Assembly having a drawer side-wall and a holding part

US20260224029A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-08-06JULIUS BLUM GMBH
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
JULIUS BLUM GMBH
Filing Date
2026-03-23
Publication Date
2026-08-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

A common problem with the prior art is that the holding portion arranged on the drawer front panel does not properly lock with the locking element of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall.

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Abstract

An arrangement includes a drawer sidewall having a fastening device for releasably connecting the drawer sidewall to a drawer front panel. The fastening device of the drawer sidewall including a movably supported locking element, and a holding portion is to be fixed to the drawer front panel. The holding portion is configured to be releasably locked to the locking element of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device of the drawer sidewall in an insertion direction. The fastening device includes an inclined gliding surface configured to move the locking element in a direction opposite the insertion direction when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement, comprising:

[0002] a drawer sidewall having at least one fastening device for releasably connecting the drawer sidewall to a drawer front panel, the at least one fastening device of the drawer sidewall including at least one movably supported locking element, and

[0003] at least one holding portion arranged or to be fixed to the drawer front panel, the holding portion being configured to be releasably locked to the locking element of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device of the drawer sidewall in an insertion direction.

[0004] Moreover, the invention relates to a drawer comprising at least one arrangement of the type to be described.

[0005] WO 2016 / 000002 A1 discloses an arrangement comprising a drawer sidewall and a holding portion to be fixed to a drawer front panel. For mounting the drawer front panel to the drawer sidewall, the holding portion is to be pre-mounted to the drawer front panel in a first step. In a subsequent step, the pre-mounted holding portion is to be inserted into a fastening device of the drawer sidewall, whereby the holding portion can be automatically locked with a spring-loaded locking element of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall. The locking mechanism presses the drawer front panel against the front face of the drawer sidewall and holds it in position relative to the drawer sidewall.

[0006] A common problem with the prior art is that the holding portion arranged on the drawer front panel does not properly lock with the locking element of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall. In particular, it may occur that the drawer front panel, when mounted, strikes against the front face of the furniture carcass, before the holding portion and the fastening device of the drawer sidewall are locked together. As a result, the holding portion does not project far enough into the fastening device of the drawer sidewall for a successful locking. Moreover, due to the drawer front panel striking against the furniture carcass, there is also no travel reserve available for a further insertion movement of the holding portion. This can lead eventually to the fact that the locking procedure between the holding portion and the fastening device of the drawer sidewall is massively impeded or even impossible.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to propose an arrangement of the type mentioned in the introductory part, thereby avoiding the above-discussed drawbacks.

[0008] According to the invention, the fastening device includes at least one inclined gliding surface configured to move the at least one locking element in a direction opposite the insertion direction when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device.

[0009] In other words, the fastening device includes at least one inclined gliding surface for moving the locking element in a direction of the inserted holding portion, when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device. As a result, an earlier locking between the fastening device of the drawer sidewall and the holding portion pre-mounted to the drawer front panel can be achieved, thereby increasing the locking range of the fastening device.

[0010] By the at least one inclined gliding surface, also the unlocking range of the fastening device can be increased, because the holding portion, when being unlocked, can be ejected over a larger distance in a direction opposite the insertion direction.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1a-1d show a drawer comprising drawer sidewalls and a drawer front panel in a perspective view and enlarged detail views thereof,

[0013] FIGS. 2a, 2b show the holding portion pre-mounted to the drawer front panel and the fastening device of the drawer sidewall in two different views,

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall with the holding portion to be locked in a release position,

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall with the holding portion to be locked in an intermediate position,

[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall with the holding portion in a locked position,

[0017] FIG. 6 shows the fastening device of the drawer sidewall with the holding portion to be locked in an exploded view,

[0018] FIG. 7a-7d show different embodiments of the inclined gliding surface and of the inclined retraction surface of the locking element.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of a drawer 1 comprising drawer sidewalls 2, a drawer front panel 3 to be connected to the drawer sidewalls 2, a drawer bottom 4, and a rear wall 5. Each of the drawer sidewalls 2 includes a fastening device 6 for releasably fixing the drawer front panel 3 to the drawer sidewall 2. Each of the drawer sidewalls 2 can include a hollow profile 8, preferably made of metal, in which the fastening device 6 can be at least partially, preferably substantially entirely, arranged.

