Inclined shelf case

Abstract

The invention relates to an inclined shelf case having a shelf body having at least one inclined shelf which drops away to the take-out side and has an abutting element holding a placed object on the bottom end thereof, wherein the at least one inclined shelf is held to the shelf body via guide rails and is designed as a pull-out running on the guide rails which can be pulled out to the take-out side and having a spring device for decelerating the inclined shelf during the pull-out, which operates between the shelf body and the inclined shelf. According to the invention the spring device has a connection element which has a first connection section, which is connected to the shelf body in an operating position by means of a holder , and which has a second connection section, and the inclined shelf has a fastening holder to which the connection element is fastened via the second connection section in an assembly position, wherein, upon pushing in the inclined shelf with the connection element in the assembly position, the first connection section engages on the holder and wherein the second connection section is removable from the fastening holder.

Claims

1. An inclined shelf case comprising a shelf body with at least one inclined shelf which is inclined to the take-out side and has an abutting element at the bottom end thereof, holding objects placed thereon, wherein the at least one inclined shelf is supported at the shelf body via guide rails and is designed as a pullout running on the guide rails which can be pulled out to the take-out side and has a spring device for decelerating the inclined shelf while being pulled out, said spring device acting between the shelf body and the inclined shelf, wherein the spring device has a connection element which has a first connection section, which is connected to the shelf body in an operating position by means of a holder, and which has a second connection section, and the inclined shelf has a fixation holder to which the connection element is fastened via the second connection section in an assembly position, wherein, upon pushing in the inclined shelf with the connection element in the assembly position, the first connection section engages the holder and wherein the second connection section is removable from the fixation holder.

2. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the first connection section engages behind the holder in the operating position.

3. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the holder has a sliding surface over which the first connection section slides into the operating position.

4. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the first connection section is hook-shaped or eyelet-shaped or the first connection section has an actuation surface which, as the inclined shelf is inserted, presses against the holder with the connection element in the assembly position and causes a pivoting of the connection element.

5. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the holder is designed as a fastening hook or the second connection section is of a hook-shaped design.

6. The inclined shelf case of claim 5, wherein the fixation holder comprises a plate section with a side edge onto which the hook-shaped second connection section can be pushed or the fixation holder has a cutout in-to which the second connection section can be hooked.

7. The inclined shelf case of claim 5, wherein the fixation holder comprises a plate section with a side edge onto which the hook-shaped second connection section can be pushed and the fixation holder has a cutout in-to which the second connection section can be hooked.

8. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the inclined shelf is designed as a pullout tray with side walls and a front wall forming the abutment element, the fixation holder being arranged on one of the side walls at the end averted from the take-out side.

9. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the connection element is fastened to a first end of the spring device, and in that the spring device is fastened by a second end to a spring holder on the inclined shelf.

10. The inclined shelf case of claim 9, wherein the distance between the spring holder and the fixation holder in the depth direction of the inclined shelf is greater than the length of the spring device in the relaxed state.

11. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the distance in the width direction of the inclined shelf between the side wall and an intersection of the centre axis of the spring device and the connection element, in the operating position of the connection element, is at least 0.75 times the spring diameter of a spring of the spring device.

12. The inclined shelf case according to claim 1, further comprising a movable stop element that, in an open position of the inclined shelf, can be moved from a rest position into a stop position, and by a stop that is arranged on the shelf body or on the inclined shelf, the stop element cooperating with said stop.

13. The inclined shelf case of claim 12, wherein the stop or the stop element has a protrusion that prevents a return movement of the stop element in the state abutting on the stop.

14. The inclined shelf case of claim 12, wherein a, spring element pre-tensions the stop element towards the rest position, the spring element urging the stop element against a rest position stop, when the stop element is in the rest position.

15. The inclined shelf case of claim 12, wherein an actuation element for the stop element is arranged on a handlebar or the side wall of the inclined shelf.

16. The inclined shelf case of claim 15, wherein the actuation element is connected with the stop element via a pivotable rod.

17. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the first connection section is hook-shaped or eyelet-shaped and the first connection section has an actuation surface which, as the inclined shelf is inserted, presses against the holder with the connection element in the assembly position and causes a pivoting of the connection element.

18. The inclined shelf case of claim 1, wherein the holder is designed as a fastening hook and the second connection section is of a hook-shaped design.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) It may be provided that the two stop elements each have one actuation element. Likewise, a common actuation element for both stop elements may be provided.

(2) The following is a detailed explanation of the invention with reference to the following drawings.

(3) In the Figures:

(4) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inclined shelf case of the present invention with an inclined shelf in the open state,

(5) FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic side views of the inclined shelf with the connection element in the assembly position,

(6) FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the fixation holder on the inclined shelf,

(7) FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic details of the inclined shelf with a spring device with a connection element in the operating position,

(8) FIGS. 5a and 5b are schematic details of the inclined shelf upon engagement of the connection element at the holder on the shelf body, and

(9) FIGS. 6a and 6b are details of the inclined shelf with the stop element in the stop position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the inclined shelf case 1 of the present invention in a perspective view. The inclined shelf case 1 comprises a shelf body 2 at which an inclined shelf 3 is arranged. Generally, a plurality of inclined shelves 3 are arranged one below the other in such an inclined shelf case 1; however, FIG. 1 only shows a single inclined shelf 3 for reasons of clarity.

