POSITIONING DEVICE FOR POSITIONING A PUSHING-OUT DEVICE FOR PUSHING OUT A MOVABLY MOUNTED FURNITURE PART

Abstract

Positioning device for positioning a pushing-out device for pushing a movably mounted furniture part out of a closed end position relative to a basic furniture structure, having a guide element, which is to be fastened on a substantially horizontally running base of the basic furniture structure, wherein a carrier element of the pushing-out device can be positioned by the guide element, and wherein the guide element has at least one guide which, in the installed position, runs, at least in part, along the depthwise direction of the base and is intended for bearing the carrier element in a displaceable manner.

Description

The invention concerns a positioning device for positioning an ejection device for ejecting a movably mounted furniture part from a closed end position relative to a furniture carcass, comprising a guide element which is to be fixed to a substantially horizontally extending cabinet floor of the furniture carcass, and wherein a carrier element of the ejection device can be positioned by the guide element.

The invention further concerns an arrangement comprising a positioning device of the kind to be described and an article of furniture comprising such an arrangement.

Devices for positioning ejection devices for ejecting movably mounted furniture parts from a furniture carcass are already known. When fitting ejection devices, in particular in respect of articles of furniture in cabinet form, those devices are used with one or more drawers, wherein the drawers are respectively movable from their closed end positions relative to the furniture carcass of the article of furniture into an open position, by ejection devices associated with the respective drawers. That can be effected for example by an ejection element of the ejection device, for example an ejection lever, bearing against the rear wall of the drawer in the closed end position thereof and pressing against that rear wall upon activation so that the drawer is ejected from the furniture carcass in the opening direction. Precise positioning of the ejection device relative to the drawer is therefore of great significance as the quality of ejection is influenced by the position of the ejection device relative to the drawer. If the ejection lever of the ejection device is spaced excessively far from the rear wall of the drawer then the ejection lever cannot deploy its full ejection action. If the ejection lever does not bear centrally against the rear wall of the drawer then the drawer can tilt upon being ejected. If the ejection lever is positioned too near to the rear wall then, in the case of an ejection device having a so-called touch-latch functionality, a malfunction can occur as in that way the triggering travel of the ejection lever, that is required for recognizing ejection triggering, is possibly no longer available. It is only by exact positioning of an ejection device relative to the drawer that it is possible to ensure that the aforementioned disadvantages can be avoided and the ejection device can eject the drawer in the proper fashion.

AT 505 970 A1 discloses a carrier structure for at least one ejection device, that carrier structure including a carrier rail and two fixing devices. In an embodiment in that respect a first fixing device is fixed to the floor of the carcass and a second fixing device is fixed to the rear wall of the carcass, wherein adjustment of the depth position of the ejection device in relation to the movable furniture part can be effected by a mounting portion of the second fixing device. In that case a certain degree of adjustment can admittedly occur in the depthwise direction of the furniture carcass but that is effected only in a relatively small range as the first fixing device is fixed fixedly and immovably to the carcass floor. Overall the assembly complication and expenditure for the carrier structure of the ejection devices is relatively high as firstly the first fixing device has to be fixed to the furniture carcass floor and then the second fixing device has to be fixed to the carcass rear wall. The carrier rail can then be fitted between those two fixing devices, in which case adjustment can be effected in the depthwise direction by the second fixing device. In that case, for mounting the carrier rail in accurately fitting relationship between the two fixing devices, an increased level of complication and expenditure is required in regard to measuring and fixing the two fixing devices to the furniture carcass.

Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device which is improved over the state of the art for positioning an ejection device for ejecting a movably mounted furniture part from a closed end position relative to a furniture carcass. In particular the invention seeks to provide that positioning is effected with the minimum possible amount of measurement and assembly complication.

According to the invention that object is attained by the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations of the invention are recited in the appendant claims.

According to the invention therefore it is provided that the guide element has at least one guide which in the mounted condition extends at least portion-wise in the depthwise direction of the cabinet floor for displaceably mounting the carrier element. Preferably in that case the guide can be disposed in the mounted condition on the cabinet floor.

