance in a sectional view;
• FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a niche closure part with an open cover between a niche ceiling and a built-in appliance in a sectional view; and
• FIG. 3 a schematic representation of the second embodiment of the niche closure part with closed cover.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a niche closure part 2 between a niche cover 4 as an example of a first device and a built-in device 6 as an example of a second device in a sectional view. The built-in appliance 6 can be for example a built-in electric appliance and in particular a built-in refrigerator for a kitchen furniture. Between the built-in device 6 and the niche cover 4 there is a gap 7 which is to be covered by the niche closure part 2. For this purpose, the niche closure part 2 has a main body 8, a retaining dome 10 as an example of a receiving element and a latching element 12.

The base body 8 has a parallel to the niche ceiling 4 extending base plate 14, a perpendicular to the base plate 14 standing front plate 16, which consists of a in FIG. 1 18 provided with the reference numeral 18 can be seen in the niche, and a standing perpendicular to the base plate back plate 20 which connects the base plate 14 with the locking element 12 on. The front plate 16 rests with a bearing surface 22 on the niche ceiling 4. Since the niche closure part 2 is fixed on the niche ceiling via the support surface 22, the support surface 22 can also be referred to as a fixing surface. Thus close the front plate 16 and the back plate 20, the gap 7 between the niche cover 4 and the built-in device 6, so that no dirt in the gap 7 can penetrate from the outside. The back plate 20 forms together with the locking element 12 an angle that can be applied to the upper edge of the built-in device 6, so that the niche closure part 2 has a tight fit on the built-in device 6. The corner 24 between the front panel 16 and the base panel 14 is angled so that the niche closure member 2 has no sharp edges to minimize the risk of injury.

The latching element 12 has a latching nose 26 which can engage in a latching recess 28 in the built-in device 6 in order to lock it. The latching connection 26, 28 connects the niche closure part 2 of the present embodiment with the built-in device 6.

The base plate 14 carries the retaining dome 10, in which a screw 30 is received. The retaining dome 10 is cylindrical and round in shape, and sits between the base plate 14 and the niche cover 4, so that it is not visible from outside the niche closure part 2. The Haltedom 10 is also hollowed out inside cylindrical, wherein the cross section of the cylindrical shape has the same extent as the screw head 32 of the screw 30. In this way, the screw head 32 is clamped in the interior of the holding dome 10, and thus held by the Haltedom 10. This makes it possible to pre-assemble the screw 30 in the niche closure part 2 and to fix it at the intended point of use in the niche closure part 2, without the screw 30 being immovable thereby during the later final assembly on the niche ceiling 4. The Haltedom 10 also has on its side facing the niche 4 side a taper 34, 36 of the thread Screw 30 can be penetrated. In this way, not only a Einschraubgrenze for the screw 30 is given, the taper 34 also serves as a second guide when screwing the screw 30 in the niche ceiling 4. Between the Haltedom 10 and the niche cover 4 remains a distance 38 through which the base plate 14 so that the locking plate 12 connected via the back plate 20 can be raised. As a result, the latching connection 26, 28 of the niche closure part 2 can be released with the built-in appliance 6. Alternatively, no distance 38 can be present, which leads to a better connection of the niche ceiling 4 with the built-in appliance 6 via the niche closure part 2.

To connect the niche top 4 with the built-in device 6, the locking lug 26 of the locking element 12 is first placed in the recess 28. Thereafter, the correct positioning distance 40 of the niche closure part 2 is measured from an outer edge of the niche cover 4, and the built-in appliance 6 is aligned together with the niche closure part 2 according to the dimension. Subsequently, the main body 8 is held for example at the angled corner 24 and the screw 32 is screwed into the niche ceiling 4. Finally, a in FIG. 1 Not shown cover plate are placed on the opening of the retaining dome 10 to prevent the ingress of dirt into the Haltedom 10.

In the Figures 2 and 3 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a Nischenabschlussteils 42 with a cover 44 in a sectional view shown.

In the second embodiment, the Haltedom 10 as in the first embodiment of FIG. 1 and is therefore not described again.

The niche closure part 42 has a main body 45 with a base plate 46, which rests on the niche cover 4. In this way, a higher contact surface 47 is achieved between the niche closure part 42 and the niche cover 4, so that the niche closure part 42 not only has a secure hold on the niche cover 4, by the larger support surface 47, the dirt repellency is also more effective. Since the niche closure part 42 is fixed on the niche ceiling via the bearing surface 47, the bearing surface 47 can also be referred to as a fixing surface. Perpendicular to Base plate 46 extends at the rear to the built-in device 6, a back plate 48 at which a locking element 50 connects. At the front of the base plate 46, the cover 44 is pivotally connected to the base plate 46 via a film hinge 52.

The locking element 50 is guided by a mounted on the built-in device 6 socket 52, wherein a detent 54 of the locking element 50 is directed towards the support surface 47. The locking lug 54 thus points away from the built-in appliance 6 toward the niche ceiling 4. In order to release the latching element 50 from the bushing 52, the latching lug 54 must be pressed in the direction of the built-in device 6. To release the niche closure part 42 from the built-in appliance 6, the built-in appliance 6 with the niche closure part 42 can be pulled out of the niche in front of the niche ceiling 4, so that the catch nose 54 is accessible and released from the built-in appliance 6 and pulled out of the socket 52 in the manner described above can. In order for a tighter grip of the locking element 50 is given to the built-in device 6, so that the niche closure member 42 can be formed integrally with the built-in device 6 in the second embodiment.

