GUIDE SYSTEM FOR GUIDING AT LEAST ONE MOVABLE FURNITURE PART

Abstract

A guide system includes a guide device for guiding a movable furniture part, the guide device being configured to guide the movable furniture part with a predetermined distance to a furniture wall. The guide system includes a gliding device separate from the guide device, the gliding device to be arranged on the movable furniture part or on the furniture wall such that the movable furniture part and the furniture wall can be brought into a gliding contact with each other via the gliding device when the predetermined distance becomes smaller.

Claims

1. A guide system for guiding at least one movable furniture part, in particular a door wing, in a direction extending parallel to at least one furniture wall, the guide system comprising: at least one guide device for guiding the at least one movable furniture part, the guide device being configured to guide the at least one movable furniture part with a predetermined distance to the at least one furniture wall, wherein the guide system includes at least one gliding device separate from the guide device, the at least one gliding device being configured to be arranged on the at least one movable furniture part or on the at least one furniture wall such that the at least one movable furniture part and the at least one furniture wall can be brought into a gliding contact with each other via the gliding device when the predetermined distance becomes smaller.

2. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gliding device, in a condition in which the at least one movable furniture part is guided with the predetermined distance relative to the furniture wall, is without contact to the at least one movable furniture part or to the at least one furniture wall.

3. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one gliding device: includes at least one rolling body configured to glidingly support the movable furniture part, preferably wherein the at least one rolling body is rotatable about a substantially vertically extending rotational axis in a mounted condition, and/or includes at least one rolling body which, in a mounted condition, is partially arranged within a material thickness of the movable furniture part or of the furniture wall, and/or includes at least two rolling bodies which, in a mounted condition, are spaced apart from each other in a height direction, preferably wherein the at least two rolling bodies are rotatably supported about a common axis, and/or includes at least one housing section configured to be at least partially countersunk within a, preferably cylindrical, recess of the movable furniture part or of the furniture wall, preferably wherein the at least one housing section s at least partially cylindrical, and/or includes at least one housing section comprising holding elements at least over a region for fixing the gliding device to the furniture wall or to the movable furniture part in a friction-locked manner, and/or includes at least one fastening location, preferably a hole for the passage of a screw, for fixing the gliding device to the furniture wall or to the movable furniture part, and/or includes at least one centering pin configured to be inserted into a bore of the furniture wall or of the movable furniture part.

4. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one guide device includes at least one groove and at least one guide element configured to partially engage into the groove, preferably wherein the groove is arranged on the movable furniture part and the guide element is connected to the furniture wall in a mounted condition.

5. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the guide system or the at least one guide device includes at least one guide rail for guiding the movable furniture part in a direction extending parallel to the furniture wall, wherein at least one running wheel connected to the movable furniture part is displaceable along the at least one guide rail.

6. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the guide system includes at least one guide rail configured to guide the movable furniture part along a front face of a furniture carcass.

7. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the guide system includes at least one adjustment device configured to adjust the at least one movable furniture part with the predetermined distance relative to the furniture wall, preferably wherein the adjustment device includes at least one rotatable adjustment wheel.

8. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one movable furniture part is movable by the guide system between a first position, in which the at least one movable furniture part is aligned substantially parallel to the furniture wall, and a second position, in which the at least one movable furniture part is aligned substantially perpendicular to the furniture wall.

9. The guide system according to claim 1, wherein the guide system includes at least one carrier configured to pivotally support the movable furniture part, preferably wherein the at least one carrier is movable in a direction extending parallel to at least one furniture wall.

10. A gliding device for glidingly supporting a movable furniture part, in particular a door wing, on at least one, in particular stationary, furniture wall, comprising the guide system according to claim 1, wherein the gliding device includes at least one movably-supported rolling body configured to support the movable furniture part, wherein the gliding device includes at least one housing section configured to be at least partially countersunk within a, preferably cylindrical, recess of the movable furniture part or of the furniture wall.

11. An item of furniture comprising: a furniture carcass, at least one movable furniture part, in particular a door wing, and the guide system according to claim 1 for guiding the movable furniture part relative to the furniture carcass.

12. The item of furniture according to claim 11, wherein the item of furniture includes at least one insertion compartment for at least partially receiving the movable furniture part, preferably wherein: the at least one insertion compartment extends in a depth direction of the item of furniture, and/or the at least one insertion compartment is defined by two mutually spaced furniture walls connected to each other by at least one spacer member, preferably wherein a guide element of the guide device is arranged on the at least one spacer member, and/or the at least one insertion compartment is defined by two mutually spaced furniture walls, wherein the at least one movable furniture part is movable about a frontal vertical corner of a furniture wall upon a movement into the insertion compartment, and the at least one gliding device is arranged on the other furniture wall, preferably adjacent to a frontal vertical corner of the other furniture wall.

