Front panel fitting

Abstract

A front panel fitting (1) according to the invention for detachably fastening a front panel (2) to a drawer comprises at least one fitting part (3) that can be mounted on the rear of the front panel (2) with a retaining contour (4) that can be gripped behind it, and at least one fastening device (5) that can be mounted on the drawer for fastening the fitting part (3), wherein the fastening device (5) has a guide plate (6), a clamping device (7) that is movably mounted on the guide plate (6) between an initial position and a locking position for gripping behind and tightening the retaining contour (4) in an insertion direction (12) up to a fastening position, and a force storage device (9) that pre-tensions the clamping device (7) into the locking position.

Description

The invention relates to a front panel fitting for the detachable fastening of a front panel to a drawer, in particular to a drawer side wall or frame.Such front panel fittings are sufficiently known and have as clamping element a slotted link disk (e.g. EP 3 709 839 B1), a locking lever (e.g. DE 20 2014 002 229 U1, EP 3 167 759 B1, DE 20 2015 102 087 U1, DE 20 2016 101 367 U1, EP 2 164 363 B1), a locking wedge (EP 2 374 370 B1, EP 2 207 456 B1) or a rotationally displaceable locking lever (EP 2 868 229 B1).In contrast, the object of the present invention is to specify an alternative front panel fitting of as simple a construction as possible.This object is achieved by a front panel fitting, havingat least one fitting part which can be mounted on the rear side of the front panel and has a retaining contour which can be gripped behind, andat least one fastening device mountable on the drawer for fastening the fitting part, wherein the fastening device has a guide plate, a clamping device mounted on the guide plate so as to be movable between an initial position and a locking position for engaging behind and tightening the holding contour in an insertion direction as far as a fastening position, and a force accumulator which prestresses the clamping device into the locking position.The fastening device preferably does not have a fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, so that the holding contour, e.g. after setting the connection, is automatically pulled further in the insertion direction by the clamping element which is still spring-loaded into a new fastening position and is thus re-tensioned. At the same time, manufacturing-related tolerances can also be compensated by means of the variable end position, so that play-free contact of the panel with the frame is always ensured.Preferably, the clamping device is initially movable against the action of the energy accumulator by the holding contour introduced in the introduction direction and, after overcoming a dead point of the energy accumulator, is automatically movable further from the energy accumulator into the locking position. The guide plate preferably has a guide slot for inserting the retaining contour in the insertion direction as far as into the fastening position.The clamping device can have as clamping element, for example, a slotted-link disk, a locking lever with (catch) recess, a locking wedge, a pull rod or a rotationally displaceable locking lever, or also combinations of slotted-link disk, locking lever with (catch) recess, locking wedge, pull rod or rotationally displaceable locking lever.Preferably, the clamping element itself or a coupling element interacting with the clamping element has an unlocking element with a tool holder or handle in order to move the clamping element back manually out of the locking position beyond a dead point of the force accumulator.In preferred embodiments of the invention, the front panel fitting has two fastening devices which are either independent of one another or are motion-coupled to one another. In the latter case, the clamping devices of the two fastening devices can be motion-coupled to one another permanently, in particular by a rod, or in sections, in particular by a deflection lever.Further advantages of the invention are evident from the description, the claims and the drawing. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as a final enumeration, but rather have exemplary character for describing the invention.The following are shown: FIGS. 1 a- 1 c show a front panel fitting according to the invention with a fastening device in an exploded view (FIG. 1 a ), in a side view (FIG. 1 b ) and in a plan view (FIG. 1 c ); FIGS. 2a-2f show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of the front panel fitting; FIGS. 3 a, 3 b show an exploded view (FIG. 3 a ) and in the assembled state (FIG. 3 b ) of a front panel fitting modified for a narrow installation space; FIG. 4 shows the fastening of a front panel by means of a modified front panel fitting with two fastening devices; FIG. 5 shows an alternative front panel fitting according to the invention in an exploded view; FIGS. 6a-6d show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIGS. 7a-7d show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIGS. 8a-8d show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIGS. 9a-9d show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIGS. 10a-10d show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIGS. 11a-11c show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIGS. 12a-12c show the time sequence during the fastening of a front panel by means of a further front panel fitting according to the invention; FIG. 13 shows the fastening of a front panel by means of a front panel fitting modified in comparison with FIG. 4 with two different fastening devices coupled to one another; FIGS. 14 a- 14 c show a further front panel fitting according to the invention with two mutually coupled, different fastening devices in the unfixed state (FIG. 14 a ), in the fastened state (FIG. 14 b ) and in an exploded view (FIG. 14 c ); and FIG. 15 is a modification of a lock lever shown in FIGS. 12, 13 to 14.In the following description of the drawing, identical reference numerals are used for identical or functionally identical components.The front panel fitting 1 shown in FIGS. 1 a- 1 c serves for the detachable fastening of a front panel 2 (FIG. 2 ) to a drawer (not shown), in particular to a drawer side wall or drawer frame. The front panel fitting 1 has a fitting part which can be mounted on the rear side on the front panel 2 and has a retaining contour which can be gripped behind, here merely by way of example in the form of a front adapter 3 having a cross bolt 4 which can be gripped behind, and a fastening device 5 which can be mounted on the drawer for fastening the front adapter 3.The fastening device 5 has a guide plate 6, a clamping device 7 mounted on the guide plate 6 so as to be movable between an initial position and a locking position, for engaging behind and tightening the holding contour 