Pushing device and method for assembling the same

Abstract

The pushing device (4) for furniture (100) or household appliance (1) comprises a first drawer guide (5) and a second drawer guide (5), each of the two drawer guides (5) including a fixed guide rail (6), at least one running rail (7) movable relative to the guide rail (6), a front holder (9, 9') and a rear holder (10, 10') fixed relative to each running rail (7), and comprises bases (11, 11') located on all four holders (9, 9', 10, 10') and fixed against displacement by stops on the holders (9, 9', 10'). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assembling the pushing device (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pushing device for furniture or household appliances, comprising a first drawer guide and a second drawer guide, each of the two drawer guides including a fixed guide rail and at least one running rail movable relative to the guide rail, a front holder and a rear holder fixed to each running rail. The present invention relates to a method for assembling the pushing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Austrian Utility Model Publication No. 11 720 discloses a drawer with an adapter to establish a snap-in connection between the drawer guide and the drawer. This facilitates the assembly of the drawers onto the movable rails of the drawer guides. The drawers form pre-assembled units with a base, rear panel, front panel and side panels, which are fixed to one another by fastening means. The fasteners are adapted to the geometry of the individual elements of the drawer, and the manufacture of such drawers is therefore complex, requiring a large number of components to fit each drawer.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pushing device for furniture or household appliances that is simple in design and easy to assemble. This object is achieved by a pushing device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 13. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In the pusher device of the present invention, the holders are fixed to two drawer guides, one front holder and one rear holder. The pusher device has a base that rests on all four holders and is secured against displacement by stops on the holders. This allows the base to be easily attached by loosely placing it on the four holders. Since the base can be placed on the four holders after the drawer guides are attached, no additional fastening means are required to lock the base in place with force. For example, the base can be made of wood, plastic, glass, or other materials. The bottom can also be formed as a grate or lattice.

[0005] Each holder preferably has an edge that encloses a corner of the base. In this way, the floor can be fixed against displacement at each corner by one of the holders, so that the wall that protrudes upward at an angle on each holder can be positioned with a gap against the edge of the floor to compensate for tolerances. In the corner area, each holder can also be optionally provided with a radius. Further protection against displacement is possible due to the fact that the support of each holder for the floor is made of an elastic or rubber-like material.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, each holder has a groove-shaped receiving portion formed thereon into which the lower end of the side wall is inserted. This allows for easy assembly by inserting the two side walls into the groove-shaped receiving portion on the front holder and the groove-shaped receiving portion on the rear holder. Furthermore, each holder may have an additional groove-shaped receiving portion for the insertion of the lower end of the rear wall or front panel, preferably aligned perpendicular to the lower end. This allows for fastening to each holder by inserting a plate-shaped wall element such as a side wall, rear wall, and / or front panel. The depths of the groove-shaped receiving portions may be the same or different; for example, a deeper groove-shaped receiving portion may be formed for the side wall, which extends at least partially adjacent to the running rail.

[0007] For efficient manufacturing, the holder can be manufactured as a molded part made of plastic so that it can be easily attached to the movable track and then form the support for the base. To fix the holder, a plug can be provided which is inserted into a hollow chamber on the running rail. The plugs can be fixed to the rails either positively or non-positively. Alternatively or additionally, a hook can protrude from each track to secure one of the holders. The holder can then be placed on the hook and secured in a clamping or form-fit manner.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the pushing device comprises two side walls, a rear wall, and a front panel, which surround the floor in a frame-like manner. The rear ends of the side walls and the rear wall end can be fixed to respective rear holders, while the end of the front panel and the front end of the side walls are fixed to respective front holders. The side walls, the rear wall, and / or the front panel can be made of a plate-like material. Various materials are conceivable, such as transparent or non-transparent plastic, glass, wood, or composite materials, but also bent aluminum or steel sheets.

