Screw-on fixing device with screw cover

Abstract

Screw fixing device with screw cover The invention relates to a screw fixing device (10) for a panel (9) on a frame (6) of a domestic appliance, said fixing device (10) comprising a screw (11) with a head (13) and a screw cover (30), said panel (9) comprising a through hole (15) for the screw (11), a receiving hole (16) for the head (13) of the screw (11) and a receiving housing (17) for the screw cover (30) arranged in line with the receiving hole (16) for the head (13) of the screw (11), said screw cover (30) being movable between a closed position and an open position.According to the invention, the screw cover (30) has a peripheral edge (34) and the receiving housing (17) has a peripheral groove (20) covered by the peripheral edge (34) when the screw cover (30) is in the closed position, a support A on a zone (36) of the peripheral edge (34) causing said zone (36) to penetrate the peripheral groove (20) to tilt the screw cover (30) into an inclined gripping position. Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Screw fixing device provided with a screw cover Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the general technical field of devices for fixing together appliance parts, more particularly devices for fixing by screwing a panel onto a frame of a domestic appliance which comprise a screw cover. State of the art

[0002] Document KR200467396 discloses a device for screw-fastening a panel to a frame of a domestic appliance, in particular an air conditioning unit. The screw-fastening device comprises a screw with a head and a screw cover. The panel comprises a hole for the screw to pass through and a hole for receiving the screw head. The screw cover is movable between a closed position in which the screw cover is positioned in a housing arranged in the extension of the screw head receiving hole to close the screw head receiving hole and an open position in which the screw cover is separated from the panel to free access to the screw head receiving hole. The housing comprises a lateral groove which allows the insertion of a tool to bear on one side of the screw cover and to remove the screw cover from the housing to move it into the open position.

[0003] However, such a device requires a specific tool to remove the screw cover from its housing. In addition, the tool can damage the side of the screw cover during the screw cover removal operation.

[0004] The groove also forms an orifice that can get dirty and be difficult to clean. In addition, such a groove is not very aesthetic. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists of proposing a screw fixing device comprising a screw cover which is easily removable, without a specific tool.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to propose a fixing device which has a simple, aesthetic and economical design to implement.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a device for fixing by screwing a panel onto a frame of a domestic appliance, said fixing device comprising a screw provided with a head as well as a screw cover, said panel comprising a hole for the screw to pass through, a hole for receiving the head of the screw and a housing for receiving the screw cover. arranged in the extension of the hole for receiving the head of the screw, said screw cover being movable between a closed position in which the screw cover is positioned in the receiving housing to close the hole for receiving the head of the screw and an open position in which the screw cover is separated from the panel to free access to the hole for receiving the head of the screw, characterized in that the screw cover has a peripheral edge and in that the receiving housing has a peripheral groove covered by the peripheral edge when the screw cover is in the closed position, pressing on an area of ​​the peripheral edge causing said area to penetrate into the peripheral groove to tilt the screw cover into an inclined gripping position in which the screw cover can be taken and moved into the open position.

[0009] By panel is meant a panel constituting a visible part of the outer casing of the domestic appliance.

[0010] Thus, the user can use an everyday object to press on the peripheral area of ​​the screw cover to tilt it into the inclined gripping position. Consequently, the user does not have to use a specific tool to remove the screw cover.

[0011] Advantageously, the hole for receiving the head of the screw has a free end and the free end has a collar which is surrounded by the peripheral groove.

[0012] Thus, the collar forms a support portion for the screw cover to allow it to tilt into the inclined gripping position.

[0013] Preferably, the receiving housing comprises a peripheral outer wall and the peripheral edge of the screw cover comprises a peripheral outer face, the peripheral outer face being positioned close to the peripheral outer wall when the screw cover is in the closed position.

[0014] Thus, the screw cover is adjusted to the housing to obtain an aesthetic assembly that is not very sensitive to dirt.

[0015] Advantageously, the receiving housing and the screw cover are circular.

[0016] Preferably, the screw cover has an outside diameter DI and the peripheral edge extends above the peripheral groove over a distance d, the distance d being greater than or equal to Dl / 10.

[0017] Thus, the peripheral edge which extends above the peripheral groove forms a lever arm sufficient to move the screw cover from the closed position into the inclined gripping position.

[0018] Advantageously, the screw cover comprises a holding member arranged in the hole for receiving the head of the screw when the screw cover is in the closed position.

[0019] Thus, the holding member is arranged in an area which does not interfere with the peripheral edge.