4 in an insertion direction 12 as far as a fastening position, and a force accumulator 9 which prestresses the clamping device 7 into the locking position.It can be provided that the clamping device 7 is initially movable counter to the action of the energy accumulator 9 by the holding contour 4 introduced in the introduction direction 12 and is automatically movable further from the energy accumulator 9 into the locking position after a dead point of the energy accumulator 9 has been overcome.It can be provided that the clamping device 7 has a first contact surface 7 afor the holding contour 4 and a second contact surface 7 bfor the holding contour 4, wherein the holding contour 4 contacts the first contact surface 7 aand subsequently the second contact surface 7 buntil at least the dead point is overcome.It can be provided that the guide plate 6 has a guide slot 11 for inserting the retaining contour 4 in the insertion direction 12 as far as into the fastening position.It can be provided that the clamping device 7 has a clamping element 8, wherein the clamping element 8 is connected directly or indirectly to the energy store 9.It can be provided that the energy accumulator 9 is articulated on the clamping element 8, in particular in such a way that the energy accumulator 9 is connected to an axis 9 aof the clamping element 8.It can be provided that the clamping element 8 is rotatably mounted.In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 a- 1 c, optional features are shown, which can be provided individually or in combination. The clamping element of the clamping device is designed in the form of a slotted-link disk 8. The energy store 9, here shown merely by way of example in the form of a compression spring 9, is linked eccentrically on the axis 9 ato the slotted-link disk 8 by means of a guide rod 10. The guide plate 6 has the guide slot 11 for guiding the transverse bolt 4 in and on in the insertion direction 12 as far as a fastening position. The slotted guide plate 8 is mounted on the guide plate 6 rotatably between an initial position and a locking position and serves for engaging behind and tightening the transverse bolt 4 guided in the guide slot 11 in the insertion direction 12 as far as into the locking position. It can be provided that the initial position is limited by a stop between the guide rod 10 and the guide plate 6, for example in the region of the axis 9 a. For example, in the initial position of the slotted guide plate 8, the axis 9 aof the guide rod 10 can bear on the top of the guide plate 6. The slotted guide plate 8 has an arcuate slot (referred to below as slotted guide) 13 with an open slotted guide end 14, via which the transverse pin 4 guided in the guide slot 11 can enter the slotted guide 13 in the initial position of the slotted guide plate 8. The link distance to the axis of rotation 15 of the link plate 8 decreases along the link 13, starting from the open link end 14, as is described in more detail below. From its initial position, the slotted guide plate 8 is initially rotatable counter to the action of the compression spring 9 until, after a dead point of the compression spring 9 has been overcome, it is automatically rotated further by the compression spring 9 into the locking position. The slide block pitch can be selected such that a noticeable resistance, but no great force exertion is necessary in order to insert the front panel 2 into the fastening device 5. In particular, the force required for inserting the front panel 2 can be in the range between 5 and 75 Newtons, preferably between 10 and 50 Newtons, wherein the lower limit represents in each case a perceptible resistance and the upper limit represents in each case no great exertion of force during the insertion of the front panel 2. At the dead point of the compression spring 9, the axis of rotation 15 of the slotted guide plate 8 and the articulation point 9 aof the guide rod 10 on the slotted guide plate 8 lie on the active axis of the compression spring 9, in this case therefore on the longitudinal axis of the guide rod 10, so that the compression spring 9 exerts no torque on the slotted guide plate 8. The clamping device 7, here the link 13, has a first contact surface 7 aand a second contact surface 7 bfor the transverse pin 4, wherein the transverse pin 4 bears against the first contact surface 7 aat least until the dead point is overcome and then bears against the second contact surface 7 buntil the locking position. It can be provided that during unlocking (ejection) the transverse bolt 4 only abuts on the first contact surface 7 aor its extension.The operating principle of the front screen fitting 1 is as follows.The front panel 2 with the mounted front adapter 3 is manually brought closer in the insertion direction 12 to the fastening device 5 fastened to the drawer (FIG. 2 a ) and then inserted with its transverse bolt 4 into the guide slot 11 of the guide plate 6 and, if present, first suspended in a suspension recess 16 of the guide slot 11 (FIG. 2 b ). The slotted-link disk 8 is in its initial position.When the front panel 2 is moved further manually in the insertion direction 12, the transverse pin 4 guided in the guide slot 11 enters the slotted link 13 of the slotted link plate 8 via the open slotted link end 14 (FIG. 2 c ) and then rotates the slotted link plate 8-counterclockwise in FIG. 2 c-from the initial position counter to the action of the compression spring 9 into the dead point of the compression spring 9 (FIG. 2 d ) by pressing on the first contact surface 7 a.By further introduction of the transverse bolt 4 in the introduction direction 12, the slotted guide plate 8 is rotated further and the dead point is thereby overcome (FIG. 2 e), so that the slotted guide plate 8, driven by the compression spring 9, is automatically rotated further into the locking position and in the process the transverse bolt 4 engaged behind by the second contact surface 7 bof the slotted guide 13 is carried along in the guide slot 11 in the introduction direction 12 as far as into its fastening position (FIG. 2 f).In this fastening position, the transverse bolt 4 is locked by the slotted-link disk 8 counter to the insertion direction 12, wherein the transverse bolt 4 is still approximately 20° away from the other, closed slotted-link end. There is therefore no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the transverse bolt 4 is automatically pulled further in the insertion direction 12 by the sliding block plate 8, which is still spring-loaded, into a new fastening position, for example after setting of the connection, and is thus re-tensioned.In the fastening position, the second contact surface 7 bacting on the transverse bolt 4 encloses with the insertion direction 12 an angle of 75°, for example, which is so steep that the locking of the transverse bolt 4 cannot be released by a tensile force