NL2012266C2 - DEVICE FOR ESTABLISHING A SUPPORT BODY. - Google Patents

Description

Brief indication: Device for adjusting a supporting member. Description

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting a support member between a storage position and a presentation position. Within the framework of the present invention, such a support member can typically be designed as a carrying board such as can form part of a cupboard, such as a kitchen cupboard. For various reasons, it may be difficult or even impossible for users to reach products supported by a support member. A solution to this problem lies in temporarily moving the supporting member from a relatively high storage position to a lower position in a presentation position so that the products become (better) accessible.

In European patent application EP 1 820 420 A1, a built-in part for a cabinet is described. The mounting part is movable between a high position in the cabinet and a low position for the cabinet with the aid of a pivoting device. This pivoting device comprises two mechanisms, each of which is provided with a mounting plate. The mounting part is attached to the two hinge mechanisms between the mounting plates, the two hinge mechanisms being further connected via a connecting rod, the ends of which connect to the connecting plates.

The present invention has for its object to provide a device with which it is also possible to move a supporting member, such as a carrying board, from a storage position both downwards in the horizontal direction in the direction of a user and vertically to a presentation position, and vice versa. An important objective here is that the device is relatively simple, compact and universally applicable in construction. A further object of the invention is to provide such a device which has a simple ease of use and lends itself to a complete manual operation without thereby excluding mechanical support of the manual operation, for example with an auxiliary motor or spring mechanism.

To this end, the device according to the invention comprises two adjusting units which are provided against one another and which are at least substantially mirror-shaped and which each comprise first telescopic means, second telescopic means and a coupling member, wherein the first telescopic means comprise at least a first telescopic part and a second telescopic part, the first telescopic part being fixed is connected to the coupling member and the second telescope part comprises fastening means for fastening a support member to the second telescope part such that in use the support member extends between the second telescope parts of the respective adjusting units, the first telescope means being adapted for use in downward and downward moving the second telescope part upwardly between a lower position and an upper position relative to the first telescope part, and the second telescope means at least one first telescopic further each and a second further telescope part, wherein the first further telescope part comprises further fixing means for fixing the first further telescope part to an element of the environment in which the device is used, such as on the inside of a wall of a cupboard or on a wall of a space, and the second further telescope part is fixedly connected to the coupling member, the second telescope means being adapted to move the second further telescope part back and forth in use in the horizontal direction relative to the first further telescopic part telescopic part, wherein the device further comprises at least one between a non-blocking position and a blocking position relative to the coupling member, a again movable blocking member, wherein in the blocking position, unlike in the non-blocking position, the blocking member due to stop against an attack The displacement of the second further telescope part from the extended position in the direction of the retracted position hinders. The use of adjusting units each with the first telescopic means, the second telescopic means and the coupling member enables on the one hand a simple constructional embodiment of the device according to the invention and on the other hand a relatively simple installation. In use, the support member can be easily moved from the high storage position to the low presentation position by first pulling on the support member so that the second telescopic means are moved horizontally from the retracted position to the extended position and then moving the first telescopic means from the upper position to the lower position. To move the support member back from the presentation position to the storage position, the user can perform the above described movements in the reverse direction. The blocking member prevents the second telescopic means from moving from the extended position to the retracted position during the displacement of the supporting member from the presentation position to the storage position before the first telescoping means are in the upper position. In the event that the second telescopic means would move from the extended position to the collapsed position rather than the first telescopic means having reached the upper position, there is a risk that the supporting member would touch products resting on a lower supporting member.

Although within the scope of the present invention it is possible to manually operate the blocking member separately, for example by pressing a button, it is preferred that the blocking member autonomously from the non-blocking position assumes the blocking position when the second telescopic means are moved from the retracted position to the extended position and wherein the blocking member autonomously from the blocking position assumes the non-blocking position when the first telescopic means are moved from the lower position to the upper position. An extremely user-friendly version of the device according to the invention can thus be obtained. The aforementioned autonomous movement of the blocking member can for instance be realized by making use of gravity, spring force or magnetic force and / or by stop against the blocking member. This applies not only to the possible autonomous movement of the blocking member but also to the possible autonomous movements of the further blocking member and / or the still further blocking member as will be discussed below.

