FR2679116A1 - DRAWER OR BASE OPENING ON TWO OPPOSITE SIDES OF A FURNITURE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A drawer opening on two opposite sides of a piece of furniture to allow access to the contents thereof without unnecessary movement. The drawer consists of two front panels (3) each of which opens on one side of the piece of furniture in question and is fixed to two runners by two angle brackets. The runners allow a tray (2) to be moved on either side of the piece of furniture, and said tray is joins to either one of the front panels to form a standard drawer when pulled since when the assembly is closed said tray rests on all four runners, and when a user pulls one of the front panels the tray is drawn along, either by the lifting of the runners pulled, or by the activation of hooks engaging said tray. Said drawer is particularly useful in angled furniture and may also be used between two rooms. The device may also be used as a mounting base.

Description

 The present invention relates to a drawer opening on two opposite faces of a piece of furniture.

 Usually the drawers only open on one side. In the case of herringbone furniture, or furniture serving as a wall, this requires movement, the content being accessible only from one side.

 The system presented makes it possible to remedy these drawbacks. I1 comprises, according to a first characteristic, an independent tray which the user can access at will by pulling on one or the other of the facades indifferently. Each of these facades is fixed on two slides by brackets; the slides holding one of the facades are superimposed on those holding the other facade, so that a slide (accompanying a facade) is pulled from one side of the cabinet, and the second from the other side. Sliders are used which are lifted at the start of the race when they are pulled. On each one is added a horizontal overflow intended to support a tray. On this tray are fixed two parts (one on each side) each comprising two superimposed horizontal overhangs, whose vertical spacing is exactly the same as that between the overflows of the slides d 'same side, so that the overflow from the top of the part fixed to the tank rests on the overflow of the top slide and that of the bottom rests on that of the bottom slide. Therefore, the tray is always held by at least two slides. Thus, when the user pulls a facade, the two slides integral with the latter follow the movement by lifting, entraining then the overflows of the tray resting on them, the other two overflows of the tray losing contact with the other two slides. The container remains attached to the pulled facade. In addition, an independent system allows the locking of the facade not pulled by the user as soon as the latter pulls one of them. The walls of the cabinet each have two movable hooks around a pivot point, each comprising a lever arm this arm, for a hook, being held by the corresponding facade when the latter is closed (hook raised). When the user pulls a facade, the lever arm of the corresponding hook no longer being held, the hook lowers and attaches to the slide secured to the other facade.

According to particular embodiments
- To avoid even a slight gap between the tank and the front when opening it (which would be due to the sliding of the overflows of the tank over the overflows of the slides), the shape of the overflows can be modified to avoid slippage. For example, they can have a wavy shape (over their entire length or not); however, the overflows of the tank must be able to separate from the overflows of the slides without any friction with them, that is to say immediately. The principle of operation remains unchanged, it is necessary that the height of the corrugations and the slopes of rise of each corrugation are lower than the slope of rise of the slides and the unevenness of these.

 - To adapt this system to any type of existing slide (having no upward movement), the overflow of the slides is replaced by two wheels, so that the movement of the tank is carried out by rolling its overflows on these wheels. The attachment of the bin is then made by a system of hooks operating due to the spacing between the drawn front and the walls of the cabinet. Several attachment systems can be used: a first operates by attaching the container, which remains free in the closed position of the assembly; the tray is hung when you pull a front of the drawer. A second system works by unhooking the tank, hung in the closed position; this tray is unhooked when you pull a front of the drawer.

 - This double opening drawer can, by inversion, be used as a base to move different objects or utensils (microwave ovens, televisions ...) which can then be used on either side of the furniture.

 - In order to allow the system to be adapted to different widths of furniture, certain parts of the system can be adjustable (brackets for example).

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention
Figure 1 shows in perspective the drawer installed between two walls in the closed position.

 Figure 2 shows in the same way this drawer in the open position.

 Figure 3 shows the tray in the same way.

 Figures 4, 5 and 6 schematically show the drawer closed (fig 4) and open (fig 5 and 6).

 Figures 7, 8 and 9 schematically represent the operation of the device according to the invention.

 Figures 10 and 11 schematically represent the operation of the blocking system of the facade not pulled by the user.

 Figure 12 shows in section the device according to the invention, installed between the wall considered and the tank.

 Figure 13 is the exploded section of Figure 12.

 FIG. 14 represents the system according to section BB of FIG. 13.

 FIG. 15 represents the system according to the section CC of FIG. 13.

 FIG. 16 represents the system according to the section DD of FIG. 13.

 FIG. 17 schematically represents the first variant of the device.

 Figure 18 shows this same variant in the open position.

 Figure 19 shows in section the second variant of the device (the slides having wheels).

 Figures 20 and 21 schematically represent the operation of a first attachment system.

 Figures 22 and 23 schematically represent the operation of a second attachment system.

 Figure 24 shows in section a mode of use of the device as a base or shelf.

