Abstract
The invention relates to a piece of furniture, comprising a furniture body, a two-part furniture flap having a first flap part, preferably arranged at the top in the assembled position, and a second flap part, preferably arranged at the bottom in the assembled position, and at least one supporting device for the furniture flap, wherein the supporting device is connected to the furniture body and the furniture flap in an articulated manner, wherein the supporting device has a transmission part, which is arranged on the inside of the first flap part and defines the setting angle of the second flap part to the first flap part according to the setting angle of the first flap part.
Claims
1. An article of furniture comprising a furniture carcass, a two-part furniture flap having a first flap part—preferably arranged upwardly in a mounted position—and a second flap part—preferably arranged downwardly in the mounted position—and at least one support device for the furniture flap, wherein the support device is hingedly connected to the furniture carcass and the furniture flap, wherein the support device has a transmission portion which is arranged at the inside of the first flap part and is linearly displaceable along the inside of the first flap part and which in dependence on the setting angle of the first flap part establishes the setting angle of the second flap part relative to the first flap part.
2. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission portion of the support device is hingedly connected to the furniture carcass by way of a first hinge lever at a first articulation point—which is preferably arranged upwardly in a mounted position.
3. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 2 wherein the first articulation point is arranged at a first end of the transmission portion.
4. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission portion of the support device is hingedly connected to the second flap part by way of a second hinge lever at a second articulation point—which is preferably arranged downwardly in a mounted position.
5. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 4 wherein the second hinge lever is hingedly connected to the second flap part by way of a fitting.
6. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 4 wherein the second articulation point is arranged at a second end of the transmission portion.
7. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first flap part is connected to the furniture carcass by way of a first hinged connection, preferably by way of a first furniture hinge.
8. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first flap part is connected to the second flap part by way of a second hinged connection preferably by way of a second furniture hinge.
9. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 8 wherein the second hinge lever in a mounted position is connected to the second flap part beneath the point of rotation of the second hinged connection connecting the flap parts.
10. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 2 wherein the transmission portion of the support device and the first and/or the second hinge lever are substantially aligned with each other in the closed position of the furniture flap.
11. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 2 wherein the transmission portion of the support device and the first and/or the second hinge lever are substantially aligned with each other in the open position of the furniture flap.
12. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 2 wherein the ratio of the longitudinal extent of the first and/or the second hinge lever to the longitudinal extent of the transmission portion of the support device is less than or equal to ½.
13. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transmission portion of the support device is guided at least sectionwise by a guide substantially linearly at a guide portion displaceable relative thereto.
14. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 13 wherein the guide is a positive guide means, preferably with a groove rail.
15. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 13 wherein the guide portion of the support device is fixed to the inside of the first flap part.
16. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 13 wherein the guide portion is connected to the first and/or the second hinged connection.
17. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the longitudinal extent of the transmission portion of the support device to the height of the first flap part is at least equal to or greater than ⅓, preferably at least equal to or greater than ½.
18. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ratio of the longitudinal extent of the transmission portion of the support device to the height of the first flap part is at most 0.8.
19. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the support device has an electrical and/or spring-loaded mechanical drive.
20. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 19 wherein the spring-loaded mechanical drive has a force storage means, preferably at least one spring, wherein a control cam or a multi-link kinematic arrangement can be acted upon with force by the force storage means.
21. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 19, wherein the drive acts on the first hinge lever.
22. A support device for a two-part furniture flap comprising a housing which can be fixed to an article of furniture, a transmission portion, a first hinge lever hingedly connected to the housing and disposed at a first articulation point of the transmission portion, a second hinge lever disposed at a second articulation point of the transmission portion, a guide portion which can be fixed to a first flap part of a furniture flap for preferably substantially linear guidance of the transmission portion along the first flap part, a first hinged connection for connecting the housing to the guide portion, and a second hinged connection for connecting the guide portion to the second hinge lever and for fixing a second flap part of a furniture flap.