[0020] The drawer sidewall 2 includes a front face 7 facing towards the drawer front panel 3, the front face 7 bearing against the rear side of the drawer front panel 3 in a fixed condition of the drawer front panel 3.

[0021] The drawer 1 is displaceably supported relative to a furniture carcass (not shown here) via drawer pull-out guides 9. Each of the drawer pull-out guides 9 includes a carcass rail 10 configured to be fixed to a furniture carcass, and at least one extension rail 11 movable relative to the carcass rail 10.

[0022] For realizing a so-called full extension, in which the position the rear wall 5 is aligned approximately flush with a front face of the furniture carcass, an additional central rail may be arranged between the stationary carcass rail 10 and the movable extension rail 11.

[0023] The drawer 1 can be releasably coupled to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9 via at least one coupling device known according to the prior art.

[0024] Preferably, the fastening device 6 for releasably fixing the drawer front panel 3 also includes the coupling device for releasably coupling the drawer sidewall 2 to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9. The drawer 1 includes at least one rear wall 5 to be arranged parallel to the drawer front panel 3. The drawer sidewall 2 can include at least one rear wall holder 12 for, preferably releasably, connecting the rear wall 5 to the drawer sidewall 2.

[0025] FIG. 1b shows the framed region of FIG. 1a in an enlarged view.

[0026] FIG. 1c shows a holding portion 17 which is to be fixed to the rear side of the drawer front panel 3 via screws 14 and / or dowels for example.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the at least one holding portion 13 includes at least one pre-mounted screw 14, preferably at least two pre-mounted screws 14, for fixing the holding portion 13 to the drawer front panel 3.

[0028] FIG. 1d shows the holding portion 13 fixed to the rear side of the drawer front panel 3. The fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2 includes a spring-loaded locking element 15 (FIG. 2a) configured to releasably lock the holding portion 13 to the drawer sidewall 2.

[0029] FIG. 2a shows the holding portion 13 arranged or to be pre-fixed to the drawer front panel 3, and the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2. For the sake of improved overview, the right-handed drawer sidewall 2 is not illustrated. The drawer sidewall 2 can include at least one hollow profile 8. As an alternative, it is also possible to produce the drawer sidewall 2 from a solid wood material. The fastening device 6 includes a base body 6a which, in a mounted condition, is fitted into a front-end region of the drawer sidewall 2, preferably in a form-locking manner.

[0030] In the shown embodiment, the drawer front panel 3 has a multi-part configuration and includes at least one decorative panel 18, for example made of glass, stone, metal, plastic, wood or of a compound material. For holding the at least one, preferably substantially cuboidal, decorative panel 18, two lateral holding devices 16a, 16b are provided. The holding devices 16a, 16b are each configured to receive an end portion of the decorative panel 18. Each of the holding devices 16a, 16b includes at least one holding portion 13 configured to be releasably locked to a, preferably spring-loaded, locking element 15 of the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2.

[0031] Each of the holding devices 16a, 16b can include at least two holding portions 13 which are spaced apart from each other in a height direction and which can be releasably locked to the locking element 15. In this way, front panels 3 with a larger height can also be fixed to the two drawer sidewalls 2.

[0032] The at least one holding portion 13 can be made entirely of plastic and / or can be configured to be, preferably releasably, connected to at least one holding device 16a, 16b. For this purpose, at least one of the two holding devices 16a, 16b can include a guide for inserting the holding portion 13. In the shown embodiment, the two holding devices 16a, 16b and the holding portions 13 are formed together so as to have an integral one-piece configuration made of a plastic material.

[0033] In order to release the locking between the holding portion 13 and the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2, at least one release element 17 is provided. The release element 17 is arranged or can be arranged partially outside the drawer sidewall 2 and is configured to be manually actuated. By applying a force to the release element 17 against the spring-loaded action of the locking element 15, the locking between the holding portion 13 and the locking element 15 can be released.

[0034] FIG. 2b shows the holding portion 13 arranged on the drawer front panel 3 and the base body 6a of the fastening device 6 in a further perspective view. The locking element 15 of the fastening device 6 is displaceably supported on or within the base body 6a in the height direction, thus in a direction extending substantially parallel to a vertical plane formed by the drawer front panel 3.

[0035] The release element 17 for releasing the locking and the locking element 15 can be formed together so as to have an integral one-piece configuration. As an alternative, it is also possible that the release element 17 and the locking element 15 are components separate from each other and are connected to each other in a movement-coupled manner.

