Device for fastening a front panel to a drawer side frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (6) for fastening a front panel (2) to a side frame (3) of a drawer (1), comprising a holder (8) which can be fixed to the front panel (2) and an adapter (10, 11) which can be fixed to the side frame (3), the holder (8) being adjustably held on the adapter, wherein the holder (8) can be inserted into a receptacle (14) on the adapter (10, 11) by means of a holding plate (20) and can be fixed by means of a latch (30), wherein the latch (30, 30') takes the form of a flexible spring which latches onto a protrusion (21) on the holding plate (20) by means of a leg (31). As a result, the front panel (2) can be mounted on the side frame (3) in a simple manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for fastening a front panel to a drawer side frame, having a holder which can be fixed to the front panel and an adapter which can be fixed to the side frame, wherein the holder is adjustably held on the adapter, the holder can be inserted into a receptacle on the adapter by means of a holding plate and can be fixed by means of a latching element.

[0002] DE 202010002617 U1 discloses a fastening system for fixing a front panel to a drawer side panel, wherein an engagement element can be inserted into a side frame in which a ring-shaped spring element is arranged. The spring element can be tensioned by means of a double-armed fastening lever in order to fix a hook of the engagement element in the side frame. Although this makes an effective assembly possible, the holding force of the spring element is limited. Furthermore, the tensioning force cannot be well adjusted with the fastening lever due to the position of the hook.

[0003] It is therefore the task of the invention to create a compact device for fastening a front panel, which provides a high clamping force.

[0004] This task is solved by the device having the features of claim 1.

[0005] The device according to the invention comprises a holder which can be fixed on a front panel and an adapter which can be fixed on a side frame, wherein the holder can be inserted into a receptacle on the adapter by means of a holding plate and can be fixed there by means of a latching element. According to the invention, the latching element comprises at least one flexible spring which engages behind a protrusion on the holding plate by means of at least one leg. Thus, by inserting the holding plate, the fixing can be performed by latching the at least one leg behind the protrusion, so that a further assembly step, such as tensioning a ring, is omitted. This facilitates assembly and, in addition, a high holding force can be provided by means of the latching element.

[0006] Preferably, the holding plate is fixed to the latching element by means of a clamping. This makes it possible to avoid rattling noises and to ensure that the holder is fixed to the adapter in a force-fitting manner.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one flexible spring is designed as a leaf spring. The spring can also comprise two legs which embrace a holding plate on opposite sides. This ensures that the holding plate is centered between the two legs of the spring. For particularly high clamping forces, the at least one protrusion on the holding plate can comprise a run-up slope which is inclined to the insertion direction and which abuts against one end of each leg of the flexible spring. The legs of the spring can be arranged at an angle on the run-up slope, for example at an angle of between 60° and 120°, in particular between 70° and 110°, so that when the holder is subjected to a pulling force, the legs are subjected to compression and prevent the holder from being pulled apart. On the other hand, pivoting of the legs during assembly can take place smoothly, which can be achieved by aligning the angle of the legs to the insertion direction, for example if the legs are inclined to the insertion direction at an angle of between 10° and 40°. In this case, the leaf spring can be designed as a component which is bent into a U shape, wherein the two legs of the U each form a rearwardly bent leg for securing the protrusion, so that the two legs align with their edges to the bottom of the spring.

[0008] The device preferably comprises a release lever on the adapter, which is pivotably mounted and by which the at least one flexible spring can be pulled away from the holding plate. The release lever can thus close the opening to the receptacle of the protrusion in the locked position. To open, the release lever is then pivoted, preferably about a vertical axis in the mounted position, wherein the at least one flexible spring is preferably secured to the release lever and is moved thereby together with the release lever to be pulled away from the protrusion.

[0009] The adapter is preferably composed of several parts, comprising a stationary housing which can be secured to the side frame and a slide which is slidably mounted in the housing. The housing can be inserted in the fixed part of the side frame and is preferably U-shaped in order to receive the slide in the central region. The holding plate of the holder is preferably secured to the slide which is formed with the receptacle. The slide is preferably displaceable relative to the housing by means for height adjustment. For this purpose, corresponding guide means are provided between the slide and the housing, which can be adjusted by an eccentric, a screw, a worm or other rotatable and linear adjustment means.

[0010] For lateral adjustment in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, the holding plate is preferably held with play in the receptacle of the adapter, in particular in the slide of the adapter, so that the position of the holding plate relative to the adapter, in particular the slide, can be adjusted by a lateral adjuster, such as an eccentric, a worm, a screw or other mechanical adjustment means.

