EP2586332B1 - Adapter for connecting a front panel to a side frame of a piece of furniture and item of furniture with such an adapter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an adapter for connecting a front panel to a side frame of a furniture part, in particular a pull-out box such as a drawer or a drawer, and a corresponding furniture part with front panel, side frame and this adapter.

Drawers and similar furniture parts essentially consist of a bottom plate, two side and one rear frame and a user-facing front panel, optionally with front handles or a corresponding engagement strip for gripping the front panel.

In many cases, the front panel is mounted by means of an adapter to the side frames. For this purpose, the adapter is first firmly screwed on one side firmly to the back of the front panel so that it protrudes from the front panel on the back, and with the other, projecting end of the adapter is inserted into the hollow end side of the respective frame. By means of a side bolt penetrating and engaging in the adapter side frame and adapter are firmly bolted together, so that overall results in a stable connection of the frame to the front panel. Mechanisms of this type are widely known, for example DE 10 2009 025 890 A1 . EP 0 636 327 A1 . WO 2008/028811 A1 and EP 2105 556 A1 , In this context, it is also known to adjust the front panel relative to the frame by means of the adapter in height (eg EP 0 636 327 A1 ). However, the technical ones are Solutions for implementing these functions comparatively complex.

The WO 2008/010036 discloses an adapter according to the preamble of claim 1.

Object of the present invention is to provide a simple solution for connecting a frame with a front panel using an adapter.

This object is achieved by an adapter having the features of independent claim 1. In dependent claims advantageous developments and refinements of the invention are given.

Accordingly, an inventive adapter for connecting a front panel to a side frame of a furniture part on the one hand means for attaching the adapter to a back of the front panel to be connected such that the adapter points away from the back of the front panel, namely in a "first direction" protrudes. On the other hand, the adapter comprises a floating element in the form of a floating mother or screw. Namely, this element is floatingly mounted with respect to the aforementioned "first direction", so it can be reciprocated parallel to this direction so as to be movable toward the rear of the front panel and movable away from the back of the front panel.

A peculiarity of the floating element is that it has an inclined surface inclined with respect to said first direction. This inclined surface of the floating element is directly opposite a ramp of the adapter. The arrangement of inclined surface and bevel is chosen so that, if one moves the floating element so that it runs with its inclined surface on the ramp of the adapter, it in one of first direction opposite direction is urged. In other words, moves the floating element of the adapter to the back of the front panel. If you now firmly coupled the element with a frame, for example by means of a frame penetrating and coupled with the floating element shaft, so the frame is moved to the back of the front panel with the movement of the floating element at the same time and lies there with her face on.

In order to achieve an overall stable connection between the front panel and the frame with its front side in this situation, additional means are advantageously provided by means of which the floating element can be fixed relative to the adapter and / or the adapter relative to the frame. Numerous alternatives are conceivable in this respect, of which, however, preference is given to those which enable the two functions, namely (a) the displacement of the floating element with its inclined surface in the direction of the ramp and (b) the fixing of the floating element relative to realize the adapter or the adapter relative to the frame, in one operation, particularly preferably in a continuous movement. Therefore, a common component is preferably used for both functions.

In this sense, serve as a particularly preferred floating element mounted floating mother. The Schraublochachse (hereinafter also referred to as "fixation axis") of the nut is aligned so that when tightening the nut on the one hand, the inclined surface of the nut runs on the ramp of the adapter (function a) and on the other hand, either the mother against the frame or the nut against the Adapter and the adapter are pressed against the frame (function b). It is particularly preferred in this context, when the Schraublochachse is aligned perpendicular to the "first direction", because then the shaft of the screw, with which the floating bearing nut is tightened, in a simple manner, for example, transversely through a wall of the frame into the Screw hole of the mother can be introduced. When tightening the screw for the first time, the frame with the floating nut then moves towards the front panel, where it lies against its front. By further tightening the floating nut, for example, the mother clamps the adapter against a wall of the frame, so that the frame is firmly clamped in this way as a result against the back of the front panel.

Instead of using a floating nut, which is connected by a screw fixed to the frame, by means of kinematic reversal, a floating screw can be used, which is firmly connected using a corresponding nut with the frame. It is essential only that the adapter has a floating element with said inclined surface, and that this floating element has a Fixationsachse which extends to the said "first direction" preferably in a substantially vertical second direction, the inclined surface of the floating mounted element is inclined with respect to this fixation axis. Because only in the case of inclined to the fixation axis inclined surface, it is possible by "tightening" or displacing the floating element in the direction of the fixation axis to transmit a force on the inclined surface of the floating element on the opposite bevel of the adapter, which ultimately Ensures that the floating element (including the attached frame) on the back of the front panel moves too. In the case of a floating nut, the fixation axis is formed by the screw hole axis of the screw hole of the nut.

