U.S. patent number 3,854,785 [Application Number 05/397,657] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-17 for actuating device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Robert Krause KG Zweigniederlassung Wielheim/Teck. Invention is credited to Peter Hueber, Roland Manner.
United States Patent |
3,854,785 |
Manner , et al. |
December 17, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
ACTUATING DEVICE
Abstract
An actuating device adapted for being associated with a moveable
member such as a drawer and operable upon pressing the drawer
inwardly from a closed position to exert a force on the drawer in
the opening direction which will push the drawer toward open
position when released. Thereafter, upon pushing the drawer to
closed position, the actuating device will latch in retracted
position and from which retracted position it can, thereafter, be
released by again pressing on the closed drawer in the closing
direction. The actuating device includes a reciprocable push rod
spring urged in the outward direction to a stopped position and
having a stopped inner position from which it is released by inward
pressure applied to the drawer.
Inventors: |
Manner; Roland (Weilheim/Teck,
DT), Hueber; Peter (Owen/Teck, DT) |
Assignee: |
Robert Krause KG Zweigniederlassung
Wielheim/Teck (Weilheim/Teck, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
25763856 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/397,657 |
Filed: |
September 17, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/319.1;
292/DIG.4; 312/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
88/463 (20170101); E05C 19/022 (20130101); Y10S
292/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05C
19/00 (20060101); E05C 19/02 (20060101); E05c
007/06 (); A47b 088/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;312/319,333,204,222
;292/DIG.4,DIG.72,198,77,99 ;49/276 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McCall; James T.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Becker; Walter
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for causing outward movement of a member such as a
drawer or the like from closed position, said device comprising; a
frame adjacent the member, a push rod in the frame extending in the
direction of movement of said member and reciprocable in said
direction between an inner retracted position and an outward
position and having the outer end adapted to engage the member in
closed position of the member, a latch bar parallel to and adjacent
one side of the push rod and pivoted in the frame, a latch pin
extending outwardly from the push rod on the latch bar side, a
first spring in the frame biasing the push rod in outward
direction, said latch bar having a first control surface along one
edge, a first inwardly facing abutment region at the forward end of
said first control surface engageable by the side of said latch pin
in outward position of said push rod, said first control surface
also having an incline leading rearwardly from said first abutment
region and along which said latch pin slides as the push rod moves
in retracting direction in said frame, a second inwardly facing
abutment region at the rearward end of said incline remote
engageable with the side of said latch pin to hold the push rod in
retracted position, a second control surface on said latch bar
engageable with the end of said latch pin upon inward movement of
the push rod from retracted position and operable to release said
latch pin from said second abutment region, a running surface
extending along said latch bar generally parallel to said first
control surface and from near said second abutment region to said
first abutment region, said running surface adapted for engagement
with the end of the latch pin, said latch pin being slidable along
said running surface when disengaged from said second abutment
region, and a second spring biasing said latch bar about the axis
of the pivotal support thereof on said frame in a direction toward
said first control surface.
2. A device according to claim 1 in which said latch bar is pivoted
in said frame near the forward end of the latch bar and extends
rearwardly in the frame from the pivot, said latch bar being
disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said latch
pin.
3. A device according to claim 1 in which said latch bar is pivoted
in said frame near the forward end of the latch bar and extends
rearwardly in the frame from the pivot, said latch bar having an
elongated notch formed along said one edge thereof, the end of said
notch nearest said pivot forming said first abutment region, the
rearward portion of said notch forming said incline and the
rearward end of said incline leading to near the adjacent edge of
said bar, and a lateral recess extending into said edge of the bar
at the rearward end of said incline, said lateral recess adapted
for receiving said latch pin when the latch pin runs off the
rearward end of the incline, said recess having a rearwadly facing
edge forming said second abutment region.
4. A device according to claim 3 in which the forwardly facing edge
of said lateral recess forms a third abutment region to abut the
side of said latch pin when the latch pin runs off the rearward end
of said incline.
5. A device according to claim 4 in which said third abutment
region is substantially symmetrically located with respect to the
rearward end of said incline so as to be directly opposed to said
latch pin when the latch pin runs off the rearward end of the
incline.