13. The item of furniture according to claim 11, wherein the at least one gliding device is arranged approximately at half of a height of the movable furniture part.

14. The item of furniture according to claim 11, wherein the item of furniture includes at least two door wings hingedly connected to each other, the at least two door wings being movable by the guide system relative to the furniture carcass between a first position, in which the two door wings are aligned substantially parallel to each other, and at least a second position, in which the two door wings are aligned substantially coplanar to each other.

15. The item of furniture according to claim 14, wherein the guide device includes at least one guide element in the form of a rotatable roller, the roller being configured to be arranged between the door wings in the first position of the door wings, wherein a diameter of the rotatable roller is smaller than a distance which adopt the door wings in a parallel position to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of figures, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1a, 1b show an item of furniture with a movable furniture part in two different positions,

[0015] FIG. 2a, 2b show the item of furniture in a perspective view from the front and an enlarged detail view thereof,

[0016] FIG. 3a, 3b show the movable furniture part in a retracted condition within the insertion compartment and an enlarged detail view thereof,

[0017] FIG. 4a-4d show the movable furniture part in a retracted condition within the insertion compartment and enlarged detail views thereof,

[0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the movable furniture part in a retracted condition within the insertion compartment,

[0019] FIG. 6a, 6b show the gliding device in two different views,

[0020] FIG. 7a-7d show the item of furniture with two door wings hingedly connected to each other in different positions relative to a furniture carcass,

[0021] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the two door wings according to FIGS. 7a-7d in a fully inserted condition within the insertion compartment,

[0022] FIG. 9a, 9b show the door wings according to FIGS. 7a-7d in a fully inserted condition within the insertion compartment in a cross-sectional view and an enlarged detail view thereof,

[0023] FIG. 10a, 10b show a further embodiment of a gliding device in two different perspective views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] FIG. 1a shows an item of furniture 1 having two furniture walls 3a, 3b spaced apart from each other in a parallel relationship between which at least one insertion compartment 6 for receiving a movable furniture part 2, preferably in the form of a door wing 2a, is formed. The two furniture walls 3a, 3b are connected to each other via spacer members 5a, 5b.

[0025] The movable furniture part 2 can be guided by a guide system 18 with a predetermined distance in a direction extending parallel to the furniture wall 3a, the guide system 18 comprising at least one guide device 4. In the shown embodiment, the guide device 4 includes a groove 4a and a guide element 4b configured to be partially engaged into the groove 4a.

[0026] For example, the groove 4a is arranged on the movable furniture part 2 and the guide element 4b is connected to a furniture wall 3a, 3b in a mounted condition. Preferably, the guide element 4b of the guide device 4 is arranged on at least one of the spacer members 5a, 5b.

[0027] The groove 4a can be formed on or in a U-shaped profiled rail, the profiled rail being fixed in a region of the upper edge and/or in a region of the lower edge of the movable furniture part 2. The profiled rail with the groove 4a can extend substantially over an entire depth of the movable furniture part 2.

[0028] For example, the guide element 4b can include at least one wedge and/or at least one rotatable running wheel. The guide element 4b is movable along the groove 4a upon a movement of the movable furniture part 2.

[0029] Due to an excessive mechanical force application to the movable furniture part 2 in a direction extending transversely to the furniture wall 3a, it may occur that the movable furniture part 2 can collide with the furniture wall 3a. By virtue of a gliding device 10 (FIG. 2b) separate from the guide device 4 and yet to be described, such a collision can be prevented. The gliding device 10 can be arranged on the movable furniture part 2 or on the furniture wall 3a such that the movable furniture part 2 and the furniture wall 3a can be brought into a gliding contact with each other via the gliding device 10, when the predetermined distance becomes smaller.

[0030] FIG. 1b shows the item of furniture 1 according to FIG. 1a, in which the movable furniture part 2 is located in a fully inserted condition within the insertion compartment 6.

[0031] FIG. 2a shows a perspective view of the item of furniture 1 according to FIGS. 1a, 1b. The insertion compartment 6 for receiving the movable furniture part 2 is formed between the furniture walls 3a, 3b spaced apart from each other in a parallel relationship. The movable furniture part 2 is pivotally supported on hinges 8 of a lengthy carrier 7, the carrier 7 being configured to be moved into the insertion compartment 6 in a direction extending parallel to the furniture walls 3a, 3b.