The blocking member is preferably pivotable between the non-blocking position and the blocking position. This is beneficial to the structural simplicity of the invention while, moreover, in particular if the blocking member is pivotable about a pivot axis that is oriented horizontally, gravity can be used to pivot the blocking member between the blocking position and the non-blocking position.

In particular if the device according to the invention is used in combination with a support member that is subjected to a relatively heavy load, it may be preferable if each adjusting unit comprises a guide extending parallel to and above the second telescopic means for guiding a guide connected to the coupling member member between a further extended position and a further retracted position during displacement of the second guide means between the extended position and the retracted position, which guide is in use attached to an element of the environment in which the device is used, such as on the inside of a wall of a cupboard or on a wall of a room. The use of the guide allows for more stable displacement of the supporting member in the horizontal direction, whereby both the second telescopic means move between the retracted position and the extended position and the guide member moves between the further retracted position and the further extended position.

The stability of the device is further positively influenced if each adjusting unit comprises a further blocking member which is movable again between a further non-blocking position and a further blocking position relative to the coupling member, wherein in the further blocking position, unlike in the further non-blocking position, the further blocking member impedes movement of the guide member from the further extended position in the direction of the further retracted position due to stop against a further stop part.

Preferably, the further blocking member autonomously assumes from the further non-blocking position the further blocking position when the guide member is moved from the further retracted position to the further extended position and wherein the further blocking member autonomously from the further blocking position to the assumes a further non-blocking position when the first telescopic means are moved from the lower position to the upper position. This benefits the ease of use of the device.

From the viewpoint of constructional simplicity, it can be advantageous that the guide member and the further blocking member relate to the same member. The number of required parts of the device is thus limited.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a device wherein each adjusting unit comprises a still further blocking member which is movable between a still further non-blocking position and a still further blocking position relative to the second further telescope part, wherein in the still further blocking position of the still further blocking member, which can only be the case in the upper position of the first telescopic means, the still further blocking member engages an engagement part of the second telescope part of the first telescope means for impeding movement of the first telescope means from the upper position in the direction of the lower position, while in the still further non-blocking position the still further blocking member does not engage on the engagement part. The still further blocking member ensures that the first telescopic means can only move from the upper position to the lower position a the second telescoping means are in the extended position. If this were also possible if the second telescopic means were still in the retracted position or between the retracted position and the extended position, the supporting member could move downwards on products that are located on an underlying supporting member.

The ease of operation can further benefit if the still further blocking member autonomously from the still further blocking position assumes the still further non-blocking position upon displacement of the second telescopic means from the retracted position to the extended position and wherein the still further blocking member autonomously from the still further non-blocking position assumes the still further blocking position when the first telescopic means are moved from the lower position to the upper position

It is furthermore preferred here that the still further blocking member in the upper position of the first telescopic means tends towards the still further blocking position due to spring pressure. Such a tendency can thus be achieved with constructively simple means.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the still further blocking member comprises a further engagement part which, in the extended position of the second telescope means, engages a further stop part which is rigidly connected to the first further telescope part of the second telescope means. Thus, by extending the second telescopic means to the extended position, an opposing force can be generated on the spring pressure, as a result of which the still further blocking member moves from the blocking position to the non-blocking position due to the sliding out of the second telescopic means to the extended position.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hanging kitchen cupboard with an adjusting device according to the invention applied in the presentation position;

Figure 2 shows the kitchen cabinet according to Figure 1 in vertical cross-section, the device being in the storage position;

Figure 3 shows the device according to figures 1 and 2 in a position located between the storage position and the presentation position;

Figure 4 shows the device in the presentation position according to Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of area V in Figure 1;