[0036] According to possible embodiments, the base body 6a of the fastening device 6:

[0037] is made substantially entirely of plastic, and / or

[0038] is fitted into the drawer sidewall 2 in a form-locking manner, and / or

[0039] has a honeycomb structure at least over a region, and / or

[0040] includes at least one coupling device (not shown here) for releasably coupling to the drawer pull-out guide 9, preferably the at least one coupling device includes at least one pivotable coupling lever for releasably coupling to the extension rail 11 of the drawer pull-out guide 9, and / or

[0041] includes at least one groove 22 for receiving an edge of a drawer bottom 4.

[0042] The holding portion 13 includes at least one retaining section 20 which, in a held condition of the holding portion 13, is at least partially arranged within the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2, preferably within a notch 23 (FIG. 4) of the locking element 15.

[0043] The locking element 15 can have an inclined abutment surface 21 against which the holding portion 13, preferably the retaining section 20, can bear when the holding portion 13 is inserted, whereby the locking element 15 is movable in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction X. In a locked condition, the retaining section 20 of the holding portion 13 is received within the notch 23 of the locking element 15. By a side adjustment device 19, a position of the holding portion 13 is adjustable in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction X. The side adjustment device 19 can include at least one rotatable adjustment wheel 19a, preferably made of metal.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2 with the holding portion 13 to be locked. The locking element 15 is movably supported on or within the base body 6a in the height direction. At least one spring element 24, preferably at least one leaf spring, is provided for applying a force to the locking element 15, and the locking element 15 can be pressed in a direction in which the holding portion 13 can be locked (thus, in the present case, in a downward direction).

[0045] At least one protrusion 26a, 26b, 26c, preferably a plurality of protrusions 26a, 26b, 26c, is arranged on the base body 6a, the at least one protrusion 26a, 26b, 26c being configured to prevent the locking element 15 from laterally dropping out from the base body 6a of the fastening device 6. Accordingly, the locking element 15 is glidingly guided laterally along the protrusions 26a, 26b, 26c.

[0046] When the holding portion 13 is inserted into the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2 in the insertion direction X, firstly the retaining section 20 (FIG. 2b) of the holding portion 13 comes into contact with the inclined abutment surface 21 of the locking element 15.

[0047] The fastening device 6 includes at least one inclined gliding surface 25 configured to move the at least one locking element 15 in a direction opposite the insertion direction X, when the holding portion 13 is inserted into the fastening device 6. As a result, an earlier locking of the holding portion 13 can be achieved, and the locking range of the fastening device 6 can be increased. The inclined gliding surface 25 can be formed or arranged on the base body 6a of the fastening device 6 for example. For example, the inclined gliding surface 25 can be in the form of a guide slit and / or in the form of a guide track, along which at least one guide element (for example a pin) of the locking element 15 can be glidingly guided. However, it is also possible to produce the drawer sidewall 2 from a wood material (for example a chipboard or a fiberboard), and the at least one inclined gliding surface 25 is directly formed in the wood material of the drawer sidewall 2. The arrangement of the inclined gliding surface 25 in the wood material of the drawer sidewall 2 can be produced by milling for example.

[0048] In the shown embodiment, at least a second inclined gliding surface 25a is provided for moving the at least one locking element 15 in a direction opposite the insertion direction X when the at least one holding portion 13 is inserted into the fastening device 6. The locking element 15 includes at least one gliding contour 28 which is movable along the at least one inclined gliding surface 25.

[0049] In the shown embodiment, the locking element 15 includes at least two gliding contours 28, 28a which are movable along the two inclined gliding surfaces 25, 25a. The provided gliding contours 25, 25a can extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows the fastening device 6 with the holding portion 13 to be locked, the holding portion 13 being in an intermediate position in which the spring element 24 is maximally compressed. The locking element 15 is movable in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction X by inserting the holding portion 13 into the fastening device 6 in the insertion direction X, and by the co-operation of the retaining section 20 with the inclined abutment surface 21 of the holding portion 13 against a force of the spring element 24. Thereby, the gliding element 15 glides along the at least one inclined gliding surface 25, 25a, so that the locking element 15 is movable with a movement-component in a direction opposite the insertion direction X.