[0032] In the shown embodiment, two guide devices 4 are provided, and each of the guide devices 4 has a groove 4a. The grooves 4a are arranged in a region of the upper edge and in a region of the lower edge of the movable furniture part 2.

[0033] FIG. 2b shows the framed region A of FIG. 2a in an enlarged view. The two furniture walls 3a, 3b are connected to each other by spacer members 5a, 5b. Each of the guide devices 4 includes at least one guide element 4b configured to be moved along the groove 4a of the movable furniture part 2 upon a movement of the movable furniture part 2 into the insertion compartment 6.

[0034] In the shown embodiment, the guide element 4b is in the form of a wedge, the wedge being arranged on the spacer member 5a. By the guide device 4 with the guide element 4b moving into the groove 4a, the movable furniture part 2 can be guided with a predetermined distance with respect to the furniture wall 3a.

[0035] According to an embodiment, the at least one insertion compartment 6 is defined by two furniture walls 3a, 3b spaced apart from each other. The at least one movable furniture part 2, when moved into the insertion compartment 6, is movable about a frontal vertical corner 25 of a furniture wall 3b, and the at least one gliding device 10 is arranged on the other furniture wall 3a, preferably adjacent to a frontal vertical corner 26 of the other furniture wall 3a.

[0036] By at least one adjustment device 9, the predetermined distance of the movable furniture part 2 relative to the furniture wall 3a is adjustable. In the shown embodiment, the adjustment device 9 includes a rotatable adjustment wheel 9a. By a rotation of the adjustment wheel 9a, the guide element 4b is adjustable in a lateral direction, that is to say in a direction extending transversely to the furniture walls 3a, 3b.

[0037] Upon a mechanical force application to the movable furniture part 2 in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the guide device 4, it is possible that the movable furniture part 2 collides with the furniture wall 3a. This collision can be prevented by a gliding device 10 separate from the guide device 4. The gliding device 10 is configured to be arranged on the at least one movable furniture part 2 or on the at least one furniture wall 3a such that the at least one movable furniture part 2 and the at least one furniture wall 3a can be brought into a gliding contact with each other via the gliding device 10 when the predetermined distance becomes smaller.

[0038] According to possible embodiments, the at least one gliding device 10: [0039] includes at least one rolling body 11a, 11b configured to glidingly support the movable furniture part 2, preferably wherein the at least one rolling body 11a, 11b is rotatable about a substantially vertically extending axis in a mounted condition, and/or [0040] includes at least one rolling body 11a, 11b which is partially arranged within a material thickness of the movable furniture part 2 or of the furniture wall 3a in a mounted condition, and/or [0041] includes at least two rolling bodies 11a, 11b spaced apart from each other in a height direction in a mounted condition, preferably wherein the at least two rolling bodies 11a, 11b are rotatably supported on a common axis 23 (FIG. 6a).

[0042] FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of the movable furniture part 2 located in a fully inserted condition within the insertion compartment 6. For the sake of improved overview, the two furniture walls 3a, 3b are not depicted.

[0043] FIG. 3b shows the framed region B of FIG. 3a in an enlarged view. The guide element 4b is displaceably supported along the groove 4a of the movable furniture part 2, and the guide element 4b is arranged within the groove 4a in a fully inserted condition of the movable furniture part 2. In the shown embodiment, the groove 4a is formed or arranged on a profiled rail to be fixed to the movable furniture part 2.

[0044] According to possible embodiments, the gliding device 10: [0045] includes at least one housing section 10a configured to be at least partially countersunk within a, preferably cylindrical, recess of the movable furniture part 2 or of the furniture wall 3a, preferably wherein the at least one housing section 10a is at least partially cylindrical, and/or [0046] includes at least one housing section 10a comprising holding elements 12, for example holding ribs, at least over a region for fixing the gliding device 10 to the furniture wall 3a or to the movable furniture part 2 in a friction-locked manner, and/or [0047] includes at least one fastening location 17 (FIG. 6a), preferably a hole for the passage of a screw, for fixing the gliding device 10 to the furniture wall 3a or to the movable furniture part 2, and/or [0048] includes at least one centering pin 13 configured to be inserted into a bore of the furniture wall 3a or of the movable furniture part 2.

