Device for parallel pivoting of a platform from a piece of furniture and connecting element for such a device

Abstract

A device for the parallel pivoting out of a platform (1) from a piece of furniture (2), in particular from a base cabinet, preferably from a kitchen base cabinet, from a folded-in, at least substantially horizontal position into a folded-out, at least substantially horizontal position, with at least two pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4'), wherein the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4') can each be fixed to opposite sides of the platform (1) and of the piece of furniture (2), and a connecting element (5) arranged between the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4'), is characterized in that the connecting element (5) has two outer (7, 8) regions and a central region (6), wherein the outer regions (7, 8) each comprise a free end of the connecting element (5), which faces one of the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4'), and wherein the central region (6) is further away from the platform (1) than the outer regions (7, 8),when the platform (1) is in the folded position. Furthermore, a connecting element (5) for such a device is described.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the parallel pivoting out of a platform from a piece of furniture, in particular from a base cabinet, preferably from a kitchen base cabinet, from a folded-in, at least substantially horizontal position into a folded-out, at least substantially horizontal position, with at least two pivot arms, wherein the pivot arms can each be fixed on opposite sides of the platform and of the piece of furniture and a connecting element arranged between the pivot arms.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a connecting element for such a device.

[0003] Devices of the type in question are known in practice and are used, among other things, to store kitchen appliances, such as bread slicers, mixers, etc., on a platform in a base cabinet. To use the kitchen appliance, the device moves the platform from the folded position, in which the platform is located within the base cabinet, to an unfolded position, in which the platform is at least substantially level with the top of the base cabinet. It is essential that the platform is guided in such a way that it is always at least substantially horizontal, so that the kitchen appliance arranged on it cannot slip off.

[0004] In addition to the parallel pivoting of the platform, it is important for the aforementioned devices to be sufficiently stable to safely accommodate massive and therefore heavy kitchen appliances. Therefore, the devices themselves must be designed accordingly and require a fairly large installation space. Due to the limited space within the base cabinet, this ultimately limits the space available for the kitchen appliance to be accommodated. For example, kitchen appliances with a protruding height often cannot be installed on the platform.

[0005] DE 22 61 733 A discloses a countersunk fitting for equipment carriers with a connecting element attached to the pivot arms near the bearings. The connecting element is designed to be straight throughout.

[0006] DE 27 21 307 A1 relates to a pull-out device. This device comprises a connecting element coupled to pivoting arms. The connecting element is generally straight.

[0007] DE 21 02 653 A discloses a fitting for pivoting an appliance panel in and out, with a connecting element attached to pivot arms and aligned with their pivot axes. This connecting element is also completely straight.

[0008] The document US 2005 / 0206282 A1 shows an extension for a platform with a swivel gear that has no connecting element between the swivel arms.

[0009] The present invention is therefore based on the object of designing and developing a device of the type mentioned above in such a way that a platform can be securely held and moved using simple structural means, while providing the largest possible receiving space on the platform. Furthermore, a connecting element for such a device is to be specified.

[0010] According to the invention, the above object is achieved with respect to the device by the features of claim 1.According to this, a device for the parallel pivoting out of a platform from a piece of furniture, in particular from a base cabinet, preferably from a kitchen base cabinet, from a folded-in, at least substantially horizontal position into a folded-out, at least substantially horizontal position, with at least two pivot arms, wherein the pivot arms can each be fixed to opposite sides of the platform and of the piece of furniture and a connecting element arranged between the pivot arms, characterized in that the connecting element has two outer regions and a central region, wherein the outer regions each comprise a free end of the connecting element which faces one of the pivot arms, and wherein the central region is further away from the platform than the outer regions when the platform is in the folded-in position.

[0011] With regard to the connecting element, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 10. This claims a connecting element for a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, with two outer regions and a central region arranged between them, wherein the central region is offset from the outer regions by 10 mm to 60 mm, in particular 20 mm to 50 mm, preferably 25 mm to 50 mm.

[0012] In accordance with the invention, it was first recognized that the underlying problem can be solved by a clever design of the connecting element. For this purpose, the connecting element is not straight, but is offset or set back in its middle area compared to the outer areas. This makes it possible for the middle area to be further away from the platform than the outer areas when the platform is in the folded-in position, i.e. when the platform is arranged in the piece of furniture. This design measure creates additional space in the middle area for an object arranged on the platform, for example a food processor. However, it is still ensured that the device as a whole is extremely stable and can therefore also hold heavier objects securely.In other words, the device according to the invention can be a pivoting fitting or parallel pivoting fitting, in which the connecting element is designed according to the above explanations. It should be noted that the platform, for example a wooden board, does not necessarily have to be part of the device according to the invention, but can be.

[0013] The connecting element according to the invention can have the features and advantages described with respect to the connecting element of the device, in particular the features of the connecting element contained in the dependent claims 2 to 9 and the following description.

