GARDEROBENLIFT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a wardrobe lift with a wardrobe rail which can be connected to pivoting levers at its end regions and which can be moved via the pivoting levers from an elevated storage position, for example in the interior of a wardrobe, into a loading position which is lower in height than the storage position, wherein an operating element which can be pivoted relative to the wardrobe rail and for pivoting the pivoting levers and the wardrobe rail is connected to the wardrobe rail.

[0002] A wardrobe lift of the aforementioned type is known from German utility model 87 07 243.2. This wardrobe lift is designed as a wall-mounted support and can be pivoted between a storage position (non-use position) and a loading position (use position). The wardrobe rail is pivotally connected to a support strut, which can be grasped by an operator to move it from the storage position to the loading position and back.

[0003] Wardrobe lifts are also known, with a wardrobe rod consisting of two telescoping tubes, each of which is attached to pivoting levers at its lateral end. These pivoting levers can be mounted inside a closet or on spaced-apart wall sections. A downward-hanging handle bar acts as an operating element and encloses the two-part wardrobe rod, allowing it to rotate relative to the wardrobe rod.

[0004] A disadvantage of this known wardrobe lift is that it cannot ensure torsional and torsional rigidity between the pivoting levers, resulting in uneven pivoting movement. This is particularly disadvantageous when the wardrobe rail is loaded on one side by items of clothing hanging from it and / or the control element is positioned off-center. Furthermore, the control element is difficult for an operator to control, which is inconvenient, as the operator must push the wardrobe rail vertically upwards.

[0005] JP H02 164313 A discloses a wardrobe lift with a pivoting lever and a control element arranged on the pivoting lever.

[0006] US 2,875,903 discloses a wardrobe lift with a control element arranged on the wardrobe rail. The wardrobe rail is provided with a driver stop for the control element, which limits the relative pivoting of the control element and via which the wardrobe rail can be moved from the control element into the raised storage position and back. This is a wardrobe lift in which the limitation of the relative rotation or tilting movement is a key factor.Pivoting ability of the operating element relative to the wardrobe rail: the operating element can be pivoted from the non-use position into a relatively pivoted position relative to the wardrobe rail up to the driver stop, then rests against the driver stop and a lever force is exerted by the operator via the operating element on the wardrobe rail, which significantly simplifies pivoting and thus lifting the wardrobe rail from the loading position to the storage position, since this lever force can also compensate for the load's gravitational forces. This results in significantly improved handling, particularly when lifting and thus pivoting a loaded wardrobe rail, due to the torque introduction and thus a reduction in the force required by the operator. This driver stop also helps to better control the lowering when pivoting down.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a wardrobe lift with improved load capacity and / or improved durability.

[0008] To achieve this object, the invention provides the object defined in claim 1, namely that the wardrobe rail is connected to the pivot levers or an individual pivot lever in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. The form-fitting and force-fitting connection of the wardrobe rail to the pivot levers or an individual pivot lever ensures the permanent and reliable transmission of a torque applied to the wardrobe rail by an operator using the operating element to the pivot levers or the individual pivot lever. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0009] The operating element can preferably be moved from a substantially vertical, downward-hanging, inoperative position into the operative position adjacent to the driver stop by means of a pivoting movement directed towards the user. In this position, the operator can exert a force on the coat rack rail, exerting a force moment on the coat rack rail and the items of clothing hanging from it, with less effort than with conventional wardrobe lifts, in order to move the coat rack rail into the higher storage position (inoperative position). The operating element is located centrally on the coat rack rail, so that the lever force applied by the operator directly to the driver stop transmits the forces evenly to the coat rack rail, allowing the pivoting levers to perform the pivoting movement evenly.