acting on the transverse bolt 4 counter to the insertion direction 12 (self-locking). The "inclined plane" of 15°, for example, is sufficient to achieve self-locking, especially since the spring force of compression spring 9 additionally counteracts the release.The link distance from the axis of rotation 15 along the link 13, i.e. the link pitch, can either decrease uniformly starting from the open link end 14 (constant link pitch) or, which is preferred, decrease over a plurality of link sections with different link pitches. In the latter case, the link 13, as shown in FIG. 1 b, has three link sections with different link slopes starting from the open link end 14. A first link section I with a large link pitch, on which the cross bolt 4 presses against the first contact surface 7 a, serves to push the link plate 8 out of the initial position beyond the dead point. A second link section II forms a transition and drawing-in region with some air between the two link sides for optimized drawing-in of the transverse bolt 4. a third link section III serves for clamping and locking the transverse bolt 4 with a low link pitch (rotary wedge with self-locking) in each position, which enables re-clamping and tolerance compensation (manufacturing / assembly tolerances).To unlock or release the fastening device 5, the slotted guide disk 8 must be rotated back manually from the locking position beyond the dead point, e.g. as far as the then self-locking starting position, and the transverse bolt 4 must thereby be pushed back in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12, e.g. as far as into the hanging recess 16. In the present case, the tool holder 17 is present centrally on a bearing journal 18 which forms the axis of rotation 15 and is connected to the slotted link plate 8 in a rotationally fixed manner, for example via a form fit (triangle, not illustrated).As further shown in the exemplary embodiment, the guide plate 6 can be adjustable in height and in side between two drawer-side mounting plates 19, 20 in order to enable adjustment of the front panel 2. The lateral adjustment is effected by means of a screw 21, which is rotatably mounted in vertical slots 22 of the mounting plates 19, 20 and is fixed laterally and is screwed into a threaded bore 23 of the guide plate 6. Here, for example, by means of a fine thread M8x1, the lateral adjustment can be held securely even in the event of permanent loading (opening and closing of the drawer). The guide plate 6 and the slotted guide plate 8 can be accommodated, for example, between two walls of the front adapter 3 without play as far as possible, so that a corresponding lateral adjustment of the front adapter 3 is effected by a lateral adjustment of the guide plate 6.The height adjustment is effected by means of an eccentric 24 which is rotatably mounted in the two mounting plates 19, 20 and can change the height of the guide plate 6 by means of a horizontal elongated hole 25 of the latter. Here, the securing can be effected under load by small radial ribs on the eccentric 24, which ribs meet the corresponding mating profile in the mounting plates 19, 20. A rotation into the next grid takes place via a screwdriver, wherein the mounting plates 19, 20 can easily bend elastically towards the respective outer side in order to enable the movement. The guide plate 6 is guided in a vertically displaceable manner at the front with a vertical recess 26 on an angled tab 27 of the rear mounting plate 19 in FIG. 1 a and at the rear with two rear projections 28 in rear vertical guide slots 29 of the rear mounting plate 19. The projections 28 project rearwardly through the guide slots 29 and may optionally be secured by pins 30. The two mounting plates 19, 20 are caulked (riveted) to one another both via a cap of the tab 27 and via three elevations of the rear mounting plate 19, which project into the corresponding recesses of the front mounting plate 20 and can thus be stamped.FIGS. 3a and 3b show a front panel fitting 1 modified for a narrow installation space-as viewed in the insertion direction 12-in which the guide and mounting plates 6, 19, 20 run on edge and the force store 9 is likewise arranged vertically instead of horizontally. The horizontal arrangement of the guide and mounting plates 6, 19, 20 allows a small installation space in height for small frame heights, while the vertical arrangement allows, for example, the introduction of an insert (e.g. glass or decorative panel) that is as large as possible in the case of relatively high frames. By means of the different properties, it is possible, for example, to cover all commercially available frame heights with these two variants. It is also important to note here that the tool receptacles of the lateral and height adjustment elements 21, 24 are accessible from both sides, for which reason the pre-assembled fastening devices 5 can be used for both frame sides. Thus, for all variations (height and side), only these two fastening principles are necessary as pre-assembled sub-assemblies (economical pre-manufacturing).FIG. 4 shows the fastening of a front panel 2, which has a front adapter 3 with an upper and a lower transverse bolt 4, by means of a front panel fitting 1 with an upper fastening device 5 and a further, lower fastening device 5 a. Instead of laterally reversed with respect to one another as shown, the two fastening devices 5, 5a can also be arranged not laterally reversed with respect to one another.FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, in which the clamping device 7 has, as clamping element, two slotted link plates 8 arranged parallel next to one another for engaging behind the transverse bolt 4. The slotted link plates 8 are mounted on the guide plate 6 such that they can rotate about the axis of rotation 15 and are arranged on both sides of the guide plate 6. A connection of the two slotted link plates 8 is also conceivable, so that a U-shaped configuration is produced, the two legs of which are arranged on both sides of the plate 6. The compression spring 9 is arranged between the two slotted link plates 8 and is eccentrically articulated on the slotted link plates 8, which are thereby connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. Unlike in FIG. 1, the two mounting plates 19, 20 are connected to one another at the front by means of a bolt 31 and at the rear by means of, for example, two vertically offset bolts 32. However, the mounting plates 19, 20 can also be connected to one another as shown in FIG. 1 a. The guide plate 6 is mounted vertically displaceably on these bolts 31, 32 by means of corresponding front and / or rear vertical slots 33. Incidentally, this front panel fitting 1 corresponds to the front panel fitting 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2.FIGS. 6a-6d show the time sequence during the fastening and release of a front panel 2 by means of