A push-to-open assembly for a door of a built-in household appliance and method for the installation thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a push-to-open assembly for a door of a built-in household appliance. The assembly comprises a mechanical push-latch opening device provided with a push-latch, a rail, and a spacer. A body of the mechanical push-latch opening device is fixed to a door of the built-in household appliance, and the rail is mounted on the furniture door of the furniture unit housing the appliance, which is aligned with a slider of the mechanical push-latch device and inserted into it to constrain the furniture door to the household appliance door both pivotally and slidably. A spacer is also mounted between the household appliance door and the appliance body, said spacer being arranged parallel to a gasket of the household appliance that seals the appliance door against the body. The provision of a spacer limits the compression of the gasket of the household appliance when the furniture door is pressed to release the push-latch of the mechanical opening device.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the installation of built-in household appliances and in particular to a push-to-open assembly for a door of a built-in household appliance. The invention further relates to a method for mounting the push-to-open assembly onto a household appliance.Background of the invention

[0002] The built-in installation of household appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and washing machines, is extremely common in domestic environments, particularly in kitchens.

[0003] In a built-in installation, a household appliance is completely housed in a furniture unit of corresponding shape, for example, a cabinet in the case of a refrigerator. The furniture door is typically coupled to the appliance door by means of one or more opening assemblies respectively comprising a slider and a rail.

[0004] Furniture units with handle-less doors are increasingly common, allowing for the creation of environments characterized by simple and elegant lines. For opening a handle-less door, a push-latch is typically used. By pressing the door towards the furniture body, the push-latch is activated which, once released, slightly opens the door allowing a user to grasp it for complete opening.

[0005] In furniture units housing a built-in appliance, the force generated by a push-latch is generally not sufficient to allow the opening of the appliance door itself. In the case of a refrigerator, for example, the weight of the door and the presence of a peripheral gasket make it practically impossible for a push-latch to open the door.

[0006] To solve this problem, complex and expensive electromechanical opening devices comprising a gearmotor and a push rod are known. Pressing the door of the furniture unit housing the appliance activates the gearmotor, whose rod pushes the door allowing a user to grasp it.

[0007] Mechanical push-latch opening devices are also known, such as the one described in European patent EP 3690173 B1. The device described in this patent comprises a push-latch housed in a body on which an arm loaded by a spring is pivoted. A slider is arranged at the free end of the arm. In an assembled condition of the opening device, the body is mounted on the door of a household appliance, for example a refrigerator, and the slider is slidably constrained to a rail mounted on the door of the furniture unit housing the appliance. When the appliance door is closed, the arm of the opening device is held in a closed position by the push-latch. When a user presses on the furniture door, the arm is moved towards the body of the opening device, activating the push-latch, which releases the arm thereby allowing it to rotate in a direction away from the body under the action of the spring. The furniture door, thus moved towards the user relative to the appliance door, can be grasped like a handle to open the appliance door, which is constrained to the furniture door through the rail and the slider.

[0008] The opening device described in European patent EP 3690173 B1 can be mounted at one or both vertical ends of an appliance door, or housed in a pocket formed in the appliance door itself, thus advantageously minimizing its bulk and visibility from the outside.

[0009] Although simpler and cheaper than electromechanical devices, mechanical push-latch opening devices like the one described above require great care during mounting. Indeed, where an appliance door has a gasket, as in the case of a refrigerator, part of the force exerted by a user to release the push-latch is absorbed by the compression of the gasket, which effectively reduces the useful stroke for releasing the latch. The mounting of the device must therefore account for an extra stroke required for gasket compression, which requires specific adjustment for each appliance.

[0010] In use, it is also necessary to periodically check and adjust the relative position between the furniture door and the appliance door to ensure the correct operation of the opening device. It is indeed known that repeated openings and closings of the furniture door-appliance door assembly cause settling and slight shifts of the devices connected thereto over time.Summary of the invention

[0011] The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a push-to-open assembly for a door of a built-in household appliance that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

[0012] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0013] The technical problem is further solved by a method for mounting the push-to-open assembly according to claim 6.

[0014] Preferred features of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] The push-to-open assembly according to the invention is formed by a mechanical push-latch opening device, a rail, and a spacer.

[0016] The mechanical device comprises a body on which an arm is pivotally connected, at the free end of which a slider is arranged. A spring arranged between the body and the arm urges the arm in a direction away from the body. A push-latch is also arranged between the arm and the body, whereby the arm is movable between a closed position, in which it is held near the body by the push-latch, and an open position in which it is released from the latch and rotated relative to the body under the action of the spring.

