Drawer

Abstract

A drawer having a handle is provided with lighting elements. Arranged on a front panel, LEDs are provided as lighting elements between two fastening elements that hold the handle on the front panel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/DE2014/000303, filed on Jun. 16, 2014. Priority is claimed on the following applications: German Application Nos. 10 2013 010 089.5, filed Jun. 18, 2013; 10 2013 010 600.1, filed Jun. 26, 2013; 10 2014 005 715.1, filed Apr. 22, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Filed of the Invention

The invention is directed to a drawer having a handle which is provided with lighting elements and arranged on a front panel.

2. Detailed Description of the Prior Art

Drawers of the type mentioned above are known in diverse embodiment forms. Since the lighting elements are generally operated at low voltages for safety reasons, a power supply is generally provided outside the drawer so that an electrical connection is needed between furniture holding the drawer and the drawer. In addition, the front panel of a drawer of this type should not be disfigured by unsightly electrical connections for the lighting elements. This does not pose problems when the bar handles are mounted on the front panel because, in this case, electrical connection cables can be guided though bore holes concealed by the bar handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Inside the drawer electric conductors are guided from the fastening elements to the side parts of the drawer. In particular, the idea is to form these conductors through connection plates through which the fastening elements, particularly screws, pass to ensure an electrical contact on the one hand and in order to securely hold the connection plates, for example, on the inner back side of the front panel on the other hand. There are no problems in electrically insulating the fastening elements and connection plate from the front panel of the drawer.

Possible alternatives are cable connections and optionally printed circuit boards, conductor paths, or the like, which are used when a multi-terminal electrical connection is provided for the lighting means so that the latter can be connected in groups.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, LEDs are provided as lighting elements between two fastening elements holding the handle on the front panel.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the side parts are provided with current-carrying conductors and, on the back side of the drawer, a circuit can be closed via plug-in contacts. When slid into furniture, electric contact is made and the LEDs are lit. When the drawer is pulled out, the circuit is interrupted and the LEDs are extinguished. One advantage of this solution is the simple constructional layout because cables, conductor paths, or the like can be used in a simple manner as conductors.

In one embodiment of a drawer of this kind, the current-carrying conductors are formed by a metal rail that at least partly forms the side parts of the drawer.

Alternatively, the electric conductors can be guided through the side parts of the drawer and provided with plug-in contacts on the edge side of the front panel, which close a circuit on the front side of the drawer with mating parts which are fixed to side walls of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer.

Plug-in contacts of this type can be formed in many different ways. For example, it is possible to use known spring contact switches in which an electrically conducting reed is guided into a receptacle of a mating part to close an electrical contact.

In a further constructional configuration, it can be provided that the fastening elements engage in end caps between which a handle sleeve with the LEDs is held. In a simple manner, handle sleeves can be provided with various LED arrangements and held between identical end caps.

In a further embodiment, the end caps can be made of metal and are electrically insulated from the fastening elements when the latter conduct current.

In a further embodiment form, the end caps are made of plastic with a metal insert. The metal insert can then serve to conduct current when the fastening means engage in the metal insert.

The embodiment examples of drawers according to the invention, which are mentioned above, permit a two-terminal and, optionally, also a four-terminal power supply to the LEDs. In particular, when it is desirable to enable diverse ways of wiring the LEDs, plug-in contacts can be provided between the handle and the front of the drawer in quantities sufficient for the required wiring. It is intended that these plug-in contacts are covered by the handle and are therefore invisible in the installed condition and are accordingly not unsightly.

In a particularly preferred type of power supply, a metal, resiliently-mounted roller that rolls on a conductor path is provided between a side part of the drawer and a side wall of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer for an electrical power supply. This transmission of power from the furniture to the drawer allows the electrical contact to be kept closed also when the drawer is pulled out or pushed in so that the LEDs are permanently illuminated. In this case, the roller is advisably held in a holder and the holder is fixed to an inner side of the side wall of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer. The conductor paths are provided at the outer sides of the side parts of the drawer in a corresponding manner.

In one embodiment of a power transmitting arrangement, a plurality of rollers are provided inside a holder, or a plurality of rollers are arranged on an electrically insulated axle. However, it is preferred that a holder also receives only one roller.

In this regard, it can be further provided that the roller is loaded by a leaf spring or a spring clip and that the leaf spring or the spring clip is fixed at one end to the holder. The roller is then penetrated by the axle mounted in elongated holes.

To avoid soiling, the circumferential surface of the roller is profiled. A profiling of this type in the form of ribs, noses or the like will ensure reliable electric contact with the conductor path even if the drawer is used frequently and the conductor path or roller is exposed to dirt.