a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically illustrated. In this exemplary embodiment, too, the clamping element is rotatably mounted. This exemplary embodiment differs from the already described embodiments in that the clamping device 7 has, as clamping element, a locking lever 34 which is mounted rotatably about the axis of rotation 15 and has a (catch) cutout 35 which is open radially outwards. From its initial position (FIG. 6 a), the locking lever 34 is initially rotatable counter to the action of the compression spring 9 until, after overcoming the dead point, it is automatically rotated further by the compression spring 9 into the locking position (FIG. 6 c ). The clamping device 7, here the catching recess 35, has a first contact surface 7 aand a second contact surface 7 bfor the transverse pin 4, wherein the transverse pin 4 bears against the first contact surface 7 aat least until the dead point is overcome and then bears against the second contact surface 7 buntil the locking position. The fastening device 5 also has a rotatably mounted securing lever 36 which, in a securing position, locks the locking lever 34 against turning back out of the locking position.The front panel 2 is manually inserted into the guide slot 11 with the transverse pin 4 in the insertion direction 12 until the transverse pin 4 enters the catch recess 35 of the locking lever 34 in its initial position (FIG. 6 a ). When the transverse bolt 4 is inserted further in the insertion direction 12, the transverse bolt 4, by pressing on the first contact surface 7 a, then rotates the locking lever 34-counterclockwise in FIG. 6 b-from the initial position counter to the action of the compression spring 9 as far as beyond the dead point of the compression spring 9. After the dead point has been overcome, the locking lever 34, driven by the compression spring 9, is automatically rotated further into the locking position and, in the process, the transverse pin 4 engaged behind by the second contact surface 7 bof the catch recess 35 is carried along in the guide slot 11 in the insertion direction 12 as far as into its fastening position (FIG. 6 c ). The securing lever 36 is rotated by the locking lever 34 against the action of a restoring force (spring or gravity) into the securing position in which the round, free lever end of the securing lever 36 rests clampingly against an outer contour of the locking lever 34 at an acute angle. As a result, the locking lever 34 is blocked against turning back into the initial position, but further turning of the locking lever 34 is still possible. There is therefore no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the transverse bolt 4 is automatically pulled further in the insertion direction 12 by the locking lever 34, which is still spring-loaded, into a new fastening position, for example after the connection has been set, and is thus re-tensioned.To release the fastening, the securing element 36 is first lifted off the locking lever 34 (FIG. 6 d ), namely by manually rotating an unlocking element 37 mounted eccentrically on the locking lever 34 in the clockwise direction. For this purpose, the unlocking element 37 has a tool holder 38, here in the form of a cross slot, and is guided on the one hand in an arcuate slot 39 of the locking lever 34 and on the other hand in a control cam (not shown) of the guide plate 6. By further rotating the unlocking element 37 in the clockwise direction, the locking lever 34 can be rotated back out of the locking position beyond the dead point, e.g. as far as the starting position, and as a result the transverse pin 4 can be pushed back or ejected in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12.FIGS. 7a-7d show the time sequence during the fastening and release of a front panel 2 by means of a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically shown. This configuration of the front panel fitting 1 differs from the configuration of the front panel fitting 1 of FIGS. 6 a- 6 d in that the unlocking element is configured as a release cam 37 rotatably mounted on the locking lever 34 and having a rotary handle 40, here in the form of a lever arm. To release the fastening, the release cam 37 is first rotated clockwise (freewheel) until the release cam 37 has raised the securing lever 36 (FIG. 7 d ). Then the freewheel is ended and by further rotation of the release cam 37 the locking lever 34 is carried along in the clockwise direction as far as its initial position. As a result, the transverse pin 4 is pushed back or ejected in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12. When the transverse bolt 4 is pushed in again, the release cam 37 is first moved back into its starting position again by the extension of the front adapter 3 via the rotary handle 40.FIGS. 8a-8d show the time sequence when fastening a front panel 2 by means of a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically shown. This exemplary embodiment corresponds to the configuration of FIGS. 1-5, provided that no differences are described below. The clamping device 7 has as clamping element a locking wedge 42 which can be displaced linearly at right angles or almost (approximately ±10°) at right angles to the insertion direction 12 in a guide 41 of the guide plate 6. The locking wedge has a wedge surface 43 for engaging behind and tightening the transverse bolt 4 in the insertion direction 12. In addition, the fastening device 5 has a coupling element 45 which is rotatably mounted on the guide plate 6 at 44 and which, in an initial position shown in FIG. 8 a, engages in the guide slot 11, here with a coupling arm 46, and is motion-coupled to the locking wedge 42. For this purpose, a pin 47 of the locking wedge 42 is guided in an angled slotted link 48 of the coupling element 45. The compression spring 9 eccentrically engages the coupling element 45 and biases the coupling element 45 into its initial position shown in FIG. 8 a. In this initial position, the locking wedge 42 is in its initial position in which it does not engage in the guide slot 11.The front panel 2 is inserted manually into the guide slot 11 with the transverse pin 4 in the insertion direction 12 until the transverse pin 4 meets the coupling arm 46 (FIG. 8 a). When the transverse bolt 4 is inserted further in the insertion direction 12, the coupling arm 46 or the coupling element 45 is first rotated by the transverse bolt 4 from the starting position counter to the action of the compression spring 9 beyond a dead point of the compression spring 9 (FIG. 8 b ) and then further rotated by the compression spring 9 into an end position (FIG. 8 c ). In FIG. 8 b, the coupling element 45 is already rotated clearly beyond the dead point, so that retraction by the compression spring 9 already takes place, for which reason the transverse bolt 4 is already no longer in contact with the coupling arm 46. Due to the