[0017] The rail is configured for mounting on a furniture door and has a cross-sectional shape complementary to a cross-section of the slider; the spacer is configured for mounting on the door of an appliance and comprises a body from which a flange provided with fixing holes extends.

[0018] The push-to-open assembly according to the invention is mounted after inserting a built-in household appliance into the body of a furniture unit provided with a closure door. The body of the mechanical push-latch opening device is fixed to a door of the built-in appliance, and the rail is mounted on the furniture door housing the appliance, which is aligned with the slider of the mechanical push-latch opening device and inserted into it to constrain the furniture door to the appliance door both pivotally and slidably.

[0019] A spacer is also mounted between the appliance door and the appliance body. The spacer is arranged parallel to a gasket of the appliance that seals the door against the body.

[0020] When the furniture door is pressed to release the push-latch of the mechanical opening device, the spacer abuts against the body, thus limiting the compression of the gasket. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to ensure the correct long-term operation of the push-latch without requiring periodic maintenance interventions on the mechanical opening device, the rail, and the spacer.

[0021] According to an aspect of the invention, the first component of the assembly to be mounted is the spacer, which, thanks to the provision of a reference element obtained longitudinally on its perforated flange, serves as a reference element for mounting the rail.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the mechanical opening device is installed in a pocket obtained in the appliance door, thus allowing it to be completely hidden from the view of a user. The spacer and the rail are mounted at the same height as the pocket. To simplify the mounting of the spacer and minimize possible installation errors, alignment notches for the perforated flange of the spacer can advantageously be provided on the appliance door at the height of the pocket.

[0023] To allow the correct positioning between the appliance door and the furniture door, and also the correct positioning of the latter relative to the doors of kitchen furniture units adjacent to the unit housing the appliance, the mechanical push-latch opening device can advantageously comprise screw adjusters associated with its body, for example disposed coaxially with the holes for inserting the mounting screws.

[0024] Other advantages, features, and modes of use of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented by way of example and not limitation.Brief description of the figures

[0025] Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 schematically shows the elements of a push-to-open assembly according to the present invention; figure 2 is a perspective sectional view showing a mechanical push-latch opening device of the assembly of figure 1; figure 3 is a perspective view of a rail of the assembly of figure 1; figures 4 to 15 show successive steps of the method for mounting the push-to-open assembly of figure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0026] With initial reference to figures 1 to 3, a push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention comprises a mechanical push-latch opening device 100, a rail 200, and a spacer 300.

[0027] The mechanical push-latch opening device 100 has a body 110 on which an arm 120 is pivotally connected, at the free end of which a slider 130 is arranged.

[0028] The mechanical opening device 100 further comprises a spring 140 arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120, which urges the latter in a direction away from the body. The mechanical opening device 100 also comprises a push-latch 150, also arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120. The arm 120 of the mechanical opening device 100 is movable between a closed position, in which it is held near the body 110 by the push-latch 150, and an open position, in which it is released from the latch 150 and rotated relative to the body 110 under the action of the spring 140.

[0029] On a base 111 of the body 110, holes 112 are formed, configured to receive mounting screws. Screw adjusters 113 can advantageously be inserted into the holes 112 to allow an adjustment of the installation position of the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 on a door RD of a built-in household appliance R, for example a refrigerator.

[0030] The rail 200 of the push-to-open assembly A comprises a base 210 intended to rest on the surface of a cabinet door CD of a cabinet unit C facing the door RD of the built-in household appliance R.

[0031] The rail 200 has a cross-sectional shape complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the slider 130, thus allowing the coupling between the two components of the assembly A.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 200 comprises, for example, a pair of wings 211, 212 that extend along its longitudinal edges, defining with the base 210 a T-shaped cross-section suitable for coupling with a C-shaped cross-section of the slider 130.

[0033] The rail 200 also comprises a plurality of holes 220 for mounting installation screws. In correspondence with each hole, a countersink 221 of a shape substantially corresponding to that of the screw heads can advantageously be formed, thus allowing them to be housed without protruding perpendicularly from the rail 200.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rail 200 further comprises a notch 222 formed at one of its ends in the longitudinal direction. The notch 222 serves as a reference point for mounting a positioning screw intended to facilitate the mounting of the rail 200 on the cabinet door CD of the cabinet unit C intended to receive the built-in household appliance R, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, the rail 200 can further comprise a recessed portion 230 formed around the holes 220 on which a lid 240 of complementary shape can be mounted to completely hide the installation screws from the view of a user.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, the lid 240 can advantageously be formed integrally with the rail 200 at a longitudinal end thereof opposite to the one where the notch 222 is formed, thus allowing it to be mounted on the recessed portion 230 of the rail 200 with a simple rotation about said longitudinal end.