In the case of a floating screw, the fixation axis is formed by the longitudinal axis of the screw. The fixation axis is thus that axis over which the floating element and the frame are fixed together. In the concrete embodiment, this may mean that the floating element is tightened against the frame along this axis of fixation.

The floating element with the acting against the ramp of the adapter inclined surface offers on the one hand the advantage that manufacturing tolerances can be absorbed, as will be explained in more detail below. On the other hand, the frame is pulled towards the front by the inclined surface, so that a stable connection is established. This tensile force is transmitted from the floating element on the frame by the screw shaft, so either by the shaft of the floating screw or by the shaft of cooperating with the floating mother screw. This shaft is thus not only subjected to train when the element is tightened against the frame, but also by the fact that the frame is pulled against the back of the front panel, loaded by lateral forces.

In order to avoid that the head of the screw used with a floating nut protrudes from the frame, it may be advantageous to use a countersunk screw. Then the above work Transverse forces not on the shaft of the countersunk screw but on the inclined surface of the countersunk head.

When running the inclined surface of the floating element on the ramp of the adapter moves with the floating element and its fixation axis in a direction parallel to the "first direction", that is, the fixation axis also moves to the front panel. Therefore, it is expedient that the shaft running along the fixation axis (be it the shaft of a floating screw or the shaft of a screw co-operating with a floating nut) does not hinder this movement. Accordingly, a passageway for this shaft in the adapter is sized to permit movement of the shaft transverse to the axis of fixation, particularly parallel to the "first direction".

However, it is particularly preferred if this passage also permits a movement in a direction transverse to the "first direction", ie upwards or downwards. So then the height of the front panel can be adjusted relative to the frame in a simple manner, without the shaft hinders such adjustment. The passage in the adapter is accordingly preferably designed as a slot running parallel to the rear side of the front panel.

In order to keep the floating element in a defined starting position, furthermore, at least one elastic element, preferably two elastic elements, can be provided which urges the floating element into this defined starting position. This is particularly advantageous if the floating element is a floating screw, so that the screw hole of this screw easy to find. If the floating element is designed as a floating screw, the screw shaft protrudes out of the adapter anyway and out through the frame wall, so that a defined starting position of the floating element is less important in this case.

The floating element may advantageously have an uneven surface structure cooperating with the elastic element, in particular, for example, a depression in which the elastic element engages. This facilitates the mounting of the floating element in the adapter in the desired defined starting position.

A very simple and effective embodiment of the elastic element may comprise, for example, a spiral spring, which bears laterally against the floating element and preferably engages in the aforementioned recess.

The adapter or its main body can be produced in a simple manner as a cheap plastic injection molded part, and optionally also the floating element and / or the elastic element can be plastic parts.

The adapter described above is preferably inserted into a front side of the side frame and clamped by tightening the floating element against a side wall of the side frame. If a floating nut is used in combination with a countersunk screw, the side frame has a corresponding countersunk hole.

In solid frames, such as wooden frames, space can be created for the adapter within the frame by a corresponding recess. If necessary, the frame in this area by a corresponding inlay, such as a metal bracket, reinforced to increase the transverse tensile strength so that the forces can be reliably absorbed.

Figur 1

einen Adapter zum Anbinden einer Frontblende an eine Seitenzarge eines Möbelteils zusammen mit einem Teil einer Frontblende,

Figur 2

eine Zarge, die mittels zwei Adaptern gemäß Figur 1 an der Rückseite einer Frontblende fixiert ist,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Adapters aus Figur 1 mit durchsichtig dargestelltem Material und einer darin aufgenommenen schwimmenden Mutter,

Figuren 4A bis 4C

den Adapter gemäß Figuren 1 bis 3 im Querschnitt mit unterschiedlichen Positionen der darin aufgenommenen schwimmenden Mutter,

Figur 5

eine Weiterbildung des Adapters aus den Figuren 1 bis 4 mit elastischen Halteelementen zur Positionierung der schwimmenden Mutter und

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung der Komponenten des Adapters aus Figur 5.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show:

FIG. 1

an adapter for connecting a front panel to a side frame of a furniture part together with a part of a front panel,

FIG. 2

a frame, which by means of two adapters according to FIG. 1 fixed to the back of a front panel,

FIG. 3

a perspective view of the adapter FIG. 1 with transparently illustrated material and a floating mother received therein,

FIGS. 4A to 4C

the adapter according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in cross-section with different positions of the floating mother received therein,

FIG. 5

a development of the adapter from the FIGS. 1 to 4 with elastic retaining elements for positioning the floating nut and

FIG. 6

an exploded perspective view of the components of the adapter FIG. 5 ,

FIG. 1 shows a rear section of a front panel 1 and an adapter 2, which is attached to the back of the front panel 1. The main body of the adapter is preferably made of plastic. For the purpose of attaching the adapter to the front panel, the adapter has a base 21 with passages for the passage of fasteners as fastening means. As complementary fasteners serve in the illustrated embodiment screws, which are screwed into Einpressmuffen 12, which in turn are pressed into receiving openings 13 of the front panel 1. The two screws 11 and Einpressmuffen 12 can be sold together with the adapter 2 as a set. After mounting the adapter 2, the adapter 2 is the back of the front panel in one direction, which should be referred to as "first direction" here. This first direction is in FIG. 1 denoted by an arrow R.