If the roller and axle thereof are hardened, their life will also be sufficiently long.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The essence of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the drawings in which only embodiment examples are depicted schematically. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a front panel with a handle according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the front panel according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view;

FIG. 4 is a section along line IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of detail V from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric diagram;

FIG. 7 is a detailed top view in partial section;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of a spring contact switch with spacer plate;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a handle;

FIG. 10 is a section along line X-X in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a section along line XI-XI in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an isometric diagram of the handle;

FIG. 13 is an isometric diagram of an end cap of the handle according to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the side of the end cap located inside the handle according to FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a section along line XV-XV in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is another side view of the end cap;

FIG. 17 is a further embodiment form of a handle in front of the front panel in a top view;

FIG. 18 is a section along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an enlargement of detail XIX in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the front panel;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of detail XXI, XXI in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a partially broken-away isometric diagram of a drawer between the side walls of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer;

FIG. 23 is a top view;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of detail XXIV, XXIV in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a front view;

FIG. 26 is a side view partially broken away;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of a holder with a roller for a power transmitting arrangement;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view;

FIG. 29 is a section along line XXIX-XXIX in FIG. 28; and

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of the section along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 28.

A first embodiment example of a drawer according to the invention is described referring to FIGS. 1 to 8. A front panel 1 of a drawer is shown with a bar-shaped handle 2 arranged on the front panel 1. In this embodiment example, the handle 2 is configured as an open-bottomed hollow profile supported on the front panel 1 and in which LEDs are arranged as lighting elements between two fastening elements 3, 4, which in this case are two thread screws, penetrating the front panel 1.

The current supply for the LEDs in the handle 2 is effected via the fastening elements 3, 4 and is therefore invisible from the front. The fastening elements 3, 4 further penetrate a connection plate 5, 6 in each instance. These connection plates 5, 6, as electric conductors, extend on the back side of the front panel 1 beyond the side parts 7, 8 of the drawer to the edges of the front panel 1 (compare FIGS. 6 and 7), where they are provided with contact blades 9, 10 which project from the back side of the front panel 1.

When the drawer is closed as is shown in the illustration, the contact blades 9, 10 of two spring contact switches 11, 12 close a circuit for a power supply of the LEDs in that they engage, respectively, in a receptacle 13, 14 of the spring contact switches 11, 12 so as to conduct electricity.

The receptacles 13, 14 of the spring contact switches 11, 12 are fastened to side walls 15, 16 of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer. In addition, the distance between the spring contact switches 11, 12 and the side walls 15, 16 may be varied, if required, by spacer plates 17. The above notwithstanding, conventional wiring leads from the receptacles 13, 14 to a power source, not shown, which serves to supply power to the LED's when switched on when the drawer is closed.

Depending on the material of the front panel 1, it may be advisable to electrically insulate the fastening elements 3, 4 and the connection plates 5, 6 from front panel 1 (see FIG. 5). To this end, the fastening elements 3, 4 are guided through the front panel 1 in insulating sleeves 18. Further, insulating pieces can be placed beneath the connection plates 5, 6, also in the form of two-sided adhesive strips which, apart from electrical insulating, also fix the connection plates 5, 6 to the back side of the front panel 1.

In the center between two end caps 21, 22, the handle 20 shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 has an open-bottomed handle sleeve 23 with LEDs. Two fastening elements 3, 4 in the form of thread screws that penetrate a front panel engage in the end caps 21, 22. Pins 26-28 protrude from the end caps 21, 22 in direction of the handle sleeve 23 for connecting the end caps 21, 22 to the handle sleeve 23 and engage in corresponding receptacles in an insert 29 fixed to the handle sleeve 23 (see FIGS. 10, 11 and 13).

When the end caps 21, 22 and handle sleeve 23 are made of metal, electrical insulation is required if the fastening elements 3, 4 conduct current. In one embodiment, each end cap according to FIGS. 13 to 16 has an insulating sleeve 32 in a bore hole in a reinforcement part 34 protruding from the closing plate 33 on the handle sleeve side. The insulating sleeve 32 is penetrated by the shank 35 of a thread screw 36 that fixes the end cap 31 to a front panel. Further, the shank 35 is guided through an insulating clamp 37 which is snugly inserted at least partially into a recess in the side of the closing plate 33 on the handle sleeve side. The thread screw 36 is fixed against the insulating clamp 37, by a nut 38 held in the insulating sleeve 37 so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. As a result of these constructional steps, the front panel, not shown, of the drawer, possibly provided with electrical conductors, reinforcement part 34 and insulating clamp 37, are clamped between the nut 38 and the head 39 of the thread screw 36.

For an electrical connection of the LEDs provided in the handle sleeve 23, the insulating clamp 37 is provided with a slot 40 through which a solder lug 41 projects. An eyelet penetrated by shank 35 is connected to this solder lug 41 inside the insulating clamp 37.

