COUPLING ELEMENT, LOCKING SYSTEM AND FURNITURE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling element for coupling a locking bar of a piece of furniture with several extendable furniture parts to an activator of one of the extendable furniture parts according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a locking system and a piece of furniture with several extendable furniture parts.

[0002] Such coupling elements are used in particular in locking systems for pull-out furniture parts of a piece of furniture with several furniture parts arranged one above the other.

[0003] Such a locking system is known, for example, from EP 2 210 525 B1. Such locking systems make it possible, in a piece of furniture with several drawers arranged one above the other, to prevent, for example, one or more other drawers from being pulled out simultaneously after one of the drawers has been pulled out.

[0004] The locking systems can be equipped with additional functional elements such as a self-closing mechanism, an ejection device or damping elements, which simplify the operation of the respective pull-out furniture part.

[0005] The assembly of this locking system, which is known from the state of the art, is complex, particularly when coupling the furniture part to the coupling element.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a coupling element which enables simple and secure installation of the individual extendable furniture part in such a locking system.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a corresponding locking system that allows the pull-out furniture parts to be coupled in a simple manner.

[0008] Finally, it is an object of the invention to further develop a piece of furniture with several extendable furniture parts in such a way that the coupling of the individual furniture parts to the locking bar is simplified.

[0009] The stated objects are achieved by a coupling element having the features of claim 1, by a locking system having the features of claim 9 and by a piece of furniture having the features of claim 12.

[0010] The coupling element according to the invention for coupling a locking bar of a piece of furniture with several pull-out furniture parts to an activator directly or indirectly coupled to one of the pull-out furniture parts has a housing that can be placed on the locking bar and a driver that is displaceably mounted in the housing and is operatively connected to the locking bar for locking a pull-out movement of the other furniture part or parts.

[0011] The housing has a guideway in which a pin of the driver is guided.

[0012] The housing further comprises at least one spring element serving to fix the housing relative to the locking bar.

[0013] By fixing the housing of the coupling element via a spring element, it is possible in a simple manner to push the pull-out furniture part with the activator arranged therein against the driver of the coupling element by simply pushing it in in the insertion direction, so that the coupling element itself can resiliently give way to the activator attached to the pull-out furniture part by fixing it via a spring element, thus enabling simple and secure coupling.

[0014] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one spring element is designed as a spring arm formed on the housing.

[0016] Such a spring element designed as a spring arm can be easily molded onto the housing.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one spring element designed as a spring arm is angular, with a first leg extending from the housing edge and a second leg extending from it at an angle, preferably vertically.

[0018] This allows, for example, the spring elements to be formed on the top and bottom of the housing when installed, from which the first leg preferably projects vertically to enable the free end of the second leg to be bent in the direction of the housing edge, wherein the second leg enables the evasive movement of the coupling element during the assembly process.

[0019] This allows the coupling element to be moved vertically in or on the locking bar.

[0020] The first leg is preferably shorter than the second leg and thus ensures sufficient stability.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, a fastening area for receiving a fastening element is formed in the area of ​​a free end of the second leg.

[0022] With a mounting area designed, for example, as an eyelet, the housing of the coupling element can be attached to a wall of a furniture body. This can be done by screwing, securing with stop pins, or dowels. Alternatively, the mounting area can also be designed as an adhesive surface and bonded to the body by gluing.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, a spring element protrudes from opposite outer edges of the housing.

[0024] This allows a stable attachment of the housing while at the same time allowing the housing of the coupling element to move evasively.

[0025] According to a preferred development, the fastening areas of the spring elements are positioned diagonally opposite one another relative to the outer edges of the housing.

[0026] According to an alternative design variant, two spring elements protrude from exactly one of the outer edges of the housing.

[0027] The arrangement of two spring elements on exactly one of the outer edges also enables an evasive movement of the housing of the coupling element, which facilitates assembly.

[0028] In this embodiment, the spring elements are preferably each formed with a straight leg, at the end of which remote from the housing a fastening area is formed for receiving a fastening element or for gluing.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening areas of the spring elements are coupled to one another by a web, which further increases the stability of the coupling element.

[0030] The locking system according to the invention for a pull-out furniture part of a piece of furniture having several pull-out furniture parts has a self-closing device with a housing and a retracting element fastened thereto as well as a coupling element for coupling a locking bar to the pull-out furniture part.

