Coupling elements, locking systems and furniture

Abstract

A connecting element (3) for connecting a locking bar (5) of a piece of furniture having a number of pull-out furniture parts (2) to a driver (9) directly or indirectly connected to one of the pull-out furniture parts (2) comprises a housing (31) mountable relative to the locking bar (5) and a driver (4) displaceably mounted in the housing (31) and operably connected to the locking bar (5) for locking the pull-out movement of the other furniture part (2). The housing (31) has a guide track (34) in which a pin (44) of the driver (4) is guided, and the housing (31) has at least one spring element (32) that serves to fix the housing (31) relative to the locking bar (5). Further, a locking system and a piece of furniture are described.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting element for connecting a locking bar of a piece of furniture having several pull-out furniture parts to a driver of one of the pull-out furniture parts according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a locking system and to a piece of furniture having several pull-out furniture parts. [Background technology]

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

[0003] Such a locking system is known, for example, from EP 2 210 525. With such a locking system, in the case of furniture with several drawers arranged one above the other, it is possible to prevent, for example, one drawer from being pulled out at the same time as one or more other drawers.

[0004] The closing system may be equipped with further functional elements such as self-retracting devices, ejectors or damping elements, which simplify the operation of each pull-out furniture piece.

[0005] A complicated aspect of this prior art locking system is the assembly of the locking system, especially when connecting furniture parts to the connecting elements. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting element which allows the simple and safe assembly of individual pull-out furniture parts into such a locking system.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a corresponding locking system which allows the coupling of pull-out furniture parts in a simple manner.

[0008] Finally, it is an object of the present invention to further develop furniture with several retractable furniture parts so that the connection of the individual furniture parts to the locking bar is simplified. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The set object is solved by a connecting element having the features of claim 1, a locking stem having the features of claim 9 and a piece of furniture having the features of claim 12.

[0010] A connecting element according to the present invention for connecting a locking bar of a piece of furniture having a plurality of pull-out furniture parts to a driver connected directly or indirectly to one of the pull-out furniture parts has a housing projecting relative to the locking bar and a driver displaceably mounted in the housing, the driver being operatively connected to the locking bar to lock the pull-out movement of the other furniture parts.

[0011] The housing has a guide track along which the pin of the driver is guided. The housing further includes at least one spring element that functions to secure the housing relative to the locking bar.

[0012] By fixing the housing of the connecting element via the spring element, a drawer-type furniture part having an operating device disposed therein can be pressed against the driver of the connecting element in a simple manner by simply pushing it in the insertion direction, and as a result, by fixing the driver via the spring element, the connecting element itself can be elastically bent against the driver attached to the drawer-type furniture part, thereby enabling simple and safe connection.

[0013] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one spring element is configured as a spring arm formed on the housing. Such spring elements configured as spring arms can be easily molded onto the housing.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one spring element configured as a spring arm is angled such that a first leg extends from the housing edge and a second leg extends at an angle, more preferably perpendicularly, from the first leg.

[0016] This makes it possible, for example, to form the spring elements in an installed state at the top and bottom of a housing, from which a first leg preferably projects vertically, allowing the free end of the second leg to bend towards the edge of the housing, which second leg allows the connecting element to give way during the assembly process.

[0017] This means that the connecting element moves vertically in or on the locking bar. The first leg is preferably shorter than the second leg, thus ensuring sufficient stability.

[0018] According to yet another embodiment, a fastening area for receiving a fastening element is formed in the region of the free end of the second leg.

[0019] The housing of the connecting element can be fixed to the wall of the furniture body by means of a fastening area configured as an eye, for example, by screwing with the aid of a locking pin or dowel, or the fastening area can be configured as an adhesive surface and connected to the body by an adhesive bond.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, one spring element protrudes from each of the opposing outer edges of the housing. This allows the housing of the coupling element to move while still providing a stable mounting of the housing.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening regions of the spring elements are arranged diagonally opposite one another relative to the outer edge of the housing.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, two spring elements protrude from just one of the outer edges of the housing.

[0023] Also, the placement of two spring elements on just one of the outer edges allows for a flexing movement of the housing of the connecting element, which facilitates assembly.

[0024] In this embodiment, the spring elements are preferably formed with straight legs each, at the end of which, away from the housing, a fastening area is formed for receiving or adhering a fastening element.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening regions of the spring elements are joined together by a web, which further increases the stability of the connecting element.