[0014] The term "horizontally arranged" is to be understood in the context of this disclosure to mean that the platform is horizontally oriented when arranged in a piece of furniture, for example, a kitchen base cabinet, so that objects can be placed on the platform without the platform slipping off due to an inclination of the platform. Preferably, the device is designed such that the platform is always at least substantially horizontally oriented, both in the folded position and in the unfolded position, as well as during movement from the folded to the unfolded position.

[0015] Advantageously, the connecting element is designed, at least in part, as a U-shaped bracket. Such a construction provides a particularly simple way of ensuring that the central region of the connecting element is further away from the platform than the outer regions. The bracket can preferably be manufactured using a bending process. Furthermore, it is conceivable for the connecting element to be milled from a solid piece, for example, from an aluminum block or another material. Generally, the connecting element can be made of, or comprise, a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, or another sufficiently malleable and stable material.

[0016] In a further advantageous manner, the connecting element can be formed from a solid tube or a hollow tube. A solid tube has the advantage of being particularly stable. The advantage of a hollow tube is the small amount of material required, which results in a low weight of the device. The connecting element can preferably have an outer diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm, in particular 12 mm to 18 mm, which provides an advantageous ratio between the size of the connecting element and the achieved stability.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element can have a square, in particular rectangular, cross-section or a round cross-section. The cross-section of the connecting element can be selected accordingly depending on the further design of the device.

[0018] Particularly advantageously, the connecting element can have a total length of 250 mm to 700 mm, in particular of 300 mm to 500 mm. The total length of the connecting element is advantageously selected such that the device can be arranged in the furniture, preferably in a kitchen base cabinet, for example, with a width of 600 mm, although it can also be dimensioned such that it can be inserted into wider or narrower furniture.

[0019] Advantageously, the central region can be offset from the outer regions by 10 mm to 60 mm, in particular 20 mm to 50 mm, preferably 25 mm to 50 mm. In other words, the central region deviates from a straight configuration of the connecting element by the specified lengths, so that the deviating—recessed—central region is further away from the platform when the platform is in the folded position.

[0020] Particularly advantageously, the central section can have a length of 150 mm to 300 mm. This creates sufficient space to accommodate larger objects or kitchen appliances on the platform. Alternatively or additionally, the outer sections can each have a length of 50 mm to 150 mm. This has the advantage that these sections are sufficiently long to achieve the necessary stability of the device.

[0021] Furthermore, it is conceivable and advantageous for the ratio of the length of the central region to the total length of the two outer regions to be in the range of 0.8 to 1.2, in particular 0.95 to 1.05, preferably 1. Such a design measure creates a particularly stable device that is extremely compact. The aforementioned total length of the two outer regions is the sum of the lengths of the two outer regions.

[0022] In a further advantageous manner, fastening elements can be provided to attach the pivot arms to the platform and / or the furniture via the fastening elements. This allows the device to be securely attached to the platform and the furniture, and also enables the movement of the pivot arms necessary for pivoting out with a simple construction.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, a receiving element can be arranged on one or both of the pivot arms, to or in which one of the two outer regions of the connecting element can be secured. Advantageously, the outer region can be inserted into the receiving element and, if necessary, secured with a fixing means, such as a screw. It is also conceivable for the outer region to be inserted into the receiving element(s) according to the desired overall width of the device and secured in this position. The device can thus be easily adapted to different widths of the furniture.

[0024] Advantageously, two swivel arms can be arranged on each side of the platform, so that the device has a total of four swivel arms.

[0025] There are now various possibilities for advantageously embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention in a folded position, Fig. 2 shows a schematic front view of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a perspective view of the embodiment of the Fig. 1 to 3 in an unfolded position, Fig. 5 shows a schematic front view of the device according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a sectional view of the device according to Fig. 4, Fig. 7 shows a schematic side view of a connecting element according to the invention, Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the connecting element according to Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a further perspective view of the connecting element according to Fig. 7.

[0026] The Fig. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of a device according to the invention in different representations. The device serves for the parallel pivoting out of a platform 1 from a piece of furniture 2, which can be designed, for example, as a kitchen cabinet. The device has two pivot arms 3, 3', 4, 4' on opposite sides of the platform 1, which are connected to the platform 1 and the piece of furniture 2. It is also conceivable that only one pivot arm 3, 4 is provided on each side of the platform. The platform 1 can be designed, for example, as a wooden plate, metal plate, plastic plate, or a plate made of any other material.

[0027] It is also clearly visible that Platform 1 is both in the Fig. 1 to 3 as well as in the folded position shown in the Fig. 4 to 6. The same applies during the movement of platform 1 from one position to the other. This makes it possible to place an object, such as a kitchen appliance, on platform 1 and, if necessary, fold it out of the furniture 2 together with it.