[0011] The holder with the holding plate can be designed as one or more components, wherein the holding plate is designed to transmit high holding forces.

[0012] In a further embodiment, two latches are held on the release lever, both latching on the protrusion of the holding plate. To achieve a higher holding force, both latches can be designed as leaf springs, which latch with at least two, preferably four, legs on the protrusion of the holding plate. The latches can be ring-shaped and connected to a fixing protrusion on the release lever.

[0013] The device is used, inter alia, on drawers for fixing the front panel to the side frame, whereby the front panel is fixed to both side frames. In the case of a very high front panel, a plurality of devices for fixing can also be provided, whereby the upper device can optionally be installed without height adjustment, since this is achieved by the lower device.

[0014] The application is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. Shown:

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a drawer according to the application;

[0016] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the connection area of the front panel to the side frame of the drawer of Fig. 1 ;

[0017] Figs. 3A and 3B are two views of a device for connecting the front panel to the side frame during assembly;

[0018] Figs. 4A and 4B are two views of the device of Fig. 3 in the released position;

[0019] Figs. 5A and 5B are two views of the device of Fig. 3 in the disassembled position;

[0020] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a device for connecting the front panel to the side frame;

[0021] Figs. 7A-7C are various views of the device of Fig. 6 during assembly, towards the latches;

[0022] Figs. 8A-8C are various views of the device of Fig. 6 in different adjustment positions;

[0023] Figs. 9A-9C are various views of the device of Fig. 6 in different adjustment positions in the transverse direction;

[0024] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a second device for connecting the front panel to the side frame;

[0025] Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the device of Fig. 10;

[0026] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 10 in the unlocked position;

[0027] Fig. 13 is an exploded view of a modified device for connecting the front panel to the side frame;

[0028] Figs. 14A-14C are various views of a bracket mounted on the housing of Fig. 13;

[0029] Figures 15A and 15B are two views of the support frame of the device in Figure 13;

[0030] Figures 16A and 16B show two views of the modified bracket for the front panel mounting device;

[0031] Figures 17A and 17B show two views of a modified bracket for securing the front panel, and

[0032] Figures 18A and 18B are two views of another bracket for the device used to fix the front panel.

[0033] In particular, a drawer 1 for furniture includes a front panel 2 held on two side frames 3. The side frames 3 connect the front panel 2 to the rear wall 4 and hold the base 5. According to the invention, a device 6 for fixing the front panel 2 to the side frames 3 and another device 7 for fixing the front panel 2 are provided on each side frame 3.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, device 6 includes an adapter with a housing 10, which is fixed to the side frame 3, for example, by inserting a core receiver into the side frame 3. A bracket 8 is fixed to the adapter, and the front panel 2 is fixed to the bracket 8. Another device 7 is disposed above device 6 and includes a modified housing 9 fixed to the side frame 3.

[0035] Figure 3A shows the device 6 without the side frame 3 and front panel 2. The bracket 8 includes a retaining plate 20 with a widened protrusion 21 on its adapter-facing side. A lateral adjuster 22 is disposed on the retaining plate 20. The bracket 8 is made of a U-shaped metal sheet, with the retaining plate 20 integrally molded thereto. However, the bracket 8 may also be made of plastic or have a different geometry. Openings are provided on the bracket 8, each secured to the front panel 2 by a screw 23, for example, using pins or threaded sleeves.

[0036] However, the bracket 8 and the retaining plate 20 can also be produced as two separate parts, connected before or during assembly by form fit, force fit and / or material connection.

[0037] The adapter includes a housing 10, which is substantially U-shaped and can be fixed to the side frame 3, and a slider 11 is repositionably held therein. A release lever 12 is provided on the slider 11, which, in the closed position, closes the receiver 14 for inserting the retaining plate 20. The release lever 12 can be latched to the slider 11 by a latching device, such as a latch hook.

[0038] To mount the front panel 2 on the side frame 3, the holder 8 with the front panel (not shown) is moved to the adapter in order to insert the holding plate 20 into the receptacle 14 and to latch it there. After latching, the front panel 2 is fixed to the side frame 3 and can now still be adjusted in the height and / or lateral horizontal direction. For this purpose, a height adjuster 13 is provided on the housing 10 in order to be able to move the slide 11 in the vertical direction on the housing 10.