[0010] The operating element is preferably designed such that it comprises a connecting part with the wardrobe rail, which at least partially encompasses the wardrobe rail and has a recess extending up to a stop surface on the connecting part and up to the outer circumference of the wardrobe rail. Through this recess, the operating element can be pivoted or rotated relative to the wardrobe rail until one end of the recess comes into contact with the driver stop, after which a positive and non-positive force transmission can take place. The driver stop part can be L- or U-shaped in cross-section and be firmly connected to the wardrobe rail. This can be designed such that the operating element is pivotally supported on this L- or U-shaped driver part.However, the driver stop can also be formed by a screw with a screw head that can be screwed into the wardrobe rail, the screw head being located in the recess on the connecting part and extending to the outer circumference of the wardrobe rail.

[0011] The coat rail can be attached to a pivot lever at each end. However, it is also possible for the coat rail to be connected to two four-bar linkages with pivot levers on each side. A pivoting top shelf can also be provided above the coat rail. The coat rail is connected to the corresponding pivot levers with a force-locking and form-locking mechanism.

[0012] To accommodate different closet widths or niche widths, the coat rail can be designed to be adjustable in length. For this purpose, connecting elements can be provided that are connected to the pivot levers. For this purpose, a connecting element can have at least one elongated hole (as one embodiment), preferably several elongated holes, for a variable-length connection to the coat rail. To keep these covered during use, side sleeves can be slipped over the adjustment range of the coat rail.

[0013] For length adjustment, rows of holes can also be provided. The elongated holes can also be provided in the coat rail.

[0014] The connecting elements can also be formed by U-shaped connecting profiles, for example in such a way that the wardrobe rail has a flattened contact surface for the U-shaped connecting element in one end area.

[0015] It is also possible for the connecting element to have a D-shaped profile in cross-section and for the end region of the wardrobe rail to be correspondingly congruently D-shaped in such a way that the connecting element can be inserted into the wardrobe rail.

[0016] Alternatively, the wardrobe rail can be designed as a polygonal, open profile into which a connecting element can be inserted from the inside. In a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution, at least two lateral pivot levers for pivoting the wardrobe rail can have beveled legs, forming connecting elements to which the wardrobe rail can be connected.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the further dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1: In a perspective view, an embodiment of a wardrobe lift with two lateral four-bar linkages; Fig. 2: an alternative embodiment of a wardrobe lift with two lateral pivot levers; Fig. 3: the embodiment according to Fig. 2 in the loading position of the wardrobe rail with an embodiment of a driver stop; Fig. 3a: a cross-sectional view through the operating element (partially) and the wardrobe rail in the area of ​​the driver stop; Fig. 4 and 4a: Fig. 3 und 3a analogous representations during the movement of the wardrobe rod from the loading position to the storage position; Fig. 5 and 5a: to the Fig. 3 und 4 or 3a and 4a analogous representations when reaching the storage position of the wardrobe rail; Fig. 6: in a partially sectioned view and in perspective view, an embodiment of a wardrobe rail with connecting elements to the pivot lever with elongated holes and length adjustment options of the wardrobe rail; Fig. 7: the embodiment according to Fig. 6 in another perspective view; Fig. 8: an embodiment of a connecting element for the wardrobe rail in a perspective view; Fig. 9: a perspective view of the embodiment according to Fig. 8 with side sleeves slipped over; Fig. 10: the embodiment according to Fig. 9 , connected to the wardrobe rail, in a perspective view; Fig. 11: in a perspective view, an alternative embodiment of a driver stop with an L-shaped cross section, in which the operating element is pivotably supported; Fig. 12: another perspective view of the embodiment according to Fig. 11 ; Fig. 13: in a perspective view, an alternative embodiment of a connecting element with a D-shaped profile structure in cross-section; Fig. 14: an alternative embodiment of a wardrobe rail, also D-shaped in cross-section, with a slipped-over connecting element; Fig. 15: in perspective view, another alternative embodiment of a connecting element in the form of an angled pivot lever; Fig. 16: an embodiment of a multiply folded wardrobe rail, which is open on the inside and into which the connecting element according to Fig. 15 can be used; Fig. 17: in a perspective view, the polygonal open structure of the wardrobe rail according to Fig. 16 in a view from the user side.