[0028] In order to increase the available height of the storage space on the platform 1, the connecting element 5, which connects the pivot arms 3, 3' to the pivot arms 4, 4', has a central region 6 which, in the folded-in position of the platform 1, is located further away from the latter than the outer regions 7, 8 of the connecting element 5. For this purpose, the connecting element 5 is designed as a U-shaped bracket, or the central region 6 is offset / recessed relative to the outer regions 7, 8. It is thus possible to arrange the connecting element 5 in the device such that the central region 6, i.e. the offset region of the connecting element 5, points away from the platform 1 in the folded-in position, so that taller objects can be arranged on the platform than with a straight design of the connecting element 5.

[0029] Furthermore, in the Fig. 1 to 6 show that the connecting element 5 is connected to the pivot arms 3, 3', 4, 4' via receiving elements 9, 9', although this does not necessarily have to be the case. The free ends of the outer regions 7, 8 of the connecting element 5 are each inserted into a receiving element 9, 9' and fixed with a fixing means 10, 10', for example a screw. This design has the advantage that the width of the device can be adapted to the width of the piece of furniture 2 by inserting the outer regions 7, 8 to a corresponding depth into the receiving elements 9, 9' and fixing them in this position via the fixing means 10, 10'.

[0030] Furthermore, fastening elements 11, 11' are provided, via which the pivot arms 3, 3', 4, 4' are connected to the platform 1. The pivot arms 3, 3', 4, 4' are connected to the furniture 2 via further fastening elements 12, 12'.

[0031] The Fig.Figures 7 to 9 show a connecting element 5 according to the invention in different representations. It can be clearly seen again that the central region 6 is offset from the outer regions 7, 8. The cross-section of the connecting element 5 is rectangular, although other geometries are also conceivable.

[0032] The connecting element 5 can, for example, have a total length 13 of 250 mm to 700 mm, in particular of 300 mm to 500 mm. The length 14 of the central region 6 can, for example, be 150 mm to 300 mm. The outer regions 7, 8 can, for example, have a length 15, 15' of 50 mm to 150 mm.

[0033] Furthermore, the central region 6 can be offset from the outer regions 7, 8 by, for example, 10 mm to 60 mm, which is represented by the length 16.

[0034] It is expressly pointed out that the above length specifications are merely an example and are not to be understood as limiting. In particular, it is also conceivable that the outer regions 7, 8 are not of equal length. It is essential that the connecting element 5 is sufficiently dimensioned to be able to be arranged in a piece of furniture 2, preferably in a kitchen base cabinet.

[0035] With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the teaching according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

[0036] Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the above-described embodiments of the device according to the invention and of the connecting element according to the invention serve only to explain the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the embodiments. List of reference symbols 1 platform 2 furniture 3.3' swivel arm 4, 4' swivel arm 5 Connecting element 6 middle range 7 outer area 8 outer area 9, 9' receiving element 10, 10' fixative 11, 11' fastening element 12, 12' fastener 13 total length 14 Length (middle range) 15, 15' length (outer area) 16 offset length

Claims

[1] Device for the parallel pivoting out of a platform (1) from a piece of furniture (2), in particular from a base cabinet, preferably from a kitchen base cabinet, from a folded-in, at least substantially horizontal position into a folded-out, at least substantially horizontal position, with at least two pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4'), wherein the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4') can each be fixed to opposite sides of the platform (1) and of the piece of furniture (2) and a connecting element (5) arranged between the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4'), characterized byin that the connecting element (5) has two outer (7, 8) regions and a central region (6), wherein the outer regions (7, 8) each comprise a free end of the connecting element (5) which faces one of the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4'), and wherein the central region (6) is further away from the platform (1) than the outer regions (7, 8) when the platform (1) is in the folded position. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting element (5) is designed at least in some areas as a U-shaped bracket. [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the connecting element (5) is formed from a solid tube or from a hollow tube, preferably with an outer diameter of 10 mm to 20 mm, in particular of 12 mm to 18 mm. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the connecting element (5) has an angular, in particular a square, cross-section or a round cross-section. [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the connecting element (5) has a total length (13) of 250 mm to 700 mm, in particular of 300 mm to 500 mm. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the central region (6) is offset from the outer regions (7, 8) by the length (16) of 10 mm to 60 mm, in particular 20 mm to 50 mm, preferably 25 mm to 50 mm. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the central region (6) has a length (14) of 150 mm to 300 mm, and / or that the outer regions (7, 8) each have a length (15, 15') of 50 mm to 150 mm. [8] Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the ratio of the length (14) of the central region (6) to the total length of the outer regions (7, 8) is in the range from 0.8 to 1.2, in particular from 0.95 to 1.05, preferably 1. [9] Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that fastening elements (11, 11', 12, 12') are arranged in order to arrange the pivot arms (3, 3', 4, 4') on the platform (1) and / or on the furniture (2) via the fastening elements (11, 11', 12, 12'). [10] Connecting element (5) for a device according to one of claims 1 to 9, with two outer regions (7, 8) and a central region (6) formed between them, wherein the central region (6) is offset from the outer regions (7, 8) by 10 mm to 60 mm, in particular 20 mm to 50 mm, preferably 25 mm to 50 mm.

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