FURNITURE PULL-OUT GUIDE

Abstract

A furniture pull-out guide includes a guide rail with a hollow profile defining a base web, first and second longitudinal webs disposed at predetermined angles to the base web, and transition regions connecting the base web with the first and second longitudinal webs. The guide also includes a first axle moveable longitudinally with respect to the guide rail, at least a first roller rotatably disposed on the first axle, and at least a second roller disposed on the first axle adjacent to the first roller. The first roller and the second roller are adapted to rotate independently of one another.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application that relies for priority on German Patent Application No. 20 2007 013 640.4, filed on Sep. 28, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a furniture pull-out guide.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The furniture part, which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of this guide rail, can be provided with a rail on which the running rollers are arranged. The furniture part can take the form of a drawer, a dish rack or as a similar component. The term furniture in this respect is not to be taken too narrowly. In any event, it also comprises furniture-like appliances such as dishwashers, cookers, refrigerators and the like.

The guide rollers are generally—although not necessarily—made of a plastic and the guide rail is made of metal.

The guide rails can have various cross-sectional geometries, and the weight of the movable furniture part generally causes the guide rollers to come into contact with lower horizontal webs or roll along these webs.

In the case of the furniture pull-out guides in question, the width of the guide rail should be kept small since the installation space is limited.

During the movement of the component, and depending on the cross section of the guide rail, this can lead to the running rollers not rolling along exactly, possibly resulting in jamming effects or in disruptive noises. The object of the invention is to reduce this problem.

The invention achieves this object among others.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each running roller comprises at least two individual running rollers which are arranged next to one another on the respective axle and can be rotated independently of one another.

This makes it possible for the individual running rollers to roll along exactly such that a relative movement between the individual running rollers can occur. This relative movement results from the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail. Disruptive noises are eliminated or substantially diminished.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, one of the individual running rollers is designed in such a way that it substantially makes or can substantially make point contact with the transition region of the running rail between the base web and the longitudinal webs.

According to a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the other of the individual running rollers is designed in such a way that it substantially makes line contact with one of the longitudinal webs. It is precisely the combination of, where appropriate, point and line contact which results in particularly easy, energy-saving running in which disruptive noises are reduced particularly effectively.

The above embodiment can be achieved according to a particularly preferred embodiment in that the individual running roller, which in any case contacts one of the transition regions, is provided in the contact region with an edge radius which is smaller than the radius of the transition region of the guide rail.

It is particularly advantageous if the two running rollers have different maximum diameters.

It is also particularly advantageous if the two running rollers have different axial widths.

In order to obtain the point or line contact, it is provided that the edge radius of those regions of the respective individual running roller which contact the transition regions of the profile rail is smaller than radii of the transition regions of the profile rail webs which are situated at an angle to one another. Even if these transition regions of the profile rail extend rectilinearly and the radii are, thus, infinitely large, the point or line contact still occurs.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that each running roller comprises three individual running rollers, and that the central individual running roller has a larger width and a larger diameter than the two lateral running rollers. Since at least the lateral individual running roller facing away from the furniture part which moves in and out can make contact with the transition regions of the guide rail webs situated at an angle to one another, exact guidance takes place. Since the guide rails are designed such that the parallel webs make up a relatively high proportion of the width, adaptation to the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail is made possible by this aforementioned design.

In the case of the guide rails which are open toward the components which can be moved in and out, it is provided that the marginal regions facing the component which can be moved in and out are angled and directed toward one another, and that the individual running roller facing in this direction contacts the angled marginal regions.

Whereas each running roller is arranged inside the guide rail in the above-described embodiments, it is additionally provided in a further embodiment that the running rollers formed from at least two individual running rollers can roll along the outside of the guide rail on at least one surface adjacent to the opening. It is preferable, however, for the running rollers to be arranged in pairs such that they are supported on the mutually opposite surfaces. In this embodiment, however, the lateral individual running rollers are again narrower than the central individual running roller, but their diameters are larger than the diameter of the central individual running roller in order to adapt to the cross section of the guide rail. Where the marginal regions adjacent to the opening are angled and directed toward one another, each running roller comprises three individual running rollers, with the two lateral individual running rollers being kept identical in diameter.

Depending on the intended use of the furniture pull-out guide, it may also be further advantageous if, in addition to the running rollers rolling along the outer surface of the guide rail, a further running roller is arranged inside the guide rail. This running roller comprises at least two individual running rollers, wherein the lateral running roller or the lateral running rollers are kept smaller in diameter than the central individual running roller. Two running rollers, which can be mounted on a fixed or displaceable component, are then preferably arranged inside the guide rail. It is thus possible, particularly in the case of the so-called full-extension systems, to achieve an exact guidance of a component connected to the furniture pull-out guide.