[0039] In Figures 4A and 4B, the release lever 12 has been pivoted from the latched position shown in Figure 3B to the unlatched position. By pivoting the release lever 12, the holding plate 20 with the protrusion 21 has been unlatched and can now be pulled out of the receptacle 14 again. The release lever 12 has been pivoted about an axis which is vertical in the assembled position. In Figures 5A and 5B, the holder 8 with the holding plate 20 has been pulled out of the receptacle 14. It can be seen that the latching element 30 is held on the release lever 12 in the form of a flexible spring.

[0040] Figure 6 shows the device 6 in detail. The holder 8 comprises an opening 24 on the plate-shaped holding plate 20, into which the lateral adjuster 22 is inserted. The lateral adjuster 22 can be a screw, a worm or another adjustment element for adjusting the holding plate 20 in the lateral direction relative to the slide 11. The protrusion 21 comprises a ramp 25 for latching during assembly on the rear face facing the holder 8.

[0041] The receptacle 14 for inserting the holding plate 20 is formed on the slide 11 and is essentially bowl-shaped and provided with the holding plate 20 with play therein. In order to form the insertion opening for the holding plate 20, a carrier 15 is provided, which is inserted and mounted on the slide 11 by edge-side legs in a slot 16. An opening 17 is formed on the carrier 15, through which a tool can access the lateral adjuster 22.

[0042] The receptacle 18 for guiding the slide 11 is formed on the housing 10, into which a guide plate of the slide 11 can be inserted in order to guide the slide 11 in the vertical direction on the housing 10. The housing 10 is U-shaped and comprises a receptacle 18 on each of the two legs. The height adjuster 13 is also provided on the housing 10, into which an adjustment element 35 is inserted in order to be able to rotate the height adjuster 13. The height adjuster 13 is designed here as an eccentric element, which bears against an eccentric receptacle 36 on the slide 11, so that the slide 11 can be displaced in the vertical direction on the housing 10 by turning the height adjuster 13. Instead of an eccentric element, a screw, a worm or another adjustment element can also be provided.

[0043] The release lever 12 is pivotably mounted on the slide 11, for which the release lever 12 comprises two shafts 19, which engage with bearing receptacles on the slide 11. In the mounted position, the release lever 12 can be rotated about an essentially vertical axis.

[0044] The latching element 30 is fixed on the release lever 12 in the at least one receiving seat, for example by clamping or latching. The latching element 30 is designed as a flexible spring, in particular a U-shaped leaf spring, which comprises a base and two legs 31, wherein a bend is formed on each leg 31 to form a leg 31 for latching the holding plate 20. Each leg 31 has an end 32 pointing towards the spring base. The design as a one-piece leaf spring results in a simple assembly on the release lever 12 and a secure fixing of the holding plate 20.

[0045] Figures 7A to 7C show the mounting of the holding plate 20 on the latching element 30. The holding plate 20 is inserted in the insertion direction into the receiving seat 14 on the slide 11, wherein the insertion direction is perpendicular to the plane of the front panel 2 in the mounted position. The widened protrusion 21 of the holding plate 20 pushes the two legs 31 of the latching element 30 outward, as shown in Figure 7B. The protrusion 21 slides between the two outwardly curved legs 31. With a further insertion movement, the protrusion 21 moves behind the legs 31 and locks there. The legs 31 now relax again inward towards the holding plate 20 and the end 32 abuts against the ramping aid 25 of the protrusion 21. The included angle between the leg 31 and the ramping aid 25 is preferably between 60° and 120°, so that in the case of a tensile force on the holding plate 20, the leg 31 is subjected to a compressive force and thus can provide a high holding force. The protrusion 21 can comprise a top and a bottom fine structure in the area of contact with the leg 31, which additionally increases the holding force. By positioning the holding plate 20 between the two legs 31, centring in the height direction is achieved. In this embodiment example, the two legs 31 each comprise a recess for reliable reception of the protrusion 21. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the holding plate 20 can be locked by only a single leg 31 instead of by two legs 31.

[0046] Figures 8A to 8C show the height adjustment of the bracket 8 on the adapter. The height adjuster 13 is held on the housing 10, which is arranged in the central position in Figure 8A. By turning the height adjuster 13, an eccentric is turned along an eccentric receiving seat 36, thus ensuring a linear displacement of the slide 11 in the vertical direction, which is guided by guide plates on the receiving seat 18. In Figure 8B, the slide 11 with release lever 12 is shown in the upper position, while in Figure 8C, the slide 11 with release lever 12 is shown in the lower position. The adjustment can be carried out continuously or stepwise locked in an adjustment range of for example 2 mm to 30 mm, in particular 3 mm to 15 mm.