23. Use of a support device as set forth in claim 22 for an article of furniture.
Description
[0029] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiments by way of example illustrated in the drawing in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap,
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device in a completely opened position,
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a sectional side view of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device in an intermediate position,
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device in a closed position,
[0034] FIGS. 5a-5c show a sectional side view of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device upon an opening or closing movement,
[0035] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a support device in a closed position,
[0036] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a support device in an intermediate position,
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a further perspective view of a support device in an intermediate position,
[0038] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a support device in an opened position,
[0039] FIGS. 10a, 10b show a side view and a perspective view of a support device in a closed position,
[0040] FIGS. 11a, 11b show a side view and a perspective view of a support device in an intermediate position,
[0041] FIGS. 12a, 12b show a side view and a perspective view of a support device in an opened position,
[0042] FIGS. 13a-13c show a side view in detail of a part of the support device in an opening or closing movement,
[0043] FIG. 14 shows a perspective exploded view of a support device,
[0044] FIG. 15 shows a sectional side view of a further embodiment of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device in an opened position,
[0045] FIG. 16 shows a sectional side view of a further embodiment of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device in an intermediate position,
[0046] FIG. 17 shows a sectional side view of a further embodiment of an article of furniture with a two-part furniture flap and a support device,
[0047] FIGS. 18a-18c show a sectional side view of a further embodiment of an article of furniture in an opening or closing movement,
[0048] FIGS. 19a-19c show various side and perspective sectional views of a part of an embodiment of a support device with a drive, and
[0049] FIG. 20 shows a perspective exploded view of a further embodiment of a support device.
[0050] FIG. 1 shows an article of furniture 1 with a two-part furniture flap 3 fixed to a furniture carcass 2 in an upwardly folded, that is to say opened, position. In this arrangement the two-part furniture flap 3 comprises a first flap part 31 and a second flap part 32, wherein there is provided a handle 6 for better operability by a user at the lower edge of the second flap part 32. The support device 4 is concealed by the furniture flap 3 in this view.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of an article of furniture 1 in an opened position approximately corresponding to FIG. 1. In this arrangement the article of furniture comprises the furniture carcass 2, the support device 4 fixed thereto and the two-part furniture flap 3 with a first flap part 31 and a second flap part 32. A handle 6 for actuation of the furniture flap 3 is provided on the second flap part 32. The housing 48 of the support device 4 is mounted in an upwardly disposed region of the furniture carcass 2, in which case mounting of the support device 4 can be effected at a side wall of the furniture carcass 2 or also at the underside of the top panel of the furniture carcass 2. The first flap part 31 of the furniture flap 3 is connected to the housing 48 by way of a first hinged connection 46. As will be further apparent hereinafter this first hinged connection can be a four-point concealed cup hinge. The first flap part 31 can also additionally be fixed to a guide portion 45 of the support device 4. The second flap part 32 is connected to the first hinge part 31 with a second hinged connection 47. The second hinged connection 47 between the flap parts 31, 32 can be a two-point concealed cup hinge, as will be further apparent hereinafter. The first hinge lever 41 is also mounted rotatably to the housing 48. That first hinge lever 41 engages the transmission portion 40 at a first articulation point 43. The second hinge lever 42 in turn engages the second articulation point 44 of the transmission portion 40. The second hinge lever 42 is hingedly connected to the second flap part 32, in the embodiment shown here that connection is made by way of the second hinged connection 47. In this position corresponding to the open position of the furniture flap 3 the first hinge lever 41, the transmission portion 40 and the second hinge lever 42 are substantially aligned with each other. It will also be clearly visible from this view that access to the interior 20 of the furniture carcass 2 is not impeded by components projecting therefrom. The support device 4 can also have an electric drive 5 which cannot be seen from the exterior.