[0009] Different materials or colors can also be combined in the push-in elements. It is also easy to equip the drawer units with lights, such as LED strips, lettering or decorations. In this way, very individual push-in elements can be realized. Box-shaped drawer elements with transparent surface elements are particularly suitable for domestic appliances such as refrigerators, since the contents of the drawer can be seen from the outside. Arranging the corresponding drawer element in the furniture is also a suitable application behind a drawer with a high front panel, as an internal drawer or behind a hinged door.

[0010] To enhance stability when forming the drawer, the side walls are connected to the front panel by upper corner elements that are pressed in from above, and the upper ends of the side walls and the front panel are held in angled groove-shaped receivers in the corner elements. Similarly, the corner elements can be fixed in the rear region by wedging plugs between the rear panel and the side wall, thereby fixing the position of the rear panel to the side wall. This upper corner element can further have a surface element extending into the lower holder, which preferably covers the gap between the front wall and the side wall or between the rear wall and the side wall.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the pushing device, a protrusion is formed on the front holder or the rear holder, which engages with a movable driver of, for example, a self-closing device, a damper, an ejector, or a combination thereof. Thus, in addition to providing support for the floor and possible support for the side walls, rear wall and / or front panel, the holders can also be used to couple the movable running rail with a fixed self-closing device or damper, for example to bias or slow down or lock the movable running rail in the closing direction just before it reaches the closed position.

[0012] In the method for assembling the pushing device according to the present invention, first, the front holder is attached to the front end of the movable track of the first drawer guide, and the rear holder is attached to the rear end of the track of the first drawer guide. The front and rear holders are attached to the movable track of the second drawer runner. The two drawer guides are then fixed to the body of the furniture or household appliance, and the base is then placed on the four holders of the attached drawer guide. The base is then supported on the four holders and covered with an object.

[0013] To form a drawer, the side walls are inserted into upwardly opening channel-shaped receptacles of each holder, and the rear wall or front panel can be inserted into further upwardly opening receptacles. This frame-shaped structure, which includes a front panel, two side walls, and a rear panel, can then be secured together with corner elements, each of which fits from above into the side walls and rear wall or the front panel at the corner area, thereby allowing the drawer to be made with only a small number of components.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the two running rails are locked in an extended position to allow for simplified assembly of the base, side walls, front wall and rear wall. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of several embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a household appliance with a pushing device; [Figure 2A] 1A-1C are several views of the pushing device according to the invention during assembly; [Figure 2B] 1A-1C are several views of the pushing device according to the invention during assembly; [Figure 2C] 1A-1C are several views of the pushing device according to the invention during assembly; [Figure 2D] 1A-1C are several views of the pushing device according to the invention during assembly; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an extended drawer guide of the pushing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a view of the mounting of the holder on the drawer guide of FIG. 3; [Figure 5A] Two detailed views of the drawer guide in the area of ​​the rear holder. [Figure 5B] Two detailed views of the drawer guide in the area of ​​the rear holder. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 shows some details of the drawer guide in the area of ​​the rear holder. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 shows some details of the drawer guide in the area of ​​the rear holder. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 shows some details of the drawer guide in the area of ​​the rear holder. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross section through a holder with a side wall. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified example of the pushing device. [Figure 9A] 9A and 9B show two views of the holder of the pushing device of FIG. 8. [Figure 9B] 9A and 9B show two views of the holder of the pushing device of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of a piece of furniture equipped with a pushing device; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The household appliance 1, in particular a refrigerator, comprises a body 2 with a pivotally mounted door 3. A plurality of pushing devices 4 are arranged in the interior space of the body 2, which can be pulled out from a position inside the body 2 to a protruding position.

[0017] The pushing devices 4 are shown in detail in Figures 2A to 2D. Each pushing device 4 comprises two drawer guides 5, which have fixed guide rails 6 fixed to the body 2 via elbows 8. A movable running rail 7 is held on the fixed guide rails 6, which can be moved totally or partly to the front side of the body 2.

[0018] A front holder 9 and a rear holder 10 are fixed to each of the movable running rails 7 of the two drawer guides 5.