[0037] The spacer 300 of the push-to-open assembly A comprises a body 310 from which a flange 320 provided with holes 330 extends, for example two holes with respective countersinks in the illustrated embodiment. The holes 330 can advantageously be slotted, thus allowing absorption of manufacturing tolerances during the mounting of the spacer 300.

[0038] The flange 320 is provided with a reference element 340 formed on a centerline M of the spacer 300. The reference element 340, for example a slotted hole in the illustrated embodiment, is used in one of the mounting phases of the push-to-open assembly, as it will be described in detail below.

[0039] Referring now to figures 4 to 15, a method for mounting the push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention will be described. The figures refer to the case of a built-in refrigerator R. It will be understood, however, that the push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention and the related mounting method are not in principle limited to this type of appliance.

[0040] The installation method of the push-to-open assembly A according to the invention provides for mounting the push-to-open device 100 on the door RD of the built-in household appliance R, and the rail 200 on the cabinet door CD of the cabinet unit C in which the built-in household appliance R is housed. The rail 200 is coupled to the slider 130 of the opening device 100. The spacer 300 is mounted on a lateral edge of the door RD of the household appliance R, opposite the edge along which the door RD is hinged to a body of the household appliance R, in the illustrated example the refrigerator cabinet RC.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer 300 is the first component of the assembly A to be installed.

[0042] With particular reference to figure 5, the flange 320 of the spacer 300 is fixed to the edge of the door RD of the household appliance R, for example by means of screws, arranging the body 310 parallel to a gasket RG that seals the door RD against the body of the household appliance R, and so that the body 310 faces the latter. Reference marks, for example engravings, can advantageously be provided on the door RD of the household appliance R to facilitate the positioning of the spacer 300 and / or its mounting screws.

[0043] As shown in figure 6, by fully opening the door RD of the household appliance R and the furniture door CD of the furniture unit C housing it, a positioning point P is marked on the furniture door CD in correspondence with the reference element 340 formed on the spacer 300.

[0044] Using the positioning point P, a horizontal reference line L for mounting the rail 200 is traced, for example with the aid of a level. The horizontal reference line L is substantially parallel to a supporting surface of the furniture unit C, for example the floor of a kitchen.

[0045] The rail 200 is positioned on the furniture door CD by aligning one of the holes 230 with the positioning point P, and the notch 222 with the reference line L, respectively. It will be understood that the rail 200 is therefore arranged substantially horizontally to allow the sliding of the slider 130.

[0046] A screw S is inserted in correspondence with the notch 222. Once this operation is completed, the rail 200 is temporarily removed from the furniture door CD, leaving the screw S in position.

[0047] Figures 7 to 9 show the aforementioned phases of positioning the rail 200 on the cabinet door CD of the cabinet unit C.

[0048] Referring now to figures 10 to 12, the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 is then mounted. The body 110 of the push-latch 100 is screwed onto the door RD of the household appliance R. For this purpose, the door RD can advantageously comprise a pocket DP provided with anchoring points such as, for example, studs for fixing screws.

[0049] For the reasons explained above, it will be understood that the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 is mounted at the same height as the spacer 300 previously fixed to its door RD of the household appliance R.

[0050] As described above, the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 comprises screw adjusters 113 associated with the holes 112 formed in the body 110, which allow adjustment of its installation position relative to the door RD of the household appliance R. Once the arm 120 is locked relative to the body 110 by means of the push-latch 150, this adjustment is made by closing the door RD of the household appliance R and measuring a gap between the furniture door CD of the furniture unit C and the door RD of the household appliance R. A prescribed installation gap can, for example, be greater than or equal to 2 mm. This measurement can be achieved precisely by temporarily loosening the mounting screws of the body 110 and acting on the screw adjusters 113 associated with the holes 112, as shown in figures 11 and 12. Having thus defined the correct installation position of the mechanical opening device 100, the screws are definitively tightened.

[0051] Once the mechanical opening device 100 is positioned, the rail 200 is inserted into its slider 130, as shown in figure 13. In particular, the rail 200 is slid into the slider 130 until the notch 222 is inserted into the screw S previously mounted on the furniture door CD. After verifying the correct alignment between the holes 220 and the reference line L, the rail 200 is screwed onto the furniture door CD and the screws can be hidden by mounting the lid 240 on the recessed area 230.