coupling of the movement, the locking wedge 42 is lowered into its locking position, wherein it is initially seated on the transverse bolt 4 (FIG. 8 b ) until the transverse bolt 4 is engaged behind by the wedge surface 43 in the insertion direction 12 and is carried along into its fastening position. In the fastening position, the pin 47 does not yet bear against the link end in order to enable the re-clamping or the tolerance compensation. This is effected by a further rotation of the coupling element 45 by the spring force, wherein the locking wedge 42 is lowered further via the link 48 into the end position of the tolerance compensation or the re-tensioning path (FIG. 8 c ). The locking wedge 42 cannot move independently. There is therefore no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the transverse bolt 4 can be automatically pulled further in the insertion direction 12 by the locking wedge 42, which is still spring-loaded, into a new fastening position, for example after setting the connection, and can thus be re-tensioned.Due to the small wedge angle of the wedge surface 43, the locking of the transverse bolt 4 cannot be released by a tensile force acting on the transverse bolt 4 counter to the insertion direction 12 (self-locking and spring force). To release the fastening, the coupling element 45 is rotated back manually in the clockwise direction beyond the dead point, for example, until the initial position, by means of a tool holder 49 which is arranged eccentrically here with respect to the axis of rotation 44. As a result, the locking wedge 42 is first raised (FIG. 8 d ) due to the movement coupling until it is free, and the transverse pin 4 is subsequently pushed back or ejected by the coupling arm 46 in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12. For this purpose, in the end position of FIG. 8 c, so much play must be available that, upon release, the locking wedge 42 can first be released to such an extent that the coupling arm 46 can eject the transverse bolt 4 (FIG. 8 d ).FIGS. 9a-9d show the time sequence when fastening a front panel 2 by means of a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically shown. This exemplary embodiment corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8a-8d, provided that no differences are described below. The compression spring 9 directly engages the locking wedge 42 and is accommodated therein. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, a different motion coupling is provided. The coupling element 45 is guided by a pin 50 in a slot 51 of the locking wedge 42 parallel or nearly (approximately ±10°) parallel to the insertion direction 12. The coupling element 45 is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation 44 and is coupled to the locking wedge 42 via pins 50 and slotted link 51. If, by pushing in the front adapter 3, the coupling element 45 is rotated counterclockwise from its starting position shown in FIG. 9 a, at the right link end, the coupling element 45 is rotated in each case counter to the action of the compression spring 9 as far as a dead point in which the line defined by the pin 50 and the axis of rotation 44 runs parallel to the displacement direction of the locking wedge 42, and, due to the coupling of the movement, the locking wedge 42 is slightly raised from its starting position shown in FIG. 9 a. After the dead point has been overcome, the locking wedge 42 is lowered into its locking position shown in FIG. 9 c, driven by the compression spring 9, and the coupling element 45 is rotated further into the end position shown in FIG. 9 c, due to the coupling of the movement. In its initial position, the locking wedge 42 does not engage in the guide slot 11.The front panel 2 is inserted into the guide slot 11 with the transverse bolt 4 until the front adapter 3 meets the coupling arm 46 with one of its two side walls (FIG. 9 a). When the transverse bolt 4 is inserted further in the insertion direction 12, the coupling arm 46 or the coupling element 45 is rotated by the transverse bolt 4 from the starting position in the counterclockwise direction counter to the action of the compression spring 9 beyond the dead point (FIG. 9 b ) and then further rotated by the compression spring 9 into an end position (FIG. 9 c ). Due to the motion coupling, the locking wedge 42 is first raised and lowered after overcoming the dead point, whereby the transverse bolt 4 is engaged behind by the wedge surface 43 in the insertion direction 12 and taken along as far as its fastening position (FIG. 9 c ). In the fastening position, the pin 50 is still at a distance from the left-hand link end. There is therefore no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the transverse bolt 4 can be automatically pulled further in the insertion direction 12 by the locking wedge 42, which is still spring-loaded, into a new fastening position, for example after setting the connection, and can thus be re-tensioned.To release the fastening, the coupling element 45 is rotated back manually in the clockwise direction by means of the tool holder 49 until the coupling arm 46 bears against the front adapter 3 (FIG. 9 d ) and then further over the dead point into the initial position. Due to the movement coupling, the locking wedge 42 is first lifted and the transverse bolt 4 is subsequently pushed back or ejected by the coupling arm 46 in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12.FIGS. 10a-10d show the time sequence when fastening a front panel 2 by means of a further exemplary embodiment of a front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically shown. This exemplary embodiment corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 9 a- 9 d, provided that no differences are described below. On the guide plate 6, the rotatably mounted coupling element 45 is designed as a cam disc with a control cam 52, which controls the lifting movement of the locking wedge 42. The coupling element 45 engages in the guide slot 11 in an initial position with a (capture) recess 53. The coupling element 45 is acted upon by a further energy store, here in the form of a further compression spring 54. In the present case, the control cam 52 interacts with a pin 55 of the locking wedge 42 which is pressed by the compression spring 9 in contact with the control cam 52. The control cam 52 has a cam section which is circular with respect to the axis of rotation 44 and against which the pin 55 bears from the initial position to just before the end position, and a cam section which adjoins the latter and is set back radially inward in order to correspondingly lower the locking wedge 42, driven by the compression spring 9.The front panel 2 is inserted into the guide slot 11 with the transverse pin 4 until the transverse pin 4 enters the capture recess 53 (FIG. 10 a). When the transverse bolt 4 is inserted further in the insertion direction 