[0019] The pushing device 4 further comprises a base 11, two side walls 12, a front panel 13 and a rear wall 14, which are configured in the shape of plates and made of, for example, a transparent material, in particular plastic. It is also possible for only the front panel 13 to be transparent, so that the contents of the drawer are visible when the door 3 is opened. Other materials, such as glass, wood or composite materials, are also conceivable for the front panel 13, the rear wall 14 or the side walls 12, thereby allowing different materials to be combined within the drawer.

[0020] To assemble the pushing device 4, the ends of the side walls 12 on the rear holder 10 and the front holder 9 are inserted into the receptacles that are open toward the top. Furthermore, the two front holders 9 are connected to each other via the front panels 13, and the two rear holders 10 are connected to each other via the rear walls 14, and it is preferable to insert the front panels 13 and the rear walls 14 from above (see FIG. 2B). Furthermore, the base 11 is placed on the two front holders 9 and the two rear holders 10 are placed on the support, resulting in the position shown in Figure 2C. In this position, the pressing device 4 comprises a box-shaped receptacle, and an object can be placed on the base 11.

[0021] To increase the stability of the side walls 12, the front panel 13 and the rear wall 14, additional corner elements 15 can be attached, which have an angular shape and are attached from above onto the corner areas of the side walls 12 and the rear wall 14 or between the side walls and the front panel 13. A drawer formed in this way can be made with a small number of components and assembly steps. The height and materials of the side walls 12, the rear wall 14 and the front panel 13 can be flexibly selected.

[0022] 3 shows one of the two drawer guides 5, which has a front holder 9 and a rear holder 10. The other drawer guide 5 is a mirror image and is fixed to the opposite side wall of the main body 2.

[0023] The drawer guide 5 includes a fixed guide rail 6, a movable running rail 7, and an intermediate rail 60 extending in the drawing direction and disposed between the guide rail 6 and the running rail 7. The front holder 9 and the rear holder 10 each form a support 16, which is formed of a ribbed structure, a plate, or other shape that supports the corners of the base 11. The surface of the support 16 can be made rubber-like or equipped with an elastic material to make it difficult for the base 11 to move.

[0024] The rear holder 10 comprises a groove-shaped receiver 17 which extends longitudinally parallel to the running rail 7 and serves to receive the lower rear end of the side wall 12. Another groove-shaped receiver 18 is arranged at an angle to the groove-shaped receiver 17 and is used to insert one end of the rear wall 14. The depths of the groove-shaped receivers 17 and 18 may be different, in particular the groove-shaped receiver 17 for the side wall 12 may be deeper than the groove-shaped receiver 18 for receiving the rear wall 14.

[0025] The outer groove walls on the groove-shaped receiving portion 17 and the groove-shaped receiving portion 18 are designed to be higher than the support 16, and thus can limit the pivoting movement of the side wall 12 and the rear wall 14, and incidentally can also limit the horizontal displacement of the base 11 when the holders 9 and 10 are mounted without the side wall 12, the front panel 13 and the rear wall 14.

[0026] The front holder 9 has a groove-shaped receiving portion 19 that extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the traveling rail 7, and the end of the front panel 13 is inserted into the receiving portion 19. The front holder 9 also has a groove-shaped receiving portion 17 that receives the front end of the side wall 12.

[0027] In addition, a self-closing device 20 is provided on the drawer guide 5 in the area of ​​the front holder 9, which has a housing 21 fixed to the guide rail 6, on which a movable driver 22 can move along the guide rail. The driver 22 is biased to the closed position via a spring and possibly also a damper in the cartridge 23. The driver 22 is thereby engaged in the closed area before the closed position by a protrusion 24 which is formed integrally with the holder 9 but which can also be fixed to the holder 9 by fastening means. When the traveling rail 7 moves in the opening direction, the driver 22 moves along the guide track until it pivots and releases the protrusion 24, so that the traveling rail 7 moves independently of the self-closing device 20.

[0028] 4 shows the rear holder 10 in an exploded state. It can be seen that a hook 70 protruding upward is formed on the running rail 7, and that the hook 70 serves to fix the rear holder 10 in place.

