Swivel joint for the dampened adjustment of a functional part

Abstract

The invention relates to a pivot joint (1) for adjusting a functional part of a piece of furniture, comprising a mounting lever (2) for mounting the pivot joint (1) on the furniture and a pivot lever (3) for supporting and adjusting the functional part, wherein the pivot joint (1) is adjustable from an adjustment position to a return position and back, wherein in the adjustment position the mounting lever (2) and the pivot lever (3) are pivotably connected relative to each other from an initial position to an end position about a pivot axis (4) in an adjustment direction (E), wherein in the adjustment position the pivot lever (3) is locked in a plurality of locking positions provided between the initial position and the end position by a blocking, positive-locking engagement of a locking mechanism (5) against pivoting in the return direction (R) opposite to the adjustment direction (E),wherein the locking mechanism (5) comprises at least one locking cam (7) and at least one toothed ring (6) pivotable in one direction relative to the locking cam (7), and wherein in the adjustment position the locking cam (7) is spring-loaded for positive engagement of the locking mechanism (5) in the direction of the toothed ring (6) and the locking cam (7) is movably held on a guide (8) such that, when the pivot joint (1) is adjusted relative to the mounting lever (2) in the adjustment position, the locking cam (7) and the toothed ring (6) slide past each other and progressively engage in a positive locking manner in a return direction (R). To prevent low-quality noise from the pivot joint, a lubricating grease (16) is provided between the toothed ring (6) and the locking cam (7) and / or between the locking cam (7) and the guide (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pivot joint for adjusting a functional part, in particular a headboard, a footboard or an armrest, of a piece of furniture, in particular seating furniture and / or upholstered furniture, with a mounting lever for mounting the pivot joint on the furniture and a pivot lever for supporting and adjusting the functional part, wherein the pivot joint is adjustable from an adjustment position to a return position and back, wherein in the adjustment position the mounting lever and the pivot lever are pivotally connected relative to one another from an initial position to an end position about a pivot axis in an adjustment direction, wherein in the adjustment position the pivot lever is locked in a plurality of locking positions provided between the initial position and the end position by a blocking, positive engagement of a locking mechanism against pivoting in the return direction opposite to the adjustment direction,The locking mechanism comprises at least one locking cam and at least one toothed ring pivotable in one direction relative to the locking cam. In the adjustment position, the locking cam is spring-loaded for positive engagement of the locking mechanism in the direction of the toothed ring, and the locking cam is movably held on a guide such that, when the pivot joint is adjusted relative to the mounting lever in the adjustment position, the locking cam and the toothed ring slide against each other and gradually engage in a positive locking manner in a return direction. Such a pivot joint is known, for example, from DE 201 12 976 U1.

[0002] Swivel joints for adjusting a functional part of a piece of furniture are known in various designs. These swivel joints are usually used to adjust the headboard, footboard, or armrest of a piece of seating, which is typically upholstered furniture. The swivel joints have a mounting lever with which the swivel joints are attached to the respective piece of furniture. A swivel lever is also provided that supports the respective functional part and pivots the respective functional part around the mounting lever. For this purpose, the mounting lever and the swivel lever are designed to be pivotable relative to one another about a joint pivot axis in an adjustment direction from an initial position to an end position.

[0003] When adjusting the pivot lever relative to the assembly lever in the adjustment direction starting from the starting position, different locking positions are passed one after the other. The user of the furniture adjusts the pivot joint or pivots the pivot lever in the adjustment direction until they have set a comfortable position for the corresponding functional part. To ensure that the functional part at least approximately maintains this position and does not accidentally return to its starting position, the pivot lever can only be adjusted back to the next locking position. In the locking position, a locking mechanism engages in a positive-locking and blocking manner, thus locking the pivot lever relative to the assembly lever and preventing it from pivoting in the return direction opposite to the adjustment direction.The locking mechanism consists of at least one locking cam and a gear ring that can rotate relative to the locking cam. To lock the locking mechanism, the locking cam can engage positively with the teeth of the gear ring from the outside.