[0052] The spacer 300 of the assembly A according to the invention can further comprise a cover 350 configured to be mounted on the flange 320 at the end of the mounting operations so as to hide the screws, as indicated in figure 15. For fixing the cover 350, the reference element 340 can advantageously be utilized, in particular the aforementioned slotted hole, for example for the snap-in insertion of a tab (not shown) associated with the cover 350.

[0053] The push-to-open assembly A is thus correctly installed between the door RD of the built-in household appliance R and the furniture door CD of the furniture unit C housing it.

[0054] To open the door RD of the household appliance R, a user presses the cabinet door CD towards the cabinet unit C, thereby causing the arm 120 of the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 to rotate towards its body 110. This rotation causes the release of the push-latch 150, thus allowing a rotation of the arm 120 in a direction away from the body 110 under the action of the spring 140.

[0055] Since the slider 130 is slidably constrained to the rail 200, which is in turn screwed onto the cabinet door CD, the latter rotates partially towards the outside of the cabinet unit C, defining a space relative thereto, into which a user can insert a hand. By pulling the cabinet door CD like a handle, the door RD of the household appliance R can thus be opened, said appliance door being substantially pulled by the cabinet door CD via the push-to-open assembly A.

[0056] It will be understood that the arrangement of the spacer 300 parallel to the gasket RG of the door RD of the household appliance R, and with the body 310 facing the body of the latter, limits the compression of the gasket RG when the furniture door CD of the cabinet unit C is pressed to release the push-latch 150 of the mechanical opening device 100. Thanks to this feature of the push-to-open assembly A, it is possible to ensure the correct long-term operation of the push-latch 150 without requiring periodic maintenance interventions.

[0057] The spacer 300, per se known as a door protection component exclusively during the transport of a refrigerator, is used according to the invention in synergy with the actuation mechanism of the push-latch 150 to ensure correct operation thereof.

[0058] The present invention has been described so far with reference to its preferred embodiments. It will be appreciated that additional embodiments sharing the same inventive concept may exist, all of which fall within the scope of protection afforded by the claims set forth below.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]With initial reference to figures 1 to 3, a push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention comprises a mechanical push-latch opening device 100, a rail 200, and a spacer 300.

[0027]The mechanical push-latch opening device 100 has a body 110 on which an arm 120 is pivotally connected, at the free end of which a slider 130 is arranged.

[0028]The mechanical opening device 100 further comprises a spring 140 arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120, which urges the latter in a direction away from the body. The mechanical opening device 100 also comprises a push-latch 150, also arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120. The arm 120 of the mechanical opening device 100 is movable between a closed position, in which it is held near the body 110 by the push-latch 150, and an open position, in which it is released from the latch 150 and rotated relative to the body 110 under the action of the spring 140.

[0029]On a base 111 of the body 110, holes 112 are formed, config...

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the installation of built-in household appliances and in particular to a push-to-open assembly for a door of a built-in household appliance. The invention further relates to a method for mounting the push-to-open assembly onto a household appliance.Background of the invention

[0002] The built-in installation of household appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and washing machines, is extremely common in domestic environments, particularly in kitchens.

[0003] In a built-in installation, a household appliance is completely housed in a furniture unit of corresponding shape, for example, a cabinet in the case of a refrigerator. The furniture door is typically coupled to the appliance door by means of one or more opening assemblies respectively comprising a slider and a rail.

[0004] Furniture units with handle-less doors are increasingly common, allowing for the creation of environments characterized by simple and elegant lines. For opening a handle-less door, a push-latch is typically used. By pressing the door towards the furniture body, the push-latch is activated which, once released, slightly opens the door allowing a user to grasp it for complete opening.

[0005] In furniture units housing a built-in appliance, the force generated by a push-latch is generally not sufficient to allow the opening of the appliance door itself. In the case of a refrigerator, for example, the weight of the door and the presence of a peripheral gasket make it practically impossible for a push-latch to open the door.

[0006] To solve this problem, complex and expensive electromechanical opening devices comprising a gearmotor and a push rod are known. Pressing the door of the furniture unit housing the appliance activates the gearmotor, whose rod pushes the door allowing a user to grasp it.