[0018] In In the drawing, parts with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0019] Generally, the wardrobe lift is numbered 1, which in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 on each side has two pivot levers 2 and 3, which form a four-bar linkage, with the wardrobe rail 4 being attached to the two pivot levers 2. Above the wardrobe rail there is also an upper floor 5, which can also be pivoted together with the wardrobe rail 4 by means of the pivot levers 2 and 3. An operating element 6 engages the wardrobe rail 4, via which, as will be explained in more detail later, the wardrobe rail 4 can be moved via the pivot levers 2 and 3 or according to the embodiment of Fig. 2 can be pivoted using the two pivot levers 2.

[0020] In the Fig. 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 5, 5a is the embodiment according to Fig. 2 shown in different swivel positions of the wardrobe rod 4, namely once in the loading position according to the Fig. 3 und 3a (operating position), in the intermediate position during the pivoting movement of the wardrobe rod 4 from the loading position into the storage position (out-of-service position) and into the Fig. 5 und 5a in the position of the wardrobe rod 4 in the storage position (out of service position), whereby the Fig. 3a, 4a und 5a each show a cross-section through the wardrobe rail 4 and the operating element 6, specifically with the connecting part 7 shown as the first embodiment.

[0021] In these different positions shown, the wardrobe lift 1 is mounted in a cabinet 8. As can be seen in more detail from the illustrations after the Fig. 3a, 4a und 5a As can be seen, the wardrobe rail 4 is surrounded by a connecting part 7, which engages the wardrobe rail 4 in the central middle area and connects the operating element 6 to the wardrobe rail 4. This connecting part 7 has a central recess 9, which is bordered by two legs and in which a screw head of a screw 10 is located. Fig. 3a und 4a the screw head of this screw 10 rests against a stop surface 7.1 of the connecting part 7. In this position, a force can be exerted on the screw head of the screw 10 via the operating element 6 and the connecting part 7 with the stop surface 7.1. With this force, the wardrobe rod 4 can be levered upwards into the Fig. 5 visible storage position, so that the operating element 6 with the connecting part 7 can then be pivoted again so that the screw head is located in the recess 9 away from the stop surface 7.1.

[0022] In Fig. 6 In the central area of ​​the connecting part 7 and the operating element 6, the component in the area of ​​the wardrobe rod is shown in section. The screw 10, the connecting part 7, and the recess 9 are shown there. A connecting element 11 with several elongated holes 12 is shown there. The wardrobe rod 4 can be attached to the connecting element 11 via a screw 13, which can be adjusted in length. A cover 14 can be placed over the end areas of the wardrobe rod 4.

[0023] The Fig. 8, 9 und 10 show an alternative design of a connecting element 11, which is essentially U-shaped in cross-section and engages the pivot lever 2. This is to be inserted into the tube of the wardrobe rail 4, on which a flattened portion 4.1 is provided with corresponding elongated holes, so that a change in the length of the wardrobe rail is also possible and the wardrobe rail 4 can be screwed to the driver element 11 using screws 13. The end area can be covered by a cover.

[0024] The Fig. 11 und 12 show an alternative embodiment of a driver stop 10. In this embodiment, this driver stop 10 is designed as an L-profile and is firmly connected to the wardrobe rail 4. The wardrobe rail 4 is pivotally attached to this driver stop 10 via the connecting element 15.

[0025] Fig. 12 illustrates once again the design of the driver stop 10. The ends are as in Fig. 13 und 14 shown with a flattened portion 4.1. This flattened portion 4.1 makes the end of the wardrobe rail 4 D-shaped in cross-section, so that the connecting part 11 provided in this embodiment example is also a D-shaped profile that is firmly connected to the lever 2.