[0004] In order to be able to return the pivot lever to its original position, the pivot joint can be moved from the previously described adjustment position to a reset position. To do this, the pivot lever typically first has to be moved in the adjustment direction to an end position, which moves the locking cam into a release position and out of engagement with the gear ring in order to move the pivot joint into the reset position. As long as the locking cam is in the release position and the pivot joint is therefore in the reset position, the pivot lever can be moved in the reset direction back to its original position. In the original position, the locking cam is re-engaged with the gear ring and the pivot joint is thus moved back to the adjustment position so that the pivot joint can once again be individually adjusted in the adjustment direction to enable the user to achieve a comfortable sitting position.

[0005] The gear ring and the locking cam then slide against each other, while the locking cam is moved slightly back and forth along a guide in order to jump one tooth space further in relation to the gear ring. To ensure that the locking mechanism can still engage positively in a locked position when the pivot lever is adjusted in the return direction, the locking cam is spring-loaded and positioned against the gear ring. With conventional pivot joints, adjusting the pivot lever in the adjustment direction is associated with a characteristic noise that can only be dampened to a limited extent by the furniture, especially by upholstery. In cases where the characteristic noise is more or less a rattling noise, this is perceived by the user of the furniture as being of inferior quality, whereas rich clattering noises are usually considered to be of high quality.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is based on the object of designing and developing the swivel joint mentioned at the outset and described in more detail above in such a way that low-quality characteristic noises of the swivel joint are avoided.

[0007] This object is achieved in a swivel joint according to the preamble of claim 1 in that a lubricating grease is provided between the gear ring and the locking cam and / or between the locking cam and the guide ist, which has an oxidation resistance according to DIN 51808 of less than 950 hPa, a consistency or NLGI class according to DIN 51818 of at least 1 and a lubricating oil content of less than 80%.

[0008] By using noise-dampening grease between the gear ring and the locking cam and / or between the locking cam and the guide, the volume of the noise generated when adjusting the swivel joint in the adjustment direction can be significantly reduced to such an extent that even rattling noises perceived as inferior in quality are no longer consciously perceived by the user. This also subconsciously creates a comparatively high-quality impression of the swivel joint. The lubricating grease is particularly effective when adjusting the swivel lever in the adjustment direction when the swivel joint is in the adjustment position. When the swivel joint is in the return position, the swivel lever can preferably be pivoted silently in the adjustment and return directions anyway. The effect of the lubricating grease is greater the more pronounced the noise-dampening properties of the lubricating grease are.

[0009] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the pivot joint, the locking cam has at least one, preferably at least two, in particular at least three, and more particularly at least four, teeth corresponding to the gear ring. In this way, several teeth of the gear ring can come into positive, blocking engagement with the locking cam, and consequently, greater holding forces can be absorbed by the correspondingly blocked locking mechanism in the locking position.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, locking cams and / or at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, gear rings can be provided. In this case, too, higher holding forces can be absorbed as needed, the increments when adjusting the pivot joint in the adjustment direction can be reduced, and the pivot joint as a whole can be stiffened. It is further particularly preferred if each gear ring is assigned at least one locking cam. This allows a compact design with good functionality to be achieved.

[0011] To ensure the swivel joint can be easily returned to its original position, it is advisable for the locking mechanism to be disengaged in the return position of the swivel joint. This allows the swivel lever to be adjusted relative to the assembly lever in the return direction when the swivel joint is in the return position. The swivel lever can then be returned to its original position as needed, also from the opposite end position of the swivel lever.

[0012] The swivel joint can be adjusted from the set position to the reset position in a particularly simple manner by adjusting the swivel lever relative to the mounting lever. Thus, the swivel joint can be adjusted from the set position to the reset position by adjusting the swivel lever relative to the mounting lever to the end position.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, for the sake of simplicity, it is also advisable to adjust the swivel joint from the reset position to the adjustment position by adjusting the swivel lever relative to the mounting lever. Thus, the swivel joint can be adjusted from the reset position to the adjustment position by adjusting the swivel lever relative to the mounting lever to the initial position.