A further embodiment example of the electric connection of a handle 45 is described referring to FIGS. 17 to 21. The handle 45 is substantially U-shaped seen from the top. In the center piece 48 joining the two legs 46, 47, a plurality of LEDs 49 are arranged so as to light up the front panel 50. The handle 45 is fixed to the front panel 50 by two thread screws 51, 52 projecting into the legs 46, 47.

Provided in the legs 46, 47 are contact sleeves 53 which are inserted in insulating pieces 54 so as to be electrically insulated from one another and from which the LEDs 49 are supplied with current inside the handle 45. Contact pins 55, 56 protrude from the front panel 50 as complementary to the contact sleeves 53, penetrate the front panel 50, and are held so as to be electrically insulated from one another in insulating pieces 57, 58 on the back side of the front panel 50.

If plug-in contacts of this type are provided between the front panel 50 and the handle 45, the quantity of circuits supplying the LEDs with current can be increased in a simple manner. Three circuits with a common return, therefore, four contact pins and contact sockets, are provided in the embodiment example, for connecting three groups of LEDs of different colors.

The further power supply, for example, to a handle which is wired for this purpose, will be described further referring to FIGS. 22 to 26.

FIG. 22 shows a drawer 60 between two side walls 61, 62 of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer 60. Arranged at the inner side of the side wall 62, shown partially broken away, are three holders 63 for resiliently mounted metal rollers 64, which are preferably hardened and profiled along their circumference. These rollers 64 can roll along three conductor paths 65 on the outer side of the side part 66 of the drawer 60 when the drawer 60 is pulled out or pushed in.

As a result, LEDs in a handle 67 can be continually supplied with current.

For a common return, for example, a holder 68 is also provided with a roller at side part 61, which roller rolls along a conductor path 69 on the side part 70 (see FIGS. 23 and 26).

The conductor paths 65, 69 can be connected via further conductor paths arranged on the back of the front panel 71 to contact pins according to the above-mentioned embodiment example.

FIGS. 27 to 30 shows an enlarged view of a holder 75 with a roller 76. A comparatively elongated housing 77 has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The roller 76 is rotatably supported in the housing 77 on an axle 78. The roller 76 and the axle 78 are preferably made of a hardened metal. The bearing support of the axle 78 is effected in elongated holes that extend perpendicular to a conductor path on which the roller 76 rolls. To produce a reliable electrical contact, a leaf spring 79 or a spring clip loads the roller 76 which is secured at one end to the housing 77.

A cable 80 can be connected to a metal leaf spring 79 for the power supply when the housing 77 is made of plastic. In this case, there is no need to provide for an electrical contact between three holders 63 arranged next to one another.

If the housing 77 is made of metal, a current can also flow from the roller via the axle, the housing 77 and the cable 80 connected to the housing. The leaf spring 79 or the spring clip can then be made of plastic.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A drawer comprising:

a front panel;

a handle provided on the front panel;

two fastening elements that hold the handle on the front panel and at least one LED provided between the two fastening elements.

13. The drawer according to claim 12, further comprising:

side parts of the drawer provided with current-carrying conductors;

a back side of the drawer; and

plug-in contacts provided on the back side of the drawer.

14. The drawer according to claim 13, wherein the current-carrying conductors are guided through the side parts of the drawer and provided with plug-in contacts on an edge side of the front panel that close a circuit on a front side of the drawer with mating parts fixed to side walls of a piece of furniture configured to receive the drawer.

15. The drawer according to claim 12, wherein the fastening elements engage in end caps between that hold a handle sleeve with the at least one LED.

16. The drawer according to claim 15, wherein the end caps are made of metal and are electrically insulated from the fastening elements.

17. The drawer according to claim 15, wherein the end caps are made of a plastic with a metal insert.

18. The drawer according to claim 14, wherein plug-in contacts are provided between the handle and the front panel of the drawer.

19. The drawer according to claim 12, wherein a metal, resiliently-mounted roller, which rolls on a conductor path, is provided between a side part of the drawer and a side wall of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer, and configured as an electrical power supply.

20. The drawer according to claim 19, wherein the roller is loaded by a leaf spring or a spring clip, and in that the leaf spring or the spring clip is fixed at one end to a holder.

21. The drawer according to claim 19, wherein the roller is held in a holder, and in that the holder is fixed to an inner side of the side wall of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer.

22. The drawer according to claim 19, wherein a circumferential surface of the roller is profiled.

23. The drawer according to claim 20, wherein the roller is held in the holder, and in that the holder is fixed to an inner side of the side wall of a piece of furniture receiving the drawer.

24. The drawer according to claim 23, wherein a circumferential surface of the roller is profiled.

25. The drawer according to claim 14, wherein the current-carrying conductors are connection plates.

26. The drawer according to claim 13, wherein the plug-in contacts are contact blades.