6. A device according to claim 1 in which said second control
surface is adjacent said second abutment region.
7. A device according to claim 6 in which said second control
surface is formed by a portion of said latch bar which is bent out
of the plane of said latch bar.
8. A device according to claim 7 in which said second control
surface extends at an acute angle to the plane of the latch
bar.
9. A device according to claim 1 in which said latch bar and push
rod comprise cooperating elements of abutment means which stop said
latch bar in a predetermined rotated position relative to said push
rod when said latch bar is under the influence of said second
spring.
10. A device according to claim 1 in which said latch bar engages
the pivotal support therefor with play to permit lateral movement
of at least the free end of the latch bar when said latch pin is
disengaged from said second abutment means by said second control
surface.
11. A device according to claim 10 in which said latch bar is also
moveable axially on its pivot and said second spring comprises a
helical portion surrounding the pivot and disposed between the
frame and the latch bar.
12. A device according to claim 1 in which said latch pin is in
about the middle of the length of the push rod.
13. A device according to claim 1 in which said frame includes
spaced plates in which said push rod is guided for reciprocation in
the frame.
14. A device according to claim 1 in which said first spring is a
tension spring having a forward end connected to said frame and a
rearward end connected to said push rod.
15. A device according to claim 1 in which said push rod is a flat
plate and is parallel to the latch bar.
16. A device according to claim 1 in which said frame is a U-shaped
housing having mounting flange means on the free ends of the legs
thereof.
17. A device according to claim 14 in which said first control
surface is on the side of said latch bar which faces the open side
of said housing.
18. A device according to claim 13 in which said plates are formed
of synthetic material and have laterally protruding lugs, said
frame having apertures therein to receive said lugs to locate and
retain said plates in said frame.
Description
The present invention relates to push-out fittings for drawers and
the like, equipped with a pushrod which is spring loaded in the
push-out direction and which in its starting position is, by means
of a pivotable latching or locking lever arrested in such a way
that the latching lever is freed when the pushrod is moved inwardly
by a short distance, said pushrod and said latching lever being
mounted on a supporting element. The said latching lever is with
its bearing movable relative to the pivot axis and is spring urged
toward its locking position.
It is an object of the present invention so to design a pushout
fitting of this type that an easy handling and safe operation will
be assured while the push-out fitting is simple in
construction.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear
more clearly from the following specification, in connection with
the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical section through a furniture piece
with fittings according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view, partially in section, of the fitting
according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 represents a section taken along the line III--III of FIG.
2.
FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line IV--IV of FIG. 2.
FIGS. 5 - 7 represent a further embodiment of the invention and
illustrate the same in views similar to those of FIGS. 2 - 4.
The above mentioned objects have been realized according to the
present invention by a push-out fitting, which is characterized in
that the pushrod comprises a locking cam which, due to the spring
force of the latching lever, moves on a first control surface of
the latching lever, which first control surface is inclined with
regard to the push-out direction and is furthermore located in a
plane which is substantially perpendicular with regard to the pivot
axis of the latching lever. The push-out fitting according to the
present invention is furthermore characterized in that the first
control surface merges at its rear end when looking in the push-out
direction with a locking surface transverse thereto for the
latching cam. The push-out fitting according to the invention is
furthermore characterized in that in a direction counter to the
push-out direction the locking surface has adjacent thereto,
guiding means for the latching cam which guiding means is on that
side which faces away from the first control surface confined by a
second control surface for the end face of the latching cam. This
end face is located in a plane which is at an incline with regard
to the pivot axis of the latching lever and merges in push-out
direction with a running surface for the latching cam, said running
surface extending approximately in said last mentioned direction up
to the front end of the first control surface and is located on the
latching lever. The push-out fitting is additionally characterized
in that the latching lever which is movable in approximately the
direction of its axis is, in this direction, spring urged with the
second control surface against the end face of said latching
cam.