[0029] 5A and 5B show in detail the rear holder 10. An upwardly projecting hook 70 engages a web 71 of the rear holder 10, so that the rear holder 10 is clamped or securely fastened between the upper side of the track 7 and the hook 70. The hook 70 is also received between two webs 72 which limit the lateral movement of the holder 10 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the running rail 7. This allows the holder 10 to slide backward onto the hook 70 on the track 7.

[0030] 6A to 6C show the front holder 9 and its assembly. The front end of the front holder 9 is fixed to the running rail 7, and the front holder 9 is provided with a plug 30 that is inserted into the hollow chamber of the running rail 7. This plug 30 is fixed in a clamping or form-fitting manner via a web 31, making it more difficult to disassemble the holder 9. Optionally, the front holder 9 can also be further fixed to the running rail 7 via a screw 32.

[0031] 6C, the projection 24 is shown with an angled rod-like activator 25 that engages with and is movable with a receptacle on the driver 22. The driver 22 is movable along a guide track 26 on the housing 21 of the self-closing device 20.

[0032] 7 shows a cross section of the side wall 12 secured in a groove-shaped receiver 17. The width of the groove-shaped receiver 17 can be approximately the same as the thickness of the side wall 12. Additionally, the elastic element 40 can be inserted into the groove-shaped receiver 17, which surrounds the lower edge portion of the side wall 12 in a U-shape, so that the side wall 12 can be clamped in the groove-shaped receiver 17.

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a modified version of the pushing device, which is provided with two drawer guides 5 configured essentially the same as in the previous embodiment, with a front holder 9′ and a rear holder 10′ each fixed to a movable running rail 7. The pushing device comprises a modified base 11' which is not plate-shaped but is formed as a grid for inserting, for example, wine bottles or for storing other objects. This modified base 11' is located in one corner area of ​​the holders 9' and 10' and is fixed against horizontal displacement by the holders 9' and 10'.

[0034] 9A and 9B show a front holder 9', whereby the rear holder 10' may optionally be of identical construction. The front holder 9' comprises a groove-shaped receiver 19 for securing the front panel and another groove-shaped receiver 17 arranged at an angle to the receiver 19 for inserting the side wall 12. Furthermore, horizontal supports 16' are provided on the holder 9' to support the corner regions of the base 11'. The supports 16' are arranged at a slightly lower position, so that the walls of the groove-shaped receiving parts 17 and 19 are arranged at a higher position than the supports 16', thus limiting the displacement of the base 11' in the horizontal plane. The front holder 9' further comprises downwardly protruding fastening parts 50, on which fastening means 51 are attached to fix the holder 9' to the running rail 7.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the holders 9, 9', 10, 10' are manufactured as moulded parts made of plastic, which may optionally also comprise two different plastic materials. The attachment of the holders 9, 9', 10, 10' to the movable running rail 7 can be varied. For example, the front holder 9 can be fixed to the running rail 7 by means of a hook 70, or the rear holder 10 is attached by means of a plug that is inserted into a hollow chamber of the running rail 7. In addition, the configuration of the bases 11 and 11' can be varied depending on the objects to be stored on the pushing device 4.

[0036] The supports 16 and 16' on the holders 9, 9', 10, 10' can be arranged above the running rail 7, as well as inside the running rail 7 and below the upper side.

[0037] Figure 10 shows an example of a piece of furniture 100 or household appliance with a body 200 and a drawer 300 with a high front panel 301. Above the drawer 300 several pushing devices 4 according to the invention are arranged, for example, as an internal drawer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Household appliances 2 Main unit 3-door 4 Pushing device 5 Drawer Guide 6 Guide rail 7 Running rail 8 Elbow 9, 9' holder 10, 10' holder 11, 11' base 12 Side wall 13 Front panel 14 Back wall 15 Corner elements 16, 16' support 17 Receiving part 18 Receiving part 19 Receiving part 20 Self-closing device 21 Housing 22 Drivers 23 cartridges 24 protrusions 25 Activator 26 Guide Track 30 plugs 31 Web 32 screws 40 Elastic Elements 50 Fixed part 51 Fixing means 60 Intermediate rail 70 Hook 71 Web 72 Web 100 Furniture 200 units 300 drawers 301 Front panel

