U.S. patent application number 10/465727 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for drawer slide.
Invention is credited to Gehrer, Harald, Mueller, Wolfgang, Schneider, Klaus.
Application Number | 20040017138 10/465727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29716595 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040017138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mueller, Wolfgang ; et
al. |
January 29, 2004 |
Drawer slide
Abstract
The invention concerns a drawer slide that has a swiveling
double-armed lever around a pivot bearing and whose lever arms
extend out from the pivot bearing and whose first lever arm,
depending on the closed position, forms a positive/form-fitting
connection between a linearly moving part and a cabinet-fixed part
of the drawer slide, and whose second lever arm is connected to the
draw-pull tension spring's first end and the second end of the
draw-pull tension spring, distanced from it by under spring
extension to a linearly moved or cabinet-fixed part of the drawer
slide, is fastened. When the drawer is pushed in, the form-closure
of the lever's first arm is turned out of a rest position over a
dead center position in an automatic position, such that a further
turn of the lever automatically shortens the pre-stressed spring on
the second lever arm, so thus, pulling the drawer slide with the
drawer into the cabinet opening. The advantage of the drawer slide
with the invention-related self-closing mechanism is that after the
`over-snapping` of the lever's dead center position, which affects
the spring action of the draw-pull tension spring on the turning
lever in such a way that the torque increases on the lever with
increasing pulling distance of the drawer. Thereby, the result is
that the pulling force, which is directly proportional to the
torque on the lever that affects the drawer, is small at the
beginning of the self-closing cycle, but becomes greater with the
increasing pulled distance so the retaining strength is the
greatest when the drawer is closed completely.
Inventors: |
Mueller, Wolfgang;
(Lustenau, AT) ; Gehrer, Harald; (Hochst, AT)
; Schneider, Klaus; (Hochst, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John M. Harrington
Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
1001 West Fourth Street
Winston-Salem
NC
27101
US
|
Family ID: |
29716595 |
Appl. No.: |
10/465727 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/467
20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/333 |
International
Class: |
A47B 088/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 22, 2002 |
DE |
102 27 881.4 |
Claims
1. The drawer slide with self-closing mechanism with flexible
springy self-closing pull-in element, has on each of the two drawer
sides a slide system that has on at least one connectable cabinet
rail (2) on a cabinet body, which is linearly movable by a linear
bearing (3,5) on a drawer rail (6) is characterized by a
double-armed lever (10) that is provided around a pivot bearing
(11) on the drawer slide as a self-closing mechanism for the drawer
and whose first lever arm (13), by means of a turning motion
together with the closing position, forms a positive form-fitting
and/or friction-fitting connection between a linearly moving part
and a cabinet-fixed part of the drawer slide, and on whose second
lever arm (12) is connected to a first end of the draw-pull tension
spring (14) and is distanced to the second end of the draw-pull
tension spring (14) by a spring tension that is connected to a
linearly moving or cabinet-fixed part of the drawer slide; whereby,
when the drawer is pushed in, the form closure/positive locking of
the first lever arm (13) causes the lever (10) to turn out of the
engagement position over a dead center position in an automatic
position, in which a further turn of the lever (10) shortens
automatically the pull-draw tension spring (14) on the second lever
arm (12) and causes the drawer slide with the drawer to be pulled
into the cabinet opening.
2. Drawer slide, according to claim 1, is characterized by the
double-armed lever (10) is attached swiveling on a movable part of
the drawer slide and its first lever arm (12), starting from a
certain closing position of the drawer, positively/form-fitting
and/or friction-fitting engages with a stationary part of the
drawer slide.
3. Drawer slide, according to claim 2, is characterized by the
double-armed lever (10) that is attached swiveling on the drawer
rail (6) or on one of the drawer rail's (6) fastened dcor (7) and
its first lever arm (12), starting from a certain closing position
of the drawer, engages positively/form-fitting with it by means of
a stationary stop (17) on the cabinet rail (2) or by a cabinet
angle (1) attached on it.