[0031] The coupling element is designed according to the invention as described above, wherein the driver of the coupling element is coupled to the retraction element of the self-retraction device.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the locking system according to the invention, the housing of the self-closing device is coupled to the housing of the coupling element.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment, the housing of the self-retracting device is formed integrally with the housing of the coupling element.

[0034] The furniture according to the invention with a plurality of extendable furniture parts has a body with at least two walls arranged parallel to one another, on which guides are arranged for guiding a plurality of extendable furniture parts arranged one above the other.

[0035] A locking bar is attached to at least one of the walls of the body to lock the pull-out movement of the furniture parts.

[0036] The furniture also has coupling elements for connecting the locking bar to one of the pull-out furniture parts.

[0037] At least one of the coupling elements is designed according to the invention as described above.

[0038] The coupling element is preferably arranged in or on the locking bar so as to be vertically displaceable by the at least one spring element.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the furniture according to the invention, the housing of the coupling element is attached to the wall of the body of the furniture.

[0040] In a preferred development, each of the extendable furniture parts is assigned a self-closing device and / or locking device, wherein the self-closing device has a housing and a retracting element fastened thereto, which is coupled to the driver of the coupling element.

[0041] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 is an isometric view of a section of a piece of furniture and a furniture part that can be pulled out from it and coupling elements attached to a locking bar in the closed position of the pull-out furniture part, Figure 2 is an isometric view with the side wall of the furniture body omitted on a rear side of the locking bar, Figure 3 is a top view of a coupling element and the activator held therein in front of a locking bar, Figure 4 is an isometric representation of the coupling element with the activator shown in an extension or insertion position of the activator with the driver pivoted into a locking position, Figure 5 is one of the Figure 1corresponding isometric representation after decoupling or before coupling the activator of the pull-out furniture part with the coupling element, Figures 6a and 6b, isometric views of a variant of a housing of a coupling element from different perspectives, Figures 7a and 7b Figures 6a and 6b corresponding isometric views with inserted driver, Figures 8a and 8b Figures 6a and 6b corresponding representation of an alternative embodiment of a housing of a coupling element, Figures 9a and 9b Figures 6a and 6b corresponding representations of yet another embodiment of a housing of a coupling element, Figures 10 and 11 are isometric views corresponding to the Figure 1to illustrate an assembly process of the activator of a pull-out furniture part to the coupling element, Figure 12 a plan view of a further embodiment of a coupling element arranged in front of a locking bar with spring elements protruding from one side of the housing, Figure 13 one of the Figure 12 corresponding representation with the coupling element moved upwards, Figure 14 an isometric view of a coupling element formed integrally with a housing of a self-retracting device, Figure 15 one of the Figure 14 corresponding representation of the self-feeding device from the rear.

[0042] InIn the following description of the figures, terms such as top, bottom, left, right, front, rear, etc., refer exclusively to the exemplary representation and position of the coupling element, locking bar, furniture part, furniture, driver, and the like chosen in the respective figures. These terms are not to be understood as limiting; i.e., these references may change due to different working positions or the mirror-symmetrical design, etc.

[0043] In Figure 1 The reference number 3 designates an embodiment variant of a coupling element according to the invention.

[0044] The coupling element 3 serves to couple a locking bar 5 of a piece of furniture with several extendable furniture parts 2 to an activator 9 which is directly or indirectly coupled to one of the extendable furniture parts 2.

[0045] The pull-out furniture part 2 shown here as a drawer in Figure 1is further mounted on guides 6, here designed as pull-out guides.

[0046] Each of the guides 6 comprises, in a manner known from the prior art, a cabinet rail 61, a guide rail 62, and a bracket 63 to which the cabinet rail 61 is secured. Depending on the intended extension distance, it is also conceivable to arrange a center rail between the cabinet rail 61 and the guide rail 62, for example, to ensure full extension of the extendable furniture part 2.

[0047] The activator 9 is preferably arranged on a side frame 21 of the extendable furniture part 2 or a guide rail 62 of the guide 6.

[0048] In the in Figure 1In the application shown, the coupling element 3 is fastened to a wall 81 of a furniture body 8, resting on a locking bar 5. The locking bar 5, which extends vertically in a direction z, is also fastened to the wall 81 of the furniture body 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the wall 81 is an inner wall of the furniture body 2 facing the extendable furniture part 2, in which the plurality of extendable furniture parts 2 are fastened.

[0049] The furniture part 2, which can be pulled out in a direction x perpendicular to the direction z, is preferably designed as a drawer; other designs are also conceivable, for example as a board-like shelf, basket or the like.