[0014] Greases with high oxidation resistance have proven particularly useful, as the swivel joints in furniture must remain functional for very long periods of time without special maintenance. It is therefore particularly useful if the grease has an oxidation resistance according to DIN 51808, particularly as of February 2018, of less than 750 hPa, especially less than 550 hPa, and furthermore especially less than 350 hPa.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the lubricating grease can have a lower operating temperature according to DIN 51502, in particular as of August 1990, of less than or equal to -10 °C, preferably less than or equal to -20 °C. This ensures the functionality of the swivel joint even in very different applications, whether used outdoors or in sometimes very cold indoor spaces.

[0016] Smooth operation of the swivel joint with simultaneous high noise insulation can be achieved if the lubricating grease has a consistency or an NLGI class (National Lubricating Grease Institute) according to DIN 51818, in particular as of December 1981, of at least 2, in particular of at least 3, and more particularly of 4. With a consistency of 1, the lubricating grease is very soft, so that the mobility of the locking cam is only slightly impeded. However, the noise insulation is then comparatively low. With a consistency of 4, the lubricating grease is already almost solid, which is advantageous for noise insulation but can be problematic for free movement. Against this background, it can be preferable in many applications if the consistency has a value of 2 or 3. The lubricating grease can then be described as either soft or pliable.

[0017] To increase the long-term stability of the grease and reduce the associated oil oozing and the tendency to resinify, it may be advisable for the grease to have a lubricating oil content of less than 75%, especially less than 70%. The lower the lubricating oil content, the better this is for longevity. However, this can increasingly impair the free movement of the locking cam along the guide.

[0018] It is also advisable for the lubricating grease to be insensitive to moisture. Moisture can, for example, affect the swivel joint directly or in the form of air humidity when cleaning the furniture. To still achieve high long-term stability, it can be advisable for the lubricating grease to exhibit water resistance according to DIN 51807-1, in particular as of April 1979, and DIN 51807-2, in particular as of March 1990, which can be assigned to classes C, E, G or K. In all of these cases, the water only causes minor changes, with the upper operating temperature being 60 °C for class C, 80 °C for class E, 100 °C for class G and 120 °C for class K. Furthermore, the test temperature is 40 °C for classes C and E and 90 °C for classes G and K.

[0019] To ensure sufficient resistance to welding, for example when welding the swivel joint to the furniture, or other thermal stresses, it is advisable for the lubricating grease to have a temperature resistance of at least 160 °C, preferably of at least 180 °C, in particular of at least 200 °C. Alternatively or additionally, for the same reason, a lubricating grease with an upper operating temperature according to DIN 51807-1, in particular as of April 1979, and DIN 51807-2, in particular as of March 1990, of 160 °C, preferably of 180 °C, in particular of 200 °C, can be used.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing which merely represents an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 1A-Leg swivel joint according to the invention in an adjustment position in different sectional views and Fig. 2A-B the swivel joint from the Fig. 1 in the reset position in the sectional views of the Fig. 1A-B .

[0021] In the Fig. 1A-B a pivot joint 1 is shown in an adjusted position. The pivot joint 1 comprises a mounting lever 2 for mounting on a piece of seating (not shown), and a pivot lever 3 for holding a functional part of the seating, in particular in the form of a headrest. The pivot lever 3 is provided so as to be pivotable about a joint pivot axis 4 relative to the mounting lever 2. The pivot joint 1 shown is in an adjusted position in which a locking mechanism 5 is in positive, blocking engagement. The locking mechanism 5 comprises a toothed ring 6 of the pivot lever 3 and a locking cam 7 fixed relative to the mounting lever 2. The locking cam 7 is further movably held on a guide 8 and is positioned against the toothed ring 6 by means of a spring means 9.

