HOLDING DEVICE FOR HOLDING A DECORATIVE PANEL WHICH CAN BE PLACED ONTO A DRAWER SIDE WALL

Abstract

A holding device including a fastening device for fixing the holding device to a front panel or to a drawer rear wall, and at least two mutually spaced holding limbs between which a decorative plate can be partially received. The at least two holding limbs are part of a clamping device for applying a clamping force to the decorative plate received between the at least two holding limbs in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction of the decorative plate. The clamping device includes at least one adjustment device for adjusting the clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate between the at least two holding limbs.

Claims

1. A holding device for holding a decorative plate, in particular a glass panel, configured to be set onto a drawer sidewall, the holding device comprising: a fastening device for fixing the holding device to a front panel or to a drawer rear wall, at least two mutually spaced holding limbs between which the decorative plate (6) can be partially received, wherein the at least two holding limbs are part of a clamping device for applying a clamping force to the decorative plate received between the at least two holding limbs in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction of the decorative plate, wherein the clamping device includes at least one adjustment device for adjusting the clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate between the at least two holding limbs.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein at least one, preferably both, of the at least two holding limbs includes a clamping surface configured to clampingly rest against the decorative plate, preferably wherein the clamping surface includes at least one, preferably two, elastic compensating element(s), and/or is configured substantially flat, that is to say free from protrusions to be countersunk within the decorative plate.

3. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two holding limbs are connected to one another or are configured to be connected to one another by at least one transverse limb.

4. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one adjustment device includes at least one clamping screw, the clamping screw being connected or being configured to be connected to the at least two holding limbs.

5. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device includes at least one base body, and each of the at least two holding limbs includes a first end on which the holding limbs can be connected to the base body and a second end configured to rest against the decorative plate, preferably wherein a distance between the at least two holding limbs, in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the decorative plate, from the first ends in a direction of the second ends decreases, and wherein the second ends of the at least two holding limbs can be spread apart relative to one another upon receiving the decorative plate.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein at least one cover device is provided, the at least one cover device being configured to cover at least the at least two holding limbs of the holding device, wherein the at least two holding limbs can be clamped onto the decorative plate by placing the at least one cover device over the at least two holding limbs.

7. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein at least one limiting element is arranged between the at least two holding limbs, the at least one limiting element being configured to limit a clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate.

8. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding device includes at least one base body, preferably wherein the base body includes at least one spring element configured to at least partially compensate for a clearance occurring in a longitudinal direction of the decorative plate, and/or includes a bearing device for the at least two holding limbs, and/or includes a receiving chamber configured to receive an end portion of the decorative plate.

9. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device for fixing the holding device to a front panel or to a drawer rear wall includes a hole, preferably a keyhole, for introducing a fitting element configured to be fixed to the front panel or to the rear wall, and/or includes at least one locking protrusion.

10. An attachment device for a drawer sidewall, wherein by the attachment device, a surface of the drawer sidewall in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction of the drawer sidewall can be enlarged, wherein the attachment device includes the holding device, preferably two holding devices, according to claim 1.

11. The attachment device according to claim 10, wherein the attachment device includes a decorative plate, in particular a glass panel, configured to be set onto the drawer sidewall, preferably wherein the decorative plate is configured entirely free from openings or recesses.

12. A drawer comprising the attachment device according to claim 10.

13. A method for mounting a decorative plate to the holding device according to claim 1, comprising: providing the at least one holding device, providing the decorative plate, partially arranging the decorative plate between the at least two holding limbs of the holding device, and applying a clamping force to the decorative plate received between the at least two holding limbs in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction of the decorative plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Further details and advantages of the present invention result from the following description of figures.

[0014] FIGS. 1a, 1b show a drawer in an exploded view and in an assembled condition,

[0015] FIGS. 2a, 2b show an attachment device with a decorative plate and two holding devices in an exploded view and in an assembled condition,

[0016] FIGS. 3a-3c show the decorative plate with the adjustable holding limbs resting against the decorative plate in a perspective view and in an enlarged detail view, and a non-inventive embodiment of the holding limbs without adjusting the clamping force,

[0017] FIGS. 4a-4c show the attachment device in three different cross-sectional views,

[0018] FIGS. 5a-5c show the mounting operation of the holding device on the decorative plate,

[0019] FIG. 6a-6e show the mounting operation of the attachment device on the drawer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] FIG. 1a shows a drawer 1 in an exploded view. The drawer 1 includes two drawer sidewalls 2a, 2b, a front panel 3, a drawer rear wall 4 and a drawer bottom 5. For increasing the receiving volume of the drawer 1, decorative plates 6 are provided. The decorative plates 6 are configured to be set onto the sidewalls 2a, 2b and can be made, for example, of glass, stone, wood, ceramics, plastic or of a compound material (in particular a composite glass).