4. Drawer slide, according to claim 1, is characterized by the
double-armed lever (10) that is attached swiveling on a stationary
part of the drawer slide and its first lever arm (12), starting
from a certain closing position of the drawer, engages
positively/form-fitting and/or friction-fitting with a moveable
part of the drawer slide.
5. Drawer slide, according to claim 2, is characterized by the
double-armed lever (10) that is attached swiveling on the cabinet
rails (2) or on a cabinet angle (1) attached on it and its first
lever arm (12), starting from a certain closing position of the
drawer, is attached by a positive/form-fitting engagement by a
stationary stop (17) on the drawer rail (6) or on one of the
fastened decors (7) on the drawer rail (6).
6. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 5, is
characterized by the lever (10) and the suspension point (16) of
the spring's (14) second end that are fastened on the same
component unit and, so no substantial relative motion results
between the pivot bearing (11) of the lever (10) and the suspension
point (16) of the spring's (14) second end.
7. Drawer slide, according to claim 6, is characterized by the fact
that both the pivot bearing (11) of the lever (10) and the
suspension point (16) of the second end of the spring (14) are
located on the dcor (7).
8. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 7, is
characterized by the spring's (14) fastening point (16) lies in a
common horizontal and/or vertical level with the double-armed
lever's (10) pivot bearing (11).
9. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 8, is
characterized by the lever's (10) pivot bearing (11) and the
spring's (14) fastening point (15) on the second lever arm (12) in
the push-in direction are provided before the spring's (14)
fastening point (16) on the linearly moving and/or stationary part
of the drawer slide.
10. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 9, is
characterized by the spring's (14) fastening point (15) is provided
on the second lever arm (12) in the push-in direction during the
rotation that is always before the pivot bearing (11) or directly
vertically over it.
11. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 10, is
characterized by the fact that both lever arms (12,13) of the lever
(10) have different lengths.
12. Drawer slide, according to claim 11, is characterized by the
lever arm (13) for the coupling between the moved and motionless
parts and is longer than the second lever arm (12) on which the
spring (14) is secured.
13. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 11 to 12, is
characterized by the relation of the lever arm's (12,13) lengths
that lie between 2 and 3.
14. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 13, is
characterized by the angle between the lever arms (12,13) that lie
between 100.degree. and 140.degree..
15. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 14, is
characterized by the rest position of the second lever arm (12)
that is in the range of between minus 1.degree. and minus
30.degree., depending on the vertical dead center position
(0.degree.).
16. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 11 to 15, is
characterized by the fact that when the drawer (in the closed
position/end position) is completely inserted or pulled into the
cabinet, the lever arm (12) is in the range of between plus
45.degree. and plus 90.degree., depending on the vertical dead
center position (0.degree.).
17. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 16, is
characterized by the fact that when the drawer is in its closed
pulled position/end position, the spring's (14) length corresponds
somewhat to the length of the first lever arm (13).
18. Drawer slide, according to one of the claims 1 to 17, is
characterized by the drawer's damping movement that takes place
while the self-closing mechanism in the lever's (10) automatic
position is operating.
19. Drawer slide, according to claim 18, is characterized by the
drawer's damping movement that takes place by means of the lever's
(10) damping movement.
20. Drawer slide, according to claim 19, is characterized by the
lever's (10) damping movement that takes place by means of the
pivot bearing's (11) rotation damping.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a drawer slide that has a
self-closing mechanism according to the characterizing introductory
clause of the independent claims.
[0002] Drawer slides with self-closing mechanisms of these types
are designed for the purpose of pulling a drawer automatically into
a cabinet opening by means of a drawer slide. When the user pushes
the drawer into the cabinet opening, the self-closing mechanism
works in such a manner that the drawer closes automatically without
further pushing from the user within the last section of the
drawer's insertion/closing and is then held there. If the drawer is
opened again, the user must then overcome the retaining strength of
the self-closing mechanism and work against the draw-pull force of
the self-closing mechanism in order to bring the drawer to the
point at which the self-closing mechanism is no longer
effective.