[0022] If the pivot lever 3 is pivoted in the adjustment direction E, the gear ring 6 and the locking cam 7 slide against each other and consequently enable the adjustment of the pivot lever 3 in the adjustment direction E. However, if the pivot lever 3 is moved in the opposite return direction R, the pivot joint 1 comes into a locking position and the locking mechanism 5 forms a blocking positive connection in the return direction R, which thus prevents further adjustment of the pivot lever 3 in the return direction R. The positive connection is provided by a corresponding engagement of the toothing 10 of the locking cam 7 in the toothing 11 of the gear ring 6.

[0023] The pivot lever 3 can therefore only be adjusted in the adjustment direction E in the illustrated adjustment position of the pivot joint 1. If the pivot lever 3 reaches an end position in the adjustment direction E, a reset cam 12 shortly beforehand comes into contact with a control cam 13 and then presses this into a release position, in which the control cam 13 engages with a release cam 14 of the locking cam 7 and displaces the locking cam 7 against the restoring force of the spring means 9 so far that the toothing 10 of the locking cam 7 is disengaged from the toothing 11 of the gear ring 6 of the pivot lever 3. The pivot joint 1 is thus adjusted to the reset position and the pivot lever 3 can now be moved relative to the assembly lever 2 in the reset direction R. The pivot joint 1 in the reset position is in the Fig. 2A-B shown.

[0024] The pivot lever 3 can be returned to its initial position in the return direction R. Shortly before the pivot lever 3 reaches this initial position, an adjustment cam 15 comes into contact with the control cam 13 and pushes it away from the release cam 14 of the locking cam 7, so that the control cam 13 and the release cam 14 disengage and the spring element 9 adjusts or presses the toothing 10 of the locking cam 7 against the toothing 11 of the gear ring 6. The pivot joint 1 is then returned to the adjustment position, which allows the pivot lever 3 to be adjusted without it being accidentally moved back significantly in the return direction R.

[0025] In the pivot joint 1, a lubricating grease 16 is applied at least substantially completely along the toothing 11 of the gear ring 6. In addition, the toothing 10 of the locking cam 7, which has a plurality of teeth corresponding to the gear ring 6, is provided with the same lubricating grease 16. This ensures that lubricating grease 16 is located between the meshing sections of the gear ring 6 and the locking cam 7. When the locking cam 7, in particular the toothing 10 of the locking cam 7, slides off the gear ring 6, in particular the toothing 11 of the gear ring 6, of the pivot lever 3 during adjustment of the pivot joint 1 in the adjustment direction E and is thereby adjusted back and forth in the guide 8, this movement of the locking cam 7 is dampened. In particular, the corresponding teeth of the gears 10, 11 of the gear ring 6 and the locking cam 7 do not collide directly with each other.The lubricating grease 16 provided between them thus dampens the engagement of the locking mechanism 5. In the locking cam 7 shown, the toothing 10 comprises, for example, seven teeth.

[0026] Furthermore, a lubricating grease 16 is provided between the locking cam 7 and the guide 8 to guide the locking cam 7. For the sake of simplicity, this can be the same lubricating grease 16 that is also provided between the gear ring 6 and the locking cam 7. Due to the lubricating grease 16 provided between the guide 8 and the locking cam 7, the adjustment of the locking cam 7 along the guide 8 can also be carried out more quietly and with less noise. The use of the lubricating grease 16 ensures that the swivel joint 1 can be adjusted almost silently not only in the reset position, but also in the adjustment position. The guide 8 of the locking cam 7 is neither limited to the Fig. 1 and 2The guide 8 is not limited to the surfaces of the mounting lever shown to the side of the locking cam 7, nor do these surfaces necessarily have to be provided with lubricating grease 16. For example, the guide 8 can alternatively or additionally be formed by surfaces that are provided in a direction parallel to the joint pivot axis 4 in front of and behind the locking cam 7 or at least by parts of the locking cam 7. In the illustrated and in this respect preferred pivot joint 1, these surfaces are formed, for example, by the housing parts 17, 18 of the pivot joint 1, between which the locking cam 7 is received and guided. List of reference symbols