 FIG. 25 represents this same mode of use according to the section EE of FIG. 24.

Referring to these drawings, Figure 1 shows in perspective the drawer installed between two walls of any piece of furniture. Like a normal drawer, this drawer has a symmetrical system of slides. We will therefore study this system from one side of the drawer. Consider the system on the side of the wall (1A) (Figure 1). I1 consists of two parts
- A part (5) (Figure 13), fixed to the wall (1A) of the cabinet and being slightly shorter in length than this wall (Figure 14). This part (5) supports two slides (4A and 4B), distinct between they, superimposed, each opening on one side of the cabinet (in the diagrams (Figures 4, 5 and 6) the slide (4A) opens on the side (A) of the cabinet and the slide (4B) on the side (B)) and being made so that they are lifted at the start of the stroke when they are pulled (due to their slope (X) (figure 16) and the same slope (X) (figure 14)) . Each of these slides has
- A square (6) at one end, on the side of its opening, intended to be fixed to one of the fronts of the drawer (in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the slide (4A) is fixed to the front (3A ) and the slide (4B) is attached to the slide (3B)).

 - A horizontal overflow (7) intended to support the tank (2) (Figures 12 and 13).

 - The other part (8) (Figures 12 and 13), fixed on the tank (2), being the same length as the part (5) fixed to the wall (Al) (Figure 15), has two horizontal overflows ( 9) which are an integral part thereof, intended to rest on the overflows (7) of the slides (4) (the overflow (9A) rests on the overflow (7A) and the overflow (9B) on the overflow (7B) (FIG. 12 The vertical spacing between the overflows of the part (8) must be exactly the same as that between the overflows of the slides (4) when they have entered the cabinet.

 In the closed position (Figure 4), the tank (2) is located between the two facades (3A and 3B), these are closed, that is to say attached to the walls (lA and 1B) of the cabinet. The slides (4A and 4B) holding these facades by their brackets are inserted in the cabinet and they support the tank (2) by their overhangs (7A and 7B) (Figure 7), these supporting the two overflows (9A and 9B ) of the part (8) fixed to said tank (2).

 When a facade (3A) or (3B) is drawn, the tank (2) remains integral with it. Take the front (3A): if the user drives the front (3A) (Figure 5), the slide (4A), integral with it, follows the movement this slide (4A) lifts (Figure 8), lifting then the overflow (9A) resting on its overflow (7A); the overflow (9B) being integral with this overflow (9A) also follows the upward movement of the slide (4A), it therefore separates from the overflow (7B) of the slide (4B), the latter remaining stationary. The part (8) fixed to the tank (2) is no longer in contact with the slide (4A) and is supported by it. The operation is identical if the user pulls the front (3B ) (Figures 6 and 9); the tray (2) resuming its support position on the two slides (4A and 4B) when the drawer is closed (Figures 4 and 7).

 In addition, an independent system allows the blocking of the facade not pulled by the user. According to the embodiment corresponding to the figures (10 and 11), each of the parts (5), fixed to the walls, comprises two hooks (10) each fixed at one of its ends. This hook is fixed to the part (5) by a point (11) around which it can pivot. Each slide has a hooking point (12).

 In the closed position of the slides (Figure 10), the brackets (6) of the facades (3) hold the lever arms (13) of the hooks (10), thereby lifting them.

 When the user pulls the front panel (3B) (Figure 6), the corresponding bracket (6B) moves away from the hook (1or) (Figure 11), no longer holding his lever arm (13); the hook lowers, hooks the slide (4A) which corresponds to the front (3A) and blocks it. The operation is identical if the user pulls the front panel (3A).

 The hooking point (12) and the pivot point (11) of each hook must be located on the same horizontal line so that no traction from the blocked front panel can cause a stall. In addition, the hooks must be positioned so as not to hinder the movement of the tray.

 In order to avoid even a slight gap between the tank and the front when it opens (which would be due to the sliding of the overflows on each other), we can give these (figure 17) a wavy shape, intended to prevent slipping. However, the height (H) of the corrugations and the slopes (Y) of these must be less than the slopes (X) of rise of the slides and the difference in level (D) of these, this so that no friction n 'takes place. Figures 17 and 18 show the separation movement of two overflows: (17) closed position (according to Figure 7), (18) opening (according to Figure 9).

To adapt the system to the slides having no upward movement, the overflows of the slides are replaced by wheels (19) (FIG. 19) intended to allow the rolling of the overflows from the tank which then remain straight. It is then possible to use numerous attachment systems for the tank.
According to a first embodiment, the container is hooked to the drawn facade (FIG. 20) due to the hooks (10) belonging to the slides (4), these hooks being held raised in the closed position of the whole of the made of stops (15) belonging to the parts (5). When pulling the facade (3B) (Figure 5), the hook (1or) pivots because its lever is no longer held by the stop (15) (Figure 21) of the part (5), and hangs the tank (2). The procedure is identical if we pull the other facade.

