Pushing device and method for mounting a pushing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pushing device (4) for furniture (100) or household appliance (1), comprising a first pull-out guide (5) and a second pull-out guide (5), wherein each of the two pull-out guides (5) has a stationary guide rail (6) and at least one movable running rail (7) relative to the guide rail (6), wherein a front retainer (9, 9') and a rear retainer (10, 10') are fixed on each running rail (7), wherein a base (11, 11') is located on all four retainers (9, 9', 10, 10') and is prevented from shifting by stops on the retainers (9, 9', 10, 10'). The invention also relates to a method for installing the pushing device (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pushing device for furniture or household appliances, having a first pull-out guide and a second pull-out guide, wherein the two pull-out guides each have a stationary guide rail and at least one running rail movable relative to the guide rail, and a front retainer and a rear retainer are fixed on each running rail, and to a method for mounting the pushing device.

[0002] AT11720U2 discloses a drawer with an adapter for creating a latch between the pull-out guide and the drawer. This facilitates the assembly of the drawer onto the movable rail of the pull-out guide. In this configuration, the drawer forms a pre-assembled unit, with the base, back wall, front panel, and side walls secured to each other by fasteners. The fasteners adapt to the geometry of the individual drawer components, making the production of this type of drawer complex and requiring numerous parts adapted to the specific drawer.

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple and easy-to-install pushing device for furniture or household appliances. This object is achieved by a pushing device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 13.

[0004] In the pushing device according to the invention, retainers are fixed to movable running rails on two pull-out guides, namely the front retainer and the rear retainer. The pushing device includes a base located on all four retainers and prevented from shifting by stops on the retainers. Therefore, the base can be easily installed by loosely placing it on the four retainers. No further fastening devices are required for forced locking installation, thus the base can be positioned on the four retainers after the pull-out guides are assembled. For example, the base can be made of wood, plastic, glass, or other materials. The base can also be designed as a mesh.

[0005] Preferably, each retainer surrounds a corner of the substrate at its corner. This prevents displacement of the substrate at each corner by means of one of the retainers, wherein the upwardly projecting corner wall on each retainer can be arranged with clearance to the edge of the substrate to compensate for tolerances. In the corner area, each retainer may also optionally be rounded. Displacement is further prevented because the support on each retainer for the substrate is made of an elastic or rubber material.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, a slotted receiving seat is formed on each retainer for insertion into the lower portion of the sidewall. Therefore, the two sidewalls can be easily assembled by inserting the slotted receiving seats on the front retainer and the rear retainer. Furthermore, each retainer may have an additional slotted receiving seat, preferably oriented at a relative right angle to it, for insertion into the lower portion of the rear wall or front panel. Thus, fixation can be achieved on each retainer by inserting a plate-shaped wall member, such as a sidewall, rear wall, and / or front panel. The depth of the slotted receiving seats may be the same or different; for example, a deeper slotted receiving seat may be formed for the sidewall, extending at least partially adjacent to the running rail.

[0007] For efficient manufacturing, the retainers can be molded from plastic so that they can be easily mounted on the movable running rails and subsequently formed into supports for the base. To secure the supports, plugs can be provided that insert into cavities in the running rails. The plugs can be secured to the running rails by force or form-fit. Alternatively or additionally, each running rail can protrude a hook for securing one of the retainers. The retainer can then be placed on the hook for clamping or form-fitting fixation.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the pusher includes two side walls, a rear wall, and a front panel, which surround the base in a frame-like manner. The rear ends of the side walls and one end of the rear wall can be fixed to rear retainers, while one end of the front panel and the front ends of the side walls are fixed to front retainers. The side walls, rear wall, and / or front panel can be made of sheet metal. Various materials are conceivable, such as transparent or opaque plastics, glass, wood or composite materials, and curved aluminum or steel sheets. Different materials or colors can also be combined in the pusher. The drawer unit can also be simply equipped with lighting, such as LED light strips, lettering, or decorations. Thus, very personalized pushers can be achieved. Box-shaped drawer components with transparent surface elements are particularly suitable for household appliances, such as refrigerators, because this allows the contents of the drawer to be seen from the outside. Arranging corresponding pushers in furniture, as internal drawers behind drawers with high front panels, or behind pivot doors, can also be a preferred application.