[0027] 1Pivot joint 2Mounting lever 3Pivot lever 4Joint pivot axis 5Locking mechanism 6Gear ring 7Locking cam 8Guide 9Spring means 10,11Toothing 12Reset cam 13Control cam 14Release cam 15Adjusting cam 16Lubricating grease 17,18Housing part

Claims

1. Swivel joint (1) for adjusting a functional part, in particular a head part, a foot part or an armrest, of a piece of furniture, in particular seating furniture and / or upholstered furniture, with a mounting lever (2) for mounting the swivel joint (1) on the piece of furniture and a swivel lever (3) for holding and adjusting the functional part, wherein the swivel joint (1) is adjustable from an adjustment position into a reset position and back, wherein in the adjustment position the mounting lever (2) and the swivel lever (3) are pivotably connected to one another from a starting position into an end position about a joint pivot axis (4) in an adjustment direction (E), wherein, in the adjustment position, the swivel lever (3) is locked in a plurality of locking positions provided between the starting position and the end position by a blocking positive engagement of a locking device (5) with respect to pivoting in the return direction (R) opposite to the setting direction (E), wherein the locking device (5) comprises at least one locking cam (7) and at least one gear rim (6) pivotable with respect to the locking cam (7) and wherein, in the adjustment position, the locking cam (7) is spring-loaded for positive engagement of the locking device (5) in direction of the gear rim (6) in such a way that and the locking cam (7) is held movably on a guide (8) in such a way that the locking cam (7) and the gear rim (6) slide against each other when the swivel joint (1) is adjusted relative to the mounting lever (2) in the setting position and engage with each other in a positive locking manner stepwise in a reset direction (R), characterized in that a lubricating grease (16) is provided between the gear rim (6) and the locking cam (7) and / or between the locking cam (7) and the guide (8), and in that the lubricating grease (16) has an oxidation resistance according to DIN 51808 of less than 950 hPa, a consistency or NLGI class according to DIN 51818 of at least 1 and a lubricating oil content of less than 80 %.

2. Pivot joint according to claim 1, characterized in that locking cam (7) has at least one, preferably at least two, in particular at least three, further in particular at least four, teeth corresponding to the gear rim (6).

3. Pivot joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, locking cams (7) are provided and / or that at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four, gear rims (6) are provided.

4. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the reset position, the locking device (5) is disengaged and wherein in the reset position, the adjustment of the swivel lever (3) relative to the mounting lever (2), in particular from the end position in the reset direction (R) back to the starting position, is enabled.

5. Pivot joint according to claim 4, characterized in that the swivel joint (1) is adjustable into the reset position by adjusting the swivel lever (3) relative to the mounting lever (2) into the end position.

6. Pivot joint according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the swivel joint (1) is adjustable into the adjustment position by adjusting the swivel lever (3) relative to the mounting lever (2) into the starting position.

7. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lubricating grease (16) has an oxidation resistance according to DIN 51808 of less than 750 hPa, in particular less than 550 hPa, further in particular less than 350 hPa.

8. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lubricating grease (16) has a lower service temperature according to DIN 51502 of less than or equal to -10 °C, preferably less than or equal to -20 °C.

9. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lubricating grease (16) has a consistency or NLGI class according to DIN 51818 of at least 2, in particular of at least 3, further in particular of 4.

10. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lubricating grease (16) has a lubricating oil content of less than 75 %, in particular of less than 70 %.

11. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lubricating grease (16) has a behavior against water according to DIN 51807-1 and DIN 51807-2 of class C, E, G or K.

12. A swivel joint according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the lubricating grease (16) has a temperature resistance of at least 160 °C, preferably of at least 180 °C, in particular of at least 200 °C and / or that the lubricating grease has an upper operating temperature according to DIN 51807-1 and DIN 51807-2 of 160 °C, preferably of 180 °C, in particular of 200 °C.

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