[0007] Mechanical push-latch opening devices are also known, such as the one described in European patent EP 3690173 B1. The device described in this patent comprises a push-latch housed in a body on which an arm loaded by a spring is pivoted. A slider is arranged at the free end of the arm. In an assembled condition of the opening device, the body is mounted on the door of a household appliance, for example a refrigerator, and the slider is slidably constrained to a rail mounted on the door of the furniture unit housing the appliance. When the appliance door is closed, the arm of the opening device is held in a closed position by the push-latch. When a user presses on the furniture door, the arm is moved towards the body of the opening device, activating the push-latch, which releases the arm thereby allowing it to rotate in a direction away from the body under the action of the spring. The furniture door, thus moved towards the user relative to the appliance door, can be grasped like a handle to open the appliance door, which is constrained to the furniture door through the rail and the slider.

[0008] The opening device described in European patent EP 3690173 B1 can be mounted at one or both vertical ends of an appliance door, or housed in a pocket formed in the appliance door itself, thus advantageously minimizing its bulk and visibility from the outside.

[0009] Although simpler and cheaper than electromechanical devices, mechanical push-latch opening devices like the one described above require great care during mounting. Indeed, where an appliance door has a gasket, as in the case of a refrigerator, part of the force exerted by a user to release the push-latch is absorbed by the compression of the gasket, which effectively reduces the useful stroke for releasing the latch. The mounting of the device must therefore account for an extra stroke required for gasket compression, which requires specific adjustment for each appliance.

[0010] In use, it is also necessary to periodically check and adjust the relative position between the furniture door and the appliance door to ensure the correct operation of the opening device. It is indeed known that repeated openings and closings of the furniture door-appliance door assembly cause settling and slight shifts of the devices connected thereto over time.Summary of the invention

[0011] The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is therefore to provide a push-to-open assembly for a door of a built-in household appliance that overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art.

[0012] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1.

[0013] The technical problem is further solved by a method for mounting the push-to-open assembly according to claim 6.

[0014] Preferred features of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] The push-to-open assembly according to the invention is formed by a mechanical push-latch opening device, a rail, and a spacer.

[0016] The mechanical device comprises a body on which an arm is pivotally connected, at the free end of which a slider is arranged. A spring arranged between the body and the arm urges the arm in a direction away from the body. A push-latch is also arranged between the arm and the body, whereby the arm is movable between a closed position, in which it is held near the body by the push-latch, and an open position in which it is released from the latch and rotated relative to the body under the action of the spring.

[0017] The rail is configured for mounting on a furniture door and has a cross-sectional shape complementary to a cross-section of the slider; the spacer is configured for mounting on the door of an appliance and comprises a body from which a flange provided with fixing holes extends.

[0018] The push-to-open assembly according to the invention is mounted after inserting a built-in household appliance into the body of a furniture unit provided with a closure door. The body of the mechanical push-latch opening device is fixed to a door of the built-in appliance, and the rail is mounted on the furniture door housing the appliance, which is aligned with the slider of the mechanical push-latch opening device and inserted into it to constrain the furniture door to the appliance door both pivotally and slidably.

[0019] A spacer is also mounted between the appliance door and the appliance body. The spacer is arranged parallel to a gasket of the appliance that seals the door against the body.

[0020] When the furniture door is pressed to release the push-latch of the mechanical opening device, the spacer abuts against the body, thus limiting the compression of the gasket. Thanks to this feature, it is possible to ensure the correct long-term operation of the push-latch without requiring periodic maintenance interventions on the mechanical opening device, the rail, and the spacer.

[0021] According to an aspect of the invention, the first component of the assembly to be mounted is the spacer, which, thanks to the provision of a reference element obtained longitudinally on its perforated flange, serves as a reference element for mounting the rail.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the mechanical opening device is installed in a pocket obtained in the appliance door, thus allowing it to be completely hidden from the view of a user. The spacer and the rail are mounted at the same height as the pocket. To simplify the mounting of the spacer and minimize possible installation errors, alignment notches for the perforated flange of the spacer can advantageously be provided on the appliance door at the height of the pocket.

[0023] To allow the correct positioning between the appliance door and the furniture door, and also the correct positioning of the latter relative to the doors of kitchen furniture units adjacent to the unit housing the appliance, the mechanical push-latch opening device can advantageously comprise screw adjusters associated with its body, for example disposed coaxially with the holes for inserting the mounting screws.