[0009] To increase stability, when forming the drawer, the sidewalls can be connected to the front panel via upper corner brackets inserted from above, so that the upper ends of the sidewalls and the upper ends of the front panel are held in the corner-shaped slotted receiving seats of the corner brackets. Similarly, corner brackets can also be fixed in the rear area between the rear wall and the sidewalls by interlocking, which fixes the position of the rear wall relative to the sidewalls. The upper corner bracket may also have surface elements extending to the lower retainer, which preferably cover the gap between the front wall and the sidewalls or the rear wall and the sidewalls.

[0010] In another embodiment of the actuation device, a protrusion is formed on the front or rear retainer, which can engage with a movable actuator, such as a self-closing mechanism, a damper, a catapult, or a combination thereof. Thus, in addition to forming a support for the base and feasible mounting for the sidewalls, rear wall, and / or front panel, the retainer can also be used to couple the movable running rail to a stationary self-closing mechanism or damper, for example, to bias, brake, or lock the movable running rail shortly before reaching the closed position along the closing direction.

[0011] In the method for assembling a pushing device according to the invention, a front retainer is first installed at the front end of the movable running rail of a first pull-out guide, and a rear retainer is installed at the rear end of the running rail of the first pull-out guide. Furthermore, the front and rear retainers are installed on the movable running rail of a second pull-out guide. The two pull-out guides are then fixed to the body of the furniture or household appliance, and subsequently, the base is positioned on the four retainers on the installed pull-out guides. The bottom is then supported on the four retainers and can be covered by an object.

[0012] To form the drawer, the side walls can then be inserted into upward-opening slotted receivers on each retainer, and the back wall or front panel can be inserted into another upward-opening receiver. This frame-like structure with a front panel, two side walls, and a back wall can then be secured by corner brackets, which fit from above into the corresponding corner sections of the side walls and the back wall or front panel. This allows the drawer to be manufactured using only a few components.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the two running rails can be locked in the extended position to simplify the installation of the base, sidewalls, front wall, and rear wall.

[0014] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, based on several exemplary embodiments, as shown:

[0015] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance with a pushing mechanism;

[0016] Figures 2A to 2D show several views of the assembly process of the propulsion device according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the pull-out guide for the pushing device;

[0018] Figure 4 shows a view of the retainer installed on the pull-out guide of Figure 3;

[0019] Figures 5A and 5B show two detailed views of the pull-out guide in the rear retainer area;

[0020] Figures 6A to 6C show several detailed views of the pull-out guide in the front retainer area;

[0021] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the retainer with sidewalls;

[0022] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the modified propulsion device;

[0023] Figures 9A and 9B show two views of the retainer of the pusher device in Figure 8; and

[0024] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of furniture with a pushing mechanism.

[0025] A household appliance 1, particularly a refrigerator, includes a main body 2 and a door 3 pivotally mounted thereon. Inside the main body 2 are multiple push mechanisms 4 that can be pulled out from within the main body 2 to a protruding position.

[0026] The actuating device 4 is shown in detail in Figures 2A to 2D. Each actuating device 4 includes two pull-out guides 5, each having a stationary guide rail 6, which is fixed to the main body 2 by means of an elbow plate 8. A movable running rail 7 is held on the stationary guide rail 6 and can move entirely or partially in front of the main body 2.

[0027] The front retainer 9 and the rear retainer 10 are fixed to the movable running rails 7 of the two pull-out guides 5.