[0049] FIG. 4a shows the movable furniture part 2 in a retracted condition within the insertion compartment 6 and different detail views thereof. In the shown embodiment, three gliding devices 10 with rolling bodies 11a, 11b are provided. The gliding devices 10 are arranged on the furniture wall 3a, the gliding devices 10 being spaced apart from each other in a height direction of the movable furniture part 2. Basically, one single gliding device 10 would be sufficient, and the gliding device 10 has to be arranged approximately at half of a height of the movable furniture part 2.

[0050] FIG. 4b shows the framed region A of FIG. 4a in an enlarged view.

[0051] FIG. 4c shows the framed region B of FIG. 4a in an enlarged view.

[0052] FIG. 4d shows the framed region C of FIG. 4a in an enlarged view.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the movable furniture part 2 in a retracted condition within the insertion compartment 6. The guide device 4 includes the guide element 4b which, in the shown position of the movable furniture part, is located within the groove 4a.

[0054] Guide rails 15a, 15b are fixed to the furniture wall 3b, and the carrier 7 for pivotally supporting the movable furniture part 2 is displaceable along the guide rails 15a, 15b. The carrier 7 is displaceably supported along the guide rails 15a, 15b via running wheels 16a, 16b. The running wheels 16a are rotatable about a vertically extending rotational axis, and the running wheels 16b are rotatable about a horizontally extending rotational axis. For example, the running wheels 16a, 16b can be arranged in a common running carriage 14 which is movable along the guide rails 15a, 15b.

[0055] FIG. 6a shows the gliding device 10 in a perspective view, the gliding device 10 having at least one rotatably supported rolling body 11a, 11b for glidingly supporting the movable furniture part 2. In the shown embodiment, two rolling bodies 11a, 11b are provided, the rolling bodies 11a, 11b being spaced apart from each other and being rotatably supported about a common axis 23.

[0056] The gliding device 10 includes a base body 22 having at least one housing section 10a configured to be at least partially countersunk within a, preferably cylindrical, recess of the movable furniture part 2 or of the furniture wall 3a. The recess can be a cylindrical bore having a diameter of 35 mm.

[0057] The at least one rolling body 11a, 11b is partially arranged within the countersinkable housing portion 10a. This offers the possibility that the at least one rolling body 11a, 11b, in a mounted condition of the gliding device 10, can be arranged in a space-saving manner at least partially within a material thickness of the furniture wall 3a of or of the movable furniture part 2.

[0058] The gliding device 10 can include at least one fastening location 17, preferably at least one hole for the passage of a screw, for fixing the gliding device 10 to the furniture wall 3a or to the movable furniture part 2. It is also possible that the fastening location 17 of the gliding device 10 includes at least one, preferably expandable, dowel.

[0059] According to a further embodiment, the gliding device 10 includes at least two fastening locations 17, preferably holes for the passage of a screw, and the distance of the middle axes of the two fastening locations 17 are spaced apart from each other with a predetermined grid spacing, preferably with a grid dimension of 45 mm.

[0060] This offers the opportunity to fix the gliding device 10 to predefined hole grids via the fastening locations 17, the hole grids being industrially pre-assembled to a furniture carcass 21 (FIG. 7a-7c) or to a furniture panel 3a, 3b. For the assembling person, the mounting operation can be considerably facilitated, because the gliding device 10 can be easily fixed to these predefined hole grids.

[0061] FIG. 6b shows the gliding device 10 in a perspective view from the rear. As an alternative or in addition to the at least one fastening location 17, the gliding device 10 can include at least one holding element 12, preferably a plurality of holding elements 12, for fixing the gliding device 10 to the furniture wall 3a or to the movable furniture part 2 in a friction-locked manner. Moreover, the gliding device 10 can include at least one centering pin 13 configured to be inserted into a bore of the furniture wall 3a or of the movable furniture part 2.

[0062] The countersinkable housing section 10a of the gliding device 10 can be configured such that the housing section 10a can be arranged within a cylindrical bore having a diameter of 35 mm, and can be fixed within the bore, preferably exclusively in a friction-locked manner.

[0063] FIG. 7a-7d show an item of furniture 1 comprising two door wings 2a, 2b hingedly connected to each other, the door wings 2a, 2b being shown in different positions relative to a furniture carcass 21. The door wings 2a, 2b are movable by a guide system 18 relative to the furniture carcass 21 between a first position, in which the two door wings 2a, 2b are aligned substantially parallel to each other, and at least a second position, in which the two door wings 2a, 2b are aligned substantially coplanar to each other.