The invention achieves the object also through a furniture pull-out guide comprising a guide rail and at least one running roller, wherein the running roller is formed from at least two individual running rollers which are arranged next to one another on an axle and can be rotated independently of one another. Other variations also are contemplated to fall within the scope of the invention.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the guide rail is designed as a solid profile rail and has a guide web comprising three sections, wherein the end sections have outer surfaces which are arranged so as to diverge with respect to one another, as seen from the central section, and that the running rollers are arranged on both sides of the guide web. In this embodiment, use is made of running rollers whose lateral individual running rollers are smaller in diameter than the central individual running roller. The widths of the lateral rollers are also smaller, it being the case that the widths of the individual running rollers and the diameters are governed by the dimensions of the profile web. In this embodiment, the running rollers on both sides ensure an extremely exact guidance of the component connected to the furniture pull-out guide. The basic cross section of this profile rail is T-shaped.

To ensure that noise is not caused due to the friction and that the mutually facing surfaces are exposed to minimum wear, it is provided that the individual running rollers are formed from various materials. The individual running rollers could, for example, be made of plastics from different groups of materials.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the furniture pull-out guide is designed for moving in and out a dish rack of a dishwashing machine.

Still further embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the discussion that follows and the drawings appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in further detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the furniture pull-out guide according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view that shows the guide rail and the running roller mounted on an axle pin fitted to a dish rack;

FIG. 3 shows an end view corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an end view corresponding to FIG. 2, but with a cross-sectionally modified guide rail and with a running roller comprising three individual running rollers;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of a portion of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view that shows the guide rail and the individual running roller of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment with running rollers rolling along outer surfaces of the guide rail and with an individual running roller arranged inside the guide rail;

FIG. 8 shows a further guide rail with a double running roller;

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged detail of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged detail of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment to the one illustrated in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 12 shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in connection with one or more embodiments. Discussion of specific embodiments is not intended to be limiting of the invention. To the contrary, the embodiments are intended to illustrate the breadth and scope of the invention, as should be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The guide rails 10 represented in FIGS. 1 to 11 are formed with a substantially C-shaped cross section in various embodiments and, in a manner which is not explained or represented in further detail, are arranged for example on a furniture body, which may also be the wall of an electrical appliance. The electrical appliance may be, for example, a dishwasher.

In this guide rail 10, at least two running rollers 11a, 11b are arranged at a distance from one another and are guided without play or approximately without play. These running rollers 11 are, in each case, mounted such that they can rotate freely and independently of one another on an axle 12 which is attached to a furniture component 13.

As the figures show, the guide rail 10 is designed to be open on the side facing the furniture component 13. The guide rail 10 has a base web 10a and two longitudinal webs 10b, 10c which are perpendicular thereto and which are connected to the base web 10a by means of oblique webs 10d, 10e. The transition regions between the base web 10a and the longitudinal webs 10b, 10c can also comprise a plurality of webs or even have an arcuate shape, in particular a circular arc shape with a radius. The radius of the oblique webs relative to the base webs is considered to be infinite. Further oblique webs 10f, 10g can be provided toward the furniture part (see FIGS. 5 and 11).

The figures further show that, in the exemplary embodiments represented, each running roller 11 comprises two or three individual running rollers 11a, 11b, 11c whose mutually facing surfaces almost touch one another.

In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 to 3, each running roller 11 comprises two individual running rollers 11a, 11b.

In this case, the width in the axial direction of the individual running roller 11a facing the furniture component 13 is considerably larger than the width of the individual running roller 11b facing away from the furniture component 13. The ratio of these widths is preferably greater than 1.5 to 1.

In addition, FIGS. 1 to 3 show that the maximum diameter of the individual running roller 11a facing the furniture component 13 is larger than the maximum diameter of the individual running roller 11b facing away from the furniture component 13.

FIG. 3 especially shows that the individual running roller 11a facing the furniture component 13 is supported, with line contact, on the lower horizontal web of the guide rail 10, whereas the individual running roller 11b facing away from the furniture component 13 can be supported on the lower oblique web 10e by a rounded marginal region. The rounded marginal region has an edge radius which is smaller than the radius of the transition region of the guide rail (see also FIG. 9). The wider running roller 11a also preferably has rounded edge regions.