Figures 6a and 6b show area VI according to figure 3 in vertical cross-section;

Figures 7a to 7c show in vertical cross-sectional area VII in Figure 3 in different situations;

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a kitchen cupboard 1. Kitchen cupboard 1 comprises two side plates 2a, 2b, top plate 3, bottom plate 4 and back plate 5 and door 6 hinged with respect to side plate 2b. Kitchen cupboard 1 further comprises a shelf plate 7, which is adjustable between a presentation position as is shown in Figure 1, where shelf plate 7 is more or less at the same level as bottom plate 4 at the front of bottom plate 4, and a storage position where shelf plate 7 is located in the cabinet 1 approximately midway between top plate 3 and bottom plate 4, as shown in figure 2.

For the said adjustment of shelf plate 7, kitchen cabinet 1 is provided with an adjusting device according to the invention. The adjusting device comprises two adjusting units 7a, 7b that are mirror-shaped with respect to a vertical mirror surface that is oriented perpendicular to rear plate 5. In the following, the adjusting units 7a, 7b will be indicated by reference numeral 7 unless it is important that a distinction is made between the two adjusting units 7a, 7b. The same applies to the various (sub) parts of the adjusting units 7 which are to be discussed in more detail, which, although for the adjusting units 7a, 7b, are of mirror design, will in the following generally be referred to by the same reference numeral without suffix a or b.

Each adjusting unit 7a, 7b comprises a first telescopic guide 11, a second telescopic guide 12 and a third telescopic guide 13. The first telescopic guide 11 is three-part so that the second telescopic guide can make a stroke that is larger than the length of the first telescopic guide guidance in retracted position. First telescopic guide 11 comprises a first telescope part 14, second telescope part 15 as well as an intermediate telescope part 22. The first telescopic guide 11 is inclined at an angle of approximately 30 ° with a vertically oriented and displaceable between a lower position, as shown in figures 1 and 4 and an upper position as is the case in figures 2 and 3. The invention is otherwise also applicable when the first telescopic guide 11 is inclined with the vertical at a different angle, such as for example 20 °, or does not slope and extends purely vertically.

The second telescope guides 12 are also each of three parts and, in addition to an intermediate telescope part 23, also have a first telescope part 16 and a second telescope part 17. The second telescope guides 12 are slidable in horizontal direction between an extended position according to figures 1, 3 and 4 and a retracted position position according to figure 2.

The third telescopic guides 13 are each designed in two parts with a first telescope part 18 and a second telescope part 19 (see also figures 5 to 6b).

Each adjusting unit 7 further comprises a coupling plate 20 which is in the form of a rectangular triangle. On the horizontal side of the triangle shape coupling plate 20 is connected to the second telescope part 17 of the second telescope guide 12. On the sloping side of the rectangular triangle shape coupling plate 20 is connected to the first telescope part 14 of the first telescopic guide 11. Thus, the coupling plates function 20 as a coupling element between the respective first telescopic guides 11 and the second telescopic guides 12 of each of the adjusting units 7.

Laying plate 7 is connected with the second telescope parts 15 at the lower ends thereof to the relevant telescope parts 15. The second telescope parts 15 and the shelf plate 7 will therefore move together.