[0026] A locking system according to the present invention for a pull-out furniture part of a piece of furniture having a plurality of pull-out furniture parts comprises a self-retracting device having a housing and a retracting element attached to the housing, and a connecting element for connecting a locking bar to the pull-out furniture part.

[0027] The coupling element is configured as described above, and the driver of the coupling element is coupled to the retraction element of the self-retracting device.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the closure system according to the invention, the housing of the self-retracting device is connected to the housing of the connecting element. In another preferred embodiment, the housing of the self-retracting device is formed integrally with the housing of the coupling element.

[0029] The furniture of the present invention, which comprises several drawer-type furniture parts, has a main body with at least two walls arranged parallel to each other, and guides are arranged on the main body to guide several drawer-type furniture parts arranged one above the other.

[0030] A locking bar is fixed to at least one wall of the body for locking the drawer movement of the furniture part. The furniture further comprises a connecting element for connecting the locking bar to each one of the pull-out furniture parts. At least one of the connecting elements is configured as described above.

[0031] The connecting element is preferably arranged vertically displaceably in or on the locking bar by means of at least one spring element. In a preferred embodiment of the furniture according to the invention, the housing of the connecting element is attached to the wall of the body of the furniture.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, each of the retractable furniture parts is associated with a self-retracting device and / or a locking device, wherein the self-retracting device includes a housing and a retracting element attached to the housing, which is connected to a driver of the connecting element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view in cross section of a piece of furniture, a piece of furniture that can be pulled out from the piece of furniture, and a connecting element attached to a locking bar with the piece of furniture in a closed position. FIG. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the furniture body with the side panel on the rear side of the rocking bar omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a coupling element and a driver held within the coupling element in front of a locking bar. [Figure 4]1 is a perspective view of a coupling element with the driver in the extended or pushed position and the driver rotated to the locking position. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 1 after the driver and the connecting element of the drawer-type furniture part have been separated or before they are joined together. FIG. [Figure 6a] 10A-10C show perspective views of an embodiment of a housing of a coupling element from different perspective directions. [Figure 6b] 10A-10C show perspective views of an embodiment of a housing of a coupling element from different perspective directions. [Figure 7a] FIG. 6b is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6a, but with a driver inserted; [Figure 7b] FIG. 6b is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 6b, but with a driver inserted. [Figure 8a] FIG. 6b is a view corresponding to FIG. 6a showing an alternative embodiment of the housing of the coupling element; [Figure 8b] FIG. 6b corresponds to FIG. 6b and shows an alternative embodiment of the housing of the coupling element. [Figure 9a] FIG. 6b is a view corresponding to FIG. 6a showing yet another embodiment of the housing of the connecting element; [Figure 9b] FIG. 6b corresponds to FIG. 6b and shows yet another embodiment of the housing of the connecting element. [Figure 10] 1, showing a process of assembling the driver of the drawer-type furniture part to the connecting element. [Figure 11] 1, showing a process of assembling the driver of the drawer-type furniture part to the connecting element. [Figure 12] 10 is a plan view of a further configuration variant of the coupling element arranged in front of the locking bar, in which the spring element protrudes from one side of the housing. [Figure 13] 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 12, in which the connecting element has been moved upwards. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of a coupling element integrally formed with the housing of the self-retracting device; FIG. [Figure 15]15 is a rear view of the self-retracting device corresponding to FIG. 14. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] In the description of the figures below, terms such as top, bottom, left, right, front, back, etc. refer only to exemplary representations and positions of selected connecting elements, locking bars, furniture parts, furniture, drivers, etc. in the respective figures. These terms should not be understood in a limiting manner, i.e., they may be modified for different operating positions or mirror-symmetrical configurations, etc.

[0035] In FIG. 1, the reference number 3 designates a variant of the connecting element according to the invention. The connecting element 3 is used to connect a locking bar 5 of a piece of furniture having several pull-out furniture parts 2 to a driver 9 which is directly or indirectly connected to one of the pull-out furniture parts 2.

[0036] The pull-out furniture part 2, shown here as a drawer in FIG. 1, is also fitted with a guide 6 configured as a drawer guide.

[0037] Each guide 6 comprises, in a manner known from the prior art, a body rail 61, a running rail 62 and a holder 63 to which the body rail 61 is fixed. Depending on the intended pull-out distance, it is also conceivable to arrange a further central rail between the body rail 61 and the running rail 62, for example, to ensure full pull-out of the pull-out furniture part 2.

[0038] The drive body 9 is preferably arranged on the side frame 21 of the pull-out furniture part 2 or on the running rail 62 of the guide 6 .