[0021] The cuboidal decorative plates 6 can be releasably connected via holding devices 7a, 7b to the front panel 3 on the one hand, and to the drawer rear wall 4 on the other hand. Each of the holding devices 7a, 7b includes a fastening device 8a, 8b, and the front fastening device 8a is configured to be fixed to the front panel 3 and the rear fastening device 8b is configured to be fixed to the drawer rear wall 4.

[0022] For example, the front fastening device 8a can be configured to be releasably connected, preferably locked, to a, preferably pin-shaped, fitting element 9 configured to be fixed to the front panel 3. In contrast, the rear fastening device 8b can be configured to be releasably connected, preferably locked, to openings 10 arranged on the drawer rear wall 4. FIG. 1b shows the drawer 1 depicted in FIG. 1a in an assembled condition.

[0023] FIG. 2a shows an exploded view of an attachment device 22 for the drawer sidewall 2a, 2b. By the attachment device 22, a surface of the drawer sidewall 2a, 2b in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction (L) of the drawer sidewall 2a, 2b can be enlarged.

[0024] Each of the holding devices 7a, 7b includes a base body 11 having a receiving chamber 20 configured to receive an end portion of the decorative plate 6. Moreover, a bearing device 18 for bearing two holding limbs 12a, 12b is arranged on the base body 11.

[0025] The decorative plate 6 can be partially received between the two holding limbs 12a, 12b. The at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b are part of a clamping device 15 configured to apply a clamping force to the decorative plate 6 when received between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction (L) of the decorative plate 6. In this way, the decorative plate 6, in its mounted condition, can be held by the two holding limbs 12a, 12b in a clamping manner. In the shown embodiment, the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b are connected to one another or are configured to be connected to one another by at least one transverse limb 12c.

[0026] According to an embodiment, at least one, preferably both, of the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b includes a clamping surface 17 configured to clampingly rest on the decorative plate 6, preferably wherein the clamping surface 17 [0027] includes at least one, preferably two, elastic compensating element(s) 13, and/or [0028] is configured substantially flat, that is to say free from protrusions to be countersunk within the decorative plate 6.

[0029] According to the invention, the clamping device 15 includes at least one adjustment device 16 for adjusting a clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate 6 between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b. For example, the adjustment device 16 can include at least one clamping screw 16a that is connected or that can be connected to the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b.

[0030] Moreover, at least one cover device 14 can be provided, and the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b of the holding device 7a, 7b can be covered by the at least one cover device 14. According to an embodiment, it can be provided that the at least two holding devices 12a, 12b can be clamped onto the decorative plate 6 by placing the at least one cover device 14 over the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b.

[0031] The fastening device 8a, 8b for fixing the holding device 7a, 7b to the front panel 3 or to the drawer rear wall 4 can include, for example, a hole 21, preferably a keyhole, for introducing the fitting element 9 configured to be fixed to the front panel 3 and/or for introducing at least one locking protrusion 19 for fixing the drawer rear wall 4. The at least one locking protrusion 19 is configured to be locked into a corresponding opening 10 (FIG. 1a) of the drawer rear wall 4.

[0032] The base body 11 can include at least one spring element (not shown here), and a clearance occurring in the longitudinal direction (L) of the decorative plate 6 can be at least partially compensated for by the at least one spring element. For example, the spring element can be formed by an elastically yielding material portion or by a shaped spring.

[0033] FIG. 3a shows the decorative plate 6, and the two holding limbs 12a, 12b of the holding device 7a, 7b clampingly embrace the decorative plate 6. By the adjustment device 16, the clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate 6 between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b can be adjusted. By rotating the two clamping screws 16a with the aid of a tool, the clamping force can be variably adjusted. FIG. 3b shows the encircled region of FIG. 3a in an enlarged view.