Consequently, the two individual running rollers 11a and 11b can roll along in a particularly exact manner, with the result that disruptive noises are avoided or at least largely avoided during a movement of the furniture component 13.

FIGS. 2 and 4 show that the furniture component 13 can be a dish rack for a dishwashing machine. In this exemplary embodiment, the guide rail 10 has a C-shaped design, with the transition region between the webs situated at an angle to one another extending rectilinearly.

According to FIGS. 4 and 5, the running roller 11 comprises three individual running rollers 11a, 11b, 11c. As illustrated, the central individual running roller 11a has the larger width and a larger diameter by comparison with the preceding embodiments. The individual running roller 11b facing away from the furniture component 13 and situated to the left in the representation is provided in the free end region with such a small edge radius that substantially (by contrast with the roller 11a) a point contact occurs with the transition regions connecting the webs situated at a right angle to one another. By contrast, and as is clearly visible, the roller 11a makes line contact with the guide rail 10.

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 4 in a perspective representation similar to the illustration of FIG. 1. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the furniture component 13 is a dish rack for a dishwashing machine. In a manner which is not illustrated, at least two double or multiple running rollers 11, arranged at a distance from one another, may be mounted on the furniture component 13.

FIG. 5 shows the guide rail 10 and the running roller 11 arranged therein. The running roller 11 includes three individual running rollers 11a, 11b, 11c, which are shown in an enlarged representation.

FIG. 6 shows the guide rail 10 and the running roller 11 in a perspective representation. Although not illustrated, two running rollers 11 may be arranged at a distance from one another and engage in the guide rail 10. It should also be mentioned that, as opposed to what is shown in the representations, a furniture pull-out guide may include at least one guide rail 10 and running rollers 11 mounted on both sides of the furniture component 13.

FIG. 8 shows a guide rail 10 with C-shaped cross section in which the transition regions between the webs situated at a right angle to one another extend in a rounded manner—here in a quarter circle—with a predetermined radius R1. At least the lateral individual running roller 11b facing away from the furniture component 13 is designed in the free marginal region as a rounded body with a radius R2<R1. FIGS. 8 and 10 clearly show that the edge radius R2 of this marginal region is significantly smaller than the radius R1 in the transition region of the two guide rail webs situated at a right angle to one another. As shown in FIG. 9, the same applies analogously to the example of FIG. 2.

As a result of this measure, a point contact between the respective lateral individual running roller 11b (and/or 11c) and the corresponding lower transition regions of the guide rail 10 takes place in the manner shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIGS. 7 and 12 show two embodiments in which two running rollers 11 run along the outer surface of the guide rail 10.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7, the guide rail 10 is a hollow profile rail of C-shaped cross section, wherein the marginal regions bounding the opening or the longitudinal slot are angled and directed toward one another. The running rollers 11 again comprise the individual running rollers 11a, 11b and 11c. In this embodiments not only are the widths of the lateral individual running rollers 11b, 11c smaller than the width of the central individual running roller 11a, but these lateral individual running rollers 11b, 11c are larger in diameter in order to achieve adaptation to the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail 10.

FIG. 7 shows that the lateral individual running rollers 11b, 11c are smaller in diameter in relation to the central individual running roller 11a and roll along the rectilinear transition regions and along the angled webs. FIG. 7 additionally shows that the running roller 11, arranged inside the guide rail 10, is rotatably mounted on an axle 12 which is attached, for example, to a guide rail facing away from the furniture component 13.

FIG. 7 may represent an arrangement in which the fixed furniture part would bear the reference number 19. The movable furniture part would be arranged on the axle 12. The rail 10 could also comprise individual rails which can be displaced telescopically inside one another.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, two running rollers 11, arranged in pairs, are arranged in such a way that they roll along the outer surface of the guide rail 10. The guide rail 10 has a T-shaped basic cross section and is formed as a solid part. It has a central guide web 15 which comprises three sections 16, 17, 18. The outer surfaces of the central section extend parallel to one another, whereas the two end sections 17, 18 are provided with outer surfaces which extend so as to diverge with respect to one another, as seen from the central section 16. In other words, in this embodiment, the cross section increases continuously toward the ends.

As FIG. 12 clearly shows, each running roller 11 comprises the individual running rollers 11a, 11b, 11c, wherein the two lateral individual running rollers 11b, 11c can roll along the divergent outer surfaces of the guide web 15 as a function of their positioning thereon. This contact can also be regarded as point contact, or as line contact when moving the furniture component 13 in and out.

FIG. 12 in particular shows that the two running rollers, which roll along the outer surface of the guide rail 10, make contact with the transition regions and with the angled webs. Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows that a further running roller 11, which here comprises three individual running rollers 11a, 11b, 11c, can also be arranged inside the guide rail 10.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments represented. In various ones of the embodiments, each running roller comprises at least two individual running rollers 11a and 11b, wherein the width of the central individual running roller 11a is considerably larger than the width of the lateral individual running rollers 11b and 11c. Additionally, for adaptation to the cross sections of the guide rails 10, the diameters of the lateral individual running rollers 11b, 11c are larger or smaller than the diameters of the central individual running rollers 11a.

FIG. 12 could also represent a reverse arrangement in which the movable part would be the part with the reference number 13 and the axle 12 would be arranged on the fixed furniture part (this arrangement not being shown here).

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A furniture pull-out guide, comprising:

a guide rail with a hollow profile defining a base web, first and second longitudinal webs disposed at predetermined angles to the base web, and transition regions connecting the base web with the first and second longitudinal webs;

a first axle moveable longitudinally with respect to the guide rail;

at least a first roller rotatably disposed on the first axle; and

at least a second roller disposed on the first axle adjacent to the first roller, wherein the first roller and the second roller are adapted to rotate independently of one another.

18. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the guide rail has a C-shaped cross-sectional profile.

19. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the first axle is disposed on a furniture part.

20. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the second roller makes substantially point contact with at least one of the transition regions.

21. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the first roller makes substantially line contact with at least one of the longitudinal webs.

22. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 20, wherein the second roller comprises a roller edge with a roller edge radius and the transition region defines a transition region radius, the roller edge radius being smaller than the transition region radius.

23. The furniture pull-out guide of claim of claim 17, wherein the first roller defines a first roller diameter, the second roller defines a second roller diameter, and the first roller diameter is not equal to the second roller diameter.

24. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 23, wherein the first roller diameter is greater than the second roller diameter.

25. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 23, wherein the second roller diameter is greater than the first roller diameter.

26. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the first roller defines a first roller thickness, the second roller defines a second roller thickness, and the first roller thickness is not equal to the second roller thickness.

27. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 26, wherein the first roller thickness is greater than the second roller thickness.

28. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 26, wherein the second roller thickness is greater than the first roller thickness.

29. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 23, further comprising:

at least a third roller disposed on the first axle adjacent to the first roller, wherein the first roller, the second roller, and the third roller are adapted to rotate independently of one another and wherein the third roller defines a third roller diameter and a third roller thickness.

30. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 29, wherein the first roller diameter is greater than both the second roller diameter and the third roller diameter.

31. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 30, wherein the first roller thickness is greater than both the second roller thickness and the third roller thickness.

32. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the transition regions are angled between the base web and the longitudinal webs and the second roller contacts at least one of the transition regions.

33. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the first and second rollers are disposed within the guide rail.

34. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 17, wherein the first and second rollers are disposed outside of the guide rail.

35. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 34, further comprising:

at least a fourth roller rotatably disposed on a second axle; and

at least a fifth roller disposed on the second axle adjacent to the fourth roller, wherein the fourth roller and the fifth roller are adapted to rotate independently of one another,

wherein the first and second axles are disposed on opposite sides outside of the guide rail.

36. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 35, wherein:

the first roller defines a first roller diameter and a first roller thickness,

the second roller defines a second roller diameter and a second roller thickness,

the fourth roller defines a fourth roller diameter and a fourth roller thickness,

the fifth roller defines a fifth roller diameter and a fifth roller thickness, and

the fourth roller diameter is less than both the second roller diameter and the fifth roller diameter.

37. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 36, further comprising:

at least a sixth roller disposed on the second axle adjacent to the fourth roller, wherein the fourth roller, the fifth roller, and the sixth roller are adapted to rotate independently of one another and wherein the sixth roller defines a sixth roller diameter and a sixth roller thickness.

38. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 37, wherein the second axle is disposed inside the guide rail.

39. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 37, wherein the second axle is disposed outside of the guide rail.

40. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 35, wherein the second axle is disposed on the furniture part.

41. The furniture pull-out guide of claim 35, wherein the guide rail comprises a central section and two end sections, the two end sections define outer surfaces that diverge with respect to one another, and the first and second axles are disposed on opposite sides of the central section.

42. The furniture pull-out part of claim 19, wherein the furniture part is a dish rack in a dishwasher.

43. The furniture pull-out part of claim 40, wherein the furniture part is a dish rack in a dishwasher.