[0051] The at least one locking element 15 includes at least one notch 23, preferably downwardly opened in the mounted position, for receiving the retaining section 20 of the holding portion 13. At least one inclined retraction surface 29 can be arranged on the notch 23 for retracting the holding portion 13 into the fastening device 6. The at least one inclined gliding surface 25, 25a and the inclined retraction surface 29 are inclined in different directions. The at least one inclined retraction surface 29 is inclined such that a retraction force in the insertion direction X can be applied to the holding portion 13.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows the fastening device 6 with the holding portion 13 in a locked position. When the holding portion 13 is further moved in the insertion direction X, the retaining section 20 of the holding portion 13 enters into the notch 23 of the locking element 15, and the locking element 15 is pushed in a downward direction into the locking position by the force of the relaxing spring element 24.

[0053] In a locked condition, the release element 17 is arranged outside the drawer sidewall 2 and is directly accessible for a manual actuation or for a tool-assisted actuation. By applying a pressure to the release element 17 against the force of the spring element 24, the locking between the locking element 15 and the holding portion 13 can be again released.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the fastening device 6 of the drawer sidewall 2 with the holding portion 13 to be locked. The base body 6a of the fastening device 6 is preferably made of plastic, and the locking element 15 is displaceably supported on or within the base body 6a.

[0055] At least one inclined gliding surface 25, 25a is arranged or formed on the base body 6a of the fastening device 6. The at least one inclined gliding surface 25, 25a is configured to move the at least one locking element 15 with a movement-component in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction X, and with a movement-component in a direction opposite the insertion direction X when the holding portion 13 is inserted into the fastening device 6. The at least one spring element 24 for applying a force to the locking element 15 can include a form spring made of metal or plastic for example. Preferably, the movable locking element 15 is designed as a substantially plate-shaped latch. This allows for a compact design of the fastening device 6.

[0056] In the shown embodiment, the locking element 15 includes a limb 27 for supporting the spring element 24, the limb 27 projecting transversely from the plate-shaped portion. The release element 17 is also formed by a limb projecting transversely from the locking element 15.

[0057] The inclined abutment surface 21 of the locking element 15 faces towards the holding portion 13. The locking element 15 includes at least one inclined gliding contour 28, 28a arranged on the locking element 15 on a side facing away from the holding portion 13.

[0058] The at least one inclined gliding contour 28, 28a of the locking element 15 is movable along the at least one inclined gliding surface 25, 25a when the holding portion 13 is inserted in the insertion direction X. Due to the honeycomb-structure of the base body 6a, a high mechanical strength (in particular a high bending stiffness) with reduced material usage and low weight can be guaranteed.

[0059] FIG. 7a-7d show different embodiments of the inclined gliding surface 25 of the fastening device 6 and of the inclined retraction surface 29 of the locking element 15. The start, the course, and the end of the locking process can be influenced by selecting the geometry and angles of the gliding surface 25 and of the inclined retraction surface 29.

[0060] According to possible embodiments, the drawer sidewall 2 includes a front face 7 configured to bear against the drawer front panel 3 and / or the base body 6a of the fastening device 6 includes a front face 7a, and the at least one inclined gliding surface 25 and / or the inclined retraction surface 29 enclose an angle (α, β) of between 5° and 25°, preferably of between 8° and 20°, relative to the front face 7, 7a.

[0061] For example, the inclined gliding surface 25 of the base body 6a and the inclined retraction surface 29 of the locking element 15 enclose an identical angle (α, β), or, alternatively, an angle (α, β) deviating from each other relative to the front face 7, 7a. The inclined gliding surface 25 and the inclined retraction surface 29 can be inclined in different directions.

[0062] FIG. 7a shows that the angle (α) enclosed between the inclined gliding surface 25 and the front face 7a and the angle (β) enclosed between the inclined retraction surface 29 and the front face 7a is in each case 8°.

[0063] FIG. 7b shows that the angle (α) enclosed between the inclined gliding surface 25 and the front face 7a and the angle (β) enclosed between the inclined retraction surface 29 and the front face 7a is in each case 10°.

[0064] FIG. 7c shows that the angle (α) enclosed between the inclined gliding surface 25 and the front face 7a and the angle (β) enclosed between the inclined retraction surface 29 and the front face 7a is in each case 12°.