[0026] In the Fig. 15 bis 17 A further alternative embodiment of the connecting part 11 is shown, which in this embodiment is designed as a bevelled leg (connecting part 11) of the pivot lever 2. The wardrobe rail 4 is designed as a polygonal open profile, into which the connecting element 11 can be inserted from the inside, as shown in Fig. 16 The operating element 6 can also be provided via the driver stop 10 inside the wardrobe rail 4.

[0027] Fig. 17shows the view from the user side with a coat hanger 20 shown on the wardrobe rail 4, so that it is clear that the multi-edged nature of the wardrobe rail 4 does not impair its functional use. The round coat hanger aligns itself at a 90° position on the angular wardrobe rail and twists less when the wardrobe rail is swung up. This means that hung items of clothing are less likely to catch on the wardrobe body sides.

Claims

1. Wardrobe lift (1), comprising a wardrobe rail (4) which can be connected by at least one end region to at least one pivot lever (2, 3) and which can be transferred from a higher storage position located for example inside a closet into a loading position which is at a lower height compared with the storage position, an operating element (6) which can be pivoted relative to the wardrobe rail (4) being connected to the wardrobe rail (4) in order to pivot the pivot lever (2, 3) and the wardrobe rail (4), wherein the wardrobe rail (4) is provided with a driver stop (10) for the operating element (6), which stop defines the relative pivotability of the operating element (6) and by means of which the wardrobe rail (4) can be transferred from the operating element (6) into the higher storage position and back, characterized in that the wardrobe rail (4) is connected in a form fit and friction fit manner to the pivot levers (2, 3) or to an individual pivot lever.

2. Wardrobe lift (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the operating element (6) can be transferred from an inoperative position in which the element points substantially vertically downward into the operating position in which the element is in contact with the driver stop (10) by means of a pivoting movement toward the user.

3. Wardrobe lift (1) according to either Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating element (6) is connected to the wardrobe rail (4) by a connecting part (7) which encompasses the wardrobe rail (4) at least in some regions and comprises a recess (9) which reaches as far as a stop face (7.1) on the connecting part (7) and as far as the outer periphery of the wardrobe rail (4).

4. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the operating element (6) can be pivoted relative to the driver stop (10) fastened to the wardrobe rail (4).

5. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an L- or U-shaped driver part (10) is provided on the wardrobe rail (4), which part forms the driver stop and on which the operating element (6) is pivotally supported.

6. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wardrobe rail (4) is connected on both sides to a four-bar linkage having two pivot levers (2, 3) in each case or to a single pivot lever (2).

7. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver stop (10) is formed by a screw (10) which can be screwed into the wardrobe rail and has a screw head and / or a plug-in bolt.

8. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wardrobe rail (4) is connected in a longitudinally adjustable manner by means of connecting elements (11) to the pivot levers (2, 3) or an individual pivot lever.

9. Wardrobe lift (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that each connecting element (11) or the wardrobe rail (4) has at least one slot (17) for longitudinally adjustable connection to the wardrobe rail (4).

10. Wardrobe lift (1) according to either Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the adjustment region of the wardrobe rail (4) and the connecting elements (11) can be covered by lateral sleeves (14) placed thereover.

11. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connecting elements (11) are formed by U-shaped connecting profiles.

12. Wardrobe lift (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that, in an end region, the wardrobe rail (4) has a flattened contact surface for the U-shaped connecting element (11).

13. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the connecting element (11) has a profile having a D-shaped cross section, and the end region of the wardrobe rail (4) is correspondingly formed in a congruent D-shape in such a way that the connecting element (11) can be introduced into the wardrobe rail (4).

14. Wardrobe lift (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the wardrobe rail (4) is in the form of a polygonal open profile into which a connecting element (11) can be introduced from inside.

15. Wardrobe lift (1) according to Claim 14, characterized in that at least two lateral pivot levers (2) to pivot the wardrobe rail (4) have bent branches, which branches form the connecting elements (11).