[0047] In Figures 9A to 9C, the device 6 is shown in different lateral positions. In Figure 9A, the bracket 8 is shown in the central position, wherein the holding plate 20 is positioned centrally in the receiving seat 14 and has play to the left and right. By means of the lateral adjuster 22, the holding plate 20 is moved to the left until it abuts against the wall of the slide 11. This is the maximum left adjustment position. If the lateral adjuster 22 is turned in the opposite direction, the holding plate 20 abuts against the carrier 15, which limits further movement.

[0048] In the case of the drawer 1, each side frame 3 can provide a single device 6 for fixing the front panel 2 to the side frame 3. In the case of a front panel 2 with a greater height, at least one further device 7 can optionally be provided, which comprises a housing 9 that can be fixed to the side frame 3. Such a device 7 is shown in Figures 10 to 12. A slide 11 is also displaceably held on the housing 9, here, unlike in the case of the device 6, no height adjustment is provided. The slide 11 is thus displaced along the housing 9 by means of a guide plate, the slide 11 then not being actively moved by means of an adjustment, as described with respect to the device 6. A retrofit receptacle 14' is provided on the slide 11, into which a holding plate 20 of a second bracket 8 can be inserted. This bracket 8 is designed as described above, comprising a transverse adjustment 22, which is not active in this embodiment example. The slide 11 comprises a plurality of ribs in the region in which the protrusion 21 bears against, in order to enhance the transverse stability. Locking takes place as with the lower device 6. The upper region of the front panel 2 can be fixed to the side frame 3 by means of the device 7.

[0049] Figure 12 shows the release position of the device 7, in which the release lever 12 releases the receptacle 14', in order to enable the holding plate 20 to be pulled out of the receptacle 14' on the slide 11.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, a one-piece leaf spring is provided as the latch 30.

[0051] Figure 13 shows a modified embodiment of the device 6 for fixing the front panel 2, in which a two-part latch 30' is provided. Each latch 30' is designed as a spring that is fixed to the release lever 12. Each latch 30' is bent into a loop, comprising a first leg 31 with a terminal end 32 and a second leg 33 that is arranged at an angle to the other. The latch 30' is received in the receptacle 14 of the housing 10.

[0052] In Figure 13, two screws can be mounted on the bracket 8, which can be screwed into the pin 26, which is inserted into a hole in the front panel 2. The bracket 8 comprises the holding plate 20, which is provided with the protrusion 21 with the catch 27 at its end.

[0053] Figures 14A to 14C show the mounting of the bracket 8 on the housing 10 of Figure 13. The latches 30' are pushed onto the holding protrusion 34 on the release lever 12, respectively. The holding plate 20 is inserted into the receptacle 14 on the slide 11 in the insertion direction. The widened protrusion 21 of the holding plate 20 pushes the two first legs 31 of the latches 30' out, as shown in Figure 14B. In this way, the protrusion 21 slides between the two first legs 31 in a clamping manner, which are bent outwards. The two second legs 33 are also contacted and bent by the protrusion 21.

[0054] Fig. 14C shows the latching position reached by a further insertion movement of the protrusion 21. The first leg 31 is arranged at the back side of the protrusion 21 and the end 32 is in abutment with the ramp 25 of the protrusion 21. The angle between one leg 31 and the ramp 25 is preferably between 60° and 120°. The two second legs 33 are engaged in the slot-shaped latching receptacle 27 on the protrusion 21, respectively, and thus can provide a further holding force. Thus, in the case of a two-piece spring, the shape of the two legs 31 and 33 can be such that each latching piece 30' has a second latching to ensure safety. In this case, the bracket 8 can comprise a second latching receptacle 27 in the area of the protrusion 21, respectively.

[0055] Figs. 15A and 15B show a detail of the bracket 8 of the device 6 of Fig. 13. The bracket 8 comprises a U-shaped band with embossing 80, which cooperates with the embossing 28 on the separately manufactured holding plate 20 to clamp it to the bracket 8. The protrusion 21 with the catch 27 is arranged on the holding plate 20. This protrusion comprises a ramp 25, which is provided with corrugations in order to be able to lock the leg 31 along the corrugations and to provide a higher holding force.