[0028] The actuating device 4 also includes a base 11, two side walls 12, a front panel 13, and a rear wall 14, which are plate-like and made of, for example, transparent materials, especially plastic. Alternatively, only the front panel 13 could be designed to be transparent so that the contents of the actuating device 4 can be seen when the door 3 is opened. Other materials, such as glass, wood, or composite materials, are also conceivable for the front panel 13, rear wall 14, or side walls 12, and different materials can be combined in a single actuating device.

[0029] To assemble the pusher 4, the two ends of the sidewalls 12 on the rear retainer 10 and the front retainer 9 are inserted into the upwardly open receiving seats. Furthermore, the two front retainers 9 are interconnected via the front panel 13, and the two rear retainers 10 are connected via the rear wall 14, preferably by inserting the front panel 13 and the rear wall 14 from above (see Figure 2B). Additionally, the base 11 is positioned on the two front retainers 9 and the two rear retainers 10 on the support, thus achieving the position shown in Figure 2C. In this position, the pusher 4 includes a box-shaped receiver, and objects can be placed on the base 11. To increase the stability of the sidewalls 12, the front panel 13, and the rear wall 14, additional corner brackets 15, which are corner-shaped, can be installed and fitted from above to the corner area between the sidewalls and the rear wall or between the sidewalls and the front panel 13. The drawer thus formed can be manufactured with very few parts and assembly steps. The height and material of the sidewalls 12, the rear wall 14, and the front panel 13 can be flexibly selected.

[0030] Figure 3 shows one of the pull-out guides 5 with a front retainer 9 and a rear retainer 10. The other pull-out guide 5 is a mirror design and is fixed to the opposite side wall of the body 2.

[0031] The pull-out guide 5 includes a stationary guide rail 6, a movable running rail 7, and a pull-out extension center rail 60 disposed between the guide rail 6 and the running rail 7. The front retainer 9 and the rear retainer 10 each form a bracket 16, which is formed as a rib structure, plate, or other shape, for supporting the corners of the base 11. The surface of the bracket 16 may also be rubberized or provided with an elastic material to make the base 11 more difficult to displace.

[0032] The rear retainer 10 includes a slotted receiver 17 extending longitudinally parallel to the running rail 7 and used to receive the lower rear end of the sidewall 12. Another slotted receiver 18 is arranged at an angle to it and is used to insert into one end of the rear wall 14. The depths of the slotted receivers 17 and 18 can differ; in particular, the slotted receiver 17 for the sidewall 12 can be configured to be deeper than the slotted receiver 18 for receiving the rear wall 14. The corresponding outer slotted walls on the slotted receivers 17 and 18 are formed higher than the support 16, thus restricting the pivoting of the sidewalls 12 and the rear wall 14, and optionally also restricting horizontal displacement of the base 11 when the retainers 9 and 10 are not mounted on the sidewalls 12, the front panel 13, and the rear wall 14.

[0033] The front retainer 9 includes a slotted receiver 19 extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the running rail 7 for insertion into one end of the front panel 13. Additionally, another slotted receiver 17 for insertion into the front end of the sidewall 12 is formed on the front retainer 9.

[0034] Furthermore, in the region of the front retainer 9, a self-closing mechanism 20 is provided on the pull-out guide 5, including a housing 21 fixed to the guide rail 6, on which a movable actuator 22 can move along the guide path. The actuator 22 is biased to the closed position by a spring and a damper optionally located within the housing 23. The actuator 22 thus engages with a protrusion 24 in the closed region prior to the closed position, the protrusion 24 being integrally formed with the retainer 9, but may also be secured to the latter by a fastening device. During movement of the running rail 7 in the opening direction, the actuator 22 moves along the guide path until it pivots and thereby releases the protrusion 24, allowing the running rail 7 to move independently of the self-closing mechanism 20.

[0035] In Figure 4, the rear retainer 10 is shown in the disassembled position. It can be seen that an upwardly protruding hook 70 is formed on the running rail 7 for securing the rear retainer 10.