[0020] Preferably, the holding member is formed by tabs which are arranged tightly in a free end of the hole for receiving the head of the screw when the screw cover is in the closed position.

[0021] Advantageously, in the closed position, the tabs extend along a longitudinal axis of extension of the screw over a length L and the hole for receiving the screw head has a diameter D2, the length L being less than D2 / 4.

[0022] Such an arrangement allows the legs opposite the support to escape from the screw head receiving hole in a small portion of the rotation of the screw cover to pass from the closed position into the inclined gripping position.

[0023] Preferably, each leg has an end bead.

[0024] Such an arrangement makes it possible to limit friction at the level of the bead of the tab when the screw cover moves from the closed position to the inclined gripping position.

[0025] The present invention further relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a coffee machine, comprising a fixing device according to the present invention. Brief description of the figures

[0026] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a domestic appliance comprising a fixing device according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a detail view II of [Fig.l], the screw cover being in position open.

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial sectional view along the vertical cutting plane following line III-III of the fixing device of [Fig.l], the screw cover being in the closed position.

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a partial sectional view along the vertical cutting plane along line III-III of the fixing device of [Fig.l], the screw cover being in the inclined gripping position.

[0031] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0032] It will be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the fixing device refer to this machine resting on a work surface, in a usage situation.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a domestic appliance 1, more particularly a coffee machine comprises a coffee bean container 2, a reservoir 3 forming a cold water supply and a coffee dispensing head 4. The dispensing head 4 is arranged above a cup rest 5 and it is mounted movable in vertical translation to allow a user to adjust the position of a coffee outlet to the height of the cup placed on the cup rest 5. The coffee machine comprises a frame 6, a right-hand covering panel 7, a left-hand covering panel 8 and an upper covering panel 9 forming a cover.

[0034] The coffee machine comprises a fixing device 10 for screwing the panel 9 onto the frame 6. The fixing device 10 therefore comprises a screw 11 provided with a shank 12 and a head 13. The shank 12 and the head 13 of the screw 11 extend along a longitudinal axis 14. The panel 9 comprises a hole 15 for the shank 12 of the screw 11 to pass through and a hole 16 for receiving the head 13 of the screw 11. The fixing device 10 comprises a screw cover 30 intended to mask the head 13 of the screw 11. The panel 9 comprises a housing 17 for receiving the screw cover 30 arranged in the extension of the hole 16 for receiving the head 13 of the screw 11, above the head 13. The screw cover 30 is movable between a closed position ([Fig.3]) in in which the screw cover 30 is positioned in the receiving housing 17 to close the receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11 and an open position ([Fig.2]) in which the screw cover 30 is separated from the panel 9 to free access to the receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11. As seen in figures 3 and 4, the screw 11 is screwed into the frame 6 to bring the panel 9 into contact with the frame 6. The right-hand trim panel 7 is immobilized between the frame 6 and the panel 9 during assembly by screwing.

[0035] According to [Fig. 2], the receiving housing 17 and the screw cover 30 are circular in shape. The screw cover 30 comprises a body 31 in the form of a disc and which has a substantially constant thickness. The body 31 comprises an internal face 32 oriented towards the receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11 and an external face 33 oriented towards the outside of the coffee machine. The external face 33 of the body 31 is substantially in the same plane as an external face 18 of the panel 9. The body 31 of the screw cover 30 has a peripheral edge 34 and the receiving housing 17 has a peripheral groove 20. The peripheral groove 20 has an annular opening 21. As seen in [Fig. 3], in the closed position, the peripheral edge 34 of the body 31 covers the peripheral groove 20, in particular the annular opening 21. The receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11 has a free end 19.The free end 19 comprises a collar 22 which is surrounded by the peripheral groove 20. In the closed position, the peripheral edge 34 of the body 31 rests on the collar 22. The receiving housing 17 of the screw cover 30 comprises a peripheral external wall 23 and the peripheral edge 34 of the screw cover 30 comprises a peripheral external face 35. The peripheral external face 35 is positioned at the . vicinity of the peripheral external wall 23 when the screw cover 30 is in the closed position to limit the play of the screw cover 30 in its receiving housing 17.

[0036] As visible in [Fig. 4], a pressure A on an area 36 of the peripheral edge 34 causes the area 36 to penetrate into the peripheral groove 20 to tilt the screw cover 30 into an inclined gripping position in which the screw cover 30 can be taken and moved into the open position. By pressure A on an area 36 of the peripheral edge 34, we understand a pressure A on the external face 33, in proximity to the peripheral external face 35, the pressure A being made in line with the peripheral groove 20, in proximity to the peripheral external face 35. The pressure A is visualized by an arrow A in [Fig. 4].