[0039] 1, the connecting element 3 is attached to a wall 81 of the furniture main body 8 and is located on the locking bar 5. The locking bar 5, which extends perpendicularly in the Z direction, is also fixed to the wall 81 of the furniture main body 8. In the embodiment shown here, the wall 81 is an inner wall of the furniture main body 8 facing the drawer-type furniture parts 2, to which the plurality of drawer-type furniture parts 2 are attached.

[0040] The furniture part 2 which is pulled out in a direction X perpendicular to the Z direction is preferably configured as a drawer, although other configurations are also conceivable, for example as a board-like shelf, a basket, etc.

[0041] The locking bar 5 generally comprises a strip body 51, and a plurality of slide parts 52 are displaceable along the strip body 51. The number of slide parts 52 in the strip body 51 of the locking bar 5 is selected so that all slide parts 52 contact each other in pairs, except for two slide parts 52, one of which can be pushed apart by a pin 44 on the driver 4 of the connecting element 3, which pin 44 is displaceably mounted in the housing 31 of the connecting element 3.

[0042] For this purpose, the driver 4 must be shifted and pivoted from the position shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 2, in which the pin 44 is located in the recess of the slide part 52, to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0043] In operation, this displacement and pivoting position of the driver 4 is accompanied by the driver 9 not engaging with the driver 4. This is the case when the pull-out furniture part 2 extends from the furniture body 8, as illustrated in FIG.

[0044] The further driver 4 of the other connecting element 3 is thereby locked by the locking bar 5 , and in this state the pull-out furniture part 2 cannot be pulled out further from the furniture body 8 .

[0045] To simplify the initial assembly of the pull-out furniture part 2 in which the driver 9 is arranged, the housing 31 of the connecting element 3 is provided with at least one spring element 32 which serves to fix the housing 31 relative to the locking bar 5. This allows a substantially vertical escape movement of the connecting element 3.

[0046] In each of the embodiments shown in all figures, two spring elements 32 are arranged on the housing 31 .

[0047] For the initial assembly of the drawer-type furniture part 2 on which the driver 9 is arranged, the driver 4 has a guide web 42 extending obliquely in the XZ plane, and when the drawer-type furniture part 2 is pulled into the furniture body 8, the driver 9 arranged on the drawer-type furniture part 2 abuts against the guide web 42 before reaching its end position.

[0048] The guide webs 42 are formed on a base plate 41 of the driver 4, which extends in the XZ plane during functional operation.

[0049] The guide webs 42 are inclined so that the driver 9 is inclined downward in the retraction direction E, as shown in Figures 10 to 13. The driver 9 can be inserted into the guide webs 42. Here, together with the channel walls 47 formed at the edges of the base plate 41 of the driver 4, the guide webs 42 form an assembly channel 46 through which the driver 9 runs during assembly of the pull-out furniture part 2.

[0050] After the driver 9 abuts the guide web 42, the driver 9 presses the driver 4 and, together with the driver 14, the housing 31 of the connecting element 3 upward against the spring force of the spring element 32 as the driver 4 continues to move along the guide web 42 in the retraction direction E.

[0051] Behind the guide web 42, the assembly channel 46 opens into a vertically aligned receiving groove 43 which delimits the driver 9 by two opposing vertical walls 431, 432 and defines the mounting position of the driver 9 in the retracted state of the pull-out furniture part 2.

[0052] As soon as the driver 9 reaches the receiving groove 43, the spring element 32 pushes the housing 31 and with it returns the driver to the initial position illustrated in FIG.

[0053] During assembly, the driver 4 is always in a neutral retracted position, in which the pin 44 is received in the recess 54 between adjacent slide parts 52, which in principle allows another pull-out furniture part 2 to be pulled out.

[0054] Further embodiments of such a coupling element 3, in part without the driver 4, are shown in figures 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b and 9a, 9b. In the embodiment shown, the spring element 32 is configured as a spring arm formed on the housing 3. The spring element 32 formed as a spring arm is here in an angled configuration, having a first leg 321 extending from the housing edge of the housing 31 and a second leg 322 extending obliquely, preferably perpendicularly, from the first leg 321.

[0055] By varying the thickness of the material and / or the length of these second legs 322, or even the angular adjustment of the spring elements 32, the spring strength of the spring elements 32 can be adjusted in a simple manner depending on the intended use.