[0056] Figs. 16A and 16B show a modified bracket 8', which comprises a strip-shaped body, in particular a cast part made of plastic or metal, with a slot-shaped receptacle 81 and an opening 82 for the screw 23. One end of the holding plate 20 is inserted and fixed in the slot-shaped receptacle 81. For this purpose, the holding plate 20 can be engaged and frictionally connected to the plate-shaped body. Alternatively or additionally, an adhesive or material-locked connection can also be provided.

[0057] Figs. 17A and 17B show a modified bracket 8" with a slot-shaped receptacle 83 of a strip-shaped body, in which one end of the holding plate 20 is inserted. A transverse stop 29 is formed on the holding plate 20, which limits the insertion depth. The holding plate 20 can be connected to the strip-shaped body in a force-fit or material-fit manner.

[0058] Figs. 18A and 18B show a one-piece bracket 8 made of a bent steel sheet. Two eyelets 84 are formed on the bracket 8 at the holding plate 20, in which the screw 23 can be inserted. Between the two eyelets 84 there is an embossing 28. The protrusion 21 is formed at the end of the support web, which can be formed as in the previous embodiments.

[0059] List of signs 1 drawer

[0060] 2 front panel

[0061] 3 side frame

[0062] 4 rear wall

[0063] 5 base

[0064] 6 device

[0065] 7 device

[0066] 8, 8', 8" bracket

[0067] 9 housing

[0068] 10 housing

[0069] 11 slider

[0070] 12 release lever

[0071] 13 height adjuster 14, 14' receptacle

[0072] 15 cradle

[0073] 16 slot

[0074] 17 opening

[0075] 18 receptacle

[0076] 19 shaft

[0077] 20 retaining plate

[0078] 21 protrusion

[0079] 22 lateral adjuster 23 screw

[0080] 24 opening

[0081] 25 walking ramp

[0082] 26 pin

[0083] 27 catch

[0084] 28 embossment

[0085] 29 stop

[0086] 30, 30' latch

[0087] 31 leg

[0088] 32 end

[0089] 33 second leg

[0090] 34 retaining protrusion

[0091] 35 adjustment member

[0092] 36 eccentric receptacle

[0093] 80 embossment

[0094] 81 slot-shaped receptacle

[0095] 82 opening

[0096] 83 slot-shaped receptacle

[0097] 84 aperture

Claims

1. A drawer having a side frame (3) and a front panel (2), wherein the front panel (2) is fixed to the side frame (3) by means of a device (6) having a bracket (8, 8', 8'') capable of being fixed to the front panel (2) and an adapter (10, 11) fixed to the side frame (3), the bracket (8, 8', 8'') being adjustablely held thereon, the bracket (8) being capable of being inserted into a receiving seat (14) on the adapter (10, 11) by means of a retaining plate (20) and fixed by means of at least one latch (30), the at least one latch (30, 30') being designed as a flexible spring, which engages with a protrusion (21) on the retaining plate (20) by means of at least one leg (31), characterized in that, The release lever (12) is pivotally mounted on the adapter (10, 11) about a vertical axis in the installation position, and can be used to pull the flexible spring away from the retaining plate (20).

2. The drawer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining plate (20) is clamped to the latch (30, 30').

3. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flexible spring is designed as a leaf spring.

4. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flexible spring includes two legs (31) that hug a retaining plate (20) on opposite sides.

5. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least one of the protrusions (21) on the retaining plate (20) includes a walking ramp (25) which is inclined in the insertion direction and abuts against one end (32) of the leg (31) of the flexible spring.

6. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The release lever (12) closes the opening to the receiver (14) in the locked position.

7. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A flexible spring is fixed to the release rod (12).

8. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The adapter includes a stationary housing (9, 10) that can be fixed to the side frame (3) and a slider (11) that can be displaced within the housing (9, 10).

9. The drawer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The retaining plate (20) is fixed to the slider (11) formed on the receiving seat (14, 14').

10. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The retaining plate (20) is held in the receiving seat (14) of the adapter (10, 11) so that it is adjustable in the lateral horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the retaining plate (20) by means of the lateral adjuster (22).

11. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The retaining plate (20) is height adjustable via a height adjuster (13) on the adapter (10, 11).

12. The drawer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Two latches (30') are held on the release lever (12), which is latched on the protrusion (21) of the retaining plate (20).

13. The drawer according to claim 12, characterized in that, The two latches (30') are latched onto the protrusion (21) by four legs (31, 33).

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