U.S. patent application number 12/289940 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-14 for controlled closure system for sliding furniture elements.
Invention is credited to Adelchi Ferrari.
Application Number | 20090121596 12/289940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40280815 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090121596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferrari; Adelchi |
May 14, 2009 |
Controlled closure system for sliding furniture elements
Abstract
A controlled closure system for a sliding element of a piece of
furniture, comprises an elongated body provided in which is a
rectilinear groove passing through the body and extended axially in
the closure direction. An engagement element slides along the
groove to move from a first idle position to a second closure
position through the action of a spring. The engagement element
comprises abutment surfaces to delimit, between them, a seat
intended to accommodate a drawing projection integral with the
sliding element. Suitable sliding surfaces between the engagement
element and the groove cause the rotation of the engagement element
when it is in the idle position in such a manner to lower the front
abutment surface towards a groove and allow the passage of the
drawing projection towards the closure until it pushes against the
rear abutment surface and rotate the engagement element to raise
the front abutment surface and draw the projection towards the
closed position of the sliding element of a piece of furniture.
Inventors: |
Ferrari; Adelchi; (Oggiono
LC, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W., SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
40280815 |
Appl. No.: |
12/289940 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/334.8 ;
312/319.1; 312/334.46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05Y 2201/412 20130101;
E05Y 2900/20 20130101; E05F 1/16 20130101; E05F 5/003 20130101;
E05Y 2600/45 20130101; E05Y 2800/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/334.8 ;
312/334.46; 312/319.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/12 20060101
A47B088/12; A47B 88/16 20060101 A47B088/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 14, 2007 |
IT |
MI2007A 002168 |
Claims
1. Controlled closure system for a sliding element of a piece of
furniture, comprising an elongated body provided in which is a
rectilinear groove passing through the body and extended axially in
the closure direction, an engagement element being arranged sliding
in the groove to move from a first idle position to a second
closure position through the action of a spring, the engagement
element comprising a front abutment surface and a rear abutment
surface projecting from the groove and mutually opposite along the
extension direction of the groove to delimit, between them, a seat
intended to accommodate a drawing projection integral with the
sliding element, in said first position, the traction of the spring
and the support of the engagement element in the groove being such
to cause the rotation of the engagement element in the surface of
the groove, in the direction of lowering the front abutment surface
towards the groove, the engagement element coupling with such
rotation a stop element to maintain the first position against the
action of the spring, the lowering of the front abutment surface in
said first position being such that the drawing projection pushed
towards the closure can extend beyond the front abutment surface
and push against the rear abutment surface, in such a manner to
cause the opposite rotation of the engagement element, the raising
of the front abutment surface above the drawing projection and the
decoupling of the stop element, thus freeing the engagement element
to allow its movement drawn by the spring towards the second
position and dragging the drawing projection of the sliding element
of a piece of furniture along towards the closure position.
2. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that
extended at the two sides of the groove, on the side of the
abutment surface of the engagement element, are slots which define
first surfaces, for sliding the engagement element, sliding on
which are the corresponding lateral surfaces of the engagement
element, the sliding surfaces having cavities close to the idle
position of the engagement element inserted into which is a part of
the said lateral surfaces of the engagement element to allow the
said rotation, such part of the lateral surfaces being shaped to
provide the said stop element which, upon rotation, is fitted into
said cavity.
3. Closure system according to claim 2, characterized in that the
spring is arranged parallel to the groove and on the opposite part
with respect to the abutment surfaces of the engagement element to
generate a rotation torque on the engagement element.
4. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that it
comprises a linear damping device which guides the movement of the
engagement element towards the closure position.
5. Closure system according to claim 4, characterized in that the
damping device is arranged parallel to the groove on the side of
the abutment surfaces of the engagement element.
6. Closure system according to claim 5, characterized in that the
body is extended rectilinear beyond the groove in the closure
direction to define seats for accommodating the damping device and
the spring on its opposite sides.
7. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that the
front abutment surface is tooth-shaped, projecting from the
engagement element, provided with a surface inclined with respect
to the extension of the groove and opposite with respect to the
front abutment surface, between the inclined surface and the front
abutment surface the tooth being hollow to allow its elastic
flexure towards the groove if the inclined surface is impacted by
the drawing projection of the sliding element of a piece of
furniture during its travel towards the closure position, in a way
to allow extension beyond the front abutment surface from the
drawing projection directed towards the closure position even when
the engagement element is not rotated to have the front abutment
surface retracted towards the groove.
8. Closure system according to claim 1, characterized in that on
the two sides of the groove, extended on the side opposite to the
abutment surface of the engagement element, are second slots which
define second sliding surfaces for the engagement element sliding
on which are corresponding lateral surfaces of the engagement
element.
9. Closure system according to claim 5, characterized in that it
comprises blocking means intended to fix the body against a sliding
body of the sliding element of a piece of furniture.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention refers to a controlled closure system
for sliding furniture elements.