When the pushrod during the inward movement of the drawer is moved
into the closing position toward the rear, the latching cam slides
on the first control surface whereby the latching lever is pivoted
against the spring force acting thereupon until the latching cam
reaches the region of the latching surface so that the latching
lever is under the influence of the spring force acting thereupon
pivoted in such a way that the latching cam engages the latching
surface. If the drawer is released in this position, the latching
cam will, under the influence of the spring force acting upon the
pushrod, engage the latching surface so that the pushrod is held
fast. If now the drawer is pushed in further, slightly beyond its
closing position, the latching cam with its end face will reach the
second control surface due to the fact that the latching lever is
under the influence of the spring force acting upon the latching
lever pivoted further. The drawer can now be released because the
latching cam will no longer be blocked by the latching surface but
can from the second control surface, move to the running surface
and via the latter to the start of the first control surface so
that also the pushrod advances due to the spring force acting
thereupon and pushes the drawer out.
For purposes of obtaining a protected arrangement, the latching
lever projects freely approximately in a direction opposite to the
push-out direction. A space saving arrangement is obtained when the
latching lever is flat and is located in a plane substantially
rectangular to the pivot axis of the latching lever.
The first control surface may, in a simple manner, be formed by an
edge of the latching lever, preferably by the confining edge of a
recess which is located on a longitudinal side of the latching
lever. Similarly, the latching surface may be formed by an edge of
the latching lever, which edge is preferably located at a right
angle with regard to the push-out direction and faces away from the
push-out end of the pushrod. A particularly safe function of the
push-out fitting is assured when the latching surface is located
opposite an abutment surface at a distance approximately
corresponding to the diameter of the latching cam so that the
latching cam when the drawer is pushed into its closing position
will at the end of the first control surface, engage the abutment
surface whereby the inward movement of the drawer is precisely
limited and the latching cam cannot accidentally, during this
movement of the drawer, move into the guiding means and onto the
second control surface. Expediently, the abutment surface is
substantially symmetrically located with regard to a plane which is
parallel to the push-out direction and passes through that end of
the first control surface which is located adjacent the latching
surface so that it will assure a very safe abutment of the latching
cam. A further improvement in this arrangement will be realized
when the abutment surface is so designed that it re-enters because
in this way, due to the abutment of the latching cam, a precisely
predetermined position of the latching lever will be obtained.
For purposes of obtaining shorter control movements of the latching
lever, the guiding means for the latching cam are provided directly
adjacent to the abutment surface. The latching surface and the
abutment surface may, in a simple manner, be designed by a cut at
that longitudinal side of the latching lever which comprises the
first control surface. Furthermore, the guiding means may, in
simple manner, be formed by a cutout in the latching lever which
cutout is adjacent to said last mentioned cut, whereby the guiding
means will be located preferably at that edge which faces away from
the pertaining longitudinal side of the latching lever and pertains
to the abutment member which forms the abutment surface and freely
projects in the push-out direction.
In order to assure that the latching lever, for purposes of
releasing the pushrod, can easily by the latching cam, be pressed
away in the direction of its pivot axis, the second control surface
is located at an acute angle closes in push-out direction. The
second control surface may, in a simple manner, be located on that
side of the guiding means which is located opposite the abutment
member while said second control surface is preferably formed by a
plate, or the like, bent out of the latching lever.
The second control surface may be designed rather narrow if the
latching lever in its end position in which it engages the latching
cam by means of the second control surface is limited by abutment
means.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the latching
lever is journaled with play on a bolt in such a way that in
addition to being pivotable about its axis without additional
bearing means is also pivotable in a plane of this axis which is
approximately parallel to its longitudinal direction, in other
words, is movably journaled in the direction of this axis.
A particularly simple construction is obtained when on the bearing
bolt between the latching lever and a first counterbearing, there
is arranged a leg spring which is linked to the latching lever,
when the helical spring-shaped section of the leg spring, which
section surrounds the bolt is designed as compression spring, and
when the latching lever on that side which faces away from the
compression spring rests on a second counterbearing, especially an
end collar of the bearing bolt, so that the latching lever is
spring loaded by one and the same spring around its pivot axis and
also in the direction of its pivot axis.
The running surface of the latching lever may, in a simple manner,
be designed by that outer surface thereof which faces toward the
pushrod.