12, the coupling element 45 is rotated by the transverse bolt 4 from the starting position in the counterclockwise direction counter to the action of the further compression spring 54 as far as beyond a dead point, in which the axis of rotation 44 lies in the line of action of the further compression spring 54 (FIG. 10 b ) and is then rotated further by the further compression spring 54 as far as an end position (FIG. 10 c ). The locking wedge 42 resting with its pin 55 on the circular cam section of the control cam 52 initially remains in its initial position in which it does not engage in the guide slot 11. As soon as the pin 55 reaches the set-back curve section, the locking wedge 42 is lowered, driven by the compression spring 9, whereby the transverse bolt 4 is engaged behind by the wedge surface 43 in the insertion direction 12 and taken along as far as its fastening position (FIG. 10 c ). There is no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the transverse bolt 4 can be automatically pulled further in the insertion direction 12 by the locking wedge 42, which is still spring-loaded, into a new fastening position, for example after setting the connection, and can thus be re-tensioned. The recessed curve section is provided for tolerance compensation and represents a clearance for (within limits) independent movements of locking wedge 42 and coupling element 45.To release the fastening, the coupling element 45 is rotated manually by means of the tool holder 49 in the clockwise direction beyond the dead point and further back into the initial position, whereby the pin 55 again rests on the circular cam section and the locking wedge 42 is raised. Subsequently, the transverse pin 4 is pushed back or ejected by the catching recess 53 in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12.FIGS. 11a-11c show the time sequence when fastening a front panel 2 by means of a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically shown. The clamping device 7 has as clamping element a pull rod 56 which has at its one rod end, on the left in FIG. 11 a, a suspension receptacle 57 with two contact surfaces, which act in and counter to the insertion direction 12 and serve for suspending the transverse bolt 4. The hanging receptacle 57 is comparable to or replaces the hanging recess 16 (FIG. 1 ). In addition, the fastening device 5 has a coupling element 59 which is rotatably mounted on the guide plate 6 at 58 and on which both the compression spring 9 at 60 and the pull rod 56 are articulated with their other, right-hand rod end at 61 eccentrically and with angular offset with respect to one another. It is also technically conceivable to combine the pivot points, so that the compression spring 9 is also received at the articulation point 61, wherein the desired dead point is to be adjusted by a corresponding orientation of the compression spring 9.The front panel 2 is suspended in the suspension recess 57 with the transverse pin 4 (FIG. 11 a ) and then manually pushed in the insertion direction 12 so that the transverse pin 4 enters the guide slot 11 and is inserted further therein. The pull rod 56 which is thus likewise pushed in the insertion direction 12 has the effect that the coupling element 59 is rotated from the starting position in the clockwise direction counter to the action of the compression spring 9 as far as beyond a dead point, in which the axis of rotation 58 lies in the line of action of the compression spring 9 (FIG. 11 b ) and is then rotated further by the compression spring 9 as far as an end position (FIG. 11 c ). There is no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the transverse bolt 4 can be automatically pulled further in the insertion direction 12 by the tension rod 56, which is further spring-loaded, into a new fastening position, for example after setting of the connection, and can thus be re-tensioned.In the fastening position, as seen at right angles to the insertion direction 12, the engagement point 60 of the compression spring 9 is spaced apart significantly further from the axis of rotation 58 than the engagement point 61 of the pull rod 56, so that a tensile force acting on the transverse bolt 4 counter to the insertion direction 12 does not lead to unlocking. To release the fastening, the coupling element 59 is rotated manually counter-clockwise beyond the dead point by means of a tool holder, not shown here, and further back into the initial position, whereby the pull rod 56 is pushed back counter to the insertion direction 12 into the initial position.FIGS. 12a-12c show the time sequence when fastening a front panel by means of a further exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1, wherein the guide plate 6 is only schematically shown. The clamping device 7 has as clamping element a locking lever 62 which has at its one lever end, on the left in FIG. 12, an upwardly open (catch) recess 63 for engaging behind a fitting part with a retaining structure, here merely by way of example in the form of a bolt 3 with a bolt head 4 which can be engaged behind. Instead of or in addition to a front adapter, the bolt 3 is fastened, preferably screwed in, in the front panel 2 (thread not shown). The locking lever 62 is mounted on the one hand on a bearing pin 66 of the guide plate 6 so as to be rotationally displaceable by means of an elongated hole 65 at the left lever end and on the other hand is guided by means of a pin 67 in an angled slotted link 68 of the guide plate 6. In its initial position shown in FIG. 12a, the pin 67 is held in a latching depression 69 of the link 68 by a compression spring 9, which is supported on the guide plate 6 and pulls the pin 67 into the latching depression 69 by means of a guide rod 70 passing through the compression spring 9. As a result, the compression spring 9 in the package with the locking lever 62 and the guide plate 6 can always be moved synchronously, which is important for the function of lateral and height adjustment. The clamping device 7, here the locking lever 62, has a first contact surface 7 aand a second contact surface 7 bfor the bolt head 4, wherein the bolt head 4 bears against the first contact surface 7 aat least until a dead point of the compression spring 9 is overcome and then bears against the second contact surface 7 buntil the locking position.The front panel 2 is manually inserted with the bolt head 4 into the guide slot 11 (not shown) (FIG. 12 a) until the bolt head 4 enters the catching recess 63. When the bolt head 4 is inserted further, the locking lever 62, when the bolt head 4 presses on the first contact surface 7 a, is first displaced with its elongated hole 65 on the bearing journal 66 and is thereby released from the latching depression 69 counter to the action of the compression spring 9 (FIG. 12 b ). Subsequently, the locking lever 62, driven by the compression spring 9, is pulled with its pin 