[0052] In the sectional view of the article of furniture 1 shown in FIG. 3 the two-part furniture flap 3 is in an intermediate position between the completely opened and the completely closed state. The pivotal movement of the first hinge lever 41, which is caused by the setting angle of the first flap part 31 which is reduced in comparison with FIG. 2, relative to the furniture carcass 2, is transmitted by the transmission portion 40 to the setting angle between the second flap part 32 and the first flap part 31 with the second hinge lever 42 so that upon closure of the two-part furniture flap 3 there is a pivotal movement of the second flap part 32 with respect to the first flap part 31. Transmission of the setting angle of the first flap part 31 to the setting angle of the second flap part 32 in relation thereto is made possible by the transmission portion 40 which is guided linearly on a guide portion 45 and which bears against the inside of the first flap part 31 over the entire range of pivotal movement, and thus allows controlled pivotal movement of the second flap part 32 with respect to the first flap part 31 upon opening or closing of the two-part furniture flap 3.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows an article of furniture 1 in a completely closed position of the two-part furniture flap 3. The first hinge lever 41, the transmission portion 40 and the second hinge lever 42 of the support device 4 are substantially in alignment with each other in this closed position of the two-part furniture flap 3, whereby the amount of space required by the support device 4 can turn out to be very small.
[0054] FIGS. 5a through 5c show the opening and closing movement of a two-part furniture flap 3 of an article of furniture 1. In this respect FIG. 5a shows an article of furniture 1 with a completely closed two-part furniture flap 3, FIG. 5b shows an article of furniture 1 with a two-part furniture flap 3 in a partially opened or closed position and FIG. 5c shows an article of furniture 1 with a completely opened two-part furniture flap 3.
[0055] In that respect it can be clearly seen that upon opening or closing of the two-part furniture flap 3 the downwardly arranged second flap part 32 is pivoted with respect to the first flap part 31 by the support device 4 in such a way that it is displaced almost perpendicularly upwardly and downwardly respectively. That is contrary to operating comfort and convenience for a user as upon opening or closing of the two-part furniture flap the lower second flap part 32 in that case pivots substantially no further out from the furniture carcass 2 than the lower edge of the upper first flap part 31. In that case, the part of the support device 4 which bears against the inside of the first flap part 31 substantially follows the contour of the two-part furniture flap 3 and thus permits optimum accessibility for a user to the interior 20 of the furniture carcass 2. Optimum operating safety is also achieved by the elimination, which is made possible in that way, of any additional control elements which are provided separately from the flap parts 31, 32 and which project from the furniture carcass 2.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a perspective rear view of a support device 4 in a position corresponding to a closed position of a two-part furniture flap 3 (not shown). In this case the housing 48, the first hinge lever 41 hingedly fixed thereto, the transmission portion 40 connected thereto at a first articulation point 43 and the second hinge lever 42 hingedly connected thereto at the second articulation point 44 can be clearly seen. In this view the guide portion 45 which is connected to the first hinged connection 46 and the second hinged connection 47 is concealed. In this embodiment the second hinge lever 42 is connected to the second hinged connection 47 by way of a fitting 49. The transmission ratio in terms of transmission of the setting angles of the flap parts 31, 32 of a furniture flap 3, that are provided for mounting to the hinged connections 46, 47, can be adjusted by the fitting 49 in addition to the transmission ratio provided by the proportions of the hinge levers 41, 42 to the transmission portion 40. When using a fitting 49 the first hinge lever 41, the transmission portion 40 and the second hinge lever 42 can further be substantially in alignment with each other.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows a perspective rear view of a support device 4, the position of which corresponds to a partially opened or closed position of a two-part furniture flap 3 (not shown). In that respect it can be seen that the first hinged connection 46 connected to the housing 48, in this embodiment in the form of a four-link concealed cup hinge, is partially opened. A part of the guide portion 45 is also visible by virtue of the pivotal movement of the first hinge lever 41 in that position of the support device 4. By virtue of the linear relative movement caused by the pivotal motion between the transmission portion 40 and the guide portion 45, the second hinged connection 47 by way of the second hinge lever 42 and the fitting 49 can be so modified in its setting angle that a flap part 32 intended for mounting thereto would be held in an almost perpendicular position.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows a perspective rear view of a support device 4, the position of which corresponds to an almost completely opened two-part furniture flap 3. The first hinged connection 46 which in this embodiment is in the form of a four-link concealed cup hinge, is equally disposed in an almost opened condition. The transmission portion 40 which is guided linearly at the guide portion 45 has moved in this position of the support device 4 relative thereto from a lower end of the guide portion 45—presupposing an opening movement—in the direction of an upper end of the guide portion 45, and thus transmitted a pivotal movement of the first hinged connection 46 to the second hinged connection 47 by way of the second hinge lever 42 and the fitting 49.