A relatively short length of the pushrod is obtained when the
latching lever is provided at the rear end of the pushrod.
For further simplifying the construction of the fitting according
to the present invention, the pushrod is designed as a flat rod
which preferably is located directly adjacent to the latching lever
and in a plane parallel thereto.
A protected arrangement of the fitting can be realized by designing
the carrier means in the form of a housing which extends preferably
over the entire length of the latching lever and the supported
section of the pushrod. According to a simple embodiment of this
arrangement, the housing has a U-shaped cross section while
preferably the U-shaped transverse web is located on that side of
the latching lever which faces away from the first control surface
so that the latching lever will easily be accessible when the
fitting is not mounted.
Expediently, the carrier means is provided with connecting flanges
which preferably are formed by outwardly bent leg ends of the
housing of U-shaped cross section.
Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen from FIG. 1
that within the region of the horizontally displaceable drawers 2
of a furniture piece 1 there are provided fittings 3 according to
the invention, which are connected to the furniture piece 1, for
instance, to the intermediate bottom 4 and are located respectively
directly below the pertaining drawer pull 2 adjacent to the opening
provided for said drawer pull in the furniture piece. The pushrod 5
which extends in the displacing direction indicated by the arrows
6, 7 and pertains to the respective push-out fitting 3 is within
the region of the inner side of the shield 8 of the pertaining
drawer pull 2, so located that its end will be able to engage the
inner side of said shield and thereby to push the drawer out into
opening position. Furthermore, as a result thereof, the pushrod 5
can, when pushing the drawer pull 2 in, be taken along by its
shield 8.
As will be seen from FIGS. 2 - 4, the fitting 3 has a
housing-shaped carrier 9 which comprises a central longitudinal
part 10 which has a U-shaped cross section and the legs 11 of which
are parallel to each other and at a right angle to the transverse
web 12, while the legs are bent outwardly to form strips 13 at
those longitudinal sides of the legs which face away from the
transverse web 12. These strips 13 are located in a common plane
and form connecting flanges which are provided with passages 14 for
the connecting screws for purposes of connecting the fitting 3.
Directly adjacent to the front end of housing 9 and in spaced
relationship to the rear end thereof, the legs 11 have respectively
connected thereto guiding plates 15 which are located in a plane
that is perpendicular with regard to the legs 11 and the transverse
web 12 and on both sides are equipped with web-shaped extensions
16. These extensions 16 engage corresponding slots in legs 11 so
that each guiding plate 15 will be safely held. Each guiding plate
15 extends to the connecting plane of the carrier housing 9 and has
a passage 17 of a flat rectangular cross section. In the two
passages 17 designed as guiding means, there is arranged the
pushrod 5 which forms a flat bar and is displaceable in the
direction of the arrows 6, 7 on the longitudinal direction of the
housing 9. This pushrod 5 is located in a plane which is parallel
to the legs 11 of the housing 9 and is arranged approximately in
the center between the legs 11. At the rear end of the pushrod 5
behind the rear guiding plate 15 there is provided a rivet bolt 14
which protrudes beyond a side surface of said pushrod 5. Linked to
said bolt 19 is the rear end of a pull spring 20 which extends in
the longitudinal direction of the pushrod 5 and is located at one
lateral surface of said pushrod. The front end of the spring 20
engages a bore 21 in the front guiding plate 15, said spring 20
urging the pushrod 5 in the push-out direction indicated by the
arrow 6.
Pivotally mounted on the leg which is located on that side of the
pushrod 5 which faces away from the pull spring 20 is a latching
lever 22. Lever 22 is, with a bearing bolt 23 pivotable about a
shaft which is located at a right angle to the legs 11. The bearing
bolt 23 is directly adjacent to the inner side of the front guiding
plate 15, and the latching lever 22 is located between the guiding
plates 15. The latching lever 22 projects from the pivot shaft 23
toward the rear. The latching lever 22 consists of a flat material
and is located in a plane which is parallel to the pushrod 5 and
directly adjacent to the latter. Arranged on the bolt 23 between
the pertaining housing leg 11 and the latching lever 22 is a leg
spring 25 of which one leg rests on that outer edge of the latching
lever 22 which faces toward the transverse web 12 of the housing
while the other leg 27 engages a bore 28 in the guiding plate 15
which last mentioned bore is located at the same lever as the bore
21. That section of the leg spring 25 which is arranged on the bolt
23 serves as helical pressure spring which presses the latching
lever 22 against an end collar 24 of the bearing bolt 23, said
collar 24 being located between the lever 22 and the pushrod 5.