67 along the slotted link 68 and is thereby rotated clockwise about the bearing pin 66 into the locking position. In this case, the bolt head 4 engaged behind by the second contact surface 7 bof the locking lever 62 is carried along in the guide slot 11 in the insertion direction 12 as far as its fastening position (FIG. 12 c ). There is no fixed end position or stop for the fastening position, and the bolt 4 can be automatically pulled further in the link 68 into a new fastening position, for example after setting the connection, by the locking lever 62, which is furthermore spring-loaded, and can thus be re-tensioned.The link 68 again has three link sections. A first link section I serves to push the locking lever 62 out of the latching depression 69 and beyond the dead point. A descending, second link section II until after the deflection into the negative serves for retracting the locking lever 62 A negative, third link section III serves for locking with self-locking, since the line of force (to the point of application of the bolt head 4) is always almost perpendicular to the link tangent and is of arcuate design and can also be ±15° to the perpendicular. The pin 66 does not absorb any force here (floating mounting). In the middle of the third link section III is the theoretical end position of FIG. 12 c ). Tolerance compensation (and the re-clamping) then takes place further downwards or also upwards, wherein the contact on the bolt head 4 still moves in or against the insertion direction 12.In the fastening position, the pin 67 is located in a link section running essentially at right angles to the insertion direction 12, so that a tensile force acting on the bolt 4 counter to the insertion direction 12 does not lead to unlocking (self-locking). To release the fastening, the locking lever 62, for example by means of a tool holder 71 which is eccentric here, is rotated back manually in the counterclockwise direction counter to the action of the compression spring 9 into the latched starting position and the bolt head 4 is thereby released from the locking lever 62 and preferably also pushed back in the guide slot 11 counter to the insertion direction 12. For this purpose, there is an elevated left-top position above the latching position 69, so that the pin 67 can be reliably moved back into the latching position, similarly to a heart curve of a PTO (push to open) unit.FIG. 13 shows the fastening of a front panel 2 by means of a front panel fitting 1 modified in comparison with FIG. 4 and having two different fastening devices 5, 5a. The front panel fitting 1 differs from FIG. 4 only in that the upper fastening device 5 is designed, as in FIG. 12, for engaging behind the bolt head 4 of a bolt 3 of the front panel 2. As shown, the locking lever 62 of the upper fastening device 5 and the slotted-link plate 8 of the lower fastening device 5 acan be motion-coupled to one another by means of a (spring) rod 72, which engage, for example, in each case at the articulation points of the compression springs 9 on the locking lever 62 and on the slotted-link plate 8. To release the upper fastening device 5, alternatively the spring rod 72 can also be acted upon by a force from below, whereby the pin 67 is moved upwards in the slotted link 68 as far as into the initial position of the latching depression 69. If the initial position is not completely reached, this is effected at the latest by the removal of the front panel 2 in that the bolt head 4 pulls the catch recess 63 back as far as the initial position.In principle, the modified front panel fitting 1 shown in FIG. 13 can have any combination of two identical or different fastening devices 5, 5 a, namely with or without motion coupling. In alternative embodiments, which are not shown, the two compression springs 9 can also be replaced by a single force accumulator, for example likewise designed as a compression spring.The exemplary embodiment of the front panel fitting 1 shown in FIGS. 14 a- 14 cdiffers from the front panel fitting 1 in that the two fastening devices 5, 5 aare not actuated simultaneously but in a time-shifted manner and are only temporarily motion-coupled to one another. For this purpose, a deflection lever 80 is rotatably mounted on the guide plate 6 about an axis of rotation 81 parallel to the axes of rotation of the slotted-link disk 8 and of the locking lever 62. The end of the upper guide rod 10 of the upper fastening device 5 facing away from the locking lever 62 is mounted on the deflecting lever 80 in a rotationally and longitudinally displaceable manner on a pin 83 of the deflecting lever 80 by means of an elongated hole 82. The end of the lower guide rod 10 of the lower fastening device 5a facing away from the slotted guide plate 8 is rotatably articulated at 84 on the reversing lever 70, between the axis of rotation 71 and the pin 73. It can be provided that different movements on the locking elements 8 and 62, respectively, are achieved by lever paths of different lengths (point of application with respect to the axis of rotation 81) in order to realize the necessary paths of different sizes. As a result, different tensioning paths can be compensated for, for example.During fastening, the front panel 2 can first be snapped and braced in the lower fastening device 5 a. Because of the elongated hole 82, no movement is transmitted to the upper fastening device 5. Subsequently, the front panel 2 can also be snapped and braced in the upper fastening device 5.It can be provided that after the locking both locking elements 8, 62 are not yet in their respective end position, but rather in each case in the middle of the clamping sections III, in order to enable the tolerance compensation or the re-clamping. The pin 83 also does not abut on the boundaries of the slot 82 in order to enable different and independent tolerance compensation of the upper fastening device 5 and the lower fastening device 5 a.However, during unlocking, the coupling comes to bear, so that when the lower locking element 8 is released, the deflection lever 80 is raised via the lower guide rod 10 to such an extent that the pin 83 bears against the upper end of the slot 82, and the upper guide rod 10 together with the upper locking element 5 is now likewise released. Both locking elements 8, 62 can thus be moved back into their initial position again with a movement.As shown in FIG. 15, the locking lever 62 shown in FIGS. 12, 13 to 14 can also be formed by two mutually spaced, identical locking levers 62 a, 62 b,between which the rotationally symmetrical bolt head 4 engages. The two locking levers 62 a, 62 bare connected to one another to form a rotationally fixed unit, for example by a connecting tab 62 con its end facing away from the pin 67. In this case, the locking lever 62 is designed as a U-shaped element.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedEP 3 709 839 B1