[0036] Figures 5A and 5B show the rear retainer 10 in detail. An upwardly projecting hook 70 engages with a plate 71 of the rear retainer 10, such that the latter is secured between the upper side of the running rail 7 and the hook 70 by means of the hook 70 in a clamping or form-fit manner. The hook 70 is also received between two plates 72, which restrict lateral movement of the retainer 10 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the running rail 7. Thus, the retainer 10 can be pushed rearward onto the hook 70 on the running rail 7.

[0037] Figures 6A to 6C illustrate the front retainer 9 and its assembly. The front retainer 9 is fixed to the front end of the running rail 7 and includes a plug 30 that inserts into a cavity in the running rail 7. The plug 30 can be secured by a plate 31 in a clamping or form-fitting manner to make the retainer 9 more difficult to remove. Optionally, the front retainer 9 can also be additionally secured to the running rail 7 by screws 32.

[0038] In Figure 6C, the protrusion 24 shown has a corner plate-shaped actuator 25, which engages in a receiver on the actuator 22 and is thus movable together with the latter: the actuator 22 can move along a guide rail 26 on the housing 21 of the self-closing mechanism 20.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a cross-section through the sidewall 12, which is fixed to the slotted receiver 17. The width of the slotted receiver 17 can be approximately the same as the thickness of the sidewall 12. Optionally, an elastic member 40 can be inserted into the slotted receiver 17, which surrounds the lower edge of the sidewall 12 in a U-shape. In this way, the sidewall 12 can be fixed in the slotted receiver 17 by clamping.

[0040] Figure 8 illustrates a modified pusher device with two pull-out guides 5, formed substantially as in the preceding exemplary embodiment, and a front retainer 9' and a rear retainer 10' respectively fixed to their movable running rails 7. The pusher device includes a modified base 11', which is not plate-shaped but mesh-like, for example for inserting a wine bottle or for storing other objects. This modified base 11' is located at the corner of one of the retainers 9' and 10', and prevents horizontal displacement by means of the retainers 9' and 10'.

[0041] 9A and 9B show a front retainer 9', wherein a rear retainer 10' may optionally have the same design. The front retainer 9' includes a slotted receiver 19 for securing the front panel and another slotted receiver 17 forming an angle therewith for insertion into the sidewall 12. Furthermore, a horizontal bracket 16' is provided on the retainer 9' to support the corner area of ​​the base 11'. The bracket 16' is positioned slightly deeper, such that the walls of the slotted receivers 17 and 19 are positioned higher than the bracket 16', thereby limiting displacement of the base 11' in the horizontal plane. The front retainer 9' also includes a downwardly projecting fastening portion 50 on which a fastening device 51 is mounted to secure the retainer 9' to the running rail 7.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the retainers 9, 9', 10, and 10' are manufactured as molded parts made of plastic, which may optionally include two different plastic materials. The connection of the retainers 9, 9', 10, and 10' to the movable running rail 7 can be varied. For example, the front retainer 9 can also be fixed to the running rail 7 by a hook 70, or the rear retainer 10 can be installed by a plug inserted into the cavity of the running rail 7. Furthermore, the design of the bases 11 and 11' can be varied depending on the object to be stored on the pushing device 4.

[0043] The brackets 16 and 16' on the retainers 9, 9', 10, and 10' can be arranged above the upper side of the running rail 7, inside the running rail 7, and below the upper side.

[0044] Figure 10 illustrates an example of furniture 100 or a household appliance, having a body 200 and a drawer 300 with a high front panel 301. Above the drawer 300 are mounted a plurality of push-pull devices 4 according to the invention, designed, for example, as internal drawers.