The cover member 44 has a cover plate 56 for covering the retaining dome 10 and a perpendicular to the cover plate 56 extending front plate 58. The corner 60 between the cover plate 56 and the front plate 58 is angled. For better positioning, the corner 62 of the niche ceiling 4 can also be angled in the same way, so that when the cover element 44 is pivoted away from the base plate 46, both corners 60, 62 lie flat on one another. In this way, after insertion of the latching element 50 of the niche closure part 42 into the socket 52 of the built-in appliance 6, the built-in appliance 6 together with the niche closure part 42 are pushed into the niche until the cover element 44 pivoted away from the base plate 46 with its angled corner 60 to the angled corner 62 of the niche ceiling 4 abuts. Alternatively or additionally, a positioning nose 64 may be arranged on the cover plate 56, through which the corner 60 of the cover 44 can engage in the corner 62 of the niche ceiling. After positioning niche closure member 42 together with built-in device 6, cover member 44 may be closed with a retaining lug 66 on back plate 48 of niche closure member 42 holding cover member 44 in the closed position. In the closed position, the retaining dome 10 between the base plate 46 and the Covering 44 included, and so not only protected from contamination but also completely hidden from the user.

By the positioning aid, consisting of the angled corner 60 and / or the positioning nose 64 on the cover 44, a measurement of the position of the built-in device of the 6 is superfluous in the positioning of the built-in device 6 together with the niche closure part 42.

According to the invention, the holding element is held in an opening of a niche closure part for receiving a holding element which fixes the niche closure part to a device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2, 42

African final part

4

niche ceiling

6

built-in device

7

gap

8, 45

body

10

Haltedom

12, 50

locking element

14, 46

baseplate

16, 58

front plate

18

View into niche

20, 48

backplate

22, 47

bearing surface

24, 60, 62

corner

26

locking lug

28

recess

30

screw

32

screw head

34

rejuvenation

36

thread

38

distance

40

positioning distance

44

cover

52

film hinge

56

cover plate

64

positioning nose

66

retaining nose

Claims (12)

1. Plinth (2, 42) for covering a gap (7) between a first apparatus (4) and a second apparatus (6) with a base body (8, 45) for covering the gap (7) and an opening in the base body (8, 45) for receiving a retention element (30), which fixes the base body to the first apparatus (4), comprising a retention element (30) which is arranged in the opening, wherein the retention element (30) is a screw and the base body (8, 45) has a base plate (14, 46) and wherein the opening is embodied to retain the retention element (30) in a position which is not fixed to the first apparatus (4), characterised in that the base plate (14, 46) supports a retention dome (10) embodied in a cylindrical and round manner, which is likewise hollowed in a cylindrical manner on the inside, wherein the cross-section of the cylinder shape has the same circumference as the screw head (32) of the screw.
2. Plinth according to claim 1, wherein the screw can be screwed into the first apparatus (4) with a screw direction, and wherein the opening is embodied to retain the screw in the screw direction.
3. Plinth according to claim 2 with a receiving element (10) on the base body (8, 45) guiding the opening, wherein the screw has a screw head (32) which is retained by the opening in the receiving element (10).
4. Plinth according to claim 3, wherein the receiving element (10), when viewed in the screw direction of the screw, is arranged on a side of the base body (8) which lies on the rear of the base body (8).
5. Plinth according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (8, 45) is embodied as a plastic injection-moulded piece.
6. Plinth according to one of the preceding claims, with a cover element (44) for covering the opening.
7. Plinth according to claim 6, wherein the cover element (44) is attached to the base body (45) so that it can pivot about the base body (45).
8. Plinth according to claim 7 with a fixing point (47) on the base body (45) directed towards the first apparatus (4), wherein the cover element (44), when viewed from the base body (45), is provided for pivoting beyond the fixing point (47).
9. Plinth according to one of the preceding claims with a latch element (12, 50) on the base body for latching with a counterpart (28, 52) on the second apparatus (6) arranged in the gap (7).
10. Plinth according to claim 9 with a fixing point (47) on the base body (45) directed towards the first apparatus (4), wherein the latch element (50) is directed towards the fixing side (47).
11. Method for manufacturing a plinth (2, 42) for covering a gap (7) between a first apparatus (4) and a second apparatus (6), comprising the steps:

    - Providing the plinth (2, 42) with a base body (8, 45) for covering the gap (7) and an opening in the base body (8, 45) for receiving a retention element (30) which fixes the base body to the first apparatus (4), with a retention element (30) in the opening, wherein the opening is embodied to retain the retention element (30) in a position which is not fixed to the first apparatus (4) and wherein the retention element (30) is a screw

    - Pre-assembling the retention element on the manufacturer's side.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the provided plinth (2, 42) furthermore has the features of at least one of claims 1 to 10.

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