[0024] Other advantages, features, and modes of use of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented by way of example and not limitation.Brief description of the figures

[0025] Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 schematically shows the elements of a push-to-open assembly according to the present invention; figure 2 is a perspective sectional view showing a mechanical push-latch opening device of the assembly of figure 1; figure 3 is a perspective view of a rail of the assembly of figure 1; figures 4 to 15 show successive steps of the method for mounting the push-to-open assembly of figure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0026] With initial reference to figures 1 to 3, a push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention comprises a mechanical push-latch opening device 100, a rail 200, and a spacer 300.

[0027] The mechanical push-latch opening device 100 has a body 110 on which an arm 120 is pivotally connected, at the free end of which a slider 130 is arranged.

[0028] The mechanical opening device 100 further comprises a spring 140 arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120, which urges the latter in a direction away from the body. The mechanical opening device 100 also comprises a push-latch 150, also arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120. The arm 120 of the mechanical opening device 100 is movable between a closed position, in which it is held near the body 110 by the push-latch 150, and an open position, in which it is released from the latch 150 and rotated relative to the body 110 under the action of the spring 140.

[0029] On a base 111 of the body 110, holes 112 are formed, configured to receive mounting screws. Screw adjusters 113 can advantageously be inserted into the holes 112 to allow an adjustment of the installation position of the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 on a door RD of a built-in household appliance R, for example a refrigerator.

[0030] The rail 200 of the push-to-open assembly A comprises a base 210 intended to rest on the surface of a cabinet door CD of a cabinet unit C facing the door RD of the built-in household appliance R.

[0031] The rail 200 has a cross-sectional shape complementary to a cross-sectional shape of the slider 130, thus allowing the coupling between the two components of the assembly A.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the rail 200 comprises, for example, a pair of wings 211, 212 that extend along its longitudinal edges, defining with the base 210 a T-shaped cross-section suitable for coupling with a C-shaped cross-section of the slider 130.

[0033] The rail 200 also comprises a plurality of holes 220 for mounting installation screws. In correspondence with each hole, a countersink 221 of a shape substantially corresponding to that of the screw heads can advantageously be formed, thus allowing them to be housed without protruding perpendicularly from the rail 200.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the rail 200 further comprises a notch 222 formed at one of its ends in the longitudinal direction. The notch 222 serves as a reference point for mounting a positioning screw intended to facilitate the mounting of the rail 200 on the cabinet door CD of the cabinet unit C intended to receive the built-in household appliance R, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, the rail 200 can further comprise a recessed portion 230 formed around the holes 220 on which a lid 240 of complementary shape can be mounted to completely hide the installation screws from the view of a user.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, the lid 240 can advantageously be formed integrally with the rail 200 at a longitudinal end thereof opposite to the one where the notch 222 is formed, thus allowing it to be mounted on the recessed portion 230 of the rail 200 with a simple rotation about said longitudinal end.

[0037] The spacer 300 of the push-to-open assembly A comprises a body 310 from which a flange 320 provided with holes 330 extends, for example two holes with respective countersinks in the illustrated embodiment. The holes 330 can advantageously be slotted, thus allowing absorption of manufacturing tolerances during the mounting of the spacer 300.

[0038] The flange 320 is provided with a reference element 340 formed on a centerline M of the spacer 300. The reference element 340, for example a slotted hole in the illustrated embodiment, is used in one of the mounting phases of the push-to-open assembly, as it will be described in detail below.

[0039] Referring now to figures 4 to 15, a method for mounting the push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention will be described. The figures refer to the case of a built-in refrigerator R. It will be understood, however, that the push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention and the related mounting method are not in principle limited to this type of appliance.

[0040] The installation method of the push-to-open assembly A according to the invention provides for mounting the push-to-open device 100 on the door RD of the built-in household appliance R, and the rail 200 on the cabinet door CD of the cabinet unit C in which the built-in household appliance R is housed. The rail 200 is coupled to the slider 130 of the opening device 100. The spacer 300 is mounted on a lateral edge of the door RD of the household appliance R, opposite the edge along which the door RD is hinged to a body of the household appliance R, in the illustrated example the refrigerator cabinet RC.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer 300 is the first component of the assembly A to be installed.

[0042] With particular reference to figure 5, the flange 320 of the spacer 300 is fixed to the edge of the door RD of the household appliance R, for example by means of screws, arranging the body 310 parallel to a gasket RG that seals the door RD against the body of the household appliance R, and so that the body 310 faces the latter. Reference marks, for example engravings, can advantageously be provided on the door RD of the household appliance R to facilitate the positioning of the spacer 300 and / or its mounting screws.