[0050] The locking bar 5 essentially consists of a bar body 51 in which a plurality of sliding parts 52 are displaceable along the bar body 51. The number of sliding parts 52 in the bar body 51 of the locking bar 5 is selected such that, with the exception of two sliding parts 52, all sliding parts 52 lie against one another in pairs, while a pair of sliding parts 52 can be pushed apart by a pin 44 on a driver 4 of the coupling element 3, which is displaceably mounted in the housing 31 of the coupling element 3.

[0051] For this purpose, the driver 4 must be removed from an example shown in the Figures 1 and 2 shown position, in which the pins 44 are positioned in a recess of the sliding parts 52, into a position in the Figures 4 and 5 shown position may be shifted and panned.

[0052] In functional operation, this shifted and pivoted position of the driver 4 is accompanied by an activator 9 not in engagement with the driver 4, which is the case when the pull-out furniture part 2 is pulled out of the furniture body 8, as is exemplified in Figure 5 is shown.

[0053] Further drivers 4 of other coupling elements 3 are locked by the locking bar 5, so that in this state further pull-out furniture parts 2 cannot be pulled out of the furniture body 8.

[0054] To simplify the initial assembly of an extendable furniture part 2 with the activator 9 arranged thereon, the housing 31 of the coupling element 3 has at least one spring element 32 serving to fix the housing 31 relative to the locking bar 5 in order to enable a substantially vertical evasive movement of the coupling element 3.

[0055] In the embodiments shown in all figures, two spring elements 32 are arranged on the housing 31.

[0056] For the initial assembly of the pull-out furniture part 2 with the activator 9 arranged thereon, the driver 4 has a guide web 42 which runs obliquely in an xz plane and against which the activator 9 arranged on the pull-out furniture part 2 strikes when the pull-out furniture part 2 is retracted into the furniture body 8 before reaching the end position.

[0057] The guide web 42 is formed on a base plate 41 of the driver 4 which extends in an xz plane during functional operation.

[0058] The guide bar 42 is inclined so that the activator 9, as shown in the Figures 10 to 13is shown, is beveled downwards in the retraction direction E. The guide web 42, together with a channel wall 47 formed here on the edge of the base plate 41 of the driver 4, forms an assembly channel 46 into which the activator 9 runs during assembly of the pull-out furniture part 2.

[0059] After the activator 9 has struck the guide web 42, the activator 9 presses the driver 4 and with it the housing 31 of the coupling element 3 upwards against the spring force of the spring elements 32 as it continues to move in the retraction direction E along the guide web 42.

[0060] Behind the guide web 42, the mounting channel 46 opens into a vertically aligned receiving groove 43, which delimits the activator 9 by two opposing vertical walls 431, 432 and which defines the mounting position of the activator 9 in the retracted state of the extendable furniture part 2.

[0061] As soon as the activator 9 reaches the receiving groove 43, the spring elements 32 press the housing 31 and with it the driver back into the position shown, for example, in Figure 1 starting position shown.

[0062] During assembly, the driver 4 is always in its retracted neutral position, in which the pin 44 is received in a recess 54 between adjacent sliding parts 52, which in principle enables the extension of another extendable furniture part 2.

[0063] Design variants of such coupling elements 3, partly without depiction of the drivers 4, are shown in the Figures 6a, 6b , 7a , 7b , 8a, 8b and 9a and 9b shown.

[0064] In the embodiments shown there, the spring elements 32 are formed as spring arms integrally formed on the housing 3. The spring elements 32, designed as spring arms, are angled here, with a first leg 321 extending from the edge of the housing 31 and a second leg 322 extending at an angle, preferably perpendicularly, from this.

[0065] By varying the material thickness and / or the length of these second legs 322 or also the angular position of the spring elements 32, the spring strength of the spring elements 32 can be easily adjusted depending on the intended use.

[0066] Further on in the Figures 6 to 9 It can be seen that in the region of the free ends of the second legs 322, a fastening area 33 in the form of an eye for receiving a fastening element 11 is formed.

[0067] As fastening element 11, for example, stop pins can be used, as shown in the Figures 6a to 7bis shown, with respective pin 111 and respective bushing 112, which are pressed into corresponding recesses in the wall 81 of the furniture body 8 and then widened by driving in the pin 111 and thus securely fix the housing to the wall 81 of the furniture body 8.

[0068] Other fastening options or designs of the fastening area 33 are also conceivable.