[0064] FIG. 7a shows the door wings 2a, 2b in a coplanar position to each other. The guide system 18 includes at least one guide rail 19 configured to guide the door wings 2a, 2b along a front face of the furniture carcass 21. The insertion compartment 6 is formed between the two furniture walls 3a, 3b. At least one guide rail 15a is fixed to the furniture wall 3b, the guide rail 15a being configured to guide the door wings 2a, 2b along the furniture walls 3a, 3b in a direction extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 19.

[0065] FIG. 7b shows the door wings 2a, 2b in an angled position to each other. The door wings 2a, 2b are hingedly connected to each other via a vertically extending axis, and a running carriage 20 connected to the door wing 2b is displaceable along the guide rail 19.

[0066] FIG. 7c shows the door wings 2a, 2b in a parallel position relative to each other. Here, the carrier 7 is located in a transfer position in which the carrier 7 adjoins the guide rail 19 in a longitudinal direction, so that the running carriage 20 connected to the door wing 2b can be transferred to and from between the guide rail 19 and the carrier 7. From the position shown in FIG. 7c, the door wings 2a, 2b can be moved into the insertion compartment 6.

[0067] FIG. 7d shows the door wings 2a, 2b which are fully inserted into the insertion compartment 6, and the opening formed by the furniture carcass 21 is entirely unblocked by the door wings 2a, 2b.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the door wings 2a, 2b according to FIG. 7a-7d in a fully inserted condition within the insertion compartment 6. The carrier 7 for pivotally supporting the door wing 2a is displaceably supported along the guide rail 15a fixed to the furniture wall 3b via running wheels 16a, 16b. By the running wheels 16a having a vertical rotational axis, the carrier 7 can be guided in a lateral direction along the guide rail 15a. On the contrary, the running wheels 16b having a horizontal rotational axis bear a weight force of the door wings 2a, 2b.

[0069] With this embodiment, the guide element 4b is in the form of a rotatable roller configured to be arranged between the two door wings 2a, 2b when the door wings 2a, 2b are aligned in a parallel position relative to each other. A diameter of the guide element 4b configured as a roller is smaller than the distance X which adopt the two door wings 2a, 2b in a parallel position to each other. Preferably, the guide element 4b in the form of the rotatable roller is supported on at least one of the spacer members 5a, 5b.

[0070] FIG. 9a shows a cross-sectional view of the door wings 2a, 2b according to FIGS. 7a-7d in a fully inserted condition within the insertion compartment 6. Two guide rails 15a, 15b spaced apart from each other in the height direction are fixed to the furniture wall 3b, and the two door wings 2a, 2b are movable along the guide rails 15a, 15b via the carrier 7. At least one gliding device 10, preferably a plurality of gliding devices 10, can be arranged on the furniture wall 3a as well as on the furniture wall 3b.

[0071] While the gliding devices 10 arranged on the furniture wall 3a are configured according to FIGS. 6a, 6b so as to adopt a very compact design, the gliding devices 10 arranged on the furniture wall 3b must be built broader so as to bridge the guide rails 15a, 15b fixed to the furniture wall 3b, so that the rolling bodies 11a, 11b of the gliding device 10 can contact the door wing 2b.

[0072] FIG. 9b shows the framed region A of FIG. 9a in an enlarged view. At least one gliding device 10 is arranged on the furniture wall 3b, the gliding device 10 having a broader construction than the gliding device 10 fixed to the furniture wall 3a. Therefore, the running contour of the rolling bodies 11a, 11b intended for the contact with the door wing 2b has a larger distance with respect to a side face of the furniture wall 3b than the largest occurring width of the guide rails 15a, 15b.

[0073] FIG. 10a shows the gliding device 10 according to FIG. 9b, the gliding device 10 being configured to be fixed to the furniture wall 3b. For bridging a width of the guide rails 15a, 15b, the rolling bodies 11a, 11b must be arranged with a larger distance to the side face of the furniture wall 3b, so that the rolling bodies 11a, 11b are able to contact the door wing 2b. The gliding device 10 includes at least one base body 22 having at least one fastening location 17, for example a hole for the passage of a screw, and the gliding device 10 is to be fixed to a furniture wall 3a, 3b or to a movable furniture part 2 via the fastening location 17.

[0074] The base body 22 of the gliding device 10 includes two mutually spaced bearings 24 for releasably, preferably clampingly, fixing the axis 23 on which the two rolling bodies 11a, 11b are rotatably supported.

[0075] FIG. 10b shows the gliding device 10 according to FIG. 10a in an assembled condition, in which the axis 23 is configured to be connected to the base body 22 in a form-locking manner and/or in a force-locking manner.