The ejection device can be arranged for example on a carrier element, for example on an angle mounting bracket. To be able to eject a drawer from a furniture carcass in the appropriate fashion the ejection device must be arranged in a suitable position relative to the drawer in its closed end position. That is achieved with the proposed positioning device in that firstly the guide element is mounted to the cabinet floor of the furniture carcass. The guide element has a—preferably linear—guide which in the mounted condition extends at least portion-wise in the depthwise direction of the cabinet floor (that is to say in the direction of movement of the drawer), in which case the carrier element is mounted displaceably along that guide. Preferably in that case the carrier element can rest continuously on the cabinet floor during the displaceable mounting. In that way it is possible for the ejection device arranged on the carrier element to be positioned for drawers involving different nominal lengths. For example the guide of the carrier element can extend over at least half of the depthwise extent of the cabinet floor. It will be appreciated that it is also possible to arrange a plurality of ejection devices on the carrier element so that in that way even drawers with a large loading capacity can be reliably ejected.

The carrier element can be fixed after positioning has been effected relative to the guide element to the guide element and/or to the cabinet floor by a fixing device. In that case the fixing device can be for example a screw connection, by which the carrier element can be screwed onto the cabinet floor and/or can be screwed to the guide element. It can however also be provided that, after fixing of the carrier element to the cabinet floor, the guide element can be removed again. That provides that the guide element could be used afresh for positioning a further ejection device.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the guide element has a longitudinal portion and at least one transverse portion projecting substantially at a right angle from the longitudinal portion, the longitudinal portion having the guide for guiding the carrier element. In that respect it can be provided that the carrier element has at least one groove for displaceable mounting relative to the guide element. Such a groove can be for example of such a configuration that in operative relationship with the guide of the guide element, it forms a linear sliding guide, for example a dovetail guide.

The guide element can have an abutment by which the guide element can be positioned relative to an edge of the cabinet floor. In that case the abutment can be used to orient the guide element flush with the rear edge of the cabinet floor. In the case of a furniture carcass with a rear wall in contrast the abutment facilitates fitting the guide element into that edge of the cabinet floor, from which the rear wall mounted to the cabinet floor extends projecting substantially at a right angle in the vertical direction from the cabinet floor. When positioning the ejection device firstly the guide element is inserted with the abutment which can extend along the transverse portion of the guide element, into the angle defined by the cabinet floor and the rear wall of the furniture carcass. If the furniture carcass does not have a rear wall then the guide element is fixed flush with respect to the rear edge of the cabinet floor. Preferably in that case the abutment of the guide element can be formed by a portion which projects substantially at a right angle from the transverse portion of the guide element and which in the mounted position extends perpendicularly downwardly and by which the guide element can be abutted flush against the edge of the cabinet floor.

It can also be provided that the guide element has at least one opening through which a marking on the cabinet floor is visible. That permits pre-positioning of the guide element, in particular in the transverse direction of the cabinet floor. That opening can be for example in the form of an orifice through which the marking is visible. As a result the proposed positioning device contributes to very substantially eliminating possible sources of error when fitting ejection devices.

In that respect a typical operation for positioning an ejection device takes place in a plurality of steps. Firstly in a first step the width of the cabinet floor is ascertained and a marking is made on the cabinet floor at approximately half the width in the region of the angle between the cabinet floor and the rear wall of the furniture carcass or, if there is no rear wall, in the region of the rear edge of the cabinet floor. The guide element is then fitted with its abutment against the angle between the cabinet floor and the carcass rear wall or, if there is no rear wall, flush to the rear edge of the cabinet floor. In that case a portion which in the mounted position projects downwardly substantially at a right angle from the transverse portion of the guide element can facilitate positioning of the guide element at the rear edge of the cabinet floor. The guide element now bears flush against the rear wall of the furniture carcass or at the rear edge of the cabinet floor, in which case the guide of the guide element extends at least portion-wise in the depthwise direction of the cabinet floor. The guide element can now be moved along the edge into that position in which the marking on the cabinet floor is visible through the opening in the guide element. The guide element is to be fixed at that position, for example by a double-sided adhesive strip which is disposed at the underside of the guide element.

In a next step the carrier element to which the ejection device is fitted is fitted onto the front end of the guide of the guide element by means of a groove or opening provided for that purpose. Subsequently the drawer is pushed in, in the direction of its closed end position. In that case the ejection device mounted to the carrier element is pushed in by the rear wall of the drawer along the guide.

It is particularly advantageous in that respect if there is provided a spacer by which a predetermined relative spacing between the movable furniture part and the ejection device can be fixed. The spacer provides that, after positioning of the ejection device and removal of the spacer, this ensures a suitable triggering stroke movement for the ejection element of the ejection device.

By virtue of the proposed positioning device an ejection device can always be fitted and mounted at a respectively appropriate position relative to the rear wall of the drawer associated with an ejection device, in particular in regard to different nominal lengths of the drawers, so that the required triggering travel for activation of the touch-latch function is ensured.