[0069] So in the Figures 8a and 8b In the embodiment shown, a bushing provided with an expansion slot 331 can be formed directly on the fastening area 33.

[0070] It is also conceivable to design the fastening areas 33 as screw holes to accommodate screws.

[0071] It is also conceivable to provide adhesive surfaces in the area of ​​the fastening areas 33 so that the housing 31 can be glued to the wall 81 of the furniture body 8 in the area of ​​the fastening areas 33.

[0072] The spring elements 32 designed as spring arms are in the Figures 1 to 11 shown embodiments are arranged, preferably molded, in diagonally opposite areas of an upper edge and lower edge of the housing 31 of the coupling element 3 in the assembled state.

[0073] The first legs 321 are preferably shorter than the second legs 322 and are particularly designed to be flexurally stable.

[0074] Accordingly, in this embodiment, the fastening areas 33 of the spring elements 32 are positioned diagonally opposite one another relative to the outer edges of the housing 31, which in the assembled state enables a substantially vertical movement of the housing 31 of the coupling element 3, as is shown for example in Figure 11 is shown.

[0075] In another alternative version, shown in the Figures 12 and 13, the two spring elements 32 protrude from exactly one of the outer edges of the housing 31.

[0076] The spring elements 32 protrude horizontally from the left, ie rear vertical side edge of the housing 31 in the retraction direction E.

[0077] Here, the spring elements 32 each have a straight leg 323, which is formed directly protruding vertically from a side edge of the housing 31. At the end of these straight legs 323, a respective fastening area 33 in the form of an eyelet is formed for receiving a fastening element 11. In the embodiment shown here, the fastening areas 33 of the spring elements 32 are coupled to one another by a web 324, in particular, they are connected to one another in one piece.

[0078] This variant also has, as it is in Figure 13is shown, the legs 323 of the spring elements 32 enable a vertical evasive movement of the housing 31 necessary for assembly.

[0079] As in the Figures 6b , 7b and 8b As shown, on the rear side of the housing 31 facing the locking bar 5, retaining webs 35 are formed so as to protrude vertically from the rear surface of the housing 31 and protrude into longitudinal grooves provided for this purpose in the bar body 51 of the locking bar 5.

[0080] Especially in the Figures 12 and 13 In the embodiment variant of the housing 31 of the coupling elements 3 shown, the width of these webs 35 viewed in the x-direction is smaller than the width of the grooves 53 in the strip body 51 of the locking strip 5 in order to enable the vertical movement of the housing 31 of the coupling element 3.

[0081] In the Figures 14 and 15The reference number 7 designates a self-retracting device, comprising a housing 71 and a retracting element 72 fastened to the housing, here in the form of a tension spring.

[0082] At the front end of the housing 71 in the extension direction, a coupling element 3 is provided for coupling the locking bar 5 to the extendable furniture part 2.

[0083] In the embodiment shown here, the housing 31 of the coupling element 3 is formed integrally with the housing 71 of the self-retracting device 7.

[0084] A two-part design is also conceivable, in which the housing 71 of the self-retracting device 7 is coupled to the housing 31 of the coupling element 3.

[0085] The driver 4 of the coupling element 3 is, as in Figure 14shown, coupled to the retraction element 72 of the self-retracting device 7 and thereby holds the driver 4 without external force in the closed position, in which the coupled pull-out furniture part 2 is positioned in the retracted state in the furniture body 8.

[0086] By extending the furniture part 2 out of the furniture body 8, the driver 4 is moved by the activator 9 out of the Figures 14 and 15 or Figure 1 shown neutral position to the one shown in the Figures 4 and 5 shown shifted and lowered position.

[0087] This pre-tensions the feed element 72.

[0088] If the pull-out furniture part 2 is then pushed back into the furniture body 8, the activator 9 strikes the stop 431 in a position shortly before the fully retracted position, shown in the Figures 4 and 7a, whereby the driver 4 is pivoted from its position lowered into the angled region 342 of the guide track 34 back into the linear region 341 of the guide track 34 and is then pulled into the fully retracted end position by the spring force of the retraction element 72, which is designed here as a tension spring.