The adapter 2 has a receptacle 22 in which a nut is mounted floating. The mother is in FIG. 1 not to be seen and will be related later FIG. 3 described in more detail. A slot 23 in the adapter 2 allows to screw from the outside a screw in the screw hole 27 of the (not shown) floating nut.

In FIG. 2 is shown how a frame 3 is connected to the front panel 1 by means of two such adapters 2. For this purpose, the frame 3 is slipped with its front side over the two adapters 2. Subsequently, a transverse screw 40 is screwed through a side wall of the frame and the slot 23 of the adapter 2 into the screw hole 27 of the floating nut and dressed. In this way, the adapter 2 is pressed with an outer wall against the inside of the frame wall. The static friction between the adapter 2 and the frame 3 then prevents slipping of the front.

In order to ensure that the frame 3 rests firmly with its end face 31 on the back of the front panel 1, the floating nut and the adapter 2 are specially designed. This will be explained below with reference to Figures 3 and 4A to 4C explained. The body of the adapter 2 is in FIG. 3 shown transparent. To see the base 21 with passages 24 for passing the in FIG. 1 shown screws 11 and the receptacle 22 in which a nut 25 is floatingly mounted. A locking pin 26 prevents falling out of the floating nut 25 from the receptacle 22nd

Essential for the stable fixation of the frame 3 at the back of the front panel 1 is the mobility or floating mounting of the nut 25 in the X direction parallel to the first direction R. Freedom of movement, the floating bearing nut 25 also in a direction Y perpendicular to the X. Direction, namely in a direction parallel to the screw hole axis A of the screw hole 27 of the nut 25. If now, as in the FIGS. 4A to 4C shown in cross-section, a screw 40 is screwed into the screw hole 27 of the floating nut 25, the nut 25 is tightened along the Schraublochachse A in the direction of the screw head 41. The screw head 41 is supported on the frame (not shown). When tightening the floating nut 25 by means of the screw 40, it runs with an inclined surface 28 on a ramp 29 of the adapter 2. Upon further tightening of the nut 25, it slides with its inclined surface 28 along the ramp 29 so that it simultaneously moves in a direction opposite to the first direction R. In other words, the floating bearing nut 25 moves in the course of Tightening on the front panel 1 to, and with it the screw 40. The screw 40 in turn is supported with its countersunk head 41 in a corresponding countersunk hole of the frame (not shown), so that with the floating nut 25 and the countersunk screw 40 and the Frame 3 is moved against the back of the front panel 1 until the frame 1 rests with its end face 31 on the back of the front panel 1. The countersunk head 41 of the countersunk screw 40 is loaded with corresponding transverse forces. Instead of a countersunk screw, a normal screw can also be used. The transverse forces then act between the screw hole and the shank of the screw.

While FIG. 4A shows the adapter 2 with the floating nut 25 in a starting position shows FIG. 4B the ideal end position of the nut 25, in which the frame 3 with its end face 31 firmly against the back of the front panel 1. Since in this situation, the frame 3 can not be moved to the front panel 1, and the floating-mounted nut 25 can not continue with its inclined surface 28 on the ramp 29 along. Instead, a further tightening of the floating nut 25 by means of the screw 40 merely leads to building and to increase a clamping force between a contact surface 30 of the adapter 2 and an inner wall surface of the frame 3. By means of the floating nut 25, it is thus possible both tighten the frame firmly against the back of the front panel 1 and tighten the adapter 2 firmly against the frame 3.

The special design of the floating nut 25, in particular so that cooperates with the ramp 29, inclined surface 28, but still offers the further advantage that it allows manufacturing tolerances can be compensated. For example, it may be due to manufacturing tolerances happen that the frame 3 is not already in the situation according to FIG. 4B with its end face 31 rests against the back of the front panel 1, but optionally only after further tightening according to the in FIG. 4C position shown. Or else the frame 3 is with its end face 31 at the back of the front panel 1 already in the in FIG. 4A shown position. In each case, by further tightening the nut 25 by means of the screw 40 a stable fixing of the frame 3 on the back of the front panel 1 and the adapter 2 within the frame 3 can be achieved.