[0065] FIG. 7d shows that the inclined gliding surface 25 of the base body 6a and the inclined retraction surface 29 of the locking element 15 enclose a different angle (α, β) relative to the front face 7a of the base body 6a. In the shown embodiment, the inclined gliding surface 25 encloses an angle (α) of 8° relative to the front face 7a of the base body 6a. In contrast, the inclined retraction surface 29 of the locking element 15 encloses an angle (β) of 15° relative to the front face 7a of the base body 6a.

Claims

1. An arrangement comprising:a drawer sidewall having at least one fastening device for releasably connecting the drawer sidewall to a drawer front panel, the at least one fastening device of the drawer sidewall including at least one movably supported locking element, andat least one holding portion arranged or to be fixed to the drawer front panel, the holding portion being configured to be releasably locked to the locking element of the fastening device of the drawer sidewall when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device of the drawer sidewall in an insertion direction,wherein the fastening device includes at least one inclined gliding surface configured to move the at least one locking element in a direction opposite the insertion direction when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inclined gliding surface is formed on a base body of the fastening device and / or directly in a material of the drawer sidewall.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element:is configured as a substantially plate-shaped latch, and / oris pre-stressed by at least one spring element, preferably a leaf spring, in a direction of a locking position, and / oris linearly displaceably supported, and / oris displaceably supported in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction, and / oris releasable from the locking position by at least one release element, wherein the at least one release element is partially arranged outside or can be arranged outside the drawer sidewall and is accessible for a manual actuation, preferably wherein the at least one locking element and the at least one release element are formed together so as to have an integral one-piece configuration.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element includes at least one notch, preferably downwardly opened in a mounted condition, for receiving a retaining section of the holding portion.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein at least one inclined retraction surface for retracting the holding portion into the fastening device is arranged on the notch, preferably wherein:the at least one inclined gliding surface and the inclined retraction surface are inclined in different directions, and / orthe at least one inclined retraction surface encloses an angle of between 5° and 25°, preferably of between 8° and 20°, relative to a front face of the drawer sidewall, the front face being configured to bear against the drawer front panel, and / orthe at least one inclined retraction surface is inclined such that a retraction force in the insertion direction can be applied to the holding portion.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking element includes an inclined abutment surface configured to bear against the holding portion when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device so as to move the locking element in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction.

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the inclined abutment surface of the locking element faces towards the holding portion, wherein the locking element includes at least one gliding contour arranged on the locking element on a side facing away from the holding portion, wherein the at least one gliding contour is movable along the at least one inclined gliding surface.

8. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least a second inclined gliding surface is provided for moving the at least one locking element in a direction opposite the insertion direction when the holding portion is inserted into the fastening device, preferably wherein the provided inclined gliding surfaces extend substantially parallel to each other.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device includes at least one base body fitted into the drawer sidewall, preferably wherein the at least one base body:is made substantially entirely of plastic, and / oris fitted into the drawer sidewall in a form-locking manner, and / orhas a honeycomb-structure at least over a region, and / orincludes at least one groove for receiving an edge of a drawer bottom, and / orincludes at least one protrusion configured to prevent the locking element from laterally dropping out from the base body.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the drawer sidewall includes a front face configured to bear against the drawer front panel, wherein the at least one inclined gliding surface encloses an angle of between 5° and 25°, preferably of between 8° and 20°, relative to the front face of the drawer sidewall.

11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holding portion:includes at least one retaining section which, in a held condition of the holding portion, is at least partially arranged within the fastening device (6) of the drawer sidewall, and / oris made substantially entirely of plastic, and / orincludes at least one retaining section which, in a mounted condition, is at least partially arranged within a notch of the locking element, and / orincludes at least one pre-mounted screw, preferably at least two pre-mounted screws, for fixing the holding portion to the drawer front panel.

12. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holding portion is arranged or is configured to be arranged on a holding device for holding a, preferably substantially cuboidal, decorative panel of the drawer front panel, wherein the at least one holding device is configured to receive an end portion of the decorative panel.

13. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a side adjustment device is provided for adjusting a position of the holding portion in a direction extending transversely to the insertion direction, preferably wherein the side adjustment device includes at least one rotatable adjustment wheel, preferably made of metal.

14. A drawer comprising the arrangement according to claim 1.

15. The drawer according to claim 14, wherein the drawer is displaceably supported relative to a furniture carcass via at least one drawer pull-out guide, wherein the at least one drawer pull-out guide includes a carcass rail configured to be fixed to the furniture carcass and at least one extension rail movable relative to the carcass rail and being configured to be fixed to the drawer.