[0089] In the embodiment variant of the self-closing device 7 shown here, an ejection device is attached to it as an optional additional element 10, as is known from the prior art, for example from the aforementioned EP 2210525 B1, with which the pull-out furniture part 2 can be ejected from the retracted position, as shown in Figure 1 shown, is ejected from the furniture body 8 with the assistance of the ejection device 10. However, a deceleration device, for example in the form of a linear damper, can also be used as an optional additional element 10. Reference symbol

[0090] 2Furniture part 21Side frame 3Coupling element 31Housing 32Spring element 321First leg 322Second leg 323Leg 324Web 33Fastening area 331Expansion slot 34Guideway 341Linear area 342Angled area 35Retaining web 4Carrier 41Base plate 42Guide bar 43Receiving groove 431Wall 432Wall 44Pin 46Mounting channel 47Channel wall 5Locking bar 51Bar body 52Sliding part 53Guide groove 6Guide 61Carcass rail 62Running rail 63Bracket 7Self-retracting device 71Housing 72Retraction element 8Furniture body 81Wall 9Activator 10Additional element 11Fastener 111Pin 112Bushing xDirection yDirection zDirection Entry direction

Claims

1. Coupling element (3) for coupling a locking bar (5) of a piece of furniture having a plurality of pull-out furniture parts (2) to an activator (9) coupled directly or indirectly to one of the pull-out furniture parts (2), comprising - a housing (31) which can be placed against the locking bar (5), - a driver (4) which is displaceably mounted in the housing (31) and is operatively connected to the locking bar (5) for locking a pull-out movement of the other furniture part (2) or the other furniture parts (2), - wherein the housing (31) has a guide track (34) in which a pin (44) of the driver (4) is guided, characterized in that - the housing (31) has at least one spring element (32) serving to fix the housing (31) relative to the locking bar (5), so that by coupling the furniture part (2) to the coupling element (3) by simply pushing in the pull-out furniture part (2) with the activator (9) arranged therein in the direction of insertion the same is pushed against the driver (4) of the coupling element (3) in such a way that the coupling element (3) itself, by fixing the latter via a spring element (32), can give way resiliently to the activator (9) attached to the pull-out furniture part (2), thus enabling simple and safe coupling.

2. Coupling element (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one spring element (32) is designed as a spring arm formed on the housing (31).

3. Coupling element (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one spring element (32) designed as a spring arm is designed angularly, with a first leg (321) extending from the housing edge and a second leg (322) extending from the latter angularly, preferably perpendicularly.

4. Coupling element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fastening area (33) for receiving a fastening element (11) is formed in the region of a free end of the second leg (322).

5. Coupling element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case a spring element (32) protrudes from opposite outer edges of the housing (31).

6. Coupling element (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening areas (33) of the spring elements (32) are positioned diagonally opposite relative to the outer edges of the housing (31).

7. Coupling element (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two spring elements (32) protrude from exactly one of the outer edges of the housing (31).

8. Coupling element (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that the spring elements (32) each have a straight leg (323) at whose end remote from the housing (31) a fastening area (33) is formed for receiving a fastening element (11).

9. Closing system for a pull-out furniture part (2) of a piece of furniture comprising several pull-out furniture parts (2), comprising - a self-retracting device (7) having a housing (71) and a retracting element (72) attached thereto, - a coupling element (3) for coupling a locking bar (5) to the pull-out furniture part (2), characterized in that - the coupling element (3) is formed according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the driver (4) of the coupling element (3) is coupled to the retracting element (72) of the self-retracting device (7).

10. Closing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (71) of the self-retracting device (7) is coupled to the housing (31) of the coupling element (3).

11. Closing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (71) of the self-retracting device (7) is formed integrally with the housing (31) of the coupling element (3).

12. Furniture with several pull-out furniture parts (2), comprising - a body (8) with at least two walls (81) arranged parallel to each other, on which guides (6) are arranged for guiding a plurality of pull-out furniture parts (2) arranged one above the other, - wherein a locking bar (5) for locking a pull-out movement of the furniture parts (2) is fastened to at least one of the walls (81) of the body (8), - coupling elements (3) for coupling the locking bar (5) to one of the pull-out furniture parts (2) each, characterized in that - at least one of the coupling elements (3) is formed according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Furniture according to claim 12, characterized in that the coupling element (3) is arranged vertically displaceable in or on the locking bar (5) by the at least one spring element (32).

14. Furniture according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the housing (31) of the coupling element (3) is fixed to the wall (81) of the body (8) of the furniture.

15. Furniture according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a self-retracting device (7) is associated with each of the pull-out furniture parts (2), the self-retracting device (7) comprising a housing (71) and a retracting element (72) fixed thereto and coupled to the driver (4) of the coupling element (3).