A guide element 25 is provided on the second telescope parts 17 of the second telescope guides 12. On the inner sides of the guide elements 25 the adjusting device comprises a finger-shaped blocking member 26 which is pivotable relative to the guide element 25 about horizontal pivot axis 28 between a non-blocking position according to Figs. 7a and 7b and a blocking position according to Fig. 7c, wherein the blocking member 26 is somewhat is pivoted downwardly and abuts against stop pin 27 which is also provided with guide element 25 on the inside. At the top, guide element 25 comprises two guide parts 29, 30, each with a horizontal bore 31, 32, which bore holes 31, 32 are aligned with each other. The bores 31, 32 function as longitudinal guides for a stop pin 33. Between the guide parts 29, 30, stop pin 33 comprises a collar 34. Between collar 34 and guide part 30, each adjusting unit 7 comprises a compression spring which extends around the stop pin 33. On the side of guide part 30 remote from compression spring 35, stop pin 33 has a square end 36. The opposite end 37 of stop pin 33, which is located on side of guide part 29 remote from compression spring 35, is corresponding to the slope of the first telescopic guide 11. chamfered. In the situation according to Figure 7a in which the first telescopic guide 11 is in the upper position and the second telescopic guide 12 is almost in the fully extended position, end 37 falls into a recess 38 which is provided in the second telescope part 15 of the first telescopic guide 11. Alternatively, end 37 could also fall under telescope part 15, for example with a lower positioning of stop pin 33 or another shape of end 37. Each of the adjusting units 7 furthermore comprises stops 41 and 42 rigidly connected to the first telescope part 16 of the second telescopic guides 12. Stop 42 is arranged for cooperation with square end 36 of stop pin 33 and stop 41 is arranged for cooperation with blocking member 26 for reasons which will be explained in the description of the operation of the adjusting device.

As shown in Fig. 5, between the first telescope part 18 and the second telescope part 19 of each third telescopic guide 13 a tension spring 50 is operative which is connected at its ends to cam 51 on the first telescope part 18 and cam 52 on the second telescope part 19. Due to the effectiveness of tension spring 50, the third telescopic guide 13 will tend to assume the retracted position. Figures 5 to 6b show the third telescopic guides 13 in the extended position, wherein tension spring 50 is loaded on tension. The first telescope part 18 and the second telescope part 19 each have an inverted U-shaped cross-section, the U-shape of the second telescope part 19 falling over that of the first telescope part 18. The second telescope part 19 comprises an end plate 53 at its free end.

In the upper point of the triangular coupling plates 20, the adjusting device is provided with a guide element 54 which has a right-angled shape with two arms 56, 57. The guide element 54 has a thickness which is slightly smaller than the space between the legs of the inverted U-shape of the first telescope part 18 of the third telescopic guide 13. In the area where arms 56 and 57 are connected to each other, guide element 54 is pivotally connected about a horizontal pivot axis 55 with coupling plate 20. The guide element 54 is thereby pivotable between a non-blocking position as shown in figures 5, 6a and 6b, and a blocking position such as that shown in broken lines in Figure 6a.

The operation of the adjusting device is explained below. In figure 2 the adjusting device and thus the shelf plate 7 is in the storage position. With regard to the first telescopic guide 11 and the second telescopic guide 12, this means that they are respectively in the upper position and in the retracted position. Shelf 7 is completely provided in cabinet 1 and door 6 is closed or at least can be closed. Blocking member 26 rests with the end located opposite pivot axis 28 on the mounting plate 7. The end 37 of stop pin 33 projects into recess 38 of the second telescope part 15 of the first telescopic guide 11.

A user engages shelf plate 7, for which purpose it could be provided with an engaging part, and pulls it out of cabinet 1 in the horizontal direction, with door 6 naturally opening. The horizontal second telescopic guide 12 is thereby pulled out, the blocking member 26 sliding over the shelf plate 7. During that movement guide element 54 is guided by the first telescope part 18. At a given moment the upper end of the first telescope part 14 of the first telescopic guide 11 comes into contact with end plate 53 whereby the second telescope part 19 of the third telescopic guide 13 is extended in the direction of arrow 61 as shown in figures 3 and 6a. During this sliding movement the upper end of arm 56 of guide element 54 drags against the underside of the lying part of the inverted U-shape of the first telescope part 18. As soon as this arm 56 passes the end of the first telescope part 18, it will guide element 54 about swivel axis 55 in the direction of arrow 62 under the influence of gravity. This pivoting can be further promoted if necessary by applying a torsion spring to pivot axis 55. After pivoting of the guide element 54, the dotted position in Fig. 6a is assumed by the guide element 54. In this position of the guide element 54 the sliding back of the guide element 54 in the first telescope part 18 is prevented by the upper free end of arm 56 then abutting against the front side of the body part (between the two legs of the inverted U-member). shape) of the first telescope part 18.