[0043] As shown in figure 6, by fully opening the door RD of the household appliance R and the furniture door CD of the furniture unit C housing it, a positioning point P is marked on the furniture door CD in correspondence with the reference element 340 formed on the spacer 300.

[0044] Using the positioning point P, a horizontal reference line L for mounting the rail 200 is traced, for example with the aid of a level. The horizontal reference line L is substantially parallel to a supporting surface of the furniture unit C, for example the floor of a kitchen.

[0045] The rail 200 is positioned on the furniture door CD by aligning one of the holes 230 with the positioning point P, and the notch 222 with the reference line L, respectively. It will be understood that the rail 200 is therefore arranged substantially horizontally to allow the sliding of the slider 130.

[0046] A screw S is inserted in correspondence with the notch 222. Once this operation is completed, the rail 200 is temporarily removed from the furniture door CD, leaving the screw S in position.

[0047] Figures 7 to 9 show the aforementioned phases of positioning the rail 200 on the cabinet door CD of the cabinet unit C.

[0048] Referring now to figures 10 to 12, the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 is then mounted. The body 110 of the push-latch 100 is screwed onto the door RD of the household appliance R. For this purpose, the door RD can advantageously comprise a pocket DP provided with anchoring points such as, for example, studs for fixing screws.

[0049] For the reasons explained above, it will be understood that the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 is mounted at the same height as the spacer 300 previously fixed to its door RD of the household appliance R.

[0050] As described above, the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 comprises screw adjusters 113 associated with the holes 112 formed in the body 110, which allow adjustment of its installation position relative to the door RD of the household appliance R. Once the arm 120 is locked relative to the body 110 by means of the push-latch 150, this adjustment is made by closing the door RD of the household appliance R and measuring a gap between the furniture door CD of the furniture unit C and the door RD of the household appliance R. A prescribed installation gap can, for example, be greater than or equal to 2 mm. This measurement can be achieved precisely by temporarily loosening the mounting screws of the body 110 and acting on the screw adjusters 113 associated with the holes 112, as shown in figures 11 and 12. Having thus defined the correct installation position of the mechanical opening device 100, the screws are definitively tightened.

[0051] Once the mechanical opening device 100 is positioned, the rail 200 is inserted into its slider 130, as shown in figure 13. In particular, the rail 200 is slid into the slider 130 until the notch 222 is inserted into the screw S previously mounted on the furniture door CD. After verifying the correct alignment between the holes 220 and the reference line L, the rail 200 is screwed onto the furniture door CD and the screws can be hidden by mounting the lid 240 on the recessed area 230.

[0052] The spacer 300 of the assembly A according to the invention can further comprise a cover 350 configured to be mounted on the flange 320 at the end of the mounting operations so as to hide the screws, as indicated in figure 15. For fixing the cover 350, the reference element 340 can advantageously be utilized, in particular the aforementioned slotted hole, for example for the snap-in insertion of a tab (not shown) associated with the cover 350.

[0053] The push-to-open assembly A is thus correctly installed between the door RD of the built-in household appliance R and the furniture door CD of the furniture unit C housing it.

[0054] To open the door RD of the household appliance R, a user presses the cabinet door CD towards the cabinet unit C, thereby causing the arm 120 of the mechanical push-latch opening device 100 to rotate towards its body 110. This rotation causes the release of the push-latch 150, thus allowing a rotation of the arm 120 in a direction away from the body 110 under the action of the spring 140.

[0055] Since the slider 130 is slidably constrained to the rail 200, which is in turn screwed onto the cabinet door CD, the latter rotates partially towards the outside of the cabinet unit C, defining a space relative thereto, into which a user can insert a hand. By pulling the cabinet door CD like a handle, the door RD of the household appliance R can thus be opened, said appliance door being substantially pulled by the cabinet door CD via the push-to-open assembly A.

[0056] It will be understood that the arrangement of the spacer 300 parallel to the gasket RG of the door RD of the household appliance R, and with the body 310 facing the body of the latter, limits the compression of the gasket RG when the furniture door CD of the cabinet unit C is pressed to release the push-latch 150 of the mechanical opening device 100. Thanks to this feature of the push-to-open assembly A, it is possible to ensure the correct long-term operation of the push-latch 150 without requiring periodic maintenance interventions.

[0057] The spacer 300, per se known as a door protection component exclusively during the transport of a refrigerator, is used according to the invention in synergy with the actuation mechanism of the push-latch 150 to ensure correct operation thereof.