[0056] 6 to 9 show that an eye-shaped fastening area 33 for receiving a fastening element 11 is formed in the area of ​​the free end of the second leg 322.

[0057] Possible fastening elements 11 are, for example, stop pins with respective pins 111 and respective bushes 112, as shown in Figures 6a to 7b, which are pressed into corresponding recesses in the wall 81 of the furniture body 8 and then expanded by driving in the pins 111, so that the housing is firmly fixed to the wall 81 of the furniture body 8.

[0058] Other fastening options or configurations of fastening area 33 are also contemplated. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b , a bushing with an expansion slot 331 may be formed directly on the fastening area 33 . It is also conceivable to configure the fastening area 33 as a threaded hole for receiving a screw.

[0059] It is also conceivable to provide an adhesive surface in the region of the fastening area 33 so that the housing 31 can be glued to the wall 81 of the furniture body 8 .

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 11, the spring elements 32 configured as spring arms are preferably integrally formed and are arranged in diagonally opposite areas of the upper and lower edges of the housing 31 of the connecting element 3 in the assembled state. The first leg 321 is preferably shorter than the second leg 322 and is configured to be particularly stable in bending.

[0061] Therefore, in this embodiment, the fastening regions 33 of the spring elements 32 are also arranged diagonally opposite each other relative to the outer edge of the housing 31, which allows the housing 31 of the connecting element 3 to move substantially vertically during assembly, as illustrated in Figure 11.

[0062] In yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, two spring elements 32 protrude from just one of the outer edges of the housing 31 . Here, the spring element 32 projects horizontally in the retraction direction E from the left vertical side edge of the housing 31, i.e. the rear vertical side edge.

[0063] Here, the spring elements 32 each have a straight leg 323 formed projecting perpendicularly directly from a side edge of the housing 31. At the end of these straight legs 323, a respective eye-shaped fastening area 33 is integrally formed for receiving the fastening element 11. In the embodiment shown here, the fastening areas 33 of the spring elements 32 are joined to one another, in particular are integrally connected to one another by webs 324.

[0064] Also in this variant, as shown in FIG. 13, the legs 323 of the spring element 32 allow the vertical deflection of the housing 31 required for assembly.

[0065] As shown in Figures 6b, 7b and 8b, on the rear side of the housing 31 facing the locking bar 5, a retaining web 35 is formed projecting perpendicularly from the rear face of the housing 31 and into a longitudinal groove provided in the strip body 51 of the locking bar 5 for this purpose.

[0066] In particular, in the embodiment of the housing 31 of the connecting element 3 shown in Figures 12 and 13, the width of these webs 35, viewed in the X direction, is smaller than the width of the grooves 53 in the strip body 51 of the locking bar 5, allowing vertical movement of the housing 31 of the connecting element 3.

[0067] In Figures 14 and 15, the number 7 designates a self-retracting device comprising a housing 71 and a retraction element 72 attached thereto, here in the form of a tension spring. At the front end of the housing 71 in the draw-out direction, a connecting element 3 is provided for connecting the locking bar 5 to the draw-out furniture part 2 .

[0068] In the embodiment shown here, the housing 31 of the coupling element 3 is formed integrally with the housing 71 of the self-retracting device 7 . Also conceivable is a two-part configuration in which the housing 71 of the self-retracting device 7 is connected to the housing 31 of the connecting element 3 .

[0069] As shown in FIG. 14, the driver 4 of the connecting element 3 is coupled to the retracting element 72 of the self-retracting device 7, thereby holding the driver 4 in the closed position without external force, in which the connected retractable furniture part 2 is arranged in a retracted state within the furniture body 8.

[0070] By withdrawing the furniture part 2 from the furniture body 8, the driver 4 is displaced by the driving body 9 from the neutral position shown in Figures 14 and 15 to the displaced and lowered position shown in Figures 4 and 5. As a result, the retraction element 72 is preloaded.

[0071] When the retractable furniture part 2 is subsequently pushed back into the furniture body 8, the driver 9 strikes the stop 431 shown in Figures 4 and 7a at a position just before the fully retracted position, causing the driver 4 to swing from its position lowered in the angled region 342 of the guide track 34 back to the straight region 341 of the guide track 34, and then be pulled to its fully retracted end position by the spring force of the retraction element 72, which is configured here as a tension spring.