[0037] According to [Fig. 3], the body 31 of the screw cover 30 has an external diameter DI equal to 11.6 millimeters and the peripheral edge 34 extends above the peripheral groove 20 over a distance d equal to 1.16 millimeters. The distance d represents 10% of the diameter DI.

[0038] According to Figures 2, 3 and 4, the screw cover 30 comprises a holding member 40 which cooperates with the receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11 when the screw cover 30 is in the closed position. The holding member 40 is formed by four tabs 41, 42, 43, 44 ([Fig.2]) which are arranged on the internal face 32 of the body 31. The four tabs 41, 42, 43, 44 are positioned on a circle and are distributed uniformly every 90°. The four legs 41, 42, 43, 44 extend along the longitudinal axis 14. The four legs 41, 42, 43, 44 are slightly flexible and each have an end bead 45, 46, 47, 48 ([Fig. 2]) intended to cooperate with the receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11. In the closed position, the four legs 41, 42, 43, 44 are slightly bent to be tightly arranged in a free end 19 of the receiving hole 16 of the head 13 of the screw 11. As seen in [Fig.3], in the closed position, the legs 41, 42, 43, 44 extend along the longitudinal axis 14 of extension of the screw 11 over a length L equal to 1.5 millimeters. The hole for receiving the screw head has a diameter D2 equal to 7.4 millimeters. The length L represents 19% of the diameter D2.

[0039] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0040] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the peripheral groove 20 is located on a part of the periphery of the receiving housing 17. The fixing device comprises a visual means for indicating to the user where to apply the support A.

Claims

Claims

1. Fixing device (10) by screwing a panel (9) onto a frame (6) of a domestic appliance (1), said fixing device (10) comprising a screw (11) provided with a head (13) and a screw cover (30), said panel (9) comprising a passage hole (15) for the screw (11), a receiving hole (16) for the head (13) of the screw (11) and a receiving housing (17) for the screw cover (30) arranged in the extension of the receiving hole (16) for the head (13) of the screw (11), said screw cover (30) being movable between a closed position in which the screw cover (30) is positioned in the receiving housing (17) to close the receiving hole (16) for the head (13) of the screw (11) and an open position in which the screw cover (30) is separated from the panel (9) to free access to the receiving hole (16) of the head (13) of the screw (11),characterized in that the screw cover (30) has a peripheral edge (34) and in that the receiving housing (17) has a peripheral groove (20) covered by the peripheral edge (34) when the screw cover (30) is in the closed position, a pressure A on an area (36) of the peripheral edge (34) causing said area (36) to penetrate into the peripheral groove (20) to tilt the screw cover (30) into an inclined gripping position in which the screw cover (30) can be taken and moved into the open position.,

2. Fastening device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving hole (16) of the head (13) of the screw (11) has a free end (19) and in that the free end (19) has a collar (22) which is surrounded by the peripheral groove (20).

3. Fastening device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the receiving housing (17) comprises a peripheral external wall (23) and in that the peripheral edge (34) of the screw cover (30) comprises a peripheral external face (35), the peripheral external face (35) being positioned close to the peripheral external wall (23) when the screw cover (30) is in the closed position.

4. Fixing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving housing (17) and the screw cover (30) are circular.

5. Fastening device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the screw cover (30) has an outer diameter DI and in that the edge peripheral (34) extends above the peripheral groove (20) over a distance d, the distance d being greater than or equal to Dl / 10.

6. Fastening device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the screw cover (30) comprises a holding member (40) arranged in the receiving hole (16) of the head (13) of the screw (11) when the screw cover (30) is in the closed position.

7. Fastening device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding member (40) is formed by tabs (41, 42, 43, 44) which are arranged in a tight manner in a free end (19) of the receiving hole (16) of the head (13) of the screw (11) when the screw cover (30) is in the closed position.

8. Fastening device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the closed position, the tabs (41, 42, 43, 44) extend along a longitudinal axis of extension of the screw over a length L and in that the hole for receiving the screw head has a diameter D2, the length L being less than D2 / 4.

9. Fastening device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that each tab (41, 42, 43, 44) comprises an end bead (45, 46, 47, 48).

10. Domestic appliance (1), in particular a coffee machine, comprising a fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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