[0002] DE 20 2014 002 229 U1

[0002] EP 3 167 759 B1

[0002] DE 20 2015 102 087 U1

[0002] DE 20 2016 101 367 U1

[0002] EP 2 164 363 B1

[0002] EP 2 374 370 B1

[0002] EP 2 207 456 B1

[0002] EP 2 868 229 B1

[0002]

Claims

Front panel fitting (1) for the releasable fastening of a front panel (2) to a drawer, in particular to a drawer side wall or a drawer frame, having - at least one fitting part (3) which can be mounted on the rear side of the front panel (2) and has a retaining contour (4) which can be gripped from behind, and - at least one fastening device (5) which can be mounted on the drawer for fastening the fitting part (3), wherein the fastening device (5) has a guide plate (6), a clamping device (7) which is mounted on the guide plate (6) such that it can be moved between an initial position and a locking position and is intended for gripping behind and tightening the retaining contour (4) in an insertion direction (12) as far as into a fastening position, and a force store (9) which prestresses the clamping device (7) into the locking position.Front panel fitting according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (7) is initially movable counter to the action of the force accumulator (9) by the holding contour (4) introduced in the introduction direction (12) and is automatically movable further from the force accumulator (9) into the locking position after a dead point of the force accumulator (9) has been overcome.Front panel fitting according to claim 2, wherein the clamping device (7) has a first contact surface (7a) for the holding contour (4) and a second contact surface (7b) for the holding contour (4), wherein the holding contour (4) bears on the first contact surface (7a) and subsequently on the second contact surface (7b) until at least the dead point is overcome.Front panel fitting according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guide plate (6) has a guide slot (11) for inserting the retaining contour (4) in the insertion direction (12) as far as into the fastening position.Front panel fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the clamping device (7) has a clamping element (8, 34, 42, 56, 62), wherein the clamping element (8, 34, 42, 56, 62) is connected directly or indirectly to the energy store (9).Front panel fitting according to claim 5, wherein the energy store (9) is articulated on the clamping element (8, 34, 62), in particular in such a way that the energy store (9) is connected to a pin (67) or an axle (9a) of the clamping element (8, 34, 62).Front panel fitting according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the clamping device (7) has an unlocking element (37), wherein the unlocking element (37) has a tool holder (17; 49) or handle (40) for moving the clamping element (8, 34, 56, 62) back out of the locking position beyond a dead point of the energy store (9).Front panel fitting according to claim 7, wherein the unlocking element (37) and the clamping element (62) are configured in one piece.Front panel fitting according to one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the clamping device (7) has a locking element (36), wherein the locking element (36) acts frictionally on the clamping element (34) in the locking position.Front panel fitting according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the clamping element (8, 34, 56, 62) is rotatably mounted.Front panel fitting according to claim 10, wherein the clamping element (8) has a slotted link (13) which has a first contact surface (7a) for the retaining contour (4) and a second contact surface (7b) for the retaining contour (4), wherein the retaining contour (4) is guided in the slotted link (13) in the locking position.Front panel fitting according to claim 11, wherein the clamping element is formed by at least one rotatably mounted slotted link plate (8) which has an arcuate slotted link (13) with an open slotted link end (14) via which the retaining contour (4) enters the slotted link (13) in the initial position of the slotted link plate (8), wherein the slotted link distance to an axis of rotation (15) of the slotted link plate (8) decreases along the slotted link (13) starting from the open slotted link end (14).Front panel fitting according to claim 12, wherein the clamping element is formed by two parallel slotted link plates (8) arranged next to one another, which are both mounted rotatably about the axis of rotation (15), for engaging behind and tightening the retaining contour (4).Front panel fitting according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the slotted link (13), starting from the open slotted link end (14), has a first slotted link section (I) with a large slotted link distance change, a second slotted link section (II) with a small slotted link distance change and in particular a third slotted link section (II) with an even smaller slotted link distance change.Front panel fitting according to claim 10, wherein the clamping element is formed by a pull rod (56), which has a suspension receptacle (57) at a first rod end for mounting the retaining contour (4), and that the fastening device (5) has a coupling element (59), which is rotatably mounted on the guide plate (6) and on which both a second rod end of the pull rod (56), which second rod end is opposite the first rod end, and the energy store (9) act eccentrically and with an angular offset with respect to one another.Front panel fitting according to one of Claims 5 to 15, wherein the energy store (9; 54) acts on the clamping element (42, 56) via a coupling element (45, 59).Front panel fitting according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the clamping device (7) has as clamping element a locking wedge (42), which is displaceable at right angles or almost at right angles to the insertion direction (12) and has a wedge surface (43) for engaging behind and tightening the retaining contour (4) in the insertion direction (12) as far as into the fastening position.Front panel fitting according to claim 17, wherein the fastening device (5) has a coupling element (45), which is rotatably mounted on the guide plate (6) and is motion-coupled to the locking wedge (42).Front panel fitting according to claim 18, wherein the coupling element (45) is designed as an unlocking element.Front panel fitting according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the coupling element (45) is acted upon by the energy store (9) and has a slotted link (48), in which a pin (47) of the locking wedge (42) is guided, or wherein the coupling element (45) is guided by a pin (50) in a slotted link (51), running parallel or virtually parallel to the insertion direction (12), of the locking wedge (42) acted upon by the energy store (9).Front panel fitting according to claim 20, wherein the coupling element (45) acted upon by a further energy store (54) has a control contour (52) interacting with the locking wedge (42), which controls the movement of the locking wedge (42) in such a way that in the starting position of the coupling element (45) the locking wedge (42) is blocked in its starting position and in an end position of the coupling element (45) the locking wedge (42) is moved into the locking position.Front panel fitting according to claim 21, wherein the locking wedge (42) has a pin (55) which interacts with the control contour (52) of the coupling element (45).Front panel fitting according to one of Claims 1 to 22, wherein the clamping device is formed by a locking lever (62) having a radially outwardly open cutout (63) for receiving the retaining contour (4), which is mounted on the guide plate (6) in a rotationally displaceable manner and is guided in a link (68) of the guide plate (6), and in that the locking lever (62) is firstly rotationally displaceable in the link (68) from the initial position counter to the action of the energy store (9) and is then rotated in the link (68), after a dead point has been passed, by the energy store (9) into the locking position.Front panel fitting according to claim 23, wherein the locking lever (62) is mounted rotatably displaceably with an elongate hole (65) on a bearing pin (66) of the guide plate (6).Front panel fitting according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the locking lever (62), in the starting position, is locked in a locking recess (69) of the slotted link (68).Front panel fitting according to one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the front panel fitting (1) has two fastening devices (5, 5a).Front panel fitting according to claim 26, wherein the clamping devices (7) of the two fastening devices (5, 5a) are permanently motion-coupled to one another, in particular by a rod (72), or in sections, in particular by a deflection lever (80).

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