(11) The inclined shelf 3 is inclined towards the take-out side 5 of the inclined shelf case 1. The inclined shelf 3 is supported at the shelf body 2 via supports 7. The inclined shelf 3 is designed as a pullout adapted to be pulled out to the take-out side 5 and is guided in guide rails 9. The guide rails 9 are designed as telescopic rails and are fastened to the supports 7.

(12) The inclined shelf 3 is designed as a pullout tray and has side walls 11, a rear wall 13 as well as a front wall 15. The front wall 15 forms an abutment element for objects 17 placed in the inclined shelf 3.

(13) A handlebar 15a is arranged at the bottom side of the front side 15, by means of which the inclined shelf 3 can be grasped in an advantageous manner to be pulled to an open position illustrated in FIG. 1.

(14) Due to the inclined shelf being inclined towards the take-out side 5, the objects 17 received in the inclined shelf 3 can be arranged in a row, and upon removal of the object 17 abutting against the front wall 15, the other objects 17 slide down under the effect of gravity. For this purpose the objects 17 are most often arranged in rows.

(15) In order to allow a first-in-first out principle, objects 17 are most often filled in from the end of a row of objects 17 that faces the rear wall 13. In order to allow a refilling that is as comfortable as possible, the inclined shelf 3 has to be moved into an open position in which the inclined shelf 3 is almost fully pulled out. A corresponding position is illustrated in FIG. 1.

(16) The inclined shelves 3 may for instance be made of metal. Due to the dead weight of the inclined shelf 3 and the objects 17 arranged in the inclined shelf 3, the inclined shelf 3 moves from a closed position to an open position without any action by a user. Therefore, the inclined shelf 3 has a locking mechanism which is not illustrated in the Figures and by which the inclined shelf can be maintained in the closed position. Pulling out is possible only after unlocking the locking mechanism.

(17) However, due to the great weight of the inclined shelf 3 and the objects 17 placed therein, there is a risk that, after unlocking the locking mechanism, the inclined shelf reaches a high speed and moves into the open position at this high speed. This represents a risk of injury to the user and, moreover, there is a risk that non-illustrated end stops for the inclined shelf 3 are damaged.

(18) The inclined shelf case 1 thus comprises spring devices 19 that decelerate the inclined shelf 3 during pull out and act between the shelf body 2 and the inclined shelf 3.

(19) The embodiment illustrated in the Figures comprises two spring devices 19, wherein one spring device 19 is arranged on the right and the left side of the inclined shelf 3, respectively. In an operating position in which the spring devices 19 can cause a deceleration of the inclined shelf, the spring devices are each connected with a holder 23 on the shelf body 2 via a connection element 21 fastened to the first end 19a of the spring device 19. As can be seen in FIG. 4b and FIG. 5b, the holder 23 is designed as a fastening hook protruding from the support 7 towards the inclined shelf 3.

(20) At a second end 19b, the spring devices 19 are each fastened to a spring holder 24 arranged on the side wall 11 of the inclined shelf 3.

(21) The connection element 21 illustrated in detail in FIG. 2b comprises a first connection section 21a by which the connection element 21 is connected with the holder 23 when in the operating position. Further, the connection element 21 has a second connection section 21b by which the connection element 21 can be fastened to a fixation holder 25.

(22) In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the first connection section 21a of the connection element 21 has an eyelet 27 with which the connection element 21 engages behind the holder 23 by the holder 23 partly engaging through the eyelet 27.

(23) The second connection section 21b comprises a hook 29 which may be hooked into the fixation holder 25. For this purpose, the fixation holder 25 has a cutout 25a as well as a plate section 25b formed by the side wall 11. To fix the connection element 21 to the fixation holder 25, the hook 29 of the second connection section 21b is slipped over a side edge 25c of the plate section 25b and hooks into the cutout 25a. Thus, a clip connection is formed.

(24) When an inclined shelf 3 is taken out of the shelf body 2, e.g. for cleaning purposes, the spring device 19 has to be hooked out of the holder 23. This is done by the user reaching into the shelf body 2, while the inclined shelf is pulled out, and detaching the connection element 21 from the holder 23.

(25) If the inclined shelf 3 is to be inserted into the shelf body 2 again, the present invention allows a temporary fixation of the connection element 21 at the fixation holder 25 of the inclined shelf 3. In this position the connection element 21 is in its assembly position. By means of an inclined surface 25d it is achieved that, even if the connection element 21 is inaccurately arranged in the fixation holder 25, the former still slides into the assembly position. The connection element 21 is maintained in the assembly position by the spring force of the spring device 19. This is achieved by making the distance between the fixation holder 25 and the spring holder 24 greater than the length of the spring device 19 in the relaxed state. In other words: when the connection element 21 is arranged in the assembly position, the spring device 19 is in a slightly tensioned state. By means of a clip connection at the fixation holder it is ensured that the connection element is not inadvertently pushed out of the assembly position.

