Device for laterally guiding the upper end of a pull-out furniture part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for laterally guiding the upper end of extendable furniture parts are complex, require additional installation space, and obstruct access for loading from above, limiting the usable height and functionality of pull-out furniture sections.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a rotating piece guided by a parallel guide rail, pivotally mounted on a mounting piece that can be displaced between inserted and extended positions, allowing for full or over-extension of pull-out furniture parts while maintaining lateral guidance and enabling loading from above.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If three interlocking rails are used for lateral guidance, then the pull-out furniture part can be fully extended or over-extended, but the device becomes complex and requires additional installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextension rangeVSAvoidguidance mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance mechanism is divided into two independent components: a single guide rail fixed to the furniture body and a rotating piece attached to the mounting piece. This segmentation replaces the complex three-rail interlocking system with simpler, independent elements that achieve the same extension functionality without requiring multiple interlocking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating piece is designed to pivot dynamically between different rotational positions as the mounting piece moves between inserted and extended positions. This dynamic rotation allows the mechanism to adapt its configuration during movement, enabling full or over-extension while maintaining lateral guidance with a single rail instead of three rigid interlocking rails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If three interlocking rails are used for lateral guidance, then the pull-out furniture part can be fully extended, but additional installation space is required which reduces usable height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextension rangeVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the guidance function into a single guide rail and an independent rotating piece, the mechanism eliminates the need for three overlapping rails, thereby reducing the vertical space required for installation and maximizing the usable height of the pull-out furniture part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution introduces rotation as an additional degree of freedom, allowing the mounting piece to achieve extended positions through rotational movement of the rotating piece rather than requiring additional vertical space for multiple rails. This dimensional change enables full extension within a compact vertical envelope.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If fittings extend over the depth of the pull-out furniture part, then lateral guidance is provided, but access for loading from above is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral guidanceVSAvoidaccess for loading
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having fittings extend forward over the depth of the furniture part, the guide rail is fixed to the furniture body and the rotating piece is attached to the mounting piece, with the rotation axis positioned such that the mechanism provides lateral guidance without obstructing the top loading path. This inverted configuration maintains guidance reliability while ensuring ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Volume of moving object

If a simple guidance device is used, then installation space is reduced, but full or over-extension capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidextension range
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating piece is designed to pivot dynamically between different rotational positions as the mounting piece moves between inserted and extended positions. This dynamic rotation allows the mechanism to adapt its configuration during movement, enabling full or over-extension while maintaining lateral guidance with a single rail instead of three rigid interlocking rails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4384047B1Device for laterally guiding the upper end of a pull-out furniture part
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 FULTERER AG & CO KG
  • EP4384047B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4384047B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4384047B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for laterally guiding the upper end of a pull-out furniture part (2), comprising a guide rail (4) that can be secured to the furniture body (1) and a rotary part (7) guided in parallel to the pull-out direction (8) by the guide rail (4). The rotary part (7) is pivotally mounted on a mounting part (6) that can be secured to the pull-out furniture part. The mounting part (6) can be moved from a pushed-in position into a pulled-out position via a movement path, wherein, in the pushed-in position of the mounting part (6), the rotary part (7) is in contact with a push-in end stop (13a) of the guide rail (4) and adopts and pushed-in rotary position, and in the pulled-out position of the mounting part (6), it is in contact with a pull-out end stop (14a) of the guide rail (4) and adopts a pulled-out rotary position, which is rotated about the axis of rotation (20) relative to the pushed-in rotary position.