 According to a second embodiment of the attachment system, the slides (4) each comprise a hook (10) pivoting about an axis (11) which can slide in a notch (16) and being held in position 1 (position on Figure 22 - end of the notch closest to the facade) by a spring (17) of sufficient force to move the tray and its contents. This hook also includes a lever arm (13). The part (5) comprises, as before, two stops (15) each touching the lever (13) of the hook (1.0) of the corresponding slide when the latter is retracted (closed facade).

When a facade (3A) or (3B) is pulled (Figures 4, 5 and 6), the tank (2) remains integral with it. Take facade 3B. If this facade is driven, the slide (4B), integral with it, follows the movement; or the hook (1or) (Figure 23), fixed to this slide, holds the roller (18B) of the tray, thus driving the tray. The roller (18A) is held by the hook (10A) of the slide (4A) (secured to the front 3A), this slide (4A) cannot be pulled from the side B. The two hooks of the two slides cannot therefore be move away from each other. The pivot points of the hooks (10), which can slide in their notches (16) will then move away from their respective facades (10A from 3A and 10B from 3B); the springs (17) will tension. The lever (13A) of the hook (10A) will be blocked by the stop (15A) while the pivot point (11A) will continue to advance in its notch; the hook will then pivot, lifting its horizontal part and releasing the roller (18A); the tray (2) is thus released from the front (3A). This tray, due to the force exerted by the spring (17) on the hook (1or), will be attached to the front 3B. As one pulls on the facade 3B, the overflow (9A) of the tray (Figure 19), rolling on the wheels (19A) of the slide (4A) will separate from the latter while retaining its horizontal position. The sequence of operations is identical if the facade 3A is drawn.

 According to another embodiment (Figures 24 and 25), this system can be used as a support; in Figure 24, the movable part (20) is supported from the inside. It then serves as a support whose slides are not visible. Its operation remains unchanged. The facades (3) (Figure 25) can have any dimensions relative to the support.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for furniture on the cob or serving as a partition; it can also be used between two rooms in a home or as an exchange drawer (in banks and businesses ...).

 Each of the four metal parts corresponding to one side of the drawer, that is to say the part (5), the two slides with their bracket, the part (8) are each manufactured in one piece, industrially, as running slides. These parts forming a whole intended to be assembled by the furniture manufacturer. The joinery parts are manufactured according to claim 1, by the furniture manufacturers, that is to say in three parts: the tray and the two facades with the shapes and dimensions which suit them.

Claims (10)

 1) Drawer characterized in that it opens on two opposite faces of a piece of furniture, the assembly being separated into three parts: a movable container (2) and two fronts (3) each opening on one side furniture, each being fixed by two brackets (6) to two slides (4) each comprising a horizontal overflow (7) intended to support the parts (8) fixed to the tank (2); these parts (8) each comprising two horizontal overhangs (9) intended to rest on the overflows (7) of the slides (4). The pull of a facade triggering the coming of the tank (2) due to the upward movement of the slides (4); the two drawn slides raising the two overflows (9) resting on them, the other two overflows losing contact with the other two slides.  2) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflows (7) of the slides (4) have a wavy shape, intended to support the overflows (9) of the tank (2) having the same shape, so that the tank is perfectly held against the facades, whether open, closed, or in motion.  3) Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the slopes (Y) of the corrugations have a lower degree of inclination than that of the slopes (X) of rise of the slides; and in that the height (H) of these undulations is less than the drop (D) of the slides (4).  4) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflows (7) of the slides (4) are replaced by wheels (19) if the slides used are not raised.  5) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the slides (4) comprises a hook (10) provided with a lever (13), this hook being raised in the closed position of the drawer due to the stop (15 ) of the part (5), and lowering when opening a facade, driving the tray.  6) Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the attachment of the tray (2) to the drawn facade is effected by the fact that the four slides each have a hook (10) comprising a lever (13) and a point pivot (11) capable of sliding in a notch (16) of the slides (4) this hook holding the container (2), in the closed position and releasing this container when the user pulls the opposite facade, due to the stop (15 ) belonging to the part (5) grazing the lever (13) of the hook (10), and due to the advance of the pivot point (11) of the hook (10) in its notch (16). The hook being returned to the initial position due to the spring (17).  7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the facade not pulled by the user hangs when one of them is opened, because the parts (5) include a hook ( 10) at each end, movable around a pivot point (11) this hook being kept raised in the closed position of the corresponding facade (3), the latter maintaining its lever (13). This hook lowering and blocking the other facade when its lever is no longer held by the facade pulled by the user.  8) Device according to claims 5, 6 and 7, characterized in that the attachment points (12 or 18) and the pivot points (11) of each hook are placed on the same horizontal line.  9) Device according to claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that the vertical spacing between the overflows (7) of the slides (4) on the same side is equal to that between the overflows (9) of the part ( 8) corresponding.  10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank (2) can be used as a support (20), it can be maintained from the inside.