(26) Upon assembly of an inclined shelf 3 into the shelf body, the inclined shelf 3 is first set into the guide rails 9 and can be pushed in, wherein the connection element 21 in the assembly position is moved along with the inclined shelf 3. Shortly before reaching the closed position of the inclined shelf 3, the connection element 21 abuts against the holder 23. The first connection section 21a has an angled portion 31 having an actuation surface 31a extending obliquely with respect to the rest of the connection element 21. The connection element 21 abuts against the holder 23 by means of the actuation surface 31a, whereby a pivoting of the connection element 21 is caused. In FIG. 5a the connection element 21 is shown in a slightly pivoted position. By pivoting the connection element 21 the first connection section 21a of the connection element 21 can be guided past the holder 23 so that the holder 23 can engage into the eyelet 27. By the connection element hooking into the holder 23, the connection element 21 is retained at the holder 23. When the inclined shelf 3 is pulled out again, the connection element 21 becomes detached from the fixation holder 25 and, due to a slide surface 23a on the holder 23, the connection element 23 slides into its final operating position.

(27) Due to the connection element of the present invention it becomes possible to connect the spring device 19 with the holder 23 without any further action by the user, since the connection element 21 automatically hooks to the holder 23. Thereby, inserting the inclined shelves 3 into the shelf body 2 is significantly simplified.

(28) The spring device 19 is designed as a coil spring, for instance. To fasten the spring device 19 to the connection element 21, the connection element 21 comprises e.g. a spring hook 33 into which the spring device 19 can be hooked.

(29) In the operating position illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 5b, the connection element 21 shows a lateral distance to the inclined shelf 3.

(30) In the operating position the connection element 21 is situated in an engagement portion 23b of the holder 23 and rests laterally on a stop 23c. In the operating position the intersection P of the centre axis of the spring of the spring device 19 and the connection element 21 shows a distance d in the width direction of the inclined shelf 3 to the side wall 11, which is at least 0.75 times the spring diameter D of the spring of the spring device 19.

(31) Due to the distance d in the width direction of the inclined shelf 3 between the side wall and the intersection P at the connection element 21, it is achieved that ample space is created and that, in the operating position, the spring device 19 can be guided away from the inclined shelf 3 in an oblique lateral direction. Thus, it is avoided that in case of a slight vibration of the spring device 19 as the inclined shelf 3 is pulled out or pushed in, the spring device 19 hits against the side wall 11, whereby an undesired generation of noise is caused.

(32) The connection element 21 is made e.g. of plastic material. This has the advantage that the connection element 21 can slide advantageously along the holder made of metal.

(33) The spring device 19 has a relatively great spring force, since the inclined shelf 3 has to be reliably decelerated by the spring device 19 also in an entirely filled state. As a consequence, an inclined shelf 3 in the empty state does not have enough weight to remain in an open position, but the spring device 19 will pull the inclined shelf 3 towards the closed position. This is unfavorable when the inclined shelf 3 is to be filled, since the user has to use one hand to hold the inclined shelf 3. Therefore, the present invention provides a movable stop element 35 cooperating with a stop 37. The stop element 35 and the stop 37 are illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6a and 6b. In the embodiment illustrated, the stop 37 is formed by the guide rail 9. Using an actuation device 39 connected with the stop element 35 via a rod 41, the stop element can be moved from a rest position illustrated in FIG. 2a into a stop position illustrated in FIG. 6b. When the user now fully extracts the inclined shelf 3, he can move the stop element 35 into the stop position by means of the actuation element 39. Due to the spring force of the spring device 19, the inclined shelf 3 is guided rearward over a short distance in the direction of the closed position and the stop element 35 comes to rest on the stop 37. Thus, the inclined shelf 3 is maintained in the open position now assumed.

(34) The stop 37 comprises a protrusion 37a which is engaged behind by the stop element 35, whereby the protrusion prevents a rearward movement of the stop element 35 when in the state resting on the stop. If the user now desires to push in the inclined shelf 3, he first has to pull the inclined shelf 3 slightly in the opening direction so that the stop element 35 can be guided past the protrusion 37 and be moved into the rest position. The inclined shelf 3 can then be shifted into the closed position.

(35) The rod 41 is rotatable supported in the side wall 11 by means of a rotary bearing 43. Further, a spring element 45 engages the actuation element 39, which pre-tensions the stop element 35 in the direction of the rest position. On the one hand, it is thereby achieved that the stop element 35 automatically returns into the rest position when being detached from the stop 37 and, on the other hand, the stop element 35 is pressed against a rest position stop 35a on the side wall 11 of the inclined shelf 3. Thus, when the inclined shelf 3 is moved, a movement of the stop element 35 is largely prevented, whereby the generation of noise is avoided.

(36) The stop element 35 tapers to a point in the direction of the stop 37, whereby it is achieved that the stop 37 advantageously engages behind the protrusion 37a of the stop 37.

(37) In the inclined shelf case 1, a respective stop element 35 with the associated stop 37 may be provided on both the right and the left side of an inclined shelf. Preferably, a side of an inclined shelf 3 on which a spring device 19 is arranged is also provided with a stop element 35 and a stop 37.