[0059] FIG. 9 shows a perspective rear view of a support device 4 in a position corresponding to a completely opened two-part furniture flap 3. The first hinged connection 46 which is in the form of a four-point hinge, between the housing 48 and the guide portion 45, is disposed in this case in an open position, in other words a pivoted outwardly or also extended position, and the second hinged connection 47 in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge, between the guide portion 45 and the second hinge lever 42, is in a closed position, in other words in an angled-in or folded-in position. The transmission portion 40 is displaced with respect to the guide portion 45 to the maximum in the direction of the first hinged connection 46, which is characteristic of the position of the support device 4, that corresponds to the opened position of a two-part furniture flap 3. In this embodiment the positive guidance is afforded by the transmission portion 40 engaging behind the guide groove 6 provided on the guide portion 45. The desired tilting movement of the second hinged connection 47 in the position of the support device 4, that corresponds to the opened position, can be adjusted by way of the dimensions of the fitting 49.
[0060] FIGS. 10a and 10b show a side view and a perspective front view of a position of the support device 4, corresponding to a closed position of a two-part furniture flap 3. In this position the transmission portion 40 is displaced relative to the guide portion 45 to the maximum in the direction of the second hinged connection 47. The first and second hinged connections 46, 47 which are in the form of a four-point and two-point concealed cup hinge respectively are respectively disposed in a position in which a flap part 31, 32 of a two-part furniture flap 3, that is intended for mounting thereto, would be respectively disposed in a perpendicular position. The first hinge lever 41, the transmission portion 40 and the second hinge lever 42 are substantially aligned with each other. In this position the first hinged connection 46 which is in the form of a four-link concealed cup hinge is disposed in a closed condition, whereas the second hinged connection 47 which is in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge is in an opened condition.
[0061] FIGS. 11a and 11b show a side view and a perspective front view respectively of a support device 4 in an intermediate position. The first hinged connection 46 which is in the form of a four-point concealed cup hinge and the second hinged connection 47 which is in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge are disposed in this case in a partially opened and closed condition respectively. The transmission portion 40 is approximately at half the displacement travel which is possible relative to the guide portion 45, between the lower and upper end positions of the guide.
[0062] FIGS. 12a and 12b show a side view and a perspective front view respectively of a support device 4 in a position corresponding to an opened position of a two-part furniture flap 3. The first hinge lever 41, the transmission portion 40 and the second hinge lever 42 are in this case again aligned with each other. The transmission portion 40 is in an upper end position in its displacement travel relative to the guide portion 45. The first hinged connection 46 in the form of the four-point concealed cup hinge is in a completely opened condition and the second hinged connection 47 in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge is in a completely closed condition. FIGS. 13a through 13c show a detail view of a portion of a two-part furniture flap 3 with a part of the support device 4 in an opening or closing movement. FIG. 13a shows a portion of the first flap part 31 and a portion of the second flap part 32. In addition it is also possible to see the second hinged connection 47 in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge, thereby providing a hinged connection between the first flap part 31 and the second flap part 32. In this embodiment the second hinge lever 42 of the support device 4 is connected to the second flap part 32 by way of a fitting 49. The second hinge lever 42 further attaches to the transmission portion 40 at the second articulation point 44 thereof. The first flap part 31 can be fixed to the guide portion 45 of the support device 4 by way of screw means. The transmission portion 40 which is guided at the guide portion 45 is disposed in this position corresponding to the closed position of an article of furniture 1, in a lower end position in its displacement travel. FIG. 13b shows a portion of the support device 4 and the two-part furniture flap 3 in a partially opened or closed position. It can be seen here that the tilting movement of the first flap part 31, due to the relative displacement between the transmission portion 40 and the guide portion 45, has been transmitted with the transmission portion 40 by way of the second hinge lever 42 and the fitting 49 to the second hinged connection 47 and thus the second flap portion 32. FIG. 13c shows a part of the support device 4 and the two-part furniture flap 3 in a completely opened position. It is to be noted in this respect that the inclination of the second flap part 32 can be adjusted in the open position of the two-part furniture flap 3 by the fitting 49. In the embodiment illustrated here the second flap part 32 would incline away from the carcass 2 of an article of furniture 1, whereby it can be made easier for a user to be positioned under an opened furniture flap 3.