[0072] In a variant of the embodiment of the self-retracting device 7 shown here, an ejection device is attached as an optional additional element 10 to the self-retracting device 7, as is known from the prior art, for example from the initially mentioned EP 2 210 525, in which the retractable furniture part 2 is ejected from the furniture body 8 from the retracted position together with the support of the ejection device 10, as shown in Figure 1. However, a deceleration device, for example in the form of a linear damper, can also be used as the optional additional element 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 2. Furniture parts 21 Side frame 3 Connected Components 31 Housing 32 Spring elements 321 1st leg 322 Second leg 323 Leg 324 Web 33 Fastening area 331 expansion slots 34 Guide Track 341 Linear region 342 Angled Area 35 Retaining Web 4 Driver 41 Base Plate 42 Guide Web 43 Receiving groove 431 Wall 432 Wall 44 pin 46 Assembly Channel 47 Channel Wall 5 Rocking Bar 51 Strip body 52 Slide parts 53 Guide groove 6 Guide 61 Main rail 62 Running rail 63 Holder 7 Self-retracting device 71 Housing 72 Retraction element 8 Furniture body 81 Wall 9 Driver 10 Additional Elements 11 Fastening Elements 111 pin 112 Bushing X direction Y direction Z direction E Retraction direction

Claims

1. A connecting element (3) for connecting a locking bar (5) of a piece of furniture having a plurality of drawer-type furniture parts (2) to a driver (9) connected directly or indirectly to one of the drawer-type furniture parts (2), a housing (31) that can be mounted on the locking bar (5); a driver (4) displaceably mounted on the housing (31) and operably connected to a locking bar (5) for locking the drawer movement of other furniture parts (2); The housing (31) is a coupling element having a guide track (34) in which the pin (44) of the driver (4) is guided, A coupling element (3) characterized in that said housing (31) comprises at least one spring element (32) which serves to fix the housing (31) relative to the locking bar (5).

2. 2. The coupling element (3) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spring element (32) is configured as a spring arm formed on the housing (31).

3. 3. The connecting element (3) according to claim 2, wherein at least one spring element (32) configured as a spring arm is configured at an angle and has a first leg (321) extending from the housing edge and a second leg (322) extending at an angle from the housing edge.

4. 4. A connecting element (3) according to claim 3, wherein the second leg (322) is formed in the region of its free end with a fastening region (33) for receiving a fastening element (11).

5. 5. A coupling element (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spring elements (32) protrude from opposite outer edges of the housing (31).

6. 6. A coupling element (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the fastening areas (33) of the spring element (32) are arranged diagonally opposite the outer edge of the housing (31).

7. 3. A coupling element (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two spring elements (32) protrude from exactly one of the outer edges of the housing (31).

8. 8. A connecting element (3) according to claim 7, wherein the spring elements (32) each have a straight leg (323), the end of which is remote from the housing (31) and has a fastening area (33) formed therein for receiving a fastening element (11).

9. A closing system for drawer-type furniture parts (2) of a piece of furniture consisting of several drawer-type furniture parts (2), a self-retracting device (7) comprising a housing (71) and a retracting element (72) attached to the housing (71); a connecting element (3) for connecting a locking bar (5) to a pull-out furniture part (2), The connecting element (3) is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A closure system, characterized in that the driver (4) of the coupling element (3) is connected to the retraction element (72) of said self-retracting device (7).

10. 10. A closure system according to claim 9, wherein the housing (71) of the self-retracting device (7) is connected to the housing (31) of the connecting element (3).

11. 10. A closure system according to claim 9, wherein the housing (71) of the self-retracting device (7) is formed integrally with the housing (31) of the connecting element (3).

12. A piece of furniture comprising several drawer-type furniture parts (2), a main body (8) having at least two walls (81) arranged parallel to each other and on which guides (6) are arranged to guide a plurality of drawer-type furniture parts (2) arranged one above the other; a locking bar (5) fastened to at least one wall (81) of the body (8) for locking the drawer-type furniture part (2) from being pulled out; and a connecting element (3) for connecting the rocking bar (5) to one of the drawer-type furniture parts (2), A piece of furniture, characterized in that at least one connecting element (3) is formed according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. 13. Furniture according to claim 12, wherein the connecting element (3) is arranged vertically movably in or on the locking bar (5) by means of at least one spring element (32).

14. 14. Furniture according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the housing (31) of the connecting element (3) is fixed to a wall (81) of the furniture body (8).

15. 15. A piece of furniture according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a self-retracting device (7) is associated with each of the retractable furniture parts (2), the self-retracting device (7) comprising a housing (71) and a retracting element (72) fixed to the housing (71) and connected to a driver (4) of the connecting element (3).

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