As FIG. 3 Furthermore, it can be seen, the floating bearing nut 25 is floating not only in a direction X parallel to the first direction R floating, but also in a direction perpendicular thereto Z. This makes it possible to adjust the relative altitude between the front panel 1 and the frame 3 , As long as the frame 3 rests with its front side 31 on the back of the front panel 1 but not yet tightened, the front panel 1 and the frame 3 can be moved to each other. Thereafter, the floating bearing nut 25 and the mother of the entire adapter 2 is further tightened against the inside of the frame 3 and so fixed all components against each other. In order not to hinder this height adjustment, the passage 23 in the adapter 2 for passing the screw 40 is designed as a slot. Thus, the floating bearing nut 25 can be moved up and down together with the screw 40 relative to the main body of the adapter 2.

Instead of the mother floating in the adapter 2 25 and to couple from the outside with the screw 40, a screw can be stored floating in the adapter 2 and are coupled in a corresponding manner from the outside with a mother. As a result, the functioning of the adapter does not change in any way. The only important thing is that a floating provided element is provided, which can be firmly connected to the frame, for example via a screw or a nut, with the frame moves with the floating element on the back of the front panel 1, when the inclined surface of the floating element on the ramp of the adapter runs. The use of a floating nut and a screw, in particular countersunk screw, however, is particularly simple and correspondingly inexpensive and requires little space.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show once in cross section and even as an exploded perspective view of an adapter 2 according to a development. While the locking pin 26 ( FIG. 3 ) ensures only falling out of the nut 25 from the receptacle 22 of the adapter 2, in the illustrated embodiment of the adapter 2 of the locking pin 26 is replaced by two elastic elements 50 which hold the floating-mounted nut 25 in a defined starting position. In this initial position or "zero position" is the altitude (Z direction in FIG. 3 ) specified approximately in the middle. At the same time, the floating nut 25 is far away from the frame to be connected to it, as in FIG. 4A shown. The elastic elements 50 are preferably made of plastic and, in the exemplary embodiment shown here, have curved bending springs 51 which engage in corresponding recesses 25A on the upper and lower sides of the floating nut 25. Other configurations, for example, with more or less elastic elements 50, are also possible.

Claims (13)

1. An adapter (2) for connecting a front panel (1) to a side frame (3) of a part of a piece of furniture, in particular of a pull-out box such as a drawer or a drawer compartment, comprising:

   - means (21, 24) for fastening the adapter (2) to a rear side of a front panel (3) to be connected such that the adapter (2) projects in a first direction (R) from the rear side of the front panel (3) to be connected;
   characterised by

   - a nut (25) or screw floatingly supported in a mount (22) of the adapter with respect to the first direction (R), with the floatingly supported nut (25) or screw having a slant (28) which is inclined with respect to the first direction (R) and with the adapter (2) having a run-on slant (29) such that the floatingly supported nut (25) or screw is urged into a direction opposite to the first direction (R) when its slant (28) runs onto the run-on slant (29) of the adapter (2); and

   - a passage (23) in the adapter through which a shaft of a screw (40) which can be screwed into a screw hole (27) of the floatingly supported nut (25) can be led or through which a shaft of the floatingly supported screw is led, with the passage (23) being dimensioned such that it allows a movement of the shaft transversely to the shaft orientation and in parallel with and optionally transversely to the first direction (R).
2. An adapter in accordance with 1, characterised in that the floatingly supported screw (25) or nut has a fixation axis (A), with the slant (28) being inclined with respect to the fixation axis (A).
3. An adapter in accordance with claim 2, characterised in that the fixation axis (A) extends substantially perpendicular to the first direction (R).
4. An adapter in accordance with claim 1, characterised by a countersunk screw (40) cooperating with the screw hole (27) of the floatingly supported nut (25).
5. An adapter in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised by at least one elastic element (50) which urges the floatingly supported nut (25) or screw into a defined starting position (Figure 4A, Figure 5).
6. An adapter in accordance with claim 5, characterised in that the floatingly supported nut (25) or screw has a non-planar surface structure, in particular a recess (25A), cooperating with the elastic element (50).
7. An adapter in accordance with claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that the elastic element (50) comprises a torsion spring (51).
8. An adapter in accordance with one of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the elastic element (50) is a plastic component.
9. An adapter in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adapter, optionally including the floatingly supported nut (25) or screw, is composed of plastic.
10. A part of a piece of furniture, in particular a pull-out box, having a front panel (1), a side frame (3) and an adapter (2) in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 9.
11. A part of a piece of furniture in accordance with claim 10, characterised in that the adapter (2) is introduced into an end face (31) of the side frame (3).
12. A part of a piece of furniture in accordance with claim 11, characterised by a metal insert for receiving the adapter (2) in the end face (31) of the side frame (3).
13. A part of a piece of furniture in accordance with one of the claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the side frame (3) has a countersunk hole for receiving a countersunk head (41) of a countersunk screw (40) cooperating with the adapter (2).

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