Claims

1. A pushing device (4) for furniture (100) or household appliance (1) having a first drawer guide (5) and a second drawer guide (5), each of the two drawer guides (5) having a fixed guide rail (6), at least one running rail (7) movable relative to the guide rail (6), and a front holder (9, 9') and a rear holder (10, 10') fixed to each running rail (7), a base (11, 11') is positioned on all of the four holders (9, 9', 10, 10'), and the base (11, 11') is fixed against displacement by a stopper on the holder (9, 9', 10, 10'); A pushing device (4), characterized in that the front holder and / or the rear holder (9, 9', 10, 10') comprises a plug (30) inserted into a hollow chamber on the running rail (7).

2. 2. A pushing device according to claim 1, wherein each holder (9, 9', 10, 10') surrounds a corner of the base (11, 11') with an edge at an angle.

3. 3. A pushing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each holder (9, 9', 10, 10') is formed with a groove-shaped receiving portion (17) into which the lower end of the side wall (12) is inserted.

4. 4. Pushing device according to claim 1, wherein each holder (9, 9', 10, 10') is provided with a groove-shaped receiving portion (18, 19) into which the lower end of the rear wall (14) or the front panel (13) is inserted.

5. 5. Pushing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the holder (9, 9', 10, 10') is manufactured from plastic as a molded part.

6. A pushing device (4) for furniture (100) or household appliance (1) comprising a first drawer guide (5) and a second drawer guide (5), each of the two drawer guides (5) comprising a fixed guide rail (6), at least one running rail (7) movable relative to the guide rail (6), and front and rear holders (9, 9') fixed to each running rail (7), a base (11, 11') is positioned on all of the four holders (9, 9', 10, 10'), and the base (11, 11') is fixed against displacement by a stopper on the holder (9, 9', 10, 10'); A pushing device characterized in that a hook (70) protrudes from each traveling rail (7), and a front holder and / or a rear holder (9, 9', 10, 10') is fixed to the hook (70).

7. 7. A pushing device according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of the side wall (12) and the end of the rear wall (14) are fixed to the respective rear holders (10, 10'), and / or the front end of the side wall (12) and the end of the front panel (13) are fixed to the respective front holders (9, 9').

8. 8. Pushing device according to claim 7, wherein the side walls (12), the rear wall (14) and / or the front panel (13) are made of a transparent plate-like material.

9. 9. Pushing device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each side wall (12) is connected to the front panel (13) via a corner element (15) fitted from above.

10. 10. Pushing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each side wall (12) is connected to the rear wall (14) via a corner element (15) fitted from above.

11. 11. Pushing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a protrusion (24) is formed on the front holder or the rear holder (9, 9', 10, 10'), which protrusion engages with a movable driver (22) of the self-closing device (20).

12. A method for assembling a pushing device (4), comprising the steps of: a) attaching a front holder (9, 9') to the front end of the movable running rail (7) of the first drawer guide (5); b) attaching a rear holder (10, 10') to the rear end of the movable running rail (7) of the first drawer guide (5); c) repeating steps a) and b) for the second drawer guide (5); d) attaching two drawer guides (5) to the framework (2) of the furniture or household appliance (1); e) placing the bases (11, 11') on the four holders (9, 9', 10, 10').

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein on each holder (9, 10), the side wall (12) is inserted into an upwardly opening groove-shaped receiving portion (17), on each rear holder (10), the rear wall (14) is inserted, and on each front holder (9), the front panel (13) is inserted into an upwardly opening groove-shaped receiving portion (18, 19).

14. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein a corner element (15) is pressed into each corner of the unit formed by the side wall (12), the rear wall (14) and the front panel (13).

Images