[0003] The usual way in the state of technology to produce the
draw-pull force of these types of self-closing mechanisms is to
insert flexible springs, which are particularly designed as screw
tension springs. Here, as examples, self-closing mechanisms are
indicated in AT-393 948 B and AT-4002 19 B.
[0004] The disadvantage of these state of technology drawers is
that the flexible spring elements that produce the self-closing
force for pulling in and holding the drawer inside the drawer
opening of the cabinet body have an unfavorable force-way-process
over the self-closing section.
[0005] When the existing self-closing mechanisms are operated,
there is a constant reduction of the draw-pull force of the
self-closing spring elements over the closing path, which is not
desired. The draw-pull force is at a maximum at the beginning of
the drawing-in process by means of the automatic mechanism and then
decreases consistently along the self-closing path so that the
closing retaining force is relatively small at the closing of the
drawer. At the beginning of the closing cycle, this initially
strong self-closing draw-pull force leads to an inadvertently
strong acceleration of the drawer, so that the user gets the
feeling that the drawer is being pulled out of his hand. So that
this effect does not become extreme, the initial force of the
spring cannot be increased as desired, in order to achieve a
maximum closing strength.
[0006] The task of the presented invention is to design a drawer
slide with a self-closing mechanism, whose draw-pull tension spring
has a more favorable force relationship that the previous state of
technology. The initial self-closing force of the draw-pull tension
spring, which operates the drawer that is to be closed, should not
be greater than the closing holding force of the drawer at the end
of the closing process. A smaller initial closing force should be
the aim, starting from a defined closed position during the
drawer's closing and a greater closing holding force in the closed
drawer's end position (the drawer is inserted completely into the
cabinet opening).
[0007] The technical precepts of the independent claims serve to
solve the task presented.
[0008] A fundamental feature here is the fact that the drawer's
self-closing mechanism on the drawer slide around the pivot bearing
has a swiveling double-armed lever, whose first lever arm, by means
of a turning motion together with the closing position, forms a
positive/form-fitting and/or friction fitting connection between a
linearly moving part and a cabinet-fixed part of the drawer slide
and on whose second lever arm a first end of the draw-pull tension
spring is fastened and whose second end of the draw-pull tension
spring is distanced by spring pre-stress to a linearly moving or
cabinet-fixed part of the drawer slide; whereby, when the drawer is
pushed in, the form closure/positive locking of the first lever arm
causes the lever to turn out of the engagement position over a dead
center position in an automatic position, in which further turning
of the lever automatically shortens the pre-stressed spring at the
second lever arm and, thus, pulls the drawer slide, together with
the drawer, into the cabinet opening.
[0009] The advantage of the drawer slide with the invention-related
self-closing mechanism is that after the lever's dead center
position has been tripped, the spring action of the draw-pull
tension spring affects the turning lever in such a manner that the
torque increases on the lever with the increasing pull-in
(self-closing) distance of the drawer. The result is that the
self-closing pulling force on the drawer is directly proportional
to the torque on the lever; at the beginning of the self-closing,
the pull is small, but becomes greater with the increasing
self-closing pull distance and the retaining hold is strongest when
the drawer is completely pulled in or closed.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the double-armed
lever is attached swiveling to a moving part of the drawer slide,
in particular, to the drawer's decor or to the drawer rail itself.
The first lever arm of the double-armed lever is then, from a
certain closing position of the drawer, is engaged
positive/form-fitting by a stationary stop on the cabinet rail or
on the cabinet angle. When the drawer is pushed further into the
cabinet body, the double-armed lever turns over a dead center
position and the self-closing mechanism starts automatically by the
further rotation of the double-armed lever around the pivot
bearing. This is managed by the automatic shortening of the
pre-stressed draw-pull tension spring that is fastened with its
first end to the second lever arm and its second end on the
drawer's decor or on the drawer rail itself, and, like the
double-armed lever also.
[0011] Naturally, in this preferred embodiment of the invention,
the double-armed lever can also be located swiveling on another
movable part of the drawer slide, as for example, the center rail
(with full extension) or on the synchronous racks of the linear
moved carriage (if available) or on any other desired linearly
moved part of the drawer slide.
[0012] It is important with this only that the double-armed lever
is attached swiveling to a linear moved part of the drawer slide
and engages positive/form-fitting with a stationary and/or
cabinet-fixed stop, depending on the draw-pull closing distance.
The result is that the draw-pull tension spring is brought over a
dead center and subsequently pulls the drawer with increasing
torque into the cabinet. When the drawer is completely pulled in,
the greatest holding moment exists for the drawer, because the
distance between the fulcrum of the lever and the engagement point
of the draw-pull tension spring to the second corresponding lever
arm is the largest possible. The largest draw-pull torque would be
in the position when the pivot bearing and the engagement point of
the lever's draw-pull tension spring lie vertical above one
another, thus, maximizing their distance.
[0013] In a second embodiment of the invention, the kinematic
reversal of the first embodiment of the invention is to be
stressed. The double-armed lever is, thereby, attached swiveling at
any stationary and/or cabinet-fixed part of the drawer slide, in
particular on the cabinet rail or on the cabinet angle. The first
arm of the double-armed lever is then brought to a
positive/form-fitting engagement, starting from a certain closing
position by a linear moved stop on the drawer's dcor or on the
drawer rail itself. The draw-pull tension spring is again connected
with its first end to the second lever arm and with its second end,
however, on any stationary and/or cabinet-fixed part of the drawer
slide, especially on the cabinet rail or on the cabinet angle, as
already the double-armed lever itself.
[0014] It is important with this that only the double-armed lever
is attached swiveling on a stationary and/or cabinet-fixed part of
the drawer slide and engages positive/form-fitting with a linear
moved stop, depending upon the draw-pull distance. With it the
draw-pull tension spring is brought over a dead center and
subsequently pulls the drawer with increasing torque into the
cabinet. The greatest holding moment takes place when the drawer is
completely pulled in/closed, because the distance between the
lever's fulcrum and the draw-pull tension spring's engagement point
on the second corresponding lever arm is the largest possible. The
draw-pull torque would be greatest in the position when the pivot
bearing and the engagement point of the lever's draw-pull tension
spring lies vertically over one another, thus maximizing their
distance.
[0015] In both embodiments it is, however, important that between
the double-armed lever's fulcrum and the suspension point of the
spring's second end on a linear moved or on a stationary drawer
part, no substantial relative movement takes place.
[0016] Preferably it is intended that the lever and the suspension
point of the spring's second end are connected to the same
component. This is not, however, compellingly necessary so that in
the first embodiment, for example, also the lever on the dcor and
the spring's second end on the drawer rail can be connected or vice
versa. And in the second embodiment, for example, the lever on the
cabinet rail and the spring's second end on the cabinet angle can
be connected or vice versa. It is only important that no relative
movement between the double-armed lever's fulcrum and the spring's
connection point on one of the drawer parts results, because
otherwise the spring would constantly proceed in its shortest
condition.
[0017] The fastening point of the spring on one of the drawer parts
lies here preferably in a common horizontal and/or vertical level
with the fulcrum of the double-armed lever, which, however, is not
necessary for the solution since positions other than these levels
are also possible.
[0018] It is preferred that the lever's pivot bearings and the
spring's fastening point on the second lever arm are provided in
the draw-pull direction before the fastening point of the spring is
located on the linear moved and/or stationary part of the drawer
slide. Also, it is preferred that the spring's fastening point on
the second lever arm in the draw-pull direction is provided during
the rotation that occurs before the pivot bearing or maximally
directly vertically over it. Naturally also, all other relative
layouts/systems/arrangements of the pivot bearing and the
engagement points of the spring are possible. Important is only
that the spring after the dead center position, if the automatic
mechanism works, is always pre-stressed and that no substantial
relative movement results between the pivot bearing and the
suspension point of the spring on the linear moved and/or
stationary part of the drawer slide, so that the lever can also be
turned and the pivot bearing does not only shift or move linearly.
Also, it is meaningful, if the spring before the dead center
position, if the automatic mechanism does not work, is pre-stressed
so that the lever waits in a stable park position (rest position)
until it can engage into the stop (automatic position).
[0019] The double-armed lever is preferably designed in such a way
that both lever arms have different lengths. The relationship of
the two lever arm lengths lies, depending on the drawer, preferably
between 2 and 3; whereby, the longer first lever arm causes the
form closure and the shorter second lever arm forms the fastening
point for the end of the spring and thus causes the torque of the
lever and/or the draw-pull action of the drawer.
[0020] The angle between the lever arms lies around approximately
120.degree.; whereby, angles slightly under or over 120.degree. are
also applicable, as for example, 100.degree., 110.degree.,
130.degree. or 140.degree..
[0021] The over dead center position (rest position), in which the
self-closing mechanism does not work, is approximately minus
10.degree. for the short second lever arm, which angle must then be
overcome against the traction power of the spring until the
self-closing mechanism begins to work at or over the dead center.
Also, other angles can be used between minus 1.degree. and minus
30.degree., which should reliably prevent an unintentional
releasing of the self-closing mechanism and/or an unintentional
turning of the lever. The long first lever then has approximately
minus 135.degree..
[0022] In the end position (that is, the drawer is completely
pulled in by means of the self-closing mechanism), the short second
lever with the spring engagement point has about plus 45.degree.
and the long first lever has about minus 80.degree..
[0023] In the pulled-in position/end position of the drawer, the
length of the spring corresponds somewhat to the length of the
first lever arm; whereby, favorable lever ratios and spring
dimensions are made possible.
[0024] For the lever's end positions, respective rotation stops are
provided. The rotation or pivot stop for the lever's position in
the drawer's fully closed position can, by the stop, be included
for the release of the self-closing mechanism.
[0025] This stop for releasing the self-closing mechanism,
additionally has a recess that can engage into the long second
lever arm and tilts there in the drawer's closed position so that
the drawer cannot be pushed further. This recess is limited by a
low and a high wall; whereby, the low wall lies in the push-in
direction and, when the drawer is pushed in, is crossed over by the
long lever. When the drawer is pushed further in, then the long
lever impacts on an intake bevel of the high wall, so that the
lever begins to turn in motion.
[0026] For both of the above-mentioned embodiments of the
invention, the following applies for the operation of the automatic
self-closing mechanism: In the disengaged non-operational position
of the self-closing mechanism (i.e. if the drawer is pulled out
sufficiently enough out of the cabinet's opening), the double-armed
lever is in a position which lies easily over the dead center of
the spring's maximum deflection.
[0027] Now if the drawer is pushed into the cabinet opening, the
double-armed lever runs on the stop and the double-armed lever
begins to turn around its pivot bearing.
[0028] In this way, the double-armed lever is turned in the
direction of its upper dead center, where the spring has its
maximum length and also operates the maximum spring tension. The
drawer must be pushed against the spring tension over the dead
center until the self-closing mechanism begins to work.
[0029] Exactly in the dead center of the lever, then, neither a
push-in resisting force nor a draw-pull force works, so that the
drawer lies push- and pull-free in the cabinet opening. This is
only valid when the pivot bearing and the engagement point of the
spring on a drawer slide part lies in a common horizontal
level.
[0030] Now if the user of the drawer pushes it further into the
cabinet opening, then the double-armed lever turns out over the
dead center position and the self-closing mechanism begins to work.
Those working on the lever and only in small limits the decreasing
spring force action, while the spring is pulling together causes
the lever's torque, depending upon the lever distance to the pivot
bearing and also depending upon the distance of the lever's fulcrum
to the spring's point of engagement.
[0031] The spring is pulled together from the dead center from its
maximally stretched condition with the maximum spring pre-stress
force to the lever distance directly zero in a shorter position
with optimal/maximum lever distance. In this condition then, the
(smaller as in the dead center) spring action affects the
optimal/maximum lever distance, so that then the drawer (in its
pulled-in closed position) affects the optimal, if necessary,
maximum torque on the lever and with it the optimal, if necessary,
maximum draw-pull self-closing force on the drawer.
[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the double-armed
lever of the self-closing mechanism can also have a damping of its
movement that effects a damped, harmonious linear closing movement
of the drawer into the cabinet's opening. In particular, the
damping is placed in the area of the double-armed lever's pivot
bearing in the form of a rotation shock absorber; whereby, however,
all other absorbing/damping principles according to the presented
invention's state of the art should be included.
[0033] Depending on the relationship of the levers (of the
double-armed lever), depending on the position of the draw-pull
tension spring's engagement point, depending on the
mounting/fitting point of the lever and spring and depending on the
type of manner of the damping of the lever's movement, the
draw-pull/self-closing movement of the drawer can be selected
almost at will. However, it is important that the draw-pull force
is kept small at the beginning and the closing retaining force is
kept relatively large, so that a reversal of the relationships as
with the self-closing mechanism is given with the state of
technology.
[0034] The self-closing mechanism, according to the presented
invention, is preferably located at the front area of the drawer in
the area of the panel, which facilitates the initial installation,
maintenance, and repairs. So all adjustments for the drawer can be
made within only one area.
[0035] In the following the invention is described more closely
based on the enclosed drawings and designs, from which further
characteristics and advantages are derived.
[0036] Shown:
[0037] FIG. 1: A side view of a rail of the drawer slide, according
to the invention, during the drawer's closing, in a position at the
moment when the lever begins its engagement with the stop;
[0038] FIG. 2: A side view of a rail of the drawer slide, according
to the invention, during the drawer's closing, in a position with
the self-closing mechanism operating according to the lever's dead
center;
[0039] FIG. 3: A side view of a rail of the drawer slide, according
to the invention, when the drawer is in a closed position;
[0040] FIG. 4: A front view of a section of the drawer slide,
according to the invention, along the Line IV-IV of FIG. 3;
[0041] FIGS. 1-3 show the side view of the invention-related drawer
slide. FIG. 4 shows its cut front view of the closed drawer or the
drawer slides that are completely drawn in.
[0042] The Figures show a drawer rail of a full extension for a
drawer slide, which, however, is not to be considered limiting for
the invention. The self-closing mechanism as described in part
before in general, can naturally also be used with partial
extension systems, but also with all variants of full-extension
systems of drawer slides. In the following, however, in order to
simplify, only one type of full extension system is described.
[0043] Shown in the Figures is only one drawer slide for a side of
the drawer; whereby, naturally, a total of two drawer slides of
this type (one for the left side and one for the right side of the
drawer) per drawer are needed.
[0044] The drawer slide, according to FIGS. 1-4, have a cabinet
body angle (1), which is located stationary within an opening of
the cabinet body (not shown) and faces horizontally a drawer slide
of the same type.
[0045] A cabinet rail (2) is connected on the cabinet angle (1) and
carries the stop (17) for the turning and form-fitting (positive)
locking of the lever (10).
[0046] A center rail (4) is held linearly movable on the cabinet
rail (2) by a first carriage (3) and which, again, carries a drawer
rail (6) linearly movable by a second carriage (5).
[0047] The dcor (7) is fixed on the drawer rail (6), on which the
drawer (not shown) is anchored.
[0048] Between the carriage (3) of the cabinet rail (2), the center
rail (4) and the drawer rail's (6) carriage (5), there is a
synchronization in the form of toothed racks and pinions. The racks
(8) are each connected with the carriage (3) of the cabinet rail
(2) and with the carriage (5) of the drawer rail (6), that stand in
the engagement between the pinion (9) on the center rail (4). In
this way, a balanced and even movement is guaranteed between the
rails (2,4 and 6).
[0049] The draw-pull lever (10) sits turnable on a pivot bearing
(11), which is attached at the decor (7).
[0050] In particular, it is evident in FIG. 4 that the short lever
arm (12) of the lever (10) projects upward into a receptacle space
in the decor (7) and has a tap or plug on its end that serves as a
holding point for the draw-pull tension spring (14), which
essentially is likewise in the receptacle space of the decor
(7).
[0051] The long lever arm (13) of the lever (10) projects downward
within the decor (7) and engages positive and form-fitting there in
the stop (17) since the drawer is completely inserted. The lever
(10) and/or the lever arm (13) is curved z-shaped, so that it can
be guided along the rails (2,4,6) to the stationary stop (17) on
the cabinet rail (6).
[0052] FIGS. 1-3 show the spring (14) that is located between the
point of engagement (15) on the short lever arm (12) and the point
of engagement (16) on the dcor (7).
[0053] According to FIGS. 1-3, the spring's (14) point of
engagement (16) lies with the pivot point (11) in a somewhat
horizontal plane and, according to FIG. 4, also in a somewhat
vertical plane so that favorable lever conditions are reached.
Important here is that the pivot bearing (11) of the lever (10) is
attached on the dor (7), just like the spring's (14) point of
engagement (16).
[0054] When pushing the drawer (not shown) into the closing
direction (22), the drawer rail (6) that is connected to the dcor
(7), guides the double-armed lever (10) that is held swiveling on
the decor (7) to the stop (17) and, in such a way, is pressed out
of its stop position, according to FIG. 1.
[0055] The draw-pull tension spring (14) transfers its force to the
lever (10). Thus, the lever (10) is rotated in the turning
direction (23) and swings during the insertion, into the carrier
(17) that is located on the cabinet rail (2). The carrier (17) has
a front low wall (18) and a rear high wall (19) with a bearing
surface (20); whereby, a recess (21) is defined between both walls
(18,19) that engaged with the lever's (10) long arm (13) when the
drawer is pushed in/closed.
[0056] By turning the lever (10), the distance of the spring's
point of engagement (15) on the short lever arm (12) to the pivot
bearing's (11) fulcrum is increased. As a result, a constant
increase of the draw-pull/self-closing force is achieved when the
drawer is pushed in after the dead center. So, thus, the decor (7)
is pulled in and the drawer does in with the desired movement,
which, if necessary, is damped.
[0057] FIG. 1 shows the drawer inserted in the closing direction
(22) into the cabinet body (not shown) and the lever (10) is turned
by the fixed stop (17) in the turning direction (23).
[0058] FIG. 2 shows the state of FIG. 1 with the subsequent
movement, where the short lever arm (12) swings over the dead
center (dead center=shorter lever arm [12] stands level/horizontal
at 0.degree.) and, afterwards, the draw-pull tension spring (14)
starts the self-closing pulling movement with only a small force
because the distance between the spring's point of engagement (15)
on the short lever arm (12) to the turning point/fulcrum (11) is
still small. This corresponds to a small engagement angle (24)
between the logitudinal axis of the draw-pull tension spring (14)
and the longitudinal axis of the short lever arm (12).
[0059] FIG. 3 represents the subsequent state of the movement,
according to FIG. 2, which is the closed position of the drawer, in
that the engagement angle (24) between the logitudinal axis of the
draw-pull tension spring (14) of the short lever arm (12) always
becomes larger in reference to FIG. 2 and is at the largest in FIG.
3. Accordingly, the closing moment of the draw-pull tension spring
(14) is the largest in the closed position.
[0060] So the self-closing movement increases steadily from the
dead center from zero up to the maximum achieved during the
self-closing pulling position, according to FIG. 3, where the
self-closing moment is used as a closed retaining moment.
1 Drawing Legend 1. Cabinet angle 2. Cabinet rail 3. Carriage
cabinet rail - center rail 4. Center rail 5. Carriage center rail -
drawer rail 6. Drawer rail 7. Dcor 8. Toothed rack 9. Pinion 10.
Draw-pull lever 11. Pivot bearing draw-pull lever 12. Shorter lever
arm 13. Longer lever arm 14. Draw-pull tension spring 15. Draw-pull
tension spring's point of engagement on shorter lever arm 16.
Draw-pull tension spring's point of engagement on dcor 17. Stop for
lever 18. Front wall 19. Rear wall 20. Bearing surface 21. Recess
22. Closing direction 23. Turning direction 24. Engagement
angle
* * * * *