[0003] 2. State of the Prior Art
[0004] Known are spring equipped closure systems for sliding
elements of a piece of furniture (for example sliding wardrobe
doors) which are substantially provided with a body, an engagement
element and a spring. The closure system has a slider which engages
the sliding door when it nears the closure position and
spring-draws the it to the fully closed position. Upon manually
drawing the sliding door again towards the opening, the system is
reset, with the slider returning to the initial position and then
releasing the door.
[0005] Usually present on the body of the engagement element are
cavities sliding inside which are special projections provided for
on the engagement element. Generally, the lateral cavities in which
the guide projections slide are difficult to make, weaken the body
and are exposed to unwanted torsions and flexures. A closure system
of this type is, for example, described in EP 0391221.
[0006] The general object of the present invention is that of
overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks by providing an innovative
system for closing sliding elements of a piece of furniture, which
does not have lateral cavities and is more sturdy and durable as
well as easier to make. Such system is particularly suitable for
wardrobes in which the doors are guided by carriages sliding on
guide sections generally obtained from extrusion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] To achieve such object conceived, according to the
invention, was a controlled closure system for a sliding element of
piece of furniture, comprising an elongated body provided in which
is a rectilinear groove passing through the body and extended
axially in the closure direction, an engagement element being
arranged sliding in the groove to move from a first idle position
to a second closure position through the action of a spring, the
engagement element comprising a front abutment surface and a rear
abutment surface projecting from the groove and mutually opposite
along the direction of extension of the groove to delimit--between
each other--a seat intended to accommodate a drawing projection
integral with the sliding element, in said first position the
traction of the spring and the support of the engagement element in
the groove being such to cause the rotation of the engagement
element in the groove plane, that is lowering the front abutment
surface towards the groove, the engagement element coupling with
such rotation a stop element to maintain the first position against
the action of the spring, lowering of the front abutment surface in
said first position being such that the drawing projection pushed
to close can extend beyond the front abutment surface and push
against the rear abutment surface, in such a manner to cause the
opposite rotation of the engagement element, the raising of the
front abutment surface above the drawing projection and the
disengagement of the stop element, in such manner freeing the
engagement element to allow its movement drawn by the spring
towards the second position and dragging the drawing projection of
the sliding element of the piece of furniture along towards the
closure position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] To better explain the innovative principles and the
advantages of the present invention with respect to the prior art,
described hereinafter, with the help of the attached drawings is a
possible embodiment applying such principles. In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 represents a perspective schematic view of a closure
system according to the invention mounted on a piece of furniture
with sliding door;
[0010] FIG. 2 represents an upper plan view of the system of FIG. 1
in closure position;
[0011] FIG. 3 represents a lower plan view of the system of FIG.
2;
[0012] FIG. 4 represents a partially sectional view taken along
line IV-IV of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view similar to the one of FIG. 3, but with the
system in a reset position;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of an
engagement element of the system of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIGS. 7 and 8 are bottom perspective views of two variants
of the engagement system of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to the figures, shown in FIG. 1 is a controlled
closure system, generally indicated by 10, made according to the
principles of the invention, mounted for example at the end of the
travel of a sliding door 11 of a piece of furniture 12. The door 11
is guided by upper carriages 13, of the known type, which slide
along guide sections 14, also of the known type (usually obtained
from extrusion). As observable in FIG. 1, the closure system can be
advantageously accommodated in a groove of the guide sections. The
system can also be mounted at the end of the two movement
directions of the door, both closed and fully open.
[0017] The controlled closure system 10 comprises a body 15 which
serves as an accommodation for the entire mechanism and sliding in
which is an engagement element 16 which operates on a drawing
projection 17 of one of the carriages of the door.
[0018] As better observable hereinafter, when the door is moved to
slide until the projection 17 reaches the closure system, the
engagement 16 is spring actuated to draw the door up to the
abutment, as observable in FIG. 1. Should soft closure be required,
the system 10 may comprise a damping device 18.
[0019] As observable in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, provided inside the body
15 is a through groove 20, usually rectangular, extended axially in
the direction of action of the system with parallel lateral walls.
Provided on the upper part of the parallel wall are two slots 21,
22 which form horizontal surfaces 23, 24 which end with two
cavities 25, 26 in the direction opposite to that of the system
closure. Provided in the lower part of the lateral walls are two
further slots 30, 31 which form horizontal surfaces 32, 33.
[0020] As well observable in FIG. 4, the body 15 is extended beyond
the groove 20 in the closure direction and forms--at the upper
part--a seat 27 for accommodating the possible damping device 18
and--at the lower part--a seat 28 for the spring 29. Damping device
and spring are fixed at an end to the body 15 and at the other end
to the engagement element 16. The screw operates in traction and
draws the engagement element in the door closure direction (towards
the right in the figures), suitably countered by the damping
device, if provided.
[0021] In FIG. 4 also shown is a fixing plate 34 which alongside a
screw 35 provides means for fixing the entire system on the guide
section 14.
[0022] The body 15 does not have lateral cavities and in the
preferred case in which the body is made of plastic material by
means of injection molding, or made of die cast metal, molding
shall be particularly simple (carriages are not required) and
though being very long with respect to the lateral dimension, the
piece has a good consistency.
[0023] The engagement element 16 has a body shaped to slide inside
the groove 20. As observable in FIG. 6, advantageously the
engagement element has a central zone, with a thickness adapted to
slide with minimum clearance in the groove 20, and upper 36 and
lower 37 zones with greater thickness adapted to slide with minimum
clearance in the space respectively delimited in the upper slots
21, 22 and 30, 31. The lower part may not be integral with but
fixed to the engagement element to allow an easy mounting.
[0024] The engagement element 16 symmetrically has--on the two
sides--horizontal surfaces 39 intended to slide on the sliding
surfaces 23, 24 on the sides of the groove 20. The surfaces 39 are
shaped centrally in such a manner to provide a stop or tooth 40.
The parts of the surface 39 forming the teeth 40 on the two sides
of the engagement element are intended to enter into the slot 25
and 26 to allow the rotation of the element 16 and its locking in
the idle position.
[0025] Advantageously, the engagement element also comprises
horizontal lateral surfaces 38 intended to slide on the lower
surfaces 32, 33 at the sides of the groove 20.
[0026] The engagement element has--at the upper part--a projection
41 for attaching a possible damping device and--at the opposite
side--a tooth 42. The projection 41 and the tooth 42 respectively
define a front abutment surface 48 and a rear abutment surface 49
projecting from the groove and mutually opposite along the
direction of extension of the groove to delimit, between them, a
seat or accommodation 44 intended to accommodate the drawing
projection 17 integral with the sliding element 11.
[0027] When the closing system is in the idle position illustrated
in FIG. 5 (door open), the engagement element 16 is blocked at the
left end position inside the sliding track formed by the groove 20.
The stop position is guaranteed by lateral teeth 40 which are
fitted into the respective slots 25, 26. The fitting is obtained by
means of the rotation torque of the engagement element caused by
the traction of the spring on the hook 47 according to a downward
direction with respect to the sliding surface 39.
[0028] As well observable in FIG. 5, the engagement element, the
sliding surfaces, the teeth and the respective slots are
dimensioned in such a manner that when the mechanism is in the left
end block condition, the front abutment surface 48 is lowered
towards the groove in such a manner not to interfere with the
travel of the projection 17 (indicated with a dashed line in FIGS.
4 and 5).
[0029] In such manner, when the leaf is pushed or moved in the
closure direction, the projecting part 17 of the carriage impacts
against the rear abutment surface 49 of the engagement element
rotating the hook itself around the fulcrum point 45 represented by
the part beneath the surface 39, thus allowing the disengagement of
the stop elements 40 from the slots. At this point, the engagement
element slides in the direction of maximum closure (towards the
right in FIG. 4) drawn by the spring, with the tooth 42 engaging
the drawing projection 17 of the carriage, as observable in FIG. 4.
Thus, the door is drawn in the direction of maximum closure.
[0030] The projection 17, suitably dimensioned, is held with
minimum clearance in an accommodation 44 thus, as a matter of fact,
integrally joining the engagement element and the carriage of the
door for the axial movement.
[0031] The leaf is opened by exerting a force greater than the
traction force exerted by the spring 29. The carriage of the leaf,
through the projecting part 17, draws the engagement element 16 in
the opening direction impacting against the tooth 42. When the
teeth 40 arrive above the respective cavities 25, 26 of the upper
sliding surfaces 23, 24, the engagement element rotates again
around its fulcrum point 45 allowing the insertion of the teeth
into the cavities. The system thus returns to the initial condition
of FIG. 5 and the drawing projection 17 is freed from the
projection 44. Thus, the door is free to continue its travel to
open.
[0032] At this point, it is clear how the preset objects have been
obtained.
[0033] In order to prevent an inadvertent closure in which the
engagement element 16 is at the position described in FIG. 4, but
the projecting part 17 is not blocked inside the accommodation 44,
it is advantageous to provide the tooth 42 with an inclined surface
43 and a cavity 46 inside the tooth in such a manner to allow,
exerting a suitable pressure on the inclined surface 43, the
flexure of the tooth itself, as easily imaginable by a man skilled
in the art. In this manner, by strongly pushing the door in the
direction of maximum closure, the projecting part 17 bends the
tooth 42 sliding above it until it abuts against the surface 49. At
this point, the tooth is once again free to regain its initial form
raising over the projecting part 17 and blocking it inside the
accommodation 44.
[0034] Obviously, the aforementioned description of an embodiment
applying the innovative principles of the present invention is
given as an example of such innovative principles and thus should
not be deemed restrictive in the scope of the patent herein
claimed.
[0035] For example, the function of the surfaces 38 and 39 of the
engagement element can also be attained by means of other forms,
such as for example, the ones illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8,
substantially where the surfaces are replaced by projections 38a,
38b, 39a, 39b which delimit their end points.
[0036] The projecting part 17 can be made in a single piece in the
carriage or be made as separate elements, specifically made and
fixed onto the carriage or leaf.
* * * * *