[0034] FIG. 3c shows a non-inventive embodiment in which the two holding limbs 12a, 12b embrace the decorative plate 6 in clamping manner. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b, the adjustment device 16 is omitted here. The two holding limbs 12a, 12b thus bear against the decorative plate 6 with a pre-stressing force. This can be realized such that the two holding limbs 12a, 12b can be spread apart relative to one another upon receiving the decorative plate 6.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the holding device 7a, 7b includes at least one base body 11, and each of the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b includes a first end to which the holding limbs 12a, 12b can be connected to the base body 11. A second end of the holding limbs 12a, 12b is configured to rest against the decorative plate 6. It can be preferably provided that a distance between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b, in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction (L) of the decorative plate 6, from the first ends in a direction of the second ends decreases, and the second ends of the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b can be spread apart relative to one another upon receiving the decorative plate 6.

[0036] FIG. 4a-4c show the attachment device 22 in three different cross-sectional views. By the attachment device 22, the height of the drawer sidewall 2a, 2b and thus the receiving volume of the drawer 1 can be enlarged.

[0037] FIG. 4a shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the attachment device 22. Each of the two end portions of the decorative plate 6 is clampingly embraced by the two holding limbs 12a, 12b. The two holding limbs 12a, 12b are connected to each other by at least one transverse limb 12c so as to form a U-shaped clamp, jointly with the transverse limb 12c. By the adjustment device 16, which includes at least one clamping screw 16a for example, the clamping force of the holding limbs 12a, 12b acting onto the two outer sides of the decorative plate 6 is adjustable.

[0038] FIG. 4b shows the encircled region of FIG. 4a in an enlarged view. By the compensating elements 13, the decorative plate 6, in its mounted condition, is fixed without clearance within the two holding limbs 12a, 12b in a direction extending transverse to the longitudinal direction (L) of the decorative plate 6.

[0039] According to an embodiment, at least one limiting element 23 is arranged between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b, and the clamping force that can be applied to the decorative plate 6 can be limited by the at least one limiting element 23. In other words, the limiting element 23 forms an abutment for the two holding limbs 12a, 12b so as to prevent an undue actuation of the adjustment device 16. In this way, the decorative plate 6 can be protected from damages. FIG. 4c shows the portion of the attachment device 22 shown in FIG. 4b in a horizontal cross-sectional view.

[0040] FIG. 5a-5c show the mounting operation of the holding devices 7a, 7b on the decorative plate 6. Firstly, the holding devices 7a, 7b are slid onto the two end portions of the decorative plate 6. For this purpose, the base bodies 11 of the holding devices 7a, 7b each include a receiving chamber 20 which can be configured substantially rectangular in a cross-section.

[0041] FIG. 5b shows the holding devices 7a, 7b that have been slid onto the end portions of the decorative plate 6. The adjustment device 16 for adjusting the clamping force acting on the decorative plate 6 has not yet been actuated.

[0042] FIG. 5c shows the decorative plate 6 with the holding devices 7a, 7b, the decorative plate 6 being fixed within the receiving chamber 20 in a clamping manner by an actuation of the adjustment device 16, preferably by the clamping screws 16a. The construction shown in

[0043] FIG. 5c corresponds to the attachment device 22 by which the surface of the drawer sidewall 2a, 2b, in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction (L) of the drawer sidewall 2a, 2b, can be enlarged. The attachment device 22 includes at least one, preferably two, holding device(s) 7a, 7b.

[0044] The method for mounting a decorative plate 6 to at least one holding device 7a, 7b is characterized by the following method steps: [0045] the at least one holding device 7a, 7b is provided, [0046] the decorative plate 6 is provided, [0047] the decorative plate 6 is partially arranged between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b of the holding device 7a, 7b, and [0048] a clamping force is applied to the decorative plate 6 received between the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b in a direction extending transverse to a longitudinal direction (L) of the decorative plate 6.

[0049] FIG. 6a-6e show the mounting operation of the attachment device 22 on the drawer 1. In a first step, the front holding device 7a is slid onto the fitting element 9 pre-mounted to the rear side of the front panel 3 (FIG. 1b). In a next step, the rear end portion of the decorative plate 6 is pivoted in a direction towards the drawer sidewall 2b, until the rear holding device 7b can be locked with the drawer rear wall 4 (FIG. 6c). In a next step, the two cover devices 14 are provided (FIG. 6d). In a further step, the two cover devices 14 are slid onto the holding devices 7a, 7b from above (FIG. 6e).

[0050] With a possible embodiment of the invention, the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b can be clamped onto the decorative plate 6 by placing the at least one cover device 14 over the at least two holding limbs 12a, 12b. This has the advantage that the decorative plate 6 can initially be pre-positioned within the two holding limbs 12a, 12b in a force-free manner, and is only fixed in a force-locking manner by mounting the cover device 14.