It can preferably be provided that the spacer is mounted to the ejection device in such a way that the ejection element, for example an ejection lever, can be arrested by the positioning of the spacer on the ejection device and thus the spacer also offers protection from unintentional triggering of the ejection device during the positioning and fitting operation. The spacer in that case can be arranged for example in a suitable opening in the ejection device.

After the drawer has been pushed into its closed end position relative to the furniture carcass and the carrier element has been displaced along the guide of the guide element in the depthwise direction the drawer is pulled out of the furniture carcass again in a further step. The ejection device or the carrier element to which the ejection device is fitted was correctly positioned by being mounted on the guide of the guide element and by the drawer being pushed into its closed end position and as a further consequence can be fixed to the cabinet floor by means of a fixing device. That can be effected for example by a screw connection.

Overall the proposed positioning device makes it possible for ejection devices for movable furniture parts, in particular drawers, of a wide range of different nominal lengths and independently of the guide system used, to be very easily positioned so that they can implement the ejection process in the desired fashion. In that respect positioning is also possible independently of the material of the movable furniture part, in particular independently of the material of the rear wall of a drawer like for example wood or steel. In addition a positioning device according to the invention makes it possible to position ejection devices in connection with a large variety of furniture carcasses independently of the structures thereof and in particular independently of whether there is a rear wall in a furniture carcass or not.

It is also possible to provide a cover means for the ejection device, which can be releasably fixed to the carrier element. That cover means is disposed over the ejection device in the mounted position and protects the ejection device from water drips. That is desirable in particular when the ejection device is disposed for example in a furniture carcass beneath a washbasin.

Protection is also claimed for an arrangement comprising a positioning device according to the invention and an ejection device. The ejection device can have at least one electric drive, by which an ejection element of the ejection device can be acted upon for the ejection of a movably mounted furniture part from a closed end position relative to a furniture carcass. It will be appreciated however that it is also possible to provide a different kind of drive, for example a spring drive, for acting on the ejection element of the ejection device.

Protection is also claimed for an article of furniture comprising an arrangement of the above-described kind.

Protection is also claimed for a method as set forth in claim 11.

Further details and advantages of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 1A show a perspective view of a furniture carcass,

FIGS. 2 and 2A show a guide element placed on the cabinet floor,

FIGS. 3 and 3A show a carrier element fitted onto the guide of the guide element, with an ejection device,

FIGS. 4 and 4A show a drawer which is pushed into the furniture carcass and which is intended for positioning the ejection device,

FIGS. 5 and 5A show the drawer of FIGS. 4 and 4A in its closed end position,

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement as shown in FIG. 5 with the drawer removed,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the positioning device with guide element, fitted carrier element with ejection device mounted thereon,

FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the positioning device, and

FIG. 9 shows an ejection device with electric drive.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a furniture carcass 4 which has a cabinet floor 6, two side walls laterally mounted thereto and a rear wall. For example a displaceably mounted furniture part 3 in the form of a drawer 3 (not shown here) can be pushed into that furniture carcass 4 and out again in the depthwise direction T along drawer extension guides 19 arranged on the furniture carcass 4. Provided for ejection of the movably mounted furniture part 3 is an ejection device 2 (not shown) which is to be positioned that, after activation, the ejection device 2 moves the movably mounted furniture part 3 from a closed end position relative to the furniture carcass 4 into an open position. For that purpose firstly approximately the center of the cabinet floor 6 is ascertained in the transverse direction and a marking M is put on the cabinet floor 6 in the region of the rear end thereof. That can be clearly seen from FIG. 1A showing an enlarged portion of the region A in FIG. 1. Here the marking M extends forwardly in the depthwise direction T from the angle 13 formed by the cabinet floor 6 and the rear wall of the furniture carcass 4, that is arranged substantially at a right angle thereto.

FIG. 2 shows the furniture carcass 4 of FIG. 1 with a guide element 5 arranged on the cabinet floor 6 while FIG. 2A shows a detail portion on an enlarged scale. The guide element 5 is preferably of a T-shaped configuration and has a longitudinal portion 9 and at least one transverse portion 10 projecting substantially at a right angle from that longitudinal portion 9. In this case the longitudinal portion 9 represents a guide 8 for a carrier element 7, which can be mounted displaceably thereon in the depthwise direction T, of an ejection device 2 (see FIG. 3). The transverse portion 10 of the guide element 5 has an abutment 12 by which the guide element 5 can be applied flush to the angle 13 between the cabinet floor 6 and the rear wall of the furniture carcass 4. If the furniture carcass 4 does not have a rear wall then that abutment 12 of the guide element 5 can have a perpendicular portion which projects substantially at a right angle from the transverse portion 10 and by which the guide element 5 can be butted flush against the rear edge of the cabinet floor 6. In addition the transverse portion 10 has an opening 14 by which the guide element 5 can be positioned in relation to the marking M. As can be seen in the enlarged view of the region A in FIG. 2 (FIG. 2A) the guide element 5 is positioned flush at the edge 13 of the cabinet floor 6 so that the marking M on the cabinet floor 6 is visible through the opening 14 in the guide element 5.

FIG. 3 shows the furniture carcass 4 with the pre-positioned guide element 5 as shown in FIG. 2, wherein a carrier element 7 is arranged displaceably on the end, that is at the front in the depthwise direction T, of the guide 8 (see FIG. 2) of the guide element 5. In this example the carrier element 7 is of an angular configuration, wherein the horizontal portion of the angle has a corresponding opening or groove 11 by which the carrier element 7 is mounted displaceably along the guide 8 of the guide element 5. As the guide 8 of the guide element 5 extends in the depthwise direction T of the furniture carcass 4 the ejection device 2 can be displaced in the depthwise direction T by the carrier element 7 on which the ejection device 2 is mounted. The ejection device 2 has an ejection element 18 in the form of an ejection lever by which the movably mounted furniture part 3 (not shown here) can be ejected. In addition there is shown a cover means 16 which can be fixed to the top side of the carrier element 7, for example by means of a snap-action connection. That cover means 16 prevents the ingress of dirt and dripping water.

FIG. 3A shows a detail view on an enlarged scale of FIG. 3. Arranged at the ejection device 2 is a spacer 15 by which it is possible to establish a predetermined relative spacing between the movably mounted furniture part 3 and the ejection device 2. That is important in particular when the ejection device 2 is equipped with a so-called touch-latch functionality. The spacer 15 can ensure that, after positioning of the ejection device 2 and after removal of the spacer 15, this provides a defined triggering travel.

FIG. 4 shows a drawer 3 which is movable by way of drawer extension guides 19 in the depthwise direction T into the furniture carcass 4 and FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view of the region A in FIG. 4. To position the ejection device 2 the drawer 3 is pushed into the furniture carcass 4 in the depthwise direction T until the drawer 3 is in its closed end position (FIG. 5). During insertion of the drawer 3 into the furniture carcass 4 the rear wall of the drawer 3 meets the spacer 15. After the closed end position of the drawer 3 is reached the ejection device 2 is in a correct position with respect to the rear wall of the drawer 3 so that, after fixing to the furniture carcass 4 and after removal of the spacer 15, the ejection device 2 is positioned at the correct appropriate position. Fixing of the ejection device 2 relative to the furniture carcass 4 can be effected in that case by a fixing device, for example a screw connection.

FIGS. 5 and 5A show the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 4A, wherein the drawer 3 has been pushed into the furniture carcass 4 to the closed end position. In order to provide a defined pressing-in travel even in the closed end position of the drawer 3, in regard to a touch-latch functionality of the ejection device 2, suitable spring buffers which are known in the state of the art can be provided. They can be arranged for example at the inside of the front panel of the drawer 3 or at the side walls of the furniture carcass 4. The ejection device 2 is now properly positioned and can be fixed in the correct position relative to the rear wall of the drawer 3 by fixing of the carrier element 7 to the cabinet floor 6 of the furniture carcass 4. After removal of the spacer 15 from the ejection device 2 this also ensures that the triggering travel required for the touch-latch functionality of the ejection device 2 is available for the ejection element 18. Starting from the closed end position of the drawer 3 it can now be moved for example by manually applying pressure to the front panel in the closing direction of the drawer 3 into a second end position—which is further into the furniture carcass 4—, whereupon the drawer 3 is movable into an open position starting from the second end position by the ejection device 2.

FIG. 6 shows an arrangement as shown in FIG. 5, wherein the drawer 3 has been removed after reaching its closed end position (FIG. 5) for reasons of clarity of the drawing. The ejection device 2 was positioned in the correct position in relation to the rear wall of the drawer 3 by pushing the drawer 3 in the depthwise direction T into its closed end position. The carrier element 7 can now be fixed to the cabinet floor 6 in that position. After removal of the spacer 15 from the ejection device 2, this ensures that the triggering travel required for the touch-latch function of the ejection device 2 is available for the ejection element 18 when the drawer 3 is in its closed end position.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the carrier element 7 which is positioned on the guide element 5. The carrier element 7 is of an angular configuration with a portion which is horizontal in the mounted position and a vertical portion which projects substantially at a right angle therefrom and on which at least one ejection device 2 is mounted. The horizontal portion of the carrier element 7 has a groove 11 by which the carrier element 7 is mounted displaceably along the guide 8 of the guide element 5. In this example the ejection device 2 includes an electric drive 17 by which the ejection element 18 can be actuated. Provided at the ejection device 2 is a spacer 15 which, during positioning of the ejection device 2, provides for a defined relative spacing between the ejection device 2 and the rear wall of the movable furniture part 3 (not shown here) so that, after removal of the spacer 15, this gives a suitable triggering travel for the ejection element 18. In addition the releasable spacer 15 also serves as a triggering protection during the operation of positioning the ejection device 2 so that unintentional ejection movement of the ejection element 18 cannot occur.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective exploded view of the positioning device 1 of FIG. 7. An ejection device 2 is mounted to the angular carrier element 7. The horizontal portion of the carrier element 7 has a groove 11, by which the carrier element 7 is mounted displaceably along the guide 8 of the guide element 5. In this embodiment the transverse portion 10 of the guide element 5 has an opening 14 in the form of an orifice or a hole through which a marking M on a cabinet floor 6 can be visible (see also FIG. 2A). In addition there is shown a cover means 16 which can be fixed to the top side of the carrier element 7, for example by means of a snap-action connection. That cover means 16 prevents the ingress of dirt and dripping water.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the ejection element 18 of the ejection device 2 is actuable by an electric drive 17 (not visible here). The Figure shows a suitable power supply unit for supplying power, which provides electric energy from a plug socket for the electric drive 17 of the ejection device 2. In that case cables can be guided in suitable openings in the carrier element 7. In this arrangement the spacer 15 also serves as a triggering protection during the operation of positioning the ejection device 2 so that unintentional ejection movement of the ejection element 18 cannot occur.

The invention is not limited just to the illustrated embodiments but embraces or extends to all variants and technical equivalents which can fall within the scope of the appended claims. The positional references adopted in the description such as for example front, rear, lower and so forth are also related to the directly described and illustrated Figure and are to be appropriately transferred to the new position upon a change in position.

Claims

1. An ejection device for ejecting a movably mounted furniture part from a closed end position relative to a furniture carcass, comprising a positioning device for positioning the ejection device, wherein the ejection device can be positioned on a carrier element and comprises a housing, an ejection element pivotably movable relative to the housing and a drive for acting upon the ejection element, wherein the positioning device comprises a guide element which is to be fixed to a substantially horizontally extending cabinet floor of the furniture carcass, wherein the carrier element of the ejection device can be positioned by the guide element, characterized in that the guide element has at least one guide which in the mounted condition extends at least portion-wise in the depthwise direction of the cabinet floor for displaceably mounting the carrier element.

2. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element is to be fixed after positioning has been effected relative to the guide element to the guide element and/or to the cabinet floor by a fixing device.

3. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the guide element has a longitudinal portion and at least one transverse portion projecting substantially at a right angle from the longitudinal portion, the longitudinal portion having the guide.

4. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element for displaceable mounting relative to the guide element has at least one groove.

5. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the guide element has an abutment by which the guide element can be positioned relative to an edge of the cabinet floor.

6. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the guide element has at least one opening through which a marking on the cabinet floor is visible.

7. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a spacer by which a predetermined relative spacing between the movable furniture part and the ejection device can be fixed.

8. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a cover means for the ejection device, which can be releasably fixed to the carrier element.

9. An ejection device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the ejection device has at least one electric drive by way of which an ejection element of the ejection device can be acted upon for the ejection of a movably mounted furniture part out of a closed end position relative to a furniture carcass.

10. An article of furniture comprising an ejection device as set forth in claim 1.

11. A method of positioning an ejection device for ejecting a movably mounted furniture part out of a closed end position relative to a furniture carcass with a positioning device, in particular as set forth in claim 1, which includes the following steps:

a) positioning and fixing a guide element to the cabinet floor of the furniture carcass,

b) mounting a carrier element on an end which is at the front in the depthwise direction of the cabinet floor of at least one guide extending portion-wise in the depthwise direction of the guide element, wherein the ejection device is arranged on the carrier element and a spacer is mounted to the ejection device,

c) pushing the movably mounted furniture part in the depthwise direction into the furniture carcass as far as the closed end position of the movably mounted furniture part,

d) fixing the carrier element to the furniture carcass, preferably to the cabinet floor of the furniture carcass, and

e) removing the spacer from the ejection device.