[0045] List of tags 1. Home appliances

[0046] 2. Main Body

[0047] 3 doors

[0048] 4. Propulsion device 5. Pull out the guide piece 6 guide rails

[0049] 7. Running track

[0050] 8. Elbow plate

[0051] 9,9' retainer

[0052] 10,10' retainer

[0053] 11,11' base

[0054] 12 sidewalls

[0055] 13 Front Panel

[0056] 14. Rear wall

[0057] 15 corner pieces

[0058] 16, 16' bracket

[0059] 17 Receiver

[0060] 18 Receiver

[0061] 19 Receiver

[0062] 20 Autism Institutions 21. Outer shell

[0063] 22 drives

[0064] 23 boxes

[0065] 24. Protrusion

[0066] 25 Actuators

[0067] 26 Guide rails

[0068] 30 plug

[0069] 31 plates

[0070] 32 screws

[0071] 40 Elastic element

[0072] 50 Fastening parts

[0073] 51 Fastening device

[0074] 60 Middle Rail

[0075] 70 hooks

[0076] 71 plates

[0077] 72 plates

[0078] 100 Furniture

[0079] 200 main bodies

[0080] 300 drawers

[0081] 301 Front Panel

Claims

1. A pushing device (4) for furniture (100) or household appliance (1), having a first pull-out guide (5) and a second pull-out guide (5), wherein each of the two pull-out guides (5) includes a stationary guide rail (6) and at least one running rail (7) movable relative to the guide rail (6), a front retainer (9, 9') and a rear retainer (10, 10') fixed to each running rail (7), wherein a base (11, 11') is located on all four retainers (9, 9', 10, 10') and displacement is prevented by stops on the retainers (9, 9', 10, 10'), characterized in that, Each retainer (9, 9′, 10, 10′) is provided with a slotted receiving seat (18, 19) for insertion into the lower part of the rear wall (14) or the front panel (13).

2. The driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each retainer (9, 9′, 10, 10′) wraps around one corner of the base (11, 11′) at the edge in a corner manner.

3. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A slotted receiving seat (17) is formed on each retainer (9, 9′, 10, 10′) for insertion into the lower part of the sidewall (12).

4. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The retainers (9, 9′, 10, 10′) are manufactured as plastic molded parts.

5. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each front retainer and / or rear retainer (9, 9′, 10, 10′) has a plug (30) that inserts into a cavity on the running rail (7).

6. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A hook (70) protrudes from each running rail (7), on which a front retainer and / or a rear retainer (9, 9′, 10, 10′) are fixed.

7. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rear end of the sidewall (12) and the end of the rear wall (14) are fixed to each rear retainer (10, 10′) and / or the front end of the sidewall (12) and the end of the front panel (13) are fixed to each front retainer (9, 9′).

8. The pushing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sidewalls (12), rear wall (14) and / or front panel (13) are made of transparent sheet material.

9. The pushing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each sidewall (12) is connected to the front panel (13) by a corner piece (15) inserted from above.

10. The pushing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each sidewall (12) is connected to the rear wall (14) by a corner piece (15) inserted from above.

11. The driving device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A protrusion (24) is formed on the front or rear retainer (9, 9′, 10, 10′) which can engage with the movable actuator (22) of the self-closing mechanism (20).

12. A method for installing a pushing device (4), comprising the following steps: a) Install the front retainer (9, 9') at the front end of the movable running rail (7) of the first pull-out guide (5); b) Install the retainer (10, 10') at the rear end of the movable running rail (7) of the first pull-out guide (5); c) Repeat steps a) and b) for the second pull-out guide (5); d) Install the two pull-out guides (5) onto the body (2) of the furniture or household appliance (1), and e) Positioning the base (11, 11') on four retainers (9, 9', 10, 10'), characterized in that a sidewall (12) is inserted into an upwardly open slotted receiving seat (17) on each retainer (9, 10), a rear wall (14) is inserted into each rear retainer (10), and a front panel (13) is inserted into an upwardly open slotted receiving seat (18, 19) on each front retainer (9).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Insert the corner pieces (15) into the corners of the unit formed by the side wall (12), the rear wall (14) and the front panel (13).

Images