Figure 7a relates to the situation in which the second telescopic guide 12 is almost fully extended. The right-angled end 36 of stop pin 33 just comes into contact with stop 42. Moving from the situation according to Fig. 7a further to the left of the second telescope part 17 with the guide element 25 fixed thereto leads on the one hand to the free rear-facing end of the blocking member 26 completely passes abutment 41 and, on the other hand, that the second telescope part 15 is moved away from abutment pin 33, whereby the end 37 of abutment pin 33 is released from recess 38 against the action of compression spring 35. Thus, the obstruction is removed for the first telescopic guide 11 to move from the upper position to the lower position. Figure 7c shows a position that is located between the upper position and the lower position. It can be seen how the blocking member 26 has been pivoted into the blocking position because the support has been omitted from shelf 7. In the blocking position of blocking member 26, it is not possible to retract the second telescopic guide 12 due to stop by blocking member 26 against stop 41. Under the influence of gravity and supported by the user, the shelf 7 can continue the downward movement until the first telescopic guide 11 has assumed the presentation position as shown in figure 1. Due to the blocking action of guide element 54, which thus also serves as a blocking member, and of blocking member 26, it is not possible to place shelf plate 7 horizontally in the presentation position. to push cabinet 1.

For moving shelf plate 7 back from the presentation position to the storage position, the reverse order is maintained than previously described: In the first instance, shelf plate 7 is pushed up to the upper position, wherein blocking member 26 pivots up due to stop by shelf plate 7 about pivot axis 28 to a pivot axis 28. position according to figures 7a and 7b. Pushing up the shelf 7 can be supported by means, not shown, such as a gas spring, an electric motor or a mechanical spring. During the sliding up of the second telescope part 15, end 37 slides along the inside of the second telescope part 15 because of the action of compression spring 35. As soon as during this shifting recess 38 comes to the level of end 37, end 37 will fall into recess 38 and thus the return to the blocking position. By pushing the first telescopic guide 11 a little further upwards, the upper end of the second telescope part 15 strikes against arm 57 of guide element 54 so that it swings back again according to arrow 64 so that the upper end of arm 56 falls below the level of the bottom of the body part (between the two legs of the inverted U-shape) of the first telescope part 18 comes to lie. Thus, the blocking action that was involved because of blocking member 26 as well as because of guide element 54 is canceled so that the second telescopic guide 12 can be retracted from the extended position to the retracted position.

Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of an adjusting device according to the invention. The support member is formed by a basket 81 of wire steel. The relevant adjusting device is suspended from two steel U-shaped profiles 82 which are provided at regular intervals with recesses 83. Such profiles 82 are generally known for suspending book shelves in which brackets are provided on the side facing the profiles 82. of hooks are suspended in the recesses 83. The brackets support a shelf.

The adjusting device comprises two adjusting units 84, the operation of which is comparable to the adjusting device according to the preceding figures. The adjusting unit comprises a telescopic guide 85 and a guide 96 which are rigidly connected to each other via a connecting plate 86 and a strip 87. Strip 87 is provided with hooks 88 with which each of the adjusting units 84 can be suspended from the profiles 82 at a desired height by inserting the hooks 86 into recesses 83. Furthermore, each adjusting unit 84 comprises a telescopic guide 90, similar to telescopic guide 11, and a triangular coupling plate 89, similar to coupling plate 20. At the upper point of coupling plate 89, these are provided with a back and forth between a blocking position and a non-blocking position position tiltable guide element 95, similar to guide element 54. The coupling plates 89 move during the retracting of the telescopic guides 85 along the connecting plates 86. Each of the adjusting units 84 is furthermore provided with a blocking member 91, similar to blocking member 26. In figure 8, both the blocking member 91 and the guiding element 95, which also serves as a blocking member, are in the blocking position. By moving the telescopic guide 90 to the upper position, wire 92 of basket 81 engages the blocking member 91 so that it swings from the blocking position to the non-blocking position. Guide element 91 assumes the non-blocking position due to abutment by the upper guide part of telescopic guide 90 during upward movement of the telescopic guide 90, i.e. of basket 81.

