AU2010270427B2

AU2010270427B2 - Catch fitting for a pull-out guide

Info

Publication number: AU2010270427B2
Application number: AU2010270427A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andreas Hoffmann
Original assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Paul Hettich GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-07-09
Filing date: 2010-06-23
Publication date: 2015-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2030-06-23
Also published as: KR101726992B1; EP2451313B1; EP2451313A1; JP2012531992A; KR20120052299A; TW201103469A; CN102481051A; JP5622246B2; CN102481051B; AU2010270427A1; WO2011003739A1; RU2012103714A; RU2508036C2; DE102009026142A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a catch fitting for a pull-out guide, in particular for drawers, comprising a switching curve (20) in which a switching element (10) is displaceably mounted, wherein the switching curve (20) comprises a loop-shaped segment (23) having a catch depression (26). The switching element (10) can be engaged with the catch depression (26) by the force of a spring (63). An initiator (30) is provided, by means of which the switching element (10) can be displaced out of the catch depression (26).

Description

- 1 CATCH FITTING FOR A PULL-OUT GUIDE The present invention relates to a catch fitting for a pull-out guide, in particular for drawers, comprising a switching curve in which a switching element is displaceably mounted, where the switching curve comprises a loop-shaped segment having a catch depression, and the switching element can be engaged with the catch depression by the force of a spring. EP 1 845 821 discloses a closing and opening device for drawer pull-out guides in which a catch mechanism is provided. When closing the drawer, a spring of the ejection device is tensioned and fixed by means of the catch mechanism. For unlocking the catch mechanism, the drawer is pressed in against the force of the spring so that a switching element is moved in a switching curve from the engaged position in order to then be moved by the spring in the opening direction. A disadvantage with this closing and opening device is that the unlocking is accomplished manually by pressing in the drawer. Specifically, in the case of wider drawers where closing and opening devices are arranged on both sides, it can occur that the closing and opening device is only unlocked on one side whilst the switching element remains engaged on the other side. As a result, opening is prevented and in addition, the components of the fitting are exposed to high forces which can lead to damage. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 2 In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a catch fitting for movable furniture parts which ensures a reliable unlocking of the switching element. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a catch fitting for a pull-out guide that facilitates opening and closing of a closure, comprising: a guide component mountable to the pull-out guide and comprising a switching curve having a catch depression; a switching member displaceable along the switching curve for engaging in the catch depression when the closure is closed, wherein the closure is openable by applying a pushing force to displace the closure in a closing direction thereby moving and releasing the switching member out of the catch depression; and an alternate mechanism for releasing the switching member out of the catch depression to open the closure, comprising an initiator for engaging the switching member in order to release the switching member from the catch depression. According to the invention, the catch fitting comprises an initiator, by means of which the switching element can be moved out from the catch depression. As a result, the unlocking of the switching element can be accomplished directly via an initiator and not via a plurality of components which as a result of tolerances allow an only imprecise positioning of the switching element. The initiator can displace the switching element into the loop shaped segment of the switching curve by the relative movement to the catch depression. In this case, the initiator and/or the catch depression can be configured to be movable as desired in order to effect an unlocking. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 3 In one embodiment the initiator can be triggered by a switch, where the switch can activate a drive which can actuate the initiator electromechanically, electromagnetically or in some other way. The switch can be disposed, for example, on the front panel of a drawer or on a handle element. It is also possible to detect a pressing in movement of the drawer by means of a sensor which then delivers a signal to a controller for actuating the initiator so that a simultaneous unlocking of the switching elements on opposite sides of the drawer is ensured. For this purpose a sensor can detect a movement of a slide rail or a component coupled to the slide rail so that the initiator can be actuated. Another actuation of the switch by means of a controller is also possible on the basis of optical, acoustic or other signals. The initiator in one embodiment is mounted displaceably or pivotably on the switching curve. In one embodiment the initiator is configured as a slider which is mounted displaceably along a receptacle on the component to the switching curve. The movement of the initiator can be accomplished by means of a drive which moves the initiator back into the initial position after the triggering process. The initiator can be designed to be pivotable, rotatable or displaceable. Various actuating drives are feasible for the drive such as, for example, the lifting magnet with restoring device described subsequently. In one embodiment the initiator in the initial position forms a stop for the switching element. This ensures that the switching element is also moved directly upon movement of the initiator. The initiator can in this case be 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS disposed adjacent to a stationary projection on the switching curve on which the catch depression is located. For an unlocking of the switching element the switching curve can be fixed on a holder and the initiator is movable relative to the switching curve. Alternatively it is also possible that the initiator is configured to be stationary and the switching curve is movable relative to the initiator or initiator and switching curve are both movable in opposite directions. In one embodiment the initiator abuts against a stop in the opening direction and the switching curve is movable relative to the initiator under a tensile loading in the opening direction. By this means an overload safety device can be provided if a drawer is loaded by a tensile force in the opening direction. The initiator then remains positioned in a fixed position by the stop and the unlocking is accomplished by a movement of the switching curve in the opening direction of the drawer, preferably against the force of a spring for pre-tensioning the switching curve in an initial position. The force for triggering the overload can be predefined by such a spring. During an unlocking of the switching element by a tensile force or overload it is also possible to combine the triggering by movement of the switching curve and the initiator, i.e. the switching curve is moved in the direction of opening and the initiator is moved in the opposite direction. For this purpose a corresponding sensor can be provided for detecting a tensile force or tensile movement and a controller coupled to the sensor can be provided for actuating the initiator. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 5 The invention is explained in detail hereinafter with reference to several exemplary embodiments by reference to the appended drawings. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a catch fitting mounted on a pull-out guide; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the catch fitting of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the catch fitting from Figure 2; Figures 4A and 4B show views of the switching curve with a view of the switching element of the catch fitting from Figure 2; Figures 5A to 5D show several perspective views of the component with the switching curve with a view of the initiator; Figures 6A to 6D show several views of the switching curve during the unlocking of the switching element; Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the initiator and the component with the switching curve in perspective view according to Fig. 3; Figures 8A to 8D show several views of the catch fitting during unlocking of the switching element; Figures 9A to 9D show several views of the catch fitting with a switch during unlocking of the switching element; 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 6 Figure 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram for the control of the triggering of the catch fitting and Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a modified catch fitting. A pull-out guide 1 comprises a fixed guide rail 2 which can be mounted on a furniture body. A slide rail 3 is mounted displaceably on the guide rail 2 either directly or via a central rail, on which a projecting activator 17 is fixed. The activator 17 can be coupled to an entrainer 7 which is displaceable along a curve guide 5 of a housing 4. The housing 4 can be fixed on the guide rail 2. A further housing 6 of a spring element is fixed on the housing 4. The housing 6 can be engaged with a support 65 which is formed integrally with the housing 4 (Figure 3). The entrainer 7 is coupled to a rod 60 which is received with a thickened spherical-head-like end section 61 in a dome-shaped receptacle. The rod 60 is connected to a disk 62 on the opposite side to the end section 61 on which one end of a spring 63 abuts. The opposite end of the spring 63 is supported on a cover 64 of the housing 6. The entrainer 7 further has a side arm 8 on which a coupling element 9 (see Fig. 4) is fixed. The coupling element 9 is connected to a switching element 10 which is configured as metal wire having a bent end section 11. The bent end section 11 of the switching element 10 engages in a switching curve 20 which is formed integrally with a component 18. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 7 The component 18 is displaceably mounted on a groove-shaped receptacle 19 on the housing 4. In this case, the component 18 is pre-tensioned in an initial position by means of a spring 45, which is fixed at one spring end 46 on a holder 48 on the housing 4. An opposite spring end 47 of the spring 45 is fixed on the component 18. A base 12 is formed on the receptacle 19 of the housing 4 which is spaced apart from the component 18. As a result it is possible that the switching element 10 formed as wire can be moved between the base 12 and the component 18 via the switching curve 20, where the bent end section 11 engages in the switching curve 20. Furthermore, the base 12 prevents the escape of the bent end section 11 from the switching curve 20. The switching element 10 can be unlocked from an engaged position by means of an initiator 30, where the initiator for this purpose is coupled via a linkage 51 to a lifting magnet 50. The lifting magnet 50 has an internal restoring device. The function of the switching curve 20 and the switching element 10 is explained in detail with reference to Figure 4. In an initial position a drawer coupled to the slide rail 3 is located in a closed position and the switching element 10 is held in the switching curve 20 such that it is engaged. For this purpose the bent end section 11 lies in a catch depression 26 of the switching curve 20 and is pressed into the catch depression 26 by the force of the spring 63 via the rod 60, the entrainer 7 and the further coupling elements. The switching curve 20 in the housing 18 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 8 is formed to be groove-shaped and comprises a loop-shaped section 23. When the drawer is to be opened from this closed position (Figure 4A), this can be accomplished by an unlocking of the switching element 10 by pressing the drawer in the closure direction towards the furniture body so that the bent end section 11 is moved towards a run-in slope 28 on the switching curve 20 which has the result that the switching element 10 is pivoted and engages in a receptacle 27, which is disposed offset to the catch depression 26 (Figure 4B). When the drawer 1 is released, the switching element 10 can now be moved back in the loop-shaped section 23 of the switching curve 20 as a result of the force of the compressed spring 63 until the switching element 10 is moved into an outlet 32. During a closing movement of the drawer, the switching element 10 is moved along the switching curve 20 into the loop-shaped section 23 to a branch 24 which is located adjacent to a groove-shaped receptacle 25. In the area of the branch 24, the switching element 12 is therefore initially moved into the projection 25 until a front panel of the drawer hits against the furniture body. The drawer 1 is then moved back towards the catch depression 26 as a result of the force of the compression spring 63 so that the position shown in Figure 4A is reached. In Figures 5 and 6 the component 18 with the switching curve 20 is shown in different positions of the switching element 10 in order to achieve an unlocking of the switching element 10 and a corresponding opening of a push 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 9 element mounted on the pull-out guide in another manner. An initiator 30 is displaceably mounted on the component 18 by means of which the switching element 10 can be moved out from the catch depression 26. In Figures 5A and 6A the end section 11 of the switching element 10 is located in the catch depression 26 and the initiator 30 is located in an initial position. For unlocking the switching element 10, the initiator 30 is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the component 18 so that according to Figure 6B the end section 11 of the switching element 10 is moved out from the catch depression 26 and pressed against the run-in slope 28. During a further displacement of the initiator 30 according to Figure 5C, the end section 11 is finally pressed out from the catch depression 26 and moved around a tip 29 at the edge of the catch depression 26 into the loop-shaped section 23. The initiator 30 is thereby disposed offset to the run-in slope 28 and advantageously has a stop 31 which is bevelled in the direction of the tip 29. Due to the force of the spring 63 the switching element 10 now moves in the direction of the opening along the loop shaped section 23 of the switching curve 20 (Figure 6D). In Figure 7 the initiator 30 is shown in detail. The initiator 30 is configured to be substantially plate-shaped and is displaceably mounted on a receptacle 40 of the component 18 with the switching curve 20. A step 35 is provided on the initiator 30, on which a web is formed which at the end forms a stop 31 for the end section 11 of 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 10 the switching element 10. Furthermore, a projection 32 is provided on the initiator 30 which is guided in the substantially rectangular receptacle 40 on the component 18. A side arm 34 projects laterally on the initiator 30 which passes through an open edge section 41 on the recess 40. An opening 42 is formed on the receptacle 40 through which the step 35 and the web with the stop 31 is introduced. The initiator 30 is displaceable by means of electromechanical or electromagnetic means which are coupled to the side arm 34. For this purpose a lifting magnet 50 is provided which is energised via a controller as required. The controller can be coupled to sensors for detecting electrical, optical or acoustic pulses, in order to bring about an unlocking. Figures 8A to 8D show the catch fitting during the unlocking of the switching element 10. In Figure 8A the initiator 30 is located in an initial position and the switching element 10 is locked on the catch depression 26. For unlocking the lifting magnet 50 is energised and by means of a linkage 51 that is coupled to the side arm 34 pushes the initiator 30 against the opening direction. As a result, the end section 11 of the switching element 10 is moved out from the catch depression 26 into the loop-shaped section 23 as shown in Figures 6A to 6D. After switching off the energising of the lifting magnet 50, the initiator 30 is then moved, e.g. under the action of a spring by an internal restoring device in the form of a spring back into the initial position. The unlocked switching element 10 is now moved as a result of the force of the spring 63 in the opening direction. In an end 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 11 position the entrainer 7 is parked on an end section of the curve track and the slide rail 3 of the pull-out guide can move independently of the entrainer 7 in the opening direction. In this release variant no panel gap is required for release since the lifting magnet, for example can be triggered by means of an external switch. When a tensile force is applied to a front panel of a drawer, this can be displaced against the force of the spring 45 by means of the displaceable mounting of the component 18. In such an overload situation the initiator 30 can remain stationary and form a stop for the switching element 10 in the opening direction so that an unlocking according to the sequences of Figures 6B and 6C is brought about as a result of the relative motion between component 18 and switching element 10. Figure 9A to 9D show the catch fitting during unlocking with a switch 70 which comprises a sensor 71 by means of which a movement of the component 18 can be detected. The unlocking of the switching element 10 by displacement of the component 18 (overload) can also optionally be brought about by displacement of the initiator 30 contrary to the opening direction. For this purpose the switch 70 can, by means of a sensor 71, detect a pulling movement or pulling force on the component 18 which then causes a controller to actuate the lifting magnet 50. As a result the initiator 30 is displaced by the lifting magnet 50 (Figure 9B and 9C) and unlocks the switching element 10, as has already been explained with reference to Figures 6B and 6C. After unlocking the component 18 is moved by the force 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 12 of the spring 45 and the initiator 30 is moved by the internal restoring device back into the initial position (Figure 9D). Figure 10 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the controller. The switch 70 comprises a sensor and/or a sensing device and is coupled via a controller to the lifting magnet 50 by which means the initiator 30 can be moved. The lifting magnet 50 is connected to a power supply 75 and can be energised to actuate the initiator 30. Figure 11 shows a modified embodiment of the catch fitting in which the same components are designated with the same reference numbers as in the preceding exemplary embodiment. On the housing 4 a component 18' with the switching curve is not displaceably mounted but on the component 18' a head section 19' is provided at the end which is fixed on a holder 48' of the housing 4. As a result, the component 18 is fixed on the housing 4 so that an unlocking of the switching element 10 can only take place by the steps in Figures 4 and 6. In the exemplary embodiments shown the switch 70 can be coupled to mechanical, optical or acoustic sensors which bring about an unlocking of the switching element 10 depending on the application. Alternatively, for example, the lighting in the drawer can be switched on by means of the switch 70. Other functions can also be activated by the switch 70. Instead of the lifting magnet 50, another drive can be provided for movement of the initiator 30, e.g. a pivoting 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 13 magnet. The initiator 30 can be mounted pivotably instead of linearly. The drive for movement of the initiator 30 is not restricted to a lifting magnet and other adjusting drives are also feasible. An unlocking for several switching elements 10 simultaneously can be effected by a switch 70, for example, for switching elements 10 on pull-out guides on opposite sides of a drawer. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 14 Reference list 1 Pull-out guide 2 Guide rail 3 Slide rail 4 Housing 5 Curve guide 6 Housing 7 Entrainer 8 Side arm 9 Coupling element 10 Switching element 11 End section 12 Base 17 Activator 18 Component 18' Component 19 Head section 19' Head section 20 Switching curve 23 Loop-shaped section 24 Branch 25 Receptacle 26 Catch depression 27 Receptacle 28 Run-in slope 29 Tip 30 Initiator 31 Stop 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 15 32 Outlet 35 Step 40 Receptacle 41 Edge section 42 Opening 45 Spring 46 Spring end 47 Spring end 48 Holder 48' Holder 50 Lifting magnet 51 Linkage 60 Rod 61 End section 62 Disk 63 Spring 64 Cover 65 Support 70 Switch 71 Sensor 75 Power supply 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS

Claims

1. A catch fitting for a pull-out guide that facilitates opening and closing of a closure, comprising: a guide component mountable to the pull-out guide and comprising a switching curve having a catch depression; a switching member displaceable along the switching curve for engaging in the catch depression when the closure is closed, wherein the closure is openable by applying a pushing force to displace the closure in a closing direction thereby moving and releasing the switching member out of the catch depression; and an alternate mechanism for releasing the switching member out of the catch depression to open the closure, comprising an initiator for engaging the switching member in order to release the switching member from the catch depression.

2. The catch fitting of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the switching member and at least a portion of the initiator are provided on opposite sides of the switching curve.

3. The catch fitting of claim 1 or 2, comprising a biasing member to engage the guide component in the catch depression when the closure is closed.

4. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiator is triggered by a switch. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 17

5. The catch fitting according to claim 4, wherein the switch actuates the initiator electromechanically or electromagnetically.

6. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiator is mounted displaceably or pivotably on the guide component.

7. The catch fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the initiator is configured as a slider which is mounted inside the guide component.

8. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiator when in an initial position forms a stop for the switching member.

9. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiator is moved by means of a lifting magnet.

10. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the initiator is triggered by a sensor which detects movement of a slide rail or of a component coupled to the slide rail.

11. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide component is fixed and the initiator is movable relative to the guide component to release the switching member from the catch depression. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS - 18

12. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switching curve is movable relative to the initiator under a tensile load in one direction of movement, and the initiator forms a stop in the direction of movement of the switching curve.

13. The catch fitting according to claim 12, wherein the switching curve is pre-tensioned by means of a spring in an initial position.

14. The catch fitting according to claim 12 or 13 in which the one direction of movement is an opening direction of movement of the closure.

15. The catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the catch fitting is used in a pull-out guide of a drawer.

16. A pull-out guide system for a drawer, comprising two pull-out guides mounted within a cabinet for the drawer on opposite sides of the drawer, each pull-out guide comprising the catch fitting according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. A drawer fitted with a pull-out guide comprising a catch fitting according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. The catch fitting substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. 7113972_1 (GHMatters) P89113.AU WENDYS