[0058] The present invention has been described so far with reference to its preferred embodiments. It will be appreciated that additional embodiments sharing the same inventive concept may exist, all of which fall within the scope of protection afforded by the claims set forth below.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0026]With initial reference to figures 1 to 3, a push-to-open assembly A according to the present invention comprises a mechanical push-latch opening device 100, a rail 200, and a spacer 300.

[0027]The mechanical push-latch opening device 100 has a body 110 on which an arm 120 is pivotally connected, at the free end of which a slider 130 is arranged.

[0028]The mechanical opening device 100 further comprises a spring 140 arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120, which urges the latter in a direction away from the body. The mechanical opening device 100 also comprises a push-latch 150, also arranged between the body 110 and the arm 120. The arm 120 of the mechanical opening device 100 is movable between a closed position, in which it is held near the body 110 by the push-latch 150, and an open position, in which it is released from the latch 150 and rotated relative to the body 110 under the action of the spring 140.

[0029]On a base 111 of the body 110, holes 112 are formed, config...

Claims

1. A push-to-open assembly (A) for a door of a built-in household appliance (R), said assembly (A) comprising: - a mechanical push-latch opening device (100) and - a rail (200), wherein said mechanical push-latch opening device (100) comprises a body (110) on which an arm (120) is pivotally connected, a slider (130) that is arranged at a free end of said arm (120), a spring (140) arranged between said body (110) and the arm (120), said spring (140) urging the arm (120) away from the body (110), as well as a push-latch (150) that is arranged between the body (110) and the arm (120), the arm (120) being movable between a closed position, wherein it is kept adjacent to the body (110) by said push-latch (150), and an open position, wherein it is released from the push-latch (150) and rotated by the spring (140) away from the body (110), wherein said rail (200) features a cross-section having a shape complementary to the shape of a cross section of the slider (130), said push-to-open assembly (A) being characterized by further comprising a spacer (300), wherein said spacer (300) comprises a body (310) and a flange (320) extending from the body (310), said flange (320) having mounting holes (330).

2. The assembly (A) of claim 1, wherein a reference element (340) is formed on the flange (320) of the spacer (300) along a centerline (M) thereof.

3. The assembly (A) of claims 1 or 2, wherein the rail (200) comprises a notch (222) formed at one of its longitudinal ends.

4. The assembly (A) of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rail (200) comprises holes (220) for installation screws, as well as a recessed portion (230) formed about said holes (220) configured for receiving a lid (240) of the rail (200), said lid (240) having a shape complementary to the shape of said recessed portion (230).

5. The assembly (A) of claims 3 and 4, wherein the lid (240) is integrally formed with the rail (200) at a longitudinal end thereof that is opposite to the longitudinal end where the notch (222) is formed.

6. A method for the installation of the push-to-open assembly (A) according to any of the previous claims on a door (RD) of a built-in household appliance (R), said method comprising the following steps: i) fitting a built-in household appliance (R) into a furniture unit (C) having a door (CD) for closing it; ii) mounting a push-latch opening device (100) of the assembly (A) by screwing a body (110) of the push-latch opening device (100) on an door (RD) of the built-in household appliance (R); iii) mounting a rail (200) of the assembly (A) on the door (CD) of said furniture unit (C), wherein said rail (200) is horizontally aligned with a slider (130) of the push-latch opening device (100) and fitted into the slider (130); characterized by comprising a further step of: iv) installing a spacer (300) on the door (RD) of the built-in household appliance (R), wherein said spacer (300) is mounted on an edge of said door (RD) that is opposite to the edge where said door (RD) is pivoted on the household appliance (R), a body (310) of said spacer (300) being arranged parallel to a gasket (RG) sealing the door (RD) of the household appliance (R), said body (310) facing the household appliance (R).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step iv) is carried out as a first installation step of the push-to-open assembly (A).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step iii) of mounting the rail (200) is carried out after the step iv) of installing the spacer (300) and wherein a reference element (340) of the spacer (300) is used to draw on the cabinet door (CD) a positioning point (P) and a horizontal reference line (L) for mounting the rail (200).

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a hole (220) of the rail (200) is aligned with the positioning point (P), wherein a notch (222) of the rail (200) is aligned with the horizontal reference line (L) and wherein a screw (S) is fitted at the notch (222).

10. The method of any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the door (RD) of the household appliance (R) comprises a pocket (DP) for receiving the mechanical push-latch opening device (100) and wherein the spacer (300) is installed at the height of said pocket (DP).

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