In spaced relationship to the pivot shaft 23, the one-arm latching
lever 22 has that longitudinal side thereof which faces away from
the transverse web 12 of the housing provided with a control
surface 29 which is formed by the inner confining edge of a recess
on the pertaining longitudinal side of lever 22 and extends in the
direction toward the free end of the lever 22 at an incline with
regard to the connecting plane of housing 9. That end of the first
control surface 29 which faces away from the bolt 23 merges at an
acute angle with a latching surface 30 which extends approximately
at a right angle with regard to the longitudinal direction of the
push rod 5 and is re-entering and concave and faces away from the
bolt 23. The latching surface 30 thus extends from the merging area
with the first control surface 29 in the direction toward the
oppositely located longitudinal edge of the latching lever 22. The
latching surface 30 is formed by a lateral confinement of a cut 31
which is provided on the pertaining longitudinal side of the
latching lever 22 which is located approximately at a right angle
to the longitudinal direction of the latching lever 22. The other
confining edge 22 of this cut 31 forms a concave reentering
abutment surface 32 which extends approximately at a right angle to
the longitudinal direction of the pushrod 5. The abutment surface
32 points to the front end of the pushrod 5 and the central portion
of which is located approximately opposite the merging area between
the first control surface 29 and the latching surface 30. In other
words, the abutment surface 32 is approximately symmetrically
arranged with regard to the plane which is parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the pushrod 5 and which passes through
said merging area and is parallel to the pivot axis of the latching
lever 22.
The cut 31 merges with a cutout 33 in the pertaining end of the
latching lever 22 while this cutout 33 forms guiding means which
extend from the cut 31 to the rear or free end of the latching
lever 22 and together with the cut 31 forms an angular guiding
means. As a result thereof, the abutment surface 32 is formed by an
abutment member 34 which freely projects in the push-out direction
indicated by the arrow 6.
On that side of the cutout 33 which is located opposite to the
abutment member 34 and is approximately parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the pushrod 5, the lever 22 forms a
control surface 35 which, in the direction of the arrow 7 and in
spaced relationship to the abutment surface 30 is parallel to the
pivot axis 23 of the lever 22 and is offset with regard to that
side of the lever 22 which faces away from the pushrod 5 while in
the push-out direction indicated by the arrow 6 merging with the
lateral surface 36 of the lever 22 which last mentioned surface
faces the pushrod 5. The second control surface 35 is with the
illustrated embodiment formed by a plate 37 which in the view of
FIG. 2 is, in a pitch circle manner, bent out. The plate 37 has
both ends merging with the lever 22 or forms one piece therewith.
The control surface 35 is located in a plane which is parallel to
the longitudinal direction of lever 22 and to its pivot axis. This
plane passes approximately through the front portion of the first
control surface 29. At this front end of the first control surface
29, the latter merges with an edge section 38 which is parallel to
the longitudinal direction of the latching lever 22. The section 38
merges, in its turn, with an edge section 39 which is located at a
right angle with regard to the longitudinal direction of the lever
22. The edge section 39 points away from the pivot shaft 23 of
lever 22.
On that lateral surface of pushrod 5 which faces toward the lever
22 there is provided a latching cam 40 which is formed by a bolt
and projects beyond the pushrod 5, said cam engaging the lever 22.