[0063] FIG. 14 shows a perspective exploded view of a support device 4. In this case the housing 48, the first hinged connection 46 provided for fixing thereto and in the form of a four-point concealed cup hinge, the guide portion 45, the second hinged connection 47 in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge with the fitting 49 fixed thereto, the second hinge lever 42, the transmission portion 40 with the first and second articulation points 43, 44 and the first hinge lever 41 can be clearly seen. In this case the guide groove 7 for linear positive guidance of the transmission portion 40 is provided sectionwise on the guide portion 45 and the arm, provided for fixing thereto, of the second hinged connection 47 in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge. It is also possible to see on the transmission portion 40 the holding structures provided for engagement into the guide groove 7.
[0064] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of an article of furniture 1 having a furniture carcass 2, a two-part furniture flap 3 and a support device 4, the support device 4 having a spring-loaded mechanical drive 5. In this case the drive acts on the first hinge lever 41 of the support device 4, in which case it is provided in the region of the mounting in the housing 4 with a control cam 52, thereby permitting the drive 5 to be of an integrated compact structure. The two-part furniture flap 3 can be held in an open position as shown by the spring-loaded mechanical drive 5.
[0065] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of an article of furniture 1 with a two-part furniture flap 3 and a support device 4 with a spring-loaded mechanical drive 5 with a partially opened or closed furniture flap 3. In this case the opening movement of the two-part furniture flap 3 can be assisted by the drive 5 or also driven over certain angular ranges.
[0066] FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of an article of furniture 1 in a closed position of the furniture flap 3, with a support device 4 having a drive 5. In this position of the support device 4 the spring-loaded mechanical drive 5 can hold the two-part furniture flap 3 in the closed position with a force which can be sufficiently easily overcome for a user.
[0067] FIGS. 18a through 18c show the implementation of an opening or closing movement of an article of furniture 1 with a support device 4 provided with a drive 5 for a two-part furniture flap 3. In this case the drive 5 can assist with the closed position of the furniture flap 3, shown in FIG. 18a. As from a certain opening angle, as far as which the furniture flap 3 can be urged by the drive 5 into a closed position, the drive 5 can actively support opening of the furniture flap 3 and also hold it in an opened position as in FIG. 18c.
[0068] FIG. 19a shows a portion of a support device 4 with a spring-loaded mechanical drive 5 and a first flap part 31 fixed thereto of a furniture flap 3. In this case the Figure shows a spring 51 which is arranged in the housing 48 and which acts on the control cam 52 provided on the first hinge lever 41.
[0069] FIGS. 19b and 19c show a side view and a perspective rear view respectively of a drive 5 provided in the housing 48 of the support device 4.
[0070] FIG. 20 shows a perspective exploded view of a support device 4, for which there is provided a spring-loaded mechanical drive 5. The first hinged connection 46 and the spring 51 provided for the drive are not shown in this view. It is possible to see here the housing 48, the guide portion 45, the second hinged connection 47 in the form of a two-point concealed cup hinge with a fitting 49 fixed thereto, the second hinge lever 42, the transmission portion 40 with the first and second articulation points 43, 44, and the first hinge lever 41 with the control cam 52 provided thereon. In this embodiment the guide groove 7 for positive guidance of the transmission portion 40 is provided sectionwise on the guide portion 45.