Claims (11)

Device for adjusting a support member between a storage position and a presentation position, comprising two adjusting units which are provided against one another and which are at least substantially mirror-shaped and which each comprise first telescopic means, second telescopic means and a coupling member, the first telescopic means at least a first telescopic part and a second telescope part wherein the first telescope part is fixedly connected to the coupling member and the second telescope part comprises fixing means for attaching a support member to the second telescope part such that in use the support member extends between the second telescope parts of the respective adjusting units, the first telescopic means are adapted for moving the second telescope part relative to the first telescope part in downward and upward direction between a lower position and an upper position and the second telescope means comprise at least a first further telescope part and a second further telescope part, wherein the first further telescope part comprises further fixing means for fixing the first further telescope part to an element of the environment in which the device is applied, such as on the inside of a wall of a cupboard or on a wall of a space, and the second further telescope part is fixedly connected to the coupling member, the second telescope means being adapted to move back and forth between an extended position and an inward position in use in the horizontal direction. the second further telescope part relative to the first further telescope part, wherein the device further comprises at least one again movable blocking member between a non-blocking position and a blocking position relative to the coupling member, wherein in the blocking position, unlike in the non-blo position, the blocking member impedes movement of the second further telescope part from the extended position in the direction of the inserted position due to stop against a stop part. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking member autonomously from the non-blocking position assumes the blocking position when the second telescope means are moved from the retracted position to the extended position and wherein the blocking member autonomously from the blocking position assumes the non-blocking position upon displacement of the first telescopic means from the lower position to the upper position. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the blocking member is pivotable between the non-blocking position and the blocking position. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each adjusting unit comprises a guide extending parallel to and above the second telescopic means for guiding a guide member connected to the coupling member between a further extended position and a further retracted position during displacement of the second guide means between the extended position and the retracted position, which guide is in use attached to an element of the environment in which the device is used, such as on the inside of a wall of a cupboard or on a wall of a room. Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each adjusting unit comprises a further blocking member which is movable again between a further non-blocking position and a further blocking position relative to the coupling member, wherein in the further blocking position, unlike in the further non-blocking position, the further blocking member impedes movement of the guide member from the further extended position in the direction of the further retracted position due to stop against a further stop part. Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the further blocking member autonomously from the further non-blocking position assumes the further blocking position when the guide member is moved from the further retracted position to the further extended position and wherein the further blocking member autonomously from the further blocking position to the further non-blocking position when the first telescopic means are moved from the lower position to the upper position. Device as claimed in claims 4 and 5, wherein the guide member and the further blocking member relate to the same member. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein each adjusting unit comprises a still further blocking member which is movable between a still further non-blocking position and a still further blocking position relative to the second further telescope part, wherein in the still further blocking position of the still further blocking member, which can only be the case in the upper position of the first telescopic means, the still further blocking member engages an engagement part of the second telescope part of the first telescopic means for impeding movement of the first telescopic means from the upper position in the direction of the lower position, while in the still further non-blocking position the still further blocking member does not engage on the engagement part. Device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the still further blocking member autonomously from the still further blocking position assumes the still further non-blocking position upon displacement of the second telescopic means from the retracted position to the extended position and wherein the still further blocking member autonomously from the still further non-blocking position assumes the still further blocking position when the first telescopic means are moved from the lower position to the upper position. Device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the still further blocking member in the upper position of the first telescopic means tends towards the still further blocking position due to spring pressure. 11. Device as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the still further blocking member comprises a further engaging part which in the extended position of the second telescopic means engages a further stop part which is rigidly connected to the first further telescope part of the second telescopic means.