In the push-out position of the pushrod 5, according to FIGS. 2 and
3, i.e. in the position in which the pushrod 5 has advanced
farthest in the direction of the arrow 6, the cam 40 engages the
edge of the lever 22, which edge forms the end abutment surface 39,
so that the pushrod is fixed in this position. When the pushrod 5
is displaced in the direction of the arrow 7, i.e. in a direction
opposite to the push-out direction 6, the latching cam 40 slides
first along the edge section 38 and then along the first control
surface 29 so that the lever 22 is, against the thrust of the leg
spring 25, pivoted in the direction toward the transverse web 12 of
the housing until the cam 40 abuts the abutment surface 32 so that
the pushrod 5 cannot be pushed in further against the thrust of
spring 20. If the pushrod 5 is now released by releasing the drawer
pull 2, the pushrod 5 will, due to the thrust of its spring,
slightly move in push-out direction indicated by arrow 6. At the
same time, the latching lever 22 will, due to the thrust of leg
spring 25, be pivoted away from the transverse web 12 of the
housing in such a way that the cam 40 will abut the latching
surface 30 whereby the pushrod 5 will again be blocked in the
push-out direction indicated by arrow 6. If now, the pushrod 5 is
moved again in a direction opposite to the push-out direction
indicated by arrow 6, in other words, is moved again in the
direction of the arrow 7 by a slight distance, the latching cam 40
moves into the cutout 33 until, due to its position within the
region of the second control surface 35, it frees the lever 22 so
that the latter, due to the thrust of its leg spring 25 can pivot
further away from the transverse web 12 of the housing and thus the
free end face of the latching cam 40 passes to the control surface
35. On the longitudinal side which faces the transverse web of the
housing, an abutment plate 41 is bent out of the lever 22 in a
direction toward the pushrod 5, said abutment plate 41 forming an
end abutment for the lever 22 which when the cam 40 engages the
control surface 35 will in a blocking manner engage the
longitudinal edge of pushrod 5, which longitudinal edge faces
toward the housing transverse web 12. If the pushrod 5 is now
released, the cam 40 slides along the second control surface 35 to
the lateral surface 36 which faces the pushrod 5 and is designed as
running surface while pertaining to the latching lever 22. As a
result thereof, the pushrod 18 will spring forward due to the
thrust of spring 20 in the push-out direction indicated by arrow 6
until the cam 40 again abuts the end abutment edge 39. The lever 22
is journaled with such great bearing play on the bolt 23 that it
will be pivotable on bolt 23 about an axis which is located at a
right angle to the longitudinal direction of said bolt and
intersects the central axis of bolt 23 at a right angle so that the
lever 22 during the movement of the cam 40 on the running surface
36 is against the thrust of leg spring 25 pressed away by pushrod 5
by a corresponding distance. As soon as cam 40 during the springing
forward of pushrod 5 arrives within the region of the edge section
38, the latching lever 22 is, by the thrust of the helical spring
section of leg spring 25 moved again in the direction toward the
pushrod 5 so that the cam 40 will again be located in the plane of
the edges 29, 30, 32, 38, 39.
The guiding plates 15 are expediently made of a synthetic material
so that a very noise-free movement of the fitting according to the
invention is obtained. Such a synthetic material may, for instance,
be Teflon. The rear guiding plate 15 has a passage 42 for the
helical tension spring edge 20 so that the latter can be expanded
in an unimpeded manner.
In FIGS. 5 - 7, those parts which correspond to the element
described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 4 have been
designated with the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 2 to 4 but
with the index "a".
According to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 7, the guiding plates 15a
are formed by plates which are bent off at a right angle from the
transverse web 12a of the housing. The front guiding plate 15a is
provided at the foremost end of the housing 9a, whereas the rear
guiding plate 15a, when the pushrod 5a is in its front position is
located behind the rear linkage point 19a of the helical tension
spring 20a. The pushrod 5a is provided with an abutment cam 43
which is formed by a stamping. This abutment cam 43 has associated
therewith a counter abutment formed by the inner side of the front
guiding plate 15a and fixed by the farthest moved-out position of
the pushrod 5a. The plate 37a which forms the second control
surface 35a and pertains to the lever 22a protrudes freely in a
tongue-like manner. The plate 37a is located in a plane which is at
an incline with regard to the plane of lever 22a and which together
with the plane of pushrod 5a encloses an acute angle which closes
toward the front end of the pushrod 5a.
It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is,
by no means, limited to the specific showing in the drawing, but
also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *