U.S. patent application number 11/151294 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for double-wall frame member.
Invention is credited to Markus Bodingbauer.
Application Number | 20060005502 11/151294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35134205 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060005502 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bodingbauer; Markus |
January 12, 2006 |
Double-wall frame member
Abstract
A double-wall frame member comprising a first and a second wall
portion, in particular a drawer side frame member, wherein the two
wall portions (1, 2) are connected together by way of a mechanical
latching connection, wherein the second wall portion (2) can be
hung into the first wall portion (1) into a first position, is
displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the frame member and
is latchable into a second position, wherein the first and second
positions are displaced in a plane in normal relationship to the
longitudinal direction of the frame member.
Inventors: |
Bodingbauer; Markus;
(Hochst, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
35134205 |
Appl. No.: |
11/151294 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/842 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/90 20170101;
A47B 2210/02 20130101; A47B 88/925 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/729.5 |
International
Class: |
E04C 3/30 20060101
E04C003/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2004 |
AT |
A 1142/2004 |
Claims
1. A double-wall frame member comprising a first and a second wall
portion, in particular a drawer side frame member, characterised in
that the two wall portions (1, 2) are connected together by way of
a mechanical latching connection, wherein the second wall portion
(2) can be hung into the first wall portion (1) into a first
position, is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the
frame member and is latchable into a second position, wherein the
first and second positions are displaced in a plane in normal
relationship to the longitudinal direction of the frame member.
2. A double-wall frame member according to claim 1 characterised in
that the first wall portion (3) has a pivot bearing (4) in the
region of its upper longitudinal edge, into which the second wall
portion (2) can be hung and is pivotable relative to the first wall
portion (1).
3. A double-wall frame member according to claim 2 characterised in
that the pivot bearing (4) is of a substantially U-shaped
configuration.
4. A double-wall frame member according to claim 2 characterised in
that the pivot bearing (4) is formed by a portion which is bent
over along its upper longitudinal edge.
5. A double-wall frame member according to claim 1 characterised in
that the first wall portion (1) has preferably in the region of its
lower longitudinal edge a latching device (5) into which the second
wall portion (2) is latchable.
6. A double-wall frame member according to claim 5 characterised in
that the latching device (5) is formed by a resilient and
preferably profiled limb (9).
7. A double-wall frame member according to claim 5 characterised in
that the second wall portion (2) is latchable into the latching
device (5) of the first wall portion (1) and is displaceable in the
frame member longitudinal direction.
8. A double-wall frame member according to claim 7 characterised in
that the displacement travel in the longitudinal direction of the
frame member is limited by an abutment (10) arranged or formed on
the first wall portion (1).
9. A double-wall frame member according to claim 8 characterised in
that the second wall portion (2) has a counterpart abutment (11)
which in a first position co-operates with the abutment (10) of the
first wall portion (1).
10. A double-wall frame member according to claim 8 characterised
in that the second wall portion (2) has a slot-shaped opening (12)
whose narrowest width at the bottom of the opening (12) corresponds
to the width of the abutment (10).
11. A double-wall frame member according to claim 10 characterised
in that in a second or latched position the abutment (10) of the
first wall portion (1) is disengageable from the counterpart
abutment (11) of the second wall portion (2) and can be inserted
into the slot-shaped opening (12).
12. A double-walled frame member according to claim 11
characterised in that a positively locking connection between the
two wall portions (1, 2) can be achieved in the second or latched
position.
13. A double-walled frame member according to claim 8 characterised
in that the abutment (10) of the first wall portion (1) is formed
by a--preferably bent-up--tongue.
14. A double-wall frame member according to claim 9 characterised
in that the second wall portion (2) has two--preferably
profiled--limbs (8, 8') of differing widths, wherein the
counterpart abutment (11) is formed by the limb (8') of greater
width.
15. A method for assembling a doubled frame member according to
claim 1 is characterised by the following steps: engaging the
second wall portion in a pivot bearing of the first wall portion,
pivoting the second wall portion relatively to the first wall
portion, latching the second wall portion into a latching device of
the first wall portion, relative displacement of the two wall
portions in the longitudinal direction of the frame member until an
abutment limits the displacement travel, and latching the two wall
portions by pressing the two wall portions together.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a double-wall frame member
with a first and a second wall portion, in particular a drawer side
frame member.
[0002] Frame members are used for example as side guides or side
delimitation members for drawers and other pull-out systems, the
hollow-chamber frame members being formed for example by two metal
profile members. The spacing between the two wall portions provides
visually wider side boundaries for the drawer, which are
distinguished inter alia by an attractive appearance, low weight
and a good movement characteristic. The two profile members--which
besides metal can also be formed from plastic material--are usually
releasably or non-releasably connected together by mechanical
fixing means. Therefore, a suitable tool is required for assembling
or dismantling the two wall portions, in which respect the use of
fixing means or tools cause difficulty in the assembly procedure.
In addition exact positioning of the two wall portions relative to
each other is often found to be difficult as for example screws
have to be passed through a wall portion and screwed into a
screwthread provided for same in the other wall portion.
[0003] Therefore it is object of the present invention to propose a
double-wall frame member of the kind set forth in the opening part
of this specification, which avoids the above disadvantages of the
state of the art.
[0004] According to the invention that object is attained in that
the two wall portions are connected together by way of a mechanical
latching connection, wherein the second wall portion can be hung
into the first wall portion into a first position, is displaceable
in the longitudinal direction of the frame member and is latchable
into a second position, wherein the first and second positions are
displaced in a plane in normal relationship to the longitudinal
direction of the frame member.
[0005] By virtue of such a latching connection, the two wall
portions of the frame member can be easily and quickly fitted
together and separated again, without fixing means or tools being
required for that purpose.
[0006] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the
first wall portion has a pivot bearing in the region of its upper
longitudinal edge, into which the second wall portion can be hung
and is pivotable relative to the first wall portion. The two wall
portions can be fixed relative to each other at their upper
longitudinal edges by virtue of the arrangement of the pivot
bearing, while in that assembled condition a pivotal movement and
displacement in the longitudinal direction of the frame member is
possible. The pivot bearing can basically be embodied in various
ways. An embodiment of the invention provides that the pivot
bearing is of a substantially U-shaped configuration, wherein
advantageously the pivot bearing is formed by a portion which is
bent over along its upper longitudinal edge. In that way it is
possible to implement a pivot bearing which is simple, quick and
inexpensive to produce for example by a sheet bending process. It
will be appreciated that it is also possible to envisage other
pivot bearings which for example can include a retaining groove or
rail extending along the upper longitudinal axis of the first wall
portion and which permit a pivotal movement of the second wall
portion.
[0007] For fixing the second wall portion which has already been
engaged in position and pivoted, on the first wall portion, it can
be useful if the first wall portion has preferably in the region of
its lower longitudinal edge a latching device into which the second
wall portion is latchable. A structurally simple variant of the
invention provides that the latching device is formed by a
resilient and preferably profiled limb.
[0008] For relative displacement of the two wall portions relative
to each other, the second wall portion is latchable into the
latching device of the first wall portion and is displaceable along
the longitudinal direction of the first wall portion. For precise
orientation of the two wall portions, an embodiment of the
invention provides that the displacement travel in the longitudinal
direction of the frame member is limited by an abutment arranged or
formed on the first wall portion, whereby the exact position of the
wall portions relative to each other is established. Desirably the
abutment of the first wall portion is formed by a tongue--which is
preferably bent up. In a similar manner to the abutment of the
first wall portion, it is provided that the second wall portion has
a counterpart abutment which in a first position co-operates with
the abutment of the first wall portion. In that respect it may be
desirable if the second wall portion has two--preferably
profiled--limbs of differing width, wherein the counterpart
abutment is formed by the limb of greater width.
[0009] For the purposes of definitive latching of the two wall
portions it is advantageous if the second wall portion has a
slot-shaped opening whose narrowest width at the bottom of the
opening corresponds to the width of the abutment. In that respect
the configuration can be such that in a second or latched position
the abutment of the first wall portion is disengageable from the
counterpart abutment of the second wall portion and can be inserted
into the slot-shaped opening. Desirably a positively locking
connection between the two wall portions can be made in the second
or latched position.
[0010] Assembly of a doubled frame member is characterised by the
following steps: [0011] engaging the second wall portion in the
pivot bearing of the first wall portion, [0012] pivoting the second
wall portion relative to the first wall portion, [0013] latching
the second wall portion into the latching device of the first wall
portion, [0014] relative displacement of the two wall portions in
the longitudinal direction of the frame member until the abutment
limits the displacement travel, and [0015] latching the two wall
portions by pressing the two wall portions together.
[0016] Further feature and advantages of the present invention will
be described in greater detail hereinafter by means of the specific
description with reference to the drawings in which:
[0017] FIGS. 1a-1f show diagrammatic cross-sectional views of the
two wall portions of the frame member, in successive assembly
steps,
[0018] FIGS. 2a-2c show perspective views of the frame member in
successive assembly steps,
[0019] FIGS. 3a-3c show diagrammatic and perspective detail views
of the frame member in successive assembly steps,
[0020] FIGS. 4a-4d show diagrammatic cross-sectional views of
successive assembly steps of a frame member which is engaged into a
rail along the upper edge of the frame member, and
[0021] FIGS. 5a-5c show various embodiments of drawers with various
frame members according to the invention.
[0022] FIGS. 1a-1f show cross-sectional views of the frame member 3
comprising a first wall portion 1 and a second wall portion 2 as
well as enlarged detail views of the pivot bearing 4 and the
latching device 5 in successive assembly steps. The pivot bearing 4
is in cross-section of a substantially U-shaped configuration which
is formed by a bent-over portion along the upper longitudinal edge
of the first wall portion 1. In a first assembly step as shown in
FIG. 1a the upper portion 6 of the second wall portion 2 is hung
into that pivot bearing 4. The upper portion 6 includes a
polygonally shaped portion which becomes wedged within the pivot
bearing 4 and is stabilised in respect of dislocation by two
co-operating folds 7, 7'. After that engagement operation the
second wall portion 2 can be pivoted in the direction of the first
wall portion 1, as can be clearly seen from the illustrated
Figures. In the region of its lower longitudinal edge the first
wall portion has a latching device 5 into which the second wall
portion 2 is latchable with its limb 8, as is shown in FIG. 1e. The
latching device 5 is preferably formed by a profiled and resilient
limb 9 of the first wall portion 1 and an abutment 10 which is
arranged or formed thereon.
[0023] FIG. 1e shows the frame member 3 with the engaged second
wall portion 2 in the latching device 5 of the first wall portion
1. In that assembly condition, the second wall portion 2 can be
displaced relative to the first wall portion 1 in the longitudinal
direction of the frame member 3 until the abutment 10 of the first
wall portion 1 limits the displacement travel. That is made
possible by a counterpart abutment 11 (not shown in this Figure) on
the second wall portion 2, which co-operates in a first position
with the abutment 10 on the first wall portion 1.
[0024] FIG. 1f shows the cross-sectional view of the frame member 3
in the completely latched position. In that second position the
abutment 10 of the first wall portion 1 is out of engagement from
the counterpart abutment 11 of the second wall portion 2. The two
wall portions 1, 2 come into snapping engagement by pressing the
two wall portions 1, 2 together, the connection preferably being
effected in positively locking relationship.
[0025] FIGS. 2a-2c show diagrammatic perspective views of the frame
member 3 in successive assembly steps in respectively enlarged and
partly broken-away detail views. The second wall portion 2 is
already engaged in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 3
with its upper portion 6 into the pivot bearing of the first wall
portion 1, pivoted with respect thereto and latched into the
latching device 5 of the first wall portion 1. In that assembly
condition as illustrated the second wall portion 2 can be displaced
relative to the first wall portion 1 until the displacement travel
in the longitudinal direction of the frame member is limited by an
abutment 10 which is arranged or formed on the first wall portion 1
and which co-operates with a counterpart abutment 11 of the second
wall portion 2 in a first position, as is shown in FIG. 2b. The two
wall portions 1, 2 can be optimally positioned relative to each
other by the co-operation of the abutment 10 and the counterpart
abutment 11. The second wall portion 2 preferably now has a
slot-shaped opening 12 whose narrowest width B at the bottom of the
opening 12 substantially corresponds to the width B.sub.1 of the
abutment 10.
[0026] FIG. 2c shows the frame member 3 in a completely latched
assembly condition. In this position the abutment 10 of the first
wall portion 1 has been disengaged from the counterpart abutment 11
of the second wall portion 2 by pressing the two wall portions 1, 2
together. The abutment 10 is inserted substantially without
clearance into the opening 12 of the second wall portion 2 and by
virtue of that locking action permits a precise and reliable
connection between the two wall portions 1, 2. If the two wall
portions 1, 2 are to be separated again, they can be easily pulled
away from each other, overcoming the positively locking forces.
[0027] FIGS. 3a-3d show partly broken-away detail views on an
enlarged scale of the frame member 3 in successive assembly steps.
FIG. 3a shows the frame member 3 whose second wall portion 2 has
already been latched to the limb 8 of the first wall portion 1.
FIG. 3b shows the frame member 3 after displacement of the two wall
portions 1, 2, the abutment 10 of the first wall portion 1
co-operating with the counterpart abutment 11 of the second wall
portion 2. The two walls portions 1, 2 are now correctly positioned
relative to each other and can be definitively latched together by
pressing the two wall portions 1, 2 together. The abutment 10 fits
precisely into the bottom of the slot-shaped opening 12 in order to
prevent displacement in the longitudinal direction of the two wall
portions 1, 2 in the latched condition, as is shown in FIG. 3c. It
can also be seen from this Figure that the second wall portion 2
has two profiled limbs 8, 8' whose widths are different. In this
case the counterpart abutment 11 is formed by the limb 8' of
greater width which projects beyond the limb 8 by the difference in
width .DELTA.S.
[0028] FIGS. 4a-4d show diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a
frame member 3 which is already in a latched condition, being hung
in a rail 13 along the upper edge of the frame member, in
successive assembly steps. The frame member 3 can be additionally
stabilised by the rail 13. The upper portion 6 of the second wall
portion 2 is held by virtue of its polygonal shape and by way of
the two co-operating folds 7, 7', in the pivot bearing 4 of the
first wall portion 1. Provided in the interior of the upper portion
6 is an opening 14 for receiving the rail which, as the following
Figures clearly show, is held by clamping within the upper portion
6. By overcoming the clamping forces acting there, the frame member
3 can be quickly and uncomplicatedly removed from the rail 13
again.
[0029] FIGS. 5a-5c show various embodiments of drawers 15 with
various double-wall side frame members 3 and 3' according to the
invention. The drawers 15 conventionally comprise a front panel 16,
a rear wall 17 and a drawer base 18. The rail 13 is usually
arranged between the rear wall 17 and the front panel 16. FIG. 5a
shows an embodiment of a drawer 15, wherein the frame members 3 and
3' arranged on both sides of the drawer base 18 are arranged at a
spacing below the rail 13. FIG. 5b shows an embodiment of a drawer
15, wherein a lateral frame member 3 is arranged over the rail 13
and the second lateral frame member 3' is latched to the rail 13 by
the mechanism shown in FIGS. 4a-4d. That frame member 3' has air
slots 19 in the form of elongate holes which serve for better
circulation of air in the drawer 15. FIG. 5c shows a drawer 15 with
a frame member 3 which is spaced from the rail 13 and a frame
member 3' which is latched along its upper edge to a rail 13 and is
substantially free of openings or air slots 19.
[0030] The invention is not limited to the illustrated examples but
includes or extends to all technical equivalents which can be
embraced by the scope of the claims hereinafter. The positional
references adopted in the description such as for example top,
bottom, lateral and so forth relate to the usual installation
position or to the directly described and illustrated Figure and
upon a change in position are to be appropriately converted to the
new position. It will be appreciated that the present invention
also embraces measures which for example all conventional
arrangements also have for supporting or fixing the drawer base 18.
Devices are likewise embraced, which serve to connect to the front
panel 16 and the rear wall 17 respectively, which for example can
have special adaptors for fixing purposes. The frame member 3
according to the invention can also be made for example in the form
of a plastic member which can be easily produced by an injection
molding process. The frame members are not only suitable as lateral
boundaries for drawers 15 but also embrace inner frame members or
transverse frame members. Basically the frame member 3 according to
the invention is suitable for further areas of use, for example for
wall portions in interior building.
* * * * *